[Closed] The Star Wars Spoiler Thread

OK. Just back from seeing it in IMAX 3D. I liked it, quite a lot. Yes the plot was rubbish. Yes, the science is abysmal. Yes, Carrie Fisher doesn't/can't act.
But it's very good humoured, visually and sonically impressive, I like the jokes, and the time in the cinema passed very quickly. My son, who is a trainee thespian spotted loads of well established British stage actors in cameos. To me, it's rather like Pirates of the Caribbean in space.
I wish the science was better - the total disregard for gravity or atmosphere, the fact that they clearly have anti-gravity (Rey's tractor thing) yet most people and droids walk everywhere and they have stairs, they have a faster than light technology but can't build a gun that can hit anyone, stormtroopers wear armour that has the protective value of a pair of pyjamas, sound carries through space, a low level troop commander has sufficient knowledge and security clearance to turn off the shields etc etc etc. The fact that it isn't clearly shows that you can't take it seriously and have to treat it like a comic book. And on those terms, it succeeds.

Because his grandfather wore one, and he worships him.

Exactly this. It establishes him as a Vader wannabee - not the real deal - yet. Just as Annakin wasn't the real deal until after his fight with Obie-Wan.

I forgot to list the humour in the negatives.

Well actually I did chuckle at most of them, but it just made the whole thing feel less Star Wars with obvious jokes and audience laughing littered about. May as well watch Space Balls.

From my thoughts and other comments here, again have to say it's flawed, but if you can look past all these things it's enjoyable and impressive. If you critically look at the originals there are bucket loads of terrible holes in them, but we love them.

I really enjoyed watching it. On reflection I realised where holes could be poked into it but Star Wars is not a thing that's supposed to be reflected upon deeply. It's 1930s Flash Gordon adventure serials for more recent generations.

One of the strands of my particular brand of geekery is that I like to understand the wider setting of things like Star Wars. All the background detail about the ships and vehicles and so on can draw me in. With the Force Awakens I was left a little bemused by the Republic/Resistance/First Order. Is the First Order a relatively local problem, which is why the Republic didn't face it head on? But if that's the case why does blowing up one planet and a few ships seem such a significant event? The Star Wars galaxy has always seemed huge and very heavily populated but it now looks like the Republic had a fleet containing about 6 ships. Presumably how it fits together will be explained in further movies or in other media but it left me a little confused. More confused than "big Evil Galactic Empire vs small Rebel Alliance" did, anyway!

I liked how initially the returning characters were mainly there to support and steer the new heroes but towards the end of the movie Han in particular started to overshadow Finn and Rey. It would have been difficult to avoid given the Solo family drama that was going on though, and hopefully the handover to the new generation is going to be maintained in episode VIII, with Luke being present as a mentor but not a prime protagonist.

[img] [/img]

My star wars name is 'Mawer Muder' !? 😯
This is why Star Trek is better

Did anyone see the fan theory that Ren was going to the darkside in order to defeat Snoke. When Han says he will do anything, that included giving his life.

This is why he is being torn apart because its pulling him both ways between the light and dark.

Theres a better explanation somewhere online, but it fits!

Also where did Snoke come from??

http://www.theladbible.com/articles/this-guy-s-insane-star-wars-the-force-awakens-theory-has-the-ultimate-twist

It won't win any Oscars

I wouldn't bet against it.

😀 Reading some of the posts has made me feel more nostalgic than actually watching the film... lucky for some of ya it sounds like the force is still strong 8)

Youngsters enjoyed it but I thought it was poor :(.

Right I've seen it now and have switched the internet back on. Quite good. Anyone explain who the first order are, who the republic are and who the rebels are fighting. I didnt really get it.

Snoke/Voldemort didn't need to be CGI.

I'm betting (as we only saw a hologram) this is some sort of elaborate disguise.. the old hiding in plain sight thing.

