So, Disney's finally released Force Awakens. I imagine most of you saw it, it was a huge thing. How's everyone thought of it, and of the future of the franchise?
Thanks to someone's camcorder, we have our first look at Rogue One. I have to say, right at the start, this is looking better to me than Force Awakens did- to me an important part of Star Wars is the scenery and set pieces, which Force Awakens didn't have anything new to speak of. This, on the other hand, using the Death Star looming over the horizon in the atmosphere of a planet, making it look truly horrifying and apocalyptic? 10/10 give it to me, man.
I liked TFA when I saw it, and it certainly didn't suck, after the manner of the prequels. But the more time passes, the more it looks to me like soulless corporate product (also, Kylo Ren is an absolutely horrible villain). Maybe they'll be a bit more adventurous in the sequels that will continue to be released until the Sun goes supernova.
That was my problem with it, even at the time. It felt safe, entirely safe, in a way that's tragic to me because, again, to me half the magic of Star Wars was how much each movie tried something else entirely new, for better and for worse. And in the end, comparing with the Prequels, which I completely admit are bad movies, I have to balance "competent but safe" vs "incompetent but inventive"- in which case I end up going with the second and admitting, I enjoy watching Attack of the Clones more than this
The Clone Wars series beats both Prequels and TFA though, I genuinely think. I liked reading expanded universe stuff as a kid, but this tv show is to me legitimately some of the best Star Wars material around.
Thanks to someone's camcorder, we have our first look at Rogue One. I have to say, right at the start, this is looking better to me than Force Awakens did- to me an important part of Star Wars is the scenery and set pieces, which Force Awakens didn't have anything new to speak of. This, on the other hand, using the Death Star looming over the horizon in the atmosphere of a planet, making it look truly horrifying and apocalyptic? 10/10 give it to me, man.
Oh boy oh boy I hadn't seen this yet! I'm actually more excited for Rogue One than I was for TFA, especially with Gareth Edwards directing. And yeah, there's some really nice visuals at play here that I'm hoping we get to see more of in the actual movie. Dare I actually be hype for a new blockbuster film?
Post by ElectricAngel on Jan 29, 2016 20:58:00 GMT
Oh jeez, Star Wars. What a trip that was. XD After hearing about Episode 7 coming out, I decided to buy the original trilogy on Blu-Ray. Aaaand I ended up never watching it. I planned to, but never got around to doing. Then Episode 7 started coming out and people were praising it and I ended up downloading the original trilogy (or De-Specialised Editions) since I heard there were changes made in later releases. Probably nothing too big but I like watching original versions of something if they are available. Anyway, where I'm going with this is, Village Cinemas announced they'd bring Episode 7 with Dolby Atmos. I ended up booking tickets in Athens because I wanted that Dolby Atmos experience and to ensure tickets. The day I went to travel, I pretty much marathoned the original trilogy and was very impressed by how well they were. So it was quite a Star Wars filled day for me. I even ended up buying a Rey and Finn plush.
As for the movie, I enjoyed it a heck of a lot. More so than the originals, actually. I felt the additional comedy helped me get into it more, and the visual effects were pretty great too. My only complaint is the sound. It wasn't well mixed. I felt they could've taken better advantage of the Dolby Atmos technology. I only felt immersed in the opening scene with the Stormtroopers. It really sounded like they were surrounding me with all the laser shots. So yeah, the story I felt was really strong. I love Rey and Finn so much. Finn especially, like, oh my. I assume I can't post spoilers, but I'll say I love what they did with his character story. I'm really excited to see the next entries of the new trilogy.
Now, as for Rogue One.. Hmm, I dunno. I haven't read or seen anything on it so I'm not sure what exactly it's about. My mind just thinks "Oh, Star Wars spin-off. No thanks" but I know I'll check it out because it's now Disney property. I could be pleasantly surprised. I mean, it usually happens when I go into a movie blind like with Episode 7, or Frozen, for example.
