So, I see lots of FA haters, which I guess really surprises me, since I thought the movie was great. Yeah, sure, it was a copy of SW:ANH, but just about everything Hollywood makes is a copy/reimagining/reboot these days.

Having lived through the vacuous Dark Times that where the late '80s and '90s when it looked like SW was no more, and the tragic disappointment of the Prequels, I was wondering if the love/hate of FA has any sort of generational bias?

Can't comment on the bias but as someone who was 7 when ANH came out and lived and breathed Star Wars my whole childhood, someone who played most Star Wars video games and tried various RPG incarnations, someone who has watched TCW and follows Rebels, someone who didn't hate the prequels and didn't love the EU (Skippy, the Jedi droid, anyone?) and someone who at 46 loves playing a Star Wars mini game, I can say from my perspective that TFA just wasn't that great. I didn't hate it but didn't love it and although I very much liked some aspects of it, I actually enjoyed it less than most of the prequels.

As has been said repeatedly, for all of his faults one thing Lucas was great at was "world building" and that felt VERY lacking in TFA.

Don't love or hate it, it was a bit above average and stirred no strong emotions either way.

As has been said repeatedly, for all of his faults one thing Lucas was great at was "world building" and that felt VERY lacking in TFA.

There were a number of tropes from the EU that were ridiculous? For instance:

Skywalker son going emo for no clear reason

KJ Anderson-esque super weapon

Stagnant Empire that somehow continues to be a threat (and make flashy toys)

That being said, it's a good enough starter for ten and I'm very happy that they have more than one female character (as opposed to the original trilogy and prequels which were just dudefests).

As has been said repeatedly, for all of his faults one thing Lucas was great at was "world building" and that felt VERY lacking in TFA.

Was Lucas good at worldbuilding, or did he just hire all the right people?? For example, the look of SW is the work of Ralph McQuarry for the most part.

I literally grew up with Star Wars. This is my point of view:

To this day nothing is better than the Original Trilogy, and I'm one of the rare few who likes the extended versions. Except I'm angry that Han no longer shoots first. My only complaint.

When the prequels came out I was in my teens and thought they were great. Not as good as the originals, but good. Unfortunately I grew up and with maturity came the realisation that they were terrible. But I still like them.

Star Wars Rebels came next and, though animated, it brought on a nostalgic fondness that only the Original Trilogy achieved. Even now it takes second place to the original trilogy in my affections.

I had high hopes for The Force Awakens, but it came across like Revenge of the Sith. Rushed. Not well thought through. Yet it managed to take third place in my affections after Rebels. So why did it fall short?

My answer:

Because the third Deathstar was totally unnecessary! This film could have been "Star Wars The Search for Skywalker" and still be the same movie without a stupid hyperspace Sun gun. The movie itself was better than the prequels, it just went too far with the sun gun and the whole blow up another Deathstar.

At least Phantom Menace had a droid control ship. But TFA decided not to have an original idea and go with another Deathstar, only this was a weaponized planet that broke the "dispension of disbelief" barrier and even my "woohoo it's Star Wars pew pew pew" inner kid just couldn't accept it. Even my big kid side felt "yeah right how stupid do you think I am".

My recent Star Wars purchase has been The Clone Wars. Enjoyed it more than the prequels and TFA. Can't wait for Rogue One, but I hope it lives up to the Original Trilogy and Rebels Galactic Civil War era love.

As has been said repeatedly, for all of his faults one thing Lucas was great at was "world building" and that felt VERY lacking in TFA.

Correct. I believe that this is one of the primary reasons the SW OT is still so popular.

Mr. Lucas developed a universe and gave us some basic rules, a style guide and some names. What he also did was give us the opportunity to emotionally invest at a unique and personal level in this universe.

He achieved this by giving us single throw away lines, unexplained relationships and unanswered questions.

"I used to bulls eye Womp Rats in mt T-16 back home, they're not much bigger than 2 metres."

"That bounty hunter we ran into at Ord Mandell .."

