Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)

[Sgt. Crackpot]

Carrie Fisher did drugs and smoked heavily half of her life. 'nuff said.

[LetMeSleep]

They got this film right. The tone and humour and everything was spot on.

I want to see it again.

[red calzolaio]

best part of this movie for me was that little droid and Ford. Ford was spot on. Rey was some nice eye candy. Kylo was a whiny little bitch.

other then that...it pretty much solidified my thoughts of Abrams being a hack.

the movie was a complete rehash. come up with something new man. everything from droid on planet contains vital info found by force sensitive person to Han being taken down by someone close to him while the newby watches on in horror.

it was a prettier remake of ANH.

[red calzolaio]

Guys... I cried. There, I said it.

i assume at Han?

i was more pissed that he died. i felt it ridiculous. right when i heard Kylo was his son i'm thinking "hmm, wonder if he kills Han..."

it seemed so forced. there was no dynamic between Han, Leia or Kylo. i didn't feel any connection between any of them other than us being told they were family. oh, and little time for anyone (Chewbacca!?!) to mourn the death. have to speed off this exploding death star...which by the way was very anti-climatic.

[Sgt. Crackpot]

Guys... I cried. There, I said it.

i assume at Han?

i was more pissed that he died. i felt it ridiculous. right when i heard Kylo was his son i'm thinking "hmm, wonder if he kills Han..."

it seemed so forced. there was no dynamic between Han, Leia or Kylo. i didn't feel any connection between any of them other than us being told they were family. oh, and little time for anyone (Chewbacca!?!) to mourn the death. have to speed off this exploding death star...which by the way was very anti-climatic.

Who hurt you, red? You can talk, we're all friends here.

[stip]

For stip:

A review written by my friend with some comments about his kid he brought with him. Non spoiler review!

Spoiler: show

Alright! I am exhausted but also a bit amped-up! So here's my spoiler-free (I promise) reaction to the movie.
1. The movie was great. It's too early on to rank it against the other 6 but it is very, very good. The plot was relatively simple but it had several subplots/threads within it that made the movie very intriguing. The original movie (Ep IV) had a simple plotline of good versus evil and this one had that same simplistic quality about it that makes it easy for a young kid to sink its teeth into.
2. While the movie overall arc was direct, it had several threads quite nicely fit into the film for the adult SW fan who needs more than this good guy fighting that bad guy and lernin' people with light sabers.
3. As far as taking kids to the movie: It starts off very fast and grabs you right away. There's a slower middle part that was necessary where they had to set up characters and explain what all has happened for the last 30 years. That middle part was a challenge for Zachary, but when the action took off again he was all in. There is violence but nothing as graphic as what we saw at the end of Revenge of the Sith. I felt comfortable with Zachary seeing it and I don't have any fears of him having nightmares or anything.
4. The several threads set up are in my opinion set up for the next two films. The movie ends with more questions than answers and an incredible cliffhanger, but it was very satisfying with a defined ending. I want to know what happens next but at the same time I didn't feel like "Oh man, why did it end there?" Very well done! That would be hard to do.
5. The acting was the best of all 7 movies. I can't see how anyone can disagree with that.
6. There is a part towards the end of the movie that really, really pissed me off and I couldn't believe they did it. Ballsy, but it hurt the movie.
7. Seeing the Falcon, Han & Chewie, Leia, C3PO, R2, and Luke brought a huge wave of nostalgia over me. I saw all three original films as a young boy and to see these characters 30 years later looking 30 years older was pretty special to see.
8. We have humor again and lots of it Thank God. The prequels were so serious it was pretentious. Han really delivers in this regard.
9. Speaking of Han, he nails it and was the best character of the movie. I can't say enough good things about him. Leia was great as well. They are older, more mature versions of themselves. Abrams didn't write them as characters as if they would be the same at 60/70 as they were at 30/40.
10. Be ready for lots and lots of trailers. The official start time was 7pm but it was 7:20 before we saw "LUCASFILM" on the screen. Oh, it was odd not hearing the 20th Century Fox theme before the opening crawl/Star Wars theme we all know so well. Makes sense as Disney distributes the film now instead of 20th Century Fox. But still, odd.
11. Speaking of the crawl, it was direct and dramatic, just like the original trilogy. Nothing about taxes, embargoing blockades, trade disputes or arguing congressmen. It puts you right where the films starts, simple and direct.
12. The way people talk in this film is very modern and reflects now. There's a part where a black actor says "DROID, PLEASE!" as if he were Chad Johnson saying "CHILD, PLEASE." There are other examples "I know, right?!?!?" etc etc. It's 2015, I get it, not saying anything good or bad but it was something I noticed. Part of getting older is noticing how the youngin's talk, ha.
That's it! Avoid spoilers and go see it.

