Star Wars VII Spoiler alerts.

[MacNut]

I did not buy that part either. They land on the star killer without a plan and just happen to bump into whatsherface who they force into lowering the shields. She does even though it means the destruction of the SK and maybe her death as well. There is no back up panel anywhere in the control room to restart the shields? The controls are just in a far off room and if they go down, that's it? Too easy.

Obviously the place was built by GM.

Sadly the first Star Wars episode that I kept falling asleep during.

I've never had that happen during a Star Wars movie before. And I didn't care much for the prequels.

The plot was extremely disorganized. It felt thrown together. And I tried to stay awake during the movie, but it was just impossible.

Sadly, I think they've just ruined the franchise for me.

I still like the original 3. But, I don't expect I'll bother to make time to see future releases after seeing this one. Very disappointing.

And for perspective... I am a father who manages to stay awake through the replays of children's movies that I've seen hundreds of times. So falling asleep during a Star Wars movie is a little disappointing. Worse is that I couldn't even force myself to get interested in it and remain awake. The periodic loud noise would wake me up for a few moments, and then the poor plot would put me out again.

I can appreciate the prior comments about people walking out of the theaters speechless. I'm sure many of them had just woken up again.

You didn't fall asleep during Episode 1? the worst of the 7. You must have just been tired. There was plenty of action to move this movie along.

 

[flyinmac]

You didn't fall asleep during Episode 1? the worst of the 7. You must have just been tired. There was plenty of action to move this movie along.

As for being tired... I wish I had that excuse. I was actually wide awake before it started, and well rested.

Regarding episode 1, it was too annoying. I wouldn't have been able to sleep through that one. That'd be like trying to sleep with Dora the Explorer in the room.

 

[bobob]

Best Star Wars flying ever

The cgi was impeccable, but I found the composition of many of the shots to be too tight. There was very little of the epic grandeur that was the hallmark of previous episodes.


------------------------------

Is it the best SW movie ever? Possibly, only time will tell, but it's certainly in the top three.

Is it the worst SW movie ever? Possibly, only time will tell, but it's certainly in the bottom three.

My own rankings:

1. Return of the Jedi
2. Revenge of the Sith
3. The Empire Strikes Back
4. A New Hope
5. Attack of the Clones
6. The Phantom Menace
7. The Force Awakens

 

[d4rkc4sm]

Saw tfa yesterday and was underwhelmed. Basically a retread of a new hope, although young kids (10 and under) will think it's the best movie ever. I think that's the target age for this movie.

There's talk it will surpass Avatar's global box office take, and I thought so too before seeing tfa. However, after seeing tfa, it won't beat Avatar.

 

[macbook_21]

Having wasted a few minutes of my life reading these I'm certainly not convinced that the author is a Star Wars fans - in fact I'm not convinced he's actually seen the film himself. And I will ensure I don't waste any more of my time reading his "insights".

Most of the things he points out are not plot holes at all. Many can easily be explained, some ARE actually explained in the film.

I think there were three actual plot holes in those two lists combined.

As I said previously, some people are actively searching for plot holes and errors. Presumably in an attempt to ride off the films success and get a few clicks.

Was it perfect? No. Is it one of the best movies of the year? Yes. Is it the best SW movie ever? Possibly, only time will tell, but it's certainly in the top three.

If people don't like it, then fine. But pretentious associate professors trying to seem smarter than everyone else (and failing) is a sad state of affairs. Especially as he claims to have enjoyed the movie.

What's up with all of the name calling. It's just a movie. It's entertainment. It seems like you are getting personally offended, which is really strange.

As much as I've enjoyed the SW films, I find it laughable that some would defend it like brainwashed cult members (see what I did there?).

I found the film very entertaining (esp. the first viewing), but there's absolutely nothing new here. It's a tired retread which exploits the fanbase's sentimentality.

 

[dukebound85]

Just saw it. Not impressed. Too many plot holes and the story was very thin. Seems like a giant repeat of the original movie. What the heck

 

[Apple fanboy]

Okay we are on the 7th movie.
You have to choices with a franchise. Repeat a well liked formula or take it in a new direction.
Generally people are coming back for what they like.
Take James Bond films for example. They all have a standard formula.
Car chase
Super villain
Girl (usually with villain) falls for JB.
Some gadgets
JB caught, but not instantly killed (so he has time to escape).
He saves the day.
Now some of the films are more creative and a bit different, but you have the same basic structure.
In SW it's much the same. When you consider that the tone of this film will decide if people will watch the next, then JJ had to play it safe. Especially as it's the first one without GL input.