It's probably Jar Jar Binks 😯

Anargallis: The yellow text scroll explained that bit, the republic are the rebels, the first order are the resurgent empire but not fully formed

Whether the senate from ep1-3 has been resumed and if it backs the republic isn't clear (let's hope it doesn't start consuming story time like before...)

Oh right so after ROTJ not much changed? Bit like when Blair woon the first time?

TWELVE parsecs! TWELVE!
🙂

Love d the film. I go to be entertained and that did the job perfectly. Bit of a lump in my throat as the Falcon spluttered into life and tingles down my spine as the X Wing squadron approached.
Couple of things to note:
When they took off to find Luke, Rey was in the pilots seat. The Facon is hers now. Chewie is her buddy now.
Who wouldn't feel better after a temper tantrum like that?
"Please can turn it off and back on again sir?"
"Errrrr no. I hacked it to bits with my light sabre.... Sorry."

When the baddies were getting instructions from the big hologrammy Voldemort thing, I think they should have finished the conversation with: "Yes, Lord Sugar". I may even have said it for them. Out loud.

But yes, very entertaining.

When Rey was down the hatch fixing the falcon she should have asked for a hydro spanner

We went yesterday. Kids first trip to an IMAX. I was a big fan of the first three (well 2 of them anyway), never watched the prequels all the way through. I thought it was fab as did the two teenage kids and my wife - none of whom are big star war fans. It reminded me - in a good way - of being 8 years old when the first one came out and staring at the screen in total fascination.

Yeah there are holes in the plot and it's a bit derivative and self referential but I don't care. First film I've seen this year I wanted to go straight back in and watch again.

Thought Harrison Ford signed off well since he's wanted to be out of it since Epi 5!

Only disappointment was no one said 'look at the size of that thing' !

We (the family) went today. I had very low hopes for this and it was .... Well, ok I guess. Thing is that after the whole prequel shite and this huge build up I think I might just be done with starwars. I was a fan back in the day but it all feels well flogged to me now.... A bit like bond, time to wind it up and make way for other stuff. I preferred guardians, the Martian and interstellar more.

Watched it a few hours ago and have been mulling it over. Really enjoyed it, but wondering how low my expectations were after ep1/2/3.
First half had the better scenes IMO, better landscaping and character building, but I think I have more grumbles than positives..

The star killer planet thing, for whatever reason, wasn't terrifying or even interesting.. I couldn't wait for them to blow the bloody thing up.
Kylo, way too inconsistent. Shoulda left the helmet on methinks.
Leia, rubbish
Soundtrack, no advance on original I could spot.
Chinese lizard woman thing, wtf? Was like an Incredibles character.
Poe, was a great character sorely underused.
The shiny female storm trooper, again massively underused.
The whole rehash of Death Star scenario was completely underwhelming, and way too easy to destroy.
Why didn't they just take the chip out of BB8 and send it somewhere else?
Snork - too Prometheus'esque, and too CGI'd
Rey - single handedly defeated the baddest exponent of the dark side with her first fondle of a light sabre - bit much?

On the other hand, when Rey flipped the falcon to shoot the tie fighter.. That was awesome.
Rey, Poe and Fyn seem worthy additions.
Great to see Luke back
Proper gutted when Han took one for the team, like, I'm still in denial - trying to work out a way for him to have survived.
New canteena scene was cool
X-wings were cool

Overall, looking forward to more of the same but really surprised that JJ seemed to have edited a few basic mistakes into the mix, IMO

Did anyone else think of cable actuated disc brakes during the film?

Star Wars Ep VIII

Ren (for it is he): [i]"Ray, I am your second cousin once removed, search your feelings, you know it to be true"[/i]

Ray: [i]"Noooooooo!!!!"[/i]

Poe, was a great character sorely underused.
The shiny female storm trooper, again massively underused.

I think these two will feature in the spin offs

Shiny female trooper is woman in not so shiny armour in Game of Thrones I believe.

Poe just seemed like a classic cheesy 80s hero.

