Member reviews of THE FORCE AWAKENS

I've seen it enough times now in a few different formats to collect my thoughts properly.

The overriding theme is pretty much ...oh my god, another Star Wars as good as the originals. I think this one is slightly better but that could just be my personal sense of humour and what type of characters I enjoy watching. Plus we had a final duel with the speed of the prequals but the emotion and realism (People actually getting stabbed when they leave themselves open!) of the originals. All of the scenes of Starkiller base were awesome and the bridge scene and final duel were as good as anything I've seen in any film.

There's not one moment in the film I don't enjoy or get bored watching. I love every new character, you don't miss Luke at all because they're that good to watch!

9.5/10

 

Nice review

 

My review from another forum:


Excellent movie. Even knowing the story beforehand there were still plenty of surprises thankfully.

Rey and Finn were great characters. I felt the bond they formed being both from really lonely upbringings. Kylo Ren was pretty cool and had some real depth to him(and we've only scratched the surface). There were rumors he might be killed at the end by Snoke and I'm glad it didn't happen. I worried that Han wouldn't "feel" right but he was totally Han Solo. A little wiser, but still Han. His death, though expected was set up really well(ominous feeling leading up to it, the "Rey" of light shining down on the both of them, the conflict in Ben, etc). Adam Driver did a good job. Carrie did well as Leia IMO as well. The droids all played their part.

The visuals were stellar for the most part, with perhaps the weakest link being the CGI characters(mostly Snoke---they might have rushed the rendering a bit as they had trouble figuring out what he would look like). Set design was amazing.

The score was decent. There werent many stand out themes on first viewing. I feel certain themes like Leia's theme were overused(seemed like any time han and leia were on screen together they used it---I think 3 times maybe). The only theme that I can really remember is the one used when Rey was walking the steps at Skellig Michael(whatever the planet is called) and it felt a lot like the new Star Trek theme...I wonder if dude who did those didn't contribute that piece. Probably not but it was very similar. Still the music mostly was unnoticed, which I suppose is the goal anyway.

Weak points(though VERY minor) for me would have to be the appearance and character of Snoke for one. I'll grant we know nothing about him but he just isn't threatening or interesting at this point. I really think they will go the Darth Plagueis route with him which would instantly add some depth to him. He doesn't strike me as outright moustache twirling evil as Palpatine was and from some things I've heard Plagueis wasn't either. Captain Phasma was a bit of a letdown due to how well received she was in the leadup to the movie. I don't think they anticipated how big of a character she could have been. I think we'll see more of her though(she survived the trash compactor!!---boba fett all over again lol). Also the jokeyness was a *little* bit much at times with Finn, but that is a small thing. The pacing was almost perfect but I think it *could* have done with more quiet reflective type moments. Maybe not.

I don't want to bash the prequels. But I honestly have trouble imagining I will be able to enjoy them now.

My Mom was raving about it afterwards. She had never seen anything like it. lol. She wants to book tickets for the next ones and wanted to see the movie again straight away. She has never seen a Star wars movie before this and she is almost 60 years old. I think it is time to pull out the bluray set and see how she likes the rest(though maybe not the prequels---dunno). Standouts for her were the set design, Adam Driver's performance, the creatures, and the 3D(which was surprisingly quite good for a post-converted movie!).

I loved it.

 

Writing and dialogue: believable, natural and very 'star wars'. The scene on Han's freighter with the bounty hunters had them throwing so many strange names around and referencing a history the audience knows nothing about that it turned out comedy gold. Pure whimsical fun. Kasdans hand was felt in the sheer joy that is episode 7. Their keyword when writing was 'delight' and it shows.

Acting: no two ways around this one, The new leads are a discovery and possibly better actors than the original three were (especially Hamill and Fisher) in the very first one. Ridley, Isaac and Boyega are fantastic. But Driver steals the show. In one film he gives us one of the most layered and downright terrifying bad guys in the entire franchise. His scene with Ford on the bridge is an instant classic and just as suspensefull and scary as anything in the OT. Probably more so.

Editing: a master class in this type of film. Kinetic action that never confuses the audience. You always know who is where doing what, and that is as much due to great montage and editing than direction.

Direction: JJ delivered his best film yet. Highly reverential towards episode four but still with enough balls to make some controversial choices. He mixes delight, terror, humour and suspense in a way I never believed he could pull of.