 

[Huntn]

My suspension of disbelief can only go so far...

If Kylo Ren can force push Rey really hard in the forest and knock her out cold, why doesn't he just use the force and make Finn cut himself? Easy kill.

I do not buy that the 3rd death star, after 30 years of additional R&D into these types of weapons, still has some sort of exploitable weakness that destroys the ENTIRE thing. Really?

How convienent for the good guys.

You must really hate watching James Bond movies.

Wait just a minute, all the Daniel Craig JBs stunts were within the realm of possible. Give me one impossible example! (Serious) Just don't bring up a super bad villian who modeled his entire life on making James miserable based on sibling rivalry ok?

I did not buy that part either. They land on the star killer without a plan and just happen to bump into whatsherface who they force into lowering the shields. She does even though it means the destruction of the SK and maybe her death as well. There is no back up panel anywhere in the control room to restart the shields? The controls are just in a far off room and if they go down, that's it? Too easy.

The force must have been really with them.

Okay we are on the 7th movie.
You have to choices with a franchise. Repeat a well liked formula or take it in a new direction.
Generally people are coming back for what they like.
Take James Bond films for example. They all have a standard formula.
Car chase
Super villain
Girl (usually with villain) falls for JB.
Some gadgets
JB caught, but not instantly killed (so he has time to escape).
He saves the day.
Now some of the films are more creative and a bit different, but you have the same basic structure.
In SW it's much the same. When you consider that the tone of this film will decide if people will watch the next, then JJ had to play it safe. Especially as it's the first one without GL input.

This is where the Daniel Craig JBs set themselves apart from the rest, they freshened the formula, while granted leaving in the chases. You gotta have some chases as long as they are well done (QoS). Besides being freshened up, not silly, minimal if any gadgets, when he was caught in CR he was excruciatingly tortured for information, and the second time was so the bad guy could gloat. What do you expect from villains with inflated egos?

 

[Huntn]

Saw tfa yesterday and was underwhelmed. Basically a retread of a new hope, although young kids (10 and under) will think it's the best movie ever. I think that's the target age for this movie.

There's talk it will surpass Avatar's global box office take, and I thought so too before seeing tfa. However, after seeing tfa, it won't beat Avatar.

Avatar reigns supreme.

What's up with all of the name calling. It's just a movie. It's entertainment. It seems like you are getting personally offended, which is really strange.

As much as I've enjoyed the SW films, I find it laughable that some would defend it like brainwashed cult members (see what I did there?).

I found the film very entertaining (esp. the first viewing), but there's absolutely nothing new here. It's a tired retread which exploits the fanbase's sentimentality.

This was kind of like watching The Rereleases of Episodes IV-VI, except this time I just did not realize in advance I all ready knew what would happen. That's the problem, I expected something fresh to project the story into the next chapter, not repeat the last chapter, I assume for lack of ideas, which based on this level of AAA entertainment, at least supposed to be, was inexcusable, imo. -_-

 

[DavoteK]

Having wasted a few minutes of my life reading these I'm certainly not convinced that the author is a Star Wars fans - in fact I'm not convinced he's actually seen the film himself. And I will ensure I don't waste any more of my time reading his "insights".

Most of the things he points out are not plot holes at all. Many can easily be explained, some ARE actually explained in the film.

I think there were three actual plot holes in those two lists combined.

As I said previously, some people are actively searching for plot holes and errors. Presumably in an attempt to ride off the films success and get a few clicks.

Was it perfect? No. Is it one of the best movies of the year? Yes. Is it the best SW movie ever? Possibly, only time will tell, but it's certainly in the top three.

If people don't like it, then fine. But pretentious associate professors trying to seem smarter than everyone else (and failing) is a sad state of affairs. Especially as he claims to have enjoyed the movie.

You're my favourite Limey.

You really think that was an Oscar worthy performance or is this a critique of the Oscar process?

Wouldn't have posted it otherwise bub. Portrayed Han Solo perfectly. Carried the film in places and was one of the highlights in the best film of 2015. Easy choice.

 

[Huntn]

Wouldn't have posted it otherwise bub. Portrayed Han Solo perfectly. Carried the film in places and was one of the highlights in the best film of 2015. Easy choice.

It seemed like a tired performance to me, not the kind they hand out oscars for, but watch them give him one for sentimental reasons... My impression is his heart is not into reprising old roles... And no need to call me bub.

 

[DavoteK]

Sorry bubbykins.

