Warning #2 This is going to be a longer review, but It doesn't cover an iota of what i want to say. If you want to discuss more with me about any of the Star Wars films, come on over!! I could talk for days about it.
I have been waiting to write this review until after I had watched the film 5 times in the theater. I did this because, back in 1999, I decided that I wanted to watch a Star Wars film 5 times in the theater. I had grown up with stories about the hype and excitement that was felt around the release of the original films and I wanted to duplicate that feeling.
Unfortunately I had to sit through 5 viewings of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. I could have stopped after 2 viewings and been satisfied.
My anticipation of excitement and pride in my claim of 5 viewings was downgraded to a claim of shame. The film was amazing, but it was good. The reason we still talk about it today is due to the confusion that it gave us. Even as a 15-year-old boy I would find myself wanting to be somewhere else while I watched the film, but my determination and bullheadedness won in the end.
I remember a feeling of relief when I left my 5th viewing of The Phantom Menace. It was partially relief to know that I have accomplished a goal that I have set out to do, but the greater part of the relief was due to my knowledge that I would not have to watch that film again.
I can contrast those feelings with the feeling that I have now. I returned from viewing The Force Awakens earlier today and I find that I still want to watch the movie. In fact, I was very excited this morning in anticipation of my trip to the cinema to watch the same film for the 5th time.
I could talk about what is bad about The Phantom Menace for hours, but I could talk forever about The Force Awakens and how much I enjoy it.
I will be clear, this is not a perfect film. Even today, as I sat with my popcorn and M&Ms, I struggled with a number of lines of dialogue and plot elements in the film, but as a whole I love it.
The Force Awakens is many films in one. It is a launching pad for a franchise re-boot, it is a continuation of a well beloved story, it is a tribute to the original trilogy, and it is a course correction after the prequel trilogy.
I love the nostalgia of The Force Awakens. There were 4 distinct moments in the film when you could audibly hear the excitement in the audience when references were made that pertained to the original trilogy. These moments were:
These moments gave me the feeling of familiarity that I was looking for in the film. It helped me fall in love with Star Wars all over again.
I haven't even mentioned the new cast. Daisy Ridley is excellent, Oscar Isaac is great, Adam Driver is evil! I loved the new characters and I look forward to seeing more of them as the franchise continues. There are so many stories to tell about each character.
This film awoke my childhood ambitions and playfulness again. There is nothing more that I wanted The Force Awakens to do than that. I am more excited for movies than I have ever been. I look forward to lining up for more Star Wars films each year for the next 5 years... or more.
Unfortunately I had to sit through 5 viewings of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. I could have stopped after 2 viewings and been satisfied.
My anticipation of excitement and pride in my claim of 5 viewings was downgraded to a claim of shame. The film was amazing, but it was good. The reason we still talk about it today is due to the confusion that it gave us. Even as a 15-year-old boy I would find myself wanting to be somewhere else while I watched the film, but my determination and bullheadedness won in the end.
I remember a feeling of relief when I left my 5th viewing of The Phantom Menace. It was partially relief to know that I have accomplished a goal that I have set out to do, but the greater part of the relief was due to my knowledge that I would not have to watch that film again.
I can contrast those feelings with the feeling that I have now. I returned from viewing The Force Awakens earlier today and I find that I still want to watch the movie. In fact, I was very excited this morning in anticipation of my trip to the cinema to watch the same film for the 5th time.
I could talk about what is bad about The Phantom Menace for hours, but I could talk forever about The Force Awakens and how much I enjoy it.
I will be clear, this is not a perfect film. Even today, as I sat with my popcorn and M&Ms, I struggled with a number of lines of dialogue and plot elements in the film, but as a whole I love it.
The Force Awakens is many films in one. It is a launching pad for a franchise re-boot, it is a continuation of a well beloved story, it is a tribute to the original trilogy, and it is a course correction after the prequel trilogy.
- The reveal of the Millennium Falcon: As a kid I never really thought of the Falcon as a junker of a ship, but I clearly saw it in this film.
- The mention of the line: "I've got a bad feeling about this": This line is said in all 7 of the Star Wars films. It's a little way for fans to know that the director knows that they exist.
- Rey's comment about the Kessel Run: This line was lost in a couple viewings of the film due to laughter from a previous line, but it is my favorite tribute to the original trilogy. I'm a Han Solo fan, if that wasn't clear by this point.
- The 3D hologram chess set on the Millennium Falcon: This is another moment for the fans that showed that the director is a fan as well and was making a movie that was not going to repeat the prequel mistakes.
These moments gave me the feeling of familiarity that I was looking for in the film. It helped me fall in love with Star Wars all over again.
I haven't even mentioned the new cast. Daisy Ridley is excellent, Oscar Isaac is great, Adam Driver is evil! I loved the new characters and I look forward to seeing more of them as the franchise continues. There are so many stories to tell about each character.
This film awoke my childhood ambitions and playfulness again. There is nothing more that I wanted The Force Awakens to do than that. I am more excited for movies than I have ever been. I look forward to lining up for more Star Wars films each year for the next 5 years... or more.
I categorize this film as:
A well-needed awakening call
Super-Nostalgic.
I want to watch it again and again
5/5 Stanley Cups. I have never had such excitement about a film. As soon as it ends, I want to watch it again and I want the next film in the series to be here now!! I want to watch it again and again
Format: The Theater. Once regular 2D, twice 3D, twice 3D AVX.
Viewing Period: 6 weeks
Inspired me to: Talk about Star Wars everyday. Also to watch Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars: Droid Tales.
