Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

[HasuMasu]

Originally Posted by JagdPanther

The same generation that grew up liking the prequels or being brought up on TCW and Rebels wouldn't need a movie that's basically Episode IV v. 2.0.

This was definitely for the older generation because they are the ones with the power of the checkbook.

But, I guess, it didn't matter what they did... because Disney knew it was getting a Triple-E container ship of money with this movie anyway. Apparently in 3 days it's made $250 mil.

I grew up with the prequels and, to a lesser extent, Clone Wars. What JJ Abrams and Disney made here is definitely not for me. It might be for people younger than me though.

It's definitely for people way older than me.

[monster]

Originally Posted by Von Himmel

Speaking of which, wasn't there a similar EU plot where

Spoiler:

Han kid being a Sith, Luke's wife died etc? Did they do this on purpose to make EU stories still hold some significance?

Or the opposite, to put the nail on it by taking over some of the storylines.

[Mr Hat and Clogs]

I thought it was a nice reference though, regardless if it was honest or malicious.

[cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Mr Hat and Clogs

I really liked it. Yeah, perhaps some things were a bit predictable and it had homage's out the ass, but overall it was a really good movie.

Spoiler for movie stuff:

Rea (Rey?) and Finn were good and entertaining, Finn was hilarious.

Han's death was great, I had figured this might happen and more and more as they got closer to the actual deed I could practically see Death waving a flag above Han's head. But it was good, horrible and touching at the same time. I may have had some dust in my eye.

Rey (Rea?) is definitely Lukes daughter, I'm curious as to his reasons to abandon her on such a shitty planet though.

Speaking of Luke, that beard he was rocking was pretty epic.

The Death Star 3.0 was kinda ridiculous though. Draining an entire star seemed excessive, and far beyond the mass of a planet.

That silver Storm Trooper did shit all through the movie, either she has more coming in the sequels or they left a lot on the cutting room floor.

Also, who was the old dude right at the start?

Spoiler for movie spoilers:

yeah it is clear that she had s his daughter. He likely left her because she was in danger by being near him or anyone close to him. Snoke got his hands on Ben solo and Luke wanted to make sure he wouldn't do so with Rey since she has equal if not even more potential than Ben

[Mr Hat and Clogs]

Originally Posted by cyberdemon

Spoiler for movie spoilers:

yeah it is clear that she had s his daughter. He likely left her because she was in danger by being near him or anyone close to him. Snoke got his hands on Ben solo and Luke wanted to make sure he wouldn't do so with Rey since she has equal if not even more potential than Ben

Spoiler for movie:

true, true, but surely there was a better choice then essentially selling her into slavery or whatever that was.

[MeoTwister5]

Spoiler for Rey:

Her abandonment will likely be the central focus of her dark side trials.

[Mr Hat and Clogs]

True, that would make sense and make for some interesting scenes.

[B214]

Well if you think about it

Spoiler for potential homage:

In Episode V, the second of the Original Trilogy, Darth Vader reveals that he's Luke's father. Maybe in Episode VIII, the second of the Sequel Trilogy, Luke will do the same with Rey.

[The One Above God]

Wow, Kylo Ren is such a...bitch... Anyway, great movie. Will look forward to the sequels. Also, throughout the film, I was

Spoiler for luke:

expecting for Luke to suddenly show up and gelp in destroying Death Star 3.0

. Now I'm glad that didn't happen .

[Galaxian]

Originally Posted by Von Himmel

Huh, didn't notice that.

Speaking of which, wasn't there a similar EU plot where

Spoiler:

Han kid being a Sith, Luke's wife died etc? Did they do this on purpose to make EU stories still hold some significance?

Well, seeing as...

Spoiler for Spoilers:

Kylo's real name is Ben, just like Luke's son in the old expanded universe, I would think so. I mean, Kylo is essentially a combination of Jancen Solo and Ben Skywalker.

[Ithekro]

In relation to that I'm getting a vibe on Rey

Spoiler for Who?:

She seems to have several of Jaina Solo's traits. But also possibly some of Anakin Solo's traits as well.

[monster]

Spoiler for Rey:

Well, she is a good pilot and good with technology and able to use the force. I'm now expecting a scene of her being good with animals. (Or is that an EU thing?)

[Mech42ace]

After obstaining from the internet for a few days specifically to avoid spoilers, I just saw the new movie last night! I wasn't dissapointed in it overall however I did notice some plot holes here and there, nothing too big to get in front of enjoying the movie though.

Spoiler:

Why did no one of the New Republic even think of checking inside of R2-D2 for the map leading to Luke? I mean it would have saved them a lot of time and frustration and it was sort of obvious seeing how R2-D2 was always with Luke.

Why were both Finn (A stormtrooper!) and Rei able to use Luke's lightsaber so easily against Kylo Ren, who had obviously had years of apprenticeship, when they only found the lightsaber yesterday?

