I kind of loved it a lot. I had accepted a long time ago (no pun intended) with the advent of the prequels that any films coming out of the Star Wars Universe will never be quite the same as my beloved 'A New Hope' ... and choose to dwell on the things I love about the film.
One thing about TLJ I will say is that I fell in love with Luke Skywalker/Mark Hamill all over again. I too was delightfully surprised with him chucking that lightsaber over his shoulder. He is still the hero I thought him to be and still learning from his master. (Although I loved the Yoda/Luke scenes - I always will. On the one hand film-wise I thought 'No! Why?', on the other hand I also though 'Yes THIS!' - but like you said - something that could have happened in an AU fanfic.) ... and I like that Luke is still being Luke. I thought the arrogance and hubris he spoke of was one of those things that teachers do go through, so it was with Qui Gon, as it was with Obiwan. He is only human. I loved his end scene too. And I guess it opens up the avenue that Luke is gonna haunt Kylo for killing his buddy Han forever!!! ^_^
I was momentarily disappointed that there was no great Cthulhu scene in that underwater cave. Though perhaps that would have been too predictable.
I do agree about the pacing being somewhat jarred by the casino scene. Although it does make me wonder about Benicio del Toro's role in the next film. His role here was left too open to leave one thinking is it just 'that' for him in the grand scheme of things. But it could be just that - as you say - a red herring.
There are things that I am not entirely fond of in the film, and I agree that Finn did not have too much to do, and had hoped that he would be given more to do other than appear, as if lost and clueless.
Laura Dern's fantastically, beautiful purple/lavender aesthetics does not survive into the next film.
That 'furry dice' thing bothered me a little. (ok a lot actually for all the connotations I have with it - which is probably just me being me)
Captain Phasma having the end such as she did - one thinks of all the great side characters that were given unsatisfactory endings. Boba Fett, Darth Maul.
Also I do love the new creatures that we were introduced to. Those crystal foxes were like some kind of amazing Legendary Pokemon, and the Porgs were cute - but why they would set up home on a ship with a predator makes no sense to me. They just need to show me fruit and veg like the Star Wars version of bananas then maybe I'd accept it. No one goes veggie overnight. Well at least not a carnivore like Chewie anyways. Plus spit roasted - it did look like it might have tasted ok, good even. And I was hoping for the Cthulhoid monster from the sea - but maybe in the next one eh? ^_^
I loved all the Luke scenes, the Leia scenes - even the cheesy majestic one of our beloved Princess floating through the debris and fighting the effects of the vacuum of a space death (real or imagined) with the force. Every scene with Leia in had me in tears. Yes really I was in tears intermittently throughout the film. I guess being so invested in the characters you love does that to you, plus the poignant thought always at the back of my mind that Carrie Fisher is no longer with us.
I think that there is a lot to love about the film - for me, and a few things that would jar it for me. It has a very different feel and take from TFA. Indeed a different feel and take from the prequels, and definitely from the originals. As you say, comparing them with what happened to the Star Trek storyline in the new films. (that as an aside - if you watched ST: Discovery, I would love to hear your views on that too ^_^)
And, and you were ten as well when you watched Star Wars? Really? I don't believe it.
Ok digressing there. Going back to TLJ ... characters that are slowly growing on me - Hux and yes, I have to admit it ... Kylo too. ^_^
All in all the Star Wars films are still doing what they always do, create friendly debate and banter over what fans love and hate about them.
Lengthwise - personally I didn't have a problem with it, though my son thought it long - but I had put it down to age. He is 15 and sitting down for a long period of time (unless it is Skyrim, Overwatch, Portal or some such) isn't his thing. We purposely kept the children and the children's friend between the two of us, because my hubby cannot sit through such a movie - the first time anyway- next to each other. He thinks I emote too much ahahahaha! I don't blame him really.) My girl was next to me and she held my hand through the film.
It was a great film for me and I may just go see it again. *HUGS* I love your review because I can understand that there will be things that not everyone will love about it and I like to see others' points of view. Because like I said sometimes I get too invested and don't see the other side, and I think it's nice to have someone point out things I might have missed otherwise.
A couple of other films I'm looking forward to but with a lot of trepidation because of how much a part of my childhood the books are the 'Wrinkle in Time' books, and although newer, 'Ready Player One' - Ernest Cline.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and uhmm oops long comment is long ...
no subject
I kind of loved it a lot. I had accepted a long time ago (no pun intended) with the advent of the prequels that any films coming out of the Star Wars Universe will never be quite the same as my beloved 'A New Hope' ... and choose to dwell on the things I love about the film.
