Star Wars

[ChiefPie]

Well today my brother and his girlfriend bought me and my other brother tickets to go see TFA on New Year's Day! So excited even though I spoiled the movie!

[rollermonkey]

The idea that Rey is a bit of a mary sue is valid but, we're talking about star wars, the force can do anything: perhaps Rey was acting on instinct, perhaps she knew legends and was desperate enough to try anything. i like the fact that a some of what she does fails when she first tries.

She doesn't meet the definition of a Marysue. Marysue will always fail and be rescued by a male hero. Finn failed and she rescued him.

[Marvelfan120]

She doesn't meet the definition of a Marysue. Marysue will always fail and be rescued by a male hero. Finn failed and she rescued him.

I thought a marysue was someone who did everything right for no apparent reason

[N-4K0]

Going to see it for the second time tonight. After some consideration, I think my favorite scene is when Rey and Finn take the Falcon to escape the TIE-fighters and she flies through the old Star Destroyer while he works the bottom laser cannons. Great and exciting scene!

[rollermonkey]

I thought a marysue was someone who did everything right for no apparent reason

The definition has evolved a lot, and a lot of tropes get lumped into it.

Originally, a Marysue was typically an author representative, typically in fanfiction, but not always. (The original was on the Star Trek TV show) The character was typically: a center of narrative attention, extremely capable, and typically gains the admiration of the main characters. Things like needing to be rescued by the original hero, a fatal flaw, etc get lumped in there too sometimes.

Regardless, Rey's not really a Marysue by the original meaning, but she does have some of the commonly related tropes. My earlier comment was wrong, but actually was associated with some of those similar tropes, my fault.

Edited December 28, 2015 by rollermonkey

[Rishab N]

Just watched it a second time yesterday(in IMAX to get a poster ) and I am still impressed by the movie. I wasn't really a fan of Adam Driver as Kylo Ren as he had a very intimidating presence until he took off that mask. I'm hoping that Episode 8 will be just as good if not better

[N-4K0]

Done with the second watching about 1,5 hours ago. It didn't get less good although I knew what was coming

Edited December 28, 2015 by Error404

[xboxtravis7992]

Saw it the third time today, theater was jam packed seeing it was a 1:00pm showing in a small town in Utah. Disney now owns all of our pocketbooks

[YSDWDY]

Did you all stick around for the cookie reel at the end of the movie after the Bad Robot logo?

[scene of Rey being interrogated by Captain Phasma at the Starkiller Base]

Phasma: They never told you what happened to your mother.

Rey: They told me enough! She left me to keep me safe from FO scum like you.

Phasma: No, I'm your mother, and you are my son!

Rey: Noooooooooooo!

Phasma: Should I tell you who your father is?

[scene ends]

Now there's your answer to Phasma's puzzling actions and many others.

Edited December 29, 2015 by YSDWDY

[Tariq j]

Saw it the third time today, theater was jam packed seeing it was a 1:00pm showing in a small town in Utah. Disney now owns all of our pocketbooks

Here's a tip for packed cinemas: Go and see the subtitled version

I accidentally booked a subtitled version and the theatre was no way near as crowded as the regular viewing.

[Cyberfounder]

Well, i'm happy i didn't pay to see the movie. Not that it is a bad movie, but could it be anymore EP4? If you really like this movie, then you have fallen into the "Trap".

Its just an update of the OT, from anakin's lightsaber being handed down to Tatooine , euh Jakku to the destruction of the Deathstar... euh I mean starkiller base.

Even the title... The force Awakens... aka A New Hope.

What is next... EP 8 The First Order Strikes Back and EP 9 The Return of Luke Skywalker?

Edited December 29, 2015 by Cyberfounder

[rollermonkey]

Did you all stick around for the cookie reel at the end of the movie after the Bad Robot logo?

Yeah, but Abrams specifically stated that there would NOT be a mid- or post-credits scene. That it doesn't fit with the Star Wars experience.

[N-4K0]

I really like TFA. It may have some big similarities with the old movies, but I don't mind it seeing as it's a well-made movie IMO.

I agree that the destruction of Starkiller Base was predictable and too much of a repeat, but it's about the only thing that bothers me.

Does every part of the movie have to be completely original and new? They could probably pull that off, but I don't see any big problem with the movie as it is.

[xboxtravis7992]

If you really like this movie, then you have fallen into the "Trap".

If there was a magic " Trap" that made us like movies; than Disney would have also used it on Pirates 4, Tron 2, The Lone Ranger, and John Carter; and because of the "Trap" we would have loved those films. I see nothing about subjectively choosing to enjoy a movie as equaling being trapped (knowing full well that my admission ticket goes to the pocket books of the film makers).

Besides if any one should complain about a Star Wars film undeservingly taking their money, it should have been those sucked into the hype machine for Phantom Menace (Which in many ways also clones elements of A New Hope (Tatoinne, mentor dies, inexperienced pilot blows up battle station, ect.)). The Force Awakens did clone a lot of elements, but stands well on its own characters, and deserves the money it makes.

Edited December 29, 2015 by xboxtravis7992

[Ultron]

Besides if any one should complain about a Star Wars film undeservingly taking their money, it should have been those sucked into the hype machine for Phantom Menace (Which in many ways also clones elements of A New Hope (Tatoinne, mentor dies, inexperienced pilot blows up battle station, ect.)). The Force Awakens did clone a lot of elements, but stands well on its own characters, and deserves the money it makes.

