Thank you Malachi. I would have posted about the battle between the Ironclads, but Saturday is my busiest day. And the 6 Nations is on too!
This rugby competition is the highlight of my sporting calendar and I miss a third of the games as it is, as I am at work.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Star Wars Lives!
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http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/18/10543196/star-wars-the-force-awakens-a-new-hope-nostalgia
No spoilers… but exactly as predicted.
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Aaaannd one more for good measure.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/17/superfan-star-wars-force-awakens-creative
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I’ve been reading more or less “Re-hash of Episode IV with some V and VI thrown in.” Basically a typical JJ movie. Moving to fast to explain anything and so that you hopefully won’t notice the chasms in the story. Grasps for unearned emotion from the audience.
Most seem to like the new girl though but who doesn’t like a slender pretty girl with a posh accent?
On the one hand I’m digging all the justification of my cynicism. On the other it is so terribly sad to be right in this case.
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On the one hand I’m digging all the justification of my cynicism. On the other it is so terribly sad to be right in this case.
True. It could have been a great thing for the Star Wars universe/franchise, but it is sad to think that not just this film, but what proceeds from it, could ruin Star Wars to some degree.
I wonder how long it will take for people in general to realize how hollow this film is. Someone suggested that Disney/Abrams was playing it safe on this film; trying to hit all the correct cues and avoid all of the prequel stumbles. The hypothesis (or hope) was that after this film gains warm acceptance the writers/directors/studio will have the fan’s trust and blessing to actually become creative. I can understand that thought, but I find it hard to believe that it is THE PLAN. I just doubt any studio’s ability to shy away from a formula to make money these days.
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When the TIE fighter got destroyed did a guy in a parachute drop? Disney does this in their cartoons to show nobody can die
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On the one hand I’m digging all the justification of my cynicism. On the other it is so terribly sad to be right in this case.
True. It could have been a great thing for the Star Wars universe/franchise, but it is sad to think that not just this film, but what proceeds from it, could ruin Star Wars to some degree.
I wonder how long it will take for people in general to realize how hollow this film is. Someone suggested that Disney/Abrams was playing it safe on this film; trying to hit all the correct cues and avoid all of the prequel stumbles. The hypothesis (or hope) was that after this film gains warm acceptance the writers/directors/studio will have the fan’s trust and blessing to actually become creative. I can understand that thought, but I find it hard to believe that it is THE PLAN. I just doubt any studio’s ability to shy away from a formula to make money these days.
Studios don’t care if what they put out is good or new or actually creative or even how we feel about it. They care that we pay to see it. So maybe they do care that we at least like it enough to see the next one.
I keep reading a lot of people saying they enjoyed it in the theater but it falls apart on them if they think about it too much. A lot of “wait for the next one.” Product cinema at its finest.
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Never been a Star Wars fan - and did not get beyond the second film - but have read a VERY positive critical review.
My wife may drag me to it ….
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frimmel’s reply #137 nailed it. Just nailed it.
I just got back from the theater. I love Star Wars, and I loved this movie. They copied IV a bit too much, but I figure they’re playing it safe - risky to change too much (all the hate for Episode I).
I love I-VI every one, and now VII. Will buy it as soon as it comes out. Would go to the theater to watch it again, but hesitate because there are so many people there - all the crying, the talking, the noise……
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I keep reading a lot of people saying they enjoyed it in the theater but it falls apart on them if they think about it too much.
I think it all depends on what you want from them. I’ll see what happens after I think about it for awhile. Like I said, though, none of the sins of the first 6 were enough to make me actually dislike them.
Colored laser swords! Space ships! Funny lines! Good guys die sometimes! Force powers! Interesting story! Laser swords! Exotic locations and funny aliens! Space pubs! Laser swords!
See, I got what I wanted, so I am a happy customer.
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I saw Episode VII tonight with my son and I have to say that it doesn’t have anything in common with Star Wars.
