I absolutely love that J.J. is playing on the concept that the OT is the new characters' storybook/myth just as much as it's ours. And the fact that

Last edited by Abbie (2015-10-21 04:44:41)

I'm so excited...

The trailer seems to show a good movie. That's good. However, for whatever reason, it didn't feel like a Star Wars movie. Can't explain it. The movie will probably redefine what Star Wars, as a genre, means for a new generation, which is fine. The trailer is just missing... well, the fun.

Yeah, John Williams among others has made a point of saying how funny the movie is. They're going for the really hard-hitting emotions here, diluting that with jokes wouldn't play well.

I've been trying to think why these trailers and images from VII are getting to me so hard, and I'm fairly certain it's more  that just "SQUEEESTARWARS", and I thiiiiink it's because there is absolutely nothing else being made right now that LOOKS like this.

Seriously, everything about the actual image of this movie is just jaw dropping. I know it's fake, I know this, but I look at so many of the images and it looks, not just real, but real in that perfectly operatic way. It's hard to explain, everything "feels" real, but it's also slightly exagherated in a very theatrical sort of way. Everything feels intentional and with a lot of thought. But then at the same time, it feels messy asnd gritty and natural.

It's a visual style that is so insanely perfect for a modern interpretation of a "Space Opera".

Guardians of the Galaxy started to go in this direction, which is why I loved it so much, but ultimately still had to live in it's own slightly more cartoonish Marvel world. But VII seems to be going fully and head first, no fucks given, into that gritty operatic style. And damn it speaks to me.

EDIT: Or to go full video nerd. It's dark and gritty but with the saturation turned ALLLLLL the way up. And yet it still manages to look amazing. Dammit JJ you magnificent bastard.

Last edited by BigDamnArtist (2015-10-21 05:14:01)

I have a feeling that a LOT of the prequels will be...uh...what's the word...ceremoniously burned a stake and then forgotten, when it comes to these movies.

As for the rest of it, taking what the trailer gives us, I'd wager it's building pretty heavily off what Han said in ANH, "Hokey religions and ancient weapons." and that mentality. They are a myth, even further now than before. Because it'll be what? Another 30 of years after ROTJ? So that's basically an entire generation (The main cast) that has grown up without any sign of the reality of Jedi. Because right now, and for the past 30 years, the only Jedi in the UNIVERSE has been Luke. The Imperials have gone on conquering or ruling, or just being general Nazi fanboys, whatever it is they do. I doubt the majority of the universe knew Palpatine was a Jedi and maaaaaybe there were a few rumors that Vader might have been one, but otherwise, that's the entire presence of Jedi's for, bleh, head math here... 50 years? (Age of ANH Luke + time period of OT + time til Awakens from ROTJ).

So, assuming we're ignoring the prequels here I'd argue it's a bit more like

"Hey did you hear about that one dude in the middle of the Amazonian jungle 50 years ago that could fly?"

"Oh shut up Barry, how much have you had to drink?"

As far as the whole "It being their myth" thing it makes a lot more sense in that universe. That's the story their parents told them about the time the Empire had their giant Laser tag facility destroyed...twice. And according to my uncles cousin, 5 times removed's friend, who might have been there, but who definitely heard it from his brother's gardener, there was a Jedi there.

So agreed, assuming they're going to attempt to keep that shit consistent with the PT, it makes no damn sense. But assuming they, at the very least, "Just don't bring it up and maybe they won't think about it." it, it makes total sense.

I'm still hopeful for the burning at the stake thing.

I think you've also gotta take in to account the size of the galaxy and the Jedi Order. During the time of the prequels, there were what...10,000 Jedi total? This is a galaxy of probably hundreds of trillions, maybe more. To your average citizen of the planet Bumblefuck, the Jedi are probably seen as just some odd group of religious people who have ties with the Senate because well, it's tradition. They supposedly could do some really strange stuff, but who knows if that's real?

Not to get too off-topic, but Peter Mayhew tweeted this and I died.

Will Ep 7 top Avatar in overall dollar amount?  Yeah, probably.  Avatar topped out at 760 million domestic, and hell, Jurassic World's made it to 660 million and still counting (though just barely).   So yeah - Ep 7, with 6 more years of ticket price inflation to pump it up, can probably get to 760 million.

BUT... that's why straight dollar amounts alone are meaningless, unless you're comparing films of the same year or adjusting for inflation. 

If you do adjust for inflation - basically turning dollar amounts into the more meaningful estimate of  number of tickets sold - then Jurassic World is suddenly right behind Avatar... but neither of them is HALF as successful as Titanic.  Neither of them even crack the adjusted Top Ten.

Episode One, which was arguably even more anticipated than Episode Seven, is only the seventeenth-highest grossing domestic movie ever (when adjusted).   Adjusted, Avatar is 14th, Titanic is fifth place, and SW New Hope is 2nd place.   A New Hope made the 2015 equivalent of a billion and a half domestically. 

Or we can adjust it the other way, and say Avatar would have made 216 million bucks in 1977 currency.  Compared to New Hope's 460 million, that's not even a contest.  I mean, think about that - a 460 million dollar take would be mega-blockbuster money right now in 2015.  Star Wars got there in 1977, when tickets cost three bucks. 

Now, IF Episode Seven is so damn good that it spills over out of the built-in fandom and becomes a bona fide phenomenon like Avatar or Titanic or New Hope, then it might crack the all time adjusted Top Ten.  Mayyybe.  But it's pretty much impossible to do that nowadays - the all time top ten hasn't changed since 1997 when Titanic joined the list.

But - will there be Variety ads proclaiming Episode 7 beat Avatar in some way or another?  Almost certainly.  Although studios love to buy ads that say that, it's important to remember that sort of honor is only slightly more notable than those "World's Greatest Grampa" statues.  The recipient likes showing them to everybody, but they don't really mean anything.

An ESB trailer recut to the music of the latest TFA trailer. Shouldn't be spoilery since all the footage is from ESB.

Last edited by fireproof78 (2015-10-24 17:25:17)

There are some additional factors to consider here, though.  For one, the generational game is strong with this one.  This film will have something like 3 generations of fans who experienced star wars in some significant way throughout their lives.  That's just about every generation that's alive right now.  Secondly, unlike the prequels, this will be the first Star Wars since return of the Jedi with the original stars in them!.  That's a major boost factor right there.  Seriously, Han Solo on screen, back in his beloved millennium falcon!?  I would bet that even the most casual fans would see it just for that.  Thirdly, its a December release.  Now, i guess traditionally, the largest blockbusters come around during the summer, but I think what Avatar showed is the potential for a third week of December release to out-perform summer movies.  I believe the reason for this is the potential for no drop-off on the second weekend.

Put all these factors together, plus the insane presale numbers, and I think you have something looking like at least a legitimate contender for outselling Avatar in terms of number of tickets.