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Post by dm_mainprize on Dec 22, 2015 1:21:49 GMT
I noticed there was a profound lack of Star Wars excitement and discussion here. So I will start. I watched star wars all growing up and love the franchise, obviously hate jar jar binks and most of the prequel nonsense. That being said I was very excited and filled with must joy when I heard about the sequel trilogy and that so many of the old gang was getting back together. Now, I have a rule, I will watch the teaser trailer for movies and nothing else. So I watched the teaser trailer for SW:TFA and then went on media blackout. I flew under the grid and avoided all trailers, tidbits spoilers etc like the plague. I do this for all movies not just for SW. It has made movie going far more enjoyable for me. So I knew next to nothing about this films story and plot and then went to see it. I personally thought it was a very good movie, a few minor gripes but as a movie it was solid. As a Star Wars movie, I thought it was amazing. Star Wars The Force awakens was an absolutely astounding motion picture it picked up where the original trilogy left off and took it in a direction I could only hope that a Star Wars movie would go. it completely re-established the idea that the force is mystical and beyond the understanding of science(im looking at you midiclorians) the film brought in and established new characters that I instantly could relate to, The cocky pilot, the guy who has finally had enough with the system, and the orphaned girl. BB-8 was adorable and really helped connect the characters together. The story was good, and it came to a climax as the last light of a dying sun was mirrored in the last dying light within a son as he chose to murder his father and fully commit to the path of the dark side. I felt that Hans death was perfect, a brilliant end to a character. Han started out as a smuggler in debt, in the game only for his own good, and over the course of the original trilogy and the is new film he grew past that into some who in the end would sacrifice himself for just a chance a small small chance of being light and good for someone so lost. This moment will echo in the hearts and minds of fans for years to come it is sure to make many of us grieve but also to look forward with a new hope as the final moments of the film revealed that the light side of the force will not be vanquished so easily. The characters both old and new and the actors who play them are both a 10 out of 10. I could not give this movie higher praise and I will be seeing it again ASAP. I do have 2 complaints. It's pretty minor but it did still strike me as out of place so I will mention it. After Han is murdered and Starkiller base is destroyed and the heroes arrive back at the resistance base, the falcon lands and chewy and rey step off the ship, chewy walks right by leia and into a cheering crowd. While leia and rey have this teary eyed moment. I found this stupid. Leia and chewy have a deep bond, far deeper than rey and leia and chewy just watched his best friend(leia's lover) get killed by leia and han's son. I really was shock that there was no interaction between chewy and leia, no hug, no words, no agony. It just seemed really bizarre to me and I didn't like it. That and the fact that when storming the starkiller base Han asked what Finn did on the base and he said Sanitation. If Finn's duty was sanitation, why was he on jakku as part of an assault on a resistance camp? That was just silly writing, they gave us a comedic moment that i'm just most will not even take note of, but for me it seemed silly and out of place. Now All that said, I cant wait for the next time I see the film and am so so so excited for the teaser trailer for episode VIII.
May the Force Be With You.
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Post by friartook on Dec 22, 2015 2:21:57 GMT
I loved it too, and I have a lot to say, but I've been trying to be extra careful about spoiling it for people. I added you to a Facebook group discussing the movies. The group features such fine folks as umbralwalker, joatmoniac, Lou Andres, and many more great people. Some fun discussions there. Hope you enjoy it! |
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Post by joatmoniac on Dec 22, 2015 3:14:31 GMT
Yeah, for mobile users it often shows a content preview. I know that there are 15 of us that use Tapatalk and unless you specifically turn off preview content it also shows spoilers outside of their spoiler tags if said spoilers are the first few lines. Side note: that Facebook group is pretty great. I say after a few weeks or so we can go whole hog on it in a thread, haha.
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Post by kjmagle on Dec 22, 2015 13:44:55 GMT
I dont think it was a lack of excitement but more of trying not to spoil anything for anyone.
With that being said ... OMG OMG OMG. Loved it.
I am listening to the audiobook right now.
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DM Sol_train
Squire
Back behind the screen 20yrs post 2E
Posts: 33 
Favorite D&D Class: Druid (Pathfinder Wolf-shaman)
Favorite D&D Race: Human
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Post by DM Sol_train on Dec 23, 2015 4:12:03 GMT
I went to Ep 4 when I was 7, sat through 2 showings in a row...things were different back then, I didn't even have to pay 2x, stood in line for Empire and again for Jedi. I rank this one somewhere better than Episode 1 and 6, but no where near Empire. My wife and I went Friday, and then took our 12, 10, and 8 to on Sunday. After 2 viewing I confirmed some of my initial gut feelings leaving the first time.
I'll play curmudgeon to everyone's gushing.