And tired? He's portraying a 60-70yr old warrior that's been through the mill, which is exactly how it should have come across, so thanks for agreeing with me

Best Supporting Actor, take a bow Mr Ford.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Avatar reigns supreme.

Isn't it just remake of this?

Story is pretty identical!

It seemed like a tired performance to me, not the kind they hand out oscars for, but watch them give him one for sentimental reasons... My impression is his heart is not into reprising old roles... And no need to call me bub.

I don't think his heart has ever been in it! But I'd rather an old actor reprises roles than has to go down the doing adverts.

We have Stallone advertising bread and Arnie doing car insurance adds in the UK at the moment.

 

[Huntn]

Isn't it just remake of this?

Story is pretty identical!




I don't think his heart has ever been in it! But I'd rather an old actor reprises roles than has to go down the doing adverts.

We have Stallone advertising bread and Arnie doing car insurance adds in the UK at the moment.

I won't disagree, but using your rational every love story would be a repeat of what came before it, two people falling in love despite the odds. There is also Dances with Wolves. No more against the odds love stories allowed.

It can be argued that the theme is related and fairly common as all movies about human relationships even though the Na'vi were'nt Human, they were of like intelligence and emotional compatibility. What sets these stories apart are different settings and circumstances and I'll argue what James Cameron did, creating a photo-realistic Pandora with a solid story was phenomenal pacing, imagery, and CGI. Btw, did all the Indians in Pocohontas unite under an alien, and kick the European colonists out of their country using primitive weapons and indigenous animals motivated by their diety, huh?

 

[Apple fanboy]

I won't disagree, but using your rational every love story would be a repeat of what came before it, two people falling in love despite the odds. There is also Dances with Wolves. No more against the odds love stories allowed.

It can be argued that the theme is related and fairly common as all movies about human relationships even though the Na'vi were'nt Human, they were of like intelligence and emotional compatibility. What sets these stories apart are different settings and circumstances and I'll argue what James Cameron did, creating a photo-realistic Pandora with a solid story was phenomenal pacing, imagery, and CGI. Btw, did all the Indians in Pocohontas unite under an alien, and kick the European colonists out of their country using primitive weapons and indigenous animals motivated by their diety, huh?

I don't mind Avatar, but it's just alright IMO. Great visuals, predictable story.

 

[Huntn]

I don't mind Avatar, but it's just alright IMO. Great visuals, predictable story.

In this regard the overwhelming number of stories that appeal to us are in general terms, predictable as in happy endings. What would we have walked away from if the humans had bombed the Na'vi into submission? I've always hated movies with unhappy endings, wanting to be lifted, not cast down. I can acknowledge their power, but I don't want to watch them again. (Examples: Rosemary's Baby, Life is Beautiful, Million Dollar Baby, One Flew over The Cookoos Nest)

 

[Apple fanboy]

In this regard the overwhelming number of stories that appeal to us are in general terms, predictable as in happy endings. What would we have walked away from if the humans had bombed the Pandora into submission? I've always hated movies with unhappy endings, wanting to be lifted, not cast down. I can acknowledge their power, but I don't want to watch them again. (Examples: Rosemary's Baby, Life is Beautiful, Million Dollar Baby, One Flew over The Cookoos Nest)

Another on topic example would be Empire. It ends with one of the main heroes encased in carbonate.
That's why I always like to watch Jedi straight after!

 

[Savor]

Saw it a second time yesterday afternoon and things become a little clearer and so are its flaws. I saw it in 2D and in one of the dirtier screens and weaker sound system in the same mall when I saw it the first time. So the experience is far less this time compared to that first time in 3D IMAX but I still enjoyed it.

Dislikes -

- Kylo Ren unmasking. Killed the intimidation factor and mystery. They could have waited until the Solo scene.

- I saw Kylo Ren getting injured by Chewbacca in the left side which left blood and a lucky hit by Finn on the shoulder but the moment he says to Rey he can be his teacher, I absolutely thought it was such a hokey moment when Rey closed her eyes and then eventually defeated him. Gimme a break!

- It moved briskly that first hour. Once they meet Maz Kanata and Rey goes through that flashback, the story sorta went nowhere and recycled the ending to A New Hope. Only the Han Solo death scene stood out the last 30 minutes next to Ren dueling with Finn and Rey. JJ Abrams' weakness with pacing and how to close strongly. Super 8 is also guilty of this.

- We never saw what happened to Kylo Ren after the fight. We only see Snoke mention of getting him. When the Resistance depart out of the Starkiller Base ready to explode, it cuts next to them arriving back to their base.
What happened to Ben?

