Read User Reviews and Submit your own for Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens - Page 15

6

KirillvhDec 28, 2015

"The Meh awakens": Almost no originality, same old concepts blended together with different characters.
That said the acting, action and effects were good. Overall a decent if somewhat Meh movie.

14 of 29 users found this helpful1415

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2

OverpaidDec 28, 2015

I don't know how this film could have been much worse. The story is an increasingly implausible sequence of absurd coincidences or scenes rehashed from other star wars movies. Characters form relationships with each other instantaneously,I don't know how this film could have been much worse. The story is an increasingly implausible sequence of absurd coincidences or scenes rehashed from other star wars movies. Characters form relationships with each other instantaneously, and for no readily apparent reason. What they say constantly contradicts what is going on around them. If two characters are "required" by the "plot" to see each other, they literally just bump into each other. Whether they are on the other side of a planet or the other side of the galaxy seems not to matter. They may have been looking for a spaceship, waiting to reactivate in sitting in a box for 20 years without result, but when the moment comes, there they are. At least the prequels had scope, scenes like the podrace, and some memorable new characters. I seriously think this film is worse than the Phantom Menace (although not as bad as Attack of the Clones). I cant call myself a Star Wars fan any more really. So sad.… Expand

85 of 147 users found this helpful8562

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8

DAL1960Dec 28, 2015

Just came back from seeing Episode Seven and I have to say the movie was good, not close to being great.
I'm not going to go through the plot line because tons of people have done that here.
I will say that if you have seen the previousJust came back from seeing Episode Seven and I have to say the movie was good, not close to being great.
I'm not going to go through the plot line because tons of people have done that here.
I will say that if you have seen the previous six, there should be no surprises.
Each Star Wars movie seems to follow the same script.

The performances of the actors were very good.
I really liked Daisy Ridley,John Boyenga and Harrison Ford.
I honestly thought there would be more Oscar Isaac.

If I had to place this movie on my list of favorite Star Wars movies, it would rank number five, behind "Revenge of The Sith"

JJ Abrams did a good job directing it. The writing was much better than the last three movies. Kudos to Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan and Dennis Arndt.

I'm hoping I'm around for Episode Eight. Abrams has already said he regrets no taking it on. "Brick" director Rian Johnson will helming that one. If you have seen any of his movies, you know the Star Wars franchise is in good hands.… Expand

6 of 28 users found this helpful622

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7

WardawnDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This Review Contains Spoilers

I'd give it a 7.5 if I could but even so a 7 seems appropriate. Driving home with a friend after seeing the movie we described it as "liked it, wanted to love it,". So much could have been done with this universe that Lucas created but all I was left with was A New Hope rehashed. The possibilities, the writers and this is what I was given a story I've seen before.

I don't hate this movie but the overly positive reviews I don't understand, what do you love about it? They blew up another space station called Star Killer which we laughed at and hello Force Unleash. The station had a glaring weakness and was knocked out by a handful of pilots and a few guys. A space station larger then the death star protected by a massive army and fleet was again knocked out by a few people and a handful of ships. I understand the struggle of good over evil, overcoming the obstacles of a superior force but it felt lazy and I just joked I've seen this happen 3 times now.

If you wanted to refresh the birth of the series which I understand why tell the same plot lines. Do you want to know what it was like to stick it to the bad guys? Watch New Hope, that's what a fan would do. Its a progressive story so why do we need to go back.

If the republic is alive again why is it still called the resistance? wouldn't it just be the republican army?

The New Order general thought his troops would be better then the clones, based on one of the greatest bounty hunters ever to live?

Every time they said Supreme Leader I was reminded of the Peoples Republic of China. I understood the context but it still put a smile on my face,

Ren I'm on the fence about I understand what they tried to make him to be but in the end he came off as a child whining about the world and he never got me interested, I wanted to smack him and tell him to suck it up. I feel with a different actor I could have felt this man struggling to become like Vadar never knowing if he was strong enough but I never seemed to find that spark.

All in all it wasn't a bad movie, it was funny, it had action, had the boring parts but still good. I respect the pressure Abram's was going to have writing this, you can't make everyone happy. A lot of questions still need to be answered and its only the first movie but I hope it can only go up from here.… Expand

2 of 22 users found this helpful220

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7

VorheesDec 27, 2015

This latest installment of the series achieves what the Star Wars, renaissance revival, endeavor sought to do. Unfortunately, the film does not accomplish much more beyond that. The film is fueled with incessant action and coupled withThis latest installment of the series achieves what the Star Wars, renaissance revival, endeavor sought to do. Unfortunately, the film does not accomplish much more beyond that. The film is fueled with incessant action and coupled with copious amounts of wistfulness and sentimentality for the day's of old, George Lucas’ world of Jedis and Sith lords. The very opening scene is taken straight from the New Hope playbook (a slow, over-arching shot of a giant spaceship). The context of the shot, and the film as a whole signifies a complete opposite of outstripping itself from it's past. To a (possibly successful/ unsuccessful fault), Abrams blends the venerable age of New Hope and mirrors it to its contemporary. After the prequels divided fans so vehemently; this film blends the comical and jubilant provocations that would warrant a similar finale, villain, and plot structure and bring about a new age of the franchise's history. The plot systematically carves a rhapsodic and zealous touch while shifting characters to a specific thoroughfare and a space to garnish and manipulate while the sumptuous cinematography is supportive, not its tenacity. With perhaps a lavish amount of affable material, the film attempts to shift gears perhaps too vigorously in the final act. Abrams in this attempt has accomplished of rekindling the Star Wars franchise in wake of imprudence and impatience. Enjoyable to its fullest, Star Wars represents and will always represent a cathartic yet recurrent medium through which cinematic artists may invigorate a franchise (regardless of whether it needed to be made or not). To be clear, no movie "needs" to be made. No unrequited notion of financial stability of social commitments does any movie (or production company for that matter, Disney I'm looking at you) by necessity and by virtue requires it to be produced. Where there are frequent divisions within both the showmen and the greats in contemporary science fiction, the ultimate goal of getting people in the theater seats relies on an outdated story-telling mesh; refurbishing but staying true to its history. Abrams has introduced one of the franchises most endearing installments to date.… Expand

4 of 24 users found this helpful420

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1

GucciBalboaDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In Empire Strikes Back, Luke's lightsaber is gone for good when it falls on Cloud City.

How the **** did that orange **** retrieve it? That seems like an impossible task. And even if they did somehow manage to find it, how did they know it was Luke's?… Expand

40 of 66 users found this helpful4026

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3

OpinionatorDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First of all, for all the 10 star reviewers out there complaining that the negative reviews are all trolls and haters, this is just completely false. Please read the negative reviews, these are legitimate issues being voiced by legitimate and passionate Star Wars fans. This franchise is so important to me that I've been depressed for the entire week since I've seen the movie. It drove me to create this metacritic account to add my voice to the discussion in order to give myself a much needed outlet for my disappointment. This is therapy...

To me, The Force Awakens is not a Star Wars movie, but rather just Star Wars porn for fanboys. I am a fanboy; but this fanboy lost a part of himself sitting in the theater last week watching what was a very forgettable sci-fi flick that happened to be set in the Star Wars universe. When I think about the movie, all I can say is "meh." So bland. There were ZERO moments when I was on the edge of my seat and super engaged in the film. What a waste, this could have been the moment when the franchise got back on track. There was so much to draw from and so many really great options for the future direction of the story, I just cannot believe this is what we ended up with. Poor form, JJ Abrams and Disney & Co., you ruined Star Wars for me again (disastrous Episodes I-III anyone?).

Here are the primary issues with the movie:

UNBALANCED
Rookie good guys (even if they're force-aware) do not beat ex-Jedi/Sith. They do not perform Jedi mind tricks out of nowhere (I was so confused when seeing that scene in the theater). They do not become ace pilots instantaneously. So on and so forth...

CGI
Using CGI for Maz and Snoke was a very poor choice. This really distracted from the story and felt out of place. Snoke was straight up 80% Voldemort / 20% Gollum mash up. So cheesy...

PLOT HOLES
Stormtrooper sees comrade die and senseless killing. Switches sides and commits senseless killing of his ex-comrades. Jedi master goes into hiding so no one can find him because he messed up, let's leave a treasure map to find me! So many more plot holes, just not enough characters available in this review to do this right.

KYLO REN
I actually love the idea of a young, unstable, tortured soul as the new bad dude. Problem is, he's not a bad dude. They should have made him really kick some @ss so you are in awe of him. He should make you fear him and make you think "oh man, we really need Luke or we're dead." Do not take off your mask.

OLD ACTORS
Carrie Fisher was painful to watch. Harrison Ford for me was also not fun to watch.

MISSING SCALE/SCOPE
Use CGI in space. Show 100s of ships when the Resistance is talking about their "whole fleet." Having a mix of old and new spacecraft duking it out would have really helped this movie.

OTHER
Literal storytelling was brutal (don't hold my hand, good pilot). Music was surprisingly not epic.

As so many other users have stated, one of the absolute atrocities committed by this film is the blatant disregard for the balance of power and well-established rules of the Star Wars universe. A newly force-sensitive individual should simply get obliterated by an ex-Jedi Padawan / Sith in training. An ex-Stormtrooper originally on sanitation duty (really?) should have absolutely no ability with a lightsaber, let alone be able to fend off Kylo for more than 1 or 2 blows. A scavenger should not be able to pilot the Millenium Falcon with ease after seeing it just sit there collecting rust for 30 years. A young Sith lord shouldn't have the power to freeze laser blasts and read minds in the first place. Even the Emperor and Vader couldn't do that. Juxtapose that power with Kylo's inability to defeat rookies in lightsaber duels and you see what I mean. A super planet-sized weapon should not be able to be constructed by the remnants of the well-oiled machine known as the Empire when the empire spent so much of its resources constructing a weapon a fifth of the size. Where did the First Order all of a sudden get the resources to pull this off after the fall of the Empire? Certainly they are less in control of the galaxy now.

I could continue for a while here, but you get the point. All of this serves to discredit and weaken our favorite characters from the past. Their struggles and sacrifices become meaningless and insignificant. What is the point when thinking about the events and gripping struggles in Episodes IV-VI if they are just re-hashed again here?

The only saving grace here would be Episode VIII coming in and filling in a bunch of back story to correct all this nonsense. Somehow Rey was trained as a Jedi much older than the flashback lets you believe. Maybe if she was further trained on Jakku by one of Luke's students you could make an argument here, but the film does not foreshadow any of this, and we'd have to wait 2 years to realize such a cleverly hidden plot device. That's a lot of time to have angry fans on your hands. I for one, am not holding my breath.… Expand

83 of 140 users found this helpful8357

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3

SleightofHamDec 27, 2015

Save your money, the memory, and your pants.

This movie was so atrocious I just **** my pants in disbelief. I say this as a movie lover, as a Star Wars fan, and as someone who paid the price of admission. I’ve never posted a movie reviewSave your money, the memory, and your pants.

This movie was so atrocious I just **** my pants in disbelief. I say this as a movie lover, as a Star Wars fan, and as someone who paid the price of admission. I’ve never posted a movie review before today but felt compelled as I simply cannot fathom how this movie is receiving the positive critic ratings it has and continues to receive. I suspect it helps when you have Disney’s pockets and media delivery machine.

As a movie lover, the film had virtually no character development. You don’t care if the characters live or die because you know next to nothing about them. The relationships constructed between the characters over the course of the movie don’t feel real or believable. Oddly this applies equally to original trilogy characters as well as to new faces. The plot was propelled forward at ludicrous speed and by the occasional awkwardly-delivered explanation, dropped with the subtlety of a fat pink giraffe by one of the characters. The audience was entitled to and denied a deeper understanding of characters and events in this movie as it comes as the first installment after the original trilogy. In short you were left with an EPIC sense of… meh. On the upside, the CGI was beautifully done and the new robot was moderately endearing.

The biggest failing for this film, despite it largely coming off as a remake of episode 4, was that it didn’t feel like Star Wars. It was a Frankenstein monster whose parts were sourced from other Star Wars movies (primarily A New Hope). IT. HAD. NO. SOUL. With a universe as expansive as Star Wars and a franchise so beloved, you would think at least modest creative risks would be taken to further the story or to transport the audience to new and exotic worlds. Say what you will about episodes 1-3, but the worlds in those prequels at least felt immersive and novel. While viewing TFA I actually heard the person seated next to me mutter, “I didn’t realize this was supposed to be a remake…”. CHEERS TO THAT, BUDDY!

If you haven’t seen the original Star Wars films you have a shot at enjoying this film, but as someone who loved the original three movies, even the subsequent prequels, I call BS as I **** my pants all over again in frustration. Spoiler alert: It pales in comparison to the dump Disney just took on the Star Wars franchise.… Expand

70 of 116 users found this helpful7046

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0

erik1pearsonDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is very interesting how this film has polarized the audience.

My 0 score includes a deduction for spending an obscene $300 million and yet blowing the basics.

After viewing the film, I was lukewarm, yet had to meter my opinion since so many have invested so much in wanting to love this film -- yet I have grown colder and colder towards it.

First, I must admit, I entered the theater with both great hope and trepidation. I have seen how JJ Abrams productions fall flat when it really comes time to give the stories meat. Great on hype, build-up, action execution -- and then, nothing really interesting inside the magic box.

I was so ready to give it a break. But from the very beginning the movie just left me cold. Starting with the flickering lights inside the storm trooper transport, to the first awful wooden and nonsensical lines uttered, the perfect timing of events and seamless takes, the forced action, blood-stained finger swipes on Finn's helmet (the simple hand-acting of which seemed itself awkward and forced), the jump-to-the-ending exhortations of Max von Sydow to Kylo Ren, er soon to be revealed as Ben Solo, the misplaced comedic lines of Poe to Kylo Ren -- it felt like the film was off by a beat (and not in an offbeat way), yet was assaulting me with pew-pew laser blasts and awesome deep-throated evil-voices which meant I ought to be engrossed and having a good time. I was still giving it a chance in those first 5 minute, even though I'm old enough to know that bad situations rarely get better all on their own.

On the days following, my son and I "cleansed" by watching A New Hope -- one time the new enhanced, HD, and the next day by chance an old vhs of the original. And wow, it was indeed a delicious treat, every scene just bursting with originality, even on the nth viewing (and I rarely watch movies even a second time.) The Force Awakens, now reviewing the first scenes a second time (albeit not at the theater), is just hard to watch. I just got to the Rey scavenging scene, and the over-dramatization of picking parts out of an abandoned battleship (or whatever), with her wearing full face-covering and darkened goggles inside the dark hulk only to remove them when out in the blasting sun, and having drunk down to the last few drops of water when she should be a seasoned pro, is just more awkward rubbing-the-wrong-way, just-for-dramatic-effect, just-because-we-think-someone-will-find-this-cool immature film making.

And I love unbelievable fantasy! But, please, it is the accumulation of all these bad moments, and I really could go on, that kept pulling me out of the the story with a flashing "wtf" floating across my retina which I tried to will myself to forget, but could not, and ultimately finishing with a dizzying helicopter shot of Rey and Luke just moments after the "big reveal" which itself was the ultimate tease of the film, just seconds before the end ... well, "wtf" and "that was it?" was not far from my lips as the credits began to roll.… Expand

86 of 143 users found this helpful8657

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10

IxsiroDec 27, 2015

Malgré quelques approximations au niveau du scénario que je ne détaillerai pas pour éviter le spoil, j'ai trouvé ce Star Wars Episode VII excellent. Un parfait épisode IV++ avec quand même son lot de nouveautés plus que bienvenus. Le film estMalgré quelques approximations au niveau du scénario que je ne détaillerai pas pour éviter le spoil, j'ai trouvé ce Star Wars Episode VII excellent. Un parfait épisode IV++ avec quand même son lot de nouveautés plus que bienvenus. Le film est techniquement extrêmement bien maitrisé de bout en bout, je n'ai jamais décroché une seconde. étant friand de fan service, certains passages m'ont bien faire rire, certaines personnes pourraient trouver que c'est trop, ce n'est pas mon cas et je pense que passé l'épisode 7, les clins d'œil se feront plus discrets. Certes on passe un peu vite sur la découverte des personnages, mais ce n'est pas vraiment différent de l'épisode IV selon moi. A condition de trouver un réalisateur de talent qui ne serait pas bridé par le studio, je pense qu'on peut s'attendre à du très lourd pour les prochains épisodes. Nostalgiques de la première trilogie, je vous conseille d'aller le voir, il est bien mieux que l'épisode 1,2 et 3. Puristes de la première trilogie, à vous de voir ; si vous voulez de l'épisode 4 upgradé, il est fait pour vous.… Expand

6 of 33 users found this helpful627

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4

NathonasDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Star Wars: Force Awakens is a fun movie, and deserves a watch. But that's about all the good things you can say about it. JJ Abrams played it way too safe - the story is very similar to star wars: a new hope, and the pandering to liberal ideas and old Star Wars fans is quite ridiculous.