Finally seen it... I can join in.

No ewoks or binks #MostDissapointed

The more I think about the plot holes, the more I think JJ has rushed this project - particularly the 2nd half of the movie. It's a good ripping yarn but not so solid movie

We dont know if the are plot holes or points to be explained later, if it was a stand alone film they would be holes.

[i]Rey - single handedly defeated the baddest exponent of the dark side[/i]

And how?! "Hang on mate, can you just pause with me on the edge of this precipice so i can close my eyes and summon up some special powers that you know all about and then I can like you know kill you rather than you kill me? Cheers!"

I see a lot of questions (we did the father son one but lots more) hopefully to be answered right in the next 2.sad to see han go, hopefully hamil can act.

I saw it having not seen any other SW films bar the Directors Cut (or something) of the first three many years ago.

I thought it was exactly what I expected.

I don't really like the universe or the conventions, I find it silly and not at all believable.... Buuut... What do you expect?

It seemed to me that they have done an excellent job of making *that* movie. I'm not very keen on that movie's universe, but they did it great.

Overtaking I enjoyed it, and found myself routing for the goodies and hoping the baddies got what they deserved.

I was genuinely upset Han dies.

7/10, probably more if you're a fan.

Not reading this thread, as I haven't seen the film yet and I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but it seems an appropriate place to tell this tale:

I presented our 7 year old nephew with a large talking Star Wars action figure on Christmas Day, saying [i]"Look it's Kylo Ren"[/i]

To which he instantly replied, [i]"No, it's Ben Solo"[/i] 😯 👿

I loved it
As a trip down memory lane
As a standalone film
As something you could just switch off and immerse yourself in without thinking about
As something I can (by the time the next one comes out) share with my 5 year old daughter and both enjoy for separate but shared reasons

Then I read all 8 pages here
And it's ruined,
people think about things way too much why can't you either just enjoy it, or ignore it?

I enjoyed it but not as much as Star Trek.

iain1775 - Member

I loved it
As a trip down memory lane
As a standalone film
As something you could just switch off and immerse yourself in without thinking about
As something I can (by the time the next one comes out) share with my 5 year old daughter and both enjoy for separate but shared reasons

Then I read all 8 pages here
And it's ruined,
people think about things way too much why can't you either just enjoy it, or ignore it?

Watching it with brain disengaged and childish enthusiasm, yes I saw it as you did.

Problem is adult brain can't help but pick holes.

Just in from seeing it... Loved it tbh. It's not perfect, but it's not the sort of film that has to be perfect, it's a rollercoaster ride not the mona lisa. Some things you enjoy when they're in motion.

OK but, I dunno... The things I liked out of the prequel trilogy was basically the music, the sound, and often the solid grainy feeling it still had (not always, but often) JJ gets that right a lot of the time (the desert with the ruins of the last war in it, OK yes it's more tatooine but that feeling of living in basically the ruins of a fallen empire is totally my idea of star wars... And after all, what do you expect when you overthrow the empire? Total star-chaos, that's what. Civil war, bandit kings, planets that don't work without dictators, worls that were reliant on oppressing other worls, your life turned upside down, a whole generation growing up hurt. Nailed it, basically. I don't think it should need to be spelled out- we've seen it in our lifetimes, what happens after the war movie ends.

But in the second half of the film the fx feel a bit lightweight (maybe it's the JJ spinny camera?) and the sound design isn't quite [i]right[/i]. It's like your favourite song with a different singer, you know exactly in your head what it ought to sound like and it just... doesn't. Lots of restraint in the soundtrack, I appreciated that they stayed away from the classic themes so much and used them so sparingly but not that nothing really grew to replace it...

Also, talk about blurring over blowing up the republic planet, everyone's just over it immediately, that just robbed the whole scene of impact. I know it's basically just a slate-cleaner but it just didn't hit, for me.

