Talk about new Star Wars movie, do not read if you have NOT seen it

[ScruffyLookingNH]

Ian, bravo for going to see it! At least any mild curiousity you hat is satisfied.

Re the atmosphere: I went to a 0005 and an 0930 showing. The atmosphere was markedly different. The die hard fans had made the midnight showing (lightsabres and cheering were aplenty) the not so die hard made the 0930. Not saying those that didn't go at midnight aren't "true" fans (er, hello, life gets in the way of even die hard fans) but those that did definitely were.

Anyway, been thinking lots about the film since seeing it a second time. The overall reaction of OT fans had me baffled, myself included. I can't think of another film that required a second viewing before the majority of people could make up their minds. Can anyone else? Let alone one where folk thought it was as good if not better on the second showing. I believe the answer is quite straightforward: we were taken by surprise. We expected a new story with a SW feel. What we got was, essentially, a 21st century remake of the OT. No one was expecting that. So, invariably, we were disorientated as it felt like SW but it was tinged with disappointment even if we didn't recognise it or (in my case) a reluctance to call it that because we'd seen most of it before.

However, on second viewing your expectations that you're about to see something truly new has been removed. At this point, released from your expectations, the film is free to be what it is meant to be: an introduction to the SW universe for a new generation borrowing all the best bits from the OT. Like Mark Hamill said months and months ago in that behind the scenes trailer "everything's new but you've been here before". Sums it up perfectly.

Speaking to someone here they summed it up perfectly. This wasn't a film for us, it was for our kids. Disney need to sell this to the next gen to make it rhe cash cow it needs to be. And in that respect they've absolutely nailed it. Despite it not being for us the vast majority loved it because there was enough new about it to intrigued and beguile and set up, hopefully, a brand new story arc for the coming films.

 

[Stuart Skinner]

****ing love this movie. Wooooooooooooooooo

So, I have now seen this on three occasions, went to the Midnight showing, then again Friday which were both 2D viewings and went and saw it in 3D yesterday. 3D adds absolutely nothing to me for this film other than just having an annoying piece of plastic on my face whilst I watch the best movie since 1983.

To be honest I came out the midnight showing with a lot of mixed feelings and would have rated it 7/10 at that point, but after seeing it Friday I would give it a solid 8.5/10. I think the first showing just overwhelmed me, I was watching the sequel to return of the Jedi and had been anticipating this for over 2 years and think it all got too much for me, I admit I teared up as soon as that crawl started.

I loved the new characters, BB8 was amazing, Rey was beautiful and perfect character for me, I liked Finn, Poe was awesome and Kylo was ****ing superb. I was disappointed with Captain Phasma as many have stated here, pushed before the film and had little to no impact for me, she could have been used far better. My biggest disappointment though was Snoke, just didn't sit well with me.

Seeing the OT characters sent a shiver up my spine though, Han and Chewie were electric and I was disappointed with Hans death on my first screening but the second time I watched it I thought it was a pivotal part of the movie for obvious reasons. Leia looked good, didn't really understand the whole point of Threepio having a red arm and then gold again at the end, wonder whether this is just so they can't smash out another different action figure, gave nothing to plot development. Seeing Luke at the end gave me goosebumps.

Ian_C, I'm surprised you're having a pop at the humour, this was rife throughout the original trilogy and was something that was lacking massively in the Prequels. I thought it was superb, Poe cheeky to Ren, showing no signs of fear. Finn and Chewie has some very funny moments, I loved the light heartedness in what was quite a dark movie.

As for soundtrack, I've purchased it and it has some beautiful and moving music on their, none more so than Jedi Steps/Finale. I'd urge everyone to go and buy it and take a listen, some stunning tracks. JOHN WILLIAMS IS THE MAN!!!

As for the movie just being a rehash of the OT, well yes I can see the similarities, they're very blatant, but so many movies are rip offs of older movies, hell A New Hope was a rip off of The Hidden Fortress which I've got on DVD after reading this several years ago, I'll lend you the DVD pal if you want, you want a rip off of another movie you'd be hard pressed to find one than this (perhaps another thread topic as quite interesting). And what about Frozen, isn't that the biggest movie of the last couple of years - a rip off of the story The Snow Queen which has had several incarnations as a movie over time.

