STAR WARS: Episode VII The Force Awakens

[Johann]

A trailer for the new Star Wars by JJ Abrams is out, and I'm excited about it.

It will be great to see Star Wars on the big screen again. (with the return of Luke Starkiller, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Leia, C-3PO & R2D2)

www.starwars.com/films/star-wars-episode-vii-the-force-awakens-official-teaser

[Johann]

Have any of you guys tried to get a ticket to this movie? It's impossible. Two months before it comes out and it's damn near impossible to get a ticket to opening day screenings. Will it be a hit? Is Stephen Harper a corrupt Turd?


At least I was able to secure a Hot Toys (QUARTER SCALE!) Boba Fett figure. It's 17.5 inches of Bounty Hunter Glory...
There's a rumour Boba appears in The Force Awakens.
Star Wars is back...

[Johann]

This movie seems to be crammed to the gills with visual candy.
JJ Abrams is delivering a bombastic Star Wars film here, with all the bells and whistles. That said, the rolling round droid annoys me, and I have no clue if these new characters will connect with audiences. The trailer doesn't reveal a lot character-wise, just a reminder that Han Solo is still banging around the galaxy.

George Lucas' prequels sapped us of any sympathy or interest in Star Wars characters. Hopefully that error has been corrected.
Revenge of the Sith is the only Star Wars prequel I own. (I still admire the opening sequence).

The Force Awakens seems to be a lifeline for the franchise. It needed it.

[cinemabon]

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” – directed by J. J. Abrams

George Lucas set the standard formula when he directed and edited the first “Star Wars” film. The music, the pacing, the effects, the plot twists – everything needs to come at a certain time in the movie for it to work. From director to director, they’ve faithfully followed Lucas’ formula and like the successful Bond series, “Star Wars” shines from one generation to the next as an epic tale as big as a galaxy, long ago and far, far, away. Abrams has picked up the sword and marched into battle, giving us – not an expanded “modern” version, aka Star Trek full of CGI wonders – but a film that fans all over the world can love and place into the lexicon. I would say it rises to the level of an “Empire Strikes Back” filled with pathos, humor and reveal. To describe the plot in any fashion would betray that trust established with the first movie. Let each audience experience it for the first time, dazzled by its technical brilliance.

Yes, John Williams has returned and in the most obvious places, his themes surface when they need to emphasize emotional visuals. Those themes we’ve come to love and cherish underscore characters we’ve come to think of as old friends. We slip them on and relish their comfort. And while the past rises to fulfil its purpose, new faces emerge into the Star Wars vocabulary – characters we will no doubt discuss over coffee tomorrow and for many tomorrows to come. I didn’t find one weak spot in this seventh film and found it just as enthralling and as thrilling as the shows we’ve come to expect from Lucas without the silliness of a Jar Jar Binks. Abrams has demonstrated his ability to conduct a Mahler Symphony after so many musical suites. This is epic filmmaking that will last for decades to come and he deserves a great deal of the credit for making it happen. He’s carefully framed each shot, doesn’t dwell too long but gives us just enough character and visuals to thoroughly digest the new order rising in the galactic world of the old Republic.

We already know there will be nine total films. No one in the audience expected to see a total resolution in the end. We know there is more and more and more; and I look forward to every frame, every note, and every light saber battle down the last swing at the villain’s demise.

[cinemabon]

There you have it. If you went to Star Wars this weekend you were part of the biggest box office opening in the history of film. On every level, Star Wars broke every box office record - over $500 million opening weekend estimates (world bo included). That's huge!

[Johann]

I'm seeing it tonight. It looks good. (But I heard there is no Boba Fett. That breaks my heart!)

[Johann]

Huge thumbs up for Star Wars: THE FORCE AWAKENS.
I saw it in 3-D and it was excellent, it was exactly what a Star Wars movie should be: cornball humour, stars, wars, freaky aliens, space wizards and lightsabres.
JJ Abrams has lived up to the hype. This film hits all the right notes and left out some sour ones (Jar Jar, insults to one's intelligence, etc..)

There was even some real, genuine emotion here. Some character development was paid attention to. (Thank you JJ) Leia and Han Solo had interesting scenes.
Spectacular visuals were much appreciated by this film buff. Outer-space glory on display here! Great battles and firepower- the sound on this movie deserves an Oscar.
Kylo Ren is a great new character, along with the Guavian guards (they shot Chewie, those bastards...) and Captain Phasma.
I don't think anyone has anything to complain about. My only gripe is with the annoying droid BB-8, who is basically a rolling R2-D2 on steroids. That droid has an eye that is exactly like HAL 9000's!
I hope you paid the Kubrick estate some big bucks, Disney!


All in all, a fantastic film.
It totally makes up for those horrifying prequels.

[tabuno]

My tastes go more to hard core sci fi than Space Western Opera. While the CGI and 3-D imagery continue to improve, this newest version doesn't seem to have the same charm as the original trilogy. The various relationships in the movie don't quite gel as smoothly as the original. While entertaining this newest version doesn't seem to break much new ground as the nature of sci fi usually does. Essential what is awakened here is more of the same only bigger and louder, with some visible attempts at more humanity and balanced characterization both of which are cut short.

[Johann]

I understand your view tabuno- the new characterizations don't have quite the charm of the originals, but how could they?
It's as close to the best anybody can do, given Star Wars' checkered past...

It was great to see. Star Wars is back. The production design impressed me, the SFX impressed me, and I was surprised at the emotional content- it's really there, unlike those prequels which had a lot of pizzazz and not much else. Revenge of the Sith is worth watching for the amazing visuals but the emotional content was below a "fizzle" It had no pulse. The Force Awakens has a pulse.

[tabuno]

Johann has discovered his own "force" and appears to really have captured the essence of the Awakening.

[Johann]

I love that the new Star Wars has in-jokes for fans, new cool characters and epic shots of space. If I was a kid I'd be really excited, in fact I'd probably be overwhelmed with what is onscreen. JJ Abrams really delivered. Some people will never appreciate Star Wars again, and I understand why. George Lucas really annoyed people, like me. :) (He and I have the same birthday).

Fans, non-fans and even your dog should remember that George Lucas said: I don't consider myself a filmmaker. I consider myself a toymaker.


You're absolutely right tabuno. I discovered my own "force". It is strong in this one.

[Johann]

Abrams has picked up the sword and marched into battle, giving us – not an expanded “modern” version, aka Star Trek full of CGI wonders – but a film that fans all over the world can love and place into the lexicon.

You nailed it, cinemabon. You know where and how to place this movie. It is what The Phantom Menace should have been, 16 years ago.
George Lucas was always protective of his work, but when the work is not up to snuff you have to pass the reins to someone who can do it. In the fan-supportive documentary The People Vs. George Lucas a talking head mentions that George Lucas was implored "To make these!" (NEW Star Wars episodes), and it fell on deaf ears. I'm actually surprised that he sold LucasFilm, given his abject protectiveness over his baby. Maybe he saw the light (sabre). LOL Maybe he had a revelation about Star Wars being more than "My Canterbury Tales"- whatever the reason, I'm glad cinemas will be alive with THE FORCE. It didn't have to be this way, George! Up until Howard the Duck you were a bona fide genius.

:)

[Johann]

The imdb reviews are awesome. Awesome in that so many losers had a terrible experience at the new Star Wars.
Do they enjoy anything anymore? LOL
Make a Star Wars movie yourself, you sad sots. Show the world how it's done. In the meantime, shut the fuck up. LOL
Haters gonna Hate.


I really enjoyed The Force Awakens. If it was terrible I wouldn't hold back, would I? Ha Ha Ha