But I digress, it still was a solid movie and there wasn't much to pick at like I was hoping. Lol

[Galaxian]

Originally Posted by monster

Spoiler for Rey:

Well, she is a good pilot and good with technology and able to use the force. I'm now expecting a scene of her being good with animals. (Or is that an EU thing?)

Spoiler for About Rey:

Rey is a bit of a Mary Sue. She's good at all of that and her force affinity is at the level of Starkiller's from the Force Unleashed. IMO, the fact that she seems to have no visible flaws ended up being a flaw for the movie itself.

[monster]

Originally Posted by Mech42ace

Why did no one of the New Republic even think of checking inside of R2-D2 for the map leading to Luke?

Spoiler for R2-D2:

My guess is because they don't treat R2-D2 as a mere machine. When R2-D2 is willing to share its secret, then it will do so.

On the other hand, the fact that R2-D2 "woke up" by itself made me believed that it was actually constructing the portion of the map that it had information on while being in low-powered mode and had just completed it.

Originally Posted by Galaxian

Spoiler for About Rey:

Rey is a bit of a Mary Sue. She's good at all of that and her force affinity is at the level of Starkiller's from the Force Unleashed. IMO, the fact that she seems to have no visible flaws ended up being a flaw for the movie itself.

Spoiler for Rey:

While I can understand your position on this, I was actually referencing Anakin's/Luke's abilities.

[GundamFan0083]

Originally Posted by Galaxian

Spoiler for About Rey:

Rey is a bit of a Mary Sue. She's good at all of that and her force affinity is at the level of Starkiller's from the Force Unleashed. IMO, the fact that she seems to have no visible flaws ended up being a flaw for the movie itself.

I agree with you.
Discussing this with other people who've seen it has shown just how seriously flawed this film is.
I for one will be skipping eps 8 and 9.
I'm big on storyline (some people are not and I understand that), so this film did not sit well with me (or most people I know), and what you wrote above about Rey is spot on.
The more I think about this film and discuss it with others that have seen it, the worse it looks. The bloom is off the rose as the saying goes.

[Hooves]

Spoiler for Overall Impressions:

I... I really can't say much honestly. It wasn't bad like I was expecting, neither was it good to wow me. I suppose it's simply the best way to play it safe to kick off the new trilogy to make everything feel like New Hope but just modernized. I will say though that aside from personal gripes on story + characters. The sound and environment were just amazing. The special effects were out of this world.

What really struck me in the disappointing way is the Kylo vs Rey fight. It just feels so wrong that Rey, with no experience whatsoever in lightsaber combat or even the Force. Overpowers Kylo after a brief moment of meditation. You can try to say it was catching him by surprise but that's still really awkward to see. Sure Kylo is still not even done with training, but being beaten like that was just a let down.

Also, where were the Y-Wings? Weren't they doing a bombing run? Why only the X-Wings?

[TnAdct1]

Originally Posted by Mr Hat and Clogs

I really liked it. Yeah, perhaps some things were a bit predictable and it had homage's out the ass, but overall it was a really good movie.

Spoiler for movie stuff:

Rey (Rea?) is definitely Lukes daughter, I'm curious as to his reasons to abandon her on such a shitty planet though.

That silver Storm Trooper did shit all through the movie, either she has more coming in the sequels or they left a lot on the cutting room floor.

Also, who was the old dude right at the start?

In answer to these questions:

Spoiler for Force Awakens Stuff:

1. More than likely Luke kept Rey hidden to ensure that Snoke didn't get to her the same way he got to Kylo Ren. As for the crappy planet, I think Luke's own experience kinda played a role here (as the last place to look for a possible Jedi would be a desert planet). Also, if you're familiar with a certain Rifftrax running gag, I'm sure that if Kylo is following in his granddad's footsteps, then he'd also developed a certain hatred that would make him want to avoid Jakku if possible.

2. I'm sure that Captain Phasma will have a bigger role in the later films, as the main focus of this film was more about introducing the new characters and setting up the mysteries that will surround the new trilogy.

3. That old dude is supposed to be a follower of the Church of the Force, a group that believes that the Jedi Order will eventually be restored. My theory was that once Rey started to realize her powers, he was to help her on her way to prepare for her Jedi training, only for that plan to not happen thanks to Kylo Ren.

[GundamFan0083]

Originally Posted by Hooves

Spoiler for Overall Impressions:

I... I really can't say much honestly. It wasn't bad like I was expecting, neither was it good to wow me. I suppose it's simply the best way to play it safe to kick off the new trilogy to make everything feel like New Hope but just modernized. I will say though that aside from personal gripes on story + characters. The sound and environment were just amazing. The special effects were out of this world.