I still enjoyed it very much and haven't changed my mind that The Force Awakens is superior to A New Hope and is only my 3rd favorite SW film behind Sith and Empire. And arguably the 2nd best SW film ever made. Take the nostalgia factor with A New Hope and watch it with 2015 modern eyes. TFA is superior to it even with its flaws. I still walked out of the theater with a smile on my face the second time. I don't have to worry about any scene changes that ruined ANH and ROTJ.

My theory that Rey is Luke's daughter became more evident when you watch Han's face after she mentions her name to him when they arrive in Takodana. He gives this look that he knows her and then mentions a job for her right away as a way to protect her. Then when Rey goes off hearing her little girl voice in that room with Luke's lightsaber, Maz Kanata ask Han all about her. After the flashback, Maz appears like she already knows Rey. Before Ben captures, he goes crazy hearing about "a girl." He is aware of her too. Why would he even offer Rey to be her teacher of The Force?

Rey has all the elements of a Skywalker. She grew up poor but it can fix things and a great pilot like Luke and Anakin were. She is also confident like Princess Leia was. I think Luke left her in Jakku to hide her from Ben Solo. And then some erasing of her memories since Luke was only a myth her. I just want to see Mark Hamill finally utter the words, "No, I am your father!"

Kylo Ren is going to end up my favorite all-time movie character. I think he and Iron Man have the coolest looking costumes in the history of cinema. I know Iron Man came from the comics but I include them for movie characters too. Some people think Ren is weak losing to a girl and I hate the pause when Rey closed her eyes but Ren is a going through the process villian. This SW trilogy isn't just a journey of a heroine, but of a villian.

Favorite Movie Characters

1. Kylo Ren

I love the black and red. Evolution of Vader's costume. A cooler looking and perhaps better fighter than Darth Vader. I believe he will surpass Vader in coolness. Even though Adam Driver doesn't look intimidating at all, compare it to Vader in ROTJ. I think Ben Solo looks more of a son to Tony Stark. I love the walk too.

2. Iron Man

Iron Man is such a popular choice for people. Tony Stark is an accumulation of every likeable hero. Batman, Superman, Han Solo, James Bond, and the jerkiness of Sawyer from LOST. Even Johnny Depp's kids think Iron Man is cooler than Captain Jack Sparrow.

3. Yoda
4. Darth Vader
5. Indiana Jones
6. Han Solo

If I was still 12-years old instead of 35, only Kylo Ren or Iron Man would I dress up for, buy their toys, or hang a poster on my wall. The other characters like Yoda, Vader, or Batman, I wouldn't buy any souvenirs from them. Batman used to be my #1, but Iron Man is so much cooler now. I think Batman movies is becoming played out and none of the previous movies would even make my Top 100 favs which includes the overrated and way too serious TDK trilogy. Nolan made Batman so boring.

From a personality standpoint, I prefer Tony Stark. He is every other cool hero rolled into one except being like holier-than-thou Captain America or Luke Skywalker. My only beef is I DON'T enjoy MCU movies as much as Star Wars. MCU have very little replay value. They are GOOD movies to watch a few times and then I forget about it. No urge to rewatch them again. The Avenger stories are crap. What makes a great movie franchise is covering three elements - CHARACTERS, STORY, and MUSIC. Back To The Future, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones excels in all three areas and is why their replay value is so high. MCU only excels in characters. They have the most interesting roster, but the story sucks and no recognizable themes to hum away.

I believe Kylo Ren will kick *** once Episode IX ends since he is only on his journey being a villian that can surpass Vader. I was trying to imagine if Kylo Ren fought Iron Man, who would win? The two characters with the most aesthetically pleasing costumes to me. I own two collector's cups of them right next to each other. At first, Iron Man would because he flys and didn't lose to a girl. Then I thought no, Kylo would. Freeze all the laser beams, pull Iron Man in, and stab him right with the lightsaber. If Mace Windu can kill Jango Fett, Kylo can kill Iron Man. Tony is nobody without a suit. Kylo is a skilled fighter that knows the ways of The Force and made his own lightsaber.

I just hope they don't wimpify Kylo anymore like Lucas did to Vader in the prequels and he turns to the good side. Another Anakin story again! Keep the mask on and never lose to a girl again. I agree with JJ Abrams, Star Wars needs to go BOLD! Take risks. I am not expecting a Rated-R Star Wars with a sexy, female seductress thrown in there to spice it up more than Leia in a slave suit. I just hope they go very dark and not make it all family campy. I want sorrowness, drama, and more SEX appeal. I believe Han Solo is only the first SW icon Kylo Ren will kill. I believe Luke, Chewie, and Finn can all die in the hands of Vader's successor.

