Secret Fawful
Member
Like I said earlier, I didn't post in that prediction thread, but I lol'd when I saw people predicting about as much or lower than JW
Yep, that kind of score is reserved for Episode IX.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Star War: The Force Awakens Review Thread
- Thread starter Jigorath
- Start date
- Status
Yep, that kind of score is reserved for Episode IX.
Vigilant Walrus
Member
There is a thing of doing fanservice to the point of the thing becoming a a caricature of itself, but I am not opposed to the ideas of making a film for its fans. It really depends on how it is done.
To me, the excessive lightsaber battles of the prequels was such an attempt to do fanservice. It was the saving poster grace of the universe, and so of course the movies had to be smothered with those battles. And right after Episode 2 came out, people couldn't stop talking about how poetic and beautiful the battle of geonosis was.
BronsonLee
Member
Vigilant Walrus
Member
I'm hoping that he will be canned. he is not fit for that. JW showed a complete lack of being able to direct actors. To the point of being embarrassing.
Well in this case we have a new director for the follow up. JJ had one job and it sounds like he did it.
Agreed. A spiritual "retelling" of ANH is exactly what this franchise needs right now.
I'd expect them to start deviating from the originals more and more as time goes on.
After Disney bought Lucasfilms for 4 billion dollars, I think they wanted to re-introduce Star Wars to a new audience, who might not have been familiar with the original trilogy.
This movie is just as much a reboot, as it is a sequel.
As long it isn't another Jurassic World. A nothing movie built on capitalizing on nostalgia while at the same time completely missing the point of the original.
Interfectum
Member
Agreed.
Episode 7 is a sequel to a 32 year old movie... it's a bridge, which is why they went with JJ for this one. It's going to be the safest Star Wars of the new trilogy because it's main job is to re-establish SW to the masses as well as wash away the bad taste from the prequels. And from the looks of it the plan is going to work perfectly.
Stiflers Mom
Banned
Yeah, let's go with trade taxation instead.
lets not blame JJ completely for Into Darkness as its written by two of the worst writers in Hollywood. They gave us Transformers 2.
I don't mind all the call backs and making it feel like a New Hope but I do mind that there's a lot of shit that doesn't get answered. There's a difference between leaving some questions unanswered for sequels and what this film seems to do which is answer nothing based on several reviews I've read.
Perfect Cha0s
Member
I'm completely okay with the most common criticisms. Setting up good characters and creating good jump-off points for VIII and IX while connecting the OT to this trilogy are exactly what this film had to do, and has seemingly succeeded at. That it apparently is heavy on the callbacks to the OT doesn't really take away from that, IMO, but I can entirely understand that it might bother some people.
Scientist Supreme!
Banned
At least it was trying to be different. Being safe is one of worst things you can do if you ask me.
Not really. It was the same style of writing that Lucas had when he wrote the first draft of Star Wars...
Interfectum
Member
I love how bringing Star Wars back to the masses by creating a sequel to Return of the Jedi is considered safe in any way, shape or form. It's incredibly disingenuous to write off a movie simply because it has multiple call backs to the movies it's a sequel to.
The prequels were different. But they were also mostly joyless.
Safe in this case was the best option. There are plenty of Star Wars movies coming. They can take chances in those.
captainnapalm
Member
I don't think there's anything inherently wrong about copying the template of the original trilogy. It's an archetypal plot and structure that works very well for what is basically a hybrid sci-fi/fantasy epic.
What I'm less ok with is if the original series ends up squatting possessively over the new one, instead of just being a source of inspiration.
I don't know how well they've pulled off this balancing act though. I may end up being totally ok with it.
What I'm less ok with is if the original series ends up squatting possessively over the new one, instead of just being a source of inspiration.
I don't know how well they've pulled off this balancing act though. I may end up being totally ok with it.
TheOctodad
Member
But right now, if we ask the majority of people who've seen it, the movie is good how it is.
So do they ask you, or ask 97% of the reviewers currently?
Wait to judge.
Can you blame Disney for playing it a little safe with the first movie of a brand new trilogy?
They spent $4 billion on purchasing Lucasfilms, over $200 million on the The Force Awakening's production budget, and who knows how much they spent on marketing costs.
Interfectum
Member
It seems like the narrative is already forming for the haters. The only reason people like the movie and it reviewed so well is due to the fanservice, not because it's actually a good movie.
Tertullian
Member
Surely no one is suggesting that just being different is automatically better than being safe. Metroid: Other M was different. M Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender was different. Command & Conquer 4 was different.
thecouncil
Banned
It doesn't have to be one or the other.
