Star Wars Discussion Thread contains spoilers (and may contain nuts)

[Delirium]

I liked the movie as a whole and enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek references to the old, good, movies, like the fact that Rey raids the crashed Star Destroyers for scrap payment and the stormtroopers on guard at the base talk about "the new TK-17 model...I hear it's really good". I really liked Rey as a character and some of the supporting roles (that ace pilot could have had a bigger role, forgot his name). Obviously bringing back Han, Chewie and Leia (and keeping Luke out of picture) is a stroke of genius. But...

There were scenes that could have been more enjoyable had they not felt too much like generic sci-fi set-ups, like when the two rival gangs just happen to confront Han Solo at exactly the same time on board his strange vessel and those tentacle monsters of course need to get loose. This was also true about the attack on Max von Sydow's (whoever he played?) village. Both scenes lacked the Star Wars feeling, to me.

On the other hand some scenes were just too repetitive of old familiar patterns (so too much Star Wars in a way) to be very interesting. To have a small group sneak their way into an unprotected rear entrance to a base that holds the key to destroy a gigantic weapon that soon, very soon, is within range/has fired up enough to destroy freedom in the galaxy, and MEANWHILE X-wing pilots are maneuvering narrow bombing alleys felt old in Return of the Jedi and unfortunately is beyond an homage or reminiscing here, it is just old and meh.

The biggest letdown of the movie was the bad guys though. First Order (whatever that is) appears to be a tired version of the Empire with even more incompetent Storm Troopers. Kylo Ren is a decent enough fledgling Vader but why the mask? And why is he super powerful sometimes and works telechinetics like a god but can't rip Finn to shreds properly (a nobody?) who picked up a light sabre five seconds ago? Why does General Huxx need to deliver a rallying speech to the Storm Troopers (reminded me of Pink Floyd's The Wall in aesthetics) when they are all brain-washed anyway? But the biggest letdown is Supreme Leader Snoke. A 7 meter tall cave troll just isn't good enough as a shit-your-pants evil leader.

So yes, Star Wars is back on track with this movie after a long desert walk, but to me this new episode relies too much on nostalgia and explains too little (or is too sloppy) about what's new in the galaxy. I gave it a 3.8 out of 5 coming out of the theatre, and that may have been generous. For one who knows absolutely nothing about anything Star Wars except the movies, and who is getting old and cranky, this movie is either very sloppy OR is a masterful preparation for the coming two installments. I hope it's the latter, of course, but just based on this single movie I say the hype is overrated. They have a lot of explaining to do in episode 8.

[celedhring]

Kylo wears a mask not to hide his scars, but to hide his doubts. That part of the character is very well done; the first time he unmasks and you see that behind the scary mask there's just a boy is one of my favorite scenes in the film.

I'll agree with most of what you said, though. Too many plotholes and shortcuts, too derivative. But it's fun, and miles above the prequels.

The best I can say of the film is that I really want to see Episode 8 now.

[Liep]

The best I can say of the film is that I really want to see Episode 8 now.

Disney can live with this.

[Liep]

I want to see Episode 8 as well, but I'm still going to wait for the reviews before seeing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

[crazy canuck]

The biggest letdown of the movie was the bad guys though. First Order (whatever that is) appears to be a tired version of the Empire with even more incompetent Storm Troopers. Kylo Ren is a decent enough fledgling Vader but why the mask? And why is he super powerful sometimes and works telechinetics like a god but can't rip Finn to shreds properly (a nobody?) who picked up a light sabre five seconds ago? Why does General Huxx need to deliver a rallying speech to the Storm Troopers (reminded me of Pink Floyd's The Wall in aesthetics) when they are all brain-washed anyway? But the biggest letdown is Supreme Leader Snoke. A 7 meter tall cave troll just isn't good enough as a shit-your-pants evil leader.

You dont know what the First Order is?  Neither did I.  But my boys did.  Star Wars was has never been made for our demographic.   But for the demographic they were going for they didnt need to fill in those "plot holes".  Why the mask? Because he is trying his best to be his Grandfather.  Or at least his view of what his grandfather was. That was the best explained theme in the movie.  Why is he superpowerful at times but weak at others.  Mainly because he has not completed his training.  He is more like an Episode I or II Luke.  Why can't he just rip Finn to shreds?  Finn was trained as a storm trooper.  The movie demonstrated that storm troopers are trained to use melee weapons.  Why does Huxx give a speech?  Because the brain washing needs reinforcement - ala the Nazi vibe they were going for.  Who or what is Snoke - the question that apparently has social media all a twitter.

executive summary - if you were in the targeted demographic you would have enjoyed the movie a lot more.  The best you can do is find someone who is so they can explain it all to you.   