Kylo Ren has the potential to surpass Darth Vader in popularity, coolness, and being a bad***. Vader looks outdated with the buttons in the front (to call mommy) next to Ren. When you watch Vader fight in the OT, it sucks too. Ren already has a cool walk to him too and id the blood of both Vader and Han Solo. The pedigree is all there for him. As much as Kylo loses his intimidation factor unmasked, try imagining Hayden Christensen inside a Vader suit. What Darth Maul could've been is what Kylo Ren will fulfill. One of the best and most popular villians/characters of all-time and one of the coolest looking only rivaled by Iron Man.

 

[Huntn]

I'm not sure there is actually any original plot in The Force Awakens, it appears to be a cluster of plot holes disguised as a movie...

40 Unforgivable Plot Holes in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'​

20 More Plot Holes in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'​

FTR, I think the following is the most accurate review - - one of the few to see through the mind clouding tricks of the force... er... hype.

The Empire strikes out in J.J. Abram’s overhyped “Star Wars” reboot, “The Force Awakens.” At least somebody “awakens” in this dull, derivative money grab in which wunderkind J.J. Abrams chooses to go where George Lucas has gone before by basically repeating plot points, even lines, from the original trilogy. At least it’s not as bad as the last three episodes, I-III. And thank God, there’s no Jar Jar Binks. But where’s the originality? The innovation? Surprising, given Abrams track record with rejuvenating aging franchises like “Star Trek” and “Mission Impossible.” With “The Force Awakens,” he simply gives the people what they want, which is more of the same.

If that’s all you desire or expect, you’ll be pleased. But, silly me I was anticipating something new and different in the way of story and characters. The only thing that’s an upgrade is the quality of the special effects, which are spectacular. The rest is just rehash. It’s like Abrams and co-writer Lawrence Kasdan, who also helped pen “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” worked off a checklist of elements they thought nostalgic fans would like to see, like hearing Han Solo (Harrison Ford, looking very gray) say “I got a bad feeling about this.” Or another visit to the cantina, like in the original “Star Wars.” There’s even another father-son dynamic, a la Luke and Vader, in which one is on the right side of the universe and the other a black-masked tyrant. And what would this movie be without another intergalactic junk yard and an adorable droid running around with invaluable information stored on one of his chips?

The writing is terrible, too. It’s mostly just a lot of busy action scenes broken up by reams of expository dialogue spoken with little feeling or nuance by an underutilized cast that often seems to be going through the motions. But then they’re all so busy explaining the plot to us that there’s no time for character development. Lucky for Abrams, he has a charismatic cast to help bail him out, beginning with a handful of originals like Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and their sidekicks, Chewbacca (the best thing in the movie), C-3PO (the warm-and-welcome voice of Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2. Yet it’s the newcomers who provide the most impact, namely Daisy Ridley as junk-dealing goddess Rey and John Boyega as the stormtrooper defector Finn. They flirt with a romance, not unlike Katniss and Peeta from “The Hunger Games,” but Abrams stops short of giving us something as daring as an interracial coupling.

Also new to the universe are Oscar Isaac as ace pilot Poe Dameron, Adam Driver as the evil-doing Kylo Ren and Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Konata, the bespectacled proprietor of the aforementioned cantina. All are terrific at making the most of what little they’re given to do. As are the holdovers from “Return of the Jedi,” particularly Ford and Fisher, who make the Han-Leia reunion touching and memorable. But like everything else in “The Force Awakens,” it comes in a flash and is gone.

It’s like Abrams felt rushed, never giving his film time to breathe. And his obsession with action scenes that look like enhanced outtakes from previous “Star Wars” movies, suggests he and Kasdan drew a blank on devising a meaningful story and decided to just fill the 135 minutes with battle sequences. What story there is involves Leia’s search for her brother, Luke (Hamill), who is nowhere to be found in the galaxy. She, as well as the evil Kylo from the even more evil First Order (an offshoot of the Dark Side), are seeking a map that contains Luke’s whereabouts. Through awkward plotting, Ridley’s Rey and Boyega’s Finn end up in on the hunt, along with Rey’s new droid companion, the snowman-shaped BB-8. Those three eventually hook up with Han and Chewbacca aboard the Millennium Falcon and the alleged fun is on. But except for the Han-Leia reunion and a shocking twist, the movie just rambles along trying to squeeze in old familiar “Star Wars” bits with little or no impact.