I don't have a problem with a woman in the role of a jedi, but I do have a problem with her defeating a trained Sith in literally her first time wielding a lightsaber. This is liberal feminist pandering at its best.

Meanwhile Finn is just there so they can say they have a black guy in a lead role.

And of course they brought back a slew of old characters to make more money, so everyone who was a fan of the original trilogy will pay to see the movie.

Then they killed off a major character just to add tension, and it is conventionally someone that who used to link this film to the old trilogy and isn't needed.

The story is predictable and doesn't make sense at times, like characters just literally running into each other at the perfect moment. And the overall plot is basically a copy of the first Star Wars film with a deathstar-esque super weapon, the resistance (new name for rebel alliance), and the first order (new name for galactic empire).

Bottom line, this movie feels like a formula. There aren't any original or interesting ideas, just rehashing and pandering to what the film makers expected will make the most money. Still a fun spectacle, but really dry and soulless at its core.… Expand

41 of 69 users found this helpful4128

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3

rederpDec 27, 2015

I like space battles. I like death-defying stunts and acrobatic choreographed combat scenes. I like action. I like cgi.

I like all these things but they need to support a somewhat engaging story and characters. Sadly, we get a rehash ofI like space battles. I like death-defying stunts and acrobatic choreographed combat scenes. I like action. I like cgi.

I like all these things but they need to support a somewhat engaging story and characters.

Sadly, we get a rehash of the same story we have seen before. The same plot lines with the same progression as before. It's paint-by-numbers star wars. You have seen it all before and it's missing the adventure movie magic in an immersive fantasy world.

The actors give good performances. Very good within filling the shoes of old characters recycled with a twist. Those boundaries quickly become obvious however undermining all their effort.

Disney/JJ Abrams have clearly banked a nostalgia filled cash-in on their purchase of the franchise. Their no-risk approach is well polished but ultimately forgettable.… Expand

98 of 160 users found this helpful9862

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8

Observer01Dec 27, 2015

It's not a 10 but it is not a 0-4 either. A 5 is as pessimistic as I can be about this movie after considering the shortcomings other users have droned on about ad nauseum (the copycat nature of some plot elements, Finn's accent or lackIt's not a 10 but it is not a 0-4 either. A 5 is as pessimistic as I can be about this movie after considering the shortcomings other users have droned on about ad nauseum (the copycat nature of some plot elements, Finn's accent or lack thereof, the way Rey uses the Force, etc. etc.) I have seen the movie twice and have just as much knowledge of the lore and Expanded Universe as anyone. It is fun to watch, so much so I took my whole family to see it on Christmas and they all enjoyed it as a spectacle, not as the defining work of art for our time. The morons who are writing the reviews with zeroes don't deserve a vote, especially the ones complaining about feminism! Seriously? Get real. My detailed breakdown:

9/10 Special effects - A visually appealing movie especially in 3-D. It is not consumed by visual effects as I would say I-III are.

7/10 Plot - A little derivative but the story of Star Wars is one of the cyclicality of good and evil. The harsh critics are ignoring this element. As I state below, this has to be viewed as film 1 of 3 and I believe the treatment in subsequent films will help validate some of the choices screenwriters made.

8/10 Character development - Consider this film as the first step in creating depth, not as its entirety. Loved Rey as she felt believable. Rhetorical question: Could the "awakening" of the Force have something to do with Rey discovering abilities quickly? Finn was good but could use some polish with fewer throwaway dialogue lines. Leia needs a bigger role in Episode 8. BB-8 is a nice addition to the droid cast. Episode 8 needs to develop Poe more fully and explain how he didn't die. Harrison Ford was good but translated a little of his disdain for the role onto the screen. Driver is believable as his character seems to have a lot of room for personal growth. Luke's subsequent role of course will be a real indicator of whether this will be a good trilogy as a whole. The potential presented for 8 and 9 is the real success here, even with certain imperfections.

Music 9/10 - Big fan of the score and I think we will see further use of unique character motifs in subsequent films.

Overall - 8/10 Collapse… Expand

3 of 30 users found this helpful327

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9

marcmyworksDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think I can easily say this is the best blockbuster of the year. I have never been the biggest Star Wars fan but the new characters and story line worked very well. My only concern is with the ending which was quite derivative of the first three films. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this film.… Expand

9 of 47 users found this helpful938

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0

loli_hunterDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Its a pretty bland movie, its literally Mary Sue on steroids. She literally has a roid rage and does everything by herself, if you want to throw away everything waht the force is and what it Starwars stands for then you clearly love this movie.

Its pathetic action flick gimmick. Not even enjoyable.… Expand

44 of 70 users found this helpful4426

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2

Odin-Dec 27, 2015

Social Justice Wars: The feminist awakens

What makes Star Wars Episode VII so bad? Because it makes no sense whatsoever and the storyline tempts one to believe it was assembled on the back of a lunch menu and given to a bunch of talentlessSocial Justice Wars: The feminist awakens

What makes Star Wars Episode VII so bad? Because it makes no sense whatsoever and the storyline tempts one to believe it was assembled on the back of a lunch menu and given to a bunch of talentless nobodies (majority of the cast) to act out.

The simplistic narrative is a 99% fat free version of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The first 10 minutes of the film starts off strongly however Abram’s lazy directing provides zero explanation as to how or why ‘the resistance’ or ‘the first order’ happened. There’s no explanation to anything and Abrams use of cosmetic superficial introductions of characters and themes is used a cheap substitute for solid story telling the series was accustomed to. Details matter, the audience deserves to know:

- how the dark side and the wannabe villain came to be
- how the death star 2.0 was built (given the empire was defeated) and was destroyed using the same method as version 1
- how the most daring pilot (Poe) supposedly dies then magically reappears again
- how the main female protagonist whose sole occupation was stealing spare parts with absolutely no training can defeat a Sith and mind control storm troopers.

The fact I even have to mention these criticisms is a testament to Abrams inability to direct a story.

All of this is compounded by Abram’s injection of Social Justice Warrior brand of feminist philosophy.

- The main female protagonist (Rey) is overly hostile and crude in her conduct deploring any form of male assistance like shouting several times ‘let go of my hand’. Her actions and conduct emasculate all male characters in her presence including her wooden side kick Fin.
- Hans Solo’s persona is guttered and he literally has to apologise and justify giving Rey a gun and consistently complements her to reinforce her status. In a perverted move to cement the feminist narrative, the film has Hans Solo mercilessly degraded to such an extent to symbolise how sick and repulsive the patriarchy is. This is achieved by having him killed by his son who is an extremely weak white male absent any characteristics of previous villains to symbolise the cry baby mentality SJWs despise.

None of this necessarily is a problem if the film even bothered to substantiate its themes with solid lore, but it doesn’t.

To add insult to injury, the film is poorly paced and during the final quarter everything is entirely rushed through. Leia who has never even met Rey is hugging her, Chewbacca who historically isn’t the easiest character to get along with is suddenly without any justification best buddies with Rey and the final battle scene is fleeting.

Star Wars Episode VII is a mockery to the series. It has been maligned and warped into a talent show to champion a single person rather than celebrating the efforts of the many in the previous movies. It’s clumsy, poorly directed and an insult to its fan by presenting obtrusive SJW feminist ideology masquerading as equality.… Expand

39 of 65 users found this helpful3926

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0

CriticsLieDec 27, 2015

I created this account to make one single point: Movie critics are useless! This ridiculous farce of a Star Wars film deserved a slew of negative reviews. Were the critics really too stupid to realize it, or were they afraid to call what isI created this account to make one single point: Movie critics are useless! This ridiculous farce of a Star Wars film deserved a slew of negative reviews. Were the critics really too stupid to realize it, or were they afraid to call what is sure to be the biggest money-maker of the year what it really is: garbage? Man-up! You guys are supposed to enlighten and inform the public about the products of the movie-industry, not cower before it. After this, there is obviously zero point in looking to critics for guidance. Better to look at the meta-user reviews which have currently have this farce on it's way to the 6s, still far above where it belongs.… Expand

44 of 73 users found this helpful4429

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0

CharactersSuckDec 27, 2015

I had high anticipations for this movie before I watched it. I left the movie theater feeling sorely disappointed. I found myself not liking any of the characters. None of them. They all suck and make a mockery of how easy it is to learn theI had high anticipations for this movie before I watched it. I left the movie theater feeling sorely disappointed. I found myself not liking any of the characters. None of them. They all suck and make a mockery of how easy it is to learn the ways of the force. Apparently nobody needs to be taught anything to learn how to use jedi mind tricks and force push. It was all **** It made the original star wars characters look like jedi retards for taking so long to become incredibly strong and knowledgeable in using the force.… Expand

38 of 64 users found this helpful3826

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10

l3goboy08Dec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie is one of my favourite movies of all time. Its very intense and has lots of moments that true Star Wars fans will love. In this movie I loved everything except Han Solo's death, and to be honest there were some characters that were in the movie for a very little amount of time like Captain Phasma and Poe Dameron.… Expand

3 of 30 users found this helpful327

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0

farrarjrDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I literally don;t know if poeple watched a different movie than I did. This movie was visually apealing. Beyond that it was, as everyone else has said, a complete rehash of the original trilogy. Except it was poorly done.

The part I hated the most was the Rey. She at everything - instantly. She is better at the force than a trained ex-Jedi. She is better at flying and repairing the Millenium Falcon instantly than Han Solo himself. She is perfect with the force. She beats up people trying to steal BB-8. The list goes on and on and on. I love moives with strong female leads. This was different. THis was just sloppy writing without a character arc.

I hope the beginning of Episode VIII is Luke finally talking and telling her to keep his old lightsaber because there is absolutely nothing he can teach her. She is already more powerful than he ever was - instantly.

I saw the movie twice just to make sure that I wasn't crazy. The second time I saw it I realized that I hated it even more than I had at first. Then I watched the original trilogy just to make sure that I was remembering the originals better than they were. Then I watched the prequels and realized that they were at least original storylines wiht cool ideas - even if poorly executed.

I would have given this movie a 7 out of 10 if it stood alone. As movie VII in the Star Wars universe it is a complete copy of other movies. This was a poor reboot. Nothing more.

See other 0 or 1 reviews for the rest of my views. I've wasted enough of my time and money on this dumb movie.… Expand

38 of 64 users found this helpful3826

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1

NoshidoDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really am a star wars fan. I have collected the comics, books and games. I have always really enjoyed this universe as a little diversion form that lame thing we call life. So, when I heard that a new film was coming I was excited. Then they tell me ALL the cannon for the past 30 years is gone, poof. sigh... Okay fine, there were some things I didn't really like here and there anyway, so lets see what you got JJ.

Maybe, this will fix some of the things that went wrong in the EU, make an even better chapter. Right? NO. This uninhibited story opportunity is wasted completely to give us nothing new at all. There were so many directions they could have gone, and rich lore to pull from, why do this?

The story is simply non existent. The characters have little motivation for there reactions and show no real conflicting feeling or depth. Everything we see is unoriginal, stolen or uninteresting. One of the biggest issues is the core concept of the film. They are searching for Luke, but why? First he is not needed, they defeat the first order with a handful of x-wing pilots and a space janitor. Second he walks away from everything to find the first Jedi temple because he failed, but leaves a nebulous trail of bread crumbs in the form of a map? This makes less than zero sense. Last Rey beats Kylo Ren with ease with zero training, what the heck does she need to get better at? She already can mind trick move objects and saber fight soooo...?

One of the worst elements of the film is the hand holding, figuratively. Every time something happens in the film that needs explanation through good acting or story telling, they instead have a character break it down in simple sentences so we don't miss it. If a film is made well I feel it should be able to communicate to the audience without such heavy handed tactics. A look, a quick visual, something. In this film we don't see any of this. It would appear that Disney believes its audience is brain damaged or at the least far below average intelligence. I don't mind suspending disbelief but this film asks me to suspend cognitive function in order to be entertained. I give this film 1/10 instead of zero for one reason. The visuals were at least accurate to the universe, but not one plot point or character is worth a point.

It was painful to see something I loved destroyed this way. I think of what fans would have done if Peter Jackson had decided that Tolkien was no longer cannon in lord of the rings and made something like this. It would have redefined backlash, as it was he got a lot of flack for not staying close enough to the books, but in star wars its okay to flush everything the fans love down the toilet cause Disney. sigh...… Expand

39 of 66 users found this helpful3927

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8

nyphxDec 27, 2015

I saw the movie 24 hours ago, and have had time to process what i saw. It fully accomplishes what it set out to do. There is an entirely new generation of Star Wars fans who relate much more to these characters and their story. I took myI saw the movie 24 hours ago, and have had time to process what i saw. It fully accomplishes what it set out to do. There is an entirely new generation of Star Wars fans who relate much more to these characters and their story. I took my nephews, ages 7 and 9, and they have not stopped talking about the movie. All day they have been trying to relate it to Star Wars: Clone Wars and Rebels. Definitely taking them again, getting the DVD, and a trip to the Lego store has already been committed. They were pumped when they saw the Millenium Falcon, but not so much Hans Solo. It was good to see Solo and Leia, but only in small doses. That is why i gave it an 8. This is next generation stuff and they need to pass the torch. And for anyone who is saying it is just the same story rehashed, not so much. It has heroes, villans, and they are headed towards an epic finish. But, in the Star Wars universe, that is what it is. Different characters, different locations, spread over 1,000s of years. Most great sagas follow the same theme. You know, on second thought, probably could have given this movie a 9 simply because there is no Jar Jar Binks.… Expand

3 of 26 users found this helpful323

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7

Trev29Dec 27, 2015

Star Wars is very imaginative with fascinating likable characters. The story is simple, and that is what I like about it. It doesn't try to over complicate things. It runs just a little too long with repetitive looking action sequences.

8 of 50 users found this helpful842

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0

joepDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Worst... Star Wars movie... ever! Instead of creating something new and original Abrams shamelessly uses an old plot. Also, the characters in the movie have no depth at all (which Abrams claims is the most important thing!). I mean, what the hell is up with this Kylo Ren character? It seems like just decided to join the sith as some kind of dumb puberty act. The acting as well as some of the jokes are painful to watch. I would give it a 1 for special effects, but somehow the "authentic puppetry" doesn't match with all the CGI, making it even more unbelievable than with the bad acting alone. Also, Abrams managed to create an orange CGI character even more annoying than Jar Jar.… Expand

43 of 69 users found this helpful4326

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3

SpellkingDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's a welcome visit back to the Star Wars universe, satisfyingly filled with fan-service references. The plot, however, is somewhat weak (see below), and altogether made for an overall juvenile story.

**spoilers**

...

...

You'd think after having two death stars blown up, they'd stop making huge contraptions with fatal weak points. It's also nice to see the protagonist suddenly acquire skills and powers overwhelming, right in the nick of time. Twists feel somewhat overdone--more for edginess then for substance. In any case, I was disappointed, but entertained.

**/spoilers**… Expand

33 of 57 users found this helpful3324

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0

HellionDec 27, 2015

Overrated and over-cliched. Full of plot holes. Rushed simple story. Little in the way of substance and they turned the Empire into Nazi poster boys and then throw in a black guy as a Stormtrooper just to mess with us Empire fans. TypicalOverrated and over-cliched. Full of plot holes. Rushed simple story. Little in the way of substance and they turned the Empire into Nazi poster boys and then throw in a black guy as a Stormtrooper just to mess with us Empire fans. Typical Hollywood garbage screwing with the original creator's vision. A movie made by liberals for liberals in the age of political correctness. Just wait for the original and untouched Lucas trilogy we all know and want on blu-ray and call it a day.… Expand

33 of 65 users found this helpful3332

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0

TyekanikDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Mediocre at best. 2hr long cameo. Predictable and primitive plot. All those "spoilers" are laughable. Main villain is a wannabe villain, which makes him a disappointment. Same applies to the whole movie - wannabe Star Wars, which makes it a total disappointment.
This is the last Episode I went to watch in a theatre.… Expand

28 of 47 users found this helpful2819

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4

SlanethDec 27, 2015

I found the movie... boring, just boring. I liked the two main characters, however the bad guy was lacking and so was the plot.

It felt like the original trilogy forced into one movie, everything was rehashed.

