The Force Awakens

Just saw it. It's not the originals. I don't think it was meant to be. It's a new story with new heroes. And some familiar well loved heroes are there to impart continuity, wisdom, and pass the torch. I felt it was well done and in very good taste.

Just saw the movie. It was a good movie. Reminded me of the
EP 4-6

Visually stunning, and I did like seeing old faces,even some of the new ones, and it gave me that....feel. You know what I mean, I cant speak it, but its that feel you get that just takes you into that place, and time. Part nostalgia, part not...

Still, not very creative in the sense of story.

My wife and I watched it yesterday. Both of us absolutely loved it. It's not going to replace the original trilogy for me (nothing ever will), but it's on the same level. Fantastically done.

Not sure about the 3D, either, though.

There were parts I loved, and others I downright hated, it was terribly predictable. Let's hope the next two in the series are better...

Khaos wrote: Visually stunning, and I did like seeing old faces,even some of the new ones, and it gave me that....feel. You know what I mean, I cant speak it, but its that feel you get that just takes you into that place, and time. Part nostalgia, part not...

Still, not very creative in the sense of story.

Agreed.

Force Awakens was a very good film, it had all the right elements and it was good in all the right places. But it didn't seem like much of a Star Wars film. More style than substance. Everything was just "explained", we were told things instead of having them shown to us.

However I'm open-minded to what the next films will produce, hopefully this is just the intro to get everyone up to speed...

Yeah, the writing wasn't exactly stellar, but at the same time I found that I didn't really mind. Like, it took a lot from the first three films, and played as sort of a non-stop homage to the originals... and that's exactly what I wanted. Loved the lead actors, loved seeing the old faces again. I definitely want to go back and watch it a few more times in cinemas.

(3D was totally worth it to me)

Akkarin wrote: Force Awakens was a very good film, it had all the right elements and it was good in all the right places. But it didn't seem like much of a Star Wars film. More style than substance. Everything was just "explained", we were told things instead of having them shown to us.

However I'm open-minded to what the next films will produce, hopefully this is just the intro to get everyone up to speed.

Yup, pretty much my take on it too.

It was a fantastic film.

I'm just struggling to see it as a part of the same series as the other six (or even the original trilogy in isolation). It (something that I couldn't quite put my finger on, but something in the method of storytelling) felt so different...

I think I'm going to have to go and see it again to see if it sits a little better in that respect the second-time around...

So I'm an odd and confused mix of thrilled that it was a great film and disappointed that it wasn't the Star Wars that I know and love.

Honestly I think (because I had the same sort of feeling you two do right after watching it) it's the pacing. the pacing is drastically JJ-styled, whereas the originals were made in a completely different time by a director who had totally different primary influences. Personally I think it would have hit the spot perfectly had it been an hour longer, (so we could have spent more time developing the film and the characters) but then I'm a glutton for punishment. :side:

For me, its simply the fact that they already did this story.

Agreed about the pacing. It does differ between eras of filmmaking and the producers involved. So it didn't feel quite like that thick, heavy plot approach that the others had, it felt more light and simple,and we're not quite used to that in a case like this. But it's not necessarily a bad thing to me. Perhaps the next movies will become thicker in it's pacing as the plots develop.

I loved it, and am seeing it again tomorrow.
That said, I agree that the pacing and perhaps the writing was a tad weaker than I'd hoped. They were being very careful to stick to what they knew would work -- it was a 'cautious' film. But given the prequels, I understand why, of course.
Also, I think the intangible that felt a bit weak might have been the score.... And saying that as a violinist and someone who loves John Williams' work is hard. I am going to listen more closely to the themes he wrote for the new characters, but I was surprised how much of the soundtrack felt like it was simply the old themes. I'm planning to buy the soundtrack soon and listen more closely. I may change my mind completely after a few listens!

Still loved every second of the movie, of course.

I thought it was okay, but the excessive comedy could go.

Spoiler in the post above, just putting this here to make sure it's not showing in 'Latest Posts'.

Sorry N5iiu005, we're being very careful not to say anything about the plot.

Overall I disliked the movie entirely.

It was a great Action Film. Which is what I predicted it would end up being the moment I knew who the director was. If I wanted a Action Film...I would have gone to see a movie specifically meant for Action.

Star Wars to me is not meant to be entirely action. It is meant to be a Space Drama with a light mixture of action throughout the film.

All of the character story lines were light or non existant. There were several characters I still to this day know nothing about except that they somehow for whatever reason made it to the film.

There were alot of un-necessary character roles that could have easily (and in far better taste) been mixed with other characters.

There were major plot events that were explained in two second passings before you were whisked away on the Action Packed film again

The big super power bad guy in the film? Like seriously? That's as creative as he could get???? Really? Lame...

So when it boils down to it...When you watch it solely for the Action then sure. Pretty awesome.

But the story was terrible and there was no immersion or bonding that Star Wars from the past always had for me.

Different tastes. Different likes.

All things considered, I thought it was great. It's not going to be perfect, nor is it going to be as good as the original trilogy, nor will it be completely original. Perfection is impossible, history can't repeat, and originality is somewhat irrelevant because we're talking about Star Wars here. It's about the Jedi and the Sith. There's only so much wiggle room for story.

But like I said, I thought it was great. On its own, as a movie in this day and age, I think it's fair to say that it was well done.

Saw it for the first time today, absolutely loved it!

Only criticisms would be that it had a few too many call-backs to the original films and that it was clearly written to be part of a new trilogy instead of being a stand alone film which would from part of a trilogy (like the originals).

I think it was purposely made to be similar to ANH in story and feel. This is the "bridge" from the old to the new. I anticipate the next movie won't be another clone, nor will it ape Empire.

3D was worth it for a few scenes, one time only. Next time, we're doing 2D.

I thought there was ample character development for a 2 hour film with so many characters. We still have 2 films remaining to add to their growth/background!

Remember, Obi-Wan was just an old man who hinted at things in ANH. We didn't get terribly close to him before we were expected to feel sad at his death (38 year old spoiler alert).

Couldn't agree more to that last post. The acting was a sight better than it was in ANH as well. The whole first trilogy for that matter. When you watch the originals for the first time, you only really get a chance to bond with Luke, Han, Chewie and the droids by the end of the thirst movie. And it leaves a lot open ended. This film did the same thing while setting the foreshadowing for the next few films. I have a feeling that in Episode VIII we will see multiple characters training at their respective disciplines. Setting the stage for an actual show down in the last film. I love the new characters also.

Kitsu Tails wrote: Overall I disliked the movie entirely.

Alright, who had that Kitsu wouldn't like it? :laugh:

Just messing with you Kitsu. :laugh:

I do actually see a lot of the points that you made and find it hard to disagree. I still really liked it though. But we can discuss it in more depth after a sufficient time has passed so as to avoid spoilers.