Star Wars - The Force Awakens...
Dec. 22nd, 2015 12:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatYesterday, I finally made it to see the long-awaited Star Wars flick, The Force Awakens which was directed by JJ Abrhams, and written by Abrhams and Lawrence Kasdan. For a bit of nostalgia, I saw it with my parents - the same people that I'd seen the first three films with...way back in the 1970s and 1980s, when they premiered. (I was debating this recently with my mother - I was 10 years old when I saw the first Star Wars film, and of course adored it. It was after all made with 10 year olds in mind.)
Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Have you ever desired a scrumptious desert? Something you heard about, read about in magazines, beautifully decorated, if a bit on the busy side, and with a rave reviews...only to take a bite and realize, wait, why am I not satisfied by this, what is missing? I want more of the cinnamon or nutty almonds or the chocolate I was promised? I get bits and pieces of it, here and there...but it feels sort of lacking somehow. Lots of things missing. Maybe biting into a cream puff is a better example? (I've admittedly been watching a lot of Holiday baking shows lately, but you probably get the gist.)
The movie tried to do too much and as a result, we lost some of the quieter character moments that made the original two films, Star Wars : A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back - so satisfying. While it did introduce some interesting new characters, it jumped from action scene to action scene, with barely a pause, to actually get to know them enough - to be that engaged or to care. I felt, and this is the best way perhaps of explaining it, that I came into the film in the middle and missed a few scenes or chapters.
That said, it did have a few really good moments, engaging ones, reminiscent of the first two films. And the new characters are interesting and have potential -- I just wish we got a bit more time or back story. Also the old characters, Luke, Han, Leia, Chewbecca, Darth Varder, C-3PO, R2D2, are reintroduced - but, here's the thing, if you didn't know them or hadn't seen the original films -- I'm not sure you'd care? (Then again, is there anyone out there who hasn't seen the original films that would be going to these?? )
It's a fun movie. There's non-stop action, much like watching a video game actually - which most if not all action films have become...video games, geared to a video game playing demographic -- action, action, bit of bantering dialogue, some warm moments of character, more action, more action, big climax, action, action, finale.. So perhaps, I'm the wrong demographic? No time to get bored. We don't have the long tracking shots of the desert walkers, or Luke's ride through the desert hunting for Old Ben, as we did in the first film. The film moves rapidly as if it's on speed, and afraid if it stops to take too long a breath...people will decide it's time for a bathroom break.
I asked my Dad what he thought of the film afterwards, and he stated, cool explosions, and great female hero. Which basically, sums it up.
That's not to say, I didn't enjoy it. It's like that scrumptious desert --- you like bits of it and damn if you don't want another piece -- just to get more of those bits. Or that book you stepped into the middle of..if you could just get your hands on those first two chapters.
Here's the bits that I liked:
* Rey, the lead, is a breath of fresh air. Yes, it's still a largely male dominated film, but at least this go around we have a female hero at the center of it -- with the male heroes in largely supporting roles. Rey is in the Luke role, while Finn and Po appear to be supporting her. We get little of Po, the fierce X-Wing fighter portrayed by the insanely attractive Oscar Issacs who introduces Finn and Kylo Renn's characters, and far more of the Rey and Finn relationship. While Rey is the lead, Finn appears to be the main point of view character here.
* Finn is also a breath of fresh air, portrayed by a Nigerian Brit, he is not your typical run of the mil fantasy hero type. For one thing, he was a storm-trooper. It's the first time, we get to see the perspective of the storm-troopers. Also, much like Han before him, he's a reluctant hero, who would prefer to run from the fight instead of right into it. Although, I'd say Han was far more confident and more self-assured fighter. More of a rogue than Finn. Finn is just a guy who got the short end of the stick.
*Kylo Ren - the villain in the Darth Vader role, you know there had to be one? Is interesting, with some of the same conflict going inside as Vader. Although the reasons for his turn to the dark side and obsession with Vader - aren't clear and don't quite play. While Anakin Skywalker's decent into darkness did make sense -- he was the son of a slave, with no power, who hungered for power and the ability to control his world, Ren can't complain of the same hardships. (You find out early on - who Ren is. About five or six minutes into the film.) It was the bit that intrigued me, actually, and was spoiled on.
* Han Solo - his reintroduction into the story is fun, and the mystery surrounding what happened to him and his family...intrigues, but is never quite explained. He has possibly one of the best moments of the film -- the one that did send a chill up my spine.