25 of 44 users found this helpful2519

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2

Adler7Dec 27, 2015

I really looked forward to this movie, but came away disappointed. The story line is just a remake of an earlier story. Yet another "Death Star". Really? Another version of Darth Vader. Really? I suppose I was expecting an originalI really looked forward to this movie, but came away disappointed. The story line is just a remake of an earlier story. Yet another "Death Star". Really? Another version of Darth Vader. Really? I suppose I was expecting an original story, but not so much. At Least Harrison Ford won't have to come back for the next episode. I imagine George Lucas is laughing--all the way to the bank… Expand

42 of 71 users found this helpful4229

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0

deathclawDec 27, 2015

nah, i see fanbois push their +10 reviews. it was actually so bad it didnt worth the time ive wasted on watching it... the actors are rubbish, i could play better, the story is one by one episode 4 except that here isnt even a story justnah, i see fanbois push their +10 reviews. it was actually so bad it didnt worth the time ive wasted on watching it... the actors are rubbish, i could play better, the story is one by one episode 4 except that here isnt even a story just running jumping exploding shooting exploding monster eating exploding shooting end of movie... when i watch episode 4-6 i feel like they have made a 2 hours movie about days, months or years, this one on the other hand looks like they have made a 2 hours movie out of 5 minutes of events... lame. lame screenplay, lame actors just lame everything.… Expand

42 of 71 users found this helpful4229

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9

Rocker2014Dec 27, 2015

Having been a fan since about 5 years of the Star Wars franchise, there was obviously a lot of hype for me and many many others just like myself. To me, this movie restored my faith in Star Wars for years to come. JJ Abrams did a fantasticHaving been a fan since about 5 years of the Star Wars franchise, there was obviously a lot of hype for me and many many others just like myself. To me, this movie restored my faith in Star Wars for years to come. JJ Abrams did a fantastic job bring back the franchise with a new style and no being afraid to take some risk while still somehow giving most fans what they wanted to see. It's not going to hit for every fan because too many of us have expections on what is supposed happen and when it's not that, it can disppoint but to me it was a great Star Wars movie.… Expand

3 of 29 users found this helpful326

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0

Dutchmaster1Dec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 0 for the plot

Without a plot there is not point in making a film. Therefore a higher score cannot be justified.

BB8 does not have to deliver the map. It is not integral to the unit. R2D2 had to be delivered safely, everyone was looking for the droid, being associated with the droid lead to the deaths of Luke's uncle. When one can simply remove the map from the droid where does the tension lie with being associated with the machine?

Why would someone in such deep hiding leave a map. This plot line is beyond moronic. A map is there to find treasure or inanimate objects not a human.

Max von Sydow dies after 1 whole minute of meaningless dialogue. I don't know who he is. Therefore his death is meaningless, the bad guy in the film is not elevated to evil, just a senseless killing.

A Stormtrooper, janitor, sent with a death squad to wherever, suddenly develops a conscience. Later in the film Budha trooper has no hesitation in killing his once fellow comrades, or picking up a sabre to strike out. He is not a Jedi the first to wield a light sabre without training, or believing in the force. Saving his once enemy Poe they become best of friends straight away. Upon crashing, with a handy parachute which seems to be located beside the downed craft, Poe is nowhere to be seen. He doesn't reappear for most of the film. No Tie Fighters chase the fighter to the planet to check it has been destroyed?

Rey, the healthiest scavenger in the galaxy, soon to become insta Jedi, mechanic, pilot, just takes BB8 without any fuss from a fellow scavenger. Then decides to keep it instead of trading for food, really! You are starving to death and find a top of the range television, you can complete the rest. It is out of character. Straight away you question her and her motives.

Rey knows the Falcon, inside and out, this heap of junk which by all accounts would have been a part of the "legends" which both Finn and Rey are aware, yet there it lies melting under the baking sun on the sandy dust hole all along in her back yard and no one thinks to scavenge it? When she does expertly fly it and later on partners Han she knows the ship better than Han or Chewie. Doesn't that make them the worst pilot and copilot in Star Wars lore, no wonder the Falcon never flew properly, all they needed was Super Rey the whole time. Undermines two vital characters, I didn't even trust Han to fly the Falcon for the rest of the movie.

Ren, stops a laser blast mid air, gets hit by a wookie blasting him from farther away?

3P0 has a red arm, this furthers the plot, how? Apparently no spares even though Chewie meticulously reconstructs him in Empire?

A third Death Star, that can be easily defeated after a quick briefing and no detailed plan on how to defeat it, just some off the cuff remarks as to here we go again folks. The purpose of the ship is to remove the sun from the solar system therefore meaning any or all life is not possible unless a droid populated planet were possible. Therefore removing the sun removes all life. What was the need to destroy the planets, just to have mega explosions to show children in the theatre that the big metal plant is bad and resistance is good. But what are they resisting against, wasn't the Empire defeated?

Ren removes a mask upon which we find he doesn't need life support? So the mask is a toy, Disney sales for the mask cannot have been in the minds of the executives?

The often scant use of the force, fast food Jedi mind tricks, insta powers, even Vader reminded us "do not underestimate the power of the force". It seems as if it's power has been diluted, somewhat. Jedi on tap.

Hux a pre pubescent general, shouting and tantrum minded like Ren, exhibits immature and leaderless qualities, responsible to lead a force called the failed order?

No new ships in either the Empire or Resistance fleets? Upgrades with new paint but no new craft, I remember wanting to buy Y wing, B wing etc... Disney missed a trick there with the lack of craft. Again lazy.

But back to the film, R2 is depressed, Luke was by his side for three films even in Degoba, dumps him, his loyal friend, saved by him in many occasions, but dumped so he switches himself to standby mode. Suddenly at just the right time in the movie he switches on and reveals the rest of the map. Phew!

Han locates the Falcon, fifteen seconds after it leaves Jakuu. Cue Ray Harryhausen inspired calamari to inspire him to take back his ship, even while watching this I thought please god no!

But it got worse, cue triads from big trouble in little China and an extra from trainspotting. Bobba Fett would have been my choice, the worst scene in any of the franchise. Take a bow Disney.

I paid to watch a 200 million pound B movie. I cannot fathom how this film made it past the cutting room floor. Don't even get me started with the lack of music score.

Episode 8 the title can only be FROZEN the carbonite years! Han is dead and so is the franchise.

It's crap all of i… Expand

44 of 74 users found this helpful4430

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9

brofenixDec 27, 2015

This was my favorite Star Wars of all 7 so far, honestly. I really enjoyed the main protagonist Rey and really great writing/acting/effects all the movie throughout. Interesting return also to more mysterious Force origins/explanation fromThis was my favorite Star Wars of all 7 so far, honestly. I really enjoyed the main protagonist Rey and really great writing/acting/effects all the movie throughout. Interesting return also to more mysterious Force origins/explanation from the original than in the prequels; the Force awakening felt more mysterious and drove a great narrative.… Expand

3 of 26 users found this helpful323

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1

apagee13Dec 27, 2015

I am sorry, this is a TERRIBLE movie! First, a complete rehash of the first one. Second, plot makes NO sense. Third, writing is sloppy, pointless, weak and riddled with errors. Fourth, yes, the CGI is cool, but you just don't care about theI am sorry, this is a TERRIBLE movie! First, a complete rehash of the first one. Second, plot makes NO sense. Third, writing is sloppy, pointless, weak and riddled with errors. Fourth, yes, the CGI is cool, but you just don't care about the characters to matter. Fifth, a SCOTTISH accent from one of the bad guys! The FIrst Order?! It's just SAD that they had all this talent, money and made such a poor movie. I was very disappointed.… Expand

37 of 62 users found this helpful3725

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1

commonsensemdDec 27, 2015

When you see 2000+ positive reviews for this film remember that the success of this movie is putting food on the table for 25,000+ people, and unfortunately taking food off of mine. What a complete waste of time. If disappointment was aWhen you see 2000+ positive reviews for this film remember that the success of this movie is putting food on the table for 25,000+ people, and unfortunately taking food off of mine. What a complete waste of time. If disappointment was a four letter word it would be “Star,” and if refund was a four letter word it would be “Wars.” It is difficult to know where to start a review when the movie itself didn’t know where to start. The only thing that kept me awake in this film was the occasional cameo of an elderly star or ageless droid. Warning: a teenage scavenger hunt has more plot than this movie. It honestly feels like the Jets and Sharks, Crips and Bloods, and Hatfield and McCoy’s were locked in the writing room with a colorful pharma bowl in the center of the table.
Most of the characters did the best they could with a canned and uninspiring script; however, Chewy and Droids will keep you amused with their deliveries. The villains were a joke. The Napoleonic Ginger (Hux) was a disgrace to gingers; in fact, Boris Becker wielding a tennis racquet would have been more menacing. When Kylo Ren took off his mask I laughed out loud! Then, I had a difficult time focusing on his lines because I was expecting him to wave a magic wand causing doves fly out of his hair. Once again Rafael Nadal wielding a tennis racquet would have been more menacing. With all due respect, I do see this as being a good film if you are 14 or under. I taught 8th grade and for them I will raise the bar to 7 mainly because their internal reference library is much smaller and congested with similar swill.… Expand

47 of 78 users found this helpful4731

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8

jraz81Dec 27, 2015

“The Force Awakens”, the first in a brand new trilogy of Star Wars films that picks up some three decades after the events of the original trilogy that began with Star Wars (1977), continued with The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and ended with“The Force Awakens”, the first in a brand new trilogy of Star Wars films that picks up some three decades after the events of the original trilogy that began with Star Wars (1977), continued with The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and ended with Return of the Jedi (1983), ignites the franchise’s new era with a bang, and is sure to create a new generation of fans, while also satisfying the grown-ups in the audience whose main interest might be nostalgia for the original series.
The main plot concerns the search for the missing Luke Skywalker, the original series’ hero who has since disappeared in the intervening years. Skywalker is being searched for by both the First Order, a newly risen evil empire led by the villainous Kylo Ren (essentially a new, updated version of Darth Vader), and a movement called The Resistance, led by Skywalker’s sister Leia.
Featuring the return of the franchise’s original stars, Harrison Ford (who reprises the role of Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Leia), and Mark Hamill (Skywalker), the movie is simultaneously a tribute to the original Star Wars and a passing of the torch from this legendary trio to a new trio of heroes, played by Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac. Ridley, who plays Rey, an impoverished orphan girl on a desert planet, is the breakout star here, mixing the vitality of youth with an incredible confidence usually only seen in seasoned actors. Prior to this film, Ridley was the definition of unknown – she didn’t even have an IMDB or Wikipedia page, and had never starred in a theatrically released movie, so as much of a gamble as her casting was for the filmmakers, there’s no question that they made the right decision.
Boyega holds his own as Finn, a soldier for the enemy First Order, who after feeling a pang of conscience after a battle, switches sides to join Rey and the Resistance. Finn is clearly interested in Rey, although it’s not clear if she reciprocates this, and we’ll presumably have to wait for the next episode to find out.
Isaac plays Poe Dameron, a pilot in the Resistance, considered by many “the best pilot in the galaxy”. Isaac adds such an aura of “cool” to the film it’s a shame he didn’t get more scenes.
And rounding out the main cast of newcomers is Adam Driver, who plays Kylo Ren, Lupita N’yongo as cosmic bar owner Maz Kanata, and Andy Serkis as the sinister Supreme Leader Snoke.
With a franchise this revered, director JJ Abrams is wise to stick to story basics rather than experimenting, and the main plot points for The Force Awakens and the original Star Wars are so similar as to be unmistakably intentional. Abrams’ experimentation shows up more in the casting than in the narrative. Having a female lead character is sure to expand the fan base for Star Wars, as well as address the concerns of many critics of the film establishment bemoaning the lack of strong female leads at the box office. Another interesting casting choice is the youth of the primary villain. Driver’s Kylo Ren appears to only be in his 20s or early 30s, much younger than the relatively aging villains that have typically permeated this series – this perhaps hints at a more innate nature to Ren’s evilness. And for the pure fun factor, the new robotic character of BB-8 – a sphere-shaped robot with a playful personality – is sure to be a hit, especially with kids.
“The Force Awakens”, currently in wide release, has broken several box office records, including: largest opening day gross ($119 million), largest opening weekend gross ($247 million), and fastest movie to gross a billion dollars (12 days).… Expand

4 of 28 users found this helpful424

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0

IcedjwDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the first review I have ever made. I just need to balance the force and shove one to the Disney shills and paid critics, hence the 0 rating.

1. Star Killer - by 'sucking' up a sun you destroy a solar system, so why do you need to fire on planets that will die by cold, for which no reason is given anyway? As someone else pointed out; Death Star becomes Star Destroyer!

2. Ren's mask - has no function at all! So, when he removes the mask we are wondering what the hell is it for? It took 3 films to reveal Darth Vader to the world and it's function was to help keep him alive.

3. Ren's powers - Chewbacca manages to shoot Ren even though he can stop laser blasts. Massive
inconsistency here.

4. Poe - how does he survive the crash and how does he escape from the planet? For that matter how does Finn escape a Tie Fighter hurtling towards a planet at god knows what speed with a parachute? Was he using an ejector seat? Was it a strap on oarachute and if so how did he manage to counteract the G forces to get the parachute on? Also, parachutes in Star Wars? Huh?

5. R2D2 - how does R2 know when to reactivate from self imposed sleep depression?

6. Map - why is there a map when coordinates would do, especially as the plot does not center around
following the map at all to find Luke?

7. Rey - she learns the force without instruction or training. This may be plausible, but devalues everything we know about Luke et al in the previous films. Just horrible!

8. Finn - sanitation worker, sent on a battle mission?

9. CGI - just horrible for Maz, Snoke and those terrible creatures on the freighter run by Han.

10. Han - he is too old to run around. Why is he not a general rather than returning to his old haunts?

11. Snoke - why does he need a massive hologram? Every hologram in the previous films is life size or smaller. This makes no sense apart from the fact that it makes him 'big'.

12. Han death - oh boy! Advertised or what!!! How can you wait for 30 years, kill a legend, nobody blinks and the audience is left without even a tear? Shameful!!!!

13. Lightsaber - Maz manages to get hold of Luke's original - well played! How the hell is that possible? At the very least explain it!

14. Story - SW7 = SW4. If you had told me this before the film I wouldn't have believed you! 30 years to come up with a new story and this is the best that Disney can do?

15. Finn - can speak Wookie, can speak droid, fly the Falcon, fix the Falcon, defeat Jedi masters, self taught Jedi, self taught stick wielding martial artist. Not bad for an orphan with no support or back story.

16. Max von Sydow - gone in 60 seconds!

17. Leia - Han dies and she comforts a complete stranger rather than Chewbacca!

18. John Williams - I noticed the film score twice. My feeling is that he didn't have any emotion or tanguble plot to feed off of.

19. Finn - he gets hold of a lightsaber and just happens to fight the only Stormtrooper in history without a blaster.

20. Ren - forgets that he is probably the most powerful Jedi we have ever seen when fighting Rey. Why doesn't he just choke her from distance when the rupture occurs?

21. Lightspeed - apparently you can exit lightspeed a few hundred feet from a planet to bypass a shield. They forgot to mention this to Lando in ROTJ!

22. Phasma - just completely useless!

23. Scavenger - leaves the net it caught BB8 with, why?

24. Planet deaths - billions of people die and nobody gives a **** unlike Ben in SW4. 25. Ren - why does he walk across the bridge and how come he can't sense his own father who is about 50 feet away? Darh Vader senses Ben in SW4 when the Falcon is on the Death Star. 26. Resistance - the Rebellion won in SW6! Who would be left to resist against? 27. Death Star 3 - where did a newly formed dark side get the resources to build an operational death star 10x's as big as any previous build. I know it is part of a planet, but it still took 3 films to replace the original death star and that was under construction with all of the resources of the previous Emperor. 28. Nazi overtones - politics and other PC agendas have nothing to do with Star Wars! Galaxy far far away ffs! 29. Falcon - just happens to be on Jakku and then Han just happens to be flying by, what are the chances! None, that's what! 30. Falcon - the gun is put out of action when Ray and Finn are trying to outrun the Tie Fighters, which results in Ray having to pull out a stall move (2 minutes after learning to fly the falcon) But doesn't the Falcon have 2 guns? Why not just use the other gun! 31. Finn - makes friends with BB8 instantly and then has the chance to trade in BB8 for food and doesn't. Probably the best fed and healthiest looking scavenger ever. Just no depth to either of these scenes. Disney and Jar Jar Abrams ruined xmas and effectively trampled on the memories and emotional investment of anyone that truly cares about Star Wars lore. I could have pulled a better story out of my arse.… Expand

40 of 67 users found this helpful4027

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10

spikeargDec 27, 2015

Great movie ,not as unrealistic as the first 3 episodes and not as simple as the last 3 episodes , i loved it and to be honest i was expecting something worse than this.

8 of 57 users found this helpful849

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3

TitaniumDragonDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If this hadn't had "Star Wars" attached to it, it would have been panned. As it is quite bad.

