Star Wars

[N-4K0]

I got the chills when the opening crawl came, and the first scene after it was just awesome, the way it was done with the shadow and that.

[Zilcho]

I liked the new characters, don't get me wrong, but the movie didn't feel complete. When a movie leaves you dying to see more because nothing gets wrapped up in this one, that ain't good.

Meh, it's episode VIII of a massive saga, there's bound to be some untied strings.

Everyone loves Empire Strikes Back, but that ends with a lot of questions: What's gonna happen to Han? To Luke and Vader? etc.

[xboxtravis7992]

HAN!!! Very sad and very gutsy move for the filmmakers. I think the complaints about him are about to get a lot worse than the Bionicle fans were complaining about the demise of Toa Matoro back in 2007... And it was his own psychopath son too! Ben/Kylo Ren is such a jerk. I did enjoy the sense of mystery this film has, despite the formula moments (desert planet, droid with message, big giant space gun, and trench run battle) the characters and their plot twists were very new and exciting. Not everything was answered which I like (but will drive me nuts until Episode 8), especially the origin of Rey. I almost wonder if she is the actual "Chosen One" spoken in the prequels, and that Anakin was just some dark side induced fluke; because in 10 minutes of beginning to learn the force she can already go toe to toe with a life long trained dark side user. It was very fitting that Kylo Ren got a new scar on his face at the end, if he wanted to be like his grandpa Darth Vader so badly I think he deserved to lose all his limbs and be thrown in a volcano too.Again, Kylo reminded me so much of Anakin, he was cool with the helmet and a bit whinny without it. He really needs to talk to a psychologist, this Grandpa obsession he has is very unhealthy.

Edited December 19, 2015 by xboxtravis7992

[Junior Shark]

As for confusion over the New Republic, take a trip to your local bookseller and consult the Force Awakens Visual Dictionary. Actually an awesome read!

[rollermonkey]

You guys are complaining about not knowing where the New Republic came from?

It is a period of civil war.

Rebel spaceships, striking

from a hidden base, have won

their first victory against

the evil Galactic Empire.

During the battle, Rebel

spies managed to steal secret

plans to the Empire's

ultimate weapon, the DEATH

STAR, an armored space

station with enough power

to destroy an entire planet.

Pursued by the Empire's

sinister agents, Princess

Leia races home aboard her

starship, custodian of the

stolen plans that can save her

people and restore

freedom to the galaxy....

That's all we knew before the Blockade Runner showed up on screen, and we had about 5 seconds to think about it. Talk about not knowing what the heck was going on!

Edited December 19, 2015 by rollermonkey

[Clone OPatra]

You guys are complaining about not knowing where the New Republic came from?

That's all we knew before the Blockade Runner showed up on screen, and we had about 5 seconds to think about it. Talk about not knowing what the heck was going on!

The problem isn't where the New Republic came from, it's what the heck they do (which seems to be: nothing).

I think you get A New Hope pretty fast, even watching it for the first time - an evil oppressive government rules everything, and a rebel organization fights them. In Force Awakens, it's much more muddled - an oppressive organization exists with seemingly free reign to do whatever they want, besides for a rebel organization that fights them and is supported by a central government that doesn't seem to matter. Also, nobody bats much on an eye when ALL of the government's home worlds get obliterated. Maybe I missed something, but on first watching the dynamic between the Resistance and the New Republic and the First Order didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Another issue was that their was no dramatic story buildup to the First Order using the superweapon. They just go - hey, we're mad, let's blow all that crap up I guess. And then the Resistance goes - oh crap, we'll all die, let's blow their thing up I guess. All the drama was focused on the characters and not these events that should have massive repercussions in the universe.

[BigPoppaBrick]

Enjoyed the film.....did they really need to rip off so much of episode 4 though. Is it deemed ok if you're ripping off your own film history?

[rollermonkey]

The problem isn't where the New Republic came from, it's what the heck they do (which seems to be: nothing).

