Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (SPOILER-FREE THREAD)

[BillJ]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

In fact, the reviewer I read the most (who is also a huge Star Wars fan and more positive on the prequels than many) hasn't posted his review yet, but tweeted "Temper your expectations," and saying his review will be up later today.

I've found a few critical reviews out there today.

The Atlantic's review, by Christopher Orr, was along those lines -- enthusiastic, but tempered by two things (a lack of backstory and a derivative plot).

Kenneth Turan's review in the Los Angeles Times is so grudgingly positive that I'd call it a negative review.

The expectations for this one are so sky high, I can't see how anyone will walk out of the theater not disappointed in some way.

 

[Ithekro]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

Have to restart someplace, and at least this time it isn't about the taxation of trade routes and some random treaty that has no known meaning. Or at least it seems that way so far.

 

[DarthTom]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

Kenneth Turan's review in the Los Angeles Times is so grudgingly positive that I'd call it a negative review.

I just read Turan's and agree. The problem with critics like Turan who believe that the only good films are, "art," and not mostly not, "fun," is IMO - is the films he and other critics like him view as, "great," are not popular with the masses.

Turan had he lived during Shakespearean times, likely would have rated plays such as Romeo and Juliet as, "pedantic," and "soppy."

Turan et al that think only great films are true, "art," with deep messages forget that Shakespeare was popular during his time among the masses.

Personally, I'm not worried about SW long term legacy viewed through the hyper critical lens of people like Turan.

 

[JD]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

IGN's Terri Schwartz gave it an 8.8/10.

Verdict:Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the movie it was promised to be, with great new characters, a respect for the original trilogy and a strong understanding of what makes this franchise click with fans. The new additions to the Star Wars universe work best, though there is some over-reliance on tying things to and making nods to the classic Star Wars films. Overall, this is a great way to reboot the franchise and open the world up for a new generation of fans.

One of her other negative points not mentioned there is that she thought some of the new characters didn't get enough attention.
Newsarama also has their review up. Their review is kind of mixed. Their main complaints seemed to be that they thought it was to jokey, they relyed to much on call backs to the other movies, and that the scope was to small.
I noticed that excessive nostalgia and call backs to the old movies does seem to be the main complain. I'm not to surprised since that was what I was starting to suspect as more information came out.
Edit: CBR's critic absolutely loved it.

It’s been a crazy year for sequels. “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” disappointed many with its clunky plot and regressive themes. “Jurassic World” offered rehash over renovation. But “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Creed” defied the odds to deliver show-stopping action and heart-wrenching drama, creating some of the best cinema 2015 had to offer.
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has joined their ranks. It’s rich in history, grows the legacy with compelling new characters, and offers some of the most exhilarating action scenes of the year. It’s the kind of thing you can take the whole family to, and be sure of a good time. But even rarer, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is a movie so of the moment, so aware and respectful of its power over audiences, that seeing it in theaters is guaranteed to be a treasured cinematic experience.

 

[davejames]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

I suspect it'll be kinda like Superman Returns again, where you had some people who could see nothing but the homages and thought it relied way too much on the Donner movies, while others like me were able to focus more on the newer stuff and didn't think the homages were overdone at all.

Of course... the other possibility is that it could be another Super 8, which really DID rely way too heavily on nostalgia and felt more like a love letter to Spielberg than a movie with any kind of unique identity...

 

[Tulin]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

Just got back from the midnight screening of "STAR WARS - The Force Awakens". Of course I won't post any spoilers but I WILL say, if you don't have a good time with this movie, you're most likely dead inside.

Rip roaring pace, without being ADHD, characters crackled between each other with wit, (long-missing) humour, there were motivations for people to do things in this film that MADE SENSE and were appropriate. Even sometimes where two characters were doing the same thing but both had different motivations (escaping Jakku). It showed a balancing of characters (who also displayed incredible growth) that the PT could only dream about!

More than that, as you watch the film you will feel JJ "re-aligning" the movies back to the OT and a very subtle "damage control" and repair operation. For example, Maz Kanata virtually echoes Obi Wan and Yoda's philosophy of the Force - midichlorians are verboten and disposed of in one elegant and ethereal scene.

It's like JJ is enveloping us all and saying, "It's okay, I'll take us back to what you all loved about the OT - just trust me".

And trust him, you SHOULD because this film was BRILLIANT.

I can't wait for you all to see it!!!!

 

[P0sitr0nic]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

Excellent.

 

[.:: TSN ::.]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

My non-spoiler review:

 

[CorporalClegg]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

I'm not sure I get the derivative critique. When you get right down to it, all five of the subsequent films are derivative. But, if they're speaking strictly of the plot, then that's the whole friggen point--that servers a thematic purpose.

