I shan't outline the story because I can't. It's very loud and it's hard on the eyes with multiple explosions, flashes and misc effects. (Peter Cushing making a C.G.I. 'resurrection' 22 years after the actor died made me feel distractingly uncomfortable, in a smallish but significant role. Also, a young Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in a 3-second appearance right at the film's end).
Main role goes to Felicity Jones with some quite interesting younger male support, but it's all very formulaic stuff.
And as always, there are the inevitable heroic acts of self-sacrifice, from both humans and robots, to make one feel really 'involved'.
Surprised to find that the director was one Gareth Edwards whose credits include the well-praised (also by me) 'Monsters' of 2011.
This film has got a current very high rating of 8.1 on IMDB. My submission isn't quite that high.....................3.
Well now, see, I'm a big Star Wars fan from way back (like 1977, to be exact) and I liked this movie very much! But then again, I rarely spend the money on a a movie unless there's going to be special effects and explosions--otherwise, I'll wait until Netflix picks it up!
ReplyDeleteFair enough, Sadie. I don't doubt that there are millions upon millions of fans like you who sincerely enjoy the films, and I would in no way claim that my dislike of them is a superior attitude and the only 'valid' way to view them. To be honest, I wish I could like them as much.
DeleteI too remember that very day when the original SW opened - I was then living in Oxford. Such was the buzz from America that there were people camping outside the local cinema to get in to the first screening - and they were coming out as excited as if they'd just won a windfall. Although I wasn't quite in the first wave of viewers, I did see it within days of its opening - and felt let-down from its very opening scenes, largely because of the hopelessly 'wrong' science. I know that there are plenty who are more au fait with science technology than I am who manage to put all that aside and still enjoy the films, but I'm not one of those - though I wish I were.
As you know, I find the whole series the height of tedium and it's only the ongoing racket that keeps me awake. Perhaps it's better that I now draw my own line under attending them. But I hope and trust that you'll continue to enjoy - honestly!
I didn't see the original SW when it opened. Several years ago, when the original three were re-released, I was talked into going. As you experienced, I found it "the height of tedium" and drew my own line of attending them. Never again.
ReplyDeleteWe are both of a group who are never mentioned, Paul. I wonder if we really are a minority? Whenever it's mentioned it seems to be taken as unarguable fact that it's the greatest film series ever created. Well, the can keep it 'cos I'm bowing out of seeing any more of this lot.
DeleteI think a big part of the two camps is simply what each enjoys. I rarely watch movies that are outside sci/fi simply because I have enough reality in real life. I've never been too worried about the science of it--just because I go for the entertainment factor, not because I want something that's going to make me think (I like books for that!) I've rarely even enjoyed dramas on t.v., for the same reason! I like to read your reviews, but we really do have a very different taste in movies!
DeleteTrue, Sadie. Everyone has their own preferences and long may it continue so. I find reading sci-fi even harder than watching such films - unless it's earth-based.(There are exceptions, though - Asimov, Alldis, A.C. Clarke etc.) Reading a Star Wars story I wouldn't be able to keep up with remembering what the creatures and robots were, with all their odd names. Too much hard work. At least on film a lot of this is done for one, which making the film a dull one means it's even more unforgivable.
DeleteYes, essentially one goes to see such films in order to be entertained. I also don't watch TV dramas. In fact don't watch much TV at all. But doesn't upset me in the least knowing that each one's taste in films varies. I'd be far more concerned if everyone's predilections as to what constitutes 'entertainment' was congruent.
Speaking of films as providing pleasure, I've got coming up in the next couple of weeks two or maybe three films that are likely to be a harrowing watch, from what I've heard. Not sure whether I should skip them. Paying money in order to be upset takes on evermore a feeling of masochism which I have increasingly less tolerance for, especially as my time gets more limited and I prefer to use it n being happy rather than the reverse. I'll check out my mood as the time to see them approaches.
I have seen all the Star Wars saga movies thus far, but I have no idea how and when this fits into the scheme of things. I'm not familiar with all the books and comics of Star Wars. So I probably won't be viewing this, unless I get the urge when it hits my On Demand service. I hope the New Year is finding you in good spirits.
ReplyDeleteAll fine here, Maddie. Thanks for asking. The three little furry ones are all curled up around me. Got my hospital appointment near end of the month, a full six months after the accident.
DeleteLooks like you too might have been watching all the SW films more out of a sense of 'duty' than being drawn by a strong desire to see them. In my opinion there's no stand-out quality of this latest to make it any more compulsory viewing than all the previous ones. But, if completeness is what you're after I suppose one might just as well sit through and get it over with. :-)
A happy 2017 t you too, despite the prognostications for it being a good one are not particularly promising. But one never knows.
I finally saw a movie!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was mindless fun, nothing deep but more entertaining than some of its predecessors. I get the characters confused but I've learned it is not too important to sort.
I think that's the right way to approach it - not trying hard to work out what's going on. I grey weary of the series when the second film arrived, back in the late 70s. Maybe if I'd given up concentrating then and just let it wash over me then I wouldn't be where I am today, fuming at wasting time and money on such 'pap'.
DeleteRay,
ReplyDeleteI've only seen one "Star Wars" move ("The Empire Strikes Back"). It was okay but frankly I didn't see what all the hoopla was about. I enjoy a movie like "Fracture" much better. Pat saw thus movie too and was simmarily unimpressed. I'm happy though for the millions who like it. Lots of noise and special effects which seems to be what movies of this type are mainly about .
Ron
'Fracture'? Is that the 2006 Ryan Gosling/Anthony Hopkins film? I did see it but can't recall it at all, even after re-reading the synopsis. Afraid my rating was a lowly '5'.
DeleteAs for Star Wars, I'm sure that you, Pat and I are well outside the range of the target audience - but that was already the case when I say the very first one too (though I was by then in my 30s). I don't begrudge those who do enjoy this type of film; in fact I wish I was among them - but, alas, I end up while watching the film thinking of what I'd rather be doing than sitting through it.
This is one I will see in the cinema. Hopefully this week.
ReplyDeleteYour 'hopefully' tells me hat you're a fan of the franchise, F.B. - and of course that's a perfectly valid standpoint to have. It would be the height of arrogance to suggest otherwise. Good luck with it!
DeleteYes I am a Star Wars franchise aficionado. I side with the Rebel Forces and Yoda is my hero. I saw it and rather enjoyed it. But it's my cup of tea.
DeleteWell, there you are, F.B. Have fun and run with it - though it may well have been the last time I put myself out to see any more S.W.s.
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