Am I REALLY the only one disappointed with TFA?
- Thread starter sithman66
- Start date
It's all good, OldKen. I just wish you'd posed your question privately--it was unfair of you to ask me to defend myself on such a private matter based solely on some wild speculation of yours. And your suggestion that a bunch of people wanted to ask the same question is bizarre--I mean, how the hell would you know?! :lol
But to the point, there's no underlying bitterness fueling my posts related to anything other than the fact that I think they blew a wonderful opportunity to give us a truly special film. I'm envious of you and Bryan and anyone else who loves The Force Awakens. I cannot help the way I feel, and I'm grateful I have an old familiar place like the RPF to commiserate with members like Cessnadriver and Zombie61 and PantheraGem (among others) who share my low opinion of the film, and also to vent to those of you who loved the film, all the reasons I feel it failed.
As for me posting in this thread every day, that's just not true. I recently went 3 weeks without a single post on this or any other thread. Now how long will I continue to biatch about the film? lol Probably not much longer. I gotta tell ya, having this forum to vent has been very cathartic. In fact, almost all of my recent posts have been strictly about box office performance analysis, and I've not continued to bemoan the film's specific shortcomings--except for one post where I felt I needed to remind someone all the ways in which the movie ripped off ANH. Has my opinion of the film gotten better? Not at all. I'm just not as tee'd off as I was in the first month post-release, as time heals all wounds. Wounds is too strong a word, but you get my drift.
I appreciate the kind words. I do recall you being highly complimentary back in the day, when I used to post photos on occasion of my fun Chewie adventures. I don't post pics much anymore, as I tend to be more private about my activities these days. Having said that, there is an awesome Chewie project I will be sharing with y'all sometime soon, which I think you'll dig.
Peace,
The Wook
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The studios always miss this effect when evaluating how good a franchise movie was. But it will not be denied. When the quality spread between previous & next movie is wider than usual, it messes up the studio's perception about which movies were well-liked. You see it with the Terminator franchise, X-Men, Batman, etc.
Two of my friends waited until after I had seen TFA and then asked me "was it any better than those godawful prequels?" They both knew George had sold the franchise. (I had made a point of telling them.) They both knew Ford/Fisher/Hamill were in the new one. They had both seen at least one of the TFA teasers/trailers.
One of them is a fan of sci-fi. The other likes it when it's good. They both like the OT well enough to go see another movie in that series. But they are normal people who don't religiously follow the movie industry & pop culture like fanboys.
D3adrock
Well-Known Member
I personally didn't like it... DON'T SHOOT!
To me it didn't feel like star wars and instead felt like a generic 201X's big budget sci-fi movie. My favorite of the OT is A New Hope. I love the small budget look with the big budget story. The movies it referenced are all phenomenal and the feeling that although the universe is huge it's also small is quite charming. Overall episode VII just didn't feel like star wars to me.
To me it didn't feel like star wars and instead felt like a generic 201X's big budget sci-fi movie. My favorite of the OT is A New Hope. I love the small budget look with the big budget story. The movies it referenced are all phenomenal and the feeling that although the universe is huge it's also small is quite charming. Overall episode VII just didn't feel like star wars to me.
Well put.
Words of wisdom, Lloyd. Words of wisdom.
bwayne64
Master Member
I personally believe that the original Star Wars, 77 version, was lightning in a bottle. Then lightning struck twice with Empire. I don't think you will ever see this again. Even Lucas couldn't repeat the magic, and he was the originals magician. That hack JJ Abrams could never do it. He is a forger. He can only copy the original and throw in lenses flairs to cover up his ineptitude. The new Star Trek should have been the clue everyone needed. But some people seem to like these new directors. Go figure. The era of Lucas, Spielberg, and Coppola is long gone. Hell, Spielberg is not as good as Spielberg anymore. I guess age and culture take its toll on a directors sensibilities. Everything is reconned and Pc'd to death. The've all fallen prey to the modern cultures relativism and cynicism. Now that they can cg anything their heart desires, they've left out the heart. Luke looks out at the twin sunset, and dreams of Star Wars. The music swells and we feel what he's feeling. Magic ! Guess all the magicians have exited stage right. Now we're left with programmers. Oh well, Thank God for books, 
I personally believe that the original Star Wars, 77 version, was lightning in a bottle. Then lightning struck twice with Empire. I don't think you will ever see this again. Even Lucas couldn't repeat the magic, and he was the originals magician. That hack JJ Abrams could never do it. He is a forger. He can only copy the original and throw in lenses flairs to cover up his ineptitude. The new Star Trek should have been the clue everyone needed. But some people seem to like these new directors. Go figure. The era of Lucas, Spielberg, and Coppola is long gone. Hell, Spielberg is not as good as Spielberg anymore. I guess age and culture take its toll on a directors sensibilities. Everything is reconned and Pc'd to death. The've all fallen prey to the modern cultures relativism and cynicism. Now that they can cg anything their heart desires, they've left out the heart. Luke looks out at the twin sunset, and dreams of Star Wars. The music swells and we feel what he's feeling. Magic ! Guess all the magicians have exited stage right. Now we're left with programmers. Oh well, Thank God for books,
bwayne64, you've hit the nail on the head.
There are really only two Star Wars films, both of which are masterpieces: non-SE Star Wars, and, non-SE The Empire Strikes Back.
All of the others are extremely flawed films--this latest episode the worst offender of the bunch.