And Attack The Block Guy's decision to not be a stormtrooper was one thing but his sudden conversion to killing loads of stormtroopers, some of whom were bound to be his mates, was a bit much. Especially since he can't be the only one having doubts... Nobody ever thinks about the goons.

I get why people struggle with experienced bad jedi vs brand new good jedi but it's well established in the film that kylo ren is a fairly useless jedi. He's conflicted and distracted and basically only powerful and scary because there's nobody else around and he's been set up to be the boss- he's the one eyed man in the kingdom of the blind. He's not supposed to be a darth vader. And you see he's scared of Rey from the second he sees what she is. He damn near shits his pants when she picks up the light saber. He really gets what a powerful jedi is. I didn't totally buy Adam Driver tbh but he sold those bits.

But still, I thought it was a huge success. Maybe just tried to fit in too much, which is totally the problem of the day really, you end up diluting every scene to squeeze in one more. And there's no getting round the whole endless coincidence/ridiculous fortune of people meeting people and being in the right place. But still.

Also,

My main thoughts through out the film were:

? Carrie Fisher has has FAR too much botox
? not this plot line again.........!

Went yesterday with my eldest to the imax. Loved it, yes it's kind of a revamp but was still great entertainment which is what it's meant to be. If you want a factual film with top class actors then you went to wrong screen. It's clearly setting up for the other films, so great scenes as mentioned such as the x-wings, falcon and tie fighters entering on screen. Loved the humour with chewy, Han, Finn and Rey.

Carrie Fisher has has FAR too much botox

I didn't notice it too much the first time I saw the film, but went again with my other daughter and her upper lip is a thing of wonder, I've no idea how she can actually talk with a completely immobile face...

Saw it. Loved it. Plenty of plot holes but what blockbuster isn't these days. I liked the acknowledgement of the older films and didn't mind the wholesale lifting of parts of them. I always assumed the desert start pointed at lineage since the Luke-Anakin beginnings so Rey is obviously part of the bloodline. Thought the interplay between Ren and Hux was good, given the obvious parallels with the Nazi party it matches the power-plays there quite nicely. I would guess that Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma will appear again in either later films or the other spinoffs as they seem a bit too featured to disappear.

Thought Daisy Ridley and John Boyega were as good as you could hope for and Harrison Ford did a pretty good job too. The brief view of Mark Hamill bodes well. Now they just need to get shot of Carrie Fisher as she really struggled at all times. Easiest way would have been to have her on the New Republic planet then Ren could have been part of killing both his parents.

Couldn't find much to fault that wasn't normal star wars fare really. Really really enjoyed it and had a few dusty room moments at the credits and when the falcon appeared.

Rey is also dressed like people from Tattoine which is a pretty strong hint.

Meet Kylo Ren's younger brother Milo Ren, he struck his father down shortly after taking this picture.

[img] [/img]

I've no idea how she can actually talk with a completely immobile face

Her acting was wooden before - now so is her face.

donks - Member
I preferred guardians, the Martian and interstellar more.

Interstellar had less believable science, plot or acting that any of the Star Wars films. And was infinitely more boring. 😉

Liked it a lot (as did my other half, who isn't really a Star Wars fan). Not perfect at all, a few too many Red Dwarf / Star Trek-ish moments for me. Especially Captain Phasma. I mean really, a big tin-foil roboty thing who is rubbish at stuff? Should have ended up on the cutting room floor, would have been no loss at all.

I dont think Rey has been on Jakku as long as she thinks she has

Plot holes and coincidences? I watched Where Eagles Dare recently and the whole second half, from when they are captured in the Inn, is a mastery of perfect timing - EVEN THOUGH NOTHING IS GOING TO PLAN.

Hmm. Makes you think, doesn't it?

