Star Wars - Lame or Great or in-between

[Mike Carey]

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't seen the new Star Wars movie and plan to read no further!

OK, I'm curious what people thought. I have seen all the old Star Wars movies and recently went with my son and daughter-in-law to watch the new movie (in 3D). My impressions:

- don't bother with the 3D, not worth it.

- LAME!

- Did anyone else notice there were NO NEW IDEAS. The movie was a retread of previous Star Wars movies. For example:

Instead of a Death Star we got a Death Planet. Hey Lucas, Stars are supposed to be bigger than planets. The new version the "new" death planet is bigger than the "old" death star. LAME.

Like the old "Death Star", the new "Death Planet" had crappy, easy to defeat defenses. And it blew up real easy, too. LAME.

BTW, if the "new" Death Planet sucked all the power out of the system's sun, why bother blowing up the target planet? You just took all the energy out of it's sun, meaning the planet will die anyway.

Anyone else notice, although the movie is 30-40 years in the future, both sides are still using the same old technology of X-wings and TIE Fighters. No new fighter designs in 40 years? Same weapons? LAME!!!!

I'm sure there are more LAME observations out there. I'm thinking Lucas needs to pad his grandkid's inheritance. Too bad he can't muster up some or original ideas.

Your thoughts?

[The Quadfather]

Oh Mike... it sounds like you have some issues!
I can't wait to hear the responses. Everyone I know seems to love it. I myself am kind of boring.
If the movie is not about something I can see as "Real" then I don't usually go.

Bring it on peoples...

[Mike Carey]

Quad, I think I do. My son and I just didn't "get it".

[Bodofish]

I enjoyed it. I agree there could have been some updated tech. Meh, it's a story, an ongoing one. I saw it in 3D, I'm glad I did, as with most good stories, it's not carried on the little gotchas, no Freddies or Jasons in this movie. This one was a transition for the franchise, introducing a bunch of new characters that will be able to carry the story forward. Transitions are always a bit awkward. I think they did an admirable job with some really big shoes to fill. Remember, this is Disney now.

I didn't get tix at the Cinerama, they were sold out through the first in a matter of minutes. I will be going to see it with the high frequency 3D. If you want tech, don't waste your time with half @$$ed RealD, see it at the theater that was meant to show it.

[spokey9]

I had high hopes for it, especially when Disney announced they were gonna make an original storyline (instead of using any number of good books in the star wars universe). Unfortunately instead of something original, they mashed together a few bits & pieces from the books into a (imo) major disappointment. I thought the characters weren't as interesting as in past movies and the acting from returning cast members left something to be desired. I'll probly wait to see the next installment til it's on Netflix.

Can anybody explain the C3P0's red arm? did I miss something?

[The Quadfather]

Can anybody explain the C3P0's red arm? did I miss something?

My son, who is quite the film buff, said the red arm had no bearing at all on the story. It was just to help C3po's quip about not being recognized after so many years.
But maybe that was just my kid's take on it.

He too felt that Carrie Fischer looked like she hadn't been on a film set in 10-15 years, etc.

[Larry3215]

Just saw it. Im a big fan but very disappointed. Mainly because who ever wrote that script was an idiot. There were so many illogical, stupid things going on that made no sense at all. And why the heck is the greatest Jedi of them all such a looser and coward? Not only that, but what gives with going into hiding but leaving a MAP???? There were dozens of others just as bad. So many I cant even remember them all.

[sickbayer]

I loved it!

[Bodofish]

I loved it!

Yep, me too. So many people lose sight of the fact, it's just a movie, a story. It's not a religion or a way of life. It's just a story and we have just seen a chapter.

[sickbayer]

I loved it!

Yep, me too. So many people lose sight of the fact, it's just a movie, a story. It's not a religion or a way of life. It's just a story and we have just seen a chapter.

I concur. Enjoy it for what it is... hugely entertaining a part of and for many different generations growing up and the saga continues, brilliant stuff.

[Mike Carey]

sorry, guess I'm turning into an old curmudgeon.

Just didn't do it for me.

[Larry3215]

Obviously most folks did love it so they did something right. Im just too nit picky when simple logic is ignored and they dont even try to write a script that makes any sense. I wish these movie people would just hire a high school science teacher to review the script or better yet get one of the good sifi writers to preview the script.

Heck, my granddaughter could do a better job of writing a story that made sense than they do

Take The Martian for example. Great movie that actually made sense and was more or less scientifically accurate - or at least in the ball park. The exception to the rule in that they didnt hollywood it up too badly.

[The Quadfather]

Obviously most folks did love it so they did something right. Im just too nit picky when simple logic is ignored and they dont even try to write a script that makes any sense. I wish these movie people would just hire a high school science teacher to review the script or better yet get one of the good sifi writers to preview the script.

Heck, my granddaughter could do a better job of writing a story that made sense than they do

I think that so many films now have become so layered in the screenwriting. Even if it is a film that has no other prequel/sequel etc. in its franchise. The story telling has become extremely complicated for a lot of stuff. Take a single film like, "Inception". (Which I loved, btw)
Point being that there can be so much stuff going on that you lose your mind. Now look at a franchise like Star Wars, and considering how many other films are in the series, that leads to multiple plot lines.
I'll be the 1st to call myself simple minded sometimes, but often after a good movie, I need to "de-procces" with a friend to talk about what exactly we both think it all meant.
Just my .02

[sickbayer]

Take The Martian for example. Great movie that actually made sense and was more or less scientifically accurate - or at least in the ball park. The exception to the rule in that they didnt hollywood it up too badly.