At least this “Star Wars” is more diverse in its casting, although Nyong’o’s Maz uncomfortably borders on a racial stereotype. It also benefits from John Williams’ iconic score and special effects – by a literal team of thousands – that put the old “Star Wars” movies to shame. The rest, though, feels much too familiar: the lightsaber fights, Han’s wisecracks and the fighter jets. It’s all very been there, done that. But I guess I’m a bit naive expecting Abram to make something approaching art. With Lucas gone, having sold his soul and franchise to Disney, “Star Wars” is now all about the money, which explains why the movie plays on nostalgia more than new ideas. The Mouse wants its audience to bask in the past, unchallenged and free to relive lost youths. It’s great for the warm fuzzies; it’s terrible for a movie. I suppose I better get used to it. After all, there are at least two more of these “Star Wars” things to come, plus spinoffs like the one Han Solo is about to get. So The Force will definitely be with me, I just wish I could get with The Force.​

I looked at the first 15. Not so much "plot holes" as mostly valid story critiques, the same thing? At least they seemed reasonable to me.

Sorry bubbykins.

And tired? He's portraying a 60-70yr old warrior that's been through the mill, which is exactly how it should have come across, so thanks for agreeing with me

Best Supporting Actor, take a bow Mr Ford.

I'll grant you are confident. Bookmarked for a February 2016 reply.

Another on topic example would be Empire. It ends with one of the main heroes encased in carbonate.
That's why I always like to watch Jedi straight after!

Agreed, but we all were advised he was alive, hence there was hope (in Episode VI). If he had been killed at that point, it would have put a much different cast and profound edge on the story. As it happened Han's death in E7, I was disappointingly numb to the event, checking my watch and wondering how long before the Death Planet blew up. I'm kind of kidding but my disappointment is evident.

Saw it a second time yesterday afternoon and things become a little clearer and so are its flaws. I saw it in 2D and in one of the dirtier screens and weaker sound system in the same mall when I saw it the first time. So the experience is far less this time compared to that first time in 3D IMAX but I still enjoyed it.

Dislikes -

- Kylo Ren unmasking. Killed the intimidation factor and mystery. They could have waited until the Solo scene.

- I saw Kylo Ren getting injured by Chewbacca in the left side which left blood and a lucky hit by Finn on the shoulder but the moment he says to Rey he can be his teacher, I absolutely thought it was such a hokey moment when Rey closed her eyes and then eventually defeated him. Gimme a break!

- It moved briskly that first hour. Once they meet Maz Kanata and Rey goes through that flashback, the story sorta went nowhere and recycled the ending to A New Hope. Only the Han Solo death scene stood out the last 30 minutes next to Ren dueling with Finn and Rey. JJ Abrams' weakness with pacing and how to close strongly. Super 8 is also guilty of this.

- We never saw what happened to Kylo Ren after the fight. We only see Snoke mention of getting him. When the Resistance depart out of the Starkiller Base ready to explode, it cuts next to them arriving back to their base.
What happened to Ben?

I still enjoyed it very much and haven't changed my mind that The Force Awakens is superior to A New Hope and is only my 3rd favorite SW film behind Sith and Empire. And arguably the 2nd best SW film ever made. Take the nostalgia factor with A New Hope and watch it with 2015 modern eyes. TFA is superior to it even with its flaws. I still walked out of the theater with a smile on my face the second time. I don't have to worry about any scene changes that ruined ANH and ROTJ.

My theory that Rey is Luke's daughter became more evident when you watch Han's face after she mentions her name to him when they arrive in Takodana. He gives this look that he knows her and then mentions a job for her right away as a way to protect her. Then when Rey goes off hearing her little girl voice in that room with Luke's lightsaber, Maz Kanata ask Han all about her. After the flashback, Maz appears like she already knows Rey. Before Ben captures, he goes crazy hearing about "a girl." He is aware of her too. Why would he even offer Rey to be her teacher of The Force?

Rey has all the elements of a Skywalker. She grew up poor but it can fix things and a great pilot like Luke and Anakin were. She is also confident like Princess Leia was. I think Luke left her in Jakku to hide her from Ben Solo. And then some erasing of her memories since Luke was only a myth her. I just want to see Mark Hamill finally utter the words, "No, I am your father!"

Kylo Ren is going to end up my favorite all-time movie character. I think he and Iron Man have the coolest looking costumes in the history of cinema. I know Iron Man came from the comics but I include them for movie characters too. Some people think Ren is weak losing to a girl and I hate the pause when Rey closed her eyes but Ren is a going through the process villian. This SW trilogy isn't just a journey of a heroine, but of a villian.

