Mark Kermode reviews Star Wars: The Force Awakens
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- čas přidán 17. 12. 2015
- Mark Kermode reviews Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 30 years after the Battle of Endor, the galaxy is once again under threat from The First Order, an army built from the remnants of the Empire.
Please tell us what you think of the film -- or Mark’s review of the film below. We love to include your views on the show every Friday.
www.bbc.co.uk/5live
Fridays at 2pm on BBC 5 live. - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Congratulations on giving absolutely no plot spoilers.
Let's hope most people will be able to.
And now we are mere days away form the end. It's been a ride. I am looking forward to Mark's Ep. 9 review.
And now everybody hates this trilogy because "pOlItIcS".
@@Grigoris_ As per usual, people don't know why they (dis)like the things they (dis)like so they let some asshole convince them it's the fault of the wokes.
SPOILER: Jar Jar Binks is Han Solo's father
It felt more like a remake of A New Hope than a sequel, but it was a lot of fun, albeit distractingly unoriginal.
+Dav I'm not sure about that. I believe you can make a new trilogy for a new audience without remaking a previous one. This just comes across as lazy writing.
+Manutdbl2015 There was meant to be a sense of history repeating itself in the prequels as well so a remake of "A New Hope" is not inconsistent but yes there where a few throw backs that I found distracting (a certain special effect that finn triggered on the falcon comes to mind as the most egregious)
+Blue Whovian It's not at all a remake of New Hope. The only serious similarity is in the 3rd act, and beyond that all the other similarities are superficial at best. It's a dramatically different story on almost every level.
+FunWithGuru It shares some story beats with A New Hope but to write it off as a remake seems disingenuous.
Leigh Davidson I don't mean it was definitely a remake, but there were enough similar plot points for me to think it lazy writing. Here are some of the comparisons I wrote down (missed out few because of major spoilers):
*SPOILERS BELOW*
Luke Skywalker = Rey (Lives on Desert planet (Rey/Jakku, Luke/Tattoine), good with machinery, interested in jedis and thinks they’re a myth, good pilots). They’re almost the same person. You could say the same thing with Anakin too though.
Secret information hidden on droid (R2D2 in New Hope, BB8 in FA)
Main character (Rey/Luke) gets droid (BB8/R2) and has the job of returning to resistance.
Meet older man (Han Solo/Ben Kenobi) who no longer fights for resistance and helps them get the droid to the resistance base.
Enter a cantina type area for help, filled with a variety of creatures and band playing music.
Rey confronts Kylo in hallucination, as Luke does with Darth Vader on Dagobah, (Empire Strikes Back, not New Hope)
Han Solo, Finn/Luke and Chewbacca go to enemy base to rescue Rey/Leia..
Plot to blow up Death Star 3.0. Has one spot of weakness.
Main bad guy (Kylo Ren/Vader) has higher up (Snoke/Palpatine)
...and his heart grew three sizes that day.
"What were those moments?" LOL, Simon.
I did not see this coming. I thought he was going to hate it.
Sauron Merciful do you know who John Campea is? He runs Collider Movie Talk and he loved TFA and he is a "hardcore" starwars fan. So I don't really know why you would say such a broad thing. But I am a "hardcord" star wars fan and I have seen it 7 times. I really like your other ooints thou. Really well said.
+Sauron Merciful The hardcore fans are the ones who loved the original trilogy and hated the crappy prequels. I'm one of those people, and I loved this great new Star Wars film.
Yeah well, the Star Wars grand design was to release the Phantom Menace so that any subsequent film could not possibly be considered any worse.
For my part, I thoroughly enjoyed The Force Awakens, although it got stodged down midway through.
But then what do I know? I have a certain fondness for Attack of the Clones, even though it makes me cringe even writing out the title.
Best one? The first, obviously. Although the walker attack on Hoth is still raunch city.
Maybe he hates it now when the Jedi's mind trick stop working. We ned to ask him.
@@ahenathon he’s a film critic, not a SW lol.
I had the EXACT same experience as Mark! Great review.
It was awful.
Can chewie / Peter Mayhew get some props? From his scream of sheer anguish after THAT moment to his final scene in the falcon and the look of gravitas he gives Rey RAAAWWRRGGHH!!!
+Abbas Zaidi Big Peter was only in the cockpit scenes. He can barely walk.
I thought it was great, and after looking at all the negative user reviews on IMDB, I'm glad Kermode thought it was good also.
+Coochicoo Dude people on IMDb and Metacritic tick me off sometimes.... people just love to hate for no reason.