A flying Millenium Falken or some X_Wings or some Lightsaber doesn’t make it automatically a Star Wars Movie.We want to identify our selfs with the Person of interest. For Example: I can watch Fynn and understand what he is doing and what his goals may be in that Movie. I can’t do that with other characters because the Minute I think about them, the Scene is a diffrent one. Nothing explained, just like in the Trailer when the voice says: Who are you?? -Exactly! Who are you??
We were able to grow with Luke and see what he is after.
Not with this characters in E7.I can immediatly Name you a couple of Imperial Generals, not a single one from E7. Why is that??
I have to admit Frimmel is right and my worst fears came true.JJ resetted the Star Wars universe like in Star Trek.
Toooo man Running Gags for nothing.The movie reminded me a Little of Green Lantern.
We will continue our debatte about this movie, don’t want to spoil anything yet!
Sincerely AeV
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This was product cinema, a “just good enough” tentpole movie to set up a new series. It’s not an unmitigated disaster like most of the prequels, but by no means is it noteworthy or even particularly memorable.
For positives I’ll say I liked Fin and Rey. They were both drawn out well enough and acted capably, and I enjoyed their budding chemistry. I also enjoyed the divorced parents dynamic of Han and Leia, individually they each performed OK. The special effects were much crisper than the prequels and were not a distraction.
But to pick up on aequitas et veritas’s point, one huge flaw in this film is the lack of a strong villain. Andy Serkis’s Wizard of Oz hologram was mildly intimidating, but General Hex and Kylo Ren are totally limp, pale and watered down versions of Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader. Tarkin didn’t need a contrived fascist-style speech to be evil, Peter Cushing did it with an insidious combination of civility and malice.
And Kylo Ren. My goodness, what a lame henchman. He’s what prequel Vader would have been like in a suit. His helmet removal was laughable, and his character overall was very poorly developed despite being so important to the plot. And I will NEVER accept Han’s fate.
Starkiller Base is a big, dumb plot device that makes big, dumb explosions. That Han jokes about the ease with which it can be taken down removes any drama in the final battle, and the battle itself is very underwhelming. I have to say I’m shocked the dogfighting scenes in general were pretty weak: they felt like video game footage. Doesn’t seem like JJ has any idea on how to shoot such sequences. The last act just feels too casual, as if this is a rote sabotage mission and attack run with nothing at stake. Also where was this precious Resistance Fleet? Where did all the Mon Calamari Star Cruisers and Nebulon-B Frigates go? Wouldn’t antique Y-wings and advanced B-wings been better suited for a bombing run? What happened to those? How about A-wings?
Also I’m sick and tired of Jedi getting cut to ribbons by rogue apprentices, maybe they’re not worth training en masse after all.
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This was product cinema, a “just good enough” tentpole movie to set up a new series. It’s not an unmitigated disaster like most of the prequels, but by no means is it noteworthy or even particularly memorable.
Slight deviation from the matter at hand, since I haven’t seen Force Awakens yet… I know it is the trendy refrain that the Prequels were terrible, not Star Wars, etc… but I really don’t think they are as abjectly terrible as so many say. Maybe this is because I first saw these movies between the ages of 11 and 15 and I can’t objectively see them again for the first time. But I have at least one reason as to why.
Compared to the Original trilogy, the Prequels are all a step below in nearly every regard: acting, visual effects, the cast, tone, etc… However, and in spite of the many faults, there are positive elements, chief of which is the story arc for Ep I - III. Star Wars I-VI is very much the story of Darth Vader; the Prequels in particular exist for no other reason. Strip away the on-screen blunders and I think the vast storyline for the Star Wars galaxy, The Republic, the Jedi and Darth Vader/the Empire is quite excellent. Again, implementation is poor in many ways; often it is like watching a tv soap opera. But personally, I will take a great story that lacks somewhat in implementation over a shallow, re-hashing of an already established story. Maybe I am in the minority.