Preach! I was thinking the exact same thing, especially about Phantom Menace. being similar as well. Everyone just overlooks because that movie was actually bad. There's no trap; I have not been duked. I loved it. Could've been better but the new characters are all great.

[Artanis I]

Well, for all those who ignore the PT, you have 4 movies. 3 of which were about blowing up the death star. That's poor.

[Robert8]

Star Wars Episode VII original title was

"Star Wars: Shadow of the Empire"

[Marvelfan120]

Well, for all those who ignore the PT, you have 4 movies. 3 of which were about blowing up the death star. That's poor.

While I certainly am not one to ignore the PT, I think saying three of the four other sw films are about blowing up a space station is a wee bit off.

A new hope was pretty much about blowing up a space station, yes but IMO episodes VI and VII were about much more. In jedi you have the whole arc about luke, Vader and the emperor. This goes far more to the heart of the film than blowing up the death star does. The redemption of Vader, a mass murderer and luke becoming a true jedi are the central events for me.

For TFA, well its far more about Rey finding luke and han confronting kylo ren than the destruction of star killer base.

Simply taking the biggest action scene in a movie and saying that's what it's about is a problem many people who don't like action based films have. Good movies and stories of all types are more about character evolution than simply a series of events.

[Artanis I]

I didn't say they were all about blowing up a death star, but it's a very obvious climax and major plot point to each movie. You'd think that they'd avoid doing that again after the 2nd time. Or the franchise will be renamed Death Star Wars. What do they think it is? Form Voltron and summon the blazing sword to beat monster of the week? Come on, we aren't 6 years old. I get that they wanted the new movies to be related to the OT, but Episode VII felt more like a remake & a reboot of Episode IV than a sequel to the franchise. I hope the next one isn't similar to Episode V. (Except that it is awesome, it can be similar in that way.)

As an aside, I don't give a kreo about character evolution, I care about plot. And when the plot is shallow or too familiar that detracts from the story. Darth Vader could stay a sith forever for all I cared, just don't be predictable in how the story unfolds or give the same ending all the time. Like Episode III & V, they were a nice change. But don't just throw in plot twists for plot twists' sake (Mr Nolan).

[rollermonkey]

You care about plot, but not character evolution?

That doesn't make much sense.

Although the movies have some similar themes / beats that doesn't mean that every song at 88bpm in 4/4 time is the same song. Instead of focusing on what you didn't like, how about thinking/talking about what you DID like? It'd be a heck of a lot more enjoyable for everyone... yourselves included.

'because frankly, there are more differences than similarities, imo.

[CMP]

On my second viewing, the similarities to a New Hope are only really pronounced at the beginning and end. Honestly, now I'm thinking the main issue here was Starkiller Base. It did absolutely nothing for the story.

[N-4K0]

I guess Starkiller Base was one of the main means to show how powerful the First Order are/were.

[Dr.Cogg]

I think Star Killer Base and Death Stars are the only major weapons the Empire I mean First Order know how to build, I myself really enjoyed the movie, there where somethings that were just "OK" like Captain Phasma, who wasn't very threatening at all and Kylo Ren a Sith who's been trained in the jedi arts for years being beaten by Rey who just started learning about the force a day ago, but for the most part the movie was enjoyable.

[xboxtravis7992]

Hey now that Episode 7 has been released, I wonder if there will be more explanation to retcon the "Legends" EU stuff like this:

When Rey and Finn meet Han Solo it is obvious both of them have heard very different stories about Han Solo. Maybe with the vastness of the galaxy, legends of what is happening were passed around. The rise of the First Order could have passed through space to become on a far away backwater planet the stories in the former "Legends" books. I can easily imagine on planets like Jakku the scavengers weeving tales of Han Solo, Talon Karde, and Lando as smugglers. On other planets rumors are spoken about an imperial admiral called "Thrawn" restoring the Empire. Bits of info about Ben Solo's fall as Kylo Ren could have become stories about Jacen Solo, and when news of Kylo's defeat in the fight with Rey started spreading; rumors transformed and soon the misinformed galaxy was speaking of "Jacen" being defetead by "Jacina". Perhaps in planets like Tatoinne with little contact with the galaxy, residents told horror stories of freaky "Yuzon Vong" attacking the galactic core.

I know this is just fanon ideas right now, but I love the idea that "Legends" is a compilation of the stories passed around the galaxy in cantinas and smugglers ships. It would make the title "Legends" make more sense.

My only bit of support is that I noticed a R6 astromech in the Resistance base in Episode 7, suggesting not all of the former continuity was false. :)

[Krulis]

I've just read what Lucas thinks of TFA. He is a bitter man. He compares sellinig SW to Disney with selling his childern to slavers. Wow, just wow. It's not like somebody forced (no pun intended) him to do so. He also complains about movie being similliar to ANH. As someone already stated here the same can be said about TPM. Lucas continues to boast about how he tried to make something original with every movie, yeah two Death Stars and 4 (hell 5 if you count one scene in ROTS) movies taking place on Tatooine beg to differ. He really lost some of respect I had for him.

The Force Awakens was great film. Maybe not perfect but I don't remember having so much fun watching a movie in a long time. Actualy I do. Ten years ago when as an 8 year old I saw ROTS in cinema with my parents. It still is my favourite Star Wars movie (Palpatine just steals the show, even when he goes over the top),even after rewatching it few times both orginal and with Polish dubbing. But TFA is close second. It was entertaining, nicely paced and wonderfully acted (on level that Lucas could never achieve). One of best movies this year. Oh, and I'm going to see it for third time this weekend.

But hey, I like both prequels and originals. And will propably like all sequels.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Krulis