Star Wars: Episode VII (December 18, 2015) ***SPOILERS***

[VolsSportsFan]

I completely

Spoiler

disagree

Which noms should it get?

 

[BenGrimm]

I honestly think Episode VIII is going to enhance TFA, whereas Attack of the Clones made everyone see that the prequels in general were not telling a very good story. By that I mean we will see Episode VIII, then parts of TFA will make more sense.

I have almost zero complaints with TFA, and I am a notoriously harsh movie critic among those that know me. My expectations were through the roof, and they were met on every level.

The problem there is A New Hope stood completely on its own. It didn't need Empire or Jedi to enhance it.

Even Phantom Menace stood on its own for better or worse.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

What's funny is I remember after every prequel the initial reaction (from fans at least) was how great the movie was, only for it to fade. After AOTC, people were like "Oh man that was so much better than TPM", and 6 months later it changed to "Man that's not very good". ROTS has held up better but even it was widely praised by fans only for it to fade a lot too.

 

[FLVOL_79]

Saw it in 3D due to convenience of show time. It was pretty good. The opening scroll in 3D was interesting LOL. The flight scenes were amazing especially with the Falcon on Jakku.

I really liked the new characters Fin, Rey, and Poe. I kind of expected more from Ren but I liked the overall direction of the character. Phasma was a complete waste and the New Order General whose name escapes me was no Moff Tarkin. Snoke was a very generic Emperor archetype to really form an opinion on.

I 100% agree about the score! Half way through I noticed the music was very bland. The score is such an integral part of Star Wars. I can listen to the soundtrack of A New Hope and visualize every part of that movie. Even the prequels had stand out moments in the score (I left Phantom Menace humming the theme from Darth Maul battle). Heck.. even the Clone Wars cartoon emphasized the music more than this film did. That was a glaring weakness of the movie.

I was cool with the plot hitting familiar beats. They put enough twists on it that it didn't feel like a complete retread. While I appreciated the fan service moments it was a little over done at moments with the plain site, almost in your face, easter eggs. I was a little disappointed in the end of the film. As many have noted the "awakening" moment felt like it came out of no where. Also, the last scene felt tacked on like, "oh yeah, we need to squeeze this in before the credits".

I also agreee with Valwark about R2's role. Didn't make sense at all. C3PO doesn't work as well with out R2 either.

Overall I would say I enjoyed it. Maybe my expectations were too high. I don't think it outshines any of the originals and at this point I'm not even ready to put it above Revenge of the Sith (Its been awhile since I've seen that one but I remember being more satisfied leaving the theatre after first viewing).


***On a side note: If you live in the Tr-Cities the new Marquee Cinema in Bristol is legit. It was my first trip there. They have a knock off version IMAX called MXC. 71 foot screen and electric reclining chairs. Oh and RESERVED SEATING. No pressure to be there super early to get good seats (We got to sit smack dab in the middle of the theatre). It even puts Turkey Creek to shame. It will be my go to place for big event movies like this from now on.

I didnt even notice the score. I still remember the first time I saw Return of the Jedi when Luke fights Vader, that music was soo good!

 

[BenGrimm]

What's funny is I remember after every prequel the initial reaction (from fans at least) was how great the movie was, only for it to fade. After AOTC, people were like "Oh man that was so much better than TPM", and 6 months later it changed to "Man that's not very good". ROTS has held up better but even it was widely praised by fans only for it to fade a lot too.

I'll admit I left PM happy as a lark even though I didn't like Jar Jar. Went back 5 more times over the month. I honestly think it was just the elation of Star Wars being back... But it did have a lot of cool parts and characters.

I was pretty dissapointied in AotC outside of the Obiwan parts of which there wasn't enough.

I left RotS pretty satisfied despite its flaws.

Funny thing is, if I was flipping through the channels and one was on right now I would probably watch it. (Of course that can't happen anymore since I'm a cord cutter).

TFA is good but I was just expecting a more complete story in the way NH and PM were. Instead I feel like I got the pilot episode of a new series.