+Coochicoo You trust a 1/10 score review on IMDB? Or a 10/10? No movie on this planet deserves a 1/10 and if it does they are only very few. Some people are so upset they will add a shitty score just to show how upset they are. I trust reviews that happen in the normal score of 4 to 8. Personally I have less than 20 movies that I could give a 9, and 0 a 10.
Bora Markovic Well, a score of 1/10 and a score of 4/10 is still a negative score in my opinion. Even forgetting the score and just going by the actual reviews, the overall feeling still seems negative. Considering the last 3 Lucas Star Wars films, and that this new one was great, also that Kermode like it, the reviews on IMDB surprises me.
+Coochicoo Fresh in rotten tomatoes, and on Metacritic and you care about imdb? where anyone can put a score?
ok ok, I apologise for my comment and for mentioning IMDB, I will go hang my head in shame.
Star Wars TFA has turned Mark and Ben from What the flick into fans! I can't believe it
P Ferreira I know lol that's why I can't believe it! But good for them ... hope the sequels are better.
I'm delighted at how much love this film is getting.
+Antonio Díaz I'm sure they'll make a full recovery soon.
+Antonio Díaz I suspect there may be bribery involved.
P Ferreira It's an amazing cultural phenomenon.
I remember seeing the original Star Wars in my local theater when I was kid. I saw The Force Awakens yesterday and I can't remember the last time I felt so excited to see a film at the pictures. Can't wait till it's out to buy.
I love Kermode. I do, unabashedly. He's the best.
I saw the film in 3D and I have to say that it was great. It was quite subtle for most of the film except for a few static shots of landscapes and Star Destroyers, as well as sweeping shots through snowy forests that make almost make you gasp at the depth you're seeing onscreen.
One of us. One of us. Gooble gobble gooble gobble.
A good Star Wars movie for people who don't really like Star Wars.
Pretty much says it all.
Wow, so you're basically saying that you're not a Star Wars fan if you like this film?
Nice try Cathy Newman. Put away the truncheon honey. I’m a huge Star Wars fan. Saw all the originals multiple times in theaters as a kid. Anyone can not like this movie fan or not and it doesn’t have to mean anything because this movie BLOWS.
Why is nobody calling out the fact that the film as an exact carbon copy of A New Hope and that the characters, especially Poe, have NO development.
wtf... basically every significant character has major development lol
+J. Robert Oppenheimer There are people saying that. Nothing too new. Good film but not phenomenal.
+J. Robert Oppenheimer Thank the Maker I'm not alone on this.
+George Mills-Burrows LOL so Poe becomes friends with Finn after work minutes, then is absent from the entire film until the last 30 mins.
+sanyrub That's how I feel. It was good. But there are people saying it's better than IV and God forbid V. The recency bias is strong with them.
"Use the force Harry" - Gandalf
Hit the nail on the head once again Mark. It had a physicality the prequels never had. Each scene in the prequels you knew it was a cg background this once felt more like the originals .
I feel exactly like you Mark. Exactly!
I see people complaining that the plot is barebones and simply a retread of the first one, but isn't that sort of what Star Wars is? Having watched the original trilogy only in the recent years, I've found that the plot is incredibly simple and generic, using very common overused tropes. What made it good was the setting, style and characters.
+Chris Deve You're very right. Although reusing old plot points is a fair criticism, people keep pointing to it because there's not much the new film did wrong. In my opinion.
Exactly
I swear I must have seen a different film. Maybe there's a second version of the film they occasionally troll audiences with. Everyone seems to have enjoyed it. I was so bored I fell asleep during it. Everyone else seems to love it. I wish I had enjoyed it as much as Mark.
Stay awake next time. When you've actually watched the film, people might respect your opinion of it.
+Phil Tischlero Agreed. The movie was terrible.
+Phil Tischlero I felt that it was signalling our final descent into the dead zone, an endless looping rerun of life as we will soon forget we knew it.
Just seen it. Loved it. Can't wait for the next!
My feelings exactly.
Just back from seeing it in IMAX 3D - loved it
I came here because I respect Mark for looking at a film in it's artistic form, while also being angry at him for being super, over, nitpicky.
That even he really enjoyed it seals the deal for this being a great film.
It brought balance to the force, so to speak.
I had hoped it wasn't going to be as bad as from 1999-2005, and watching The Force Awakens is like being transported back to my childhood from 1978-1983. It was a really good film. A great blockbuster. It's just a blast.
It's awful.