"No disintegrations!"

"We a go a looong way Lando and me"

Just a few examples of times when we begin to fill in some blanks ourselves. What's a womp rat, beggars canyon and a T-16? What happened in Ord Mandell? Why does Darh single out Boba and tell him not to disintegrate fellas? What is Lando and Han's history ... how does Chewie fit into this?, How did Anakin turn to Darth?

We answer these questions ourselves. Our answers are relevant to us and adhere to our idea of how this universe works within the boundaries loosely defined by Lucas.Therefore, we find it much more interesting and relevant.

The prequels didn't deliver this opportunity, they actually did the opposite by explaining many of our questions (they even went as far as trying to explain The Force). TFA didn't really either. Any Qs we have about TFA will be answered in coming films Who are Rey's parents, why is Kylo so hell-bent on being a bad fella, who is Snoke, etc.

This is the sole reason why I hope they do NOT make a Han Solo or Boba Fett back story film. These characters are much more interesting off-screen.

Tastes are different.

Can't comment on the bias but as someone who was 7 when ANH came out and lived and breathed Star Wars my whole childhood, someone who played most Star Wars video games and tried various RPG incarnations, someone who has watched TCW and follows Rebels, someone who didn't hate the prequels and didn't love the EU (Skippy, the Jedi droid, anyone?) and someone who at 46 loves playing a Star Wars mini game, I can say from my perspective that TFA just wasn't that great. I didn't hate it but didn't love it and although I very much liked some aspects of it, I actually enjoyed it less than most of the prequels.

As has been said repeatedly, for all of his faults one thing Lucas was great at was "world building" and that felt VERY lacking in TFA.

As has been said repeatedly, for all of his faults one thing Lucas was great at was "world building" and that felt VERY lacking in TFA.

Correct. I believe that this is one of the primary reasons the SW OT is still so popular.

Mr. Lucas developed a universe and gave us some basic rules, a style guide and some names. What he also did was give us the opportunity to emotionally invest at a unique and personal level in this universe.

He achieved this by giving us single throw away lines, unexplained relationships and unanswered questions.

"I used to bulls eye Womp Rats in mt T-16 back home, they're not much bigger than 2 metres."

"That bounty hunter we ran into at Ord Mandell .."

"No disintegrations!"

"We a go a looong way Lando and me"

Just a few examples of times when we begin to fill in some blanks ourselves. What's a womp rat, beggars canyon and a T-16? What happened in Ord Mandell? Why does Darh single out Boba and tell him not to disintegrate fellas? What is Lando and Han's history ... how does Chewie fit into this?, How did Anakin turn to Darth?

We answer these questions ourselves. Our answers are relevant to us and adhere to our idea of how this universe works within the boundaries loosely defined by Lucas.Therefore, we find it much more interesting and relevant.

The prequels didn't deliver this opportunity, they actually did the opposite by explaining many of our questions (they even went as far as trying to explain The Force). TFA didn't really either. Any Qs we have about TFA will be answered in coming films Who are Rey's parents, why is Kylo so hell-bent on being a bad fella, who is Snoke, etc.

This is the sole reason why I hope they do NOT make a Han Solo or Boba Fett back story film. These characters are much more interesting off-screen.

What these guys said.

I don't hate tfa, I enjoy it enough, but it's possibly my least favorite of all 7 movies (and I like the prequels).

It Definetly has its positives. Probably the best acted and most humor of all the movies.

Unfortunately some combination of JJ, kasdan, and Disney led it astray. Not sure who's most to blame.

They thought they could write a better star wars than Lucas. But like many fanboys that meant just channeling what they liked best from a couple movies even though there are multiple movues, tv shows, and literature that broaden the universe.

So what we get is a plot that's not the most original with a ton of nostalgia and wink wink moments.

Then worst of all the design of the movie. All the ships are just slightly different versions of the originals. None of the planets are remarkable. They were just so afraid of taking risks and God forbid using some cgi to make things more fantastical.