1. Story line and plot for the most part sucked. If this was any other franchise, this plot would have been laughed out of the directors office. We'll just use the same concept as prior movies...but we'll make it -bigger- and the droid with the secret info will be round. Seriously, this is the 4th time in the 7 films (1-droid control ship; 4-Death Star, 6-Death Star II) where blowing up the enemy super-weapon or army control device was the main plot culmination. Even Han's line mocked it "We can always blow it up...there's always a way to do that." Bad horror movies use the exact same trope time after time because we don't care...its a bad horror movie and we know it going in. In my opinion unique storyline is why Empire will always be #1 and Anakin's turning into Vader makes #3 2d best. I was very disappointed to be basically watching a replay of 50-60% of the material we've seen in prior movies. Even leaving Kylo Ren laying in the snow was just "Anakin" on a different planet. This might sound crazy - but I would have preferred if the mission failed, and they actually blew up Leia's planet and 90% of the rebel fleet and only a few strap-hangers got away including Rey. -That- would have been a plot-twist that went more appropriately with the slaying of Han by Kylo...I would have walked out of there ready to come back and fight the 1st Order with my own blaster next year for episode 8.
2. Leia/Carrie Fisher - horrid. I can only imagine after so many takes the director finally just had to say "that'll do". her acting was so forced, lacked emotion etc. I know...she was always the stoic one but that acting was horrible and sad to watch. Compare to Han and Chewbacca who seemed to not miss a beat (they stole the show and it was just like the first 2 movies banter all over again). When this is eventually on DVD I can see fast forwarding through her short portions. I was left wondering if she'd been brought kicking and screaming to this and finally only did it for the $ and could care less about production value. CGI would have been better...hell blowing up her planet would have killed 2 birds with 1 stone. after her performance I'd have preferred she went to try to rescue Ren (Ben if you caught it when Han called him that...aka Ben Kenobi)
There were some other nit-picky things like the CGI Storm-trooper getting blasted around by Chewy's cross-bow (the one he's been using for over 30 years and never did that before). Han Solo suddenly (again after almost 40 years of hanging with Chewy) amazed at his cross-bow and wanting to shoot it. Bad CGI stormtroopers when rebel pilots are blasting the stone walls around the island canteen.
Favorite parts: Han and Chewy being teamed up on by the two gangs - classic Han Solo, swindling the swindlers. Han's death - right up there with "Luke....I am your father." for a scene you will remember forever. And unlike Fisher's horrible acting...Han's look into his son's eyes and reaching for his cheek as he fell...amazing and hard to top when you're killing a fan favorite.
In the end it was a good movie, but I was let down and almost felt taken advantage of as a 46year old fan who grew up in the Star Wars era. I felt like they figured - you miss these characters so bad you won't care that we're just recycling huge portions of the same plot and will give us a pass on it; while at the same time, your kids that are you're going with won't know its recycled and they'll love it.
sincerely,
Disappointed.
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Post by kjmagle on Dec 23, 2015 11:17:07 GMT
I went to Ep 4 when I was 7, sat through 2 showings in a row...things were different back then, I didn't even have to pay 2x, stood in line for Empire and again for Jedi. I rank this one somewhere better than Episode 1 and 6, but no where near Empire. My wife and I went Friday, and then took our 12, 10, and 8 to on Sunday. After 2 viewing I confirmed some of my initial gut feelings leaving the first time. I'll play curmudgeon to everyone's gushing. 1. Story line and plot for the most part sucked. If this was any other franchise, this plot would have been laughed out of the directors office. We'll just use the same concept as prior movies...but we'll make it -bigger- and the droid with the secret info will be round. Seriously, this is the 4th time in the 7 films (1-droid control ship; 4-Death Star, 6-Death Star II) where blowing up the enemy super-weapon or army control device was the main plot culmination. Even Han's line mocked it "We can always blow it up...there's always a way to do that." Bad horror movies use the exact same trope time after time because we don't care...its a bad horror movie and we know it going in. In my opinion unique storyline is why Empire will always be #1 and Anakin's turning into Vader makes #3 2d best. I was very disappointed to be basically watching a replay of 50-60% of the material we've seen in prior movies. Even leaving Kylo Ren laying in the snow was just "Anakin" on a different planet. This might sound crazy - but I would have preferred if the mission failed, and they actually blew up Leia's planet and 90% of the rebel fleet and only a few strap-hangers got away including Rey. -That- would have been a plot-twist that went more appropriately with the slaying of Han by Kylo...I would have walked out of there ready to come back and fight the 1st Order with my own blaster next year for episode 8. 