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Star Wars : The Force Awakens review (spoiler free) Sidious Send a noteboard - 17/12/2015 09:18:26 AM

This movie blew me away. I spent large parts of the movie with my mouth hanging open in awe.

This new addition to the Star Wars series feels everything like the original trilogy, and nothing like the prequels. To me this is a fantastic thing, as I consider the prequels to be horrible in general. There are many nods and salutes to the original trilogy, and you will love some of the artifacts and debris that they come across. The better you know Star Wars, the more you will appreciate the small things.

Some people say that the movie felt rushed and should have been longer, but I didn't really get that feeling. It's a long movie anyway. The characters are just so well cast. The protagonists are enthralling and sometimes you get lost in the emotion of the scenes. The young actors particularly are so talented and have a great future ahead. It's also good to catch up with some older actors

The villains are brilliant, and you'll be constantly reminded of Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin in so many scenes. The dark side is terrifying in this movie, and I do mean terrifying. It's good to see true evil making a come back to the series and not one-dimensional comic book villainy from the prequels. The Force is well explored - far more powerful and expressed than in the prequels, and about on a level with the original trilogy.

The special effects are amazing as one would expect but the movie doesn't lean on these as much as most modern movies do. In fact, character interaction is of prime importance in this movie, and it shows. There are numerous enormous revelations in the movie, so be prepared. There were guys around me who cried at times, but to be fair I was two rows behind a wookie, so it's all very personal for these people. That said, I'm a massive Star Wars fan and I became emotional more than once. I suspect even a casual viewer would feel the same. The movie also has good humour that is never tasteless, or childish, and there are moments of depth and gravitas that rival any of the original movies.

An outstanding job, and one of the best movies of the year, and certainly my favourite sci-fi for about 5 years.

9 out of 10.

