Star Wars: The Force Awakens [ SPOILERS FROM POST 4472 ONWARD ]

david75 · 20-05-2016 11:17pm

Initially I was all its all Star Wars give it to me. Now that I look at it I think they're using Han and the inevitable Obi Wan films to introduce us to new stories.

Be honest. If they announced a slew of new films with brand new characters, what would happen?

Be honest. Melt down on the hardcore fan base and gen pop wouldn't buy it.

Has to be this way. Slowly land it. Anything that expands too quickly fails faster.

Mickeroo · 20-05-2016 11:27pm

You just know they're actually going to show Han doing the Kessel run in 12 parsecs in the stand alone film or something along those lines. I hope it doesn't just turn into an exercise in nostalgia and they tell us something we don't know about the guy.

NIMAN · 20-05-2016 11:29pm

david75 wrote: »

Episode 8 may well be the best of the entire series, and that's just based on director choice and if that leaked description of what they've filmed here is even remotely true.

What leaked description?

Tony EH · 21-05-2016 12:49am

david75 wrote: »

Initially I was all its all Star Wars give it to me.

Mmmm, I got burned by that attitude in 1999 when they announced 'The Phantom Menace'. I forgave it and got burned again when 'Attack of the Clones' turned out to be even worse somehow. By the time of 'Revenge of the Sith', I didn't care any more. Star Wars was a busted franchise.

I hesitantly approached 'The Force Awakens', which turned out to be OK. Just below 'Return of the Jedi' for me. But, importantly, it showed that somebody at Disney understood Star Wars to a certain degree and it looks like they're eager to "not mention the war" as it were and forget the prequels, so that gave me some hope for future films in the series. If it had been utterly wretched, I would have been done, regardless of any promise of better things to come.

david75 wrote: »

Now that I look at it I think they're using Han and the inevitable Oni Wan films to introduce us to new stories.

This is the problem. You can't have Han Solo played by anyone other than Harrison Ford. It'll just be like somebody playing Harrison Ford playing Han Solo and it'll suck badly. The problem is that we've already seen Han Solo as a relatively young man in the 1977 film, we've seen him in early middle age in 1983 and we've seen him as an old man in the 2015 film. Having somebody else play him will just come off as an impostor. Not to mention the fact that it's a completely unnecessary edition to the franchise.

david75 wrote: »

Be honest. If they announced a slew of new films with brand new characters, what would happen?

Be honest. Melt down on the hardcore fan base and gen pop wouldn't buy it.

Not if they're good films.

People don't reject the prequel trilogy because they weren't like Star Wars. They rejected them because they were utter ****e. Many, many people who hate them now tried to like them, against their better judgement. But there's only so far that delusion can go.

The lovers of the original trilogy WERE the ones who paid the money to go and see them in the cinema. The audience was built in because of people like me who adored the original films and we're still willing to give Star Wars a chance.

However, if Disney announced films that featured new characters but set in the familiar Star Wars universe, the audience would still go and see them. What matters is if the films are good films. Not that they have familiar characters.

One of the absolute worst sins of the prequels was the completely unnecessary shoehorning of of the likes of C3PO, R2D2 and Boba Fett into those films. Terrible, terrible ideas.

david75 wrote: »

Has to be this way. Slowly land it. Anything that expands too quickly fails faster.

Sure, you play it safe. IMHO, they played far TOO safe with 'The Force Awakens', but if the next two are good and there are a few standalone films worth watching, then Disney will have done their job.

Disney know that there's a built in audience of millions for this franchise. That's why the bought it. So they can well afford to try some new things. They simply just don't have to screw it up.

david75 · 21-05-2016 9:08am

NIMAN wrote: »

What leaked description?

Here tis. Huge spoilers. Read at your own peril.
http://makingstarwars.net/2016/05/star-wars-episode-viii-the-knights-of-ren/

Also ties in with a previous report of what was being filmed at the aach to set they built at pinewood

david75 · 21-05-2016 9:13am

Tony EH wrote: »

Mmmm, I got burned by that attitude in 1999 when they announced 'The Phantom Menace'. I forgave it and got burned again when 'Attack of the Clones' turned out to be even worse somehow. By the time of 'Revenge of the Sith', I didn't care any more. Star Wars was a busted franchise.

I hesitantly approached 'The Force Awakens', which turned out to be OK. Just below 'Return of the Jedi' for me. But, importantly, it showed that somebody at Disney understood Star Wars to a certain degree and it looks like they're eager to "not mention the war" as it were and forget the prequels, so that gave me some hope for future films in the series. If it had been utterly wretched, I would have been done, regardless of any promise of better things to come.

