The Force Awakens thread

A new Hope was never a Ninja fest, re watch Enter the Dragon if that's what you want. I'm little confused why you peeps were expecting to see it?

Anyhoo

My silence is now broken, I've given plenty of time for ATSers a chance to see it , so lets start dissecting, I loved it!

SPOILERS




I suspect Rae is Luke's kid and she had some Jedi training before being dumped on a planet and hidden when he lost Ben to the Dark Side and Kylo Ren was awakened. Luke blames himself.

I suspect that Rae ( incidentally I ADORE the protagonist is a girl) knew the Jedi mind trick from her early days watching Padawans or being a Padawan in training (they traditionally started them young so as to guide them to the light side of the force)
But then again if Rae is noone I'll be even happier, Born like Anankin, no father but strong with the force.

Fin, Im hoping he is Landos kid, only cause I want the coolest ebony cat in the universe to return.

originally posted by: truthseeker84
[SPOILER'S ALERT------------------------------------------------------------- IF YOU ARE STILL READING THIS, YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR!]































Saw it on the weekends, thought it sucked major balls. I'm not one of those trash talkers though, but it wasn't a very fun experience for me. I'm a huge Star Wars nerd, that read almost all EU and original books.

A couple of things I didn't like:

1. After watching it, it felt like Star Wars: The Ride, instead of Star Wars: Jedi vs Sith.

2. Kylo Ren makes 0 sense. EMO kid, lashes out all the time, thinks he's Vader, trained as a Dark Jedi. Knows the Force, can utilize it better than most Republic era Jedi's. Why? When was the last time you've seen Obi Wan or Qui Gon Jin or Anakin Skywalker stopping a energy bolt straight in mid air and keeps it frozen in time... But somehow this bad ass villain gets schooled by a little girl with 0 training.

Yes, Rey does have combat proficiency, if you combine that with Force sensitivity, yes it is possible she can handle a Lightsaber, however, to what degree? To a point where she is capable of overwhelming a Sith Apprentice who built his own Lightsaber already and can use the Force to such a accurate degree just makes 0 sense to me.

3. I don't like a female protagonist. Call me sexist, call me a lady hater, call me whatever you want. I don't like or want a Female Lead in Star Wars.

It's just been done too much lately. Marvel and DC is spinning the # out of this right now. It's like I'm stuck in the middle of a female empowering movement or something. Turning Thor into a woman? No thank you.

4. Rey is too much of a perfect character. So perfect that her character is a little fake. She has the perfect set of morals, perfect body shape, perfect survival skills, perfect Force sensitivity, speaks Droid and Wookie, can over power a Dark Jedi without any training what so ever, the list just goes on and on. So much so that it has become "unbelievable" and can't really relate to the character.

Anakin/Luke, in all of their perfections in the Force, has fundamental issues with their personality and traits. When Luke enters the Force Cave on Degobah, it is quite obvious that he has Vader within him, he is an imperfect character. But not our new Female lead... she's just perfect, yup :rolls eyes:.

5. Fighting choreography still hasn't improved after so many years, it's beginning to piss me off. It's like, neither Lucas or Disney is paying attention to what the fans truly wants.

Let me give you a few examples, while we all understand that these may be EU story lines and are no longer canon or what not, but it still doesn't excuse the Investors, Directors, Producers completely ignoring what fans truly love about Star Wars.

For instance, I was more expecting to see this:

Or, as epic and more emotional like this:

But no no no no no no no no no.... instead, after 30 #ing years, we still get this in The Force Awakens:

You know what? All HOPE is lost.

I'll put my faith in Episode 8 or Star Wars Rogue One, since at least there's Donnie Yen in there and we can see some true martial arts action blended into Star Wars. Instead of watching years of wood chopping and Western fencing crap.

If Episode 8 poops again, with 0 Jedi vs Sith (trained) fights, I'm done with Star Wars lol...

Good lord what did you expect LOL.

Seventh movie, and all.

I did like in the Dark Matter series they took a jab with Star Wars 36 in full VR.

They don't get 'better'.

Well, perhaps I'm a bit harsh on it.. but it's how I feel mainly on the action sequences.

I didn't have a huge problem with the movie itself, like I said, it felt like... Star Wars: The Ride, which is fine on it own.

But if they really worked out on the action choreography, it would have made this film a #1 on the all time favorite list.

In terms of action sequence, let's not be so crude as referring my previous posts as "Ninja Fest". Some people appreciate action scenes more so than others... It doesn't mean we want to watch another Bruce Lee film or Ip Man 3 mixed into Star Wars.