You know what would have made Captain Phasma work better? Seeing a shitload of other Captain Phasmas. She didn't really work at all as an end of level boss but as just a boss stormtrooper she's fine I think. (I saw someone else suggested she should have taken the place of this guy:

[img] [/img])

Which would have been cool

Oh yeah and is it just me that really had no issue with Carrie Fisher? Yes she has a wooden face now but it's not like she was frantically trying and failing to emote with it. I suspect the script was built around that a bit but she's not had the easiest time of it so I think it works fine for her to have become a bit of an iron granny. (and ironically makes her a pretty good on-screen match for Harrison Ford despite the age gap)

I thought the change in accent was a bit weird mind

Just watched it for a second time, first time was Imax 3d and thoroughly enjoyed by 3 generations of the family, but this time was in 3D- DBox and wow!! If you've waited 38 years to fly an X-Wing its like a dream come true.
I know it's a gimmick but Its a great way to spend time with my 10 year old son and watch him experience some of the feelings I had all those years ago.
Going to be a long couple of years waiting for EpVIII

Finally got to watch last night. Wow just wow. In a little cinema in belper with about 130 others. Highlight if the night, even the mrs loved it!

seems Carrie is fighting back against the "backlash" on her twitter account - i aint bothered what she looked like, the fact was she was the most wooden character in the entire film, thats why she stood out,
if she didnt bring anything to the table acting wise, she should have just been left out, han & luke would be enough IMHO
in fact Rey's fall from grace could have been because either (a) he killed her in a Dark Side tantrum or (b) someone else killed her and his "light side" force abilities/Luke's intervention didnt save her (little bit like anakin, but done a million times better)

Watched it last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes its a bit of a original trilogy greatest hits plot wise but its very well made and the new stars were all pretty good.

Just watched it for the second time and I can confirm that it is ace. I was not so overwhelmed emotionally and picked up a lot more of the plot dialouge. Still not convinced by Smoke

On the Carrie Fisher/Princess Leia subject - why did she hug the young lassie (whose name escapes me) when they arrived at the rebel base ? It was like they knew each other. That was odd. Or was it....

I don't remember the scene but her daughter is in the cast as a rebel so could be her? I also think Carrie used a more 'British' accent in the originals.

back2basics - Member

seems Carrie is fighting back against the "backlash" on her twitter account - i aint bothered what she looked like

Yeah, see, it felt like misdirection, like she was turning criticism of her performance into an age thing... Then I looked at comments and no, it's really not, she's getting massively hated on for not being in her 20s any more. It's pretty grim. (presumably the same people who complain that a 60 year old woman looks 60, had no issue with the age gap between han solo and princess leia; that's holywood normal whereas casting a woman over 40 in anything is holywood weird)

Ironically, she looks older in the film than she does in real life.

Thing is, she's screwed either way. Damned for looking old, or damned for having a lot of work done. Can't win.

It's ridiculous double standards too; you don't see the same shite being levelled at Harrison Ford.

To be fair Harrison looked old, as soon as the first trailer appeared I had visions of him drooling at the end of each sentence, his performance in the film was better than I feared but he still had moments where I thought he should have been in a intergalactic nursing home!

Enjoyed the film a lot, however it would have been better to concentrate on the finding Luke story arc as opposed to the lets blow up another deathstar, which on reflection feels weak after the thrills and bangs wear off.

Gutted Han Solo is no more...

Her performance was terrible, regardless of how old she does or doesn't look and I think it's safe to assume her lack of emotion or ability to emote was due in part to plastic surgery and/or Botox.

twistedpencil - Member

To be fair Harrison looked old,

That's the thing though, he didn't get slated just for looking old.

I actually liked this about the film though, the older characters are basically allowed to be older. So frinstance they didn't clean harrison ford up and shave off the wee random hairs he has sprouting everywhere. And they didn't just sub in a body double so they could have him freerunning around, Han Solo acts like a spry, wiry old dude. He's got that economy about him, world weary and tired but hugely experienced and capable, aware he's an old dude in a young man's game but getting on with it because he has to, I think everyone knows a 73 year old han solo or two.

Admiral Akbar looked ****ed as well but nobody hassles him for it.