This is the problem. You can't have Han Solo played by anyone other than Harrison Ford. It'll just be like somebody playing Harrison Ford playing Han Solo and it'll suck badly. The problem is that we've already seen Han Solo as a relatively young man in the 1977 film, we've seen him in early middle age in 1983 and we've seen him as an old man in the 2015 film. Having somebody else play him will just come off as an impostor. Not to mention the fact that it's a completely unnecessary edition to the franchise.

Not if they're good films.

People don't reject the prequel trilogy because they weren't like Star Wars. They rejected them because they were utter ****e. Many, many people who hate them now tried to like them, against their better judgement. But there's only so far that delusion can go.

The lovers of the original trilogy WERE the ones who paid the money to go and see them in the cinema. The audience was built in because of people like me who adored the original films and we're still willing to give Star Wars a chance.

However, if Disney announced films that featured new characters but set in the familiar Star Wars universe, the audience would still go and see them. What matters is if the films are good films. Not that they have familiar characters.

One of the absolute worst sins of the prequels was the completely unnecessary shoehorning of of the likes of C3PO, R2D2 and Boba Fett into those films. Terrible, terrible ideas.

Sure, you play it safe. IMHO, they played far TOO safe with 'The Force Awakens', but if the next two are good and there are a few standalone films worth watching, then Disney will have done their job.

Disney know that there's a built in audience of millions for this franchise. That's why the bought it. So they can well afford to try some new things. They simply just don't have to screw it up.

All fair points. And I agree with you but I think I trust them not to screw it up. Couldn't be more excited for 8 but my only fear is it will be too different and we're being told it is totally different than anything previous.

I'm with you on the Solo film and particularly cos I think they got the wrong actor but I'll go anyways. They're reportedly putting him in a cameo in Rogue one. That could work or be awful. Let's see.

The only stand alone film(s) I want would be about Obi Wan. McGregor is the perfect age for it and wants to do it and there's 20 years they can play with. They'll do it eventually.

Tony EH · 21-05-2016 1:28pm

"Different" can be good. 'The Empire Strikes Back' is quite "different" to 'Star Wars', but yeh, if some things can be a little too different, like 'Alien Resurrection'.

I think Disney are too smart for that kind of misstep though.

Unlike others on here, I'm not completely sold on the idea of Rian Johnson at the reigns, just like I wasn't sold on JJ Abrams doing VII. My worries were some what vindicated too as there is a little too much "JJ" in that film. To me he's a mimic director. Of the five films he's directed, four have been films ripped straight from already firmly established series and the other was his take on a Spielberg movie. I've yet to see him helm anything truly original.

However, unlike Abrams, Johnson has some pictures he directed in his small back catalog that I like. Do I think he's the right person for a Star Wars film? Mmmmm *shrug*. Then again, I wouldn't have thought that Irvin Kershner was in line for one either, given his previous efforts, and he turned out the greatest film of the entire franchise.

On the cameo for Ehrenreich in 'Rogue One', that'll jar with me for certain. There's simply no way around it. That's unfortunate to say the least. It's destined to be a scene that will drag the film down, like the unnecessary and frankly stupid Rathtar scene in 'The Force Awakens'. Not needed and ultimately very damaging to the end product.

A McGregor "Obi Wan" film can work and you're correct, it's definitely going to happen. But it'll depend on the story. Kenobi's 20 year story previous to 'Star Wars' was sitting around on Tatooine watching after Luke Skywalker. But, seeing as Disney are chucking out all of the expanded universe out the window, they probably think themselves free to do just about bloody well what they want to do.

As I said earlier, I wouldn't mind a Kyle Katarn film, or a Mara Jade one. There's somebody that could be in a great Star Wars film. It could focus on her turn from being the Emperor's Hand to joining the Rebellion too. I can't see that happening though, as there's waaaay too much good guy focus in Star Wars and viewing things from the Empire's perspective, albeit temporarily, would get Disney execs in a tizzy, no doubt, as they'd think it would "damage" the more sensitive children in the audience and slightly lower their, already, obscene profits margins.

We'll probably get an R2D2 origin story instead and it'll turn out that Grand Moff Tarkin built him as a kid. :rolleyes:

david75 · 21-05-2016 2:19pm

Tony EH wrote: »

"Different" can be good. 'The Empire Strikes Back' is quite "different" to 'Star Wars', but yeh, if some things can be a little too different, like 'Alien Resurrection'.

I think Disney are too smart for that kind of misstep though.