It was never about turning Star Wars into Ninja Assasins, but to use elements from Ninja Assassins or Sha Po Lang or any other great Eastern action films. Not necessarily all Kung Fu or Martial Arts either, it could be the way the camera angles are picked. It could be the way the action sequences are cut. Basically, they need better stunt-men and action choreography from Eastern action movie teams.

For instance, I just don't see why Episode 8 couldn't employ these guys' work:



Anyway, I've already posted videos of what I expected to see, more or less The Old Republic cinematic but we didn't even get anything close to those.

I just think that they should think about hiring these guys or the people that's been making The Old Republic movies as the stunts team and action choreography team for Episode 8 and beyond.

a reply to: truthseeker84

Well I can understand your frustration. I disagree with the choreography in A New Hope thats classical Kendo and legit. Almost all the other stuff I saw clip wise is stuff that would get your weapon hand chopped off (wrist breaking over timing issues.) IT's the details that will kill ya. The best of those clips shown is Donnie Yen doing Standard basic Pekiti Tersia, at least he nails the proper wrist alignment. The guy with the knife. Not so much. he don't use a knife well. Looks like he's using basic drills from Pekiti and screwing up the details. Donnie Yen is awesome though in his won right.

As for Yayan, Iko and Cecep. I hope they get more choreography time in with the next film. They actually DO know what they are doing. ANd no theres no toping the fight choreography from the Raid series. Cecep is a bad ass and Silat Panglipur with it's Cimande, Cikalong, Ulin Sera base is nearly unbeatable when done right. Exotic, Indigenous, scientific and combat proven. Looks great on film and real life.

Just curious whats your interest outside movies in Martial Arts? Especially in the impact weapon and blade arena.

a reply to: zazzafrazz

Love the childhood story, Zazz! Totally remember going to see the Return of the Jedi as a kid, first movie in a theater. There were people dressed up and it was pretty scary, think I was 5, lol.

The hubby and I are planning on seeing it in a couple of weeks, when it's not so crowded, so excited!!!!

Love the trailers so far and how the movie seems like it will feel more like the originals than the newer CGI Star Wars released a few years back.

Asked the hubby if he wants to dress up but he's not buying in lol!

a reply to: truthseeker84

Jeez they took the fight choreography serious with that game and it looks awesome, who did they bring in to do it?

originally posted by: MagnaCarta2015
a reply to: truthseeker84

Jeez they took the fight choreography serious with that game and it looks awesome, who did they bring in to do it?

Well, his name is Philip J Silvera. As he is listed as the primary stunt coordinator/fight choreographer for the Old Republic game title.

I am not certain, if he is responsible for every single cinematic but I know for a fact that he is responsible for "The Return" cinematic with the 2 Jedi dueling 2 Sith.

Yes, they took the fight choreography very serious with that game (can't really say much better things about the actual MMO though), but you know what's really sad though? That's how Star Wars fights are supposed to look like, at least in the EU books.

In fact, it's only much more in the EU books, rather than less. Old Republic cinematic is the only thing that comes close to how Jedi and Sith duels in the books.

originally posted by: BASSPLYR
a reply to: truthseeker84

Well I can understand your frustration. I disagree with the choreography in A New Hope thats classical Kendo and legit. Almost all the other stuff I saw clip wise is stuff that would get your weapon hand chopped off (wrist breaking over timing issues.) IT's the details that will kill ya. The best of those clips shown is Donnie Yen doing Standard basic Pekiti Tersia, at least he nails the proper wrist alignment. The guy with the knife. Not so much. he don't use a knife well. Looks like he's using basic drills from Pekiti and screwing up the details. Donnie Yen is awesome though in his won right.

As for Yayan, Iko and Cecep. I hope they get more choreography time in with the next film. They actually DO know what they are doing. ANd no theres no toping the fight choreography from the Raid series. Cecep is a bad ass and Silat Panglipur with it's Cimande, Cikalong, Ulin Sera base is nearly unbeatable when done right. Exotic, Indigenous, scientific and combat proven. Looks great on film and real life.

Just curious whats your interest outside movies in Martial Arts? Especially in the impact weapon and blade arena.

The knife wielding guy is "Wu Jing", like Donnie Yen and Jet Li, he is also from the very same Beijing Wushu Team and has taken World Championship titles after Jet Li and Donnie.

I'm not sure how accurate they are portraying their techniques, I know one thing for sure though, I'm not qualified to comment on that. As I'm neither a weapon specialist or a martial art practitioner.