He should be slated for his attempt at running.

jimjam - Member

I think it's safe to assume her lack of emotion or ability to emote was due in part to plastic surgery and/or Botox.

Maybe. But like I say, in character you can equate it to:
Her mum died in childbirth and her dad turned out to be darth vader
Her adoptive homeworld got blown up along with her adoptive family and everyone she knew and loved
She spent half of her life fighting a guerilla war against an evil empire, getting variously tortured, enslaved, etc, and having her lover kidnapped and frozen in carbonite. And even after they won she's still the General
Simultaneously her son turned evil, her husband/lover ran off and her brother disappeared, just as things were feeling good she loses her entire family for the third time.
Then the capital of the republic she's fought all her life for gets blown up along with all their allies.
Oh and she probably screwed her twin brother. Even her robot dad thought that was a bit off.

So honestly I think it's convincing casting/directing/playing. Though probably quite canny too. I don't think a cheery emotive Princess Leia would make any sense so it's OK that she maybe couldn't have pulled it off. Stonefaced, hardened General Leia makes [i]sense[/i], and it's intentional- I think that's the important bit there, it's not a failure to emote.

wallop - Member

He should be slated for his attempt at running.

Heh. Just about everyone unfit-bloke jog-trots everywhere in this film, once you notice it you can't stop noticing it, they all look like they're worried they might miss the bus but not enough to actually run. He gives it a go but you can see his knees aren't in it.

[i]Oh yeah and is it just me that really had no issue with Carrie Fisher?[/i]

I'm just amazed that in a film of utter naffness, one small piece of the naffness is being singled out in such a way! 😆
Either enjoy the naff or don't! (I didn't, btw 🙂 )

Northwind

Maybe. But like I say, in character you can equate it to:
Her mum died in childbirth and her dad turned out to be darth vader
Her adoptive homeworld got blown up along with her adoptive family and everyone she knew and loved
She spent half of her life fighting a guerilla war against an evil empire, getting variously tortured, enslaved, etc, and having her lover kidnapped and frozen in carbonite. And even after they won she's still the General
Simultaneously her son turned evil, her husband/lover ran off and her brother disappeared, just as things were feeling good she loses her entire family for the third time.
Then the capital of the republic she's fought all her life for gets blown up along with all their allies.
Oh and she probably screwed her twin brother. Even her robot dad thought that was a bit off.

So honestly I think it's convincing casting/directing/playing. Though probably quite canny too. I don't think a cheery emotive Princess Leia would make any sense so it's OK that she maybe couldn't have pulled it off. Stonefaced, hardened General Leia makes sense, and it's intentional- I think that's the important bit there, it's not a failure to emote.

Erm, no. Those things would probably give her character and gravitas and a face that bore those troubles, not one that bore a ton of chemicals and was completely incapable of any emotion. She wasn't acting stoney faced, hard boiled and stoic, she was incapable of any range or any kind of facial expression. You're describing someone who might look and act the way Linda Hamilton (for example) might look and act, which is in complete contrast to Carrie Fisher's Leia.

It's not clever casting, it's cynical casting in order to lure more fan boys in and convince them it's not the reboot it so obviously is. As above she should have been killed off in earlier events.

It's ridiculous double standards too; you don't see the same shite being levelled at Harrison Ford.

Ford hasn't messed with his face, it's a lot easier to let it slide when the most emotive part of someone's persona hasn't had a couple a litres of anti-freeze pumped into it.
If Ford had gone all Burt Reynolds then he'd probably get more stick.

I understand that it's a whizzy pew pew kid fest type movie, but by JJs own admission - there was a lot of emotional baggage riding on this sequel. The writing/plot therefore feels like it's come up very short to me. Unless ep vlll takes a big leap forward in that respect, then I expect to be separating 7/8/9 in my memory banks from 4/5/6 - like I had to with 1/2/3. Yougetme?