Unlike others on here, I'm not completely sold on the idea of Rian Johnson at the reigns, just like I wasn't sold on JJ Abrams doing VII. My worries were some what vindicated too as there is a little too much "JJ" in that film. To me he's a mimic director. Of the five films he's directed, four have been films ripped straight from already firmly established series and the other was his take on a Spielberg movie. I've yet to see him helm anything truly original.

However, unlike Abrams, Johnson has some pictures he directed in his small back catalog that I like. Do I think he's the right person for a Star Wars film? Mmmmm *shrug*. Then again, I wouldn't have thought that Irvin Kershner was in line for one either, given his previous efforts, and he turned out the greatest film of the entire franchise.

On the cameo for Ehrenreich in 'Rogue One', that'll jar with me for certain. There's simply no way around it. That's unfortunate to say the least. It's destined to be a scene that will drag the film down, like the unnecessary and frankly stupid Rathtar scene in 'The Force Awakens'. Not needed and ultimately very damaging to the end product.

A McGregor "Obi Wan" film can work and you're correct, it's definitely going to happen. But it'll depend on the story. Kenobi's 20 year story previous to 'Star Wars' was sitting around on Tatooine watching after Luke Skywalker. But, seeing as Disney are chucking out all of the expanded universe out the window, they probably think themselves free to do just about bloody well what they want to do.

As I said earlier, I wouldn't mind a Kyle Katarn film, or a Mara Jade one. There's somebody that could be in a great Star Wars film. It could focus on her turn from being the Emperor's Hand to joining the Rebellion too. I can't see that happening though, as there's waaaay too much good guy focus in Star Wars and viewing things from the Empire's perspective, albeit temporarily, would get Disney execs in a tizzy, no doubt, as they'd think it would "damage" the more sensitive children in the audience and slightly lower their, already, obscene profits margins.

We'll probably get an R2D2 origin story instead and it'll turn out that Grand Moff Tarkin built him as a kid. :rolleyes:

You probably don't care but this is great. Podcast interview with always fence Kasdan talking about writing Force Awakens among other things.
https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast/id462495496?mt=2&i=367559433

david75 · 21-05-2016 4:08pm

This interview really is brilliant l. Well worth listening to. Funny and insightful.

tigger123 · 21-05-2016 11:52pm

Probably old news, but just discovered that Daniel Craig played a stormtrooper! :-D

py2006 · 21-07-2016 9:04pm

Ok sorry for dragging this up....

Did we ever get a satisfying explanation as to Poe's disappearance and reappearance??

Or do you think it will be addressed in 8??

Seems too significant to be ignored.

david75 · 21-07-2016 9:37pm

py2006 wrote: »

Ok sorry for dragging this up....

Did we ever get a satisfying explanation as to Poe's disappearance and reappearance??

Or do you think it will be addressed in 8??

Seems too significant to be ignored.

It's explained in the Novel and really doesn't need explanation in the film. He makes his way to a village and gets a lift off the planet and back to the resistance. Really not special.

py2006 · 21-07-2016 9:45pm

david75 wrote: »

It's explained in the Novel and really doesn't need explanation in the film. He makes his way to a village and gets a lift off the planet and back to the resistance. Really not special.

Ah really?

I got the impression there was a bit more to it, like may be he was being ever so dishonest...

Slydice · 21-07-2016 10:00pm

I think it was almost originally intended to just have him as died there (or maybe it's another part of the film) but that he impressed JJ so much, they reworked his character into the movie.

david75 · 21-07-2016 10:41pm

Slydice wrote: »

I think it was almost originally intended to just have him as died there (or maybe it's another part of the film) but that he impressed JJ so much, they reworked his character into the movie.

Thats exactly what happened.. Isaac asked Abrams to not kill him, he'd died in his last number offilms...he got a call out of the blue from Abrams saying you're still in and they kept the character..glad they did..

remember..hes not a central character per se..its just that its a charismatic & likeable performance..he will have a slightly bigger role in 8 apparently.

david75 · 22-07-2016 1:52am

Interesting bit of gossip. Abrams fought hard to get to do the Star Trek reboot and made it in a Star Wars style, in order to get the job off Disney to make the new Star Wars movie.

Loose lips sink starships

Never noticed it before.

Abrams pulled the same trick with the enterprise and the falcon, pulling out of hyperspace/warp at exactly the precise moment.

One trick pony.

One last spot.

Nobody in the entire world has said the words JJ Abrams and lens flare in the same sentence for at least 7 months now

Bacchus · 22-07-2016 8:11am

david75 wrote: »

One last spot.

Nobody in the entire world has said the words JJ Abrams and lens flare in the same sentence for at least 7 months now

Great, now we have to reset the clock...

