DominicCobb

Dunedain said:

Haven’t seen it, but I heard it’s a really bad quality rip-off of the story in the first Star Wars, incredibly lacking in originality. To the point where any criticisms against how references to the original trilogy were handled in the prequels make Lucas seem like a master of subtlety…

Is that the feeling a lot of other Star Wars fans have that have already seen it?

Nope.

I can’t believe so many people are dissing on the score. I think it’s gold. When I first saw the film it was admittedly hard to latch on to because so much of it was new, but I’ve listened to it non-stop since and when I saw the movie a second time the music was huge in my enjoyment.

I really suggest people listen to the soundtrack. It’s fantastic work, very well crafted. Definitely better than the half-assed AOTC or ROTS scores, and perhaps even on the same level or better than TPM or ROTJ. It doesn’t have huge stand out track like those, necessarily, but the whole of it, the way Williams develops the new themes, makes me almost appreciate this one more.

Frank your Majesty said:

Two nights ago, I dreamed of making pancakes for George Lucas…

Pancakes, or panakacakes?

Yeah the thing with the prequels is if you see them as a kid you’ll still be able to enjoy them when you get older and realize how shitty they are.

It probably is better than you expect DE, but honestly you have some pretty weird and specific tastes. So I say you should definitely see it, but be cautious.

Don’t be silly Alderaan. I agree with Frink. I’ve often said that phrase “I feel bad for you if you don’t such and such” flippantly, but in this case, I mean it sincerely. The film is a delight, and I honestly feel bad for you if you didn’t enjoy it.

joefavs said:

Really nice article. I agree with a lot of this. http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2015/12/18/kylo-ren-is-the-centerpiece-of-star-wars-the-force-awakens

This is great, thanks. It puts a finger on something I couldn’t quite. The movie’s not perfect, but damn does it have some serious heart and humanity. That’s what you want from a Star Wars film, that’s what made the original so special.

So many blockbusters nowadays feel like empty cash-ins. But not this. There was so much love put into this, from everyone involved, and it shows.

After seeing it again I feel comfortable to rank. Keep in mind that nostalgia (and fan edits, to an extent) factor into my ratings for the PT). This is all subject to change depending on my mood of course (except for ANH and ESB, which honestly should be A++ because they are my two favorite movies ever).

TPM: C+
AOTC: C
ROTS: B
ANH: A+
ESB: A+
ROTJ: B+
TFA: A

Glad to see you enjoyed it Anchored. Been looking forward to your reaction and whether it provided a satisfying follow up to the original.

Just saw it again and it was even better this time. Knowing what to expect and everything that’s going on (not having to figuring things out) I was able to immerse myself and enjoy it even more than before. I actually cried a lot this time (where as last time I just teared up). The emotional stuff packed a bigger punch, especially with Han knowing what was coming (even though I suspected it the first time, knowing it for sure is a bit different).

What gripes? Even the stuff that felt off to me the first time (like the rathtar sequence) I didn’t mind. This might’ve actually been one of the best experiences I’ve had seeing a film a second time. Third go round is a must at this point. I’ve never seen a film in theaters more than three times but this might be the one to break that.

Alderaan said:

Silver, I think there’s a lot of prequel-type apologia going on with this movie right now. Once again I don’t mean that as a put down or attack, I just think some of you are wanting to make more out of this movie than it is, tirelessly attempting to explain away such clear and obvious flaws. YMMV though.

You’re honestly insane if you think people defending this film is “prequel-type apologia.” I’ll be seeing the film again tonight so I’ll have a better idea of my feelings, but I’m pretty sure I loved it. Say what you will about the plot, but at least this movie is FUN (I notice many of the issues but for the most part I just don’t care because of the enjoyable ride). Not to mention the new characters are believable and compelling and it doesn’t trash the mythology of the series or do anything cringe-worthy to the original characters.

I was very young when TPM came out, so I can’t say, but the consensus on this movie right now seems to be very good and genuine.

SilverWook said:

hydrospanner said:

One thing I still am not to fond of is the pull out of light speed behind their shields in order to bypass them… not only did it feel incredibly rushed but it seems like the Star Wars equivalent of Treknobabble, and if it was that easy why bother disabling the shields at all? Couldn’t the X-Wing squadron have just done the same thing to lead into their attack?

Perhaps because it’s an old smugglers trick, requiring an incredible amount of timing and luck, and they almost slammed the Falcon into the planet attempting it?

Funny thing, more or less the same idea was present in the original draft of The Phantom Menace (when returning to Naboo), but in that Obi-wan has Anakin decide when to drop out using his super powerful force abilities.

joefavs said:

I’m on the record as liking the “Burning Homestead” quote already, but I feel like saying a few words in its defense. If it had been any longer than the fifteen seconds or so that it lasted, I wouldn’t have been on board, but that snippet was just the right amount. I thought the soundtrack was pretty light on old themes; there were a couple hits of the Rebel fanfare in the Jakku Millennium Falcon chase, a single bar of the Imperial March when Kylo’s having his moment with Vader’s helmet, some “Princess Leia’s Theme” and “Han Solo and the Princess” after Leia showed up, a little bit of the main theme in “Scherzo for X-Wings”, and half a dozen Force themes sprinkled throughout, and that’s all I can remember. the “Burning Homestead” excerpt was the most intensely visceral, hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck-standing-up OT reference in the whole thing for me, without overstaying its welcome and without actually repeating anything in the narrative. I don’t think it was overdone when it could have been, and it was kind of a big moment for me.