I think you get A New Hope pretty fast, even watching it for the first time - an evil oppressive government rules everything, and a rebel organization fights them. In Force Awakens, it's much more muddled - an oppressive organization exists with seemingly free reign to do whatever they want, besides for a rebel organization that fights them and is supported by a central government that doesn't seem to matter. Also, nobody bats much on an eye when ALL of the government's home worlds get obliterated. Maybe I missed something, but on first watching the dynamic between the Resistance and the New Republic and the First Order didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Another issue was that their was no dramatic story buildup to the First Order using the superweapon. They just go - hey, we're mad, let's blow all that crap up I guess. And then the Resistance goes - oh crap, we'll all die, let's blow their thing up I guess. All the drama was focused on the characters and not these events that should have massive repercussions in the universe.

If you think about it, that's largely how the destruction of Alderaan played out, too. No dramatic buildup, no real mourning of the destruction, or understanding of who they had been or why it was destroyed, other than as a test shot and to intimidate others.

The difference is there are now six movies of backstory for episode VII. Nobody knew ANYTHING about anything that was going on in 1977. I saw the move when I was a kid during its initial run, and it really was pretty confusing on the first viewing... there had been nothing like it before, unless you count the serials that Lucas had seen when he was a kid, but we hadn't seen them ourselves!

[adotnamedstud]

I don't understand much of the criticism it's getting. There's a Star Wars formula. Don't expect anything more than what we got (which was fantastic) to start off the new trilogy. No offense but all it is in my eyes is whining about the small details of a great movie. The original Star Wars movies had flaws too. Don't go nitpicking at a trilogy we don't know the full story to. If I judged ANH knowing there would be two more and be as cynical as some, I'd probably hate it and ask why Lucas even wasted time on it.

And everyone looking back to the EU are going to be dissatisfied. You can't drop a planet on Chewbacca and expect it to look cool on screen. (Not a spoiler BTW if anyone is trying to avoid them.) A lot of the EU stuff was complicated and wouldn't work well on film. Disagree with me all you want but if it could happen, why did Disney retcon it? It's not evil to do that.

I loved TFA, as a film, it was flawed but so was the OT. It set up sequels quite well and delivered emotionally. The acting skills were phenomenal all around. Phasma could've done more but you don't want to waste all your big guns for the first movie. That's what a lot of people need to understand. The general audience needs to like these movies too. If you get your EU or everything you wanted you get a jumbled movie and a bad call from the film makers.

I cannot wait for Episode VIII and what it will add to the trilogy. Kylo Ren was terrifying and Driver's performance was electric. As I've said. I cannot wait for VIII.

[lightningtiger]

It's the flaws which make it Star Wars, makes it enjoyable, makes it fun, the perfect mind escape.

The parallels between episode seven and four so more than just a few but it's based on good business sense - if it's not broken, don't fix it.

Though the thing I missed in the movie was the epic space battles between capital ships, but totally made up to those awesome X-wing vs. Tie explosive dog fights.

I was wondering about the odd ending, not to spoil it though.......will he or won't he is the question ?

Oh, yeah and that jaw dropping moment........second only to Vader telling Luke that he was his father back on episode five.

[HawkLord]

I just want to see one super, planet blowing weapon make through a movie. Just once. This is the third that went down after we're first introduced to it.

Kidding aside, the story did tread a lot over past material. I thought the pacing was good, as it didn't need to go into a lot of explaining of concepts like the Force, etc. the action was good and the dialog didn't feel forced. Kylo actually looked better than I thought he would once he was really moving around and whatnot. Plus the lightsaber fights were better than those in the prequels.

Han dying and the limited answers to questions even in the trailer was the worst part. I know Harrison Ford has never like playing Han Solo, but I think the rumors are correct that he only came back because JJ told him Han would die. I think getting killed by his own shows that Kylo is really far into the dark side, but there's no real explanation as to why that happened. At least with Anakin, there was Sidious pulling some strings and a preggo Padme. I'm hoping we flash back to something that explains why Kylo has daddy issues. And we needed more answers - especially Rey. I was really thinking Luke would wrap that up in some small way. Here's hoping Mara Jade shows up and proves Rey is Luke and Mara's kid.

[Ultron]

Plus the lightsaber fights were better than those in the prequels.

