Thread:Rodangizzardcrusher3/@comment-26687285-20160822213306/@comment-26687285-20161018224740

Rodangizzardcrusher3 wrote: I honestly thought the callbacks and in-jokes were quite well done. Or, at least the more subtle ones like the Trash Compactor line. And yes, I think we can all agree that the biggest sci-fi tearjerker of 2015 was Han Solo's death.

Plus, it's a very well made film. Not only is it a pure spectacle of popcorn entertainment, but I think this has some of the franchise's best visual storytelling since Empire. If you look at the scene where Kylo and Solo meet, you see the whitish-blue light of the sky shining on his face when he seems to regret his actions, but before he does you-know-what, the sky and the light turns dark red.

And maybe if Starkiller looked less like a giant pokemon ball I'd have liked it more. I agree. Despite some of the problems i had with it, seeing this film in the theater was nevertheless one of the most special experiences i have had in some time. And that's coming from someone who has never even been that crazy about the series. I do like the original trilogy and i even think there are some very good things about the prequels. And the saga itself is undeniably a cultural milestone (in both good and bad ways). I just never had the same kind of religious or revelatory experience with it that much of it's fanbase did. Infact, i don't even consider it the best Sci-Fi trilogy i've seen (for me, that title goes to Back to the Future). I've always been more attracted to the franchise's universe and the phenomenon as a whole rather than the films themselves.

Still, i gotta admit i became quite giddy once the title screen came up (i'm SO glad they kept the episode number font!). I went to see it with my (former) friend Gijs and i actually nuged him and we were both smiling like: "We're here man!, this is it". While it wasn't overwhelming, there was a sense of excitement and even awe in seeing a new SW film in the theater.

The ending was very satisfying and did leave me wanting more, and it was good to see Mark again. Also, the musical swell when Rey catches the saber ...chills.

The best part though (as i've already mentioned) was Kylo's confrontation with Han. When he took out his lightsaber and said: "Will you help me?", my innitial thought was: "Is he asking his help in comitting suicide?". And while Han's impending demise became clearer with every moment, i still jumped a little when it happened. I remember sitting there thinking: "Oh boy!, this is it". "It's gonna happen". "They're gonna do it!". And then..."SLICE!". The thing that i found so surprising about it wasn't that they really killed him, it was that they killed him in such a dark, brutal and unforgiving manner. I even said out loud: "Oh my god, they actually did it!". It was great.