The Wook
I feel like many of the people complaining in this thread simply haven't come to terms with the fact that they grew up. It's ok, guys. We all grow up sooner or later. It doesn't matter if you still collect the toys. It doesn't matter if you still play Star Wars dress-up.
You're a grown-up.
Your perspective has changed. As much as you think it hasn't - it has. You can't go see a new Star Wars movie and expect to feel 7 or 9 or 11 again. It's just not going to happen. That's why the original films are so special. And that's why we all watch them over and over and over. Because that's where that feeling comes from. Those movies. The original three (or two, depending how cynical you are). You have an emotional connection to the OT. You remember what it felt like to experience that. Therein lies the problem. These grandoise expectations heaped on every Star Wars film (by the now over-40 crowd) to come along simply can't be met.
When you saw those movies in the theater in the 70s and early 80s, that's all they were - movies. Movie making has changed a lot in the last several decades, but you've probably changed more. Now you see agendas that aren't there because you can't help it. The effects don't look right. You have pre-conceived notions about how every character should walk, talk and climb a ladder. What you don't have is the perspective of a ten year-old kid, and you never will again. I'm (not bragging and) self-aware enough to know that the new crop of Star Wars flicks will never best the experiences I had seeing them as a kid. Hell, it was my life. It still is, in a lot of ways - but different ways.
My advice, don't let the weight of adulthood cloud your ability to enjoy a movie. For me, I take pleasure in seeing my kids get excited for them. You can love the new movies without tarnishing the great memories you have of the originals. Just my outlook and opinion, but I'd rather enjoy this new ride than pick it apart. Too much fun to be had!
You're a grown-up.
Your perspective has changed. As much as you think it hasn't - it has. You can't go see a new Star Wars movie and expect to feel 7 or 9 or 11 again. It's just not going to happen. That's why the original films are so special. And that's why we all watch them over and over and over. Because that's where that feeling comes from. Those movies. The original three (or two, depending how cynical you are). You have an emotional connection to the OT. You remember what it felt like to experience that. Therein lies the problem. These grandoise expectations heaped on every Star Wars film (by the now over-40 crowd) to come along simply can't be met.
When you saw those movies in the theater in the 70s and early 80s, that's all they were - movies. Movie making has changed a lot in the last several decades, but you've probably changed more. Now you see agendas that aren't there because you can't help it. The effects don't look right. You have pre-conceived notions about how every character should walk, talk and climb a ladder. What you don't have is the perspective of a ten year-old kid, and you never will again. I'm (not bragging and) self-aware enough to know that the new crop of Star Wars flicks will never best the experiences I had seeing them as a kid. Hell, it was my life. It still is, in a lot of ways - but different ways.
My advice, don't let the weight of adulthood cloud your ability to enjoy a movie. For me, I take pleasure in seeing my kids get excited for them. You can love the new movies without tarnishing the great memories you have of the originals. Just my outlook and opinion, but I'd rather enjoy this new ride than pick it apart. Too much fun to be had!
Granted I grew up I factor that into a lot of things, but GOTG made me feel like a kid again, and I was familiar with those characters already. So I'm not that grown up, I still have that joy inside when the cylinders are all hitting.
While I was writing that I was thinking about new movies that really took me back to that feeling of being a kid and Guardians was the first one that came to mind, so I whole-heartedly agree with you there. The thing is, I had no expectations for that movie and virtually no knowledge of the characters going in. I was a blank slate for them to entertain.
Will GOTG deliver in similar fashion? Only time will tell but I'm prepared to enjoy it!
griffinx1
Member
I was 11 when Star Wars came out in 1977. As mentioned above (and you nailed me too), I still dress the part and collect the toys. But, I loved the new movie and I'm looking forward to the next few years of movies from Disney. Sure, it's not the originals, but it's new and still pretty amazing! The fact that Star Wars is as relevant as it is, rocks in my opinion. So troop on my brothers and sisters!
I really loved GOTG and thought it was great fun but TFA delivered all that and more. And it really can't be stressed enough how well TFA delivered for kids, they are full engaged. The Star Wars lisence has delivered $3B in revenue so far, kids are in and Star Wars is cool again.
TFA > AOTC. By a wide margin.
AOTC had all the standard prequel problems in full force. It mostly lacked the strong points of #1 and #3. And even by PT standards it felt more rushed through & slammed together than usual.
The worst thing TFA did was rip off too much from a movie that everyone agreed was great.
Sym-Cha
Master Member
I've seen many a STAR WARS backpack these days when kids pass me by on their bicycles going to school ... just not with TFA images ... it's Vader galore mostly
Chaim
I've seen many a STAR WARS backpack these days when kids pass me by on their bicycles going to school ... just not with TFA images ... it's Vader galore mostly
Chaim
People love Vader.
No, you aren't the only one disappointed, but whether the film was going to be any good or not was never the point. As long as folks keep getting their fully managed Star Wars experience and tapping the vein, the quality of the film will never be relevant again.
matty matt
Sr Member
TFA made me feel like a kid again. Different strokes I guess.
That's still doesn't explain it. As I said earlier in this thread, my 12 year old nephew (who loves SW), immediately after the movie finished, said "It's the same as the first SW. It wasn't that good." That was even before I said anything. I'm not going to rehash everything, but my problem was it didn't do anything new. The ship designs, except for the Star Destroyer and X-Wing, were just awful. At least the Prequels had new ships in each episode. I'd go see any of the Prequels again in the theater tomorrow before I'd pay to see TFA.
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