This movie is a rehash of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope. Star destroyer at start? Check. Attack on rebels resulting in capture of one rebel while droid escapes with important data on it? Check. Droid finds force-sensitive person (who is likely the child of another character) on a desert planet, who shows remarkable piloting ability? Check (heck, hasn't this happened three times now?). Rebel escapes from bad guys with help of reluctant ally? Check. Force sensitive person escapes desert planet on Millenium Falcon just ahead of the Empire? Check.

The list goes on. And none of this is even a spoiler, really, because YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN STAR WARS.

Seriously, that's how bad this movie is. Literally everything in it, from the new not-Death Star to the death of the old mentor, is just a rehash of the original. Yes, there are some differences... but the ways in which it differs actually makes it worse.

The original cast returns, and Han, Leia, and Chewbacca are highlights of the movie. Han and Chewie play a major role and are main characters, even. I was kind of disappointed that Han was randomly off on his own again, as it was very jarring when he showed up and seemed to show little interest in the Resistance, but it made sense after a while. Well, a marginal amount of sense. Chewie was Chewie, and he worked just fine. Leia is okay, but something of a bit part, which is true of C3PO and R2D2 as well, both of whom play very marginal roles but get to show off their character.

However, the new characters essentially all suck.

Finn, the rebel stormtrooper, is inconsistently characterized, and while him being terrified and something of a coward is reasonable, he suggests that the reason he fled was that he wasn't willing to kill people... and then he instantly turns around and kills a ton of his former friends without any hesitation. He alternates between cowardice and killing lots of people for much of the movie, and it is terrible. He has no real depth of character, no particularly interesting speech patterns, nothing. He's just boring.

Rey, the movie's Luke expy, is a worse character than Luke in every way. She more closely resembles Anakin Skywalker from The Phantom Menace, including in her bizarre ability to instantly do a ton of things that it took other characters a lot of training to learn how to do. This sucks and it makes no sense - Luke spent three movies learning how to become a Jedi, and was wary of the light saber, while Rey gets in a lightsaber duel the first time she picks it up (and Finn also uses it effectively, which seems questionable - how did a storm trooper learn how to use a light saber?). She is a whiner who is waiting for her parents to come back, even though it is obvious to everyone that she has been abandoned by her parents, and it seems likely she is Luke’s daughter. She is bland, boring, and often takes actions (like running away on a random planet) which makes no sense and feels redundant with Finn's own status as a reluctant hero.

Poe is a resistance fighter who is the Rebel Alliance’s best pilot and who flies around an x-wing. He disappears for a good chunk of the film and seems very generic – he’s just a generic rebel pilot. I wasn’t surprised when he was killed off, I didn’t even recognize him when he showed back up again because he was so forgettable, and his personality, like the others’, was very bland and generic. He was no reluctant hero, but I am forced to wonder why he wasn’t with the other two characters for most of the movie – he could have served as a logical pilot versus Rey’s sudden ability to fly the Millenium Falcon, he could have gotten more characterization, and he could have served as more of a core to the team. His death didn’t incite any feelings in me, and when he doesn’t die after all, I didn’t care either.

BB-8, the new droid, is, quite sadly, the most well-characterized of the new characters. This is sad because he has no actual ability to speak at all, and has to rely entirely on body language. He serves as comedic relief, but feels redundant when the other droids show up.

And then there is the new villain, Kylo Ren, AKA Ben, a helmeted Darth Vader expy with a red lightsaber (with a hilt of sorts), a deep, menacing voice, and a Jedi who turned to the Dark Side of the Force. In the world’s most shocking moment, he turns out to be related to one of the heroes as well.

Seriously.

While there is some logic here – the character idolizes Darth Vader, and wants to be like him – the sad thing is that greatly damages him as a person. Darth Vader was awesome, but Kylo Ren ends up coming off as a wannabe. He’s violent and deadly, to be sure, but he’s more like a manchild than a cold, dark general. Indeed, the entire First Order comes off this way – a bunch of kids playing at being the Empire, rather than brutal dictators. It robs the film of gravitas.… Expand

40 of 69 users found this helpful4029

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7

iero7Dec 27, 2015

Meh wars. The real Star Wars was about imagination, sure they where using the plot of the seven samurai then the magnificent seven also 7 main characters in the original Star Wars , but Lucas created a whole mythology around it. This ,Meh wars. The real Star Wars was about imagination, sure they where using the plot of the seven samurai then the magnificent seven also 7 main characters in the original Star Wars , but Lucas created a whole mythology around it. This , though sets looked like Star Wars and the music was ok, had no imagination, Star Wars holiday special mark 2. It was ok instead of epic… Expand

9 of 26 users found this helpful917

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0

scorp18Dec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Congratulations Disney. You turned an Epic Saga into a poor franchise...
Rip-off... First I want to make clear that I'm a fan of the Star Wars Saga, movies and Expanded Universe alike. Have seen the Original Trilogy and the Prequels countless times and read more than 50 EU books (like many others have done as well of course). This "review" is not against anyone who like the movie but against the movie.
The first letdown was when Disney announced that the Expanded Universe is not Canon anymore and the Sequel Trilogy will be based on an "original" plot. No matter how much I disliked this fact I hopped that they could have still made up an interesting and original plot.
Unfortunately this is not the case... They have messed up the Expanded Universe and tried to make it fit in the plot of Episode IV. In the EU, Han and Leia have a son (Jacen Solo) whose Master is Luke (who else could it be?) and finally Jacen falls to the Dark Side and becomes something like Darth Vader. Luke Skywalker leaves everything behind and searches the Galaxy to answer what made Jacen become a Sith (Second Galactic Civil War, "Legacy of the Force" and "Fate of the Jedi" series).
So they kept this as a base, tried to make it fit in the plot of Episode IV and then named it "The Force Awakens".
- A droid has important information and is lost on a desert planet (they just renamed the droid from R2-D2 to BB-8 and the planet from Tatooine to Jakku)
- A person with Jedi powers with no knowledge of it gets the droid (Luke became Rey)
- The Imperials err.... sorry, the First Order has created a Super-weapon they call Starkiller base which is just a bigger Death Star!
- The bad guys take the good girl to the planet-sized space/battle station and the good guys go for the rescue
- As we all know from Episodes IV and VI the Death Stars had a weak point, so the new Imps were loyal to this and created the Starkiller base with a weak point as well! =)
- The weak point can be hit only if someone lowers the shields from the inside!
- On the Death Star, damn... I mean the Starkiller base the father figure is killed by the son figure, just like Obi-Wan was killed by Darth Vader...
On top of that there are many plot holes. Only Disney could make Rey, who just learned to use the force, overpower Kylo Ren who's supposed to have been an apprentice to Luke Skywalker and now of Snoke (seriously, Jar Jar Bings is a more serious name than Snoke...)
Episode I and II were far from perfect but AT LEAST had an original plot. The Prequels took the Saga another step forward. On the other hand, The Force Awakens (I refuse to call it Episode VII and they did well to omit it from the title) is a bad copy of Episode IV, a re-imagination of the original without a soul. It's a disrespectful spit on the face of the Star Wars Saga. A blasphemy.

I dare to say that Luke will die on Episode IX just like Yoda on VI and that Rey is Kylo Ren's sister and will kill him and redeem him on Episode IX too.

Congratulations Disney. You turned an Epic Saga into a poor franchise...… Expand

66 of 111 users found this helpful6645

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0

literallywhoDec 27, 2015

I'm not even part of the Star Wars fan club, but I created an account to give this garbage 0.

I tried to convince myself the movie was fun when I went to the theater. I failed. FA is a complete and utter garbage. Plot is mind-numbing.I'm not even part of the Star Wars fan club, but I created an account to give this garbage 0.

I tried to convince myself the movie was fun when I went to the theater. I failed.

FA is a complete and utter garbage. Plot is mind-numbing. Jokes are tired and cringeworthy. Idea of Kylo struggling with the whole dark/light side was nice but the execution was terrible. Felt like I was watching a failure of a straight-to-TV aimed at a 10 year old demographic.

Cash grab remake/merch advertisment, and nothing more.… Expand

86 of 146 users found this helpful8660

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6

LB3Dec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't know if I'm actually surprised by how mediocre this move was.

Obviously, George Lucas' original vision was a tough act to follow. Also considering the fact of the sci-fi and super hero movies we've seen since the original trilogy--including the prequels--that admittedly may have unfairly set the bar of expectation far too high for this film to overcome.

I will firstly go over what they got right:

-- Strong female lead: Although it's sad to say, but Hollywood tends to fall short on strong, multi-dimensional female lead characters--particularly in movies of this genre. Rey was no Disney princess in that she didn't flail around with that insufferable need to be romantically entangled. I also like the way the film handled Fin's misguided notion of "damsel in distress" syndrome, as she was perfectly capable of navigating her destiny without his intervention. Kudos for that.

-- The nostalgia: Yeah, we get it. This move IS part of the venerable "Star Wars" lore. So yes, it did what it had to do in order to tip a hat towards the movies that preceded it in an honest and respectful manner. This however is also something of a proverbial double-edged sword, in that I can't help but feel that we could have gotten that same sense of nostalgia in roughly 15 minutes of screen time. I am somewhat disheartened that this movie didn't have the courage to stand too distant from the original sexology.

On a personal note, I AM happy that this movie didn't serve to insult the audience's collective intelligence. No cheap shots or campy, "kiddie" humor moments that even Lucas couldn't resist. This film was a bit more sober than that in a very welcome sort of way.

The high point of the movie for me was General Hux'es not-so-subtle Hitler speech before the pounding of the doomsday button. The nerd in me was duly pleased.

Now onto what was unfortunately lackluster about The Force Awakens:

-- Thin on plot: This movie wasn't particularly compelling--especially not for what has been purported as a must-see film anything short of the return of Christ himself. YES, I am wholly sympathetic on the size of shoes Abrams had to fill. But this is where the move could have benefitted from standing-out more on its own. It's a tough call for sure, knowing that you have so many fans suffering from nostalgia fetish to please. Instead, we get a series of deus ex machina laden coincidences that amble the story along haplessly from one situation to another. YES, we can imply that the underlying "FORCE" plot device was weaving its tacit magic behind the scenes. But I shouldn't have to reach for this conclusion. There were already enough potential 4th wall breaks to accommodate some prototypically ancient wise character turning to the audience and saying, "...what...did you honestly think this all of such-and-such actually happened randomly on its own accord? (Yada yada) The FORCE..."

-- Weak black lead character: While I applaud Hollywood for taking a chance with a predominant black lead character, I am disappointed that they had to make him out to be the most feeble of our motley heroes. Okay, okay...I GET IT: Fin represents the nameless, faceless lackey that begets all Storm Troopers. And narratively, he is the lowly "everyman", Joe the Plumber reference that we are supposed to be able to relate to. But his twitchy mannerisms were something short of cowardice in the most unflattering way. Like I said, I get it: His character showed obvious growth even during this movie, nodding at even more potential character growth in the sequels to this...sequel. But the comedic reveal of his actual vocation didn't have the effect the writers intended on me, personally. I guess we're supposed to be satisfied enough with our lead heroine and not complain about another black stereotype stumbling around foolishly like a court jester. C'mon, Hollywood: You CAN do better than this!

-- Closure: It seems as though the writers burned so much time in nostalgic reverence that the climax of the film seemed hurried, abrupt, and artificial. I don't know why they felt they HAD to bookend this particular installment. For example...

****WARNING: HUGE SPOILERS BELOW*****

...I am constantly confused by how the Empire or First Order or whatever the "bad guys" want to call themselves fail to overcome the design flaws of their respective ultimate weapons. I mean--come on--seriously: A SINGLE X-Wing fighter takes out the planet-killing doomsday device AGAIN??? This was THE most egregiously tiresome aspect of the film, and what honestly pushed it down a few pegs to mediocrity for me.

On a more personal note: I am sourly disappointed that NONE of the new bad guys illicit the same intense fear that any of the previous villains had. Instead, we get a mousy, angsty, tantrum-throwing punk that looks like he got picked on one too many times on the playground; unforgivably weak.… Expand

14 of 29 users found this helpful1415

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0

CanisrahDec 27, 2015

Well. I went and saw it with an open mind. And now having done so - I pose the following question: suppose you are handed the Star Wars license - a treasured and cherished world... the possibilities are endless... the implications withoutWell. I went and saw it with an open mind. And now having done so - I pose the following question: suppose you are handed the Star Wars license - a treasured and cherished world... the possibilities are endless... the implications without limit. The story-lines that you could pursue - the rich and varied canon upon which you could draw... the menace you could conjure from the depths of deep space... the eternal struggle between the Dark and the Light sides of the Force... anything is possible.

But instead, Disney and JJ give us an uninspired, derivative, soulless turkey.

This movie is a train wreck from start to finish (aside from the first 15 minutes which aren't too bad and the last 2 minutes which was OK). The gaping holes in the plot, the lineup of weak and pointless villains, and the eerie sense of reverie for the classic films embodied in the returning cast recalls the ghosts of much better films in what, even in it's best moments, is a pale imitation without soul or substance.

The new cast members are a mixed bag. Finn has no gravitas (and that's not because he's black - its because he's working with a crap script where he's given only comic relief and because he doesn't strike me as a very good actor), while Rey is passable but mired in feminist symbolism. Captain Phasma is completely superfluous - all the hubub about her was puzzling considering she gets about 2 lines and 1 minute of screen time... if she wasn't a female you wouldn't notice the character at all. The only standout was Poe Dameron but he doesn't get much screen time.

The returning cast were nice to see - but they look old and tired - leaving the viewer pining for the classic films in more ways than one. But don't worry - the entire plot is pretty much Star Wars - A New Hope - and that's not an exaggeration - even down to disabling the shields so that the rebels (er... resistance) can destroy the Death Star (er... Star Killer).

Then you have the climatic scene where one of the film's big moments occur - which essentially boils down to a domestic between parent and child that could play out in any suburban lounge room. It's a pathetic and silly end for a beloved character.

And on top of the superficial lip service to adventure, we have to contend with a thick layer of political correctness. Seriously - it's beyond a joke. I didn't buy into whole 'white guys upset because of a black lead' stuff that was in the media before I saw the film... but having seen it - the Social Justice Brigade are out in force in this movie... and you know what... that wouldn't be so bad IF THE DIVERSITY ANGLE HAD A CONTEXTUAL PLACE in the story... if it made sense within the constraints of the narrative... and it doesn't.

If you wanted too - you could note that the bad guys are all white Europeans (almost all male) with English accents - representative of those nasty white males who are responsible for every problem with the world ever conceived; while the 'resistance' are the Social Justice Inclusivity Brigade with lots of different cultures and genders represented - representative off all the 'oppressed' people who suffer so terribly with all those micro aggressions and first world 'issues' which a generation of pampered, self-entitled narcissistic millennials constantly whine about. It's pretty easy to see the sulky brat villain with his daddy issues pining after Darth Vader (i.e. patriarchy) easily put down by the strong feminist lead with her black guy sidekick - and a female Jedi is fine... but she's got no training, no nothing, but still kicks ass with the light sabre and force powers. Seems training isn't needed anymore, like a lot of other elements of Star Wars canon - it's just chucked out. All a bit pathetic.

It will make a truckload of money because it's got the Star Wars label on it - but it's not Star Wars; just a cheap counterfeit, like bad fan fiction written by a first year Gender Studies millennial. Once the hype dies down, most will see it for what it is.… Expand

72 of 123 users found this helpful7251

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3

gloukasDec 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First off, I am not a Star Wars Fan Boy. I have no Bias. I just watched the entire 6 Star Wars films two years ago and thoroughly enjoyed them all, even the Prequels. Despite some of the Prequels shortfalls, the villains were still great, the Characters great, and the plot and character development excellent and very "Star Wars"

The Force Awakens is not just the worst Star Wars Movie, it is one of the worst and most diluted movies I have ever seen. It is on my top 10 worst movies list (excluding ridiculous no-budget goof movies like CHUD etc).

The villain is an absolute goofball. He is not scary or serious at all. We get no time to get to know the characters. Finn changes personalities way too fast. Not only that, but by the previews he seemed like a serious, emotional character. But it turns out he was just a goofball clown and an unlovable hero. Very disappointed with his Characters lack of power and presence.

The plot. WTF? It jumps all over the place. One minute its on track going to find Luke where it could have taken us on a fun treasure hunt and many different places to find him and gather clues. Instead time was wasted on the most useless scenes that wasted screen time. Like when they find Han Solo and suddenly monsters are loose and that takes like 10-15 minutes.....I kept waiting for it to end so the Journey could start. The rest of the Characters and scenes were forgettable.