Yeah, in regards to Cecep, Yayan, Iko they are all great in their own respected professions, which even begs to question as to what exactly the "F" went wrong with The Force Awakens action scenes. But I kind of can take a wild guess what went wrong. I actually happened to stumble upon this article or this particular entry about Donnie's filmography when it's done in Asia vs when it was done in Hollywood:

Yen most famous works include films such as Flash Point and SPL: Sha Po Lang. He has mentioned that the main differences in film-making in Asia and Hollywood is with regards to freedom and control. In Asia, the action choreographer takes over the scene during the fight scene. This means that for action scenes filmed in Asia, the choreographer becomes the director and is in full control over camera placements, camera angles and the relationship between the drama and the action, therefore the main director is not needed at all. While in Hollywood, Donnie explains that action choreographer simply choreograph the actions with the director, full control such as settings and camera angles are still within the control of the main director.

There you go.

I think I just discovered the problem and why neither Iko, Cecep or Yayan can make anything in the next episode. Not unless they gain full creative control during the fight scenes.

Way late to this party...

I was filled with glee

Actual glee :-)

And I watched with abandon

It's been a while since I've had that much fun

Star wars, up to III, was actually ok ... had some adventures, and serious Sci Fi fantasy ... but with III, it became a serious warp into the void of being a "reflection" of somebody's "imaginative" reality. You don't go to a Fantasy, or Sci Fi movie, to see some reflective plot of reality ... it's supposed to be subtle, more "philosophic" than direct connection with reality. This ... breaks all the rules ... and becomes another religious crap.

Evil is "ugly", good is "pretty". Evil is "monster", good is "liked". Evil is "Nephilim", good is "human". Evil is "nazis", good is ... Evil is "individual", good is "socialism". Evil is "sociopath", good is "schizo".

A long list of cliche's.

Putting it shortly, Star Wars is a politically correct crap ... hardly worth of seeing it, at least not paying for seeing it.

The Force Awakens is now the number one movie of all time, if you haven't seen it yet, go see it.
It is worthy to see on the big screen

originally posted by: Blue_Jay33

The Force Awakens is now the number one movie of all time, if you haven't seen it yet, go see it.
It is worthy to see on the big screen

Only in North America, it still has a ways to go to beat Avatar or the inflation-adjusted gross of Gone With the Wind.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
Only in North America, it still has a ways to go to beat Avatar or the inflation-adjusted gross of Gone With the Wind.

It's ruined by all the PC crap ... it won't even settle for being a good child movie. Star Wars I, did fill that category ... number II, almost got to be a good adventure action movie, number III ... phew, what a disaster. Episodes IV, V and VI however filled that category, except VI was a bit ... wasted. But survived.

Finally, the makers should either turn the franchise over to Disney to make it a good "child franchise", or turn it over to the guys who made "Riddick" or "Game of Thrones", to get rid of this Yankee wet dream, by trying to fit everything inside their self image of being "the good guys". You're the Evil Empire, learn to live with it.

originally posted by: bjarneorn
It's ruined by all the PC crap ...

I did not find it anymore or less politically correct than any other film.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: Blue_Jay33

The Force Awakens is now the number one movie of all time, if you haven't seen it yet, go see it.
It is worthy to see on the big screen

Only in North America, it still has a ways to go to beat Avatar or the inflation-adjusted gross of Gone With the Wind.

An inflation adjusted movie made in 1939 is irrelevant in 2016.
On other forums the argument is being made that the USD is worth way more than in 2009(Avatar), inflation is sort of reversed on this one to begin with. This movie has captured about 65 records according to Box Office Mojo, suffice to say it has annihilated Avatar.

TFA

originally posted by: Blue_Jay33
An inflation adjusted movie made in 1939 is irrelevant in 2016.

The records recognized by both the industry and studios include inflation-adjusted grosses so the film is very relevant. It is still the highest grossing film of all time and the most widely viewed based on ticket sales.

On other forums the argument is being made that the USD is worth way more than in 2009(Avatar), inflation is sort of reversed on this one to begin with. This movie has captured about 65 records according to Box Office Mojo, suffice to say it has annihilated Avatar.

I am not disputing that in North America it has surpassed Avatar by a good deal and will continue to pad its lead but Avatar has also made $2.8 billion worldwide and the new Star Wars film has a long way to go before catching that number.

This deserved another necro bump:

Darth Maul - Apprentice, yet again, outdone Disney in the choreography department....



4 million views and rising, just briefly introduced to the net...

a reply to: truthseeker84

That was really well done, excellent choreography and cinematography.

That was cute

I always thought the trailer with maul was better than the treatment Lucas gave him in the feature , he had the promise to be as good as or better than Vader, but they epically failed in developing him in ep 1.

For a fan movie that was really well done. Impressive stuff!