OK jimjam, if you want to see the worst in everything then be my guest. FWIW I don't think it's clever casting; it's casting that he didn't have much choice in really. But imo it's good direction of the cast he has.

I don't think I'm seeing the worst in everything, rather pointing out or explaining why she is getting criticised. If people are attacking her for not looking younger, that's horrible and quite retarded, but I don't believe that's the case. I went to see it with a big group and her performance, or lack of was something everyone commented on.

If she's done that to her face out of some necessity to continue acting then that's a whole other thread.

jimjam - Member

I don't think I'm seeing the worst in everything, rather pointing out or explaining why she is getting criticised. If people are attacking her for not looking younger, that's horrible and quite retarded, but I don't believe that's the case.

Look around; it's absolutely why she's being attacked. Not in all cases of course but in more than enough to earn her response.

And you're dismissing any alternative out of hand, basically complaining that she's failed to be your version of Leia. What I saw was, well, "a heart that is inured to suffering and I shall steel it to endure that too. For in my day I have had many bitter and shattering experiences in war and on the stormy seas. So let this new disaster come. It only makes one more."

I said up the page, everyone knows a 73 year old Solo. And I know a couple of 60 year old Leias as well. I don't think you can dismiss that depiction so easily- even if it's the only one she could perform, it doesn't make it wrong.

(also, who says Princess Leia couldn't have had space-botox? 😉 )

Erm, so anyway, I enjoyed that.

Approve strongly of the way JJ's used the original cast members and some familiar tropes to replicate the things we loved about the original trilogy.

Also approve of how he's focused tightly on the action at the expense of all the guff from the prequels.

Amazing effects, love the new characters and the first half was absolutely terrific. Maybe it could have gone an extra 20 mins so the conclusion didn't feel slightly rushed.

Han's death was the least surprising bit of the movie sadly, signposted a mile off - but still great to have so much more of him than I expected and his absence will give the rest of the cast a bit more room to shine.

Leave Carrie Fisher alone please.

I finally managed to see it on Sunday - I liked it.

THe nostalgia hit when it needed to (the Falcon chase, the first time the x-wings show up)

Sure it was a bit of a re-hash of old ideas, but what are you expecting really? It's never been touted as Shakespeare however what it does very well is adventure and excitement. It's almost 40 years since the first Star Wars and with the slew of CGI fests we've had since then have ruined us as cinema go-ers. We're now being shown films by directors who put the story to one side because they have an amazing plot device they want to show you that will blow your mind in 3D.

JJ Abrams is really no different, however what he has is an unwavering desire to get back to the films of the 80's and try to re-create his generations feeling the first time the Star Destroyer chased down the Blockade Runner and you ducked because it looked amazing and it was so big. (see Super 8 for proof, it's the Goonies on a bigger scale)

I digress, I liked it. Sure it was riddled with plot holes and Captain Phasma was grossly underused. But I forgot my troubles for a few hours and any films that can do that these days is worthy of my time.

What's weird is despite my considerable grievances, I'm really looking forward to seeing it again. Clearly they got something right!

Regarding limbs, C3P0 had a red arm - that was not really explained even though specifically mentioned. Is it a special arm?

Merchandising.

My lad has a gold 3PO and "skin off" 3PO. No doubt he will soon buy a red armed 3PO.

I didn't think that Carrie Fisher was that bad. I wish she's used the British accent she put on in the originals, but I thought she conveyed the emotion required for the part. She did a better job than both Natalie Portman and Ewen McGregor did in the prequels, both are better actors than Carrie is. If you want sickly over acting and classic Shakespeare, don't go a buy a ticket for Star Wars.

Well I thought Solo wasn't particularly convincing. I thought that at his age he'd have settled down - his life was lived on the edge, and that's a young man's game. You wouldn't be able to keep that up. Either he'd be in charge of his own organisation or he'd have dropped out somewhere. Plus, married to Leia he'd likely have taken his republic pension.