Next thing you know suddenly all these planets blow up and there is a new Deathstar and the entire Resistance is about to be annihilated.......where the hell did that come from? WHAT IS GOING ON?? NOW GOLEM IS IN THE MOVIE??!??!?! WHERE ID GOLEM COME FROM?!?!?!

I also have to point out how absolutely awful and outplayed their attempt was to make the Stormtroopers look like Nazis......really. **** ridiculous. It also really ruined the scary unsolved mystery the stormtroopers were. Even though we learned what they were, there was some mystery there.

Han Solos death which should have been a massive massive moment was so predictable. It had no build up. It should have struck so much harder, but it was so rushed. I still wasn't even sure what the hell was going on at that point.

No review got it more right than the Vatican associated newspaper. I am not religious, I am an "Athiest" (I just consider myself born neutral but ok). They tried to paint it out as a joke and religion influenced, but it is the most accurate, credible and unbiased review since Im pretty sure Disney wasnt advertising on their website and publication. If you haven't read it, go check it out.

Too bad. So much could have been done and I LOVED JJ Abrams Star Trek Pictures. But man, What a FLOP this was. Top 10 worst movies I have EVER seen!!! The ONLY good thing in the movie was Rey. Not her Character, but her acting. She stole the show and that very very very last moment with her and Luke did get me to tingle a bit. Other than that, just absolutely awful.

Thanks for reading.… Expand

33 of 57 users found this helpful3324

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1

richie5150Dec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One big dreadful cliff hanger.

Question: Why does Poe decide to leave Jakku after Finn and him crash the tie fighter on their way back to Jakku?

I thought the whole point of going back to Jakku was to find BB8? He would have had no idea that Finn would complete his mission for him.

This is just one example among dozens.

One of the criteria for choosing a new director should have been that they were actually a star wars fan...

DREADFUL!… Expand

41 of 69 users found this helpful4128

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3

ToThePointDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I've seen it once and the more I think about it the more I dislike it.

I am a big SW fan of the originals, including ROTJ. Came in with an open mind, thought the beginning was strong but that was it. The special effects and cinematography are excellent with the story and characters being the weakest part. They had years to create a strong plot, they had seemingly endless possibilities (and budget).

This movie lacks menace and tension. There is no depth within any of the characters. I really didn't understand what was going on the universe. Another death star? Bumping into Solo? CGI emperor? CGI old woman? Evil person being outclassed by a newbie Jedi. The list goes on.

A criticism people are not discussing. Are we to believe LUKE SKYWALKER, a character with 3 movies worth of integrity runs away from his problems and evil after a set back. He stays hidden while evil amasses and ultimately destroys billions of lives. The scene is completely different from "Old Bens Kenobi" retirement to Tatooine, where he watched over the last hope of the Jedi (Luke) rather than hid.

Such a disappointment and now they've ruined it. They have to continue the films with these characters and this "new" universe. I don't believe they can turn it around. It did not feel like Star Wars. I'm not looking forward to the spin offs either with the director of Jurassic World (another over hyped empty piece of plastic) signed on. Hollywood is in shambles. J J Abraham's is a poor director. He has made millions but his legacy is that of a B class director.… Expand

56 of 94 users found this helpful5638

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3

armchaircritic9Dec 26, 2015

Like many other review will tell you, this film is literally a rehash of A New Hope. It becomes laughable how much material they took from the OT after you see them blow up ANOTHER death star. I wanted to see a continuation of the story, notLike many other review will tell you, this film is literally a rehash of A New Hope. It becomes laughable how much material they took from the OT after you see them blow up ANOTHER death star. I wanted to see a continuation of the story, not a recycled version of the existing one. JJ has failed this franchise and the millions of fans who follow it. There is no excuse for this lack of creativity. If episode 8 continues this trend I will not be watching the finale of the new trilogy.… Expand

97 of 163 users found this helpful9766

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0

crzymodernworldDec 26, 2015

real ticks me off how much propaganda there is in this film . it is such a farce of in your face “female empowerment” .For example this Captain Phasma. portrayed as an alpha badass, elusive and apparently capable of extraordinary combatreal ticks me off how much propaganda there is in this film . it is such a farce of in your face “female empowerment” .For example this Captain Phasma. portrayed as an alpha badass, elusive and apparently capable of extraordinary combat feats. So someone please tell me: where in real life (and the military) are these sorts of women? One of the hallmarks of good fantasy is its ability to generate suspended disbelief. The story must be real and plausible enough in other areas that you can forgive the mind-boggling aspects (such as the Force in Star Wars). Captain Phasma just doesn’t pass the sniff test.leave it to liberals to ruin starwars.… Expand

32 of 54 users found this helpful3222

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6

LightbarrierDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Those looking for positive feedback look away because this is not the review for you. "The Force Awakens" threw me off because it made me ask if it was possible to get in trouble for plagiarizing your own work. Allot of the scenes that appear in the movie played very similarly to all the other original Star Wars movies especially the first one. For me it's fine when a story reuses a small scene as a nod to the original, the problem is that too much of the story here followed the same script of the first one from the death of a major character to the destruction of the massive weapon. This in turn makes it hard to decipher what makes "The Force Awakens" special, when I left the movie theater I admittedly thought it felt like the original star wars movie however, it didn't feel like a Star Wars movie. What do I mean here, well the original Star Wars movie at the time felt so different and there was nothing out there like it. However, for me "The Force Awakens" had none of that originality that made the first so special and thus relied only on what fans loved about the originals. Now other movies may seem to also copy narrative, so much so that this idea of myth comes into play and that nothing is original. However, just because the overall narrative may play to a hero's quest doesn’t mean that everything has to follow the exact same order with the exact same events. By the time the credits had rolled and people were clapping I felt like a chump, what did they see in the movie that I didn't, I've watched all the originals and it's not like I didn’t find the lore of the universe interesting. However, I really know the answer to that. For me it was " Star Wars: Episode VII The Fan Fiction", it has everything that fans love in the star wars universe, but it's not willing to bring any new interesting or exciting ideas to the table. Thus how could I like what I've already seen when I watched the original movies.

Other than that I had a few more complaints Kylo Ren who is the new main villain in this trilogy makes Anakin Skywalker look like a civil likeable character. Although thanks to JJ Abrams amazing camera work most of these scenes where Kylo Ren goes off on a hissy fit make him instead look like a complete badass compared to a small whiny child which you can easily see if you take a second to think about the scene. However, that just shows what amazing camera work can do to make up for bad characterization (if only the prequels had this camera work then maybe we wouldn’t think of them as we do today).

Also the lightsaber battles in this movie are by far the worst in the series and that even includes “Star Wars Episode IV”. No I’m being serious; the final battle has Kylo Ren swinging his lightsaber up and down repeatedly like an axe while the protagonist just stabs the lightsaber at him. While this was happening I had to look away in complete embarrassment knowing that no swords men would ever make such reckless moves in a real fight. To make things worse the protagonist wins despite never using a lightsaber in battle before. We are lead to believe this as the force is strong in our protagonist, but come on Kylo Ren is supposed to have experience wielding a lightsaber for years and you expect us to believe he would lose to someone with no swordsman experience plus you’re making this villain look like a total wimp in the final half of the first movie.

I have some other minor complaints about this movie such as the lack of giving any backstory to how we arrived to these events after episode VI, but these are the major issues which hold the movie back for me. Thus I can say I didn’t really like “Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens”.… Expand

20 of 34 users found this helpful2014

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10

megamegaDec 26, 2015

absolutely amazing and no jar jar-esque character or over done cgi
wow...loved this. JJ Abrams should direct all three. 800 million already
i hope RIAN jOHNSON can match JJ Abrams in episode 8 all you zero spammers get the heck offabsolutely amazing and no jar jar-esque character or over done cgi
wow...loved this. JJ Abrams should direct all three. 800 million already
i hope RIAN jOHNSON can match JJ Abrams in episode 8
all you zero spammers get the heck off ruining metacritic… Expand

6 of 44 users found this helpful638

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4

RMIngriaDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I just saw this movie on Christmas Eve in IMAX with a packed house expecting great things from all the talent represented that contributed to the making of the film. The writing team seemed to be a perfect fit with Kasdan, Abrams and the others, which in my opinion were a good choice to fuse the old with the new. Also, George Lucas was brought in as a consultant.

WTF happened????? I am certain, that if the filmmakers went by the original script for Star Wars, which was so long originally that it had to be broken down into 9 episodes, that the last 3 episodes had little, if anything in common with this new release.

I find it hard to believe that these characters are part of the original story. It appears that all that was done was to look at what is needed to market a old product in a new market. Now we have a young girl (an orphan, who has Force powers with no training because she was told so by a stranger) we have a Black Leading man, no doubt for the cross marketing, who never comes across as a believable defector from the Empire, now reborn as the First Order) and a cute droid that has a secret map to Luke Skywalkers location. This begs the question, why is he hiding? 30 years later after he defeats the Empire and blows up their stronghold, and the death of the Galactic Leader and his father Darth Vader is he cowering alone at some remote island. Why would he not be with his sister? Han Solo, a hero, is now a bad dad? Leaves his wife for whatever reason and abandons his son? Hans Jr. has the power of the Dark Side? So strong he can stop a phase blaster in mid air but can beat a novice at a mind game or with his light saber? The girl happens to find one and master it in 1 lesson? I wouldn't be surprised is the orphan girl is none other than Luke's little darling. She was born with the force that was passed on. Stay tuned for another mystery reveal like Luke and his Da da.

Leia had zero charisma or strength as she did as Princess Leia. The chemistry between Hans and her was sadly lacking. Its was as if the actors said, "hey they paid us a lot of money to redo this, so let's just make the most of it and get it over with". I felt uncomfortable watching those two for a extended period of time.

There were entertaining moments, but I kept feeling that there were too many attempts at tossing in elements for the sake of a modern viewing audience and foregoing any real attempt and making clarity of a 30 year gap in the story line.

Death Planet was absurd and its effects barely noticed. The race against time was too trite this time out. Recall that the plot point of SW4 was the plans of the Death Star in R2 and the retrieval of those were needed to save the Rebellion. Now we have a Droid with plans to protect the Location of Luke. Is that even close as a plot device?
I don't get it. The massive hunt for the droid and subsequent failure by the First Order to capture it is beyond any logic. And who is the Great Overlord? I guess we needed him as the old leader was killed. This is a big hole.

And how is it that Master Luke did not foresee the arrival of the girl and the light saber. Why was the light saber left in a box in a bar? Hmmm, was this done by Luke as a prevision to his daughter finding it and ultimately bringing it to him. Let the training begin. Hence the beginning of SW8.

All this commentary for naught. I am but a single ticket sale in the host of millions that will be sold. I am glad the movie is making a lot of money. Disney paid 4 Billion up front to by Lucas Film. That took Star sized balls to do!… Expand

22 of 37 users found this helpful2215

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3

ryecaDec 26, 2015

Watching this movie is a sad affair and the good reviews for it are INSANE. Not just surprising, but completely insane. It is not a good movie, and really makes you wonder why people could give it good reviews. Have people given up on movies?Watching this movie is a sad affair and the good reviews for it are INSANE. Not just surprising, but completely insane. It is not a good movie, and really makes you wonder why people could give it good reviews. Have people given up on movies? Is this what we consider a passing grade? I understand having some allegiance to a movie franchise, but at some point we just have to be honest. Star Wars VII is crap made to sell you more crap. Maybe the toys are fun for your kids, but if you are older than 10 this movie will be (or should be) boring, repetitive, and cliche nonsense.

Quick summary:
Rey is crap, she runs like a fool, her accent is absurd, and how she "acquires" the force is absolutely ridiculous. These attempts at writing a powerful female character are laughable and actually insulting. The presentation and development of the First Order and Resistance is lazy. The world-building is also lazy. The Kylo Ren actor is laughably cast. He looks like a close-up magician who stole Snape's haircut. The references are pointless, because the movie just isn't good. Here's a tip: leave out all the cheap references to the previous films and just make a good movie instead. But that won't happen, because they have to sell this to millions around the world, so nuance or intelligence is thrown out the window before the movie is even made. The CG woman in the bar (you'll know her) is so bad - it looks like they just lifted the costume-making character from the Incredibles and plopped her into "a galaxy far far away." Anyway... on and on..

The movie is just...dumb.

Chewie is good. No problems with Chewie.… Expand

108 of 185 users found this helpful10877

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6

EludiumQ36Dec 26, 2015

Dammit, I understand all the Episode IV rip-off criticism now that I've seen it. And Harrison Ford at 73 and Carrie Fisher at a rough-looking 59 are to be commended for their capacity to appear but their presence only served to bolster theDammit, I understand all the Episode IV rip-off criticism now that I've seen it. And Harrison Ford at 73 and Carrie Fisher at a rough-looking 59 are to be commended for their capacity to appear but their presence only served to bolster the criticism that VII leans too much on IV/VI. And though "the force awakens" in newcomer Rey, it all came a bit too easy to her - in fact the scene where she realizes she has Mental Persuasion - quickly descends into self-parody. And of course it follows that Rey is "a new hope", and dollars-to-donuts, with the Rebels', er Resistance's win, Episode VIII will parallel "The Empire Strikes Back" with the First Order recovering and having another go at the Resistance. The orig trilogy ended in '83 with "Return of the Jedi", so we all hoped that given a biblically long 32 year wait, our socks would be knocked off with a set of sequels (most of us want to forget the prequels). Instead, it appears the new set is cut from the same cloth as the old. Sure they'll all make their billions of dollars and rate 6 or 7 of 10, but it sure would've been great to have a set of 9s or 10s like Eps IV and V. JJ Abrams could've done this but it's like he held back, like he felt culture-bound to replicate rather than innovate, too bad.… Expand

26 of 45 users found this helpful2619

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0

CounterpunchDec 26, 2015

After doing his two Star Trek movies, JJ was stuck in rehash mode with this one. The difference is that Star Trek was announced as a relaunch, but this film is called 'Episode 7,' in other words, a continuation of the existing franchise.After doing his two Star Trek movies, JJ was stuck in rehash mode with this one. The difference is that Star Trek was announced as a relaunch, but this film is called 'Episode 7,' in other words, a continuation of the existing franchise. Talk about a disappointment. I breathed a huge sign a relief when I saw all of the critic reviews (which I now find inexplicable), only to be astounded by what a God-awful film this was. To quote Luke upon first seeing the Millennium Falcon, 'what a piece of junk!'… Expand

76 of 128 users found this helpful7652

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3

Kevdog33Dec 26, 2015

I thought about walking out twice which would of been the first time I have wanted to walk out of a movie since the Phantom Menace. Han Solo and Chewbacca were at least enjoyable. Sadly Jar Jar Abrams has likely ruined 2 movies. This one andI thought about walking out twice which would of been the first time I have wanted to walk out of a movie since the Phantom Menace. Han Solo and Chewbacca were at least enjoyable. Sadly Jar Jar Abrams has likely ruined 2 movies. This one and the next Star Trek which he really seemed to be very adept at directing. To think he was to be the new hope. However, it is too derivative to be anything but what it came from. Crap… Expand

69 of 116 users found this helpful6947

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10

HiDef-JulesDec 26, 2015

A wonderful homage to the first Star Wars film, setting things up fantastically for the next one. They absolutely nailed the essential elements of the first trilogy and introduced a great cast of new characters. Brilliantly done, welcome backA wonderful homage to the first Star Wars film, setting things up fantastically for the next one. They absolutely nailed the essential elements of the first trilogy and introduced a great cast of new characters. Brilliantly done, welcome back Star Wars, its been too long.… Expand

11 of 59 users found this helpful1148

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1

GoloithDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Honestly. I seriously cannot believe how paid-off these critics are. Anyone who even has a shred of intelligence that has seen the other movies knows how bad this film was. Not only that, but there is simply some BIG mistakes in the plot. My issues:
(1) How many death star/planets is there going to be? I guess we're going to see 2-3 more I suppose......
(2) Why would someone like Captain Phasma just hand willing lower the shields.....I mean someone who would be in her position had to be ruthless to get there and would die or even trick Han Solo and Finn before lowering those shields.
(3) How in the world did Rey defeat Kylo Ren? Ok I get it that Rey is the main character and shouldn't die, but the first movie should have established the next set of movies by Rey fleeing from Kylo who's simply cannot pursue Rey because of setback to the Empire
(4) Leia loses the love of her life and her son (emotionall speaking). Leia should have dropped to the ground on her knees and cried out in sorrow, much like Luke does when he finds out Vader is his father. This was practically emotionaless.

