The Star Wars

[fenlings]

• It was really good! During the space battle sequences I felt exhilarated! I can't tell how long it's been since that happened.
• The characters were extremely likeable and interesting, and the humor was great.
• Carrie Fisher looked great, but talked like she had marbles in her mouth - or else like her mouth was physically incapable of opening. Considering she got the original role because she had good stage diction that could reach the on-set mikes they had to use to save money, it's ironic how un-commanding the general sounds now. But I love Carrie a lot.
• Rey's voice sounded EXACTLY like Keira Knightley. And she looks a lot like her too. I'm not sure if that's the way she normally talks, but it did seem a little posh compared to the people who raised her. (Which is maybe the point if she's ~someone's~ secret daughter?)
• John Boyega put on some kind of American accent I think? But he still sounded good.
• Harrison Ford was entertaining and seemed like he was having fun. And Chewie emoted well, although his utterances seemed a little short for what he was conveying at times.
• I wasn't that impressed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and JJ on the cantina music, but I want to listen to it again.
• Just like that original review of Star Wars, what's important isn't plot, but speed. And JJ certainly knows how to convey speed.
• The main part of the plot I felt shaky on was the relationship between the Republic, the First Order, and the Rebellion. It seems like the Republic controls some territory, and the First Order controls some other territory? But we have no idea how much is on each side. And then the Rebellion is happening inside First Order territory, but it's supported by the Republic, but that's supposed to be a secret? Except not because the First Order blows up the Republic home planets. And Maz Kanata's planet seems like it's supposed to be in a lawless neutral zone, but it's close enough to the Republic home planets to see them exploding in the sky. And the Republic seriously kept its entire fleet on its home planet?? If this were like a cold war situation with proxy wars, I would have a much better handle on what is happening. But mostly, I needed a map.
• Speaking of maps, who was making the map to Luke? I assume Leia's agents? But I feel like for something that drove the plot of the movie, its origin should have been better explained.
• One of the many stupid things about the prequels were the association of robes with Jedi. Obi-wan wore a robe on Tattooine because he was on a desert planet and blending in with the locals. Something similar happens with Rey at the end, where Leia's people give her like, her old clothes re-made in better material? She used arm wraps on her desert planet because she probably didn't have much fabric to make clothes, not because she likes arm wraps and bare shoulders (and to show off her spotless armpits wtf).
• I was confused when Rey and Leia hugged, because isn't that the first time they met? How does Rey even know who Leia is? Why doesn't Chewie hug it out with Leia?
• The ending sequence was good, but I felt like the climbing went on much too long. And it would have been more dramatic at night. And the helicopter shot should not have been the last shot. But hi Luke hi!
• I felt so bad for Chewie. Now he has to live like 100 more years without Han.