Uh no. Rey & Finn vs kylo Ren does not compare to the Darth maul battle, anakin vs obi or even Yoda vs emperor. I still loved that scene but no...none of those kids have the training the jedi and sith in the prequels had.

[N-4K0]

The problem with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan vs. Darth Maul to many people is that while looking great and enjoyable, it also looks way too well choreographed, almost to the point where you can see that they kinda concentrate about clashing their lightsabers together in the right way instead of actually trying to kill each other.

It is an epic duel, but over-choreographed.

As for the unanswered questions in TFA, I think they need to be unanswered to build up more excitement for the next movie.

BTW, lightningtiger, what scene are you referring to as the jaw-dropping moment? The final scene?

[Junior Shark]

Yeah, the lightsaber duel was waaay better than any of the PT. It had more emotion in it than any of the ones in 1, 2, or 3. Yes, there was "emotion" in the Anakin/Obi-Wan duel, but there was also a trip down a lava river, about three minutes of air-fives, and lots of spinning. The duels in the prequels are a visual spectacle (Yoda and Sidious destroying a giant room, Yoda jumping all around Dooku, Darth Maul destroying two Jedi with his double-bladed lightsaber), where the ones in the OT & TFA are about the characters. The PT duel that gets closest to that is the Phantom Menace duel, IMO.

As for the whole New Republic thing, I think people were getting too cush with the old EU and how everything was explained, from the character you saw for less than one second to why the movies even happened because of events set in motion two thousand years before Phantom Menace to Palpatine and Plagueis actually being the cause for Anakin's birth . For me, it's refreshing. We've cast off the detritus that was a lot of the old EU. Uncharted Star Wars waters! Rest assured, all questions will be answered in time.

Edited December 21, 2015 by Junior Shark

[HawkLord]

Uh no. Rey & Finn vs kylo Ren does not compare to the Darth maul battle, anakin vs obi or even Yoda vs emperor. I still loved that scene but no...none of those kids have the training the jedi and sith in the prequels had.

As mentioned those scenes were way too choreographed. And while they looked good, it didn't have the raw energy and emotion of, say, Vader vs Luke 2. Sword fights never ever look like they did in the prequels.

[Zilcho]

Yeah this lightsaber duel was so good because there was actually a lot of tension. I felt scared for Rey and Finn.

Prequel duels are entertaining but at the end of the day they are an elaborate dance.

Also, whoever mentioned it, if a super weapon actually survived the end of the movie, it would mean game over for the good guys. If Death Star 3 wasn't shut down it would have killed he resistance and the remnants of he Republic, in fact same with DS1&2

[Robert8]

I wonder if we'll see DeathStar 4 in Episode VIII

[EdWebhead]

I wonder if we'll see DeathStar 4 in Episode VIII

Oh dear, no more Death Stars please!

I really enjoyed TFA, actually loved it way more than I thought I would! While most of the plot did feel a bit too similar to A New Hope, I think it was done to give the audience some familiarity to the franchise, basically saying Star Wars is back to its roots and will be unlike the underwhelming prequels that came out a decade ago. I'm sure Episode XIII will be much more original with new stories and plots.

I love the new characters! Rey is the best character Star Wars has put out since the original trio, and I'm excited for her future as a Jedi! Finn was great, too, and I'm really curious about his parentage (since Maz said she's seen those eyes before, I think they're hinting at someone we already know). Poe was awesome as well, and I can really see him as a Han Solo-type character, just wish there was more of him in this movie. As for Kylo Ren, I think it's interesting making him Han and Leia's son (I guess the Dark Side runs in the family ), and while he did seem a bit weak at times, it makes sense as he is still training with the Dark Side, unlike Darth Vader who was a badass right from the start, Kylo Ren needs time to get there. I'm thinking his arc might be about redemption, and bringing him back to the Light Side, I think that would make a very compelling character arc.