The film is what it is, if you want to dissect every part of it then you're going to find faults, you would with any movie, but enjoy it for what it is, great effects (which was drastically lacking in the Prequels), fast paced (which was drastically lacking in the Prequels), good acting (which was drastically lacking in the prequels), great new characters to fall in love with (which was drastically lacking in the prequels), this is Star Wars, this is the follow up to Return of the Jedi, it rocks, it Fuxking rocks and I for one will be going to see it for a fourth time on Monday and no doubt 5th, 6th and 7th time over the Christmas period.

Bring on Rogue One, as I for one cannot wait for more Star Wars.

 

[Caswellbot]

Nice post stu

 

[Caswellbot]

I'm not sure I get the whole atmosphere thing. I went and there was a nice buzz about the cinema. A tangible excitement but the there was no whooping and cheerings and standing ovations. I put that down to British reservedness. We don't get those sorts of reactions in the same way as our friends over the pond. thats fine by me. I'm a huge star wars fan and loved this film but you wouldn't see me taking my shirt off and running round the cinema screaming at the end.

 

[stratpack]

Ian, bravo for going to see it! At least any mild curiousity you hat is satisfied.

Re the atmosphere: I went to a 0005 and an 0930 showing. The atmosphere was markedly different. The die hard fans had made the midnight showing (lightsabres and cheering were aplenty) the not so die hard made the 0930. Not saying those that didn't go at midnight aren't "true" fans (er, hello, life gets in the way of even die hard fans) but those that did definitely were.

Anyway, been thinking lots about the film since seeing it a second time. The overall reaction of OT fans had me baffled, myself included. I can't think of another film that required a second viewing before the majority of people could make up their minds. Can anyone else? Let alone one where folk thought it was as good if not better on the second showing. I believe the answer is quite straightforward: we were taken by surprise. We expected a new story with a SW feel. What we got was, essentially, a 21st century remake of the OT. No one was expecting that. So, invariably, we were disorientated as it felt like SW but it was tinged with disappointment even if we didn't recognise it or (in my case) a reluctance to call it that because we'd seen most of it before.

However, on second viewing your expectations that you're about to see something truly new has been removed. At this point, released from your expectations, the film is free to be what it is meant to be: an introduction to the SW universe for a new generation borrowing all the best bits from the OT. Like Mark Hamill said months and months ago in that behind the scenes trailer "everything's new but you've been here before". Sums it up perfectly.

Speaking to someone here they summed it up perfectly. This wasn't a film for us, it was for our kids. Disney need to sell this to the next gen to make it rhe cash cow it needs to be. And in that respect they've absolutely nailed it. Despite it not being for us the vast majority loved it because there was enough new about it to intrigued and beguile and set up, hopefully, a brand new story arc for the coming films.

Totally agree with this Scruffy. When you take a step back and realise its been made for a different generation and release yourself from any expectation its a more enjoyable experience. My 2nd viewing was much more fun than the 1st.

 

[starshipriot]

I'm not sure I get the whole atmosphere thing. I went and there was a nice buzz about the cinema. A tangible excitement but the there was no whooping and cheerings and standing ovations. I put that down to British reservedness. We don't get those sorts of reactions in the same way as our friends over the pond. thats fine by me. I'm a huge star wars fan and loved this film but you wouldn't see me taking my shirt off and running round the cinema screaming at the end.

I went to the cinema in Inverness, on friday, so the day after it had come out. There werent loads there, but there were a few, and there was a guy who was dressed as the Rancor keeper which I was thought was awesome, chubby and shirtless with the rag on his head. He was with some Jedis and a stormtrooper and a star trek captain as well. I watched it in 3d but those guys must have gone to the regular showing. I was dissapointed as it was as quite as a tomb in the regular one. I cheered when Han and chewie came on screen and people turnd to look at me. Really wished Id have been in the showing with the other guys as I bet they woulda cheered and applauded!

 

[starshipriot]

Oops double post

 

[sith-smith]

I was surpised when I saw the 12.30am showing that no one was there dressed up and not a single lightsaber could be seen!!

I am going for a second showing, but not sure when.