One thing about TLJ I will say is that I fell in love with Luke Skywalker/Mark Hamill all over again. I too was delightfully surprised with him chucking that lightsaber over his shoulder. He is still the hero I thought him to be and still learning from his master. (Although I loved the Yoda/Luke scenes - I always will. On the one hand film-wise I thought 'No! Why?', on the other hand I also though 'Yes THIS!' - but like you said - something that could have happened in an AU fanfic.) ... and I like that Luke is still being Luke. I thought the arrogance and hubris he spoke of was one of those things that teachers do go through, so it was with Qui Gon, as it was with Obiwan. He is only human. I loved his end scene too. And I guess it opens up the avenue that Luke is gonna haunt Kylo for killing his buddy Han forever!!! ^_^
I was momentarily disappointed that there was no great Cthulhu scene in that underwater cave. Though perhaps that would have been too predictable.
I do agree about the pacing being somewhat jarred by the casino scene. Although it does make me wonder about Benicio del Toro's role in the next film. His role here was left too open to leave one thinking is it just 'that' for him in the grand scheme of things. But it could be just that - as you say - a red herring.
There are things that I am not entirely fond of in the film, and I agree that Finn did not have too much to do, and had hoped that he would be given more to do other than appear, as if lost and clueless.
Laura Dern's fantastically, beautiful purple/lavender aesthetics does not survive into the next film.
That 'furry dice' thing bothered me a little. (ok a lot actually for all the connotations I have with it - which is probably just me being me)
Captain Phasma having the end such as she did - one thinks of all the great side characters that were given unsatisfactory endings. Boba Fett, Darth Maul.
I was sad that Scottish actor Brian Vernel, who was the smuggler Bala-Tik did not re-appear again in some guise - as an agent of the First Order perhaps. This is just me having a thing for the Scots. Those accents man. Although I am glad to see Scotland well represented in the films, and I'm not just talking about Ewan MacGregor and his uncle Denis Lawson
Also I do love the new creatures that we were introduced to. Those crystal foxes were like some kind of amazing Legendary Pokemon, and the Porgs were cute - but why they would set up home on a ship with a predator makes no sense to me. They just need to show me fruit and veg like the Star Wars version of bananas then maybe I'd accept it. No one goes veggie overnight. Well at least not a carnivore like Chewie anyways. Plus spit roasted - it did look like it might have tasted ok, good even. And I was hoping for the Cthulhoid monster from the sea - but maybe in the next one eh? ^_^
I loved all the Luke scenes, the Leia scenes - even the cheesy majestic one of our beloved Princess floating through the debris and fighting the effects of the vacuum of a space death (real or imagined) with the force. Every scene with Leia in had me in tears. Yes really I was in tears intermittently throughout the film. I guess being so invested in the characters you love does that to you, plus the poignant thought always at the back of my mind that Carrie Fisher is no longer with us.
I think that there is a lot to love about the film - for me, and a few things that would jar it for me. It has a very different feel and take from TFA. Indeed a different feel and take from the prequels, and definitely from the originals. As you say, comparing them with what happened to the Star Trek storyline in the new films. (that as an aside - if you watched ST: Discovery, I would love to hear your views on that too ^_^)
And, and you were ten as well when you watched Star Wars? Really? I don't believe it.
Ok digressing there. Going back to TLJ ... characters that are slowly growing on me - Hux and yes, I have to admit it ... Kylo too. ^_^
All in all the Star Wars films are still doing what they always do, create friendly debate and banter over what fans love and hate about them.
Lengthwise - personally I didn't have a problem with it, though my son thought it long - but I had put it down to age. He is 15 and sitting down for a long period of time (unless it is Skyrim, Overwatch, Portal or some such) isn't his thing. We purposely kept the children and the children's friend between the two of us, because my hubby cannot sit through such a movie - the first time anyway- next to each other. He thinks I emote too much ahahahaha! I don't blame him really.) My girl was next to me and she held my hand through the film.
It was a great film for me and I may just go see it again. *HUGS* I love your review because I can understand that there will be things that not everyone will love about it and I like to see others' points of view. Because like I said sometimes I get too invested and don't see the other side, and I think it's nice to have someone point out things I might have missed otherwise.
A couple of other films I'm looking forward to but with a lot of trepidation because of how much a part of my childhood the books are the 'Wrinkle in Time' books, and although newer, 'Ready Player One' - Ernest Cline.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and uhmm oops long comment is long ...