2. Leia/Carrie Fisher - horrid. I can only imagine after so many takes the director finally just had to say "that'll do". her acting was so forced, lacked emotion etc. I know...she was always the stoic one but that acting was horrible and sad to watch. Compare to Han and Chewbacca who seemed to not miss a beat (they stole the show and it was just like the first 2 movies banter all over again). When this is eventually on DVD I can see fast forwarding through her short portions. I was left wondering if she'd been brought kicking and screaming to this and finally only did it for the $ and could care less about production value. CGI would have been better...hell blowing up her planet would have killed 2 birds with 1 stone. after her performance I'd have preferred she went to try to rescue Ren (Ben if you caught it when Han called him that...aka Ben Kenobi) There were some other nit-picky things like the CGI Storm-trooper getting blasted around by Chewy's cross-bow (the one he's been using for over 30 years and never did that before). Han Solo suddenly (again after almost 40 years of hanging with Chewy) amazed at his cross-bow and wanting to shoot it. Bad CGI stormtroopers when rebel pilots are blasting the stone walls around the island canteen. Favorite parts: Han and Chewy being teamed up on by the two gangs - classic Han Solo, swindling the swindlers. Han's death - right up there with "Luke....I am your father." for a scene you will remember forever. And unlike Fisher's horrible acting...Han's look into his son's eyes and reaching for his cheek as he fell...amazing and hard to top when you're killing a fan favorite. In the end it was a good movie, but I was let down and almost felt taken advantage of as a 46year old fan who grew up in the Star Wars era. I felt like they figured - you miss these characters so bad you won't care that we're just recycling huge portions of the same plot and will give us a pass on it; while at the same time, your kids that are you're going with won't know its recycled and they'll love it. sincerely, Disappointed. You are always to your opinion. I am also an old fan of 41. Saw the originals in the theater from the beginning and did not see this movie as being taken advantage off. When I saw it as "ok i know what you dealt with. This is what we can do. Rest a sure then next movies will be better." Carrie Fisher i just thought she had something wrong with her mouth do to age but here acting was nothing different from the other moviesshe was in. This movie is a sample of what will be next. That is why I am Gushing. After dealing with the prequels I honestly don't know how anyone was let down. That is just my opinion. |
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Post by friartook on Dec 23, 2015 16:24:59 GMT
Carrie Fischer seems to be suffering from an overdose of plastic surgery. I think that's why her face looks...odd.
Here's my take on the many plot holes, recycled plot points, and tropes: If this film were released today, without the legacy of Star Wars behind it, we'd all have a lot fewer problems with these things. Similarly, the original trilogy was full of tropes, plot holes, and logical inconsistencies. We forgive it because so much of it was ground breaking and great, but those problems are there for sure!
Its important to remember a couple of things about this film:
1. In many ways, this is an apology/reset film. This is Disney saying, "Look, we know you guys want more Star Wars, and we know you're kinda jaded and burned by Lucas's prequels (whether one personally likes them or not, the fan base at large tends to pan them). Here's a taste of what we have in mind moving forward. We hope you approve." And judging by the amount of "gushing", the record breaking box office numbers, and my own personal reaction; Disney now has a mandate to move forward.
2. This film was designed by a marketing team to have the widest possible appeal to the largest number of fans, old and new. Consider the pressure Disney was under to produce something great; consider the amount of money they paid to purchase Lucasfilm and the rights contained therein; consider the fact that Star Wars, by and large, embraces tropes. Given those concerns, I think its perfectly natural that Disney played it safe with the plot.
Lastly, remember that this film is a setup for a new franchise. This movie didn't need to have a new, unique, adventurous plot. It needed to be safe and accessible. They did a good job with that. Now there is room to branch out and create new stories in this new canon they've established. I think part of why the plot was so thin is that this movie is not a stand alone film. It is a plot and story framework on which hundreds of new stories can and will be hung. The Force Awakens hints at more stories than it tells. This has to be by design! It gives the franchise breathing room to tell a variety of stories. This happened with the original trilogy mostly by accident. With this film, 21st century jaded calculation has come into play and they are doing this on purpose.
I for one welcome our new Star Wars Overlords and look forward to seeing what other stories they can bring us fans.
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Post by dm_mainprize on Dec 23, 2015 16:49:08 GMT
I can see a lot of your points but I think this was the only option abrams and company had, I feel that they made the move so similar in story and pacing to the a new hope because they wanted to show us they respect and cared for where the franchise came from and to put us at ease that they werent going to go off and just make it their own way and have it feel and be nothing like the original trilogy, I hope that ep 8. is vastly different in story that empire and that things change up and dont just repeat the first trilogy. But I feel they almost had to go this route. Carrie fisher is old, its sad that he acts was flat but thats the way it. What was she in other than the original trilogy that showed her as a great actor? nothing i can remember. Like i said i can totally see some of Sol's issues with the film but I feel like friar does, this was a kinda reset to win the fans back and show them its gonna be taken care of. Now we just wait for 8 and get excited that the crew making these films knows that we know they care.
