Also, I saw TFA for the fourth time tonight and my enthusiasm just refuses to be deflated. I love this movie, and I’m thinking I might need to embark on a voluntary exile from these boards until passions aren’t running so high, because a lot of you are bumming me the hell out. I’ll be on an island with a bunch of neat stairs and huts and shit lookin’ at the water if anyone needs me.
Same.
I hope you guys will enjoy this post.
TV’s Frink said:
Don’t know where you get that from. These two scenes have nothing in common. Complain about TFA recycling ANH all you want, but this is a real stretch.A monster snatches one of the heroes and drags him under water/throughout the ship, putting his life in danger.
No similarities obviously.
This is such a stretch, I’m guessing you pulled a muscle.
I went to check out the IMAX 3D version today, waste of time. Just found it distracting and a strain on my eyes. This was in a state of the art 4K laser projection IMAX cinema with a huge screen yet everything felt small and dim with the glasses on. The first scene was ruined by orange fiery particles floating in my face.
Only on a few X-wing scenes did the 3D add anything at all3-D is not for everyone. And things floating in front of your face is kind of the whole point?
What I mean about the particles was when Kylo Ren is chatting to Max von Sydow I wanted to concentrate on that but the orange particles at the forefront of my vision. Something similar happened in the snow scenes but less of a problem as they were smaller and white.
I do concede that 3D may just not that well for me, I’m sure some people enjoyed or eve preferred the 3D so I’m not bothered that they did a 3D release in principle.
I’m more annoyed that with the exception of a handful of cinemas doing a 70mm viewing (which looks stunning, especially the 1.44 ratio 65mm shots) IMAX releases have been limited to 3D.
I agree, IMAX 2D really should have been an option for some showtimes, even if it was once a day.
Where were you in '77?
I agree, IMAX 2D really should have been an option for some showtimes, even if it was once a day.
I can’t see why they wouldn’t make IMAX 2D a thing for the sequels
I haven’t really posted here before, but i started coming back to this forum a lot with the lead up to TFA, and wanted to share my thoughts on this movie as well. I have seen this movie three times now, and the short and sweet of it is that i love this movie, it gets more enjoyable to watch each time i see it, and i can’t wait to see the story continued.
Before TFA, i watched all the star wars movies in a marathon with friends for my birthday, and that was so fun. it was a great time to also watch the Despecialized which was the first time i saw that version (i grew up with the Special Edition VHS after seeing the Re-Release in theaters when in middle school), so i was so impressed on how perfect those movies are in their original releases. I must admit, the non-SE ending to ROTJ was a shock however).
The first time i saw it was in IMAX 3D (i generally avoid 3D, but why is it that IMAX never has 2D options anymore, pet peeve of mine…). I was really excited for it, but also somewhat reserved as i have mixed feelings about JJ and his remakes, specifically star trek into darkness. Overall thoughts the first time: I didn’t really ‘get’ Poe Dameron, he was ok, but i didn’t connect with him. Blood on a storm trooper also struck me as being, well, different, but i understood that it helped identify the character in the following scenes so whatever. Kylo Ren, wow how cool and powerful he seems, i like it. the blaster being frozen in air is also a different use of the force, not sure how i feel about it, but it is cool whatever else it is. I loved Rey’s introduction, and her first interactions with Finn, and the whole play on him trying to ‘help’ her, but Rey obviously not the one needing help. this was very funny and smart i thought. Han solo, man he looks old, uses lots of hand gestures, and Rathars, i hated this. suddenly i see something that looks like it isn’t even in the frame, that was bad CGI when the actors struggle to interact with it. similar reaction to Maz, the GCI stood out horribly. I loved the force visions she had, too much to understand what was going on. A bit dissapointed that Finn is using the lightsaber. On and On.
Sorry that was more of a ramble that i wanted it to be, so i cut myself short with that.
Second time was 2 days later, in standard 2D showing near our house so that i could go with my Wife, while my parents watched our 4 month old daughter (i can’t wait till she can watch star wars with me!). Main impressions, still really enjoying this movie. The terrible CGI must have been a 3D thing, in 2D those scenes don’t stick out as being FAKE, but i still don’t like the rathtars. scene.
then kept reading reviews and reading on here, and was honestly annoyed at how many people were so critical about this movie when i enjoyed it so much. so when i got tickets to see it again on new years eve, i was curious if i would still love it after 2 weeks had passed.