Behind on the obfuscation, TPM was just a rehash of the original. And if TFA's story plays out as I expect it to, then having the new characters experience an arc similar to the past plays directly into the overall theme of the franchise.

 

[Relayer1]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

Of course... the other possibility is that it could be another Super 8, which really DID rely way too heavily on nostalgia and felt more like a love letter to Spielberg than a movie with any kind of unique identity...

Ironically, I preferred Super 8 to the Spielberg movies you're probably thinking of. I despise E.T., The Goonies and all that crud...

 

[davejames]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

I'm not sure I get the derivative critique. When you get right down to it, all five of the subsequent films are derivative. But, if they're speaking strictly of the plot, then that's the whole friggen point--that servers a thematic purpose.

Behind on the obfuscation, TPM was just a rehash of the original. And if TFA's story plays out as I expect it to, then having the new characters experience an arc similar to the past plays directly into the overall theme of the franchise.

Yeah I have to imagine it was completely intentional on the part of JJ and Kasdan to have the characters starting out on a similar kind of journey, and to have them facing a similar kind of threat.

Although even then I get the sense the comparisons are being way overblown. Especially when I see critics comparing a character like Rey with Luke. Yeah they may both come from desert planets and dress in beige colors, yadda yadda, but from everything I've seen so far Rey is still a very distinct character with her own personality and skills. Who also had a much rougher childhood and is more of a loner than Luke ever was.

 

[Trekkin]

Re: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Reviews (no spoilers)

This isnt really a spoiler, but a lot of the homages were there to be subverted. For eg. Due to her circumstances you think Rey will be a clear cut expy of Luke in SWIV, but then her personality and goals turn out to be the complete opposite. Saying much more about other examples leads to spoiler territory.

Of course, everyone in the universe still has 'bad feelings about this.'

 

[Karzak]

Fan Just Going To Keep Open Mind About Whether New ‘Star Wars’ Best Or Worst Movie Ever

CHICAGO—In an effort to avoid making a judgment before he even enters the theater, local fan Mike Siedler confirmed Wednesday that he was going into tomorrow’s premiere with an open mind about whether Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the best or worst movie ever made. “It’s easy to jump to conclusions over such a highly anticipated movie, but I’m trying to be impartial about whether it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever seen or a colossal disappointment that will forever taint my treasured childhood memories,” said Siedler, adding that he would do his best to hold off on deciding if the film deserves to be immediately hailed as an all-time cinema classic alongside A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, or railed against as a crass commercial cash-in that makes the prequels look good in comparison. “I grew up on these movies, so I’m obviously bringing a lot of expectations, but I’ll try to be unbiased before determining if the new characters and storylines are an exciting direction for the series or a complete betrayal of everything Star Wars should be. Ultimately, if I can keep some perspective on whether J.J. Abrams is a genius who restored the magic and wonder of the Star Wars franchise or a talentless hack who shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a film set, I’ll enjoy the movie more.” Siedler further added that he would refrain from deciding whether to spend half or all of his paycheck on The Force Awakens merchandise until after the film.

 

[KennyB]

Just in from midnight showing in the UK.......I have a crush on Phasma and I would like to see Episode VIII.......RIGHT NOW!

 

[Tulin]

And that's the feeling we ALL have at the end of TFA.

Remember how you felt at the end of FOTR in 2001?

As Sam and Frodo start walking down into that valley and the music starts, you think to yourself, "I just saw an AMAZING film but.......I need to see the NEXT ONE NOW!!!!!"


TFA ends with EXACTLY that same emotion and feeling from the audience!

 

[Enterprise is Great]

Someone on another forum I post at let slip a big spoiler because he or she fucked up doing the spoiler code and it was laying out there for all to see. In 20 or so pages it was the only spoiler that wasn't hidden behind spoiler space. It's my fault for reading the thread as there's always someone letting a spoiler slip either on accident or on purpose.

 

[Tulin]

Then go see the film already!!!!!!

 

[Phily B]

Thought it was a solid 7/10 movie. Good, but nothing more. Too much of a rehash of A New Hope to the point of predictability.

The reviews were way over the top, but that isn't a surprise.

 

[Ithekro]

Then go see the film already!!!!!!

Can't. Isn't open to the pubic around here yet and won't be able to see it for at least 30 hours. If we can get tickets. Things are being sold out and people are sometimes having to wait until next year to see it.

 

[Trekkin]

My theatre kept opening new showings after the midnight session sold out (for eg. Two additional 12.10 ones, then a 12.30.) You might get lucky.