Well tbh the only thing I would change is that awkward ending. The rest was great. Maybe it should be a little higher than just 4.

Well tbh the only thing I would change is that awkward ending. The rest was great. Maybe it should be a little higher than just 4.

Oh. nvm

I lobed the stare off ending myself.

I'm resisting temptation to,go higher and giving it a 4. I believe it's the fanboy in me wanting the 5!

I've spoken of the little imperfections I feel it has elsewhere but I believe it's right up there with ANH. Empire retains top spot but it's a toss up between IV and VII. New one is definitely better than Jedi which I still think is really good.

I was fully expecting the semi reboot feel from TFA so can live with the general similarities but I have high hopes that Ep8 will be even better. It should be free to be its own film and be be unshackled from that need to recapture the OT feel so strongly.

This is basically it. They needed TFA to be a big nostalgia trip to get people back into the series. The next one will really define this trilogy and set up for a grisly awesome finale.

Star Wars Episode VIII: The First Order Strikes Back.

Just so long as it doesn't end up Khan Strikes Back.

3 - cool dialogs, cool visuals... But they don't explain the main thing for me : why it's a so evident rip off of episodes 4 and 6? That ruined it for me.

Fans wanted movies that were like the originals for 15 years.

Don't you dare start complaining it was too much like them.

I give it a solid 5/7.

No really though 4.8. I can't give it a perfect score because I do have a couple of beefs tbh, but it was a REALLY good, honest entry into the Star Wars franchise.

And also sh*ts all over SWTOR which just FILLS me with utter GLEE.

Found a fellow imgurian.

Have to agree with you overall. I swear it's the nature of nerds to complain endlessly that things never change and then react with extreme hostility to any changes. Comic fans are the worst for this.

"Supermans's gotten stale, reinvent him!"

"The new Superman sucks, why did you mess with the classic?"

"No one ever dies, there's no danger!"

"HOW DARE YOU KILL THAT CHARACTER?!"

...And so on. Star Wars fans have similar tendencies, as a collective. I was actually thrilled that they discarded the old EU, it would have turned the movie into three hours of awkward references to what [guy with four seconds of screen time in ESB] was doing. I feel like this was the right distance to be from the original trilogy.

Would have liked more variety in the starfighters, though. And I think the Starkiller was a bit much but they at least made the concept plausible, unlike the Suncrusher. Any other complaints I may have will depend on what the next two movies bring. Without the whole story it's often impossible to tell if something was actually a mistake or a bad idea.

I'm going with a 5. Might go see it again tomorrow.

I'd argue that Starkiller base is actually *less* plausible than the Suncrusher. The flying ice cream cone had a simple explanation: shoot missiles at star to blow up star -> star blows up solar system. Barring the invincible armor, it made a certain amount of sense.

Starkiller Base is an entire hollowed out planet that sucks up an implausibly small star without dealing with the gravitational forces that would entail, fails to burn up its atmosphere or melt any snow, and shoots a giant laser in a straight line at simultaneously sub-light and faster than light speeds to hit a solar system with homing lasers that wouldn't be out of place in Super Robot Wars, whilst simultaneously visible in a completely different star system. The viewing angles alone would be so unlikely as to be virtually impossible.

It's a weapon that would be far better if they hadn't tried explaining how it worked.

I'm resisting temptation to,go higher and giving it a 4. I believe it's the fanboy in me wanting the 5!

I've spoken of the little imperfections I feel it has elsewhere but I believe it's right up there with ANH. Empire retains top spot but it's a toss up between IV and VII. New one is definitely better than Jedi which I still think is really good.

I was fully expecting the semi reboot feel from TFA so can live with the general similarities but I have high hopes that Ep8 will be even better. It should be free to be its own film and be be unshackled from that need to recapture the OT feel so strongly.

This is basically it. They needed TFA to be a big nostalgia trip to get people back into the series. The next one will really define this trilogy and set up for a grisly awesome finale.

Are you kidding? There's no need for a nostalgia trip--let alone that every frame and every element needed to be a throwback to the original trilogy. Everyone already loves Star Wars--who would they get "back into the series" who isn't already into the series? I felt like I was getting batted in the head with throwbacks in every single scene: as if Abrams was saying, "See it's still Star Wars!" and then two seconds later, "See? Star Wars!" **** it, Abrams, I know it's Star Wars, that's what it says on my **** movie ticket.

