Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

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yovargas
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by yovargas »

Maria wrote:Why did anyone do what they did? I don't have much of a clue, and thus don't really care about the characters.

It didn't occur to me while watching the movie as I was too distracted by all the fun adventure but as I've thought about it afterward.....yeah, you're right. Pretty much everyone's motivations are very vague if not downright non-existent.
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Primula Baggins »

Maria wrote: Your characters in your books, Prim, are so utterly real I had trouble reading the bad things that happened to them. The characters in these movies were so shallow that I wasn't much affected by their trials and tribulations.
Wow, Maria! Thank you. :shock: That made my day.

I know I'm cutting this movie a lot of slack. I tried to do the same for the prequel films when I first saw them, but finally realized I couldn't.

In this case I think my response to FA is unforced. The film was not perfect, but I think I'll still love it a year from now. It's "right" somehow, relative to what I think of as Star Wars, and the prequels were "wrong" except in a few widely scattered scenes. And the last shot gave me chills and made me eager to see the next one. In 17 months.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Maria »

I came out of the first prequel in tears... probably because I had young children at the time and the message I came away with was, "No matter how cute and brilliant and brave your children are- they can still turn into DARTH VADER in the end. :shock:

The only other film I was *that* disappointed in was "Starship Troopers." I endured the other prequels with the same level of enthusiasm I had for the Star Trek Enterprise series. :puke:

I didn't expect any better from this film, and they still managed to piss me off. I want my 2 hours back.

Maybe I'm spoiled by Sense8. Extremely well developed characters, and my brain is still caught up in that story after seeing it through twice in the past couple of weeks. It is possible that everything I see for a while may seem undeservedly crappy in comparison.
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Alatar »

I have to say, that's a really unfair comparison. Sense8 took 3 hours just introducing the characters before the story even started. No movie has that luxury.
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Primula Baggins »

That's an excellent point, Alatar. Another of the benefits of this new long form, the bingeable entire season. But they aren't movies, and comparing a ten-hour story to a two-hour story is like complaining that a hundred-page fantasy novella doesn't have the story depth of LotR.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by yovargas »

While I agree it's not fair to compare a full season show to a movie, I still thinks it's very fair to say that these characters were pretty darn shallow despite being really likeable.
I wanna love somebody but I don't know how
I wanna throw my body in the river and drown
-The Decemberists


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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Primula Baggins »

It's hard to make mysterious characters deep. You can't get into a lot of backstory.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by yovargas »

Well then make them less mysterious!
I wanna love somebody but I don't know how
I wanna throw my body in the river and drown
-The Decemberists


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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Primula Baggins »

But the mystery is part of the hook. TFA isn't a complete story and shouldn't be expected to be one. The first film, the original one, was complete because there was no reason for George Lucas to expect that another Star Wars film would ever be made. This one arrived with two sequels already planned, and they are certainly not going to resolve all our questions in Film One.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by axordil »

The first film, the original one, was complete because there was no reason for George Lucas to expect that another Star Wars film would ever be made. This one arrived with two sequels already planned, and they are certainly not going to resolve all our questions in Film One.
QFT.
No matter how cute and brilliant and brave your children are-they can still turn into DARTH VADER in the end.
Also QFT, though not a very nice T.
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Maria »

Alatar wrote:I have to say, that's a really unfair comparison. Sense8 took 3 hours just introducing the characters before the story even started. No movie has that luxury.
I didn't mean it as a serious intent to compare the two (they are impossibly different) ... I was just explaining a possible contribution to my dissatisfaction with this movie. I've seen cartoon movies with more character development than TFA.
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Sunsilver »

Well, I finally got to see it in an afternoon showing! Getting there was half the fun, though.

I thought for once I'd get away early, and called my friend to tell her I'd be leaving as soon as I brought my dogs back in.

Then the phone rang. I should have let it go to voicemail, but it was a friend I hadn't spoken to since before Christmas. Surely a couple of minute's chat would do no harm...

I then got my coat on and started scraping snow off the windshield of my car. I heard a dog barking, and realized I'd left one outside. Had to go and fix that, but of course I also had to start a laundry while I was in the kennel.

Returned to the car, started it up...and one of the wipers fell of!

By the time I got that fixed, it was 1:15 and the film started at 1:45. Lucky thing we had reserved seats.

When we got to the theatre, there was no parking anywhere, and the recent snowfall made it even worse, because the plow had pushed the snow so it blocked spots that otherwise would have been available. I finally chose one such spot, and used my 4 wheel drive to bull my way into it. Thank you, Toyota Highlander!

When we finally got into the theatre, the opening screen crawl had begun and it was pitch black. My friend was afraid she'd fall, so she went back out and asked one of the ticket takers to escort us to our seats. Remember the days of ushers with flashlights? Now all you get is the light on a cell phone screen!

We finally got seated, and began to watch the opening scene, only to realize it was out of focus. Uh-oh. We forgot to pick up 3D glasses! :roll: Not wanting to disturb the people between us and the aisle, we stayed put until about the midpoint of the film, then my friend whispered to me, "I have to pee!" "So do I!" I responded. So, we slipped out to the washroom, and picked up the 3D glasses on our way back.

I guess I'm easy to please. I loved it. It was a lot of fun, and some of the lines that referenced the previous movies had me ROFLOL. Harrison Ford was at his best. Some people think Fonzie defines 'cool'. He has NOTHING on Han Solo!

Not going to pick holes in the plot. The plots of action movies are often rather weak, but the whole idea is to just sit back and enjoy the ride. Which I did!

My one quibble would be I didn't care too much for the new bad guy, Kylo Ren. He just looks wrong for the part, especially once we find out who he is. He should resemble at least ONE of his parents!
When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes The Rose.
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Voronwë the Faithful »

"Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world."
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Voronwë the Faithful »

Finally going to see it this evening.
"Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world."
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Jude »

As you leave the theatre, you should recreate that iconic Simpsons scene and say loudly to your companion as you walk past the people queuing for the next showing, "Gee, who would have thought that Darth Vader wasn't Luke's father after all!"
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Voronwë the Faithful »

Jude wrote:As you leave the theatre, you should recreate that iconic Simpsons scene and say loudly to your companion as you walk past the people queuing for the next showing, "Gee, who would have thought that Darth Vader wasn't Luke's father after all!"
I wish I had seen this post before I went. I totally would have done that!

I liked it quite a bit, by the way. For the record.
"Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world."
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Primula Baggins »

Hurray! My own reaction some time later is strong relief that I don't have to feel regretful about Star Wars any more. "What could have been," or something like it, may be happening now.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Alatar »

Saw it again this weekend in 3D Laser projected IMAX. Definitely the best way to see the movie (or any movie for that matter). No dulling of images, incredible sharpness, and of course, properly LOUD Dolby Surround.

Also, I'm discovering that this is a movie I enjoy more every time I see it. Because I know where its going, I can relax and enjoy the journey so much more than the first time. In fact, I find the anticipation of the more emotional moments makes them hit all the harder. And that soundtrack... John Williams back to his very best.
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Primula Baggins »

Hoping to see it again later this week, with my son.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
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Re: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens—non-spoiler discussion

Post by Impenitent »

Marc and I saw it in December in the outdoor cinema while we were camping, and tonight we saw it again with our boy, this time in 3D.
3D was great, but i feel the same about the film as i did the first time: it was fun but you really had to leave all your critical faculties at the door so the plot weaknesses could be ignored.
Jazz and I are in agreement on this.

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