The Force Awakens... spoilers, rants, and accolades

[slimykuotoan]

Yeah, this' no doubt a passionate subject, as Star Wars (no matter which films were enjoyed) has been dear to our hearts.

[Julian Grimm]

Yeah, this' no doubt a passionate subject, as Star Wars (no matter which films were enjoyed) has been dear to our hearts.

I was a fan since I saw Ep. IV when I was 5. Been through the good and the bad. After the abortion that were the prequels and the New Jedi Order novels, I am just happy to see the series back on a high note.

[Tadhg]

Tis good to see Julian back and mixing it up in his inimitable way!

And slimy has the wherewithal, chutpah and stylish posting to take him on!

Oh yeah!

[slimykuotoan]

Yeah, I was happily part o' the Star Wars generation as well. I actually enjoyed the prequels, but mainly because I'm such a HUGE Palpatine fan.

I might check out Timothy Zahn's take on events after the battle of Endor.

[slimykuotoan]

Tis good to see Julian back and mixing it up in his inimitable way!

And slimy has the wherewithal, chutpah and stylish posting to take him on!

Oh yeah!

Lol

[Tadhg]

Dagnabit. I have to wait for the Blu-ray release before I can join the debate.

Soooo, I'll get back to you boys in a few months!

[Julian Grimm]

We have way too much fun here.

[maximus]

I loved it. For those that think it was bad just go watch the prequels and play with your Jar Jar toys while the adults talk.

The best thing to happen to Star Wars was getting rid of Lucas.

So if someone disagrees with your assessment, they are somehow childish?

No, just of below average maturity. XD ( <---emoticon)

Yup...

[Tadhg]

I might check out Timothy Zahn's take on events after the battle of Endor.

You should.

I read them and thought they were really darn good!

[slimykuotoan]

I recall Dark Empire being insanely cool.

http://ifanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2 ... e-luke.jpg

[Julian Grimm]

I loved it. For those that think it was bad just go watch the prequels and play with your Jar Jar toys while the adults talk.

The best thing to happen to Star Wars was getting rid of Lucas.

So if someone disagrees with your assessment, they are somehow childish?

No, just of below average maturity. XD ( <---emoticon)

Yup...

Nuh-uh

[slimykuotoan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEIrQUXm_hY

[maximus]

I loved it. For those that think it was bad just go watch the prequels and play with your Jar Jar toys while the adults talk.

The best thing to happen to Star Wars was getting rid of Lucas.

So if someone disagrees with your assessment, they are somehow childish?

No, just of below average maturity. XD ( <---emoticon)

Yup...

Nuh-uh

Might have had you there... however, we may be more on the same page than not. That makes the game a lot less fun.

The prequels obviously sucked, no doubt there. This one still had issues though. The plot was rehashed, and no background was given to tie together the present to where Jedi left off. Besides, we all know Skywalker lost that blue lightsaber when his hand got lopped off. It was worth a night out with the family, but I thought it could have been tighter.

[Kayolan]

Count me among those who think the movie is awful.

[slimykuotoan]

Well said J. You've now entered a much larger world... a much larger view of the force.

[Julian Grimm]

I'll +1 the Zahn novels. Three of the best examples of the Legends/EU books out there. The only book I liked better was Children of the Jedi.

[slimykuotoan]

I'll +1 the Zahn novels. Three of the best examples of the Legends/EU books out there. The only book I liked better was Children of the Jedi.

I'll give 'em a shot I think.

[Julian Grimm]

I loved it. For those that think it was bad just go watch the prequels and play with your Jar Jar toys while the adults talk.

The best thing to happen to Star Wars was getting rid of Lucas.

So if someone disagrees with your assessment, they are somehow childish?

No, just of below average maturity. XD ( <---emoticon)

Yup...

Nuh-uh

Might have had you there... however, we may be more on the same page than not. That makes the game a lot less fun.

The prequels obviously sucked, no doubt there. This one still had issues though. The plot was rehashed, and no background was given to tie together the present to where Jedi left off. Besides, we all know Skywalker lost that blue lightsaber when his hand got lopped off. It was worth a night out with the family, but I thought it could have been tighter.

Personally, I'm waiting on the next two to make a final call. The saber could have been found later as it was in the EU. What I think many claim as holes will be covered in 8 and 9.

[Buttmonkey]

I'm trying to read the first Timothy Zahn novel now. It's much better than the typical novel based on a TV/movie/game, but that's a pretty low bar. I am not a fan.

[maximus]

I loved it. For those that think it was bad just go watch the prequels and play with your Jar Jar toys while the adults talk.

The best thing to happen to Star Wars was getting rid of Lucas.

So if someone disagrees with your assessment, they are somehow childish?

No, just of below average maturity. XD ( <---emoticon)

Yup...

Nuh-uh

Might have had you there... however, we may be more on the same page than not. That makes the game a lot less fun.

The prequels obviously sucked, no doubt there. This one still had issues though. The plot was rehashed, and no background was given to tie together the present to where Jedi left off. Besides, we all know Skywalker lost that blue lightsaber when his hand got lopped off. It was worth a night out with the family, but I thought it could have been tighter.