Thanks strat. 6 and a half hours to go. A colleague and former student each texted me last night to say it was amazing/perfect

[Sgt. Crackpot]

May the force be with you, stip.

[klehtun]

when I saw Ireland in the credits I was wonderin about that scene, thank you


also the first order's weapon "starkiller" was also the name George had in mind for luke in lieu of skywalker, so i've heard

I know they wont, but lads, open this...I hope the story stays here for a while w/Luke&Rey...its perfect as an ancient jedi temple(the first?)
Irish monks lived here for hundreds of years totally isolated & keeping the written word alive while Europe was in the dark ages..that rhymes with the Jedi story for me

have a look
https://www.google.ie/search?q=skellig+ ... 0Q_AUIBigB

[zeb]

I'd rather watch TFA than ROTJ.

[dimejinky99]

Jedi gets a lo of guff but watched it the other night and it's a great film in a Star Wars sense.

Thinking about , ESB is the least Star Wars of the OT and this one. No humour other than Han and Leia's back and forths, no big space battles, etc. I mean it's still probably the best one but is low on the usual ingredients list that make the Star Wars recipie is what I mean.

[dimejinky99]

[EJ]

I wonder if Ford only signed on under the condition that JJ would kill his character.

[southp]

Guys... I cried. There, I said it.

i assume at Han?

i was more pissed that he died. i felt it ridiculous. right when i heard Kylo was his son i'm thinking "hmm, wonder if he kills Han..."

it seemed so forced. there was no dynamic between Han, Leia or Kylo. i didn't feel any connection between any of them other than us being told they were family. oh, and little time for anyone (Chewbacca!?!) to mourn the death. have to speed off this exploding death star...which by the way was very anti-climatic.

Who hurt you, red? You can talk, we're all friends here.

I dunno maybe you don't have the same lifelong connection with the character? It a was incredibly sad to see a hero who you have loved for so long finally die. Even if t was the right thing to do for the plot and actor. Who by the way, absolutely crushed it in this movie. Best Ford appearance in anything since Last Crusade.

[Chris_H_2]

the two times it got a little dusty for me was literally the first 2 seconds of the movie with the words "Star Wars" and the iconic music, and (even though I knew it was coming) when Han appeared for the first time.

I literally time warped to 1983.

[southp]

Be weird if you hadn't...

You too then?

[dimejinky99]

when I saw Ireland in the credits I was wonderin about that scene, thank you


also the first order's weapon "starkiller" was also the name George had in mind for luke in lieu of skywalker, so i've heard

I know they wont, but lads, open this...I hope the story stays here for a while w/Luke&Rey...its perfect as an ancient jedi temple(the first?)
Irish monks lived here for hundreds of years totally isolated & keeping the written word alive while Europe was in the dark ages..that rhymes with the Jedi story for me

have a look
https://www.google.ie/search?q=skellig+ ... 0Q_AUIBigB

Just reading that they did a good bit of filming on Skelig and over two seasons to get differen climate/weather, so it does feature again in the next film.

[dimejinky99]

Be weird if you hadn't...

You too then?

Aw man, watched the first time almost entirely through tears, especially at the character reveals.

Second time, just got that heart bursting happy when your face is about to break cos your grinning so much.

Looked around those sitting beside me on the second viewing. Big smiles and tears everywhere the guy sitting beside me trying not to cry cos his little son was sitting beside him. I could hear his sniffles though:)

[E.H. Ruddock]

Be weird if you hadn't...

You too then?

I don't think it's weird that I didn't cry, guys. I'm a huge star wars fan, but just because I didn't cry doesn't make me less of a fan.

You guys are being star wars bullies right now.

[@SkitchP]

Yeah, i came no where near crying.

[Chris_H_2]

Be weird if you hadn't...

You too then?

I don't think it's weird that I didn't cry, guys. I'm a huge star wars fan, but just because I didn't cry doesn't make me less of a fan.

You guys are being star wars bullies right now.

Why do you hate Star Wars Ruddo?