Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Pre-release) (Spoilers)

[Jedi-72]

Yeah, I find it extraordinary anyone participating in this thread and reading the story synopsis can come to the conclusion it's a retread of the OT. It's not, at all. So I have to assume anyone saying that has not read this thread or has no basic understanding of how a story is constructed.

It feels VERY much like a retread, buy in a good way. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Kyle is introduced in the beginning just like Vader in ANH...leading stormies in an attack in pursuit of a something the bad guys want.

The sought after item is hidden in a Droid that finds its way to the hero living in anonymity on a desert world who escapes the bad guys with the help of Han and Chewie. Han and Chewie are even re-introduced at roughly the same point that they enter ANH.

There is a super weapon that needs destroying, which the heroes infiltrate just like in ANH and during which the old hero Confronts the bad guy.

Massive space battle ensues while the weapon is preparing to fire.

Lots of familiar territory. And, I can't wait.

 

[kristen jones]

I will concede that... the parts that are akin to ANH are what make it feel like Star Wars... but enough of it is different to also fulfill my desire for something new. It's why i can't understand those who say it doesn't seem like Star Wars... it certainly does!

And again, it's impossible to please evryone. If you have too many familiar beats someone is going to scream "Retread" or "Non-Original" and if you change things too much then it's "Doesn't seem like Star Wars" or "Debacle".

 

[kristen jones]

And now you have the comfort of knowing it through an official source. Pardon me for my ignorance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We were fairly comfortable with it to begin with....

 

[Jeyl]

Retreads are nothing new to Star Wars, even in the confines of the OT. Return of the Jedi brings back the Death Star, over confident leader and exploiting a weakness to the station that makes it go boom. Knights of the Old Republic is often looked at as a rehash of the OT and with good reason, but how it was executed and what it brought to the franchise made it my favorite Star Wars thing in any medium.

And of all the films that were meant to capitalize on the success of Star Wars, none of them came close to the shameful retread that was Eragon. Being a fantasy story did nothing to mitigate the beat for beat re-telling of ANH that it was. From what I've seen and heard about the Force Awakens, anything that it retreads shouldn't limit itself or future installments to being the same story over and over again. Though the quality of the prequels is very questionable, at least it didn't retread the OT. But to give Eragon one piece of credit, I don't think Kylo Ren or any villain will be able to top this classic line.

King Galbatorix: I suffer without my stone. Do not prolong my suffering.​

 

[PoopaPapaPalps]

I know I don't have a popular opinion when it comes to this but I think there should be something said between "archetypes" and "retreading old ground". I too love KOTOR, it's execution narratively as well as gameplay is watershed moment not just for Star Wars EU but in the whole franchise, itself. KOTOR took Star Wars archetypes but it didn't reuse them or rehash them; they used them as springboards for other ideas which lead to a more diverse and complex set of characters. Sure it had it's Death Star and a blatant Vader rip-off but, for the most part, it brought the audience something new while still in the SW universe without having to rehash all the old stuff again.

There is a very clear line where something has a familiar atmosphere and something that is just pandering. And when it comes to something like KOTOR and what it did right, I haven't seen repeated well in anything else; least of all in what I've seen or read about TFA.

I hate harping on this point but, with more story elements coming forth, I can't see this as just another glossier repackaging of the OT to pander to a loud and boisterous fanbase that largely refuses to grow up and move on. I love the OT but I just want something new done here. The Skywalker story was wrapped up in the other movies, why do we have to continue it? Twins, again? Stormtroopers, X-Wings, Tie-Figthers, and a new planet destroying weapon? Come on.

It's been almost 40 years since the original movies came out and for everything to come out now for the rest of my adult life to hark back slavishly to the original series; adhering to the square-peg-must-go-in-square-hole format is stagnating. But who cares? Fudge new ideas when the shiz's gonna make a ton of money because of nostalgia tripping. I'm an idiot and I'll shut up now.