Ep I, II and III are frequently wooden and often stray into outright opera-level plot declaration and emotional statements. They also reveal too much about the Star Wars universe, which sheds much of the mystery and wonder of the franchise. The plot is somewhat complex, at least compared to Ep IV - VI. This is both good and bad. Many people deride the Prequels (Ep I in particular) for opening the plot with statements on “taxation of trade routes”; somehow implying that such material is too esoteric (and therefore boring) for Star Wars. The entire plot of the galactic struggle in the Prequels is predicated on this split between the Republic and various economic and industrial factions. Granted, this is generally a background element and not constantly elaborated on, but it gives very plausible reason for why things occur as they do. Maybe my appreciation of this background and complicated story comes from me being primarily a Star Trek guy. A good story means more to me than the number of explosions, laser swords, throwback references and funny quips. You can argue that such a nuanced story is not Star Wars - because it is definitely more muddied than the Original trilogy. But I obviously don’t believe that a complex plot detracts from the enjoyment. Rather I think it is necessary for the story that was to be told. To some level, the prequels, by their very nature, have to be different than the Original trilogy. Again, the implementation is poor in many respects, but it is intellectually compelling if nothing else. There are plenty of explosions and crazy sword fights in it too.
Am I overvaluing originality? I don’t believe so. But if I am it is only because there is a tremendously apparent lack of it in the film industry and media in general today.
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As another side note, this was quite eye-opening. Even if I think 90% of it is BS. It is some darn well framed and supported BS. I just have a hard time believing that writers/producers/directors think about think about their scripts to the extent of making the entire film full-blown subliminal allegory.
Digging Deeper- Jurassic Park: Finding the Lost World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEf6UQuzvPo
Can this be applied to The Force Awakens?
I could possibly buy that Steven Spielberg, with his decade spanning experience, creative authority and self-aware filmmaking, is capable of doing this with The Lost World. It is much more difficult to imagine that Jurassic World continued that deep intro/extrospection. Jurassic World seemed entirely, like The Force Awakens, the revival of a beloved franchise with the sole intent to capitalize on billions of dollars in nostalgia. However, after watching Jurassic World, I remember having the distinct thought that the masses in the film were a direct representation of the people in the theater seats. But that is as far as I got with the impression of having been punked.
Can anything so smart be attributed to JJ Abrams in any of his creations, most pertinently The Force Awakens? In one sense, making a movie that is entirely a subliminal commentary on itself or the industry implies a great deal of directed intent and intelligence. However, can this redeem a film that is still a poor action/visual spectacle that is unabashedly rides the same plot, characters and success of the past? I would say no.
At least The Lost World had a different, more complicated story with new and interesting characters. The plot is actually a reasonable extension of the events in Jurassic Park. I have always thought it is underrated.
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I have not read any of your post. I’m heading to watch Star Wars tonight with my family.
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Nice to have you back, Worsham.
Enjoy the film. -
So, finally saw the movie a couple days ago. It was about as I expected content-wise, though not as painful to watch as I anticipated. I thought the first 30 minutes were actually quite good and engaging, but it was pretty much downhill from there. John Boyega does a better job with Fin than the trailers indicated. Rey is a very worthy Star Wars character and she is acted perfectly; definitely the best in the film.
Kylo Ren is simply a poor villain. His personal conflict does not have much weight and is not given enough background. Adam Driver gave it a good effort, but he could not do much with how his character was written or edited. Even so, he was able to make Ren creepy and bordering on perverted during the interrogation scene with Rey. The Darth Revan cues of his costume and voice are good and I do like how he is not as menacing to his troops as Vader is. However, in that respect Ren is inconsistent. He is often fair or reasoned with subordinates, giving him a calmer and more thoughtful presence than Darth Vader. Yet more than once he totally flies off the handle with rage and destroys things. I found these two aspects hard to reconcile and they made him (and his inner turmoil) less believable. Going back to the costume, I like it and I do not like it. I like the style but I do not think it fits for how Ren’s character is portrayed. He wears a mask that alters his voice, but why? It is only for show because clearly (unlike Vader and any other Sith in the movies) he has no injuries to cover up. Establishing a character as fearsome, anonymous and dangerous via a dark shroud and a mask suggests certain things… but once Kylo Ren removes the mask and we see nothing more than a long-haired adolescent who is essentially a rebel without a cause, whatever gravitas was established is forever lost. Maybe that was intended, but I can’t tell.