SPOILERS: Everyone was going to see it, whether it had nostalgic throwbacks or not. What TFA needed was to be original, to start a new series, to go where Star Wars hasn't been, while bridging everything we know from the original trilogy. There is enough nostalgia coming in through the presence of Han and Leia, the desert planet, the Millennium Falcon, the Death Starkiller Base. We didn't also need a cantina scene, the death of the old mentor character from the previous trilogy, the droid on a secret mission, the rogue running from the Empire, the destruction of planets which ironically nobody batted an eye about, the Millennium Falcon flying through a spaceship tunnel scene, the Wedge/Poe entering the chamber he has to blow up, Force-pulling the lightsaber from the snow, the countdown to the time the Death Starkiller will fire on the rebel base, Han and Chewie setting charges to blow up the imperial base, Han and Chewie going on-foot to bring the shield of the DeathStarkiller down, and the hundred other things that were lifted right from the OT. The very few things that were actually new, or at least done in a new way (Rey's discovering her Force powers, for example), I loved a lot. I liked the internal struggle of Ren--I wish we could have had any of that in the prequels with Vader. I even liked, sort of, the directions that Leia and Han had gone in in the time since their son turned evil. But every other aspect of the movie had me wondering whether I'm watching a high budget fan film or a movie that's going to keep me interested.

Actually, my words probably sound harsher than I feel. I'm going to see it again in a couple hours. I really did enjoy it--it was a great action flick and I cared about some of the characters sometimes (which is way more than can be said about the prequels, haha). I liked the movie. But, I dunno, I just wanted to see something new.

And don't get me started on the scene where you could see all those planets being blown up from the surface of Illenium (or whatever it's called, the Resistance base). **** it Abrams, just like Vulcan, you have no sense of spacial awareness.

I give it a solid 5/7.

Brendan, is that you?

I'm resisting temptation to,go higher and giving it a 4. I believe it's the fanboy in me wanting the 5!

I've spoken of the little imperfections I feel it has elsewhere but I believe it's right up there with ANH. Empire retains top spot but it's a toss up between IV and VII. New one is definitely better than Jedi which I still think is really good.

I was fully expecting the semi reboot feel from TFA so can live with the general similarities but I have high hopes that Ep8 will be even better. It should be free to be its own film and be be unshackled from that need to recapture the OT feel so strongly.

This is basically it. They needed TFA to be a big nostalgia trip to get people back into the series. The next one will really define this trilogy and set up for a grisly awesome finale.

Are you kidding? There's no need for a nostalgia trip--let alone that every frame and every element needed to be a throwback to the original trilogy. Everyone already loves Star Wars--who would they get "back into the series" who isn't already into the series? I felt like I was getting batted in the head with throwbacks in every single scene: as if Abrams was saying, "See it's still Star Wars!" and then two seconds later, "See? Star Wars!" **** it, Abrams, I know it's Star Wars, that's what it says on my **** movie ticket.

Everyone was going to see it, whether it had nostalgic throwbacks or not. What TFA needed was to be original, to start a new series, to go where Star Wars hasn't been, while bridging everything we know from the original trilogy. There is enough nostalgia coming in through the presence of Han and Leia, the desert planet, the Millennium Falcon, the Death Starkiller Base. We didn't also need a cantina scene, the death of the old mentor character from the previous trilogy, the droid on a secret mission, the rogue running from the Empire, the destruction of planets which ironically nobody batted an eye about, the Millennium Falcon flying through a spaceship tunnel scene, the Wedge/Poe entering the chamber he has to blow up, Force-pulling the lightsaber from the snow, the countdown to the time the Death Starkiller will fire on the rebel base, Han and Chewie setting charges to blow up the imperial base, Han and Chewie going on-foot to bring the shield of the DeathStarkiller down, and the hundred other things that were lifted right from the OT. The very few things that were actually new, or at least done in a new way (Rey's discovering her Force powers, for example), I loved a lot. I liked the internal struggle of Ren--I wish we could have had any of that in the prequels with Vader. I even liked, sort of, the directions that Leia and Han had gone in in the time since their son turned evil. But every other aspect of the movie had me wondering whether I'm watching a high budget fan film or a movie that's going to keep me interested.

Actually, my words probably sound harsher than I feel. I'm going to see it again in a couple hours. I really did enjoy it--it was a great action flick and I cared about some of the characters sometimes (which is way more than can be said about the prequels, haha). I liked the movie. But, I dunno, I just wanted to see something new.

And don't get me started on the scene where you could see all those planets being blown up from the surface of Illenium (or whatever it's called, the Resistance base). **** it Abrams, just like Vulcan, you have no sense of spacial awareness.

A lot of what you say, I agree with. But did these small, sometimes large details/plot points ruin an otherwise good movie for you? How would you rate it 1-5?

5. All the way

It had enough new to be fresh, and just enough old to feel like Star Wars, It is the best Movie-going experience I have ever had.

Star Wars has always run on a certain degree of nonsense. Part of why I tend to call it a fantasy story dressed like science fiction. Starkiller base is...implausible to say the least but a weapon that can destroy entire solar systems should be massive and require a huge power source. A missile that can blow up stars already puts my suspension of disbelief on the ropes, but launching it from a nigh-invincible starfighter? No. Not having it. I do agree that the less they explain how it works the better, though. So naturally there will be a ton of demand for an explanation as to how it works.

