Seraphina Shel'tah
Kinky Darth Pinky
Ok. I literally needed an entire weekend to calm down from the high this movie gave me. So, yes, obviously I enjoyed it. I'm not gonna do a "Review" really, just going to say the few things I really liked, and a couple of questions I thought I would ask, to get some feedback as to what other people might have thought.
First. Again, I love BB-8. He was easily, hands down, my favorite character in the film. Yep. A droid. Was my favorite new character. From the very moment he appears on the screen, to every single scene he is in, he's both adorable, and well utilized as a character. He makes you believe he has a true personality, like Artoo. When he tries to wake up R2, and is saddened by his refusal, you feel sad for him, or, at least I did. When he finally awakens, and they are together, it felt like magic. The two sync and are incredible together. I truly hope there is more of the dynamic between BB-8 and R2 in the future films. I could go on and on about these two droids, because quite frankly, aside from Ahsoka, they're my favorite SW characters.
Now, moving on. I was ecstatic to see Han and Chewie again. To me, it felt simply amazing to see them back aboard the MF. They interacted really well with the new characters. I have to admit I am incredibly sad that I won't be able to see more of a dynamic between Han & Rey later. I felt like they had a lot of potential to build on the brief periods they spent together.
The super weapon. The comparison between it and the Death Star...
Question #1. How in the world did nobody know about this thing being built? It's 3x, if not more, the size of the Death Star, and that thing was comparable to a MOON. This would be like a full scale planet, if not larger. So, on the edges of space, this monstrosity was constructed, and nobody ever knew? Well then...Okay. I can forgive this, as I don't really see it as damaging to the film, just something I found to be a little strange.
Question #2. Why bother even mentioning the Republic, really? Aside from establishing that it was in fact, rebuilt, or in the process of rebuilding. But there was really no reason to state that The First Order just destroyed the New Republic (Is the Republic really only three planets at this point?). They could have just blown up three random planets to demonstrate its' power. There was no other mention of the Republic outside of its' stated funding of the Resistance for the audience to care about. The Republic was just a name, really. Nobody had any real need to care right now. So my question here is two part. Why bother mentioning the Republic? And why blow up three planets of the Republic instead of simply blowing up three other planets.
Moving on...The lightsaber fights. You either hated them, or loved them. There doesn't seem to be many in between folks. I personally loved the fights. They were raw and intense. Here's my take on the Kylo VS Finn VS Rey. Kylo was shot already, and they very clearly wanted you to focus on his injury, given that they made it a point to show you blood drip from him in the snow, and him grasping at his wound. Kylo also was not a Jedi Knight when he abandoned the Order, at least I don't believe so. When Snoke trained him, he was an apprentice. He could be a "Sith Knight" as far as title goes, but he's certainly no Sith Lord (I understand that they're not actually Sith). He has little control over his emotions, and even explains being "tempted by the light" which I found to be an AMAZING line of dialog. It shows he was conflicted between his feelings, and gave a lot more depth to the dark side than ever before.
So, getting back to the lightsaber fights. I don't believe you need "training" to simply wield a lightsaber. Luke didn't cut his hand off the first time he ignited his father's saber, and twirled it around a few times. I feel like to be effective with a saber, on a scale comparable to what would classify a Jedi Knight as, you would require training. To simply pick it up, and slash at people with it, like any ordinary sword, it could most certainly be done. Aside from that, judging by the Stormtrooper that wielded his own saber resistant weapon, Finn had similar training, enough to know which end to slash at, and swing it like a sword or a bat. He lost pretty spectacularly against Kylo. When it came to Rey, she was very clearly proficient with a staff, and so was able to transfer those skills quite well when it came to fighting Kylo, who was, again, already very well injured, and probably getting tired, having also just fought Finn's rather heavy handed swings. He took a couple of hits before falling, himself. He also wanted to convert her to his cause. He knew she was Force sensitive, and even Snoke wanted her. So he was also trying not to kill her.
Question #3: With regard to Kylo taking saber strikes: Was his armor saber resistant? I am leaning toward this. Or were Rey's slashes only grazes? I feel like she was pretty close, but the armor seemed resistant. I would have to rewatch to really form this opinion.
Ben Solo: He looks emo. I agree here. He is far more menacing with his mask on. It's the hair, really. Had his hair been shaved, or just a lot shorter, he would have been fine, so I can't really harp on this too much. He is still a great villain, and I am happy to see more of him later.
Question #4: How the hell did he get Vader's mask? I wish this was explained, even briefly. I suppose one could surmise the mask wasn't burned to ash, and he stumbled upon Vader's funeral pyre, but that seems like a strange hand waive.
Han's death: It pissed me off. I understand why they did it. They needed someone important to die, and to give way to accepting the new character's and their roles. I get it. But that doesn't stop me from being angry about it. Han & Chewie. It's just a thing. I don't think I'll ever really accept Rey & Chewie as a thing, if that is to become of their relationship.
Luke's 0 lines: I wish, I really, really wish he said something at the end. Anything he said would have been an instant quote. Standing there, with Rey holding out his saber, looking at her. It was just an awkward staring contest for 30 seconds. This was really my biggest disappointment with the movie. I simply wish Luke had said one line, right then.
Side note: People clapping in the theater...I've always wondered this. Who are you clapping for? Nobody from Disney is there to receive your applause. You're clapping for the guy running the reel in the back room above you. haha. I hope he's up there taking a bow for your applause. I'm ignorant, I know. I just find this funny, personally.