As for the death of Han Solo ( ), I saw it coming from a mile away. I didn't want to see it happen, but I had a feeling it was coming. The way they did it though was very powerful, with his death coming from his own son, which will definitely have consequences in the development of Kylo Ren as a character. In a way, it sort of had to happen (besides Harrison Ford wanting to kill him off). I think Han would have taken the focus away from the new characters in the new trilogy, so saying goodbye to him was the best thing to do.

Overall, great movie! Probably my second favorite Star Wars film after The Empire Strikes Back.

[HawkLord]

Also, whoever mentioned it, if a super weapon actually survived the end of the movie, it would mean game over for the good guys. If Death Star 3 wasn't shut down it would have killed he resistance and the remnants of he Republic, in fact same with DS1&2

Well, from a writing standpoint, they just need to not have the planet killer moving directly towards the Rebels/Resistance right away. Maybe make it something that's roaming the galaxy looking for the heroes, but easily finding them. That way the planet killer can build some suspense in the search and travel.

[BigPoppaBrick]

Did it bother anyone that Rey referred to the events in the OT as legend and Han confirmed they were true.

Seemed odd that she wouldn't know what happened 30 years ago, granted she wasn't born and has lived on a desert planet most of her life but surely that stuff would be well documented?.....

Maybe they haven't got Google or Wifi on Jakku!

[HawkLord]

At the same time Luke didn't know about Jedi before Obi-Wan explained it to him. I've always thought the vastness of space and the Imperial cover-up of it all meant that most planets probably weren't completely aware of what was happening or had the entirely wrong impression. The Jedi purge was concocted under the idea that the Jedi tried to assassinate Palpatine and the Imperials went on the destroy much of the remaining Jedi culture, buildings, etc.

And according to the recent TFA visual dictionary, it looks like Jakku is as removed or alittle more removed than Tatooine from the center of the galaxy.

[CMP]

Just saw it again.

I have a theory now. We really don't know anything about the Knights of Ren other than that they wiped out the Jedi, right?

I assumed it was first it was some kind of cult Kylo built around himself, but...what if it's a new order of dark jedi all on its own. Kylo Ren is an assumed name, so perhaps 'Ren' is as much of a title as 'Darth'?

It begs the question, how many more Knights are out there and what the heck are they doing?

Another thing: if they hadn't played the triumphant Force theme right before Rey tapped into the Force to beat Kylo Ren...I'd swear she was tapping into the dark side. She looks REALLY upset, got EXTREMELY aggressive, and manages to cut him up more than a bit. Those are the best kind of fights in my opinion - it made for my favorite scene in any movie ever in Return of the Jedi, and it occurred in Revenge of the Sith and even from Obi-Wan in The Phantom Menace.

Also, I still think Han let Kylo Ren kill him, giving him something to I suppose regret later.

[Gremer]

I assumed it was first it was some kind of cult Kylo built around himself, but...what if it's a new order of dark jedi all on its own. Kylo Ren is an assumed name, so perhaps 'Ren' is as much of a title as 'Darth'?

It begs the question, how many more Knights are out there and what the heck are they doing?

If I had to guess, the Knights of Ren are a Force-sensitive cult trained by Snoke or Kylo Ren, and act similarly to Inquisitors from the Empire. Their primary goal is to hunt down the Jedi, with the primary target being Luke. I would believe that 'Ren' is either a title given to members, or is the title for the leader. There's an unknown number of Knights, and everything I've said is just speculation..

[kermit]

How did Ren escape ? It`s like we saw him escape the planet at the end.

[Gremer]

How did Ren escape ? It`s like we saw him escape the planet at the end.

"Supreme Leader Snoke tells General Hux to bring Kylo Ren to him so that he can finish his training, and we learn that Hux has taken off from Starkiller Base before the explosive stuff goes down. But what about Kylo Ren? Last we saw he was seriously injured and left bleeding in the snow as the weapon began to activate.

We can only assume that Hux took off early to retrieve Kylo. After all, it seems like Kylo Ren will be the Darth Vader of this sequel trilogy, so I expect we haven’t seen the last of him. Also, the official novelization, which is also considered canon,says that Hux picks up Kylo with some troopers and they were able to escape Starkiller base before it blows up."

http://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-the-force-awakens-questions/5/