Wheel of Time board admin
Fan of Lanfear
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Star Wars : The Force Awakens review (spoiler free) - 17/12/2015 09:18:26 AM 2067 Views
Love your review! I'm seeing it tomorrow night at 9pm. Can't wait! *NM* - 18/12/2015 01:20:16 AM 654 Views
Some (relatively spoiler free) thoughts - 18/12/2015 12:27:22 PM 1125 Views
I pretty much agree with most of that. - 18/12/2015 01:05:16 PM 1082 Views
Agreed, Driver did a great job..... - 19/12/2015 05:46:44 AM 931 Views
Replies and spoilers - 18/12/2015 03:04:37 PM 1015 Views
Re: Replies and spoilers - 18/12/2015 04:35:49 PM 858 Views
Re: Replies and spoilers - 18/12/2015 05:51:29 PM 894 Views
Re: Replies and spoilers - 29/12/2015 04:44:36 AM 911 Views
Re: Replies and spoilers - 29/12/2015 07:37:39 PM 909 Views
Re: Replies and spoilers - 19/12/2015 05:30:13 PM 933 Views
Re: Replies and spoilers - 20/12/2015 09:51:22 AM 1081 Views
Re: Replies and spoilers - 21/12/2015 06:31:54 PM 1242 Views
The books... - 21/12/2015 09:05:28 PM 986 Views
Re: The books... - 22/12/2015 03:12:52 AM 931 Views
In general agreement ** potential Spoilers ** - 19/12/2015 06:06:23 AM 891 Views
There are books? - 19/12/2015 11:19:07 AM 952 Views
Re: There are books? - 19/12/2015 05:41:45 PM 1005 Views
So Darth Plagieus might still be in? Sweet. - 20/12/2015 04:44:21 AM 869 Views
Palpatine's master? - 20/12/2015 02:25:45 PM 866 Views
I mean the novel of that name. - 22/12/2015 09:47:16 PM 901 Views
Re: I mean the novel of that name. - 22/12/2015 10:05:49 PM 987 Views
Yeah, I think we're talking about the same one. - 24/12/2015 12:05:57 AM 876 Views
Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 19/12/2015 06:07:16 PM 969 Views
I don't think any of that had to be explained. - 19/12/2015 12:16:07 PM 859 Views
I'm more or less in complete agreement (spoilers) - 19/12/2015 08:22:21 PM 977 Views
Some thoughts about the Force... - 20/12/2015 06:04:43 AM 1039 Views
Re: Some thoughts about the Force... - 20/12/2015 08:06:40 PM 841 Views
Re: I'm more or less in complete agreement (spoilers) - 20/12/2015 10:07:36 AM 947 Views
Also, SPOILER thoughts. - 18/12/2015 01:00:32 PM 1107 Views
Re: Also, SPOILER thoughts. - 18/12/2015 01:11:30 PM 987 Views
You're making me reply to two posts - 18/12/2015 03:29:23 PM 978 Views
The death (spoilers) - 22/12/2015 10:30:05 PM 932 Views
Re: You're making me reply to two posts - 29/12/2015 05:24:39 AM 967 Views
Re: Also, SPOILER thoughts. - 29/12/2015 05:19:54 AM 910 Views
I have tickets for tonight - 18/12/2015 04:47:17 PM 946 Views
Arbrams impressed me(spoiler free) - 19/12/2015 05:17:42 AM 1043 Views
'Revenge of the Sith' (3rd prequel) was actually a decent movie - 18/12/2015 10:46:52 PM 967 Views
They were all good. Internet geeks suck. - 18/12/2015 11:38:36 PM 919 Views
Re: They were all good. Internet geeks suck. - 19/12/2015 12:19:10 AM 1027 Views
Well - 19/12/2015 05:53:56 AM 868 Views
Re: They were all good. Internet geeks suck. - 19/12/2015 07:46:06 AM 1079 Views
people forget they were kids movies *NM* - 19/12/2015 01:17:10 AM 636 Views
Yeah, people take the whole 'Star Wars' thing too seriously - 19/12/2015 02:59:29 AM 981 Views
BTW, Daniel Craig is totally forgiven for Spectre. He was a Stormtrooper (spoilers for role) - 18/12/2015 11:40:44 PM 877 Views
Yip that's true *NM* - 19/12/2015 07:46:59 AM 613 Views
And Simon Pegg was the alien who ran the trading post Rey always went to *NM* - 20/12/2015 02:30:59 PM 715 Views
I got the impression he was actually her boss or contractor - 28/12/2015 12:48:48 PM 1027 Views
Pretty much... - 29/12/2015 12:08:58 AM 934 Views
Absolutely, yes *NM* - 29/12/2015 01:54:52 PM 670 Views
Just saw it! Holy shit, shit, shit, shit.....it was amazing. - 19/12/2015 05:38:44 AM 932 Views
Loved it (Spoilers) - 19/12/2015 06:16:54 AM 883 Views
Fantastic characters, great entertainment, no originality, no logic - 29/12/2015 03:33:43 AM 921 Views
Your Mom has no originality or logic! *NM* - 29/12/2015 11:39:41 AM 662 Views
JJ Abrams should be able to do better than my Mom - 30/12/2015 04:20:54 AM 848 Views
I gave it a B+ overall but I think the characters are its weak spot - 29/12/2015 05:08:15 PM 784 Views