 

[wuchi01]

J & PPP:

Couldn't have said any better, so ditto. Love the Old Republic stuff.
Grew up on the Original Trilogies, so the Anthologies are sorta like an episode 3.5ish feel. Gives background and sets up the middle three movies.
Realize we're still on the front end of these new 3 movies, so more to come.
The Mouse is still gonna get a good size chunk of my hard earned cash.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Don't get me wrong with that last post, I'm really hopeful this movie will be awesome. I'm just afraid from a lot of leaked info along with all of the "We have practical effects, it's just like the OT!" that we hear and the failure of the Prequels largely, that they are just trying to do an exact replica of the OT. Having Luke not train any Jedi just makes it seem like they were sitting there saying "Well Obi Wan worked great in the OT and he was by himself in the desert. So that's what we'll do with Luke in the new movies!" I don't want the opinion on the Prequels to stop them from stepping away from the OT formula.

The rumors seem to indicate Luke does try and train some Jedi, possibly even Maz, but something terrible happens seen in the flashback that sends him into exile about 10-15 years before the events of TFA. And yes there are two super weapons in the film, the Resistance has one too.

Now I could buy that. I just don't want Luke to be the only Jedi around. It would mean he completely turned his back on Yoda and Obi Wan, who obviously wanted him to rebuild the Jedi in some form.

 

[Halliwax]

who is the maz?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bryancd]

Don't get me wrong with that last post, I'm really hopeful this movie will be awesome. I'm just afraid from a lot of leaked info along with all of the "We have practical effects, it's just like the OT!" that we hear and the failure of the Prequels largely, that they are just trying to do an exact replica of the OT. Having Luke not train any Jedi just makes it seem like they were sitting there saying "Well Obi Wan worked great in the OT and he was by himself in the desert. So that's what we'll do with Luke in the new movies!" I don't want the opinion on the Prequels to stop them from stepping away from the OT formula.



Now I could buy that. I just don't want Luke to be the only Jedi around. It would mean he completely turned his back on Yoda and Obi Wan, who obviously wanted him to rebuild the Jedi in some form.

But Luke never did anything Obi-wan or Yoda wanted him to do. They wanted him to kill Vader. Luke instead listened to his heart and saved him. Why would Luke rebuild an Order that failed?

- - - Updated - - -

who is the maz?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lupita's CG character that is clearly trained in the Force as per the spoilers. She is the one who initiates the Force induced flashback and hands Luke's saber to Leia.

 

[Halliwax]

But Luke never did anything Obi-wan or Yoda wanted him to do. They wanted him to kill Vader. Luke instead listened to his heart and saved him. Why would Luke rebuild an Order that failed?

- - - Updated - - -



Lupita's CG character that is clearly trained in the Force as per the spoilers. She is the one who initiates the Force induced flashback and hands Luke's saber to Leia.

thanks, I had no idea. I know I've taken some heat for not following this thread real well, but you guys believe she's force sensitive and maybe Luke had something to do with it?

 

[Halliwax]

Just got caught up, very interesting things posted on page 49

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

A little possible info on the universe from Aftermath: http://www.blastr.com/2015-9-4/star...rned-new-book-and-hints-about-force-awakensIf Luke has been sitting on his butt for all this time and hasn't trained at least a handful of Jedi in 30 years, then these movies already failed in my view.

Your comment post on that recap site was on point. Thirty years is a long time and the lack of background development, even though it's early, is just plain lame. Rebs aren't even a New Republic, still a Resistence. No other Force sensitive trainees at all. Get over it Farm Boy. Grow a pair and do something contributive. No wonder the First Order has new Superweapons, mass military and focus. These new movies look to be a retread of the Old Trilogy. No wonder I get a better feeling for the Anthology films.

*****... Read the book before condemning it, and pay attention to the announcements. Right at the beginning, it's mentioned that the Rebels have declared a New Republic. The new Senate is on Chandrila and Mon Mothma is the first Chancellor. Leia is only in it as a holographic message, Luke is only mentioned, and Han and Chewie are setting off to free the Wookiees. This is the first book of a trilogy, and only part of The Road to The Force Awakens. The new comic series, the new app game -- we have just now begun three months of filling in thirty years of no information, and folks are acting like Aftermath is the entirety of that span -- that it now goes, ROTJ, Aftermath, TFA. Apparently forgetting there's a lot more content coming out over the next ninety days, plus continuing to fill in the gaps after the movie opens and they don't have to worry about spoilers any more.

I've talked to Chuck. He's an utter fanboy. Knowing some of his intentional nods and inclusions, things from the EU that he used and thus are now canon, I'd say we're in good hands.