I'd have written the character to be living in suburban bliss somewhere but still keeping his ear to the ground and longing for a return to adventure, so he'd have gone out to get his ship back when he heard of it as a kind of 'I can still do it' / 'putting the band back together' moment.

I didn't think that Carrie Fisher was that bad. I wish she's used the British accent she put on in the originals

Watch a New Hope then compare the accent to Empire and Jedi, she'd already lost the British accent by the second film

I'd have written the character to be living in suburban bliss somewhere but still keeping his ear to the ground and longing for a return to adventure, so he'd have gone out to get his ship back when he heard of it as a kind of 'I can still do it' / 'putting the band back together' moment.

Pretty much the story in the book Tales of the Bounty Hunter (the Boba Fett story) - Han had settled down as the husband of the leader of the New Republic, he still had the falcon, it had been refurbished, so he went out for a spin to try and find some adventure and ended up accidentally bumping in to Boba Fett

I hate myself sometimes that I know this 😀

Did anyone else think that Kylo Ren looked a lot like Ratboy? That almost ruined the whole thing for me.

Did anyone else think that Kylo Ren looked a lot like Ratboy?

No, I was waiting for Leia's *other* child to turn up...
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(joke for Girls fans)

molgrips - Member

Well I thought Solo wasn't particularly convincing. I thought that at his age he'd have settled down - his life was lived on the edge, and that's a young man's game. You wouldn't be able to keep that up. Either he'd be in charge of his own organisation or he'd have dropped out somewhere. Plus, married to Leia he'd likely have taken his republic pension.

There's a wee bit of exposition that says that's exactly what he did- he'd settled down with Leia. But then Ben went evil and he ran away to hide in his old life. And you have to say, it's not going well, he's lost the falcon, betrayed his bosses, and maybe without rey and finn turning up he gets killed by the red dwarf gang.

I wasn't clear how long had passed since Ben goes evil, and the actual film. Couple of years? Probably 10 at the most but I think less.

Finally got around to seeing it with my lad today. It was OK, well filmed, effects not too overpowering (we know someone involved in the pod racer sequence in the first/4th one who hated what they had to do), but the plot did seem a bit deja vu all over again.

I was expecting the final scene to end with "To be continued....." like some 80s American cop show.

Well I enjoyed it, came out of it very pleased

[u]but[/u] the more I've thought about it the more I think it was a bit cynical, While the latest film is waay better than the prequels, it's cashing in on nostalgia and plays it safe with familiar ships, actors, characters and adventures, I guess JJ learnt from his mistakes with Star Trek.
What force awakens does have over the prequels is a better script, and far superior lead actors and of course no jar jar!

The story of droid with secret plans lost on dessert planet finds young orphan who joins the rebellion turns out to be a super poweful Jedi, blows up the slightly bigger deathstar after witnessing the death of a surrogate uncle.....

I thought it was at its strongest when Fin was questioning why he was a stormtrooper, in a way that only Austin Powers has ever touched on with Smitty!!! More captain phasma too.
I'd love to have seen more about how the Empire became the 1st order, I expect that the spin off films will fill that out a bit (I bet we see that star destroyer crashing on Jakku in the han solo spin off)

The rest while well done just felt like a kids of 77 nostalgia checklist

I also think snoke is a terrible name for a baddie 😉

Daisy Ridley and John Boyega were great, way better chemistry than portman and Christiansen

7/10

Did anyone else think that Kylo Ren looked a lot like Ratboy?

Alex Krycek?

While the latest film is waay better than the prequels, it's cashing in on nostalgia and plays it safe with familiar ships, actors, characters and adventures, I guess JJ learnt from his mistakes with Star Trek.

I think the whole point is, it's a transitionary movie. They're handing the baton over to a younger cast, something I think they did exceptionally well. (See also, Star Trek.)

Abrams said Star Wars was its own genre which is why it's self referential. Along the same lines as the stereotypical characters and stories in spaghetti westerns.