Just saw it. I had managed my expectations, and I'll say that watching the whole trilogy just prior to this new one wasn't the best idea. It's Episode 4 with more action. I was disappointed
No no. I mean the familiarity was welcome, but it overstayed it's welcome. The skeleton of the plots is almost identical. I enjoyed it, but the flaws stood out for me.
+Tony MangKb To be fair, episode 4 with more action wasn't a bad thing for me.
+poontang3zizo Episode 4 succeeds because it has a slow burn following the start. It builds the world, makes you understand Luke's yearning to leave, gathers the key characters, and then everything kicks off halfway through. If you have non-stop action you just become numb to it.
KingKaitain We do get a gradual development of Rey's character. Is it as compelling and well developed as Luke's in episode 4? No, not at all. But there are slow moments in the Force Awakens. It just adds in a bit more action. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Well, to be fair, episode 4 isn't original either. It is just a remake of Flash Gordon but in space.
It's reviews from the more casual observers of the franchise like Mark that speaks the most volume. As a hardcore fan of star wars myself it's touching and almost slightly emotional for me to hear such positive reviews from those who hadn't much vested in it in the first place.
Bravissimo. "Moments of tragedy" Max Von Sydow's death scene probably got to Mark, as a huge Exorcist fan.
I'd really like to see it in 2D.
Pretty hard to find a screening in 2D, which is completely ridiculous.
+PauLtus B I'm trying to find somewhere showing it in Imax 2D for my second viewing. I want to see it on the largest screen possible, but I don't like 3D at all. Really silly that it's so hard to find.
Das Muel
Worst of all, there's no good reason they're not showing it in 2D.
IMAX 2D is just impossible.
Are you from the US? You can get it in 2D here in the UK, but you're restricted to relatively small screens. Imax 2D is awesome, but I've only ever seen it for one film (The Dark Night). I'm sure there's a big market for it though. A lot of people are tired of 3D.
Das Muel I'm Dutch ;).
So that's one cinema line that has IMAX screens. And that same cinema line has a couple of 2D viewings on the tiniest screens.
I don't get why they don't just show it in 2D. There's quite a number of petitions going around on the internet, if you ask anyone the most positive reaction you're going to get is "I can't see the difference" and the worst "I absolutely hate it". I've skipped a whole lot of movies in cinema because I couldn't see them in 2D...
But apparantly there is some evil Sith Lord up there in the movie industry who doesn't want people to enjoy movies.
Darth Imax.
It's nice to see Mark feel wondrous by the film. It's sweet and a little infectious.
How Mark can consider calling a film "televisual" the worst criticism of all and yet not think this about J.J. Abrams' glorified pilots remains a cosmic mystery to me.
The Force Awakens was at times a shot-by-shot remake of A New Hope, so it was as safe as it gets.
I enjoyed it like I enjoy a fast food meal, it was tasty and filled with calories, but ultimately forgettable.
Who could have known that in 2015 The Force Awakens would be the best film in the Sequel Trilogy?
The Last Jedi is the best in the ST and the best Star Wars film.
Also A fist full of dollars is Yojimbo but a western and is ACTUALLY a shot for shot copy and people love that movie.
Great movie. Flawed in parts and slightly derivative but my gosh, pure escapism. Wonderful performances and great direction from JJ Abrams. Loved it.
Considering I don't have time to go to the cinema anymore. This film was like the perfect escapist movie for me. Couldn't ask for anything more.
finally you did a proper review, i dont understand why you often have to breakdown specific about the plot of a movie, to me that wouldnt be a review it's a recap. i love it that you talk about how the story made you feel and what you thought about the effects and performances without talking anything about the details, seriously thank you very much, this is probably your best review of the year. im not joking or being sarcastic, so again ty
spot on review, just seen it, 8/10 for me. Maybe a bit too familiar in parts with A New Hope, but looked amazing, some amusing dialogue, some great performances and touched me on an emotional level a few times.
I'm happy if Mark is happy.
My name is Finn, I was captured by the first order and raised from birth to be a sassy black guy.
feels like A New Hope because it IS A New Hope version 2.0
And that isn't a bad thing.