JJ Abrams' movies are character-driven, Lucas' movies are plot-driven - 30/12/2015 04:38:49 AM 833 Views
Lucas has created some of the most iconics chacters in movie history ? - 31/12/2015 02:29:02 PM 855 Views
So, Rey (Possible Spoilers ahead) - 30/12/2015 10:11:01 AM 931 Views
Re: So, Rey (Possible Spoilers ahead) - 30/12/2015 07:10:56 PM 1261 Views
Re: So, Rey (Possible Spoilers ahead) - 30/12/2015 09:24:08 PM 890 Views
Re: So, Rey (Possible Spoilers ahead) - 31/12/2015 04:58:24 PM 847 Views
It was fun, and I look forward to the next ones, but can't say I was that wowed. - 30/12/2015 09:26:10 PM 876 Views
Why is time for female lead and why does the lef think subtraction is the answer to inequality? - 04/01/2016 01:37:37 PM 719 Views
Because the six other movies had zero female Jedis of any importance? - 04/01/2016 05:58:25 PM 940 Views
Just another check the box movie, then - 04/01/2016 06:02:41 PM 816 Views
Oh, come on. You're really going to complain just because they had a woman and a black guy? - 04/01/2016 11:48:52 PM 891 Views
They are talking abou tmakin ght Gunslinger black - 05/01/2016 02:05:36 PM 852 Views
Yeah, Star Wars is just part of the larger trend. It can't be viewed in a vacuum (pun intended). - 05/01/2016 02:38:34 PM 813 Views
That's not really what I said, you'll note. - 05/01/2016 07:48:08 PM 1018 Views
I don't think it was Disney's business acumen. - 06/01/2016 06:59:46 PM 1086 Views
Wow. That's... sad. - 06/01/2016 09:32:37 PM 938 Views
Re: Wow. That's... sad. - 08/01/2016 03:08:58 AM 922 Views
I am noit sure how well that 7-12 girl demographic will work in merchandising - 08/01/2016 06:30:47 PM 916 Views
Your premise is entirely wrong. - 12/01/2016 05:53:26 AM 848 Views
Actually, they do have a major character who is Latino. - 12/01/2016 07:15:31 PM 867 Views
The culture wars are just about blacks and feminists. - 13/01/2016 02:31:20 AM 900 Views
All that Paul said - 17/01/2016 05:13:59 PM 1488 Views
LOL - 05/01/2016 06:33:50 PM 856 Views
Funny that people use strwmen arguments to make themsleves feel smart - 08/01/2016 04:22:22 PM 929 Views
It's not a straw man - 08/01/2016 04:52:03 PM 901 Views
it was story of a father and son so it makes sense to male leads - 04/01/2016 06:59:33 PM 771 Views
Male leads, sure, but it wasn't just the leads. - 04/01/2016 11:28:12 PM 910 Views
Was finn as strong as Leia? I would say not even close - 05/01/2016 05:55:51 PM 883 Views
I don't see how it makes sense to compare their roles, but Finn is certainly plenty strong. - 05/01/2016 07:38:05 PM 879 Views
Finn reacts and is pretty much drug through the story - 06/01/2016 02:52:58 PM 859 Views
Re: Finn reacts and is pretty much drug through the story - 06/01/2016 05:50:08 PM 877 Views
I don't have an issue with a strong female jedi - 07/01/2016 02:49:44 PM 864 Views
Re: I don't have an issue with a strong female jedi - 07/01/2016 03:26:34 PM 906 Views
The reall issue it looks like Luke sucked as Jedi master - 07/01/2016 07:14:31 PM 842 Views
Sorry, no. - 06/01/2016 06:56:09 PM 919 Views
What a load of crap. - 08/01/2016 10:29:35 AM 828 Views
I only partially agree - 08/01/2016 03:27:10 PM 876 Views
Sorry if science isn't your thing but no what I said is true - 09/01/2016 11:49:15 PM 995 Views
Re: Was finn as strong as Leia? I would say not even close - 08/01/2016 10:01:16 AM 791 Views
Well said *NM* - 05/01/2016 12:01:25 PM 676 Views
Because it isn't "subtraction"... - 08/01/2016 09:33:24 AM 848 Views
Of course it is - 09/01/2016 10:19:53 PM 819 Views
Okay so about the big bad guy *spoilers* - 05/01/2016 06:27:37 PM 906 Views
I may be alone on this, but... - 05/01/2016 08:07:26 PM 908 Views
Re: I may be alone on this, but... - 05/01/2016 08:42:42 PM 830 Views
What speaks against is for me... - 05/01/2016 10:57:44 PM 1243 Views
Re: What speaks against is for me... - 06/01/2016 10:08:35 AM 975 Views
It's all good stuff, like the first book in a good sci-fi/fantasy trilogy! - 07/01/2016 06:44:45 AM 951 Views
I think it's pretty obvious... - 17/01/2016 07:43:19 AM 944 Views

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