I'd see the movie first.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (SPOILER-FREE THREAD)
- Thread starter Tom Hendricks
- Start date
I'd see the movie first.
I thought Force Awakens was decent, but the story wasn't earth shattering. I felt the prequels had a grander story to tell, there was great portent even in The Phantom Menace. Force Awakens was an enjoyable film but I don't think it erases the prequels or even needs to do that.
I agree. TFA played it safe. Its story was much narrower and focused. Certainly it accomplished its goals better than the PT, but at the end of the day it didn't take (m)any chances - and I wasn't as invested in the overall story as I was for the PT*.
But, perhaps, that was the right choice. After all of the vitriol and angst from the PT, perhaps a "safe" movie was required to reassure the fanbase and general public. To say, simply: "Yeah, we got this, we're not going to mess this up."
Hopefully the plan is to expand the scope of the story and make it more ambitious in the next two films.
*Subject to change after subsequent viewings and more time to reflect on the story.
I have to see it again in 2D. I went to a 3D showing today and got handed a fogged-over pair of specs. What I could see and hear was great though.
I don't say that lightly. I've been on record all over this place as saying JJ Abrams has never done anything I've found entertaining. He did it today! That was FUN, from the crawl to the end credits.
I say now that Disney must snare JJ in an ironclad contract so he can never do anything but SW ever again. If he thinks of doing anything else he must be kidnapped and brainwashed out of such foolishness.
I don't say that lightly. I've been on record all over this place as saying JJ Abrams has never done anything I've found entertaining. He did it today! That was FUN, from the crawl to the end credits.
I say now that Disney must snare JJ in an ironclad contract so he can never do anything but SW ever again. If he thinks of doing anything else he must be kidnapped and brainwashed out of such foolishness.
My spoiler free review:
Having just seen it twice today, I will say that I very much enjoyed this movie. It does have some elements that I found a little disappointingly derivative, but there was more than enough new content to make up for that. In comparison to the trilogy, I think that ESB has a stronger emotional core than TFA does, and I still rate it higher. However, I did like this more than RotJ and probably about level with ANH. It feels like a Star Wars movie in way that the PT really didn't. And it lacked any dopey poop jokes like you find associated with Jar Jar Binks.
All of the movie's humor felt appropriate to the movie's tone and the nature of the characters.
I did feel that some of the new characters were underutilized and I hope they get a lot more attention in the follow-up films, but I was pleased to see how much screen-time the classic characters did end up with.
One thing about this movie (something that I have a love/hate relationship with in movies in general) was how much it felt like it was setting stuff up for a future film rather than being really self-contained. With the OT, Lucas wasn't sure there would be more than one film, so Star Wars was pretty self-contained, and even though he knew Jedi was going to be done when he got to do Empire, there was only a few unanswered threads by the time the movie ended. What was there was enough to whet your appetite for the third installment, but without leaving a bunch of stuff dangling. I kind of felt that TFA has too much that seemed important at the time but was left unresolved for future films. And not just for the leads, but for much of the supporting cast as well. I dunno, I guess we'll find out when we see VIII and IX.
--Alex
Having just seen it twice today, I will say that I very much enjoyed this movie. It does have some elements that I found a little disappointingly derivative, but there was more than enough new content to make up for that. In comparison to the trilogy, I think that ESB has a stronger emotional core than TFA does, and I still rate it higher. However, I did like this more than RotJ and probably about level with ANH. It feels like a Star Wars movie in way that the PT really didn't. And it lacked any dopey poop jokes like you find associated with Jar Jar Binks.
All of the movie's humor felt appropriate to the movie's tone and the nature of the characters.
I did feel that some of the new characters were underutilized and I hope they get a lot more attention in the follow-up films, but I was pleased to see how much screen-time the classic characters did end up with.
One thing about this movie (something that I have a love/hate relationship with in movies in general) was how much it felt like it was setting stuff up for a future film rather than being really self-contained. With the OT, Lucas wasn't sure there would be more than one film, so Star Wars was pretty self-contained, and even though he knew Jedi was going to be done when he got to do Empire, there was only a few unanswered threads by the time the movie ended. What was there was enough to whet your appetite for the third installment, but without leaving a bunch of stuff dangling. I kind of felt that TFA has too much that seemed important at the time but was left unresolved for future films. And not just for the leads, but for much of the supporting cast as well. I dunno, I guess we'll find out when we see VIII and IX.
--Alex
The whole thing with the Force and midichlorian and the Jedi's understanding of it was addressed in the Sixth Season of the Clone Wars (the Yoda arc at the end), where it covers the Universal Force and the Living Force. The Jedi seemed to have a limited view on the matter, or forgot about one of them until Yoda when on a pilgrimage of sorts. So that by The Empire Strikes Back, he has something else in mind about how the Force works.
Well just saw this at the 3d imax, cracking pop corn movie, and i had stayed well away from the internet so i would have no idea what the movie was about, 3d was also very good.
8/10
8/10
I saw it again today (my sisters visiting while on leave and hadn't seen it yet.)
In a lot of ways, I thought it worked better the second time. Bits of foreshadowing can be picked up on that make certain revelations seem not quiet as abrupt, the quiet moments stand out more, you pick up on more of the sequal hints, and the references to the OT are less noticeable.
In a lot of ways, I thought it worked better the second time. Bits of foreshadowing can be picked up on that make certain revelations seem not quiet as abrupt, the quiet moments stand out more, you pick up on more of the sequal hints, and the references to the OT are less noticeable.
I would never do that anyway.
Saw it a few hours ago, really really enjoyed it. I've seen all the SW films although was never a fan of them. They were ranged from "meh" to "awful". Saw this cos I loved JJ's take on Trek, and this had plenty of what I loved about that. Likable characters, great snippits of humour, tons of emotion and crazy action.
Just saw it. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thoroughly enjoyed it. More similar in tone to Empire. CGI used where needed and not all over the place. Characters you can root for instead of the cardboard cut-outs of the prequels. Excellent use of the original cast - used wisely and not shoe-horned into silly, universe-shrinking cameos. More than two women (lots more).
Yes! And my wife just tells me the movie actually passes the Bechtel test! I think we live in glorious times when characters like Imperator Furiosa and Rey become the norm.
Finally saw this tonight. It was fun. No more than that. My biggest problem with it was it's need to connect every moment back to something from the original trilogy.
In no hurry for an episode 8 after this one, but neither am I opposed. Apathetic to it's fate, you might say. But since it's inevitable, let's hope it finds a way to work a little more character work into the vistas and explosions.
Edit: Don't want to risk spoilers
In no hurry for an episode 8 after this one, but neither am I opposed. Apathetic to it's fate, you might say. But since it's inevitable, let's hope it finds a way to work a little more character work into the vistas and explosions.
Edit: Don't want to risk spoilers
Just saw it!! AWESOME!!!!! Nostalgia city! 
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