Put it this way. Since it came out I have felt no interest in watching it again. I was anxious to see it once, but after that it's just "eh...whatever"

Put it this way. Since it came out I have felt no interest in watching it again. I was anxious to see it once, but after that it's just "eh...whatever"

Similarly, I have watched it once since buying it

I still havn't seen it.

I didn't like it. The first act, I thought, was great. Then JJ did the same thing that ruined his Star Trek movies.

Rey and Finn just happen to fly off in the Falcon. And Han and Chewie just happen to be in the same system. At the same time. And be close enough to capture the Falcon. And then the pirates that are mad at Han just *happen* to be there too. And they just happen to be carrying some crazy alien animals. It felt like the caliber of plot I came up with when I was seven playing with whatever Star Wars toys I just happened to have on hand.

And then the Starkiller base. I won't go into how ridiculous it was, but why, when we have this great universe that has been fleshed out for decades, did we have to move the capital of the Republic from Coruscant to some system we've never heard of and only see for a second before it gets blown up? I can understand (although don't agree with) disregarding the EU because, frankly, it would be hard to wedge a new story in there edge-wise, but can't JJ at least pretend to care about the franchises that people entrust to him?

I'm sure I could have written something better, but my kids had me up at 4am and I'm too tired.

It was a good action flick. It had some flaws, but it actually made some emotional connections for me.

Seeing the Falcon again? I got a little choked up.

Solo touching his son's face and Chewie's mournful wail? The same.

First decent flick set in the Star Wars universe since 1984*.

*Yes, that means I consider the prequels and special editions to be complete garbage. Having said that, George Lucas has, and always will have a very special place in my heart. Star Wars, Willow, Indiana Jones, and the Ewok movies remain fond childhood memories. I owe a very happy childhood filled with big dreams and wild imagination to George and Jim Henson both. I would give that chinless bastard a big hug were I to meet him in person.

And then the Starkiller base.....

One of 2 complaints I have with TFA ..

1. Everyone in this MASSIVE universe is somehow related. Everyone is talking about learning who Rey's parents are. Who cares!? I hope it's Barry and Karen who run the local corner store .. and completely irrelevant to the story. They left her with the Department of Children's Services because they were under-aged parents, she was a mistake and they were unfit to raise a child. Please don't let her parents be someone we already know.

^ Yes, it irks me that Poe's mother is in Wave IX.

2. Starkiller base. Seen this flick a few times and still not quite sure of the point of it. Not sure why they blew up other planets or which 6 year thought up the concept of sucking a sun into it to power the boom thingy.I'm sure the script said "..and then goodies blow up the [insert new Death Star thingy name here]. The End!"

I hope it's Barry and Karen who run the local corner store

They could do that. But then some author would come along and write a story in "Tales from Jakku" about how Barry and Karen sold vital supplies to one of the heroes at just the right moment for them to complete their mission, and without that pack of space twinkies the battle would have been lost and the bad guys victorious.

And they just happen to be carrying some crazy alien animals.

That was the exact moment that they lost me. Until then I had been enjoying elements of it well enough but the space octopus was it.

And then the Starkiller base.....

One of 2 complaints I have with TFA ..

1. Everyone in this MASSIVE universe is somehow related. Everyone is talking about learning who Rey's parents are. Who cares!? I hope it's Barry and Karen who run the local corner store .. and completely irrelevant to the story. They left her with the Department of Children's Services because they were under-aged parents, she was a mistake and they were unfit to raise a child. Please don't let her parents be someone we already know.

Barry and Karen have kids? I though she was barren after "the experiment"?

I was underwhelmed. It wasnt terrible but it left no impact on me. Some of the things they did made me grit my teeth due to a basic knowledge of physics (i know reality and SW dont generally mix. But some things are just daft) But i enjoyed it in parts and it was better than the prequels. Im looking forward to Rogue One more though

I was underwhelmed. It wasnt terrible but it left no impact on me. Some of the things they did made me grit my teeth due to a basic knowledge of physics (i know reality and SW dont generally mix. But some things are just daft) But i enjoyed it in parts and it was better than the prequels. Im looking forward to Rogue One more though

Or you were until the latest reports, it's apparently not just the execs not liking it the test audiences apparently really disliked the movie.