Digital-Hero
Member
Trade routes and blockades! Yay! lol
Scientist Supreme!
Banned
Didn't completely write it off. Just a little bit.
Its usually not interesting to me.
Your right, general public will enjoy it but for me it's not good. I am very excited for rouge one as well.
I don't see how that matters to me.
SenorPopOff
Banned
A bad movie is worse than a good movie that's safe IMO.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
Looks like, while almost every critic is talking about (and looking at this film through the lens of) the fandom's level of appreciation for the film, what's ACTUALLY happening is what I thought would bear out:
This is Star Trek '09, but with Star Wars. It's a greatest hits mixtape that works really well for current fans, but will work better for people who don't really give a shit, or are complete newcomers.
"The Fans" are getting hung up on the echoes and the familiarity, while the people who don't have that familiarity are just enjoying it for what it is. Meanwhile the media is telling everyone you have to already be a fan to even enter the theater.
it's kinda weird watching it play out.
(Abrams has now made two really good Star Wars movies. It's just the first was called Star Trek. And it was honestly, just a tiny bit better than this one is)
This is Star Trek '09, but with Star Wars. It's a greatest hits mixtape that works really well for current fans, but will work better for people who don't really give a shit, or are complete newcomers.
"The Fans" are getting hung up on the echoes and the familiarity, while the people who don't have that familiarity are just enjoying it for what it is. Meanwhile the media is telling everyone you have to already be a fan to even enter the theater.
it's kinda weird watching it play out.
(Abrams has now made two really good Star Wars movies. It's just the first was called Star Trek. And it was honestly, just a tiny bit better than this one is)
ViewtifulJC
Banned
where's your review
Bobby Roberts
Banned
Goes up later this morning (it's only 300 words, print media is TIGHT with space), alongside a feature piece (wrote it about a week ago) that basically expands on the idea this movie is probably best experienced without jumping through all the weird "How do I become a good Star Wars fan" hoops that everyone's been pushing the last month and a half.
Has a really fucking awesome illustration from Mike Russell & Bill Mudron that goes along with it, too.
Has a really fucking awesome illustration from Mike Russell & Bill Mudron that goes along with it, too.
I'd rather it be safe and good than different and fucking awful.
Sometimes the safe decision is the right decision. Nothing wrong with that.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
Are you complaining that the movie has "poetry"? Because the prequels are ripe with it too.
Digital-Hero
Member
Another reason to ignore everyone and just watch the movie.
2 Slice Toaster
Member
No different than the narrative that the prequels so torched the franchise for the masses that making such a close approximation to Episode IV was absolutely essential to "save Star Wars"
TheOctodad
Member
I don't see how your minority opinion matters to Disney/Lucasfilm.
Not trying to be a jerk. Just saying I don't think they're going to cater to you, so it's a pointless exercise to expect them to.
maquiladora
Member
If I wanted something different I'd watch something that wasn't called Star Wars for a start.
Knowing your feelings of Trek '09, and how we seem to be in agreement about that (and Into Darkness), this makes me pretty damn excited.
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
Wow, already dropped down to 81 on Metacritic! Kind of disappointing!
I can rest easy now that it's a FACT that Mad Max: Fury Road is the best film of 2015.
I can rest easy now that it's a FACT that Mad Max: Fury Road is the best film of 2015.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
I think you're gonna dig it. There's going to be some weird editing choices that jump out at you, I'm pretty sure. They definitely leapt out at me.
I don't think it was ever really a question that Force Awakens wasn't gonna get close to that movie on a filmmaking level. Abrams just doesn't have that shit in him, I don't think.
Nothing wrong with that. MOST directors couldn't do what Miller did.
Essential from a fans perspective is arguable. From Disneys perspective I do believe it was essential and what they expected.
Scientist Supreme!
Banned
For some people, sure.
Yes, but not to this degree it sounds like.
It doesn't but I never expected it to. I'm just saying my opinion on the subject.
I've seen Star Wars stuff be different before so what do you mean?
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
Fury Road is a sort of anomaly in the realm of blockbusters.
Shalashaska161
Member
Sounds like it's a nice return to form. I'm excited to go see it Saturday!
Secret Fawful
Member
Can we just get George Miller on Episode IX and replace Trevorrow?
Tertullian
Member
This conversation started when someone said "worst thing you can do is design a film around satisfying fanboys."
He said worst. The worst thing you can do is build a derivative movie for hardcore fans. There is literally nothing worse you can do than that.
But that's obviously nonsense. There are many things you can do that are worse than that.
I would be good with this.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
I'm torn. I think I want him to do a sequel to Fury Road more. I need that sequel!
- Status