I liked how the lightsaber fight(s) were less like the lightning fast duels of the prequels and more methodical, heavy handed affairs of the original trilogy. Rightly so because the continuity is closer to Ep IV-VI and these are un or semi-trained force users rather than Jedi Knights and Sith at the height of their skill. That said, Kylo Ren was still a poor excuse for a Jedi-Sith-Force user whatever-he-is. Some of his force manipulations were cool, but his sword fighting was sub-par from what should be expected. The incompetent Fin gave better than he should have and Ren was essentially defeated by Rey, who had never touched a lightsaber before.
BB-8 was also a much better character / sidekick droid than I expected. He was funny and endearing for a modern audience in the same way that I am sure R2-D2 was in the 1970s and 80s (and still is). BB-8 is more like a highly capable pet than a mechanical companion and that serves his character well. Particularly in his interaction with Poe Dameron, who speaks of him like his dog.
Poe Damaron was also good. I like Oscar Isaac and think he is perfect for the character. Poe is like a mix of Wedge and Han as they were in IV-V-VI. His part in the Force Awakens was rather limited and kind of boxed in his character, but I liked him. I think there is promise here.
Han was okay. And just barely okay. There were a couple of glimmering moments, but overall I found him to be less like the Han Solo of old. It is also difficult to get used to a guy his age still doing all the things he used to and wearing a variation of his original getup. I think what happens to him in the film is heavily due to the fact that Harrison Ford simply did not want to play Han Solo anymore. It showed a bit and I think the events support that. Without giving away more than I just did, I think the scene of his “fate” is both way too quick and lacking in almost every way. There was little emotional impact for me as an audience member and perhaps even less from the characters that have a relationship with Han Solo. I will try to leave it at that but overall I felt it was poorly done and tragically swift for the character’s legacy and import.
My favorite part of the movie, BY FAR, was the very end. I won’t say what that is yet, but seeing that guy just turn around and stare, not saying a word was absolutely amazing. The most Star Wars thing in the entire movie and it almost made up for a lot of the bad stuff. That was very, very cool.
That was pretty much all of the good I can muster for this movie. Everything else is either average (not very interesting), poor or outright bad.
On a whole, it does give potential for future films, but only if the story is good. I can look beyond bad special effects and fan service, but if future stories are as derivative and use as much recycling of locales, character types and poorly contrived plots, then it will all be a terribly shameful waste.
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That was a better critical review than almost every one I’ve read out there, and many of them were probably paid to do it. I agree with much of what you said, especially about Ren, Rey, and BB-8
Final scene didn’t strike me nearly as much as it did you - I liked the rotating panning of the Scottish hillside the best. (But the fact that it made me think of Scotland I guess ruined the immersion)
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That was a better critical review than almost every one I’ve read out there, and many of them were probably paid to do it. I agree with much of what you said, especially about Ren, Rey, and BB-8
Final scene didn’t strike me nearly as much as it did you - I liked the rotating panning of the Scottish hillside the best. (But the fact that it made me think of Scotland I guess ruined the immersion)
Thanks for the compliments. I like to review things I am knowledgeable about or can at least speak intelligently of. I also am interested to hear what the people on A&A.org have to say because they are both intelligent and often have compelling perspectives. It’s nice to keep the dialogue going if nothing else.
I certainly have more to say, but most of it is more on the critical side. Much of it I am sure has been written of already.
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