3.5

The super-weapon and the whole N/O just didn´t quite sit with me. Limited innovation, just ties and X-wings. Galaxy seemed small as many have noted.

4.

Not five because real goosebump scenes were missing (which would be not difficult to make based on the fanbase). And a bit to fast for me, maybe it will fixed in the extended cut. I just want to see more interaction with the environment itself.

One of the best scenes was during the escape of Finn and Poe when their TIE fighter starts firing in the docking bay. That was so powerful to see the TIE fighter "roaring". Awesome.

When I compare to the Lord of th rings trilogy, it looks similar in the structure. Most of the time in the first movie is about the introduction of the characters and the main plot. In the following two sequels there is more room for additional scenes and topics. So I am very looking forward for the two sequels coming up someday.

4.

Not five because real goosebump scenes were missing

Regarding this point alone... the entire movie I had chills.

Most of the time in the first movie is about the introduction of the characters and the main plot. In the following two sequels there is more room for additional scenes and topics. So I am very looking forward for the two sequels coming up someday.

Totally on the same page here.

4.

Not five because real goosebump scenes were missing

Regarding this point alone... the entire movie I had chills.

Definatly same page here. especially since this was my first Star Wars movie In theater.

Star Wars has always run on a certain degree of nonsense. Part of why I tend to call it a fantasy story dressed like science fiction. Starkiller base is...implausible to say the least but a weapon that can destroy entire solar systems should be massive and require a huge power source. A missile that can blow up stars already puts my suspension of disbelief on the ropes, but launching it from a nigh-invincible starfighter? No. Not having it. I do agree that the less they explain how it works the better, though. So naturally there will be a ton of demand for an explanation as to how it works.

So how would you rate it? 1-5?

3.5

The super-weapon and the whole N/O just didn´t quite sit with me. Limited innovation, just ties and X-wings. Galaxy seemed small as many have noted.

I totally agree with you. What did all the factions do for 30+ years? Twiddle their thumbs? (Except the First Order, who not only founded itself, but hollowed out an entire planet and built a huge weapon into it.

From what I have found on the subject, it would seem the Republic has been in control for the most part for the past 30 years, and the first order was beginning to grow into a threat. Im basing most of this on a quote from J.J.

“That all came out of conversations about what would have happened if the Nazis all went to Argentina but then started working together again?’” Abrams reveals. “What could be born of that? Could The First Order exist as a group that actually admired The Empire? Could the work of The Empire be seen as unfulfilled? And could Vader be a martyr? Could there be a need to see through what didn’t get done?”

Probably a 4 for me.

Good movie very enjoyable for sure.

Biggest knocks are:

Lackluster score compared to the other 6 movies

Not the most original plot, at least because of them copy ANH so much

Design wise wasn't the greatest, mostly just doing updates to old designs

Didn't feel as epic as it could be for a movie made in 2015, I think the urge to be sooo practical got a bit carried away and ended up hurting the movie.

4.9 after the first viewing, I'll have to watch it a couple more times to see if it looses anything for me. I like it at least as much as Return of the Jedi, possibly a bit more (due to the lack of cannibalistic teddy bear armies).

There were a few things that bugged me, like Stormtrooper masks only filter out smoke (why?), and the 3D star map, because if you have computers that can plot out hyperspace routes you should be able to triangulate a star system's location with only that section that BB-8 was carrying.

I didn't mind the rehashed Episode IV Death Star plot as much as I thought I would. I like that unlike Death Stars I & II, Starkiller base actually accomplished it's primary goals before it was destroyed.

5, my wife and I loved it!

4.5

It was well acted, well shot, with awesome effects that were tastefully applied. I loved that the scenes were clearly shot on real locations on earth, not just built from scratch in a computer.

Yes it rode the nostalgia hand pretty hard but I didn't mind. It came across as a statement film to me. "This story is not the prequels, this is Star Wars." They summarized and wrapped up the OT and gave it a dignified funeral before venturing off into the unknown.

Probably a 4 for me.

Good movie very enjoyable for sure.

Biggest knocks are:

Lackluster score compared to the other 6 movies

Not the most original plot, at least because of them copy ANH so much

Design wise wasn't the greatest, mostly just doing updates to old designs

Didn't feel as epic as it could be for a movie made in 2015, I think the urge to be sooo practical got a bit carried away and ended up hurting the movie.

I don't understand what any of this is supposed to mean. What does 'epic' mean? The propensity for disaster/destruction porn in modern action/super hero movies? Was 5-6 planets being destroyed not enough? The scale of the threat? They end up fighting a swarm of TIE fighters defending a super weapon carved out of a planet that eats stars to power itself for crying out loud. Are we just that numb to this sort of stuff in movies anymore?