Final note: Storm troopers finally learned they have scopes/sights on their blasters. I'm impressed.
PS: BB-8 is still my favorite new character.
First. Again, I love BB-8. He was easily, hands down, my favorite character in the film. Yep. A droid. Was my favorite new character. From the very moment he appears on the screen, to every single scene he is in, he's both adorable, and well utilized as a character. He makes you believe he has a true personality, like Artoo. When he tries to wake up R2, and is saddened by his refusal, you feel sad for him, or, at least I did. When he finally awakens, and they are together, it felt like magic. The two sync and are incredible together. I truly hope there is more of the dynamic between BB-8 and R2 in the future films. I could go on and on about these two droids, because quite frankly, aside from Ahsoka, they're my favorite SW characters.
Now, moving on. I was ecstatic to see Han and Chewie again. To me, it felt simply amazing to see them back aboard the MF. They interacted really well with the new characters. I have to admit I am incredibly sad that I won't be able to see more of a dynamic between Han & Rey later. I felt like they had a lot of potential to build on the brief periods they spent together.
The super weapon. The comparison between it and the Death Star...
Question #1. How in the world did nobody know about this thing being built? It's 3x, if not more, the size of the Death Star, and that thing was comparable to a MOON. This would be like a full scale planet, if not larger. So, on the edges of space, this monstrosity was constructed, and nobody ever knew? Well then...Okay. I can forgive this, as I don't really see it as damaging to the film, just something I found to be a little strange.
Question #2. Why bother even mentioning the Republic, really? Aside from establishing that it was in fact, rebuilt, or in the process of rebuilding. But there was really no reason to state that The First Order just destroyed the New Republic (Is the Republic really only three planets at this point?). They could have just blown up three random planets to demonstrate its' power. There was no other mention of the Republic outside of its' stated funding of the Resistance for the audience to care about. The Republic was just a name, really. Nobody had any real need to care right now. So my question here is two part. Why bother mentioning the Republic? And why blow up three planets of the Republic instead of simply blowing up three other planets.
Moving on...The lightsaber fights. You either hated them, or loved them. There doesn't seem to be many in between folks. I personally loved the fights. They were raw and intense. Here's my take on the Kylo VS Finn VS Rey. Kylo was shot already, and they very clearly wanted you to focus on his injury, given that they made it a point to show you blood drip from him in the snow, and him grasping at his wound. Kylo also was not a Jedi Knight when he abandoned the Order, at least I don't believe so. When Snoke trained him, he was an apprentice. He could be a "Sith Knight" as far as title goes, but he's certainly no Sith Lord (I understand that they're not actually Sith). He has little control over his emotions, and even explains being "tempted by the light" which I found to be an AMAZING line of dialog. It shows he was conflicted between his feelings, and gave a lot more depth to the dark side than ever before.
So, getting back to the lightsaber fights. I don't believe you need "training" to simply wield a lightsaber. Luke didn't cut his hand off the first time he ignited his father's saber, and twirled it around a few times. I feel like to be effective with a saber, on a scale comparable to what would classify a Jedi Knight as, you would require training. To simply pick it up, and slash at people with it, like any ordinary sword, it could most certainly be done. Aside from that, judging by the Stormtrooper that wielded his own saber resistant weapon, Finn had similar training, enough to know which end to slash at, and swing it like a sword or a bat. He lost pretty spectacularly against Kylo. When it came to Rey, she was very clearly proficient with a staff, and so was able to transfer those skills quite well when it came to fighting Kylo, who was, again, already very well injured, and probably getting tired, having also just fought Finn's rather heavy handed swings. He took a couple of hits before falling, himself. He also wanted to convert her to his cause. He knew she was Force sensitive, and even Snoke wanted her. So he was also trying not to kill her.
Question #3: With regard to Kylo taking saber strikes: Was his armor saber resistant? I am leaning toward this. Or were Rey's slashes only grazes? I feel like she was pretty close, but the armor seemed resistant. I would have to rewatch to really form this opinion.
Ben Solo: He looks emo. I agree here. He is far more menacing with his mask on. It's the hair, really. Had his hair been shaved, or just a lot shorter, he would have been fine, so I can't really harp on this too much. He is still a great villain, and I am happy to see more of him later.
Question #4: How the hell did he get Vader's mask? I wish this was explained, even briefly. I suppose one could surmise the mask wasn't burned to ash, and he stumbled upon Vader's funeral pyre, but that seems like a strange hand waive.
Han's death: It pissed me off. I understand why they did it. They needed someone important to die, and to give way to accepting the new character's and their roles. I get it. But that doesn't stop me from being angry about it. Han & Chewie. It's just a thing. I don't think I'll ever really accept Rey & Chewie as a thing, if that is to become of their relationship.
Luke's 0 lines: I wish, I really, really wish he said something at the end. Anything he said would have been an instant quote. Standing there, with Rey holding out his saber, looking at her. It was just an awkward staring contest for 30 seconds. This was really my biggest disappointment with the movie. I simply wish Luke had said one line, right then.
Side note: People clapping in the theater...I've always wondered this. Who are you clapping for? Nobody from Disney is there to receive your applause. You're clapping for the guy running the reel in the back room above you. haha. I hope he's up there taking a bow for your applause. I'm ignorant, I know. I just find this funny, personally.
Final note: Storm troopers finally learned they have scopes/sights on their blasters. I'm impressed.
PS: BB-8 is still my favorite new character.