0 days since last mention of JJ and lens flare.

Theboinkmaster · 22-07-2016 9:16am

david75 wrote: »

Interesting bit of gossip. Abrams fought hard to get to do the Star Trek reboot and made it in a Star Wars style, in order to get the job off Disney to make the new Star Wars movie.

That's utter bollox - he had no intention of making SW they had to pursue him relentlessly just to get a meeting, he'd promised his wife he'd take a year off.

heebusjeebus · 22-07-2016 9:27am

david75 wrote: »

Interesting bit of gossip. Abrams fought hard to get to do the Star Trek reboot and made it in a Star Wars style, in order to get the job off Disney to make the new Star Wars movie.

Doubt it. JJ made Star Trek in 2008/2009, many yeare before Disney bought the rights for Star Wars.

david75 · 22-07-2016 2:37pm

that's why it's called gossip.

Theboinkmaster · 22-07-2016 2:44pm

david75 wrote: »

that's why it's called gossip.

Why bother post it here, it's nonsense.

david75 · 22-07-2016 4:51pm

depends what you believe..I dont believe for a minute that he had to be repeatedly asked by kennedy to do it..which do you do to make your name a household name as a director? it's not a star trek film that's for sure. Speilberg & Kennedy more than likely had him lined up but he had to cut his teeth beforehand so we got ST..

Theboinkmaster · 23-07-2016 12:56pm

david75 wrote: »

depends what you believe..I dont believe for a minute that he had to be repeatedly asked by kennedy to do it..which do you do to make your name a household name as a director? it's not a star trek film that's for sure. Speilberg & Kennedy more than likely had him lined up but he had to cut his teeth beforehand so we got ST..

Sorry how are you defending the post still :eek:

david75 · 10-08-2016 8:38pm

Force awakens is coming on bluray. May the cash grab be with you.
http://makingstarwars.net/2016/08/star-wars-the-force-awakens-3d-blu-ray-details/

xper · 10-08-2016 9:20pm

david75 wrote: »

Force awakens is coming on bluray. May the cash grab be with you.
http://makingstarwars.net/2016/08/star-wars-the-force-awakens-3d-blu-ray-details/

Should have known that they'd release a second box with more extras a few months after the first. The commentary track was notable by its absence the first time around. Well **** you Disney if you think I am paying for a few more deleted scenes.

Kirby · 11-08-2016 3:58am

That's really sh*tty to be honest.

When execs complain about piracy killing the industry, somebody should point to business practices like this. If you take the piss and try to milk the fans, you deserve what you get.

david75 · 11-08-2016 11:38am

In all fairness lads the original press release for the announcement of the dvd back in February or whenever it was, did say this release was coming so people do have an option.

I am curious to hear jj's audio commentary but this film moves at a fast pace. Wonder how in depth he can really get?

david75 · 11-08-2016 11:40am

Although what is really crap is putting different content exclusive to different retailers. Like the Amazon one has stuff the target one doesn't.

That DOES encourage piracy.

mossym · 11-08-2016 1:37pm

david75 wrote: »

In all fairness lads the original press release for the announcement of the dvd back in February or whenever it was, did say this release was coming so people do have an option.

I am curious to hear jj's audio commentary but this film moves at a fast pace. Wonder how in depth he can really get?

exactly. it was signposted completely at the original release that this was coming, i think it was even on here i had a discussion with someone who was complaining then about double dips. they were perfectly up front about it, no-one forced anyone to buy the first one, yet people still complain.

david75 · 11-08-2016 1:49pm

This edition might be worth buying. I can see it eventually being as rare as the laser disc version of the original trilogy.

I mean who even has 3D tv?

Wedwood · 11-08-2016 7:20pm

On the other hand, they released the first Bluray in April barely after the theatrical run ended, so if you wanted the movie early you could have it early.

I'm not too bothered either way with the 3D release. I'll probably get it because I like 3D, it won't matter to most who don't care for 3D. Unless you particularly want the 3D version, the only difference is a couple of new deleted scenes which will end up posted on the internet anyway if you must watch them.

The only SW deleted scenes that mattered were those two in ROTJ. The first was Luke assembling his lightsaber in the cave and other was the Emperor's instruction for the Death Star to destroy Endor if the shield generator fell. Both would have added to the movie, all of the others deserved to be cut.

david75 · 11-08-2016 7:26pm

Had it been shot more in an indirect noir style the scene with Luke assembling his lightsaber would have been awesome.

But you diminish him if you show that. Why is he only assembling his lightsaber minutes before rescuing Han?

Assembling a piece of tech that can save his life in a planet predominately covered in sand?