--Jonah

 

[seelsa73]

Lupita's CG character that is clearly trained in the Force as per the spoilers. She is the one who initiates the Force induced flashback and hands Luke's saber to Leia.

I am so glad you said that. I was way against the idea of a flashback until you just said it's Force-induced. That's one dark cloud lifted off on my part.

 

[Krull]

Or maybe like I said the Jedi aren't looked upon so well in the new republic/new order galaxy,really the whole reason things went from bad to worse in the clone wars was because of their inept ability to see what was going on around them,hell Palpy hid right in amongst them and hand picked and groomed one bad arsed muther in Vader from the Jedi's ranks!

So maybe the people are like "you aren't all that and a box of crackers Jedi,flip off and go away" or maybe the people like the Empire when compared to the greed and bloated senators of the old republic and there's only a small handful that support the rebels and the idea to rebuild the old corrupt system.

To me it's gonna be fun to see how it went after ROTJ and maybe see how it didn't go all good...maybe made the situation worse and not better.

 

[wuchi01]

*****... Read the book before condemning it, and pay attention to the announcements. Right at the beginning, it's mentioned that the Rebels have declared a New Republic. The new Senate is on Chandrila and Mon Mothma is the first Chancellor. Leia is only in it as a holographic message, Luke is only mentioned, and Han and Chewie are setting off to free the Wookiees. This is the first book of a trilogy, and only part of The Road to The Force Awakens. The new comic series, the new app game -- we have just now begun three months of filling in thirty years of no information, and folks are acting like Aftermath is the entirety of that span -- that it now goes, ROTJ, Aftermath, TFA. Apparently forgetting there's a lot more content coming out over the next ninety days, plus continuing to fill in the gaps after the movie opens and they don't have to worry about spoilers any more.

I've talked to Chuck. He's an utter fanboy. Knowing some of his intentional nods and inclusions, things from the EU that he used and thus are now canon, I'd say we're in good hands.

--Jonah

Yeah dude I heard ya. That's why I said this a bit after:

J & PPP:

Couldn't have said any better, so ditto. Love the Old Republic stuff.
Grew up on the Original Trilogies, so the Anthologies are sorta like an episode 3.5ish feel. Gives background and sets up the middle three movies.
Realize we're still on the front end of these new 3 movies, so more to come.
The Mouse is still gonna get a good size chunk of my hard earned cash.

No need to call on the Almighty in exasperation.
Book only released 2 days ago. I'm 4 in wait on the local library list.
Work everyday of the week so not much time for this hobby. Sure Chuck will do a good job.
I am excited to see how the SW universe further develops after junking the expanded universe.
It's all good. ✌

 

[Bryancd]

I've read the Prologue and its is terrific and does a great job turning everything we saw at the end of ROTJ in its head and sets up a very realistic Aftermath.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

I've read the Prologue and its is terrific and does a great job turning everything we saw at the end of ROTJ in its head and sets up a very realistic Aftermath.

Things didn't go hunky-dory after the song and dance number at the teddy bear picnic??

All my childhood memories have been shattered.

I will never dance around the same--meaning awkwardly and lacking a certain polish and rythm--to "Yub Nub" again....

 

[Bryancd]

Things didn't go hunky-dory after the song and dance number at the teddy bear picnic??

All my childhood memories have been shattered.

I will never dance around the same--meaning awkwardly and lacking a certain polish and rythm--to "Yub Nub" again....

Whats great is they are celebrating and pulling down the statue....and then the Imperial cops show up and start blowing people away! Minor spoiler for the first 4 pages.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

Well, in all seriousness, it does make sense that a fanatical element of the empire would be continuing the fight.

In real world historical terms, had the Nazis succeeded in killing Stalin and destroying the Kremlin, it would have been a devastating blow in World War II, but I doubt if the Soviets would have thrown down their arms and surrendered. More than likely they would have been more desperate, and fanatical, in their efforts to defeat the Nazis.

In the same way, it would make sense for the remaining fanatical elements of the empire to fight on.

 

[mattycsi]

I've just been perusing toys and came across this

http://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/...e-force-awakens-kylo-ren-mask-and-lightsaber/

If you notice the saber says it has the attachment for a light dagger. Does anyone know if the is something that we're gonna see it do in the movie or is it just something extra thrown on the toy? I haven't seen any mention of it anywhere else.