3rd time, even better in my opinion. the scenes that bug me are just minor blemish’s on a story i am starting to love. the things that still irk me: when Rey and Finn are on the Falcon and the ship starts leaking, and Rey says ‘help me with this!’ or whatever she says. seems like terrible writing, acting, pacing, editing, everyting. The Rathtars. i just don’t like their design, i agree that they feel like MIB monsters. but whatever. its in the movie now. The only other thing that sort of bugs me is in the final snow lightsaber battle (which i love btw), the purplish haze of the two light sabers, the lighting kind of bugs me in some of those shots.
But overall, i think this is great. I was talking to my Aunt on New Years day, and she said she has seen it twice and thinks is a good movie. lots of fun, just like when the first Star Wars movie came out (which she saw in theaters, she was in or out of college at the time). I disagree that this is a rehash of the previous movies. On paper yes, a plan, a droid, a person strong in the force with a destiny, etc. but what does that matter, it is telling the story of some new characters, i don’t care if you call it plot, story , whatever, the ‘feel’ of what is being told is certainly new in my opinion. I like that they are showing some different uses of the force with Kylo Ren, it seems legit in my book.
If anyone read all this, thanks. i just wanted to make my voice heard as someone who loves star wars, and loves TFA as well!
Thanks for posting, I enjoyed reading and am on the same page. Yes, it has a few flaws but it’s a great fun ride. And your point about it only being a rehash on paper - I agree. Yes it hits the same beats (intentionally) and some people don’t like that, but is it the same movie as the original Star Wars? No. New characters, new stories unfolding, new corners of the galaxy explored (admittedly within a similar structure). I’ve seen it 3 times and will be seeing it a fourth.
War does not make one great.
Although I could still happily lose Starkiller base 😉
War does not make one great.
true. i have come to like the argument that the ‘Evil’ side in star wars is just obsessed with planet sized planet destroying weapons. but even so, it does not make the movie any better, and they could have still had an awesome snow forest light-saber battle without it. although maybe something would have seemed ‘un-starwarsy’ if there was some other type of super weapon? not sure.
Thanks for posting, I enjoyed reading and am on the same page. Yes, it has a few flaws but it’s a great fun ride. And your point about it only being a rehash on paper - I agree. Yes it hits the same beats (intentionally) and some people don’t like that, but is it the same movie as the original Star Wars? No. New characters, new stories unfolding, new corners of the galaxy explored (admittedly within a similar structure). I’ve seen it 3 times and will be seeing it a fourth.
Stop it. It’s exactly the same as ANH and everyone knows it.
From a “Star Wars lore” perspective, I don’t mind the Starkiller- it’s totally plausible that the FO would create another planet-destroyer.
However, from a cinematic and storytelling perspective, it’s a boring retread (like the DS2).
The Rathtars. i just don’t like their design, i agree that they feel like MIB monsters. but whatever. its in the movie now. The only other thing that sort of bugs me is in the final snow lightsaber battle (which i love btw), the purplish haze of the two light sabers, the lighting kind of bugs me in some of those shots.
I agree with the rathtars. They’re still too CG for me. But for some reason I didn’t mind them as much after a second viewing. Maybe it’s the fact that I love seeing Han finally kill a guy in an un-heroic manner, WITHOUT HESITATION, when he throws the guy into the rathtar’s mouth. I’m sure Lucas didn’t like that part. On the topic of purple light from the light sabers. I’m pretty confident that lighting is all natural. The light sabers (for the first time in any star wars movie) actually had their own real light source, meaning the props on set actually glowed. And since the 2 sabers are red and blue, what happens when the 2 clash? You get purple.
Here’s a shot from the director of photography on the set: https://www.instagram.com/p/_-vM-yPK6D/?taken-by=dan_mindel
There is no try.
Count me in as one of those who liked the Rathar scene! It’s not worthless since it: shows us that Rey is not infallible, saves Han and Chewie, gets Han and Chewie back into the Falcon and kind of forces him to take them to the Resistance. It also re-establishes the fact that Han is a shoot first, talk later kinda guy when he punches the henchman and throws him into the mouth of the beast. (Better him than me!) Perhaps it was JJ’s middle finger to Greedo shooting first?
I understand that it may have seemed a little Men in Black-ish, but I liked that it did something different than other large creature encounters we’ve seen in the other films.