+Marks Guitar Solo Channel If this movie i
+Marks Guitar Solo Channel I bet you'd prefer The Phantom Menace version 2.0
+damo damo no, but i would have prefered an original film, or to put it another way a sequel to return of the jedi. echoes happen in star wars, i get that! but TFA just couldn't get our old heroes out the way quick enough. first line in the film LUKE SKYWALKER HAS VANISHED! ... great. then they made them all have bad lives and turned them into irresponsible people who run away from their problems. lol ok it needs to introduce a new cast! but the transition from old to new was next to none and to see that new cast reproduce the story of A New Hope and random bits of empire made TFA Star Wars greatest hit compilation lol
+Marks Guitar Solo Channel Each to their own. I loved this, so did all my friends and most critics. :-)
Amazing review! Haven't seen the film and I know now enough to be really invested in the movie. Thumbs up Mark!
Any chance I can see this in IMAX 2D anywhere?
i loooooovvvveeee mark so much
think I'll wait for it to come out on VHS
i would say i was a star wars fan I suppose, grew up on the original films even if I grew up in the 90's. Never really liked the prequels even as a kid. Wasn't bothered about TFA, but after seeing it at the cinema it reawakened my love and wonder of it. It wasnt a perfect film, but did not disappoint
I will see this film next week. From the trailer this one looks pretty good.
I love The Force Awakens. It's fun, has good new characters and some great scenes. Yes it is a rehash but for the start of that trilogy it worked for me and loved seeing Ireland in all its glory... The next two films however....
Except killing Han.. and no scene with Han Luke and Leia.. And Rey being so good without training.. and all the other minor issues.. could have done with more Yoda.. calling the Sabres instead of swords.. I don't like being bitter or holding grudges, BUT, Disney has messed up Star Wars..
That being said.. I was sooo excited to go and see it.. LIKE WOW A NEW STAR WARS.. and then episode 7 and 8 and the Mandaborian.. and the book of Boba.. urrgh
@@ChrisJohnson-ld3wq Boba a such a waste of time and Mando is indestructible. I'm hoping Kenobi is less episodic and more about about the struggle of being one of the last jedi
Shouldn't it be called The Third Order?
You should never go full Nazi. People can't relate to full Nazi.
+olbertus *Face palm* I was making a reference to another film: Tropic Thunder. Sorry that you wasted your time telling everyone what they already know.
+olbertus Yeah well I find it helps to not get caught up in the hype and just go see the film/ judge for yourself and talk about it down the pub. The reason I picked that reference was that I found it annoying (as you seemed to as well) that they tried to make KR relatable too early. It took three films before we felt the slightest bit of sympathy for Vader but they jumped the shark with TFA. That said, I'm the only one of my friends that loved his lightsaber and his 'mini tanties'.
+olbertus Kylo is far from non-threatening. Those around him are terrified of him because of his unpredictable mood swings. And let's not forget what he did to (spoiler).
+Joshua Lunn They gave him motivation but they made me hate him. I loved that. Can't wait to see him as a menacing full-dark-side bad guy in the next episode.
I've always respected Marks views on film even if i dont always agree with them. As an avid Star Wars fan who really loved this film, it was heart warming to hear someone who hadn't been so invested in the franchise talk about it so positively. Well done on keeping the spoilers out too.
My feelings exactly.
Same! I’m warming up to it more and more!
The parallels between A New Hope were intentional from both the Production and the Studio you guys. It was supposed to show this generation what Star Wars is supposed to be...yet it is a great sequel with new characters. It's personally my 2nd favorite Star Wars film
great review, i agree with every point.
enjoyed it immensely too and this is from someone that only cared about the music in the original and prequels.
only disappointment was Phasma who didn't do much and also the lack of back story on *spoiler* but I imagine we'll get more in the next one
+Mike K the vagueness of the films characters and backstories I saw as trying to re-capture the original trilogies vagueness. I like that, lets you fill in the gaps yourself, a bit like what Mad Max Fury road did this year. Don't worry about Phasma btw, she's confirmed to be returning for episode 8
That's great about Phasma. And glad she's not dead because they never really made that clear
+Mike K Her only purpose was she was a very high ranking trooper (the highest in fact) With respect to security clearance, it makes sense that she alone had access to the Weapon's shield generator (You're not going to give every last storm trooper security clearance to such a vulnerable component of the base) And then to cement her purpose, Finn, Chewy and Han took her hostage, demanding she deactivate the shield, with blasters pointed at her. She obliged. My only gripe or perhaps it's just a nitpick… would she not have been so loyal to the first order that she would have let the trio kill her to protect the base? Maybe… maybe not… hard to say. Good movie.
Umm she deactivated the base shield generator lol From a plot standpoint that is quite significant albeit 'cliche' But still you can't say she was totally useless.
+Jesse Rochon never said she was useless. didn't even hint at that. all I said is I was disappointed she wasn't in the movie more
This was Star Wars.