How any critic can ignore the 4 above problems is just mind boggling. Honestly, Meta-Critic should just get rid of Critic reviews since their such **** these days.… Expand

96 of 159 users found this helpful9663

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10

Bat-Gamer-GuyDec 26, 2015

I've seen this film twice now, and without a doubt, I can say that this is truly the most amazing and emotional and intense movie I've ever seen. I LOVE Star Wars, and with this movie, the franchise is back, and better than ever. Is itI've seen this film twice now, and without a doubt, I can say that this is truly the most amazing and emotional and intense movie I've ever seen. I LOVE Star Wars, and with this movie, the franchise is back, and better than ever. Is it flawless? No, even though there are few flaws, such as some plot points being VERY SIMILAR to the other films, notably A New Hope, I love this movie, and these flaws are so minor it doesn't kill my enjoyment of the movie. The characters are memorable, the performances are excellent, the visuals are beautiful, the story is good, and overall, the movie is spectacular. Disney did everything right with this film and the franchise as a whole. I can't wait to see where the series goes next. 10/10 :)… Expand

2 of 30 users found this helpful228

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10

JohnMasterLDec 26, 2015

As a filmmaker, talking about Star Wars is a topic very complex and very difficult, because this franchise manages aspects which at the end professional critics see him in a way and the fanboys see it otherwise.
This new chapter in the sagaAs a filmmaker, talking about Star Wars is a topic very complex and very difficult, because this franchise manages aspects which at the end professional critics see him in a way and the fanboys see it otherwise.
This new chapter in the saga was without doubt one excellent and epic film, the same feeling I felt when I saw the original (Episode IV, V and VI) returned it to feel with this film. J.J. Abrams did something that George Lucas (the original creator) could do with its prequels (is not that they are bad, maybe if they are loose, but they walked away completely from the style of the originals) and this is going to write in caps because I want to make it clear: "This is a movie of STAR WARS" "EPISODE VII is FEELS like a film of STAR WARS" from that begins until it ends feels like the original. There is a complaint from "Some fanboys" that this movie is a bit like with Episode IV, my answer is simple: this made it for the simple fact of creating nostalgia to the most loyal fanboys of the saga, and not only that, the new characters are completely amazing and interesting. I don't want to give any Spoiler, because that is not the point, you have to see this movie at the cinema and I find it unfair that many people end up counting the main plot by social networks, all they need to know (if it is that they are reading this little critical) is that if you're a fan of Star Wars or not You'll enjoy this film and feel the same sensation you felt with the original movies, original, unique and totally exciting because it feels fresh, feel. The action scenes are incredible and John Williams soundtrack combines the classics with new melodies and that gives freshness and nostalgia at the same time.
And I would like to say something very daring: STAR WARS: EPISODE VII is one of the best films of STAR WARS; If the fifth Episode was the best, the 7th Episode followed, surpassing even the original Episode IV and Episode VI. A magical, exciting, epic, fun and nostalgia-filled adventure.

Review en Español:
Como un cineasta, hablar de Star Wars es un tema muy complejo y muy difícil, pues esta franquicia maneja aspectos que al final los críticos profesionales lo ven de una forma y los fanboys lo ven de otra.
Este nuevo capítulo de la saga fue sin duda alguna una excelente y épica película, la misma sensación que sentí cuando vi las originales (Episodio IV, V y VI) lo volví a sentir con esta película. J.J. Abrams hizo algo que George Lucas (el creador original) no pudo hacer con sus precuelas (no es que sean malas, tal vez si son flojas, pero se alejaron completamente del estilo de las originales) y esto lo voy a escribir en mayúsculas porque quiero que quede bien claro: "ESTA ES UNA PELICULA DE STAR WARS" "EPISODE VII SE SIENTE COMO UNA PELICULA DE STAR WARS" desde que inicia hasta que termina se siente como las originales. Existe una queja por parte de "Algunos fanboys" acerca de que esta película tiene un tanto parecido con el episodio IV, mi respuesta es simple: esto lo hicieron por el simple hecho de crear nostalgia a los fanboys más fieles de la saga, y no solo eso, los nuevos personajes son completamente increíbles e interesantes. No quiero dar ningún Spoiler, porque ese no es el punto, uno tiene que ver esta película en el cine y se me hace injusto que muchas personas terminen contando la trama principal por las redes sociales, lo único que tienen que saber (si es que están leyendo esta pequeña critica) es que tanto si eres fan de Star Wars o no, vas a disfrutar esta película y sentirás la misma sensación que sentiste con las películas originales, porque se siente fresca, se siente original, única y completamente emocionante. Las escenas de acción son increíbles y la banda sonora de John Williams combina los temas clásicos con nuevas melodías y eso da nostalgia y frescura al mismo tiempo. Y me gustaría decir algo sumamente atrevido: STAR WARS: EPISODE VII ES UNA DE LAS MEJORES PELICULAS DE STAR WARS; si el Episode V fue el mejor, el Episode VII le sigue, superando incluso a las originales Episode IV y Episode VI. Una aventura mágica, emocionante, épica, divertida y llena de nostalgia.… Expand

10 of 53 users found this helpful1043

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1

JBBuDec 26, 2015

This movie must be one of the most overrated films of the century. The acting is wooden, the humour misplaced and the action is clichéd time ten. The plot, if you can call it that, is a little more than a contrived re-make of the first StarThis movie must be one of the most overrated films of the century. The acting is wooden, the humour misplaced and the action is clichéd time ten. The plot, if you can call it that, is a little more than a contrived re-make of the first Star Wars but similar art production that made the first one so fun.… Expand

96 of 158 users found this helpful9662

All this user's reviews

9

dekemoviegeekDec 26, 2015

JJ Abrams has revived the series as he did with the Star Trek franchise. The quality that really shines through is what is evident and appreciated is that he is a true and knowledgeable fan of both series and there are a number of insiderJJ Abrams has revived the series as he did with the Star Trek franchise. The quality that really shines through is what is evident and appreciated is that he is a true and knowledgeable fan of both series and there are a number of insider nods that hearken back and pay homage to the past (much as Daniel Craig has with the Bond series & he makes an uncredited cameo as a stormtrooper. SPECTRE was shot at the same London studio) Not to mention, bringing back series relics: Harrison Ford steals the show with his age-defying performance. The newcomers were great and so is this installment. Your alias is that of a Jedi & are a person of interest who kept the series from being lost on the fringe of the galaxy & The Schwartz was clearly with you, Felicity Navidad Mr. Abrams!… Expand

3 of 31 users found this helpful328

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9

metsfan0405Dec 26, 2015

Great movie. Great story. Great characters. JJ Abrams did an amazing job with this movie. It truly lives up to mos of the hype surrounding it. Lets leave it at that

5 of 48 users found this helpful543

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3

JMLedDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Thanks to the angry nerds who chased George Lucas away from Star Wars, we ended up with this garbage JJ Abrams nonsense because of you people.

How this movie ended up with an overall positive response from the media is baffling.

The gaping plot holes, cheese-ridden dialogue, and shameless recycling of OT scenes was painful to endure.… Expand

69 of 116 users found this helpful6947

All this user's reviews

4

OSWDec 26, 2015

TL;DR. Effects are very well done and it's nice to see actual props again instead of complete CGI like the prequels, but the story is way too similar to A New Hope. Comedic portions come off as forced and ruin parts of the movie that areTL;DR. Effects are very well done and it's nice to see actual props again instead of complete CGI like the prequels, but the story is way too similar to A New Hope. Comedic portions come off as forced and ruin parts of the movie that are trying to be more serious. Also Kylo Ren has to be the most disappointing Star Wars villain to date(which the end of the movie makes his story line seem a little too similar to another Dark sider we all know and love.....).

There are many inconsistencies in this movie related to the Star Wars universe which many fans will probably catch. Overall it didn't even meet my very moderate expectations, I'd say I'll give Disney one more chance to redeem themselves and come up with an original story, but if they mess another one up I won't bother with any more Star Wars titles under their ownership.… Expand

23 of 38 users found this helpful2315

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8

SanastusaDec 26, 2015

A Star Wars movie that can be enjoyed by more then Star Wars fans. Episode VII sheds a fresh breath of air to the universe of Star Wars. Adding more elements of drama and comedy then others in the series,it still played its part of being aA Star Wars movie that can be enjoyed by more then Star Wars fans. Episode VII sheds a fresh breath of air to the universe of Star Wars. Adding more elements of drama and comedy then others in the series,it still played its part of being a decent movie.
Some more character development could have been shared, other parts you could have a educated guess as to what happened next. Still these little components didn't deter me from enjoying the film. Made me think back and remember the times seeing Star Wars with one of my step-dads. Memorable.
Looking forward to the next two in the series and the development of the main characters.
May the Force be with You.… Expand

2 of 26 users found this helpful224

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2

wooDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As an affectionate tribute to the first released Star Wars this is adequate. The storyline has been tweaked here there but with all the same characters and a couple of new tributes who are based on the old char. As a new movie though it is depressingly lacking in new ideas. Just like JJ Abrams did with Star Trek he has plundered the old films and remade them. Bit of a let down really.… Expand

31 of 52 users found this helpful3121

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3

vreynauldDec 26, 2015

As a member of both the Rebel Legion and the 501st Garrison, I believe it's safe to say I'm a "super-fan" of the Star Wars franchise. I grew up with the originals and my oldest son grew up with the prequels. Some of my fellow Legion andAs a member of both the Rebel Legion and the 501st Garrison, I believe it's safe to say I'm a "super-fan" of the Star Wars franchise. I grew up with the originals and my oldest son grew up with the prequels. Some of my fellow Legion and Garrison mates and got together and we all saw the movie on Christmas Eve with dinner afterward. After watching the movie, we generally walked out in stunned silence. During the following dinner, we debated and complained, pointed out every flaw, every plot hole, every unbelievable coincidence that was forced upon the viewer.. and there was much to debate as the negative reviews here rightfully point out. Too much of a rehash of A New Hope, too many coincidental events, no context, no exposition, and so on...

The next day, I saw the movie again with extended family including several tween and early teen cousins, nieces/newphews, et cetera. They completely lapped it up, bouncing in their seat for every BB8 scene and every crazy camera angle of blaster shots. That's when it dawned on me: Disney's "Star Wars" has no interest in staying faithful to the original mythos or providing a meaningful story - they're catering to the ADHD, can't-stop-playing-with-my-phone generation. All they have to do is make a kid-friendly droid character, fill two hours with explosions and "pewpew lazers!" (to quote one of my nephews) and they'll sell millions of tickets and overpriced, made-in-China toys.

People like myself and other unofficial fan club superfans have spent lots of money and time because we wanted to feel as though we're part of the Star Wars universe but I don't see future generations feeling the same way. The new direction of Star Wars is entirely short-sighted, based on capturing the hype and marketing while delivering forgettable films. It's the "Moichendising!" scene from Spaceballs come to life.… Expand

94 of 159 users found this helpful9465

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0

StarWarsisDeadDec 26, 2015

Bad movie. Total disappointment.

Other commenters have said everything there is to say about this terrible movie. The fact that this movie is rated so highly by professional critics suggests that the critics are not impartial. Ive justBad movie. Total disappointment.

Other commenters have said everything there is to say about this terrible movie.

The fact that this movie is rated so highly by professional critics suggests that the critics are not impartial. Ive just lost any and all faith in their opinions. They must be getting paid.… Expand

69 of 117 users found this helpful6948

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1

NotAKyloRenDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Copy from episodes IV and V. The story is unbelievably bad, even worse the new characters are failure. Kylo Ren - crybaby villain(who makes you lough at the dark side when he takes of his mask and you see some 17 years old nerd trying to be bad), Rey - overpowered scavenger teen who learns more about force in 3 days than Luke in 3 movies, seeing Leia and Solo old in the movie just felt wrong. This is the worst Star Wars movie till now. Thanks Disney you nailed it...… Expand

36 of 61 users found this helpful3625

All this user's reviews

5

sherbzDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really wanted to like this film, but it falls short of the mark. They would have done far better to spend an entire film on documenting who the first order are. Instead they have basically recycled all the old plot mechanics and its basically everything you have seen before but with new characters. Instead of a death star we have a death planet. Instead of Darth Vader being the bad guy who has a bit of good in him, we have Kylo Ren.

It also isnt lore friendly. Why is Finn using a lightsaber when he has not been trained in the force? Why does Ren use force powers when she has had no training? Why can either of them stand up to Kylo Ren when he has supposedly been a bad boy for quite a while. It took Luke 3 films to match Vader. Ren was doing the equivalent after about 20 minutes.

And what the hell Luke Skywalker, what the hell! You are a Jedi Knight and should expect trials and tribulations. When Darth Vader, one of the most evil sith lords of all time, told you he was your father, did you throw your toys out of the pram? Did you cry and go off on some hippie excursion to become a hermit in the middle of nowhere? Did you hell. You fought the bad guys and saved the galaxy. In this film i learn that Han Solo's kid goes AWOL and you chuck in the towel and head off on a rambling holiday. What the hell!

Basically this boils down to a decent action film that has its moments. But it certainly isnt magical. Disappointed :(… Expand

18 of 30 users found this helpful1812

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7

PeikkonaamaDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Frankly, it is just impossibru to rate a movie more than 8 since its plot is mainly based on events and twists copied from earlier episodes. I mean: another deathstar, and, another "son kills his father"-storyline? Come on! I mean: Anakin tried to kill his master (twice). Luke tried to kill his father (twice). Darth Vader killed his master, Palpatine. Any1 else see a pattern here with male-centric son-father/sensei-violence here?

I substract one point from hasty storyline, unwitty, unrealistic dialogue and bad screenplay. Yes. Bad. screenplay. It is unbelievable that back in the 70s and 80s camera angles and perspectives were more complex than today. When modern technology makes it possible to have cameras practically anywhere and/or make the scene with digital technology, it is just astounishing how dull and uninnovative screenplay is.

With all the money Disney had, they could only copy&paste earlier Star Wars movies. Boooo-ring. Yeh, i am a fan of the original 3, but many of the problems of the Episode VII are not related to Star Wars but Hollywood movies in general. Hasty crap this one. Worth one view, though.… Expand

3 of 18 users found this helpful315

All this user's reviews

5

ajs101Dec 26, 2015

This is a wonderful action film with excellent special effects. This aspect of the film a deserves a 10.. The plot development and character development of this movie is minimal and not satisfying. This aspect of the film gets a 0. It isThis is a wonderful action film with excellent special effects. This aspect of the film a deserves a 10.. The plot development and character development of this movie is minimal and not satisfying. This aspect of the film gets a 0. It is like music with rhythm and blues and no melody or harmony. A lot of young folks will love this movie I find it half baked. Consequently it gets a 5 out of 10 from me.… Expand

14 of 22 users found this helpful148

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2

drivingcatDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I signed up to just voice my novice opinion on this movie. I've never written a review on anything, so this probably won't be too good of a read. But this movie failed. And what I can't understand is how it has received such praise. The trailers looked great and from everything I read and saw in the promo videos, it looked like it was in good hands. I feel like Abrams/Disney did some kind of Jedi mind trick and it took the awfulness of the movie to snap me out of it. I was amazed at how horribly let down I felt during and after that movie after so much promise leading up to it. I agree with most of what everyone else is saying who gave it a low rating and I can appreciate the fact I'm not alone. I went into the movie only knowing the trailers, so I had no idea what the actual story was. What a dreadful letdown. Boy... anyway.

Pros
- The chicken sandwich I had, very tasty

Cons
- The movie… Expand

68 of 115 users found this helpful6847

All this user's reviews

10

Romang227Dec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Liked it a lot!
I've watched all the movies of saga. And though some find this movie a copy&paste, I don't. Yes, they took some elements from previous movies to create a nostalgia effect, but in general it felt really fresh for me!
Love new characters, especially Rey, probably the main character of the film, and Kylo, terrifying villain with really deep personality and backstory.
Last scene of the movie made me wait for the VIII extremely impatiently.
But of course, movie has flaws (nothing is perfect), so don't get overexcited before watching it, if you want to have a good impressions!… Expand

5 of 42 users found this helpful537

All this user's reviews

9

nekcoreDec 26, 2015

Don't watch. Trust me. Trust every single review who gave this a bad score, it's true, all of it. The horror has arrived, thanks to Disney and company.