My initial feeling when leaving was that it ranks below the OT and ROTS, but above (just) the other 2 PT.

When I saw ROTS I really wanted to see it again. I did not feel this way after TFA.

Though visually stunning, the plot killed it for me. I liked the characters, but the whole movie seemed way too rushed for me.

Perhaps a second showing will improve my overall feeling regarding it. Hype, love of the OT and gneral dislike of the PT never helps as it creates unrealistic expectations that no film could ever match.

With a second viewing most of that has gone so I can judge the film more on its inherent qualities, not comparative ones.

 

[DARTH VADER]

Costumes a plenty when I was at the first show (in Prague)...lots of Jedi, sabres were out...Chewbacca suits...Ewoks...even girls not in costume had their hair tied up in Leia buns

Great atmosphere...helps to make it a special experience...and thankfully, once the Lucasfilm logo appeared...all was quiet...

Remember the first showing of Episode I (The Phantom Menace) - I went over to the US to see it early...now that was a different atmosphere!

 

[CRAZYHAZY]

I also echo everyone's thoughts on lack of atmosphere. I cheered anyway don't give a **** about what anyone thinks. And if anyone had gave me dirty looks I would have gone all wookie on them and threw them through the wall...dickheads! !!!

Ian you are well entitled to your thoughts and opinions and I for one totally respect that. If we all liked the same thing and agreed ...what a boring world we would live in.

The best bit for me was when Fin said "why don't we take that ship over there" and Rey says "because its old junk".

The ship they are heading to gets blown up and Rey says "the junk it is then"

The camera pans around and WOW!! Its the Millennium Falcon (FU** BRILLIANT)

You see the falcon in the background during that running scene :roll:

Don't be pedantic. ...It was easily missed during that scene and Jimmyp I also LOVED that scene. Great

 

[Mr-shifter]

Agree with all on the cinemas. There was a buzz at the midnight showing but since then the local cineworld has turned into a Star Wars machine.

The showing list is like a ****ing bus timetable.

 

[sith-smith]

My next showing will be at Cineworld as I have their unlimted pass!! 8)

However i saw my first showing the same town as I first saw Star Wars in 78 and TPM!

Not the same cinema sadly, but a new one 2 mins walk from the original...was as close as I could get

 

[Joe]

I didn't spot the Falcon before then either (and I was REALLY trying to take it all in at the time) TBH even though I had seen the scene which shows the ship they were trying to reach being blown up, I still hadn't guessed that was going to be the moment when we would see the Falcon again until it happened, great surprise! (Had an inkling when she said "not that one its junk" and we didn't get shown which ship she was referring to but it was still a nice surprise!)

 

[cracatilla]

Don't be pedantic. ...It was easily missed during that scene and Jimmyp I also LOVED that scene. Great

Didnt mean it to sound pedantic, didn't spot it myself till my 2nd viewing.
Sorry if it came across like that

 

[CRAZYHAZY]

Don't be pedantic. ...It was easily missed during that scene and Jimmyp I also LOVED that scene. Great

Didnt mean it to sound pedantic, didn't spot it myself till my 2nd viewing.
Sorry if it came across like that

No worries mate. .I'm sure you didn't mean it to sound like that....luv n hugs

 

[Robstyley]

Agree with all on the cinemas. There was a buzz at the midnight showing but since then the local cineworld has turned into a Star Wars machine.

The showing list is like a ****ing bus timetable.

How many times have you been up there Ben? I made it to Reigate Thurs night after my op (just about), all spaced out on the anaesthetic - hardcore! I'm gona go back to Crawley again for another. Yeah if some of the showings are half empty they've overdone it, too many shows.

 

[jedisearcher]

Wtf lol?! Dunno what cinemas you rah-rah cheering lot go to but I can't remember (literally) the last film I was at where anyone cheered :lol: it may have been TPM and see how that ended up. I've also come to the conclusion now that a load of people have seen it multiple times now so unless you were at the very earliest screenings you probably wouldn't have seen much cheering.

There was a definite excited buzz before and after at my screening. It felt atmospheric to me and my lad.

As to empty seats argument, my odeon at Liverpool One has over 50 screenings every day! 50!! This isn't the 70's where you got 2 or 3 showings a day and they all were rammed full. The whole discussion can only be decided by the box office records. Trying to do it based on what you see at your screenings is a waste of time.