Favorite Movie Characters

1. Kylo Ren

I love the black and red. Evolution of Vader's costume. A cooler looking and perhaps better fighter than Darth Vader. I believe he will surpass Vader in coolness. Even though Adam Driver doesn't look intimidating at all, compare it to Vader in ROTJ. I think Ben Solo looks more of a son to Tony Stark. I love the walk too.

2. Iron Man

Iron Man is such a popular choice for people. Tony Stark is an accumulation of every likeable hero. Batman, Superman, Han Solo, James Bond, and the jerkiness of Sawyer from LOST. Even Johnny Depp's kids think Iron Man is cooler than Captain Jack Sparrow.

3. Yoda
4. Darth Vader
5. Indiana Jones
6. Han Solo

If I was still 12-years old instead of 35, only Kylo Ren or Iron Man would I dress up for, buy their toys, or hang a poster on my wall. The other characters like Yoda, Vader, or Batman, I wouldn't buy any souvenirs from them. Batman used to be my #1, but Iron Man is so much cooler now. I think Batman movies is becoming played out and none of the previous movies would even make my Top 100 favs which includes the overrated and way too serious TDK trilogy. Nolan made Batman so boring.

From a personality standpoint, I prefer Tony Stark. He is every other cool hero rolled into one except being like holier-than-thou Captain America or Luke Skywalker. My only beef is I DON'T enjoy MCU movies as much as Star Wars. MCU have very little replay value. They are GOOD movies to watch a few times and then I forget about it. No urge to rewatch them again. The Avenger stories are crap. What makes a great movie franchise is covering three elements - CHARACTERS, STORY, and MUSIC. Back To The Future, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones excels in all three areas and is why their replay value is so high. MCU only excels in characters. They have the most interesting roster, but the story sucks and no recognizable themes to hum away.

I believe Kylo Ren will kick *** once Episode IX ends since he is only on his journey being a villian that can surpass Vader. I was trying to imagine if Kylo Ren fought Iron Man, who would win? The two characters with the most aesthetically pleasing costumes to me. I own two collector's cups of them right next to each other. At first, Iron Man would because he flys and didn't lose to a girl. Then I thought no, Kylo would. Freeze all the laser beams, pull Iron Man in, and stab him right with the lightsaber. If Mace Windu can kill Jango Fett, Kylo can kill Iron Man. Tony is nobody without a suit. Kylo is a skilled fighter that knows the ways of The Force and made his own lightsaber.

I just hope they don't wimpify Kylo anymore like Lucas did to Vader in the prequels and he turns to the good side. Another Anakin story again! Keep the mask on and never lose to a girl again. I agree with JJ Abrams, Star Wars needs to go BOLD! Take risks. I am not expecting a Rated-R Star Wars with a sexy, female seductress thrown in there to spice it up more than Leia in a slave suit. I just hope they go very dark and not make it all family campy. I want sorrowness, drama, and more SEX appeal. I believe Han Solo is only the first SW icon Kylo Ren will kill. I believe Luke, Chewie, and Finn can all die in the hands of Vader's successor.

Kylo Ren has the potential to surpass Darth Vader in popularity, coolness, and being a bad***. Vader looks outdated with the buttons in the front (to call mommy) next to Ren. When you watch Vader fight in the OT, it sucks too. Ren already has a cool walk to him too and id the blood of both Vader and Han Solo. The pedigree is all there for him. As much as Kylo loses his intimidation factor unmasked, try imagining Hayden Christensen inside a Vader suit. What Darth Maul could've been is what Kylo Ren will fulfill. One of the best and most popular villians/characters of all-time and one of the coolest looking only rivaled by Iron Man.

Question- Do you consider Kylo to be a master or an apprentice? At this point, he certainly seems to be a weak individual to pin all dark-side hopes on. Maybe that is because he's struggling with the whole bad guy thing.

