So I just came back from
The Force Awakens. Finally!
I know what you're thinking, wherever you are -
finally! Yeah, I know. But I just couldn't have caught the movie earlier, what with the end of the year, work, Christmas, etc.
Now was the only time I could watch this film.
I'll try to keep this review simple and straightforward. Since I managed to avoid spoilers as much as possible until now - spreading my own fake spoilers around based on my knowledge of the expanded universe :P - I will try to keep this spoiler-free for the others who, just like me, haven't been able to watch this yet.
Until the cut below, I won't have any spoilers. I will mark the spoiler section down below.
Let's me say this right away: Overall? I really liked the movie.
There! Review over.
But...
Yeah, I really liked the movie,
but.. there's a few things I didn't like that much. Probably for controversial reasons of my own. I haven't checked that many reviews of the film yet, so I even have no idea what other people think about it. I just know my bro loved it a lot more than I did, even though I'm mostly positive about the film.
I liked enough the new heroes/cast, even though they were a bit too young-ysh. I liked the general new story. The film direction, the special effects, etc.
Now onto my main issues: my main problem with Hollywood these days when they're not making reboots... they just seem to be making nostalgic-sequels that are basically complete revamps or the originals. Predators did that to Predator 1. Jurassic World did the same with Jurassic Park and so did Terminator 5 too. And This Force Awakens is basically an "HD Remaster" of the original film, aka "A New Hope" for a new generation.
Yes, it follows the same general structure, plot, characters, etc. And even goes through the same motions in the same places (Jakku = Tatooine, Rey = Luke, etc.). I mean, bash the prequels as much as you want (I mean, I specially dislike Episode II) but at least each film had its own identity and was its own distinct adventure.
I liked the references to the other films, sure. I even liked how strangely the final confrontation seemed to parallel Anakin and Obi-Wan's in Episode 3 on the lava planet. Really, it strangely mirrored that scene!
George Lucas might have a questionable directional sense (even though I adore THX personally..), but he was a great worldbuilder. Somehow I feel that's J.J.Abrams problem, he's the opposite. He has a great sense of direction but his movies lack a distinct tone. That was apparent with his Super 8, Star Trek and Mission Impossible. They borrow a lot to previous classics and have a ton of great fan service and throwbacks but they're not really that unique.
Don't misread me, like I said, I loved the movie. There were some gorgeous scenery, action scenery, etc. But I felt a lot of things felt a bit generic. Like I said, Rey was just Luke or the young Anakin again. That Poe Resistance pilot guy was a bit bland too. Our villain was as whiny as "his ancestor". I loved Finn though, he was pretty fun!
All said and done, I can excuse the big nostalgic factor and vagueness of the character since this movie has to be the first in a new trilogy of films. This was just the introduction for this new Sequel Trilogy.
I'm glad to see Abrams replaced for the next films, since he can work wonders with the initial pitch but his overuse of a "mystery box" gimmick often detracts from the end of his movies/series. And if the later films turned out bad we would all be branding pitchforks to Abrams. Although the the following directors will have a lot to answer for... No easy task if you ask me.
Now onto SPOILER territory.
Needs more lense flare.