My brother mentioned to me that his hardest struggle with the TFA is that somehow a girl with 0 training in both the force and lightsaber dueling beat kylo ren who had trained under luke. He says that with each new film since the original trilogy that what the "force" actually is and does is confusing and makes no sense. In the original tril the force according to ben kenobi is in every living thing and binds us all together and that a jedi is someone who has trained and can tap into that power to use it for good. in the prequels its some kind of genetic thing that is in you when you are born giving you the ability to then become a jedi, and in TFA its like a mix of the 2. So he just felt like that was a big inconsistency since the force is kind the key feature of star wars. What do you guys think about that idea?
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Post by kjmagle on Dec 23, 2015 18:04:15 GMT
So the reason why Rey won the saber battle
1: kylo was wounded
2: the terrain (trees getting in the way)
3) rey was the first to challenge his powers and make him fail with the mind thing
4) after that he doubts himself
5) throughout the movie it shows him that his emotions get the best of him. Super hot head. So basically when you put all that together he was setup to fail in that battle.
I also bought the audio book and listen to it and it fills in allot gaps from the movie.
Also not to mention i wonder if she got some sorta subtle force training on that desert planet. Hiw else she know all about the legends? Maybe also when she touched that lightsaber and got the memories and cisions it was sorta of a download of experience levels?
I think though if he wasn't shot by the the bowcaster or in a wooded area he would probably win. You gotta think we dont know his past much and how well he was challenged by others.
One morr thing. She knows how to battle. People make "light sabers" so much more special then they need to be. It's a f'n sword. Nothing more than that. Luke was able to block a training droid in not that much time in the first one.
I think my major problem about the whole experience is everyone is overthinking the movie. Me, I am just waiting for the next one to come out. :-)
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Post by dm_mainprize on Dec 23, 2015 18:26:08 GMT
Ya, ok that is exactly what i told my brother in regards to how rey won the fight. His counter was that if some one has trained they can overcome those obstacles. But I totally agree i think a lot of people are over thinking it and trying really hard to find something to not like otherwise they might have to give in and say yes this was awesome star wars stuff and put it on the same level as the original trilogy people are so afraid to say some thing as good or worthy enough to be included in that story. and i get it those three movies are practically a sacred part of our culture. i am very excited for the next film as well.
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Post by DMC on Dec 23, 2015 18:30:17 GMT
After 12-days off and on in line at THE BEST theater in the world (TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX), invitations to the World Premier and after-party, a billion views, non-stop media coverage, a wedding in the Chinese forecourt with two of my best friends, 576 tickets, 187 line members, and over $10,000 raised for the Starlight Children's Foundation.........I'm still completely spent. LOL PS - Rey had training. She was one of the padawans in Luke's academy when Kylo hit it. It didn't just come out of nowhere.  Here's our thoughts on it all. liningupnet.podbean.com/e/episode-6-the-line-recovers/ |
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Post by kjmagle on Dec 23, 2015 18:32:28 GMT
Ya, ok that is exactly what i told my brother in regards to how rey won the fight. His counter was that if some one has trained they can overcome those obstacles. But I totally agree i think a lot of people are over thinking it and trying really hard to find something to not like otherwise they might have to give in and say yes this was awesome star wars stuff and put it on the same level as the original trilogy people are so afraid to say some thing as good or worthy enough to be included in that story. and i get it those three movies are practically a sacred part of our culture. i am very excited for the next film as well. Or put like "you are in a boss battle but he rolls low, and the pc keeps crit'ing" :-). |
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Post by kjmagle on Dec 23, 2015 18:33:15 GMT
After 12-days off and on in line at THE BEST theater in the world (TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX), invitations to the World Premier and after-party, a billion views, non-stop media coverage, a wedding in the Chinese forecourt with two of my best friends, 576 tickets, 187 line members, and over $10,000 raised for the Starlight Children's Foundation.........I'm still completely spent. LOL PS - Rey had training. She was one of the padawans in Luke's academy when Kylo hit it. It didn't just come out of nowhere. SPOILERS!!!!!! |
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Post by DMC on Dec 23, 2015 18:33:50 GMT
Not a spoiler. Just the prevailing theory. No confirmation for or against it anywhere.
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Post by kjmagle on Dec 23, 2015 18:55:39 GMT
Not a spoiler. Just the prevailing theory. No confirmation for or against it anywhere. I was joking. Hiwever that is a cool theory. I think she was 5ish when she was left on that planet. There is alot of time there to think off. Also in the book the dark side called to her during the battle and most likely the voice of Snoke said "kill him" at the end of the battle. The thing I love about this move is they give you a lik bit of info so you can try to speculate the rest. Other theory other that lukes kid is maybe she was cloned from vader or luke dna. Maybe to try to harness the power with genetics. It a far shot but still reasonable as any other idea. |
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