Post by Baar Baar Jinx on Dec 16, 2017 21:43:17 GMT
SPOILERS FOR "THE LAST JEDI"
I went into this movie with high expectations, since most early pre-release reviews were glowingly positive, "the best Star Wars movie since 1980!". Mark Hamill stated during production that he was vehemently opposed to what they were doing with Luke Skywalker's character, which made me hopeful that we would have a couple of interesting and controversial plot twists, at least. Unfortunately, I left the theater very disappointed. My major criticism about "The Force Awakens" was that it was basically a recycling of old concepts, characters and plotlines from "A New Hope". This latest installment commits the same sins to an exponentially greater degree, with several scenes being play-by-play recreations of scenes from the Original Trilogy, right down to dialogue and pacing, crossing the line from homage to self-plagiarization. Did we really need to see another take on the Emperor's Throne Room scene, or to be shown another venerated Jedi master "sacrificing himself" at the hands of his apprentice-turned-enemy so as to let his allies escape? Leia surviving being ejected into space was ridiculous, Force or no Force. Rather than regurgitate ideas and scenes from previous movies, I wish they had explored some of the more unique, novel issues that were raised, such as the history of the Jedi artifacts, and more of Luke's backstory. Also, followup of crucial plot elements and mysteries introduced in the last movie left much to be desired. We never found out who Snoke was. Is that revelation going to be left for the last movie? And Rey's parents were "nobodies" after all? Why then was it built up as a huge reveal, and why does Rey have no recollection of them despite being old enough to remember them in flashback scenes of her abandonment from the last movie? "Suppressed painful memories" seems like a cop-out. I'm guessing they wanted to drive home the message that you don't have to belong to a particular bloodline to be strong in the Force (which was the thought behind speculation of her being a Skywalker, Kenobi or Palpatine prior to this movie's release), but it goes against everything the previous movies had established. And how did Luke die at the end of the movie? Did he commit suicide? If so, why? The battle with Kylo Ren didn't kill him ... he wasn't really there (what's with this Force Projection business? Why couldn't he actually be bothered to physically arrive to save his sister and her compatriots? If he wanted to die anyway, might as well do it in a blaze of glory). I like the concept of a bitter, isolated, and depressed Luke, but the ending of this arc was hardly satisfying (he'll probably come back as a Force ghost, but the death of this great Jedi master should have been more meaningful). Yoda's inclusion was pointless and clearly just fanservice. On the positive side, "The Last Jedi" had more genuinely funny moments than any other Star Wars movie, IMHO, and at least the porgs stayed in the "cute" territory, rather than venturing into the "annoying and distracting" territory like the Ewoks (that's a fine line).
If there was one thing I love in "Force Awakens" more was that... it somehow capture that "magic of cinema" feeling I get from Star Wars - the way it was shoot, edited, used music or mometns of silenc, viusals... There was just something about the overall atmosphere I ike. It felt like a fairy tale - and that's how I see the oryginal Star Wars movie.
Not this one. There are some great visual moments (that dream-like scene of Rey with the mirror - you know, when she was snaping - was spectacular) but not exactly that....
This being said - I think this one has WAY better script/story! I love all the twists and turns, all the characters interaction and moments, especially the way it used Luke and Leia and It had me at the edge of my sit guessing what will happened next!
I wasn't that crazy about Kylo Ren and Snoke in the first movie but they are both use to great results here (...And Yhe, as much I think Snoke was a great villain in this movie (that room had FANTASTIC colors BTW) I do wish they would explain more about him. He just appeard from nowhere between "Retrun of the Jedi" and "Force Awakens".... Even a small hint of his past would be fine. )
In the first movie Rey, while likeable felt to much of a flawless character (It's not a big deal... I just find it boring, especially when all other character fell more rounded) but she didn't bother me her in anyway. Heck, her interactions with Luke and Kylo where perfect.
The movie could use a risk or two more (Rey going to the dark side perhaps?) but for what it was I like it and some of funny moemnts where great... Espeshialy that Yoda apperance! That was one scenethat made me feel five again in a good way! I'm not sure did they used a puppet agian or not but I adore the way he moved!
One thing I didn't cared for was Finn/Rose relationship... it felt like they are forcing some romance between the two and it just didn't fit (espeshialy since I think Finn had such great chemistry with Rey in the first one) and explenation who Rey parent's are felt like a bit anit-climatic. I guess, I wasn't expecting it will be Luke or Han Solo but it's just felt a bit of a let down after all that build up.
Also it will sound like the ultimate nitpick but I soooo was hoping this music theme will return in this movie :
I have it stock in my head ever sicne "Force Awakens" every time I think of 'Star Wars"... it's so enigmatic and elegant...
IMHO, and at least the porgs stayed in the "cute" territory, rather than venturing into the "annoying and distracting" territory like the Ewoks (that's a fine line).
Call me odd but... I'm that one guy who loves Ewoks! For me they where part of the magic that made me fall in love with the "Star Wars" like Yoda or Jabba I was actaly suprised how little of Porgs was in the film. If you would take all their scenes and edit them together it would be like two minutes of screen time, if not less.
I was actaly suprised how little of Porgs was in the film. If you would take all their scenes and edit them together it would be like two minutes of screen time, if not less.