I can see why it was cut. It could have so easily been amazing that scene.

Tony EH · 11-08-2016 7:54pm

The only deleted scenes from 'Return of the Jedi' that I would have kept is the ones with Jerjerrod, as they show that the Empire's troops are made up of people with some sort of feeling and not just automatons.

The scenes flesh out some real tension and Jerjerrod's "Albert Speer" moment is pretty great. Shame it was cut.

xper · 11-08-2016 10:30pm

david75 wrote: »

In all fairness lads the original press release for the announcement of the dvd back in February or whenever it was, did say this release was coming so people do have an option.

In all fairness, I've been all over this movie for the last couple of years and I was totally unaware of the second disc set being released until this week. Funnily enough, the press release was not stapled to the Bluray boxes in HMV or in the description on Amazon.

I am curious to hear jj's audio commentary but this film moves at a fast pace. Wonder how in depth he can really get?

He does talk quite fast! I'd be interested to listen to him alone talking about the movie but alone might be key. The commentary track on the first Star Trek film is god awful. Its got the whole Bad Robot crew talking over each other at a million miles an hour. You're left sitting there wondering how the hell what sounds like a bunch of Californian teenagers ever made a major Hollywood movie.

Sad Professor · 11-08-2016 10:38pm

Has JJ ever done a commentary on his own? If not I'll be surprised if this is his first solo one. I think he likes having other people to bounce off.

Roar · 12-08-2016 9:32am

An in depth behind the scenes making of documentary ( a la The Beginning) would have made this a day one purchase for me.

As it is, I'll pass, and if I see a reasonably priced second hand copy in CEX down the line I'll pick it up.

david75 · 12-08-2016 11:39am

The LOTR films spoiled us all and really set an impossible bar for making of and bonus documentaries. And what, like 9 audio commentaries on each film from cast to design to the writers. Would have loved something like them with FA but perhaps we'll get all that when the whole trilogy is out and the inevitable complete super deluxe set is released. If it has that stuff I'll definitely buy with no complaints.

david75 · 14-11-2016 11:39am

I can't justify buying a blu Ray player just for this. But it sounds like a cool set.

https://twitter.com/futureotforce/status/798062711238172672

Mr Crispy · 06-04-2017 8:47pm

Bad Lip Reading wouldn't always be worth a watch, but Mark Hamill is voicing Han.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv_hGITmNuo

Slydice · 28-01-2018 2:39pm

Had the opportunity to rewatch the first trailer again.

Still so good!

Drumpot · 28-01-2018 3:53pm

Yeh just watched it again with the kids. This is great addition, really enjoyable and some of the most memorable scenes in the franchise.

It’s gets better and better each viewing.

I’m not sure why some people think it needs another episode to make this better or more relevant. It’s fine on it’s own.

david75 · 28-01-2018 8:01pm

Fantastic trailers. And the music in this one above is top notch.
TFA is eminently rewatchable. I don’t know if TLJ will be but it’s big moments might make it so. I can watch TFA anytime and enjoy it. Such a great addition and in the real spirit of Star Wars.

py2006 · 08-02-2018 5:59pm

Seen this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48cc5nvsZ_c

david75 · 09-02-2018 11:25am

That’s amazing. The other idea was to open with Luke’s lightsaber tumbling through space...glad that never happened.

py2006 · 12-02-2018 9:05pm

tigger123 · 13-02-2018 10:53am

I'd love to know more about the sound design in TFA. I thought Kylos voice added so much to his character; incredibly compressed and close sounding.

It gave Adam Driver's performance a real intensity.

david75 · 13-02-2018 3:22pm

Yeah it’s a cool eff ct. I hope the mask comes back a bit in 9.

I’d love to know if anyone though he was an emo pain in TFA came around on him in TLJ. He played it perfectly. Such a great actor.

tigger123 · 13-02-2018 6:43pm

In TFA I thought his character was incredibly powerful (as illustrated by the opening section when he holds the laser blasts in mid air for the whole scene) but at the same time very immature (which can be seen when he throws a tantrum later on and wrecks the control console).

He's also tortured and pulled between the light and dark side, Han and Vader.

Not sure I would descrube him as an emo pain!

tigger123 · 13-02-2018 6:44pm

I also think his was the best performance in TLJ.

david75 · 13-02-2018 6:56pm

I certainly didn’t think that about him at all I totllay understood him and what he was going through I think.
One of the louder complaints from the usual corners were he was a crap emo villain wannabe.
I totally disagree with that.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens [** SPOILERS FROM POST 4472 ONWARD **]

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens [ SPOILERS FROM POST 4472 ONWARD ]