Okay, the main thing here is seeing Paul Walker in action one more time. And, I am glad that they were able to make that happen, especially given that he had only shot half of his scenes before his untimely demise. And, it's nice that he gets a proper, emotional send off.
Otherwise, it's the usual two-plus hours of impossible-to-survive-even-for-Superman action sequences! The vehicular mayhem is well shot and choreographed. But, it's tough to not laugh at how the characters magically survive the endless insanity! And, the conceit that these street racers have become super-secret agents, whose fighting skills make James Bond look like a wussie, strains credulity to the nth degree.
(BEGIN SPOILERS) Naturally, there is a classic MacGuffin, the plot device that means nothing in reality, but drives the plot. Here, it's some super-secret surveillance device, or whatever! And, the movie ends up being an endless series of confrontations with baddie Jason Statham, where he gets to escape time after time, when they'll just end up killing him before the credits anyway! (END SPOILERS)
There is some fun character interaction, and good dialogue here and there, which are the best parts. Brian Tyler's generic action-movie score is just that. The cinematography is very good. The movie famously had to take a number of different elements to construct the scenes that Walker hadn't shot. This included, using CGI to put pre-existing footage of Paul's face and mate it to the bodies of his brothers, standing in for him. The same went for getting his dialogue constructed. It gets the job done, but the seams sometimes show. The result is a mix of scenes that work really well, while others are more obvious.
All in all, a better-than-average "Fast & Furious" installment, obviously not to be missed for getting to see Paul one more time.
The visual effects of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" used a combination of old and new techniques. This Variety video goes into how the effects artists made it happen!
The Oscar race is officially underway with today's announcement of the 2016 nominees. Some were pleased, others were not. "The Revenant" and "Mad Max: Fury Road" led the nominations. But, movies like "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" were largely snubbed.
Fan opinion has been varied over the new "Star Wars" film, "The Force Awakens". Seeing yet another Death Star wasn't exactly appealing to many, including me! But, while there are a fair number of familiar elements to the film, I have come to like it. A lot! That first impression wasn't the knockout I was hoping for. But, after seeing it twice in 3D the past weekend, I have just given up having an issue with Death Star 3.0, etc. Instead, I've concentrated on all the cool stuff in the movie!
Like Han Solo! Harrison Ford is top billed here for a reason. Han gets to be Han again, edgy, impulsive, just the classic rogue we love! There are the "Star Wars"-required beasties in the Rathtars, which are pretty much big mouths with pointy teeth that roll around and get people with their tentacles. Cool! We also get good dog fighting, albeit not in space as the title "Star Wars" would indicate!
The highlight of the movie is the amazing star turn by Daisy Ridley, who I hope gets an Academy Award nomination. She does great work here, and is really the person who anchors the film. John Boyega and the chameleon actor Oscar Isaac turn in great work, as well. Carrie Fisher is okay, but her plastic surgery/botox has really made it difficult for her to emote. Plus, we like Carrie as Carrie! You don't get to see that spark here. Mark Hamill does what the script asks, but we definitely need to see a lot more of him next time around!
Also key to the film's success is the magnificent film score by John Williams! I have listened to it many times, and am more impressed with it each time! It doesn't have as many of the hummable themes as his previous "Star Wars" scores, but I have forgotten that with subsequent listenings. And, the score works perfectly in the film!
J.J. Abrams does a much better job here than it the truly awful "Star Trek Into Darkness," which still ticks me off! Man, that was bad. But here, he's in his element and delivers a great movie under high pressure. The script, by Abrams and "Star Wars" writing vet Lawrence Kasdan has the previously mentioned pluses and minuses. Visual Effects and Creature Effects are both just fine, although the production using more practical effects isn't often that obvious.
Overall, a very good "Star Wars" installment! Looking forward to seeing what "Looper" director Rian Johnson does with "Episode VIII!"
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has just officially broken the all-time U.S. Box Office record! The record is the one not adjusted for inflation. But, since the movie it has overtaken, "Avatar," was released in 2009, that adjusted-for-inflation record could be broken soon!
Oh oh! If you thought that Snoke in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is actually Darth Plagueis, Andy Serkis, who plays Supreme Leader Snoke has just said that Snoke isn't Plagueis. So, let the new theorizing begin!
The great John Williams soundtrack for "Force Awakens" is available in two ways online! You can listen to the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack the way it appears on the CD. Or, you can listen to it the way it appears in the film
Spotify has the soundtrack. Disney has the film score. NOTE: On the Disney site you must click forward for each subsequent track. They don't play automatically. But, if you love the soundtrack like I do, it is well worth the effort!
I really hope that John Williams at least gets an Academy Award nomination for his great work in the new film!
There have been tons of articles on "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" since it has been released. Luckily, I have saved you the work and found the best articles for you.
/FILM has done a great job on covering the questions fans have had after seeing the movie.
The usually reliable Blu-Ray.com has stated that "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will be released on blu-ray on April 5th.
While the masters at StarWars.com haven't yet made the announcement, we can't be certain. But, it would be likely that the video release would be by May 4th (as in May the 4th Be With You!)
The first reviews are out for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Read at your discretion! I read the first paragraph or so of both, but will wait to read the rest until the movie comes out.
First audience reactions are in for The Force Awakens!
There has been an embargo on movie reviews, asked for by Disney. That embargo expires at 12:01 a.m. PST early Wednesday morning. So, if you want to read the reviews, or just get an impression on what the critics think, the wait is almost over!
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