Personally, I'm waiting on the next two to make a final call. The saber could have been found later as it was in the EU. What I think many claim as holes will be covered in 8 and 9.

I hear ya. No doubt I'll see the next 2, as I've always been a fan, excepting the agreed upon jar jar garbage.

[Treebore]

Yeah, the next movie will really determine how good SW is going to be from now on. If its going to suck, well, it won't be the first time I left a series that showed such promise...

[Rigon]

I'm hoping to go see this tomorrow with a buddy of mine, if the theater is open that is.

R-

[Tadhg]

Dagnabit. I have to wait for the Blu-ray release before I can join the debate.

Soooo, I'll get back to you boys in a few months!

I finally got a chance to view the movie and liked it a lot.

I didn't care for the stormtrooper character, it seems forced into the story and forced upon the audience.

Carrie Fisher didn't move me at all - not sure if it's because of her acting or her lines.

Looking forward to the next movies.

[Penny-Whistle]

I made the mistake of watching the original three movies (Star Wars, Empire and Jedi) on a marathon with my son the day before seeing The Force Awakens and I think that experience really coloured my impression. I was astonished at how well The Empire Strikes Back has aged. It remains a truly excellent film. I had fun watching The Force Awakens but as a film it just didn't show much genius. And I have to say that seeing it left me more appreciative of George Lucas' skill. I was genuinely surprised that so many professional reviewers gave this film top marks.

Film makers often stand on the shoulders of giants and when they re-use or re-vision elements they sometimes make them even better but Abrams' recycling resulted in watered down characters and a meaningless conflict. The pace of the film was fun: a mad rush; but, I wasn't moved by the problems facing these people and frankly the characters suspiciously felt a little bit like cardboard.

For characterization: compare how Luke is presented to how Rey is first presented. Luke is given foils (a family, bots, some lore) to broaden our understanding of what a dweeb he is and how he truly needs an adventure to become a person. Rey is absolutely isolated which yes is part of her story but the presentation leaves her inscrutable in a bad way. She is likeable enough but doesn't seem to have any inner life at all. That abandonment thread was an opportunity to turn the film into something great. The setting was also interesting but not explored at all. Slow down, make things last: that is what made The Empire Strikes Back great.

As for conflict ... Abrams' new death star is New! Improved! Bigger! It randomly destroys a bunch of planets but the whole thing felt meaningless. The image is of a kind of comet in the sky and a mass of frozen people. It reminded me of a news photo of something happening far away to people I don't know. The current vogue of making action and conflict bigger and more abstract is surely a mistake. As proof, see the problem of climate change and the world's near total inaction.

Lucas' presentation of galactic evil is much better because he names the planet, gives it a context and slows the action down to give the audience time to reflect and understand. Multiple reactions from point of view characters makes Aldaraan's destruction feel personal. As Derrick Jensen said: "I’m not sure if you feel a stab of recognition at being a captive of the empire, forced to watch your beloved world and its (human and nonhuman) populace turned into orbital ash and debris. I do."

That said, I am looking forward to seeing Rogue One. The trailers look promising.

[Tadhg]

Good points and post, Penny!

I think in my mind that I tried not to think about the prior movies (too much) when I watched it. Kinda like the 2nd SWs trilogy. Trying to judge the movie on its merits and not necessarily compare (to the degree that any of us could do that).

Anyway, still thinking about the movie and remembering that it's now a Disney production. I wonder what if anything that had to do with how the movie turned out.

You guys may know better than me, but I'm wondering how much control Abrams had with regard to how to do this movie. It occurs to me that the droid BB8 is sillier than Artoo, but I can totally see how it would appeal to kids.

I'm still digesting and plan to watch it again on Blu-ray (my first viewing was on DVD big screen in the family room) in my bedroom.

[Penny-Whistle]

As part of his agreement to do the film (he was reluctant at first) he was given complete control.

[Tadhg]

As part of his agreement to do the film (he was reluctant at first) he was given complete control.

Thanks.

Mebbe I'll watch it again tonight as we aren't gaming.

[finarvyn]

I'm trying to read the first Timothy Zahn novel now. It's much better than the typical novel based on a TV/movie/game, but that's a pretty low bar. I am not a fan.

Much of my love for the Thrawn trilogy might be one of nostalgia. Keep in mind that when those books came out there were no prequel movies, no flood of EU books, nothing like that. Star Wars was three movies, Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a Han Solo trilogy, a Lando Calrissian trilogy, and a bunch of old comic books. In other words, Star Wars was on its way to being a dead franchise.

The Thrawn books revived the franchise. They made reading and discussing Star Wars relevant again. I still like the trilogy and have re-read it several times, but I'm sure that the context of when they came out puts bias in my love for the books. For me, Zahn is pretty much the only EU author I would ever read.

Having said that, I have been reading the new SW books for the new timeline. (Bloodline and the Chuck Wendig books.) They aren't bad, either.