"The Force Awakens" (with SPOILERS)

Anyone think that this trilogy answers the ultimate Star Wars question: Who was Anakin's father?

 

I think we were to take the midi-chlorians explanation at face value.

 

Looks like we don't get Episode VIII until May, 2017, but we'll be getting something Star Wars every year through 2020

Star Wars movie release dates calendar | EW.com

 

Yes. I don't WANT to read book or comics to keep up. I read some of those in my younger days, but I just don't have the interest to do so now. I'm a geek, but no longer THAT much of a geek!

 

I agree that the movies should stand on their own, but Disney does love tying things together. I just hope they do it in a way that the books, cartoons and comics simply enhance the movies rather than becoming required reading and viewing to understand the movies.

For example, there was a comic book miniseries, Shattered Empire, that included the story of a married couple who are very likely Poe Dameron's parents. I don't think anybody who didn't read it cared when they watched the movie.

Marvel has done this as well. Did anybody care how the Avengers found out where Loki's staff was at the beginning of Age of Ultron? It was set up in Agents of SHIELD, but I don't think it took away from the enjoyment of the movie if you didn't know that Phil Coulson was the source of the Avengers' intelligence on that attack.

 

A New Hope stood alone as a film because there was no guarantee in hell (1) it would even be made or (2) there would be sequels and prequels.

 

One more comment, here.
Lot of BS critiques that Ren is weak.
Ren is no Vader, yet. He is not even a Sith.
There has been criticism also that Rey's powers were not earned.
Remember, in A New Hope, Luke could block blaster bolts blindfolded.
With no or little advanced training, he destroyed the first Death Star using the Force.
Ren was shot by a bowcaster that was launching Stormtroopers into the air and ripping their armor to shreds, and still won one fight and almost the other.

Hope this helps.
Happy New Year.

Love,
Fart.

 

The canonical story behind TR-8R, the internet's new favorite stormtrooper

Speaking of expanded universe, apparently there were some bits in the movie that you had to read a book to understand, including the Stormtrooper who calls Finn a traitor. Greg Rucka wrote Before the Awakening, which features three stories, one each about Poe, Finn and Rey.

And yes, I get why people don't like having to research to understand some stuff in the movie. I don't mind because I think the movie stood up just fine without having read the novel. Also, I now need to go pick this up and read it because it sounds like something I'd enjoy and because I like Rucka's work.

 

I thought that was just a product of his skill bulls-eyeing womp rats in his T16 back home?!

 

Seeing "New Hope" as an adult, it's always bothered me how low-key the Rebel commanders are over this.

"Luke, you've turned off your targeting system. Everything OK?"

"Yeah, a ghostly voice from an old hermit told me I'd hit the target, so screw the targeting system. Don't worry, it's not like you've got only five minutes to live or anything ..."

 

Also this:

 

I know the fanbois hate it, and that the new regime has said they're never mentioning midi-chlorians again, but I always thought there was a simple explanation for that.
All they have to say is that everyone (instead of just some, as was implied in the prequels) in this fictional universe has some level of midi-chlorians in their blood. Some, like the Skywalker clan and the Jedi, have a lot more and thus are able to more easily use the Force.
Boom. Done. Easy retcon that makes a hell of a lot of sense.
I should write some fan fiction. I bet they'll sign me up to do Episode X.