 

[McGiord]

Take away the Disney scenes of Rey and Finn celebrating like in the middle of the school hall, and the fake Finn-Poe brotherhood and the movie is well executed.
There were so many wasted opportunities to exploit better the Han Solo character, like when they face both parties chasing them, they could had done some kind of battle between them without the ranthars for a few minutes; same for Maz Kanata's bar, too many 'new creatures' without an 'I don't like you either' re-mix.
BB8 could had been better exploited to do something else than just carry a data dongle and a 'thumbs up' with a lighter.
Rey out of the loop about the force and Luke and suddenly she masters the force in a few minutes...give me a break...they could had done better than that with some development on it...
Captain Phasma easily dominated by Finn and co. without any difficulty, not even requesting her to take out the helmet, she could had easily alerted her troops and asked for reinforcements over her radio...this sad attempt to sale a cool metallic action figure, all the hype from the press release and interviews and the movie doesn't do any justice to it.
The tie fighter escape scene was awesome.
The new X wing model with halve circles instead of the 4 'turbines' look like the latest Apple battery hump case.
I did enjoy the movie, but it could had been way better.

Han shot second...George gaffe
Chewie shot too late...JJ gaffe

 

[macbook_21]

It appears that Kylo is emerging as one of the most popular characters in the new trilogy. I can see why he would appeal to a lot of the 'tweener audience comprising a very large portion of the audience. He throws (pre-) adoloescent style tantrums, rebels against his father, and wears a cool, marilyn manson style man-skirt. Plus, he hangs his head a lot and pouts and cries at the drop of a hat. As in,

"boo hoo hoo, I'm not as evil as Bader! Waaah!"

"Dad, can you help me fix my shoe! Light saber!"

"The droid got away? Time for a new control console!"


Disney's got a group of hard working kids in rey, finn and marilyn manson who will keep their nose to the grindstone, demand nothing, get paid little, whilst do their best to carry the franchise.

And in the meantime, we, the masses, will very well get our "tartar sauce."

 

[Huntn]

It appears that Kylo is emerging as one of the most popular characters in the new trilogy. I can see why he would appeal to a lot of the 'tweener audience comprising a very large portion of the audience. He throws (pre-) adoloescent style tantrums, rebels against his father, and wears a cool, marilyn manson style man-skirt. Plus, he hangs his head a lot and pouts and cries at the drop of a hat. As in,

"boo hoo hoo, I'm not as evil as Bader! Waaah!"

"Dad, can you help me fix my shoe! Light saber!"

"The droid got away? Time for a new control console!"


Disney's got a group of hard working kids in rey, finn and marilyn manson who will keep their nose to the grindstone, demand nothing, get paid little, whilst do their best to carry the franchise.

And in the meantime, we, the masses, will very well get our "tartar sauce."

...and "Am I really cut out to be bad?? Daddyyyyyyy!" He's too attractive to be evil.

 

[macbook_21]

I thought the 40 plotholes list might be a tedious read. It's actually a very quick read, and a bit cathartic. The script, while laughably bad, nonetheless manages to provide a solid 2+ hours of entertainment.

It's a nice trip down memory lane for long time SW fans. It also gives kids being introduced to the franchise a younger trio of stars to identify with.

Part of my disappointment was due to the grandiosely inflated rottentomatoes reviews. With such a large percentage of media on the disney payroll, I suppose that's to be expected.

Perhaps there should be an independent review system created by someone which omits reviews and input from media outlets owned by the film's parent company. That might not work though, as these media entities can pay an endless clone troll army to post fake reviews on such sites.

Anyway, the truth is slowly getting out: SW TFA is an unabashed ripoff of the lucas OT, but manages to be moderately entertaining through a) massive doses of sentimentality, b) a hardworking, enthuasistic, bushy tailed bright eyed trio of newcomers, and c) a re-imagining of the role of action sequences: heavier, weightier, more realistic, and meted out in more measured doses.

Anyway, here are the plotlines for Ep. 8 and 9


8: darker tone, trials and tribulations for rey; first order kicks butt, republic is on the retreat; luke is yoda-esque

9: lighter, campier. republic makes a comeback, regroups, destroys another death star. May involve furry critters cutting down logs in the forest. Rey becomes a princess: a ray of light for the new republic.


Ep. 10-12: more of the same. As in, rey takes a long hiatus while the 2nd order builds a newer, much larger, much more menacing death star. Doesn't matter, as it will only require a handful of x wings to destroy all over again, and maybe the moxie of a fugitive janitor.

 

[MacNut]

How convienent for the good guys.



Wait just a minute, all the Daniel Craig JBs stunts were within the realm of possible. Give me one impossible example! (Serious) Just don't bring up a super bad villain who modeled his entire life on making James miserable based on sibling rivalry ok?

The major issues with JB movies is the villain always tells James his plan and then waits before killing him. Or something always distracts the villain and gives James time to get away.

 

[DavoteK]

95% (critics) and 91% (audience) on rotten tomatoes. Bit low IMO for the best film of 2015.