The more I think about it, the more I agree with you. I think the only reason why I was mixed at first was because it’s literally the same exact recording. But, of course, that’s the type of thing only someone who’s listened to the original soundtrack a million times would know.

Listening to the TFA OST, the bit that I think was supposed to be used for that moment just doesn’t have the same impact. I suppose in some ways you could say that “Burning Homestead” doesn’t fit just because in general the TFA score is less operatic, but who gives a shit. Major goosebumps.

I could also imagine there being a conscious decision late in the game to simplify and streamline the crawl.

As far as fan editing the film goes, it’s hard for me to even consider right now because I love the film so much, but, like others, I too am interested in what deleted material there is. I do feel like this film could stand to be about ten minutes longer.

Warwick Davis is apparently in the cantina scene.

There’s one shot where Artoo jiggles a bit but it looked like it might have been CGI?

^I’m actually pretty glad they used Sith. Not just because I don’t mind the prequels as much as most, but more because the word Sith has been around since 1976 so its usage, in my mind, is just as much acknowledgement of the PT as it is acknowledgement of the unspoken backstory of the OT.

Random thought I had. I’ve read a few people complain about Rey beating Kylo Ren at the end. First of all, we have to remember that Ren was shot by a bowcaster, but I think people are also forgetting when they say Rey beating Ren is like ANH Luke beating Vader that Rey actually has a lot of combat experience with her staff which would translate pretty well to a lightsaber.

Oh I’m sure at this point it will.

I have a hard time believing there was ever actually plans for a legit flashback, but I can imagine there being more to the force vision sequence that was left out.

I’ve read a few old rumors and some of the stuff is right but a lot is bogus. I bet people heard bits and then filled in the blanks with their bs speculation.

^What makes you think that? Did you read that somewhere?

I’m actually really glad that they didn’t explain how Maz has the lightsaber. No explanation would have been sufficient or necessary. Some rando EU book can do that.

I definitely noticed the Bespin corridor, it was the first thing you saw when she touched the saber. The rest? I have no idea what was going on. I’ve read that there are actually bits of dialogue in it from Obi-wan, Yoda, and even Padme? Wonder if that’s true. Will definitely have to pay more attention next time.

I liked Gleeson too, but he felt underutilized. It was interesting to me that two of the big baddies (Ren and Hux) were young people. I felt like there was probably some interesting background motivation for them and the First Order, but we didn’t get much in the way of that. I wish instead of some of the Snoke stuff we got at least one scene like the Death Star briefing where we got to see Hux and Ren interact with other First Order officers.

The cast on the whole was fantastic I thought. Ridley, Boyega, Driver, and Isaac nailed it. Can’t wait to see more of them. Ford was better than he’s been in a long time. Daniels stole the screen with his limited screen time. Fisher was a weak link, but not terrible as some are saying. Hamill owned the whole movie with his 30 sec perf. Seriously, that’s the part that’s really sticking with me. I never thought I’d call the sight of a 64 year old man beautiful, but that’s exactly what he was (incredible hair). Seriously, I’ve seen Mark in so many interviews since 1983, but this truly felt like the first time seeing Luke since Jedi. Chills and tears.

Pretty sure the Blu-ray added a rope around Han’s ankles.

I agree it does seem a little silly DE but if that is how you honestly feel, I think you’re probably making the right choice. If sticking around is only going to further your irrationality, best to take a break.

I don’t understand psychology much so I can’t give you great advice, so I’ll just say try your hardest to find someone to talk to. It can really help.

Do yourself and your son a favor and watch the Despecialized.

And then go see The Force Awakens.

adywan said:

LexX said:

DominicCobb said:

How does everyone feel about the new version of the main title? It’s got quite a different feel to it. I wish I knew how to describe music better, because I can pinpoint it but I can’t put it into words. It took me a little off guard when the film started, but I think I like it as sort of a new version for this new generation in the franchise’s history.

I noticed that too immediately. Not sure what to think about it, either.

It depends what version of the film you saw. The main title sounded really weird when i saw it fist in the IMAX3D showing. Almost sounded synthesised and completely lacking. It was really jarring. When i got home i immediately put the soundtrack CD on and it sounded completely different. Went to see the Real3D D-Box version the next day and it sounded like the soundtrack CD version. There was definitely something not right with the whole Imax audio. Almost as if the whole mix was wrong.

Haven’t seen it in IMAX but the version I saw sounded the same as the CD, and it’s a bit different than the main title for the other films.

Tack is right, it’s the brass. It sounds cleaner and maybe brighter? If that makes any sense. I wonder if it’s in a different key. I wouldn’t know this sort of thing.

Anyone not sure what the difference is just listen to any of the other main titles and then the one from TFA. It’s noticeable.

The finale’s different to, there’s this killer flute part to it (which might have always been there but is certainly more noticeable here) and I think it’s cut down a bit.