This film is better than I could have ever imagined. It left me breathless. It broke my heart and filled me with hope at the same time. Escapism at its very best.
It's a worthy follow up to the OT and if they can keep this up and deliver on its promise it could turn out even better.

Sheer delight and amazement/10

 

Great film.
Visuals: 10/10. No need to discuss this.
Acting: 9,5/10. Very good, especially the chemistry between the actors. The most surpising thing is the high level of ALL the cast, without a single mediocre performance.
Plot: 8/10. This vote is the average of the 9,5 the movie gets from considering it a truly great bridge between the old and new trilogy and the 7 it gets from considering it as a "stand-alone" film which in that case would lack some background and would leave too many questions unsolved.
Dialogues: 8,5/10. So much humour and great lines, but I felt the movie lacked one or two wise monologues.
Music: 7,5/10. I might need to watch the movie again, but, although singularly the tracks were good (2 or 3 were great), I felt like there wasn't enough variability: too much trumpet.
Pace: 9/10. So good, yet as I said in the dialogues section I think the movie needed 1 or 2 more slow-paced scene, maybe a monologue explaining the republic-rebels-Luke interactions and a few seconds more of planet exploration.
Characters: 9,5/10. New heores are perfect (maybe needed more screen-time for Poe). Kylo Ren is visually wonderful and his conflicted mind is really fascinating. Phasma, Maz, Snoke: judgement suspended.

I really don't get why people would rate this movie below 8. You can subtract 0,5 from my votes if you are strict and another 0,5 considering personal preferences; more than that you either had unreal expectations (I can understand, it's Star Wars) or you just wanted different things to be in the film and you can't judge objectively.

 

Love this film. Going to my 3rd viewing later this afternoon.
It's a solid 9/10 for me. And among the best blockbusters of the past few years.
(Look out, marvel!)

Pros:
- adam driver as kylo ren. Everything about this villain just jumped off the screen and grabbed me. His conflict. His lack of refinement. His voice. Incredible choices in costume, lightsaber, voice efffects, cinematography. All add up to a villain that, in one film, really struck me as "how they should have handled anakin in the prequels." Just my humble opinion.

- daisy ridley, john boyega, oscar isaac - all deliver great performances. If you don't care about rey, then the movie fails on a fundamental level. Daisy does such a great job, especially for an inexperienced actress.

- great dialogue. Great humor. Great set pieces.

Cons:
- film doesn't explain why R2 suddenly decides to turn on.... Probably my single biggest beef. Maybe we will see luke "thank" R2 in episode 8, and reveal something about how he could only turn on when certain conditions were met.
- phasma is a chump. That was a little strange.
- i think i would rather have seen rey and kylo battle to a draw, than rey put him down. I realize this was set up by chewie shooting kylo, and by his lack of focus (having killed han), and having taken a few slashes by finn... But, it undermines the threat of him a bit. They try to solve this by snoke training him more. Still, a bit bothersome...

Over all, just incredible that a movie with such high expectations can meet and even in some ways exceed them.
Just a rollicking good time with heart.

Come on, may 2017!!!!

 

I honestly consider is time for us, the Fans and Movie Viewers, to stop these "open ending" movies.
I got nothing against multiple movie storylines, the grand story of things (AKA - The Plot) goes for 2-3 or even more movies, but in each one of those movies there's an ending or an ending to a story in itself.
I really liked alot "The Force Awakens" but i left the theatre feelling incomplete, and i watched it several times and that feeling just got bigger.
Guess i just prefer "A New Hope" kind of giggs (one movie that starts,develops and ends in a single movie), but my favorite Star Wars ones are "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" a dual part movie (OK, the ending of the 1st part is one of cinema's most memorable moments), think i really don't mind the "Lord of the Rings" spreading for 3 or 6 movies cause i already now that story and whats going to happen till the very end.

Bottom Line i'm just sour because "The Force Awakens" ends without telling us whos Rey Parents, they could give us that leaving the developments of what happened in a lot of places to the other movies.



I loved the story of Jacen and Jaina, but now it looks like there's no Jaina Solo

I can't wait to know this...............................(ah the pain)

 

Saw it a 2nd time and its much better on the 2nd viewing. It felt rushed on my 1st viewing cause there is so much to take in, but the 2nd viewing you are able to sit back and enjoy and its perfect pacing.

