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Episode VII: The Force Awakens - Discussion * SPOILER THREAD * — Page 167

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 (Edited)

I think the cloud cars fit nicely in with the overall design of Cloud City. They would not work at all as outer space fighter ships. More like early-to-mid 20th century automobiles/police cars/ambulances combined with the Mustang posted above. In between an art deco car and a fighter jet. Cloud City seems like a peaceful place with mostly civilians but obviously those Cloud cars are flown by some kind of officials [edit: Bespin Wing Guards].

The PT went a bit too far with these types of old-timey civilian-ish designs, though.

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That jet looks much cooler than the little twin pod cars. If it were just one pod, they'd look dull, but fine. Making em two cars connected is lame.
But the lame design doesn't affect the film at all really. And hopefully this lame lightsaber won't either.
The difference is that the cloud cars weren't IN YOU FACE WITH HOW COOL THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE!!! like this new saber is...

Ray’s Lounge
Biggs in ANH edit idea
ROTJ opening edit idea

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 (Edited)

That "jet" has propellers. ;)

Ralph McQaurrie's early single pod concept was made into a toy in the 90's. Both versions are cool.

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

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I'm impressed that you guys have held on to looking at this film fairly critically, without going into "OMG PRACTICAL EFFECTS" territory like some other fans.

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What I mean is that from what I've observed of you guys, the reaction to most TFA news seems to be more "Oh, that looks cool, still got some issues though." and less "WOAH this is gonna be the bestest best Star Wars ever made and gross a bazillion dollars!" like I've seen elsewhere

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Until someone assures this board that the film does not contain

  • universe shrinkage
  • teal-and-orange color timing
  • "bad" CG
  • references to the prequels
  • only 3 lightsabre colors
  • references to the SE

 

we won't, as a whole, be satisfied

ROTJ Storyboard Reconstruction Project

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I know it's something supposedly minor but am I the only one who is very disappointed at how bland the new Imperial, ahem, First Order vehicles look like?

The TIE/fo in particular (it's been practically confirmed that's the official name based on the X-Wing board game and Bandai's upcoming scale model), it's just a normal TIE-Fighter with some very minor detail alteration and negative colour scheme! White radiator/solar panels and black hull! ... Meh.

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TV's Frink said:

Mad Magazine still exists?

As far as I'm concerned, Mad has been dead since July 1955.

;-)

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Burdokva said:

I know it's something supposedly minor but am I the only one who is very disappointed at how bland the new Imperial, ahem, First Order vehicles look like?

The TIE/fo in particular (it's been practically confirmed that's the official name based on the X-Wing board game and Bandai's upcoming scale model), it's just a normal TIE-Fighter with some very minor detail alteration and negative colour scheme! White radiator/solar panels and black hull! ... Meh.

 Some aircraft & spacecraft designs don't change very much over time. And the TIE is probably hard to improve on.

In the real world, B-52's are still flying, and Russia's still launching Soyuz space capsules.

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

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SilverWook said:

the TIE is probably hard to improve on.

An internal air supply and hyperdrive should just about do it. 

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^I think Rebels canonized OT-era life support in TIEs.

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DuracellEnergizer said:

SilverWook said:

the TIE is probably hard to improve on.

An internal air supply and hyperdrive should just about do it. 

 TIE's seem dependent on a base ship intentionally. You don't want anyone defecting to those Rebel scum, not that anyone would.

Can't recall if it's canon, but I once read the lack of niceties like ejection seats and hyperspace capabilities keep it a lean maneuverable fighter. Probably a flying death trap compared to Rebel ships, yet they're cheap and easy for the Empire to crank out in huge numbers.

A TIE pilot's independent life support is probably just an extra measure of protection if the hull is breached. Rebel pilots were going to have face masks as well in the original film, but it was nixed so the actor's faces could be easily seen.

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

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timdiggerm said:

Until someone assures this board that the film does not contain

  • universe shrinkage
  • teal-and-orange color timing
  • "bad" CG
  • references to the prequels
  • only 3 lightsabre colors
  • references to the SE

 

we won't, as a whole, be satisfied

 I didn't know there was such consensus on the matter of lightsaber colors.

The blue elephant in the room.

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timdiggerm said:

we won't, as a whole, be satisfied

nor should we be satisfied

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SilverWook said:

Burdokva said:

I know it's something supposedly minor but am I the only one who is very disappointed at how bland the new Imperial, ahem, First Order vehicles look like?

The TIE/fo in particular (it's been practically confirmed that's the official name based on the X-Wing board game and Bandai's upcoming scale model), it's just a normal TIE-Fighter with some very minor detail alteration and negative colour scheme! White radiator/solar panels and black hull! ... Meh.

 Some aircraft & spacecraft designs don't change very much over time. And the TIE is probably hard to improve on.

In the real world, B-52's are still flying, and Russia's still launching Soyuz space capsules.

 I don't mind the design itself (in fact, I love TIEs) and you make a fair point.

What bothers me is that essentially they discarded the evolutionary path already established in RotJ with the TIE Interceptor and just went with a new paint job. One that also really screams "it's a toy!" to me.

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Maybe the interceptors didn't perform too well in ROTJ? Or at least they didn't outperform the older design?

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

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 (Edited)

Burdokva said:

SilverWook said:

Burdokva said:

I know it's something supposedly minor but am I the only one who is very disappointed at how bland the new Imperial, ahem, First Order vehicles look like?

The TIE/fo in particular (it's been practically confirmed that's the official name based on the X-Wing board game and Bandai's upcoming scale model), it's just a normal TIE-Fighter with some very minor detail alteration and negative colour scheme! White radiator/solar panels and black hull! ... Meh.

 Some aircraft & spacecraft designs don't change very much over time. And the TIE is probably hard to improve on.

In the real world, B-52's are still flying, and Russia's still launching Soyuz space capsules.

 I don't mind the design itself (in fact, I love TIEs) and you make a fair point.

What bothers me is that essentially they discarded the evolutionary path already established in RotJ with the TIE Interceptor and just went with a new paint job. One that also really screams "it's a toy!" to me.

 I agree. It's only the way it is because it will remind the audience of the original film. Just like the dessert planet, the lead lady is dressed like Luke was, X-Wings instead of A's, ect.

Ray’s Lounge
Biggs in ANH edit idea
ROTJ opening edit idea

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SilverWook said:

Maybe the interceptors didn't perform too well in ROTJ? Or at least they didn't outperform the older design?

This is what I was thinking. Maybe Interceptors are the Imperial equivalent of A-Wings rather than a successor to standard TIEs.

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Mrebo said:

timdiggerm said:

Until someone assures this board that the film does not contain

  • universe shrinkage
  • teal-and-orange color timing
  • "bad" CG
  • references to the prequels
  • only 3 lightsabre colors
  • references to the SE

 

we won't, as a whole, be satisfied

 I didn't know there was such consensus on the matter of lightsaber colors.

There will be ... there will be ...

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ray_afraid said:

the dessert planet

This dessert planet wouldn't happen to be populated by orange-skinned dwarfs and a slightly psychotic man in a top hat, would it?