Alright, so I'll share my thoughts about the film. All over, a really solid Star Wars film. Not my favorite, but head and shoulders above all the prequels.
I think, currently it falls here: V > IV > VII > VI > III > II > I
I think I like it more than ROTJ, but that could be hype talking.
Things I loved about the film:
- Fun Star Wars characters return! This is the biggest thing for me. It feels like it has been forever since Star Wars has been fun without being over the top dumb (Jar Jar, Podracing, etc.). This is the first movie since VI that's introduced cool, fun characters.
- Rey and Poe are awesome.
- Han and Chewie were fantastic.
- Fight scenes were excellent and not too over-the top. Dramatic tension was kept intact, something the prequels sorely lacked.
- Cinematography was probably the best in the series since Episode V.
- Music was good, but nothing new as insanely memorable as The Imperial March.
- Finn was fun
- Kylo Ren seems like a really good villain, and should have a really interesting arc. I like that he's obviously very flawed.
- The significance of Han's death
- The first 30 minutes of the characters and how they meet is fantastic! I love how it brought them all together, great stuff.
Things I didn't care for:
- Han's death was a little anticlimactic for me. I liked the significance, but if feels like there was not a whole lot of reaction or grieving to it. I wanted to see the character's (especially Leia and Chewie) react to it more.
- Kylo isn't very good at lightsaber-ing. It's a little confusing given how strong his force powers are (very, very strong). Maybe he just hasn't been trained all that well yet.
- Rey is either going to be the most powerful Jedi ever or she's already had some training somewhere. Seriously, to be able to use Force Pull and Mind Tricks without any training...oh lord. That's some crazy shit right there. That bit seemed weird.
- Han's weird one-off about Chewie's bowcaster. There was plenty of other humor in the film, this didn't need to be there. Felt out of place and weird.
- Some pacing issues near the middle. When the touchdown on Takodana (I think?) the story slows down a little. I enjoyed the creature sequence, nice callback to Mos Eisley, but I felt it lingered here a little overlong. Rey is called tot he Saber, Finn decides to peace out, then Rey runs away. Seemed like that could've been placed elsewhere or paced a little better. But I understand it needed to be there to set-up the "Rey is force-sensitive" subplot and explain why she gets captured. But it still seems to be the most out of place portion of the whole film. The battle sequence afterwards was great, though!
- Poe is underutilized. He seems like an awesome character, but didn't get enough screen time. Hope to see him lots lots more in the sequels. I think they eased up on him because you can't have two snarky badass pilots scene-stealing from eachother (Han and Poe, for example). Now that Han is gone I hope Poe fills his shoes.
- Kylo and Han have very limited development as father and son. I wish this was explored more before their final confrontation. Maybe as a flashback or something, to establish their relationship. I feel the scene could've had a lot more emotional impact if I knew these character's relationship a little better.
Anyway, great SW film, I'd give it an 8/10 probably. Here's hoping for more good stuff to come in the SW universe. I hope to see more of Poe. Rey is going to be a great character, and Kylo is going to be interesting. Finn, I like, but I don't know how he's going to fit in the series as a whole.
it was a play on the other posts saying how old they think he looks.