 

[FLVOL_79]

I found Carrie Fisher to be the worst thing about The Force Awakens. They need to write her off in the next movie..

 

[Volwark]

No way does it deserve any Academy noms outside of FX.

I don't even know that it deserves that. While the dogfighting was cool, I was highly unimpressed with the the space creatures in the freighter and Snoke.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Which noms should it get?

I'm gonna be honest I just did that to mess with VOLffle because he wanted everyone to stop using spoiler tags.

I rarely even watch movie awards anymore. Saw too much of Leo getting hosed.

 

[BenGrimm]

I don't even know that it deserves that. While the dogfighting was cool, I was highly unimpressed with the the space creatures in the freighter and Snoke.

Not really sure what the competition is so I can't say it should win but I think the blending of CG and practical was done pretty well and potentially deserves a nod.

 

[Volwark]

The Academy Awards are like the Heistman now.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

I'll admit I left PM happy as a lark even though I didn't like Jar Jar. Went back 5 more times over the month. I honestly think it was just the elation of Star Wars being back... But it did have a lot of cool parts and characters.

I was pretty dissapointied in AotC outside of the Obiwan parts of which there wasn't enough.

I left RotS pretty satisfied despite its flaws.

Funny thing is, if I was flipping through the channels and one was on right now I would probably watch it. (Of course that can't happen anymore since I'm a cord cutter).

TFA is good but I was just expecting a more complete story in the way NH and PM were. Instead I feel like I got the pilot episode of a new series.

I'm the same way; even though I "bash" the prequels, I still watch them. Some of the criticism is probably overboard, but if Star Trek can have some bad movies so can Star Wars.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

The Academy Awards are like the Heistman now.

Not really. Sure there have been some snubs and losers that should have won, but it's not like it happens all the time.

 

[OrngeChkrboardVFL]

Disney teamed up with the Armed Forces and premiered the movie at some locations for deployed troops to see. Just finished watching it and thought it was AWESOME. Even though it was outside on a projector screen and I missed some of the conversations because our jets kept flying over, it was great to feel like Star Wars was back!

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

The problem there is A New Hope stood completely on its own. It didn't need Empire or Jedi to enhance it.

Even Phantom Menace stood on its own for better or worse.

I understand what you're saying, and I agree A New Hope could have never had a sequel and would still be a movie that is discussed today.

However, we're not dealing with the semi-simple storytelling mind of George Lucas anymore. I think, and hope, this trilogy is essentially going to end up being a 6-7 hour story divided into 3 episodes, where we will find out more about the first episode after watching the third episode. If they can pull that off in a way that works, this trilogy has the potential to be..... dare I say.... better than the original trilogy.

It's off to a good start.

 

[GAVol]

Can we stop spoiler tags? At this point the discussion has already changed from spoiler free first impressions to full on discussion. Anyone checking the thread at this point should be aware that things are going to slip.

All in favor?

I agree. I amended the title slightly with a spoiler warning. After the opening weekend that took in $250million, people have to realize that it's now on them to avoid spoilers.

 

[gordonr24]

Kylo will return in Episodes VIII as a highly trained dark side Jedi, since Snoke is going to complete his training. I expect Rey to get trained by Luke as well. What I and a lot of fans want to see is Luke in battle. 30 years later, he should be a master Jedi and near a level of Mace Windu and Yoda.

 

[JCHateSteve]

I'm in the minority on this but i think TFM was the best of the prequels. That's not too say it was good. But AOTC was good awful and ROTS wasn't much better. Sith benefited from low expectations after Clones. TFA is better than the prequels imo. But it's not the original trilogy. I might put it on par with Jedi but definitely not the 1st two. I have high hopes going forward. I think Finn will turn out to be in the Mace Windew family and Rey will end up being related to Obi Wan. Her being Luke's daughter is to obvious. Having Luke train Obi Wan's grand daughter would be fitting. That and Luke doesn't really have an in canon love interest.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

I'm in the minority on this but i think TFM was the best of the prequels. That's not too say it was good. But AOTC was good awful and ROTS wasn't much better. Sith benefited from low expectations after Clones. TFA is better than the prequels imo. But it's not the original trilogy. I might put it on par with Jedi but definitely not the 1st two. I have high hopes going forward. I think Finn will turn out to be in the Mace Windew family and Rey will end up being related to Obi Wan. Her being Luke's daughter is to obvious. Having Luke train Obi Wan's grand daughter would be fitting. That and Luke doesn't really have an in canon love interest.