16 of 42 users found this helpful1626

All this user's reviews

6

macharius39Dec 26, 2015

I honestly didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I thought I would. The hype was over the top and the movie just let me down. They played it too safe. I can't believe that they went with Death Star Mk III, just without Ewoks to help the rebelsI honestly didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I thought I would. The hype was over the top and the movie just let me down. They played it too safe. I can't believe that they went with Death Star Mk III, just without Ewoks to help the rebels destroy it, and with Emperor Palpatine Mk II. And they made Luke into a washed up has-been. I admit that I liked it better than Episode I-III but not as much as Episode IV-VI. Unless they can pull things together in the next film, I'm not going to bother with this franchise anymore (outside of the novels).… Expand

14 of 22 users found this helpful148

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0

EyockeyDec 26, 2015

Abrams is has come to claim another franchise; between the sloppy story transitions and being a crummy scene for scene remake of the original Star Wars. The characters hurtle through the story and if dumb luck(a.k.a. the Force) didn't haveAbrams is has come to claim another franchise; between the sloppy story transitions and being a crummy scene for scene remake of the original Star Wars. The characters hurtle through the story and if dumb luck(a.k.a. the Force) didn't have some special plan the protagonists this would be unbelievable. This lacks any originality or rewatchability, highlighting the sad state of our cinemas. The War is over; Abrams killed it.… Expand

49 of 81 users found this helpful4932

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9

BobkDec 26, 2015

The movie has great set pieces and battle scenes. The characters are interesting though I would like to see what stories do their lifes tell before the movie, for example who are Rey's parents (I think I w=know who they are though) TheThe movie has great set pieces and battle scenes. The characters are interesting though I would like to see what stories do their lifes tell before the movie, for example who are Rey's parents (I think I w=know who they are though) The comebacks of iconic characters like Han Solo adds a layer to the story. I feel like Kylo ARen ruins it all, I would like it way more if he kept his helmet on....… Expand

2 of 23 users found this helpful221

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8

tvnewsguidoDec 26, 2015

Super fun not really great cinema

I had a great deal of fun watching this flick. It's not a great movie but it serves it's purpose as a bridge episode from the original trilogy to the new universe. The performances were spot on and i'mSuper fun not really great cinema

I had a great deal of fun watching this flick. It's not a great movie but it serves it's purpose as a bridge episode from the original trilogy to the new universe. The performances were spot on and i'm intrigued to see more.… Expand

8 of 34 users found this helpful826

All this user's reviews

4

xaxiomaticDec 26, 2015

I'd say it's a good Star Wars movie but the problem is that it's not a good movie.

It has all the things we love about the setting but has many problems as a film. The script is bad, the characters are underdeveloped, the pacing is toI'd say it's a good Star Wars movie but the problem is that it's not a good movie.

It has all the things we love about the setting but has many problems as a film.

The script is bad, the characters are underdeveloped, the pacing is to fast, the score is forgettable, plot holes,
throwaway lines of dialogue instead of proper setups etc...

There are parts that are certainly well made like the sets, costumes, practical effects, some of the acting was better than I was expecting from the new crew.

If you took away the Star Wars elements and put in generic space ships and villains it would tank by itself.

It's not a remake but relies so heavily on the original source that you're not really sure if you're watching one or not and that's probably the major issue right there. A bland copy which has no identity for itself.… Expand

38 of 63 users found this helpful3825

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1

Fuzi0nDec 26, 2015

Mickey Mouse asked Jar Jar Binks' dimwitted twin brother Jar Jar Abrams to make a Star Wars movie. "Meesa good directa!", Jar Jar Abrams said to Mickey, "I maksa bestest Star Wars movie evars!"

And the result was a pile of badly directedMickey Mouse asked Jar Jar Binks' dimwitted twin brother Jar Jar Abrams to make a Star Wars movie. "Meesa good directa!", Jar Jar Abrams said to Mickey, "I maksa bestest Star Wars movie evars!"

And the result was a pile of badly directed steaming bantha poop with horrid writing. But Mickey Mouse was more than happy, because he hyped it so much that it made a lot of money anyway.… Expand

50 of 84 users found this helpful5034

All this user's reviews

7

hopper1974Dec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Well, there are two ways to take this movie. If you expect a genuine sequel (to the previous six), then you will be disappointed. This is, essentially, a re-boot/re-making (which shouldn't surprise, given it is directed by the maker of the Star Trek re-boot). If you take it on its own terms (i.e. not as episode VII), then it is a decent re-working of the original.

The visuals are easily the most stunning in the series, realising what the first trilogy could not, while avoiding the CGI-fest of the second (prequel) trilogy. This is basically what Lucas would have done, if he'd had the tech 35 years ago. The music is decent, though I feel Williams doesn't quite match the originals (the most memorable and moving moments are whenever the old musical themes occur). The pacing is a little off: the film is roughly the same length as the originals, but somehow it appears rushed, and lacks the moments of reflection and exposition that punctuated the first trilogy. That its plot is basically IV, with a few additions from V and VI, goes without saying. The new lead characters are good, though Kylo Ren is no Darth Vader.

I do, however, feel that some of the most negative criticism is suffering from 'rose-tinted spectacles' syndrome. To consider a few. 'Plot holes' - this is sci-fi fantasy, and the original trilogy is full of them (in IV, Leia's ship just happens to be attacked over Tatooine, and the droids just happen to land within a short distance of Luke and Obi-Wan; although the Falcon has to plot a careful course through hyperspace, it is incapable of recognising that the Death Star, floating in open-space, is not a moon; in V, the shield has to be briefly opened to let the rebel ships escape, but does not prevent the imperial walkers from landing, while at the same time, despite being powerful enough to deflect all orbit-based attack, its generator is taken-down by a couple of laser-shots from a walker; in VI, a shuttle's worth of rebels and a neolithic band of teddy-bears, take down an entire defence-station and an 'entire legion' of the emperor's finest troops; the new Death Star is 'fully operational', yet still requires protection from a moon-based shield that can be destroyed by half-a-dozen explosive charges; space is three-dimensional, and yet the rebels decide to attack the new Death Star in a narrow two-dimensional plane, and directly in the line-of-sight of the Death Star's main weapon [why not attack from the other side...]...). 'Acting' - overall, it is generally better in the new release: outside of Cushing and Guiness, and Ford, there were horribly amateur and hammy moments throughout the original trilogy.

So, I understand the criticisms of the 're-make' feel; but I do feel that quite a lot of the criticism is coming from people who are viewing the new film through the lens of an attachment they most likely formed in their childhood or adolescence (and nothing can ever replicate that)...… Expand

2 of 22 users found this helpful220

All this user's reviews

8

TokyochuchuDec 26, 2015

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens is a very entertaining Star Wars movie. It isn't as good as the originals but is far superior to the prequels. The film feels over-familiar in a lot of ways but fresh and exciting in others. MostStar Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens is a very entertaining Star Wars movie. It isn't as good as the originals but is far superior to the prequels. The film feels over-familiar in a lot of ways but fresh and exciting in others. Most importantly, it sets a strong foundation from where Star Wars can go anywhere. Episode VIII can't come soon enough!… Expand

6 of 43 users found this helpful637

All this user's reviews

5

ArconteDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Honestly i think that The Force Awakens is nowhere near the greatness of the previous six Episodes (all of them) and I guess that in a year from now - probably sooner - a lot of people will see this film as mediocre as what actually it is: a childish and politically correct Star Wars movie made by Disney and designed for the families.
Even the prequels, which everybody seems to dislike now, have so many epic moments with great emotional impact which totally lack in Episode 7. Just listen to "Duel of the Fates" and -instantly- you will remember the great climax at the end of The Phantom Menace with Qui Gon Jinn and Obi Wan dueling with Darth Maul in a legendary lightsaber fight, Padmé leading the hunt for Gunray or a young Anakin joining the battle against the Federation droid control ship.

In Revenge of the Sit, four years later, you would have seen that kid becoming Darth Vader after a breathtaking duel against his mentor Kenobi. Palpatine's treachery, the fall of the Republic, Yoda's exile: everything also fits perfectly and dramatically from the Prequels to the Original Trilogy that -of course- has those kind of epic moments too.

So where are supposed to be the great scenes that deserve to be remembered in The Force Awaken?

Those that you can find are just a simple readjustment of Episode 4 and while JJ surely chose a conservative approach from the plot's point of view (so many point in common with A New Hope) this movie then heavily fails by belittling the use of the lightsaber and of the force.
I could accept Finn (a stormtrooper without any training) using a Lightsaber at first but simply you can't maintain any suspension of disbelief when Rey ( the best new character,by the way) uses an old Jedi Master mind trick to free herself in the prison or when they kick Kylo Ren's ass in the final: "the duel of the rookies" at its finest.
Add that Snoke and Kylo Ren clearly do not have the same Charisma of the Emperor, Darth Vader or Darth Maul.
I don't want even start with how inglorious is the fate they decided for Han Solo...

Perhaps a more mature rated film is possible with character development in Ep 8 (especially with the one who is supposed to be the villain), but let's be honest: considering Disney, seems it's not gonna happen… Expand

18 of 30 users found this helpful1812

All this user's reviews

1

nubmanDec 26, 2015

Basically just a rehash of new hope and nothing about the movie drew me in. I didn't care for any of the characters, the dialog was dull and boring , the pacing was just awkward and the villain was just dumb
Overall I was pretty disappointedBasically just a rehash of new hope and nothing about the movie drew me in. I didn't care for any of the characters, the dialog was dull and boring , the pacing was just awkward and the villain was just dumb
Overall I was pretty disappointed with this movie.… Expand

111 of 185 users found this helpful11174

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4

AvalordDec 26, 2015

The movie is less than a movie. It rather is a remake of episode IV, with parts of V thrown in.
To me, it seems, J.J. Abrams did to Star Wars the same he did to Star Trek: Modernizing it without a single original thought. Instead I envisionThe movie is less than a movie. It rather is a remake of episode IV, with parts of V thrown in.
To me, it seems, J.J. Abrams did to Star Wars the same he did to Star Trek: Modernizing it without a single original thought. Instead I envision corporate Disney meetings like: " We paid 4 Billions for the franchise. We CANNOT screw up here. And so they didn't in a fashion. Not one brave, independant, creative thing in the whole movie :(… Expand

24 of 40 users found this helpful2416

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4

marc5477Dec 26, 2015

Slightly below average overall. Not in the same league as episodes 4-6 but better than episode 1 and about the same as episodes 2 and 3.

It does not follow any written Star Wars lore but has similarities to the comic books. Instead ofSlightly below average overall. Not in the same league as episodes 4-6 but better than episode 1 and about the same as episodes 2 and 3.

It does not follow any written Star Wars lore but has similarities to the comic books. Instead of following the stories, they went on a tangent and basically created an unoriginal and weak reboot of episode 4. The problem is that the character felt shallow. The charm of the old movies is that the actors brought the characters to life, whereas in this movie it felt like they were forced to follow a rigid script. The new characters are not bad, but they just don't illicit any emotion and the relationship between the trooper and the jedi just seems forced even though it started well enough. It just moved too fast and was not believable given each characters history and the situation.

The next problem is the story is weaker than episode 4. The antagonist is not intimidating in any way and the Hitler-like character and Nazi-like angles were not as good (nor as believable) as the struggle between the empire and rebels. The sith replacements (the 1st order) are just dumb... dumb dumb dumb and their lead was supposed to be very powerful and killed off all the jedi that Luke was teaching (which is why he went to exile) yet he cant even beat a non-jedi in hand-to-hand combat sometimes. The good jedi is equally ridiculous. She basically learns everything Anakin and Luke learned over decades, on her own, in a few days and was equal in lightsaber combat to a trained jedi killer. She makes Anakin & Luke look like chumps but whatever.

Then you have really dumb stuff... A mega-Death Star... really? Is this Dragon Ball Z? They should have just followed the comic books.

The special effects were modern, though not ground breaking, and there is no Jar Jar Binks so that was good. Lea and Han needed more screen time and deeper story but they chose to focus more on action scenes (a la Abrams movies).

This was clearly a money grab. It was not horrible but it was uninspired.… Expand

24 of 45 users found this helpful2421

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1

TereskDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 1. If your plans for the conquest of the galaxy twice failed, do not worry. You just have to build a new battle station, but even larger. The third time you certainly succeed.
2. A talented engineer, a pilot from God, a stalker, a self-taught Jedi mastered in half an hour more than Luke in the whole trilogy, modest, beautiful, sympathetic...Strange only that her name is Ray, and not Mary Sue.
3. All the giant battle stations have special rooms made to the inside could fly a fighter plane and destroy it from within.
4. If, in the distant, distant galaxy using e-mail, Skype or some other data exchange system, the film would be reduced to about five minutes.
5. In a difficult situation, when you run away from the attack aircraft and fighters do not worry - there will always be nearby unprotected "Millennium Falcon" just waiting to be stolen.
6. Under the stormtrooper armor can hide thin and vulnerable person who realizes that he is not a murderer, and leave the evil order.( He will have to kill a bunch of their colleagues - but if they are evil, then obviously it is not considered murder.)
7.Skywalker children always disappoint their parents. Genetics, not otherwise.
8.You like young Anakin from the prequel trilogy? Then the good news you enjoy Kylo Ren even more.
9.If one of the characters in the film said at the right moment, "I'm not your father," All probably would have turned out the same way. But at least it would be funny.

And finally...
10.If you want to continue the "Star Wars", but do not know how - it does not matter. Just copy the plot of the most popular movie in the saga. No one will even notice the difference.… Expand

46 of 76 users found this helpful4630

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4

nutcrackrDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Going into this movie, my expectations were modest. Having just watched the entire series, anything equal or above the third episode would have been a winner.
So here I am, declaring my disappointment for this overwrought nostalgia trip that suffers in just about every area. Obviously direct comparisons can be made to A New Hope, and it is a blatant copy in many respects. But the changes, or the vapid fillers in between, are considerably less entertaining or substantial. There is no character to these characters. The General of the New Order expresses his evilness through a series of stroke-induced facial expressions. The new baddie, Kylo Ren, decides to paint the walls with his lightsaber when he gets upset, poor thing. The Silver Surfer, eer Silver Stormtrooper captain, has the approximate threat of a penguin in a cape. And the big bad is a completely CGI-rendered evil that we know nothing about (he fairs the best).
So the bad guys are bad, what about the goodies? They’re bad too. Finn chooses to express his exuberance at strange times, to force the audience into a stupor, and decides to leave and return within seconds. Rey is the slave-scavenger that manages to see her future in an older scavenger and still wants to remain a scavenger even though she can pilot the Millennium Falcon instantly and is able to best an ex-Jedi trained in lightsaber combat seconds after touching one. We could write essays about Rey’s perfection. The old heroes, though, what have they done to them? Han Solo, the man who changed the most in the original series, is back doing his smuggling thing. Leia is fortunately given just a few lines, because you can never be quite be sure if she’s about to laugh or cry. I don’t blame Carrie Fisher though, what they’ve done to these old heroes is a travesty. Luke gets just 5 seconds of screen time and a swirling helicopter shot because “ that would look cool.” Even Chewie’s lines are worn out. R2D2 remains in hibernation for much of the film because he couldn’t stand what has happened to the universe.
Not only does it manage to setup poor new characters, it actually harms the original series in the process. Our victory is wrenched from our hearts and dumped into a modernized take on a nazi party that lives on a planet-turned-deathstar. Starkiller is a terrible name, by the way. And the science behind it is so ludicrous that it hurts to even talk about it. The pain doesn’t stop there. We also get unfunny lines, either from bad timing, poor writing or bad acting. Side characters have less charm than a dead Jawa, special mention going to the yellow-skinned goggle lady that could be entirely removed from the plot and it wouldn’t matter. The only good character in the entire movie is the voiceless droid, BB8, who manages to gain some appreciation due to its perseverance.
The movie also commits many other sins, chief of which is using death as a spectacle for the audience rather than a turning point for characters or story. Many of the story turns are predictable, not just those that copy A New Hope. It even manages to have a poor lightsaber fight with Rey doing a limp-wristed palpatine stab. The fight is poorly cut and lit so you cannot see anything. The movie falls back on nostalgia in lazy and tiresome ways. There are dozens of cringe-worthy moments either from clichés or insulting lines that just make you shake your head. This is not a passionate project, its one that’s been designed by committee and it shows in every aspect. The story is not thought out nearly well enough for a franchise that demands precision. It would have been better to start anew so they could head in new directions. Falling back on older characters requires the utmost case and that has not happened here. The Force Awakens is a mammoth project that will earn billions and produce millions of new fans. Size matters not.… Expand

37 of 67 users found this helpful3730

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10

M_2_KDec 26, 2015

In recent years, Star Wars fans have been forced to endure the dreadful prequels; prequels, I must add, which did not reflect the charm, humour, excitement, and true brilliance that was the original trilogy. Surprisingly, JJ Abrams' nextIn recent years, Star Wars fans have been forced to endure the dreadful prequels; prequels, I must add, which did not reflect the charm, humour, excitement, and true brilliance that was the original trilogy. Surprisingly, JJ Abrams' next instalment sees that once lost brilliance return to our screens: excellent acting, likeable characters, and a healthy mix of practical effects and modest CGI. Furthermore, is the things fans of the originals had grown to love: the story. A relatively simple premise of good versus evil which Episodes 4, 5 and 6 followed closely has returned. While debatably a "reboot" of Episode 4: A New Hope (an 'empire' is in search of a droid which contains valuable information; the said droid comes into the possession of the protagonists, hence battle), it is something which had to be done. The disappointed fans needed this rehabilitation. We must understand that this is a storyline that worked, and if it needed to be shown again however similar than so be it. In short, and to avoid spoilers: see this movie. No words can describe how important it is for fans of original Star Wars, who had their childhoods destroyed by the laughable prequels.… Expand

1 of 32 users found this helpful131

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8

ZlatanDec 26, 2015

In short, the greatest movie since the originals. What George Lucas couldn't do, disney did with this movie. You care about the caracters, scenery is beautiful and story is great. looking forward for future movies.