+Zulu Romeo I wont get to see it until december 26th. Did you see it in 2d or 3d?
+Zulu Romeo next to empire strikes back as the best star wars film in my view!
+ASobsessive If you haven't watched the original yet maybe
LAUDENE
im one of the biggest fans, i think force awakens is better than return of the jedi, on par with the original star wars but not as good as empire strikes back
+ASobsessive Perfect summary.
There is no IMAX theater in Belgium :( I had to see a digital projection.
So you could say Mark, that there has been an awakening?
This movie is basically an Episode IV remake. The only good thing about it is less cgi than the prequels.
+olli tuovinen The new characters rock, the dramatic moments really strike a chord, the humor works really well, the cinematography is more lively and interesting than all of the Star Wars movies before, the First Order was awesome and appropriately Fascist, they never overdid the Nostalgia (even though there were similarities to the other movies)...
Need I go on?
+moviebuffreviews So true. :-)
The proper title for the film should have been: "The Farce Awakens"
I've seen it in 3D IMAX and it's good, but 3D isn't the be all and end all. It's great to see it IMAX though.
+Nicholas Dickens The IMAX experience was tremendous, but yeah, the 3D was practically nonexistent. Which I don't have a problem with being someone that doesn't like 3D
what would u recommended in i max as i still have to c it
+switchbuckle5th the sound on the IMAX is out of this world
I don't know......
Seeing a 3D destroyer jutting out of the screen was pretty awesome!
Got me to react.
I thought the 3D was fairly balanced and not excessive.....unlike Avatar!
I saw it in "IMAX with laser" 3D, with Dolby Atmos sound. Mindblowing! :-)
Just saw it. 6/10 imo - 6 for nostalgia and battle scenes, 0 for angsty teen drama and lack of originality.
+4 for great acting, snappy dialogue and great cinematography.
I loved it. It is a little plaster and paracetamol to alleviate some of the prequel pain. And the Daisy Ridley/John Boyega casting was genius. They both got that glint in the eye that Star Wars originally had.
It's the same plot film as the original 1977 film. There was nothing original about the film. I sat in the cinema and you could hear a pin drop, with the thoughts of I want my money back
I HAVE SEEN BITS AND PARTS OF IT AND I AM 17 STAR WARS WAS BEFORE MY TIME AT LEAST THE FIRST MOVIES WHERE BUT I HAVE TO SAY THIS MOVIE WAS INCREDIBLE AND ME BEING A BIG DISNEY FAN WHEN I HEARD THIS 2 TO 3 YEARS AGO I THOUGHT OH MAN ITS GOING TO BE BAD BUT I WAS WRONG
Could not agree more with this assessment although it's equally as good if not better in imax 3D
I loved it. Thought it was great. Agree with a lot of the criticism it has gotten and I still love it.
It was brilliant
Didn't particularly rate it. Relied too much on nostalgia. After the first act there was no drama/tension, just went from one scene to the next. The action scenes were rather thin too, which is something I was very surprised about.
if this movie can make an old codger like Kermode feel like a kid again, then J.J. has definitely nailed it and brought star wars back. I can't wait to see it now.
Out of all the fan boys, star wars fans are the absolute worse, one of the most ungrateful fans, you can't please them at all.
fans: the prequels were terrible, it didn't feel like the originals
JJ: okay i got you guys
fans: NO WTF IT'S TOO MUCH LIKE THE ORIGINALS, I DON'T LIKE IT.
He said he enjoyed the movie, he didnt say it had a great story or an award-winning movie. That's why you need to watch movies you enjoyed not what critics recommended. It's based on expectations and personal views.
archmad no no i mean, the fanboys not mark. I loved his review
Its only a loud minority of crybabies. They will complain when Rouge One comes out and they will complain when Episode 8 comes out next year. They will take minor issues the film suffers then act as if they ruin the whole film. The vast majority of Star Wars fans enjoyed the film. I knew before TFA was even released that people will bitch about it on the internet. However what they say is irrelevant. TFA got incredibly positive reviews from both critics and fans. Even Mark Komode and "yourmoviesucksDOTORG"enjoyed it which says allot because they're usually incredibly harsh on new movies.
