I have seen it on Wednesday morning in Paris, and had a great time, way better than I had hoped. The audience was very good, people were clapping when old favourites were on-screen (the reveal of the Millennium Falcon, Han and Chewie, Leia), and chuckled at references to the OT (the chessboard and the Jedi training pod in the Millennium Falcon, Admiral Ackbar, any wreckage of the Empire on Jakku).
I had reviewed all episodes over the 3 preceding days (order IV - V - I - II - III - VI), and if The Phantom Menace already mirrored some elements from A New Hope, I had expected the same for this one: apart from a victory celebration that I expected to close the movie, I did not feel there were actual surprises (I had bet with a friend that Han would not make it), except maybe for Rylo Ken who I thought would be a decoy for Luke falling on the dark side. I had read some elements on the extended universe years ago, it would have been refreshing not having a Skywalker family member seduced by the dark side. At times, it felt too close to episode IV (a giant death star used to kill the resistance but saved at the last minute by a gifted pilot who destroys the weak point of the structure while two jedis are battling with laser sabers, the rookie one losing a beloved father figure in the operation).
But hey, it is Star Wars, and this sense of being immerged again in the OT universe, devoid of the CGI excesses of the prequels, made the viewing experience great. The new characters are great: Finn is very likeable as the guy lost in the middle of an universe-changing battle, and acts as a good comic-relief, never going over the limit. Rey has definitively the Padme / Luke traits, I would be very surprised if she's not Luke's daughter (but it seems almost too obvious), and the actress does a great job so the audience cares about her (take that Hayden). Poe is way less developed for the moment, but he might overstep Finn in episode VIII while he's down. I was disappointed by the lack of Captain Phasma, I expected more scenes with her (left on cutting floor?) but apparently she's in the next one (those trash compactors are really inefficient
).
My main issue would be Rylo Ken, who lacks charisma. I enjoyed a lot more Nazi Josh Homme as a villain in this one. But it might make sense, as Ben Solo currently lives in the shadow of his grandfather: scarred by Rey, he will be trained by the Supreme Leader for Episode VIII, I hope he will get more menacing (his anger crises were more made for audience laughs...). Still, Adam Driver does a job at showing his internal conflicts, and being drawn to the Light side. Which is a welcome change, as the focus has always been on Jedis being drawn to the Dark side. Eventually, it might lead to a similar redemption as in Episode VI, but he would have made a terrific and more likable Anakin (take that again Hayden).
I am still thinking over the different aspects of the movie, but I really enjoyed it. To pinpoint some elements:
- I really liked seeing 3PO with a red arm, with no explanation. Having reviewed the OT recently, I guess it was a nod to his silver coated right leg (that I had never noticed before).
- I felt that the desctruction of the Republic / Coruscant was a middle finger to the prequels.
- the last shot with Rey and Luke was... awkward. It seems to drag for too long, and a circular shot?
- are there musical themes for the new characters? I have not taken too much attention on the score, I was focused on the visuals.
- as someone read novels / comics leading to episode VII? There is no explanation on the rise of the First Order, it's not an issue for me, but knowing more of the context of the new trilogy might be interesting)
- is there a Yoda easter egg in the movie?
- what if Spoke was in fact Jar Jar Binks?
I can't wait for Episode VIII now, I hope it will develop its own identity, and not be based on the template of TESB.