Which may be why I found them tolerable. My problem with the Ewoks was that they were written into the story in such a way as to make them pivotal in the Rebels' victory over the Empire. I understand Lucas was trying to make an environmental/political point, but the manner in which the Ewoks were able to defeat a highly sophisticated Imperial military unit with primitive tools and mechanisms strained credulity. It was also different, tonally, from anything we'd seen in the movies until that point. Porgs, on the other hand, are just background creatures that you can take or leave (their main reason for existing is to sell merchandise, of course, but that's okay). ("Return of the Jedi" remains my favorite Star Wars movie though ... the Luke-Vader-Palpatine scenes were perfect, and very psychologically compelling).
For the record, I absolutely loved "Rogue One". It introduced new concepts, new characters and new scenarios that respected the franchise without seeming like a rehash. Although they are visually spectacular, neither "The Force Awakens" nor "The Last Jedi" gave me the same feeling (also, and this is a nitpick, they really shouldn't have reused the word "Jedi" in the title of another Star Wars movie; until now each movie had a unique subject in the title, namely "Menace", "Clones", "Sith", "Hope," "Empire", "[Return of the] Jedi" and "Force").
"Rogue One" is honestly my least favorite of the three new movies but I still liked it a lot - I agree it was interesting way to expend the universe (plus finally a "Star Wars" prequel I like ) I just somehow wasn't as much into it and I guess the lack of familiar characters has to do with it...
Know as Maciej Kur, Mr. M., Maik, Maiki, Pan, Pan Miluś and many other names.
As much I think Snoke was a great villain in this movie (that room had FANTASTIC colors BTW) I do wish they would explain more about him. He just appeard from nowhere between "Retrun of the Jedi" and "Force Awakens".... Even a small hint of his past would be fine.
Yeah, about that… we're not getting it. There's been some Word of God that they're emulating what was done with Emperor Palpatine in the original film series — we don't know anything about him (heck, we don't even know his name aside from just "Emperor") beyond what we absolutely need to know, e.g. very evil, very old Evil Overlord who's ruling the galaxy and Darth Vader's master.
Yhe, exept with Emperor Palpatine we where just starting to learn about the universe so it didn't matter - he's just the eivil emperor of the galaxy, that's how things are. Now with all the stuff that happened before it's just strange to have this dude pop-out of nowhere...
Last Edit: Dec 17, 2017 11:52:21 GMT by Pan Maciej
Know as Maciej Kur, Mr. M., Maik, Maiki, Pan, Pan Miluś and many other names.
Yhe, exept with Emperor Palpatine we where just starting to learn about the universe so it didn't matter - he's just the eivil emperor of the galaxy, that's how things are. Now with all the stuff that happened before it's just strange to have this dude pop-out of nowhere...
I agree. "Return of the Jedi" wrapped up the Skywalker saga beautifully, with a nice little bow. If they're going to tell further stories, they need to explain how we got where we are from there. The original Emperor was a new, fresh villain, the likes of whom we had not previously seen. It was fine to let him remain mysterious. Snoke is essentially an unimaginative copycat of that character, right down to his motivations, mannerisms and even his lines. We were told the Dark Side was defeated at the end of the Original Trilogy, so we need to be given a reason why Snoke even exists. "He's just the evil overload, ask no questions" isn't going to fly here. And the story needs to be told in the movies, not in novels, comics or video games; the films need to be self-contained narratives. Honestly, we didn't need Snoke. Maybe Ben Solo could have discovered ancient Sith texts and fall to the Dark Side on his own (like Voldemort from Harry Potter), perhaps as a result of a lesson Luke taught that was misinterpreted or taken too far. That would make Luke's horror and disillusionment more understandable; anyone trained in the Force could potentially turn evil, without needing a mentor or a corrupting influence.
I was surprised to see this movie with a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, until I realized that was the critics' opinion. The audience rating is 56%, which makes much more sense.
Post by Scrooge MacDuck on Dec 17, 2017 15:07:53 GMT
I believe the lack of explanation was a result of wanting to avoid repeating the sins of the despised Prequels and their obsession to give an explanation and backstory to every single detail. Not explaining Snoke is arguably this policy taken much too far, but I think that's the idea.
I was actaly suprised how little of Porgs was in the film. If you would take all their scenes and edit them together it would be like two minutes of screen time, if not less.
Speaking of porgs, I've read something online that casts them in a whole new light. Remember the scene where a flock of them surround Chewbacca as he's about to feast on one of their roasted brethren? And they look at him doe-eyed and open-mouthed? We all assumed they were aghast at the idea that he would even consider consuming them. But what if they were begging for tablescraps? Cannibalistic porgs ... I like them better already!