W-James i go and experience the film and had a great one, the theater was PACKED with both old and young fans. You had older men taking their sons, and their son's sons taking theirs. I never seen anything like it, it was incredible i went with my friends and little brother and his eyes were glued to the screen. We all come out having enjoyed it EVERYONE. Then i log on to the computer and i just hear what seems pretty much everyone bitching about everything saying it's the worse and this and that. I don't know why these hardcore fans who see the original trilogy as a religion don't just stay at home and not watch any of the new one's because obviously no star wars movie will ever beat the originals. And all they do i spread negativity
For me it goes in order
1 A new hope
2 empire strikes back
3 the force awakens
4 return of the jedi
5 revenge of the sith
6 phantom menace
7 attack of the clones
star wars the force awakens is the first movie I've seen 2 times both a day apart and ima go see it a third time
:D I just saw it for a fourth time, in 4D.
lol
4D HERE I COME
I love the original trilogy. I love the prequels. I love Rogue One. But somehow, I disliked TFA. Anyone with me?
I like hearing Mark speak about this movie as someone who is not invested in Star Wars at all I had the same experience. Even more interesting, my father, who feels fundamentally insulted by the very existence of fantasy and sci fi, also came out of that movie shocked that he had actually enjoyed it quite a bit. I will say that in my opinion the 3D worked well for this movie. I haven't seen it in 2D so I can't compare how much it did or did not add, but 3D works best in my opinion specifically for beautiful vistas. It mainly fails in messy action scenes, but Force Awakens doesn't have many of those (the light saber battle are quite clean, sharp, and slow) and of those it does have the bright colours and steep contrasts help immensely as you don't get the dulling effect a movie like the Avengers inevitably gets.
+Maxben L What does it say about the movie if people who don't care about Star Wars and hate sci-fi enjoyed it? But Star Wars fans hate it.
I'd love a full review with spoilers in a couple weeks Mark. 6 minutes is not enough!
I loved The Force Awakens but I can't help thinking it was a wasted opportunity. There's an entire expanded universe they could have have used but instead they went back to the original characters and films not to mention they wiped out 40 years of work. That's not to say it wasn't great but the potential was there for so much more.
The Expanded Universe was terrible. All of it. The best thing Disney did was send that junk to the trash compactor. I will not mourn Chewbacca being killed by having a moon dropped on him, Han Solo punching a giant ferret, a clone of Luke called Luuke, the dude with lightsabers all over his body, or the bug pheromone induced sex orgies. Trash, all of it.
Yeah those were pretty bad. There are some good bits though. Maybe something with Mara Jade and the Emperor or Cade Skywalker for example. Perhaps a story set in The Old Republic? My point is they could have done anything with the films but they couldn't be bothered and just went with the thing that would make the most money.
+GrandiaKnight After what happened with the prequels, they *needed* to be fairly safe in what they did. They are making a new movie and reestablishing links to the past, doing a sorta/kinda soft reboot to bring real Star Wars back. Now that's done, they can spread their wings a bit with episodes 8 and 9 (plus the three spin-off movies).
Yeah it's safe in terms of the bigger story beats, but that was the right choice. Even with that lack of daring the new characters are all brilliant, the dialogue is snappy, and I'm really keen to see where they go with this. I want them to take risks in the next film, but a solid foundation to this new trilogy was a smart and right choice.
+GrandiaKnight Although I loved it, I had reservations as well, but I'm guessing if you fast forward to after having seen episode 8, that might change. Movies are more "serialized" now - one story stretching across 3 or more films.
I would've liked this film if they hadn't ripped their entire story from the original. That discounts it almost entirely for me.
Director JJ Abrams revives the epic space opera series in this terrifically acted, terrifically directed, effective & the film’s A stylish entry that is one of the best in the series. (85%) (4/5 stars) (positive)
I found it good entertainment and a re-tread of A New Hope. Presenting action very well while recycling the same pattern.
I also agree with comments elsewhere that the Rey character is a 'Mary Sue', as in too perfect and underwritten.
But hey it's a blockbuster and worth seeing.
Wonderful review of a wonderful film; really captures a lot of my emotions and how _I_ felt as well while watching the movie. 👏🏼
One of us...One of us...One of us...One of us...One of us...One of us...One of us...
Yeah a lot of people who were never into Star Wars fans, both online and whom I personally go have had that "Oh, I get it now" moment. I mean I like star wars, but I never got terribly emotionally invested into the films, but I must admit on the second viewing I was really moved at times.
I wish mark would go into more detail about the plot.
Wow... did we watch the same film? It was like an old meal warmed up with a few new ingredients. Yes, wonderfully shot, cgi and all the rest, however the plot was regrettably predictable and familiar. I was really expecting much more.
Lots of practical effects, instead of CGI.
the story line was 'A New Hope' re-hashed Yes lovely photography and effects both cgi and actual.