What really struck me in the disappointing way is the Kylo vs Rey fight. It just feels so wrong that Rey, with no experience whatsoever in lightsaber combat or even the Force. Overpowers Kylo after a brief moment of meditation. You can try to say it was catching him by surprise but that's still really awkward to see. Sure Kylo is still not even done with training, but being beaten like that was just a let down.

Also, where were the Y-Wings? Weren't they doing a bombing run? Why only the X-Wings?

Spoiler for Kylo vs Rey:

The biggest issue here is the inconsistencies within the movie itself. I'll skip over how everybody in the theater laughed at Kylo Ren's nonthreatening mug when he removed his mask and get to how he stopped a blaster bolt in mid-air, was trained by Luke Skywalker, killed all the other Jedi trainees, but yet gets his ass kicked by Rey who magically learns force powers like no other force user before her. I've seen all the excuses running around the net about how she could do that, how Finn injured Kylo, Chewbacca's bolt injured him, how the force awakened in her, etc. However, what fanboys don't understand, and a friend of mine pointed out, is that if you have to make excuses to try and explain these inconsistencies, then the storyline sucks. That's the sad truth about this, and that fact sucks. Shame on JJ Abrams and Disney for taking a Future Fantasy and making it a full fledged Disney-style Fairy Tale. I don't mean to rant or rage, but I'm seeing too many fanboys/girls going to great lengths to try and explain away just how bad this movie is with all sorts of assumptions, fanfix suggestions, etc. On a positive note, this film has made me cherish anime all that much more. Space Battleship Yamato 2199 is vastly superior to this film, and this film has made me appreciate SBY 2199 (and a lot of other SF anime) all that much more, so that is a plus.

[JagdPanther]

I have seen many bad movies in my life, but Star Wars Episode VII will occupy a special place in my mind for how atrocious it was. As a massive Star Wars fan who loves the story of Star Wars and the endless opportunities it presents, I cannot stress enough how hard it is for me to say this. The Force Awakens is a bitter disappointment that shows that many people can combine to destroy what once brought hope.

Originally Posted by aeriolewinters

that's what's the point. TCW, the prequels and Rebels aren't supposed to be a gateway to the franchise. JJ Abrams, just like what he did to Star Trek, has made a great gateway movie to the franchise. You could show this to a non-fan who doesn't like the dated feel of A new Hope.

Watching A New Hope right now to cleanse my palette from the disaster that is Episode VII. Unless a person cannot appreciate anything about a movie beyond the apparent age of its visuals, there is nothing "dated" about this movie. It feels as fresh to me right now as it did when I was a little kid in the 90s. Just my opinion, yes, but I have encountered many movies in my life that never get old or dated no matter how long its been since they were released or how many times I watch them. This movie is one of them. I believe it is that way for other people, as well. We may disagree, individually, but I think this particular film is generally considered one of them.

Originally Posted by monster

Or the opposite, to put the nail on it by taking over some of the storylines.

*ding*ding*ding*

We have a winner!

This is Disney and LFL asserting dominance over the lore. LFL has a long history of absolutely abusing the EU storywriters, cherry-picking ideas and molding them to LFL's desired end. Routinely, LFL has taken good ideas and ruined them and taken bad ideas and made them even worse.

That all said, I am very, very interested to see who is

Spoiler for Rey's parents:

Rey's mother. I am not convinced Luke was standing over a grave. If, and I mean this as a VERY BIG "if," LFL and Disney decide to utilize Mara Jade, that would be a major appeasement to the EU fans. Mara Jade is a somewhat divisive character, but she is loved by many. If LFL and Disney use her, I am worried about what they'll do to her... If Rey's mother turns out to be Mara Jade and she already is dead, then... that'd be a huge kick in the junk to the EU fans who have been hoping to see her in a movie someday. I like Mara a lot, but I don't need to see her in a movie. I'm too worried about LFL ruining her from my image of her in the books.

At the end of the day, Disney and LFL control all aspects of the story now. I was explaining it to a family member today that LFL, in the old days, was like Microsoft. It only loosely controlled the EU, much like MS only loosely controlled software development. That made the MS software world extremely diverse, capable, and powerful, but it also got MS into a huge amount of trouble at times and made for lots of instability. Conversely, Disney is like Apple. It will control the storyline development with an iron fist. Nothing will happen without strict Disney approval. It makes for a much more secure and cogent storyline, but it also greatly hampers creativity. I think we saw that with this movie. It was a Xerox-copy of most of Episode IV with some Episodes V and VI sprinkled in for good measure. There was virtually no new ideas or creativity shown. Disney played things safe and are expecting people will flock to it and love it simply because it says "Star Wars" at the front. The scary thing is that they're not necessarily wrong. Look at what they've done to the Marvel franchises. They are reaping (literally) billions from all these movies despite extremely little creativity and differences from film to film.