A solid 3 from me

JJ didn't even try to do any new, played it to safe and reused the OT plot with a few changes

Im VERY MEH over all, I did enjoy it but nothing new here. And no freeking B-wings

I did find it funny and sad that TFA had more techno-babble than both JJ-Trek films combined...

5. I reject the notion that 5 is only for perfect movies, because perfection doesn't exist and putting it on your scale is therefore foolish.

I have been ruthlessly tamping down my expectations for this movie for years now, but when the Falcon took flight for the first time, I was able to relax and just grin. I think it was as good as it could possibly have been. I don't understand many of the complaints I've seen upthread. I honor your reaction to the movie, and your right to it, but I can't really think that somebody who, for instance, complains about things being left unexplained could possibly like the original films as much as they think they do.

3 - cool dialogs, cool visuals... But they don't explain the main thing for me : why it's a so evident rip off of episodes 4 and 6? That ruined it for me.

Fans wanted movies that were like the originals for 15 years.

Don't you dare start complaining it was too much like them.

.

Don't be silly, we wanted films like the originals not the same story just 30 years later with all the fancy new CGI

I'm resisting temptation to,go higher and giving it a 4. I believe it's the fanboy in me wanting the 5!

I've spoken of the little imperfections I feel it has elsewhere but I believe it's right up there with ANH. Empire retains top spot but it's a toss up between IV and VII. New one is definitely better than Jedi which I still think is really good.

I was fully expecting the semi reboot feel from TFA so can live with the general similarities but I have high hopes that Ep8 will be even better. It should be free to be its own film and be be unshackled from that need to recapture the OT feel so strongly.

This is basically it. They needed TFA to be a big nostalgia trip to get people back into the series. The next one will really define this trilogy and set up for a grisly awesome finale.

Are you kidding? There's no need for a nostalgia trip--let alone that every frame and every element needed to be a throwback to the original trilogy. Everyone already loves Star Wars--who would they get "back into the series" who isn't already into the series? I felt like I was getting batted in the head with throwbacks in every single scene: as if Abrams was saying, "See it's still Star Wars!" and then two seconds later, "See? Star Wars!" **** it, Abrams, I know it's Star Wars, that's what it says on my **** movie ticket.

Everyone was going to see it, whether it had nostalgic throwbacks or not. What TFA needed was to be original, to start a new series, to go where Star Wars hasn't been, while bridging everything we know from the original trilogy. There is enough nostalgia coming in through the presence of Han and Leia, the desert planet, the Millennium Falcon, the Death Starkiller Base. We didn't also need a cantina scene, the death of the old mentor character from the previous trilogy, the droid on a secret mission, the rogue running from the Empire, the destruction of planets which ironically nobody batted an eye about, the Millennium Falcon flying through a spaceship tunnel scene, the Wedge/Poe entering the chamber he has to blow up, Force-pulling the lightsaber from the snow, the countdown to the time the Death Starkiller will fire on the rebel base, Han and Chewie setting charges to blow up the imperial base, Han and Chewie going on-foot to bring the shield of the DeathStarkiller down, and the hundred other things that were lifted right from the OT. The very few things that were actually new, or at least done in a new way (Rey's discovering her Force powers, for example), I loved a lot. I liked the internal struggle of Ren--I wish we could have had any of that in the prequels with Vader. I even liked, sort of, the directions that Leia and Han had gone in in the time since their son turned evil. But every other aspect of the movie had me wondering whether I'm watching a high budget fan film or a movie that's going to keep me interested.

Actually, my words probably sound harsher than I feel. I'm going to see it again in a couple hours. I really did enjoy it--it was a great action flick and I cared about some of the characters sometimes (which is way more than can be said about the prequels, haha). I liked the movie. But, I dunno, I just wanted to see something new.

And don't get me started on the scene where you could see all those planets being blown up from the surface of Illenium (or whatever it's called, the Resistance base). **** it Abrams, just like Vulcan, you have no sense of spacial awareness.

A lot of what you say, I agree with. But did these small, sometimes large details/plot points ruin an otherwise good movie for you? How would you rate it 1-5?

After seeing it a second time, I'd say it's a solid 3.5. I enjoyed it more the second time, and was less critical of it--but the things that really irked me the first time around (such as watching planets blow up from the surface of Illenium) irked me even more this time. But it was still good, and it left a lot open for improvement.

I like what someone else said earlier; the lightsaber fight at the end was a good, solid lightsaber fight, heavy with emotions and the worries and fears of the fighters. It wasn't some fancy leap-froggy pre-choreographed fight scene--it was two angry/fearful people whacking each other with lightsabers, and you could see their emotional state change throughout the fight. It was people we're connected to; not two people we don't care about what happens with them.