I went from really liking the movie to loving it on my 2nd viewing, which is the opposite of the PT movies where I liked them less on my 2nd viewing.

Bring on Episode 8!

 

If im honest I went into the film quiet pessimistic, the marketing had been brilliant and the trailers superb.... but im not a big fan of JJ abrams.... Allias and lost wer fun but made no sense.... his star trek films where a big pile of fluff that again made no sense.... the only thing i'd really enjoyed by him was Mission impossible 3, which was fun. I was also worried it was going to be a complete re-hash of A New Hope.

So i sat down nervous but excited.... then the opening scroll hit... which was brilliant... and the film didn't miss a beat for the first 20 mins, I instantly loved Finn, Rey, Kylo, Poe BB8.... i loved their introductions their dialogue ... it was all great. i was loving it.

The first missed beat was the introduction of the falcon... which felt a bit contrived and took you out of the film for a few mins and even got a groan in the cinema i was in, and the the scene with Han and the tentacle alien things wasn't great either... but I was so happy to see Han on screen i let that one pass. But after that the film was back on top form, Harrison ford was brilliant, seemed like he was really enjoying himself... and he blended in so well with the new characters.

I do have some more issues with the film, Han's death didnt have the emotional weight it should of as it was the first time Han and Klylo/Ben had talked in the film, The Star Killer base was far to similar to the death star, Kylo Ren came across really weak at the end been so easly defeated by Rey and so doesn't seem like an imposing villain going forward, the CGI on Snoke was a bit dodgy and Phasma just been a push over non character, but none of these issues stopped me enjoying the film and their was far more good then bad.

The pratical effects where brilliant, thier was so many good performances, the humour was spot on and not forced, i liked that they gave enough information out, while holding things back for episode 8, i loved that it left me on a cliff hanger desperate for more. I was so sad when the film ended but I left the cinema so happy so excited having had such a great time watching it.

7.5 out of 10

 

Better than ROTJ.

Possibly on par with ESB.

And yes, it was better on the second viewing.

 

I loved the film. My girls loved it too and my wife also thought it was good. My 7 year old was hit hard by Han's death. After talking with her about it and a little bit of post movie ice cream, she was ok with it. We saw it yesterday and tonight she just asked if we could go back tomorrow and see it again. I definitely need to see it again to try to focus on some of the fine details I surely missed. Overall I put it ahead of ROTJ. ESB and ANH vacillate as 1a and 1b given my mood. The new cast was excellent and I love The new characters. While on the surface it resembles ANH, it actually much different and deeper in my opinion. I will need to see it again before I can give it a numerical rating. No movie is perfect but overall it did not disappoint

 

Ok so on my second viewing I have changed my mind completely. It is my favorite out of all 7 movies. I'm in love. My faith is renewed. The force is so freaking strong in it!

On my first viewing I was clouded by spoilers, rumors and expectations. Watching it the second time cleared all that up. All the plot holes I thought were there, don't seem to be there now. This movie is 100% Star Wars and then some!

Even the CGI (Maz, Snoke) looks better on the second viewing. This movie has major repeat value for me. I have no problem with this movie now. It's so strange how my first time seeing it threw me off. It was my problem not the movies problem. JJ Abrams and everyone involved nailed it!!! Lucas Film, Bad Robot & Disney, THANK YOU!!!

Bring on the VIII!!!

 

DEFINITELY better than the prequels final ranking may have to wait for a second viewing I think we should dial back the "rehash" talk just a teeny bit was it any more of a "rehash" than Jurassic world?

Hans death provided audible gasps and sniffles at my screening

 

I had the same experience on 2nd viewing. I honestly think we build this movie up for 2 years through spoilers, interviews, trailers, worries, hope, etc, and you never get to enjoy the 1st viewing cause all of these things are going through your mind for 2 hours.

My 2nd viewing allowed me to sit back and enjoy the film, and everything just clicked and I loved it!

 

Okay, just got out of the movie.

First thing I need to say is it feels very different to the Star Wars I know - and everybody needs to shuddup about the similarities to the original trilogy. I didn't get a "Oh this again?" feeling from watching it for the most part. It feels different enough to stand on its own, and it doesn't tread on the toes of the originals and prequels.

Now... the story.