TFM? The Fantom Menance?

 

[chatsworth_vol]

I just took my 6 y/o son to see it this morning. We both thought it was great. It kept him glued to his seat for 90% of the movie, not many can do that. I loved the whole movie, but I think one of the coolest parts was that first image when the resistance fighters suddenly appeared at wave top level coming across the water. It gave me chills. I agree it was kinda odd to see Finn and Rey stand up to Kylo. I guess Finn might have had some hand to hand type training as a storm trooper that may have help him, and I do think Rey is repressing a past with force training and it is just starting to "reawaken"in her.

I think there might be an explanation for R2D2's behavior. I think he was sent by Luke kinda as a "sword in the stone" kinda thing. As in he was to just stay there in standby/hibernation mode waiting on the "chosen one/time". I think the appearance of Rey with the Anakin/Luke saber trigger him awakening. Only when she appears with the saber was it "time" or she was "ready" to be lead to Luke.

 

[Paper_Towel]

Am I the only one who thought the new aliens and the animatronic animals were bad? Especially when Finn was drinking from the water trough where that... thing, was drinking.

 

[JCHateSteve]

TFM? The Fantom Menance?

Lol oops

 

[BenGrimm]

Am I the only one who thought the new aliens and the animatronic animals were bad? Especially when Finn was drinking from the water trough where that... thing, was drinking.

I thought some of the humanoid in make up were weak. Like the 2 smuggler groups for instance and the chick at the cantina who alerted the New Order.

The larger creatures I thought were pretty good.

 

[Volwark]

I think there might be an explanation for R2D2's behavior. I think he was sent by Luke kinda as a "sword in the stone" kinda thing. As in he was to just stay there in standby/hibernation mode waiting on the "chosen one/time". I think the appearance of Rey with the Anakin/Luke saber trigger him awakening. Only when she appears with the saber was it "time" or she was "ready" to be lead to Luke.

He explained it, kinda:

Star Wars The Force Awakens: J.J. Abrams explains R2-D2's closing scene | EW.com

I get why they did it. But its a pretty weak explanation, from a logic standpoint. It's just too coincidental.

Am I the only one who thought the new aliens and the animatronic animals were bad? Especially when Finn was drinking from the water trough where that... thing, was drinking.

I thought the "portions" guy looked dumb. Other than that, there really wasn't anything practical that stood out to me in a bad way. Some of the gang in the freighter dressed like Klingons tho.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

He explained it, kinda:

Star Wars The Force Awakens: J.J. Abrams explains R2-D2's closing scene | EW.com

I get why they did it. But its a pretty weak explanation, from a logic standpoint. It's just too coincidental.



I thought the "portions" guy looked dumb. Other than that, there really wasn't anything practical that stood out to me in a bad way. Some of the gang in the freighter dressed like Klingons tho.

What a terrible answer. I could have easily made up a better explanation than that. Just say he was still well aware of his surroundings in low-power mode, so when he saw they finally had the means to find Luke, he woke up to help.

Why is that so difficult?

 

[Volwark]

If they can pull that off in a way that works, this trilogy has the potential to be..... dare I say.... better than the original trilogy.

I think 8 definitely has the chance to be, but I am very leery of 9 since Jurassic World director is doing it.

Still gonna stick to my guns that Rogue One is going to be the best of this whole new litter. The cast is f'in phenomenal and it's the first time since '83 that we'll get to see OG Vader in a movie.

Edit: from the people that brought you Finn Calrissian. I give you!