+Sam B It was more than that. Emotionally engaging, dramatic, funny and generally wonderful.
Well, if those are your views you're easily pleased.
I like originality and a plot which takes me places I cant see coming. The Force Awakens was technically fabulous but totally predictable, thereby very disappointing.
It was capable of more... much more.
+Sam B I'm not easily pleased. I just loved this film, despite the fact it borrowed some beats from previous Star Wars films. It's down to whether you enjoy the way it's delivered, and Abrams did such a stellar job that I was thrilled throughout. :-D
It's ironic that Kermode declares himself to finally understand Star Wars after watching a film which is essentially an imitation of a Star Wars film without any understanding of the mythology, has no internal coherence and proceeds from a completely implausible starting premise (i.e. that the galaxy is in a worse state 30 years after the fall of the empire than it was when Palpatine was running things).
Lucas's prequels were generally poor, but at least they were an honest (failed) attempt to continue the mythos of Star Wars. TFA throws some snappy dialogue and competent action scenes on top of a narrative that is too rushed and doesn't feel consistent with the SW universe, and which is played for laughs more than anything else. This is a movie designed by committee that doesn't feel like Star Wars at all.
Funnily enough this is exactly what happened with Star Trek as well: Abrams produces a snappy, action-comedy remix of Star Trek that junks everything that made Star Trek Star Trek. Is it fun? Yes, albeit in a rushed, lazy kind of way. Is it Star Trek? No. In fact, it's kind of self-mocking, which is why Kermode liked it.
Doing science fiction or space opera seriously is HARD, and easy to fail at. Doing a self-mocking action-comedy pastiche of a serious sci-fi or space opera series is quite a bit easier.
This film has a great understanding of the original mythology.
damo damo It doesn't feel connected to what happened at the end of ROTJ. It doesn't have a thematic understanding of the force. It doesn't even understand how hyperdrive works.
+KingKaitain It does have a thematic understanding of the Force. Han refers to it specifically. And don't be such a nerd about the Millennium Falcon! :-D
damo damo This is your central misunderstanding: Star Wars has the kind of deep, interconnected IP universe that *demands* a nerdish understanding of the material. And Abrams doesn't have that understanding. He treats the franchise as being more like James Bond, where continuity isn't important. That's okay for casual "fans" like you, but it's no good for people who understand the world much better than you do and have a much higher bar of quality.
+KingKaitain There is no misunderstanding. The whole spirit of Episode 4 is that Luke switched off the targeting computer and used the Force. The whole point of the original trilogy is that they are accessible for all with no need to be a Trekkie-style nerd. Use the Force!
The biggest problems with this movie are the Actors that play Rey and Kylo Ren, both are bad, Hayden Christiansen bad, they actually both out acted by a prop! (the droid bb8). The dialogue is also too jj abrams in alot of places and sometimes the cinematography feels more akin to a tv show than a sweeping epic. The plot is a decent retread of the original, the chap who plays Finn is very good, the effects are excellent and the action sequences fun. Harrison Ford is awesome in it. It is also the first JJ Abrams film where his 3rd act doesn't fall apart.
Thanks Mark I braved this review and thankfully you managed to give a good review,but yet you revealed nothing,
Thanks for the possibilities of spoilers at the start of this review. I'll check back later once I've had a chance to see the film for myself.
+Jamie G He doesn't reveal anything to be fair but you might be super sensitive to this stuff no idea. If you've been on complete blackout, he refers to two actors and the roles they played and said what a good job they did but nothing about the actual characters (if you've seen the trailer not spoiler) He also reveals some of the emotions that he had watching the film but does not link them to anything at all not even roughly when they appear in the film so you should be all good to watch it chap.
+evilgn0me I knew he wouldn't. Mark has always been very good about not giving away spoilers. It's not worth the risk, as I really don't want anything/anyone to spoil it. The major plot twist of The Sixth Sense was ruined for me by some douchebag TV presenter, so I trust no one ;)
+Jamie G Well to be fair, The Sixth Sense has pretty much been ruined for everyone by everyone
Wait what happened with William Freidken? I love a good Hurricaine Bily story
Check out Kermode’s Phantom Menace 3D review - he goes into a lot more detail there 😊
i've been outspoken in describing the original trilogy on my channel as sub-pirates of the Caribbean junk, but TFA has made a believer out of me. It makes me get why people care about this world. well done.
Star Wars is a strange one. Re-watching Episode 4, I can see that the acting is clunky and the lines are corny. But somehow it is magical for me.