The plot is well done for the most part, it pays homage brilliantly to Han and Chewie.. Leia feels true to herself (most of the time but i'll get to this later)
All of the new characters are great, expertly acted and truly feel a part of this new universe. John Boyega's performance is acting mastery.

Kylo Ren.... a great character and I am very intrigued by where he is headed. Rey too.. but man.. Kylo is something else. He is a breath of fresh air for this saga and I love his energy. Adam Driver did great. His screen presence felt visceral at all times; helmet on or off.

However, the second act of The Force Awakens is messy.. it threw off the greatness of the first act for me. For example I don't understand why Maz Kanata would leave Luke's lightsaber in such a vulnerable place - all you have to do is walk into the bar, do a right.. head down the steps and do another left and its right there in a box. Arguably the most sought-after object in the galaxy is just in a box where anyone can find it. Not even locked. No locked doors around it.

That to me felt like it had no thought put into it.. as did the The First Order's arrival at the castle. I felt there should have been tons more exploration in this second act.. perhaps the characters could have spent the night there and The First Order could have come and attacked while our characters were sleeping? I don't know, it felt so lacklustre compared to the rest.. that Lady Gaga character calling The First Order instantly really made my eyes roll.. they should have used this down time at Maz Kanata's castle to give more depth to the film. Plus when the castle WAS destroyed, it just didn't feel visceral enough.. Why couldn't we get some shots from inside the castle of it falling apart.. while Han and Chewie get out? This could have made for a really fun moment.. hopefully this is added to in the deleted scenes.

Finn coming into posession of the lightsaber also felt forced to me, and I still think that little fight with the stormtrooper was just again.. silly. I understand they needed to establish that Finn was somewhat capable with a lightsaber, but there could have been a more subtle way of doing it.

However, The Force Awakens can get away with some of these sillier moments. It is a very fun movie which doesn't take itself too seriously.. and although it certainly is a throwback to Spielberg's work on Indiana Jones (something which has been sorely needed since the early 2000s) it felt at times that TFA lacked emotional weight due to some of this lightness. The tone of the film seemed not to change too much following the death of Han. His death itself felt almost unneccessarily brutal, without any follow-ups afterwards. No funeral scene, Leia seemed WAY too normal after his death too.. she should have been completely torn up! Not looking her best, smiling kindly to Rey etc.. I don't know. This felt weird to me.

Now.. Luke. I am very happy with his involvement. I was absolutely wrong about his presence being needed because the plot went in a direction which sets him up to be centre stage in episode 8. The ending was brilliant, Luke looks absolutely fantastic and I won't forget that image of him looking Rey, very powerful.

There have been many comments which say "This FEELS like Star Wars" or "STAR WARS IS BACK" but honestly... it feels a little too different at times. Too much of a TV-movie feel for my liking (once again starting from the second act) which is a shame because I loved the opening of this film and everything up until they hit the castle.

8/10 - it pays homage well to our original heroes (outside Han's rather cruel death being skipped over too quickly) the action is brilliant, it is a very engaging film (for the most part) but the plot felt slapped together at times. However, I have succumbed to its charm. I will never forget the experience of seeing this for the first time, though I suspect I will have issues with it later.

My current order of preference:

Empire Strikes Back
A New Hope
The Force Awakens
Return of the Jedi
Revenge of the Sith
Attack of the Clones
The Phantom Menace

Other thoughts: Maz Kanata sucks, Snoke is cool.

 

Interesting that many others having the same experience as me...
My initial negative reactions to a few different aspects of the film (like the pacing) were totally gone by the second viewing.

This film rewards multiple viewings.

 

The pacing felt too fast for me, but I understand that on numerous viewings a faster pace always pays off. I just wish they'd have expanded on some scenes.. it skimmed over things a little too much at times.

 

Haha brilliant review

I'm just glad they finished the movie with so many mysteries to try and solve for ourselves, isn't that what we all loved about the OT is finding out more and more with each episode!

 

Yes!!!!!! It's so true. I might have to stay away from spoilers from now on. Hahaha!

 

Exactly! I have fond memories of the playground conversations in the early eighties discussing the OT (would Luke go dark?, how will they free Han?,...) .
I guess this has become my new playground ... Although I'm seriously considering going dark (where spoilers are concerned) for episode 8. I want to find out who Rey's parents are etc. in a theatre, not on the internet.