Count me in this camp. It was not a deal breaker for me. With the exception of Finn getting dragged endlessly…
I was once…but now I’m not… Further: zyzzogeton
“It wasn’t the flood that destroyed the pantry…”
I agree, IMAX 2D really should have been an option for some showtimes, even if it was once a day.
I can’t see why they wouldn’t make IMAX 2D a thing for the sequels
Well, it’s a thing now. There just aren’t enough Imax 70mm venues around these days. Maybe the success of the film will change that. If Taratino can get 70mm projectors installed for The Hateful Eight…
Where were you in '77?
Thanks for posting, I enjoyed reading and am on the same page. Yes, it has a few flaws but it’s a great fun ride. And your point about it only being a rehash on paper - I agree. Yes it hits the same beats (intentionally) and some people don’t like that, but is it the same movie as the original Star Wars? No. New characters, new stories unfolding, new corners of the galaxy explored (admittedly within a similar structure). I’ve seen it 3 times and will be seeing it a fourth.
Stop it. It’s exactly the same as ANH and everyone knows it.
Ah, good to see you finally admit the truth… 😉
I was once…but now I’m not… Further: zyzzogeton
“It wasn’t the flood that destroyed the pantry…”
My favorite part in ANH is when Han Solo dies. I also like when all the Stormtroopers revolt, how Darth Vader can’t control his emotions, and how Luke never says a word.
My favorite part in ANH is when Han Solo dies. I also like when all the Stormtroopers revolt, how Darth Vader can’t control his emotions, and how Luke never says a word.
Haha yes…I see where hyperbole has reached in and once again made me a victim of its addictive influences…I am pleased most of all that you have retained your valuable sense of humor throughout most of this discussion…even when I do not agree with your arguments I often have to chuckle in spite of myself…so much easier to discuss differences in opinions when humor is properly maintained… 😉
I was once…but now I’m not… Further: zyzzogeton
“It wasn’t the flood that destroyed the pantry…”
And since the 2 sabers are red and blue, what happens when the 2 clash? You get purple.
Violet, if you want to be pedantic. 😛
No one wants that.
50 shades of purple, coming soon!
The Rise of Failures
My favorite part in ANH is when Han Solo dies.
That was my favorite part in ANH too. I love that scene because we can see it coming from a mile away, and it doesn’t force unnecessary emotion on us, because he dies with someone he’s only in one scene with. It’s trivial, but that’s the beauty of it? I mean think of how terrible the carbon freezing scene was, it was probably the worst scene in Empire Strikes Back, because of how connected the characters were, and everything they had gone through and then they are forced to watch Han suffer.
But in ANH, the writers came up with a brilliant idea. If they just call this person Han’s son, despite the two never appearing in any scenes together, it will sap all the emotion and meaning out of his death. That was brilliant wasn’t it?
I actually feel a little bad for you at this point.
My favorite part in ANH is when Han Solo dies.
I love that scene because we can see it coming from a mile away
Yeah like as soon as Harrison Ford was announced to be reprising his role. Stop that shit man.
I agree with the rest of your post though BUT even if they somehow got these two on screen for a scene or two I most likely would have been stone faced anyway. We’re not going to have any emotional connection for Han and Kylo’s ruined relationship unless it’s developed over a significant period of time.
That’s ok, the feeling is mutual. It’s like watching someone eat Taco Bell and call it one of the best meals they’ve ever had. I like Taco Bell once in awhile, but let’s be real.
I get the criticism about the lack of a Han - Kylo interaction, but for me, the reason it was emotional for me is because going into the film, I was hoping Han would die since Harrison has wanted that since the end of Empire going into Rotj. A character whom somehow always lucked out. Add onto how I’ve grown up watching these films over and over that these characters are pretty much ingrained in my mind. So while the writers did a shoddy job with the setup (or lack of) between Kylo and Han, I still felt this emotional tug since I’m seeing one of my favorite characters die in front of me. I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but man, I was thinking back to his great scenes in a ‘flash’ before my eyes. I KNEW it was coming in that sequence, yet I was suckered into it. I’m glad Harrison Ford got his wish all these years. I think knowing that fact just built up inside my mind going in and actually seeing it happen was pretty… riveting.
Still, I DO understand where people like Alderaan are coming from. That scene could had been better managed indeed.
The Rise of Failures