+damo damo That's the magic of it. It's a world that makes you believe it.
+Kyle Mikesell I think it invites you to a fantasy world and then keeps thrilling you. :-)
loved the original trilogy movies as a fan but not the sequel trilogy movies.
Mark likes a Star Wars film= YEEASSS!!! :D
Just seen it, and loved it. But I have a nagging feeling that it was 5 minutes too long... the end scene felt tagged on to the end and needed just one very particular 'F' word to complete it (no spoilers here!)
I think now that there's a JJ Abrams double bluff in store for Ep 8.
i only got one little laugh when Chewie said something to Han about himself
You should pay more attention then.
I hate it when all these reviewers warn of us plot spoilers when this movie has no plot.
It has a plot.
+smasila Anyone who says this movie has no plot is nothing but an objectively blind hater.
The two things I didnt like was how they portrayed Snoke and the whole first order thing and why the sith isnt about anymore could have been explained a bit better
Unfortunately, I've had the movie spoiled for me via the Internet, however, it's great to hear Marks review, spoiler-light, and only constructive, critical, or favourable comments below. No spoilers from Wittertainments loyal fan base.
look man enjoy the movie anyway if there is spoilers . enjoy it for what it is
One of us, ONE OF US.
As someone who does have all the emotional baggage, I was almost in tears of joy when this film came on. It's back, it's great (with some minor flaws) and I can't wait to go see it again.
Completely agree.
It's awful.
Couldn't believe it when Kylo Ren turned out to be Skywalker
Just saw it last night, agree with much of what Mark says. Lots of dimensions of the tapestry against which this Star Wars is placed were sadly missing from the prequels in favor of childish pablum geared toward roping a new generation of children into the franchise (and of course the merch). It's MUCH more well-rounded with much richer character development and plot. So much more rewatchable than the prequels, too.
Thought the film was well made and had likeable characters but I'm not quite sure I bought the story. I thought the ending in Return of the Jedi wrapped up the mythology nicely. Not quite sure this needed to be made in all honesty.
+Ovais Malik Agreed. It's just a cash-in. There's no attempt to expand on the mythology. It basically has to retcon the ending to Jedi tacitly to make its story viable.
+KingKaitain *great film
It's a glorious film.
What happened with William Friedkin?
Sorry, I must have seen a different film to Mark. I loved Star Wars 4-6 and never once tried to pick holes in the story but I felt that The Force Awakens had a completely contrived illogical story with characters who had implied life histories that made no sense. I only ever indulge into this level of critique when the film does not immediately grab me. It simply felt that the first hour involved a lot of "crowbaring" characters into situations so that there could be some pay-off at the end. And how the hell did Ray become an expert with the light saber and have these huge jedi powers - did i miss out the subtle clue that is supposed to be fed to the audience by the good director. you know, the director who wants the audience to be waiting for the moment the character discovers what the audienc had guessed/hoped already? She wasn't even surprised she had those powers so we shouldn't have been surprised ourselves either but I know i was - that implies bad writing.
I have since seen the film, and jumping away from the hype and comparing it to Star Wars, I thought the film was rubbish. The storyline lacked an engaging structure the characters were wooden and 2 dimensional and that includes the originals, I wasn't looking at Star Wars I was looking at a dystopian teen drama like Hunger Games etc.
The effects were spectacular but with me that no longers sells a movie as I have seen them all, as we all have, they have become routine, storyline is the most important as it has been since story-telling began eons ago.
Its runaway success owes more to marketing and capturing the good and evil zeitgeist in the air at the moment and also the almighty supposedly rebooted brand of the most famous of all movie franchises.
But in all the Emperor has no clothes.
You could say the characters in Episode 4 were wooden too. I'm with Kermode. Superb film with great performances.
I wouldn't I thought the characters in ep 4 where a lot more personal and engaging, at least they had a background.
The first 30 minutes of ep 4 sets the whole story up there was action in that but it was building up character and relationships. Eg the farmboy meets the droids, the princess and the mystic. Nothing remotely like that happened in ep 7, Just "what your name we're the greatest of friends now and we're goodies".
+john leto Not true. The structure is different (despite all the claims it's the same as Episode 4!) but Rey's backstory is cleverly interwoven.
+damo damo I didn't see it, do you not think the most memorable scenes in ep4 were the story setting i thought this lacked all that. EG I don't think there is even 1 memorable quote.
+john leto CZcams is funny. People just try to persuade each other that their opinion is the correct one. But nobody changes their minds. I loved the dialogue in TFA.