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« on: December 30, 2015, 11:35:55 am »
I echo many of the concerns already voice here. I had a chance to watch the movie with 6 of my 8 children last Tuesday (12/22/2015). All enjoyed the film. In fact, the older children, aged 20 and 18, were more concerned with what I thought of the film. I informed them that I thought Abrams' work was worthy of Star Wars and that this was the film I have been waiting for since Return of the Jedi. Since then, the older children and I have been doing as you have done on this thread, that is, pick the film apart and examine more closely the anatomy of it. Although I liked the Rey character, I felt that her part in the film was not explored enough. I don't have an attachment to her character as a result. I have more of an attachment to the angst-ridden Ren than I do of the heroine and I don't like Ren. Further, I pray that in the follow on films that the direction doesn't become simply, 'Katniss-Everdeen-in-space'. Knowing Abrams' style and approach to female leads, cf. Fringe et al., I also would not like to see a female character who is simply interchangeable with male testosterone-filled action protagonists. That being stated, I am not looking for a damsel-in-distress. I would simply like to see Rey become the model of true femininity. Closer to Shaak-Ti (sans The Force Unleashed) than Ahsoka Tano. More Lady Galadriel, less Red Sonja. Not River Song nor Lara Croft. Regina and not Reynaldo.
Initially I thought that it was Coruscant that was destroyed by the Starkiller weapon. I am actually less moved by the film now that it was not Coruscant that was blown to smithereens. The film has less power because of that. As I saw the destruction on the screen I felt that it was that moment wherein the writers metaphorically wiped the pre-quels off the map, so to speak. That was the moment when 'sh*t got real', to use a younger generation's vulgar expression. Now I kind of feel cheated of that magnitude of a moment and realization. Ah, well...
I liked the pre-quels, by the way.
Last, the R2 awakening. I don't care to have a technical explanation or an 'in-your-face' on screen understanding of why it happened at that moment in the film. I don't need it. All I need to know was that it was time for it to happen in a mystical/magical sort of way. Don't get me wrong, as I was watching it the Westerner in me cried out for the understanding. Later, however, as I reflected upon it I have accepted the glorious mystery of it all and I love it.
My two Republic credits.
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