BUT the Martian doesn't have a lightsaber !

[Onmygame]

Obviously most folks did love it so they did something right. Im just too nit picky when simple logic is ignored and they dont even try to write a script that makes any sense. I wish these movie people would just hire a high school science teacher to review the script or better yet get one of the good sifi writers to preview the script.

Heck, my granddaughter could do a better job of writing a story that made sense than they do

Take The Martian for example. Great movie that actually made sense and was more or less scientifically accurate - or at least in the ball park. The exception to the rule in that they didnt hollywood it up too badly.

The thing is...the Star Wars franchise is not Science Fiction. It was never intended to be.

It is Fantasy.

It is Space Opera, and ties to actual science were never considered as part of the 'story'.

Star Trek on the other hand..IS Science Fiction, with much of it's technology based on real life science, and now we have real life technology in existence based on Star Trek science.

That is not to say that Trek is realistic - but rather that it has components based on science - which makes it true Sci-Fi.

Being disappointed that Star Wars isn't realistic enough (remember it is only fantasy) would be akin to panning Game Of Thrones because it isn't historically accurate.

These things are intended to be fun - not believable.

Just my 2 cents.

Onmygame

[Larry3215]

My complaints are not about reality vrs fantasy or whether its real scfi or not. Im all for light sabers and the force and jedi's and weird aliens and magic or what ever.

Its when any remote kind of logic is completely absent that I get ticked off. Like when they drain the sun till it goes out but its still bright daylight on the planet and no one is freezing to death or at all worried about how they will survive with no sun. Or the master jedi going into hiding and leaving a map in the most obvious place where your enemies can find it. Or how the sanitation engineer turned Storm Trouper just happens to know the one weakness of the newest death star and all the technical details on how to take advantage of it. Or people getting killed only to resurface just in the nick of time to save the day. Or the greatest jedi ever acting like a little baby while his friends are in danger and refusing to help. Or Ray not knowing the force and jedi are real when she knows all about the evil First Order which uses the dark side and is chasing her. Plus there was this huge rebel force that just finished defeating the last death star using the force and jedi just a few years ago. How could anyone NOT know all about it?

There were about 50 more just like those but you get the idea.

I loved the special effects though

[Bodofish]

Obviously most folks did love it so they did something right. Im just too nit picky when simple logic is ignored and they dont even try to write a script that makes any sense. I wish these movie people would just hire a high school science teacher to review the script or better yet get one of the good sifi writers to preview the script.

Heck, my granddaughter could do a better job of writing a story that made sense than they do

Take The Martian for example. Great movie that actually made sense and was more or less scientifically accurate - or at least in the ball park. The exception to the rule in that they didnt hollywood it up too badly.

The thing is...the Star Wars franchise is not Science Fiction. It was never intended to be.

It is Fantasy.

It is Space Opera, and ties to actual science were never considered as part of the 'story'.

Star Trek on the other hand..IS Science Fiction, with much of it's technology based on real life science, and now we have real life technology in existence based on Star Trek science.

That is not to say that Trek is realistic - but rather that it has components based on science - which makes it true Sci-Fi.

Being disappointed that Star Wars isn't realistic enough (remember it is only fantasy) would be akin to panning Game Of Thrones because it isn't historically accurate.

These things are intended to be fun - not believable.

Just my 2 cents.

Onmygame

Actually it was meant to be a Saturday afternoon Matinee. A new chapter every week or month, Kind of like Buck Rogers or the Cisco Kid.
Sooooo...
You will not read too much into the story...... You will not read too much into the story...... The stories are just fun....... The stories are just fun....... You can hardly wait for the next one....... You can hardly wait for the next one.....

[hewesfisher]

Saw it last Friday in IMAX 3D. I liked it, a little weak on the story line, but it's just entertainment and from that perspective I was pleased.

[G-Man]

As a standalone, popcorn movie, I think it was ok. JJ Abrams' movies are always well shot and visually engaging. As part of the whole Star Wars saga, it was a weak, disappointing rehash of previous episodes. I didn't have issues with the stagnant tech, however if you have a basic understanding of physics, you probably walked out of the theater wondering if they employed even a single science consultant to review the script.

Depending upon what is revealed in the following sequels, my view of this movie may be salvaged. I suspect the next movie will be comprised of a number of flashbacks to answer questions and fill in plot gaps.

So, if I was asked to partake in the Almost Live! lame list, my response to the original question would be similar to that of waking up in the front yard, "lame."

[spokey9]

As a standalone, popcorn movie, I think it was ok."

That's kinda of how I felt. Although I wouldn't have spent the extra money to see it the theater if it was just a random sci fi movie. I'd have have watched it on pay per view for a lot less.

Since it was billed as the next chapter in the star wars saga, I feel the need to compare it to those. Frankly, story wise it doesn't compare. I'm not big on special effects being the main plot points (i.e. the transformers movies). It just doesn't make sense how a storm trooper could face a sith lord in a light saber duel and effectively fight him to a draw. Then a teenage girl who was barely figuring out she could use the force could the defeat the sith lord. Either way a saga like the star wars movies (or even the books) need a strong & ruthless villain, not a tantrum throwing sissy in a mask. I don't really care about scientific accuracy as long as the story's good. I didn't think this was.