* Luke - is dealt well with here, he's not in most of the film. But the scene in which he appears - gave me that other chill up my spine. And is a great moment. Hamil with one look and no dialogue provides the gravitas required.
* Leia - we also get little of here, and what little we do is through the eyes of others. However, her scenes with Han, are rewarding ones. And she clarifies a little of the back-story, or just enough to tease.
* BB8 - the cute robot, is adorable, and I want one. Actually, the film does a good job with BB8. The scenes between Rey and BB8 are amongst the best in the movie.
*Also loved Moz and the bar sequence -- which provides a taste of Rey's and Kylo Ren's back story, but not much.
I just wish there was more time spent on the character relationships and less on fight scenes. There were so many of them. Every ten minutes it felt like -- almost as if the filmmakers were worried that if they waited too long between fight scenes - they'd lose their audience's attention. And that is the difference between this film and the first three films --- we had those quiet moments. There was the bit on the Millennium Falcon when the droids were playing chess with Chewbecca. Or in the bar, where Han was making a deal with a smuggler and then shot him. Or the hunt for Ben, and Ben cooking dinner and healing Luke. I craved those moments. I wanted more time between Han and Leia, instead of a two-minute conversation in between battle planning and fights. I needed more time between Finn/Rey or even Finn and PO. Without that time ---- I found it hard to become emotionally invested.
I realize that's how they do movies now - built as if it were a video game. Enough dialogue to set up the action scene. As if what drives the film is the action scenes, not the plot, not the characters, but the action. I had the same issues with The Avengers film, which felt overly busy and more interested in big action sequences than character development and plot. And the previews of the films prior to this one, struck me much the same way -- Batman vs. Superman - mainly huge action sequences and violent special effects, Avengers: Civil War -- lots of fight sequences, Gods of Egypt - more fight sequences...sigh, it made me miss the films of the 1980s and 1970s, when the special effects were not as advanced.
It's funny, with all the fancy advances in special effects, my Dad said the special effects in this film were no better than the first three, and in some respects the effects in the first three wowed him more.
Again, that's not to say, I didn't enjoy it, here and there. I did. Rey is a great character and has a lot of potential. As does Finn. I didn't get enough of Po, to know one way or the other, which is a failing of the film. And Kylo Ren...I'm curious as to what turned him down that path and why he turned his back on his family. Who Ren is and what he does adds an air of tragedy to the story...which had previously been hopeful. And a sense of despair. While the first three films were largely hopeful... or at least they felt that way.
Rating? Three stars or B
Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Have you ever desired a scrumptious desert? Something you heard about, read about in magazines, beautifully decorated, if a bit on the busy side, and with a rave reviews...only to take a bite and realize, wait, why am I not satisfied by this, what is missing? I want more of the cinnamon or nutty almonds or the chocolate I was promised? I get bits and pieces of it, here and there...but it feels sort of lacking somehow. Lots of things missing. Maybe biting into a cream puff is a better example? (I've admittedly been watching a lot of Holiday baking shows lately, but you probably get the gist.)
The movie tried to do too much and as a result, we lost some of the quieter character moments that made the original two films, Star Wars : A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back - so satisfying. While it did introduce some interesting new characters, it jumped from action scene to action scene, with barely a pause, to actually get to know them enough - to be that engaged or to care. I felt, and this is the best way perhaps of explaining it, that I came into the film in the middle and missed a few scenes or chapters.
That said, it did have a few really good moments, engaging ones, reminiscent of the first two films. And the new characters are interesting and have potential -- I just wish we got a bit more time or back story. Also the old characters, Luke, Han, Leia, Chewbecca, Darth Varder, C-3PO, R2D2, are reintroduced - but, here's the thing, if you didn't know them or hadn't seen the original films -- I'm not sure you'd care? (Then again, is there anyone out there who hasn't seen the original films that would be going to these?? )
It's a fun movie. There's non-stop action, much like watching a video game actually - which most if not all action films have become...video games, geared to a video game playing demographic -- action, action, bit of bantering dialogue, some warm moments of character, more action, more action, big climax, action, action, finale.. So perhaps, I'm the wrong demographic? No time to get bored. We don't have the long tracking shots of the desert walkers, or Luke's ride through the desert hunting for Old Ben, as we did in the first film. The film moves rapidly as if it's on speed, and afraid if it stops to take too long a breath...people will decide it's time for a bathroom break.
I asked my Dad what he thought of the film afterwards, and he stated, cool explosions, and great female hero. Which basically, sums it up.
