Episode VII (spoilers)

[Anomalocaris]

When I saw the film, I was glad it wasn't as bad as I feared.

But afterwards, I realized it really had almost no good points either. A rehashed story, unexceptional cinematography, rather ordinary special effect, par for the course ignorance of science, generally mediocre performance by the cast, going through the motions of emotional impact.

[TheRealJoeFish]

When I saw the film, I was glad it wasn't as bad as I feared.

But afterwards, I realized it really had almost no good points either.   A rehashed story, unexceptional cinematography,  rather ordinary special effect,  par for the course ignorance of science, generally mediocre performance by the cast, going through the motions of emotional impact.

[Clueless Morgan]

One thing I think will get a little dated as society makes progress towards equality are the scenes that show Rey as the non-damsel in distress. We get it today, as we are witness to the juxtaposition, but I can imagine as time marches forth that people will wonder why Rey keeps saying "stop holding my hand" or why Finn was trying to hold her hand in the first place, or why Rey gives him a funny look after he asks if she's ok.

But in all probability, the damsel in distress trope will always be in use, and therefor these scenes will stay poignant. It's also possible that these moments were low-key enough to not matter either way.

I thought the hand holding thing was overdone but I knew it was there for a purpose (showing Rey as independent and maybe not very trusting) so I tried to overlook it. It will be one of those things that won't age well about the film (like aniken's "yippee"s were in ep I) so in that respect I wish it had been handeled more subtlety.

[Clueless Morgan]

We watched all the previous episodes before The Force Awakens came out. I found TFA a rehash of A New Hope, the same mechanics but different people taking on different roles.

That's why I would recommend people not do a series rewatch before seeing this the first time.

[Exian]

I don't understand the cinematography points. I thought the cinematography was at least fitting, if not good. It's 2015, every schmuck with an iPhone has good cinematography, and thi was a multi-million dollar movie made by a Hollywood pro. This speaks more towards a jaded, snooty audience, than the skills of the craftsman, I suspect. I'd like to be given a few example of it being bad to see if there's any merit.

[bennyboy]

For those saying the story is rehashed. . . there are explicit comments IN the movie itself which hint at that. But there's more to it. . . there are variations on many of the old themes.

Take the star destroyer, and the way it was destroyed. Obviously, this is just the Death Star rehashed. So why do it that way? Why just have a planet-sized, exactly-the-same thing?

The answer should be obvious: it's deliberate, and it is saying something. Consider how Han Solo's death is a flip version of Darth Vader saving Luke. Consider how Luke's self-exile somewhat mirrors that of Obi-wan. The same bloodlines are going to play out their dance with new outcomes.

[The Valkyrie]

I enjoyed the movie.

A friend told me that he enjoyed the movie and then, afterwards, when seriously thinking about it, he started pulling the story apart - just as many Abrams movies can be pulled apart.

I found myself doing the same.

[Drich]

Any parts that stand out as great moments or really bother you?

I think the death of Han Solo will stand as one of the memorable moments of the franchise, if not movie history.

Han's death is a given. I screamed like luke did when obi wan was struck down by vader.. It just slipped out (I always thought luke to be a douche for giving away their position with his poorly timed yelp) I intentionally went into the movie not knowing what to expect at all. Just knowing the various books and story lines i did see this han/ben face off comming. I didn't realize how it impacted me.. that's impart to how happpy i was to see Han and Chewie back on the falcon.

Which brings me to my first moment when fin and what's her face/skywalker were running toward that ship durning the tie fighter attack and she is telling him she the ship off to the right was junk, and that was why they were running to the ship that exploded big on screen.. then they pan over to the Falcon I pee'd alittle. that was one of my fav moments.

I also really liked the two storm troopers who were walking down the hall where kylo was having a fit with his light saber in a side room, then one stormys stopped the other they backed away slowly and went the other direction. That was also a fun little moment

[Drich]

I was totally nonplused by the ease which which rey seem to just master the little bag of force tricks on her own, which devalues quigon, obiwan, yoga, Jedi academy, and Luke.  It sort of destroys the Jedi mystique when any force sensitive guttersnipe can beat a supposedly trained knight of ren.  Or maybe Luke Skywalker was just such a aweful teacher that Kylo ren was hopeless.


It would have been better if Ren had to really work, step by step, to eventually become a Light side badass, say, by episold 9.

I really think the emotion of having just killed his dad was undersold. In the dialog between ben and han ben says he knows what he should do but doesn't think he can do it. That was an obvious nod to having been order to kill his father by the supreme leader. it wasn't till han struggled with ben for the light saber than ben could harness his hate and kill han.

The good part of ben must have really really been hurting even if the bad part was still able to lash out and fight. I really think kylo was fighting at 50% at best. if you look at episode 3 where vader believed he just killed his wife and kids he drew power from that anger and became more powerful. kylo did not walk down that path, he was faced with explosions and the task to hunt down chewie and rey.

She was at 110% while he was at maybe 50% all from the same act.

While lill miss skywalker seems to be an overly quick study i think their was a reason she was left on that tatooine type of planet for the same unstated reason luke was left on tatooine...

[The Valkyrie]

I actually think it's too obvious saying Rey is a Skywalker.

They were very careful with all the trailers to show only Fin using a lightsabre and it wasn't until the movie that you saw that the Force sensitive is actually Rey.

I have a suspicion that her heritage may surprise us all.