As to people's need to see it more than once to help make up their minds I'm with that but I think it's so full of stuff it's quite natural. That, and the fact that most people were so terrified it would be terrible that might've influenced their experience. I saw a quote the other day where someone said those who absolutely loved it will eventually cool abit, and those who didn't like it will end up liking it more. I can see that happening.

 

[jimmyp]

I also echo everyone's thoughts on lack of atmosphere. I cheered anyway don't give a **** about what anyone thinks. And if anyone had gave me dirty looks I would have gone all wookie on them and threw them through the wall...dickheads! !!!

Ian you are well entitled to your thoughts and opinions and I for one totally respect that. If we all liked the same thing and agreed ...what a boring world we would live in.

The best bit for me was when Fin said "why don't we take that ship over there" and Rey says "because its old junk".

The ship they are heading to gets blown up and Rey says "the junk it is then"

The camera pans around and WOW!! Its the Millennium Falcon (FU** BRILLIANT)

You see the falcon in the background during that running scene :roll:

Don't be pedantic. ...It was easily missed during that scene and Jimmyp I also LOVED that scene. Great

Many thanks :wink:

 

[jimmyp]

I didn't spot the Falcon before then either (and I was REALLY trying to take it all in at the time) TBH even though I had seen the scene which shows the ship they were trying to reach being blown up, I still hadn't guessed that was going to be the moment when we would see the Falcon again until it happened, great surprise! (Had an inkling when she said "not that one its junk" and we didn't get shown which ship she was referring to but it was still a nice surprise!)

Yep, I never saw that coming also because I was so engrossed in the film and that shows how good it was.

I was so engrossed in Fin and Rey getting away that I never spotted the Falcon until the big reveal, BRILLIANT!!


This is what I was saying about seeing the film for a second and third time and so on.

How you will spot different things and take new things from it.

This Film is a grower for sure and is very clever without you knowing it at first.

Your first viewing is a bit overwhelming and I think that's why a lot of people are sitting there stunned and confused at the end of the film.

Its a lot to take in and the quick pace makes it even more so.

Which is why I said when we have all watched it a few time's, that quick pace won't seem as quick and it will all fit more with modern day movies in the pace and action stakes.

I feel its a film that will only get better with age and the more viewings will allow you to take more away from it.


Brilliant and I really wanna see it again which is the sign of a good film and exactly like how the original films made you feel.


More viewings, more viewings, more viewings = how we all watched the original star wars trilogy which for me makes this a proper Star Wars Movie. 8.5 out of 10

 

[Stuart Skinner]

Wtf lol?! Dunno what cinemas you rah-rah cheering lot go to but I can't remember (literally) the last film I was at where anyone cheered :lol: it may have been TPM and see how that ended up. I've also come to the conclusion now that a load of people have seen it multiple times now so unless you were at the very earliest screenings you probably wouldn't have seen much cheering.

There was a definite excited buzz before and after at my screening. It felt atmospheric to me and my lad.

As to empty seats argument, my odeon at Liverpool One has over 50 screenings every day! 50!! This isn't the 70's where you got 2 or 3 showings a day and they all were rammed full. The whole discussion can only be decided by the box office records. Trying to do it based on what you see at your screenings is a waste of time.

As to people's need to see it more than once to help make up their minds I'm with that but I think it's so full of stuff it's quite natural. That, and the fact that most people were so terrified it would be terrible that might've influenced their experience. I saw a quote the other day where someone said those who absolutely loved it will eventually cool abit, and those who didn't like it will end up liking it more. I can see that happening.

Totally agree with all of this, the one and only movie I've ever seen at the cinema that got applauded at the end was Schindlers List, which surprised me as I was just speechless at that movie.

To say seats were empty, well they're going to be. My midnight showing had 10 screens all showing it at Midnight, all were fully booked, there was over a 1000 people in the lobby before the movie, some dressed up but there was a major buzz about, the anticipation. My cinema has a screen starting every 25 minutes for this movie all day everyday, not going to be possible to fill out every showing. I'm glad of this as it means everytime I get a spare three hours I can drop in and watch it.