That's not to say, I didn't enjoy it. It's like that scrumptious desert --- you like bits of it and damn if you don't want another piece -- just to get more of those bits. Or that book you stepped into the middle of..if you could just get your hands on those first two chapters.
Here's the bits that I liked:
* Rey, the lead, is a breath of fresh air. Yes, it's still a largely male dominated film, but at least this go around we have a female hero at the center of it -- with the male heroes in largely supporting roles. Rey is in the Luke role, while Finn and Po appear to be supporting her. We get little of Po, the fierce X-Wing fighter portrayed by the insanely attractive Oscar Issacs who introduces Finn and Kylo Renn's characters, and far more of the Rey and Finn relationship. While Rey is the lead, Finn appears to be the main point of view character here.
* Finn is also a breath of fresh air, portrayed by a Nigerian Brit, he is not your typical run of the mil fantasy hero type. For one thing, he was a storm-trooper. It's the first time, we get to see the perspective of the storm-troopers. Also, much like Han before him, he's a reluctant hero, who would prefer to run from the fight instead of right into it. Although, I'd say Han was far more confident and more self-assured fighter. More of a rogue than Finn. Finn is just a guy who got the short end of the stick.
*Kylo Ren - the villain in the Darth Vader role, you know there had to be one? Is interesting, with some of the same conflict going inside as Vader. Although the reasons for his turn to the dark side and obsession with Vader - aren't clear and don't quite play. While Anakin Skywalker's decent into darkness did make sense -- he was the son of a slave, with no power, who hungered for power and the ability to control his world, Ren can't complain of the same hardships. (You find out early on - who Ren is. About five or six minutes into the film.) It was the bit that intrigued me, actually, and was spoiled on.
* Han Solo - his reintroduction into the story is fun, and the mystery surrounding what happened to him and his family...intrigues, but is never quite explained. He has possibly one of the best moments of the film -- the one that did send a chill up my spine.
* Luke - is dealt well with here, he's not in most of the film. But the scene in which he appears - gave me that other chill up my spine. And is a great moment. Hamil with one look and no dialogue provides the gravitas required.
* Leia - we also get little of here, and what little we do is through the eyes of others. However, her scenes with Han, are rewarding ones. And she clarifies a little of the back-story, or just enough to tease.
* BB8 - the cute robot, is adorable, and I want one. Actually, the film does a good job with BB8. The scenes between Rey and BB8 are amongst the best in the movie.
*Also loved Moz and the bar sequence -- which provides a taste of Rey's and Kylo Ren's back story, but not much.
I just wish there was more time spent on the character relationships and less on fight scenes. There were so many of them. Every ten minutes it felt like -- almost as if the filmmakers were worried that if they waited too long between fight scenes - they'd lose their audience's attention. And that is the difference between this film and the first three films --- we had those quiet moments. There was the bit on the Millennium Falcon when the droids were playing chess with Chewbecca. Or in the bar, where Han was making a deal with a smuggler and then shot him. Or the hunt for Ben, and Ben cooking dinner and healing Luke. I craved those moments. I wanted more time between Han and Leia, instead of a two-minute conversation in between battle planning and fights. I needed more time between Finn/Rey or even Finn and PO. Without that time ---- I found it hard to become emotionally invested.
I realize that's how they do movies now - built as if it were a video game. Enough dialogue to set up the action scene. As if what drives the film is the action scenes, not the plot, not the characters, but the action. I had the same issues with The Avengers film, which felt overly busy and more interested in big action sequences than character development and plot. And the previews of the films prior to this one, struck me much the same way -- Batman vs. Superman - mainly huge action sequences and violent special effects, Avengers: Civil War -- lots of fight sequences, Gods of Egypt - more fight sequences...sigh, it made me miss the films of the 1980s and 1970s, when the special effects were not as advanced.
It's funny, with all the fancy advances in special effects, my Dad said the special effects in this film were no better than the first three, and in some respects the effects in the first three wowed him more.
Again, that's not to say, I didn't enjoy it, here and there. I did. Rey is a great character and has a lot of potential. As does Finn. I didn't get enough of Po, to know one way or the other, which is a failing of the film. And Kylo Ren...I'm curious as to what turned him down that path and why he turned his back on his family. Who Ren is and what he does adds an air of tragedy to the story...which had previously been hopeful. And a sense of despair. While the first three films were largely hopeful... or at least they felt that way.
Rating? Three stars or B