The title of this post doesn’t mean I’ll be talking about everything and more, as I’m not a complete asshole. At this point, while it may seem that everyone has seen this movie due to the sheer amount of money it made during its opening weekend, I won’t assume it. Plus, Star Wars, Episode 7: The Force Awakens, deserves to be seen with minimal spoilerage. All the accompanying pictures are from trailers that were released previously, so I don’t feel it’s doing anyone a disservice if you see them.
Larry & I were both exceedingly nervous about what this next chapter in the saga would hold for us. Were we going to get some clumsy CGI and a barely coherent or interesting story with actors who really didn’t gel together? OR was it going to be awesome and a wonderful palate cleanser getting us ready for some awesome fun back in the Star Wars universe we all loved?
Well, off we went on Saturday to find out, over at the Universal City IMAX screening we got tickets to nearly 2 months before.
Dec 19, 2015 – Seeing The Force Awakens
After what felt like a shitton of trailers (some good, some meh), it was time. Although the opening 20th Century Fox fanfare was missing, what can you do? We’re in Disney territory now, but luckily, it was just a Lucasfilm logo opening up the movie, not the Disney castle. I don’t think people are ready or wanting to see that bit of corporate overlording just yet. But then the Star Wars opening theme launched us into the world and for the next 2 hours and 15 minutes, Larry & I and the rest of the theater were transfixed by the goings-on in front of us.
As I said, no spoilers or plot points will be discussed here. I will say that The Force Awakens is a fantastic movie, let alone a great Star Wars movie. You don’t need to know much, if anything, about the prequels (Episodes 1-3), but it kind of does help to know the characters from Episodes 4-6, such as Han, Leia and Luke, as well as Darth Vader. And then just remember that it’s 30 years later, and plenty has changed in the world. New villains, new good guys, and a galaxy in the aftermath of the collapse of the Empire.
The pieces fall quickly into place as to what is going on, but that doesn’t mean every answer is given to you. I have a feeling that’s the point in which most people would have complaints, with what little there is to possibly complain about. There’s some things still left unanswered and left to speculate about. I’m sure Episodes 8 and 9 are going to get into those mysteries quite a bit, but of course that means we have to wait until 2017 to see what Episode 8 decides to reveal. I can’t wait.
Larry & I ended up going to the movies again on Sunday to see The Force Awakens a second time. I had been the one losing my shit about seeing it again a second time on Saturday night, with Larry the voice of reason. But by Sunday morning, he was ready and wanting to see it again, so we did. It was just as entertaining, if not better, the second time, as you can focus on picking up on things you may have missed or had questions about. Again, just seeing the movie again doesn’t necessarily answer those questions, but damn if it isn’t just a good movie that makes you happy to watch.
I’m really looking forward to the Blu-Ray release and hopefully to see if any extended or deleted scenes are present. I’ve noticed quite a few moments from the 3 teaser trailers are slightly different or modified, and I wonder why. Still, watching these three trailers even now is thrilling, as knowing the context of scenes makes the moments shown in them that much more interesting.