[Syt]

Not sure if I should feel young at heart or immature now. 

[Legbiter]

You dont know what the First Order is?  Neither did I.  But my boys did.  Star Wars was has never been made for our demographic.   But for the demographic they were going for they didnt need to fill in those "plot holes".

Aye, my sons who are 8 and 6 liked it quite a bit. 

[Richard Hakluyt]

One thing about Snoke, IIRC we have only seen a projection of him so far............maybe there is something more scary behind the scenes.

[celedhring]

Do you want a video of a dude in a Kylo Ren suit balancing over a BB-8 while playing "The Final Countdown" on flaming pipes? I bet you do!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&v=_YZfAJDYeOk

[Liep]

Do you want a video of a dude in a Kylo Ren suit balancing over a BB-8 while playing "The Final Countdown" on flaming pipes? I bet you do!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&v=_YZfAJDYeOk

I certainly didn't know I wanted to, but I can now say that I do.

[Queequeg]

Doesn't Anakin technically bring the force back in to balance BY killing thousands of jedi?

[viper37]

Doesn't Anakin technically bring the force back in to balance BY killing thousands of jedi?

Palpatine's rise to power was unavoidable.  With or without Darth Vader, there would be have been someone to hunt the Jedi down.  Palpatine's plan was delayed by the death of Darth Maul and the victory of Naboo, but it all worked out in the end, even if the Republic won against the Seperatists.

Darth Vader was an agent of the Empire, one of many, one very talented, but there were others.

The balance he brought was by killing the Emperor, once the Force had gone way overboard with the Dark Side.  No one else could have done that.

[Josquius]

Avoided all spoilers and finally seen it.
My autocorrected  splurge :

From the intro blurb - ok. That explains a lot of speculation . E.g. for luke being missing.

At the start it seems kind of like it's heading down the route of a flip of the first star wars. The way the pilot leaves the map with the DROID and gets captured. ...country  girl introduced. ....she is going to save him ala luke and leia?

Storm trooper turning is nice and all. But why is he so special?  What about all the others they slaughter without a care? Hin and his friend were already plotting to defect?

Han solos introduction and his lack of the Falcon doesn't quite make sense. But oh well.

The part on the cantina planet was the weakest part of the film. Just feels wrong.   Finn and the girl change their minds too quickly from one thing to the other.
Who is the wee monster lady? Hmm.
It's all too typical of films alas to have this mid point crisis. Had hoped it wouldn't be done here but oh well.

Han solo dying. .... yeah. Not much of a shock actually.  Kind of expected. Though makes me think - maybe they'll kill of an old main 3 in each of the new Trilogy?

Leia...just me or did she used to have a posh accent?

Amusing that the main villain is an angsty teen. I guess it makes for interesting development as he will become far more of a real villain as the girl becomes a real jedi. Though he does have a bit of of a headstart... which raises a point - how come Finn and the girl were able to go up against him in a sword fight so quickly?
really nice that they are keeping the villain and.not having him be thrown away like maul and the forgettable ones of 2 and 3.

Very nice ending with luke actually being shown. Feels more satisfying than what it seemed they were going to do and have a big long boring  setup for the next film "the search for luke"

I don't quite get the first order and the resistance. How come the Republic can't fight these new empire guys themselves? Why do they need to go straight to being a rebellion?
I do find it interesting that all the first order guys all seem very very young. In the original trilogy they were old. I guess that side of things makes sense- the empire is dead and gone....but to these people who were just kids  back then it still holds appeal, ready to be exploited by giant gollum  (alas probably not actually a giant ) whoever he is.

I like the football DROID.  He works.
As do all the nice little comedic touches. I shall have to examine more closely to figure out how this film works so well where the prequels just didn't. 

Not related to the film so much....but saw it in imax 3D.  Underwhelmed. The background was fuzzy and faded. Impossible to see when things move too fast. Wonder why. 3D films in the past haven't had this issue

[lustindarkness]

BTW, regarding that last scene. I have a new place I have to visit, whatever that Irish Island is called. I'm sure it will not be exactly the same as shown in the film, but it sure looked awesome.

We should have a Languish meet there. It's called Skellig Michael, google it. Bucket list material, looks stunning.

[MadImmortalMan]

I have a feeling this is going to do wonders for Irish tourism. 

I wonder if there's a trade in there somewhere.