6 of 31 users found this helpful625

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9

blacksunDec 26, 2015

JJ Abrams successfully pulled off a huge task. Reboot the Star Wars legend. And in my opinion, he pulled it off.

The film exists as a sort of primer to a whole new set of Star Wars films. By recognizing the past, and setting the stage forJJ Abrams successfully pulled off a huge task. Reboot the Star Wars legend. And in my opinion, he pulled it off.

The film exists as a sort of primer to a whole new set of Star Wars films. By recognizing the past, and setting the stage for the future, I don't see how this film could have gone any other direction that how it did. After suffering through Lucas' prequels, this new film seems brilliant by comparison.

The effects and art direction are spot on and just what the doctor ordered. You have to give JJ credit for doing minimal CGI on alien characters and creatures. I for one really appreciate that.

The acting falters in a few points, but not in the new main characters. All the leads are strong and play their parts well.

Of course it's not perfect, and flaws can be found if one looks for them. But those that rate TFA poorly are either looking for attention, indignant ulta-fans or simply trolls. It's a solid flick and the best star wars we've had in a long time.

Just don't let the hype ruin it and go in to it with a level head. Have fun!… Expand

3 of 35 users found this helpful332

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0

dabalog007Dec 26, 2015

Upon seeing the force awakens I tried to think of something I liked in the film. I couldn't. I'm not being facetious when I say this I literally couldn't find one thing I liked about this film. It was an unoriginal rehash of episodes 4 & 5.Upon seeing the force awakens I tried to think of something I liked in the film. I couldn't. I'm not being facetious when I say this I literally couldn't find one thing I liked about this film. It was an unoriginal rehash of episodes 4 & 5. Besides the repackaged plot all the characters were cringeworthy especially rey and fin. All rey was was the chick from the hunger games except with a light saber. Apparently rey is good at everything and i mean everything, to a point where as a viewer you say,"ok I get it shes talented. Give it a rest." Listen I don't have a problem with a woman as the main lead but it seemed like disney was shoving it down the audience's throat that she was a strong,independent, capable woman. Plus daisy ridley was a total miscast. You're telling me that a girl that looks and sounds like her grew up on a poverty stricken dessert planet. Yeah ok. They should have cast someone more like sigourney weaver who is strong without being annoying. As for fin I thought from the trailers that he was going to be this badass, disciplined character who is scarred by the past. Yeah he was a badass minus the bad. All he did the whole movie was crack stupid jokes and played more of a jar jar binks role. It doesn't make sense to have a character trained from birth to be a soldier be so flamboyant. Apparently all the soldiers do all day is crack jokes because he was sure telling a lot of them. Bb-8 was useless and clearly marketed for the kids. Ren was an emo cry baby that looked like he belonged in a tim burton movie. And a third death star? No wait this was a mega death star that could blow up 5 planets! Whoa! I guess when it comes to death stars third times the charm. Overall the didn't feel like star wars. It didn't have that star wars vibe to it. It felt more like a **** sci fi movie (kind of looked fan made) with some star wars set pieces. And it hurts me to say this but the prequels were better than FA and i highly dislike those films. Disney made safe film that paid excessive homage to the original trilogy without being creative or original themselves but hey I guess its all about $$$. Oh and what was with that weird staring contest at the end of the movie? Weird… Expand

55 of 91 users found this helpful5536

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6

SpectralAnubisDec 26, 2015

Star Wars: Episode VII will clearly go down as one of the best box office successes. It is very evident, why too. Consumers eat this level of brand up. Is it a "good" movie though? I'd argue it has merit, yet most of movie viewing is entirelyStar Wars: Episode VII will clearly go down as one of the best box office successes. It is very evident, why too. Consumers eat this level of brand up. Is it a "good" movie though? I'd argue it has merit, yet most of movie viewing is entirely subjective. Will it satisfy, your inner geek and lover of space adventure? Yes, it will. Will it satisfy your craving for the Star Wars franchise? Probably, but pieces of you will be disappointed or entirely jaded. Episode VII is one part episode IV and one part episode V, with a dash of unexpectedness laced in.

It does have a nostalgic feel in minor parts. There are obvious hints and throwbacks to the original titles. However, it doesn't overwhelm you. The plot is a mashup, with not a lot of substance or filling. Numerous scenes seemed rushed, not that they weren't acted or shot correctly. Just it lacked information, it was moving faster than should have been. I'll frame it as a reboot, which has potential to be stronger than it's predecessors. The series going forwards, has a good deal of upside.

I give it a 6 out of 10. I recommend a viewing, if your a fan of Star Wars or not. Take it for what it is.… Expand

14 of 33 users found this helpful1419

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0

SH1Dec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am generally disappointed with this film.

Even though it had excellent production standards, the story lacked any real imagination. Remember that moment when Darth Vader told Luke Skywalker that he is Luke's father in the second film? This film has none of that. The angle of the storm trooper becoming a "good guy" had promise, however in the film it seemed contrived and is so socially correct that it is painful to watch. It could have been really good if they made a more mature rated film.

I suspect that Disney is just dragging out the series to milk more money out of the Star Wars franchise and I won't be watching any of the other films when they are released. In fact, I think that it is time to boycott anything that is a sequel of something else so that people can start making worthwhile films again.… Expand

48 of 80 users found this helpful4832

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2

TheRehashAwokeDec 26, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Cash grab. Rehash/Reboot. Corporate made fan fiction. Nostalgia Pandering. Unoriginal. Self Parody.

These are the most common, but legitimate criticisms you'll most likely see against this movie, but for my review, I will for the most part, focus on the unoriginality and the fact that it feels like a parody.

The Force Awakens starts off strong and promising, the first half hour is actually entertaining, but then things take a dramatic turn and it all starts going downhill....

Where do I begin? Wow, this is without a doubt the weakest story in the saga thus far. FIND LUKE SKYWALKER, BUT BEFORE YOU CAN DO THAT YOU HAVE TO BLOW UP ANOTHER DEATH STAR! It doesn't even explain WHY finding Luke is so important.

In fact, NOTHING is explained in this film.

Our new heroes are Rey, (who plays the Luke Skywalker role of A New Hope) and Finn, the co-star and basically our comedy relief character. If you stop and think about it you realize he's useless to the story, but for whatever reason he tags along for the adventure.

Their main goal is, by the luxury of a string of endless coincidences in this poorly thought out movie; to stop the threat that is the First Order, (who's motives are unexplained, as well as the state of the galaxy) and their SUPER DEATH STAR PLANET THING, (wait for it.....) STARKILLER BASE! Oh, and also like I stated earlier, find that old hermit Luke.

Seriously, there are so many instances where you'll stop and think, "wow they're always there at the right time. How convenient". Such as, finding the Millennium Falcon by chance, running into Han Solo by chance, finding Luke's old lightsaber by chance, and my favourite, R2D2 waking up from low-power mode for no apparent reason other than to MOVE THIS NONSENSICAL PLOT ALONG! (And these are only a few of the hillarious amount of coincidences. I hope someone makes a meme listing all of them.)

The mystique and badassery of our new villian Kylo Ren, (Darth Vader 2.0) is ruined when he takes off his mask. You can't take him seriously anymore, he was a legit badass for the first hour of the movie, but that's all destroyed.

Han Solo's death was the ONLY emotional part in the film. He dies by his son Kylo Ren's lightsaber, that everyone saw from a mile away was going to happen, very predictable but it was sad to see him die. HOWEVER, the way that he falls off the platform looks ridiculous and I actually laughed out loud at how stupid it looked.

The last third of the film is where I realized I was watching a parody. It is literally beat for beat, Episode IV and VI combined. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. A trench run to destroy Death Star 3 (the starkiller) and an underwhelming lightsaber duel between insta-Jedi Rey and Kylo Ren. As many others have said, if you've seen A New Hope, you've seen this movie, but that movie was actually good.

And lastly, the ending... I cannot put into words how bad the ending is... It is so bad... It is easily the WORST ending in the saga. After all that, the movie ends with Rey eventually finding Luke on top of a mountain and she proceeds to hand over the lightsaber to Luke (who's green screened into the shot BTW, looks super fake) and the two engage in a cringe worthy awkward staring contest with no words being spoken...

And it was at that moment where I laughed the hardest ever at a SW film.

Was that a parody I just witnessed?

In conclusion, it's good to see more and more people are WAKING UP (no pun intended) and seeing TFA for what it is; A heartless, corporate assembley line made fan-film that panders to the lowest common denominator.

The Star Wars Saga (1977-2005) will live on forever.

On the other hand, this piece of **** corporate made fan-fiction can go **** itself.… Expand

89 of 151 users found this helpful8962

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3

carrot-stickDec 25, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. TL;DNR

This movie reminded me of Jurassic World in all the wrong ways. It was filled with constant references to an older movie (ANH), had a similar plot to said movie, was trying to be bigger and better than what it was referencing, and had a nauseating amount nostalgia porn from the movie it was trying to outdo. If you liked Jurassic World, you may enjoy Episode VII, but I warn you, it doesn't even have anything original like a dinosaur battle at the end.

**Spoilers**
Longer Review

I don't know where to begin with this movie.

My biggest gripe with it is just how unoriginal the entire movie is! I felt like I had seen all of this before. And I had in the original trilogy (and maybe the video game Force Unleashed). It was like someone was taking the general plot of A New Hope and rushing through all the build up so that they could have a huge action sequence. The movie rarely lets us breathe and take in the world the characters live in (Rey's opening sequence is about the only exception I can think of).

One of the most annoying examples of this was Finn's life. He was a storm trooper who, after one battle, decides to go rogue and help the Resistance. Yeah, I rolled my eyes when he explained why he wanted to help the Resistance, but that wasn't what really pissed me off. It was the fact that as soon as he was away from the First Order, he shows no signs of indoctrination or unfamiliarity with the outside world, especially since he makes a point of saying all storm troopers are kidnapped as children. Despite having lived with these people and knowing they are the same as him, he has no trouble killing them. But he doesn't want to kill the Resistance, whom he has no connection to. There is no moral dilemma for him. They don't explore his journey at all. He just turns from "bad to good." That's it.

And then they make him into the butt of everyone's jokes. It was around the time he meets up with Rey that I realized the point of his character was to make everyone else (or at least Rey) look good. Seriously, he is the incompetent one in the movie who's flaws all the other characters are very quick to point out. There is no character like this in the Original Trilogy. They treat him as a buffoon much like Jar Jar Abra- I mean Binks.

Now, how to talk about Rey...? Mad Max had strong female characters. Rey is not a strong female character, because she isn't a character. She's a Mary-Sue who is perfect at everything. As a protagonist she might work in a video game, if only because the audience would feel like her achievements were the result of them playing the game; the results of their hard work. But that isn't case. Her successes feel unearned, even compared to Luke's. It wasn't until the third movie that he could stand up to Vader, yet Rey overpowers Kylo Ren (read: Darth Vader) with zero training. Where is the struggle when there are no failures?

Which brings us to our villain, Kylo Ren. He had a pretty cool opening sequence in which he shows off his mastery of the Force in a very impressive way. He came across as a bad ass. But as the movie rolls on, they don't give him a good motivation nor characterization to explain his disposition. He acts like an angry teen like Anakin in the prequels. Specifically Anakin from Revenge of the Sith. And then he gets stomped by a first time lightsaber user.... Yes, he is clearly the new Vader. *eye roll*

And all of this leads to the ultimate point: that they wanted to shove their under developed characters into the plot of A New Hope with no characterization nor coherency. They don't care about logic, all they are trying to do is squeeze happy nostalgia feelings from the audience by pulling off the same scenes from previous movies. They tried to pass it off as a coherent movie by appealing to nostalgia or by making elements bigger (ie: Starkiller Base is a bigger Death Star and the movie lets you know this by showing you a visual comparison). Like people should accept this convoluted doppelganger of A New Hope simply because it reminds them of it. This movie is lazy and pandering.… Expand

101 of 168 users found this helpful10167

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2

CrazylemonDec 25, 2015

Wow, what a pile of complete crap, the Star Wars franchise is officially dead.

First off, very few things in the movie make sense. In particular, the last so called Jedi fight scene is a complete farce and completely destroyed any hope ofWow, what a pile of complete crap, the Star Wars franchise is officially dead.

First off, very few things in the movie make sense. In particular, the last so called Jedi fight scene is a complete farce and completely destroyed any hope of me seeing future movies in this reboot of the series. Apparently, even total Jedi noobs can harness the full power of the Force without any training what so ever. Pretty sad.

Also, many events are completely implausible. The original movies were totally out of this world but at least they maintained some sense of reality. Not the case in this movie, the director decided to just make stuff up without any reason behind it.

Finally, the movie lacks any heart at all. As stated by many here, the prequels were terrible, but at least they had heart. This movie completely fails to capture that aspect of previous Star Wars movies and by the end of it, you don't even care about any of the new characters because of it.

No idea why there are so many good reviews for this movie, but my advice is to wait for it on BR/DVD or Netflix if you can. If you are a true Star Wars fan, this movie is a total waste of money to watch in the theaters and you will be disappointed. I gave it a 2 because I thought it did start out good and the final scene did redeem it a bit, but it still was not enough to save this garbage excuse of a movie.… Expand

72 of 120 users found this helpful7248

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6

SergeantSozDec 25, 2015

Since this is Episode 7, I wanted to give it a 7 but just couldn't do it. Actually the movie is pretty decent. I was going in expecting it to be way worse but you could tell they put a lot of money in the budget, except for the writing.Since this is Episode 7, I wanted to give it a 7 but just couldn't do it. Actually the movie is pretty decent. I was going in expecting it to be way worse but you could tell they put a lot of money in the budget, except for the writing. Honestly is there any Star Wars movie with decent dialogue. Also the movie relied on bringing back old characters to let nostalgia make the movie better than it seems. So as far as the pros go, the CG looked really good and the overall story and setup for the next movies was good.

I want to give this episode a 7 out of 10, but I’m going to be brutally honest. The movie was good, but not great. I’ll keep this organized and list the good and the bad. The good – great action and special effects, nostalgic old characters, music and cinematography. The bad – new characters, lame villain, and bad writing.
Good: This is a good Star Wars movie. I would rank it in the middle below Episode 3, 5, and 6. That means it’s better than the films of the first trilogies so this one is off to a great start. The action, sound, and special effects are all suburb. Obviously they had a blank check because this is easily a billion dollar movie.
Bad: So this is a billion dollar movie but they couldn’t hire a decent writer? Honestly I can’t think of any Star Wars movie with good acting or writing. Usually the acting is terrible. This time around it’s mostly ok but my biggest problem with this movie is Fin. No I don’t hate him because he’s black. I hate him because he does not convince me that he trained his whole life to be a storm trooper. The guy is fidgety and always sucking wind (Like Jack from Lost – maybe it’s a JJ Abrams thing?). Every line that comes out of his mouth is corny. This isn’t the actors fault. It’s the writers. They clearly did not put any effort into this character. He’s just flat awful. Most of the dialogue feels forced. The conversations don’t seem natural and it seems the actors are just taking turns saying their lines. The film has plenty of one-liners and not a single chuckle in the movie theater occurred. You want a movie writer who knows how to come up with dialogue, go see Hateful Eight, because Tarantino is excellent at that. The second new character is Rey, the girl who falls prey to the cliché strong female protagonist who single handedly can take down an army of guys who were trained their entire life with a weapons she’s never even used before. She is hot though and her accent is sexy. Lastly the villain Kilo Ren or whatever is one of the weakest villains I’ve seen. I’ll wrap it up with this one question. So Fin is a Stormtrooper and he has no problem aiming a gun but every single other Stormtrooper can’t hit the broad side of the barn? The Hobbit had the same problem. The good guys cut down hordes of enemies like butter with no opposition. For the next Star Wars movies, I want to see some real WAR! The beginning of Episode 3 is what I’m talking about. Still to this day, that was one of the most exciting scenes ever.
I know I complained a lot, but go ahead and see it. Everyone is. Just hang in there until Chewy and Han Solo arrive. Then it gets good, because like I said, Fin is terrible.… Expand

7 of 17 users found this helpful710

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