Disney needs to pick much better directors.

I was underwhelmed. It wasnt terrible but it left no impact on me. Some of the things they did made me grit my teeth due to a basic knowledge of physics (i know reality and SW dont generally mix. But some things are just daft) But i enjoyed it in parts and it was better than the prequels. Im looking forward to Rogue One more though

Or you were until the latest reports, it's apparently not just the execs not liking it the test audiences apparently really disliked the movie.

Disney needs to pick much better directors.

For Sci-Fi, not sure there's much better than Abrams. He's the only guy that made a watchable Star Wars or Star Trek movie in the last two decades.

I'm just glad Disney gives a crap, to be honest. I think the largest issues with the Prequels was nobody willing to stand up to Lucas. Everybody needs some constructive criticism every now and then.

Reshoots are pretty rputine. the original film had reshoots and reedits up until just about opening day. Sure t could mean somethting bad but i suspect media are just looking for something to talk about

I was underwhelmed. It wasnt terrible but it left no impact on me. Some of the things they did made me grit my teeth due to a basic knowledge of physics (i know reality and SW dont generally mix. But some things are just daft) But i enjoyed it in parts and it was better than the prequels. Im looking forward to Rogue One more though

Or you were until the latest reports, it's apparently not just the execs not liking it the test audiences apparently really disliked the movie.

Disney needs to pick much better directors.

For Sci-Fi, not sure there's much better than Abrams. He's the only guy that made a watchable Star Wars or Star Trek movie in the last two decades.

I'm just glad Disney gives a crap, to be honest. I think the largest issues with the Prequels was nobody willing to stand up to Lucas. Everybody needs some constructive criticism every now and then.

The abominations he made were not star trek they made Gene Roddenberry spin in his grave, trek isn't and hasn't ever been about fights and explosions it's about exploration diplomacy and hope for a better future.

This movie is probably one of JJ best creations ever. That being said the film didn't feel like a Star Wars movie and on top of that it felt like a remake, even though it isn't a remake.

I like this movie but I will be only talking about the things I didn't like.

I didn't like Rey, here ability to just up and use specific force powers was jaring, to me, like when she makes an IMP release her from her restraints. She acts like a feminist, take in mind of you the reader try and counter me by saying, well your sexist and don't like women, I will tell you to read my signature, and if you don't I will just say I love strong Women characters, and they don't act snobby like Ray does, especially towards men.

Rainbow Dash doesn't count because she only acted that way one time, she likes Soarin and other Commanders in the Wonderbolts.

I don't like Fin because he acts really weird, tries to get Ray to run away with him, which is weird because they only just met each other. And he gets pawned all the time, yet somehow he is one of the best troopers in his unit, going by written lore, yet he is also part of sanitation. How and why would a Storm Trooper be part of sanitation, that a job for some sort of sanitation maintenance crew.

One reason I don't like Fin and Ray is because they act like Star Wars fans that were sucked into the SW universe, I guess in the same manor the main character in Last Action Hero was sucked into the the movie. They were geeking out over things, and doing it in such a way, that it felt like it was a game to them, that they had seen plenty of people do what they are doing before on a tv and they just got to do it themselves, like the scenes after they destroy the TIEs when they first fly the Falcon.

Imperial Officer Hats, Imperial Navy Trooper Helmets, and Resistance Star Pilot Helmets look very stupdio! I wrote that last part to sound Italian JFYI

The ending was awkward, Ray just standing their for a good while with her arm outstretched while holding a Lightsaber.

Also if Luke didn't want to be found why did he make a map so he could be found...? I am sure by now someone has writen it that he "didn't not want to be found" he just was on break looking for the Source of the Force. Congratulations its Stan Lee...