Addressing the Haters: UNLEARN WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2015)

OK I re-created my profile to address the haters. I loved this movie and was disheartened to come home to so many bad reviews.
It seems most of the haters are dissatisfied because their demands weren't met and they somehow feel slighted.
Haters: Honestly, one star? Two stars? Come on. I know you have some deep seated angst or whatever, but two stars? Saying Daisy Ridley was "terrible"? Now you're blowing your own credibility. We weren't even at the same movie.
Like many, I grew up on the originals.
J.J. Abrams had an impossible task: Heal a billion broken hearts from the prequels, show that he understands and cares about the franchise, scratch all those itches by incorporating all the old stories and characters, hand the torch to the new generation, and kick butt in a killer epic space adventure with heart And J.J. Abrams delivered. They all CRUSHED IT out of the park.
I feel bad for those who can't see it.
For those of us who could put down our list of demands, realize that we are NOT in charge and just take it in, this was an immensely entertaining film among the best of the canon.
To address two main complaints: 1.) The "remake" factor and 2.) Rey/Daisy Ridley.
1.) The remake factor: A lot of thematic elements and concrete plot points followed the originals. But I can't imagine this was just an accident. No one noticed or cared enough? Screw it let's make a remake cause we don't feel like writing an original story?
No way. Too much love and mastery went into every other aspect of the film – no way this was happenstance or laziness.
I think part of it was a clear message to long-time fans: Not only are we going to DEMOLISH the prequels. We're going to revisit the originals and make THAT story better (which they did, BTW).
Further, the "quasi-reboot" approach brings in the cyclical nature of the epic battle of good and evil – and this time it is intentional: Good is there, some evil Nazi-like force rises up to wreck everything. Then good has to rise up, underfunded, under-trained etc, to somehow defeat this evil force. Then it lies dormant for a while. Repeat.
That's how it works throughout history, even a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.
I think as the story progresses, we'll see this cyclical thing become part of the story. The original trilogy was just one turn in a wheel that keeps on spinning.
Also, new characters emerge, starting on their own adventure, and it will look much the same as the adventures of their parents and grandparents. Just like my story doesn't look that different from my dad's or grandpa's. That's the circle of life. Don't blame J.J. Abrams for that.
So, how did Rey whip Ren in that final light saber dual? 1.) The force fills in and helps as needed (as it did for Luke, who had no idea what he was doing throughout the original trilogy) and 2.) Ren is still a wimpy villain. He showed that from the start taking off his mask, worried that he doesn't have the potency of Vader, temper tantrums. He's a little boy. Emo-Vader.
But then he kills his own dad, a scoundrel but not that bad a guy, reaching out to his son for reconciliation. Ren smokes right through him now that's some DARK matter.
And he is just about to START completing his training, as is Rey.
Those were amateurs in that final scene. She's no Jedi, but he's no Sith Lord, yet, either.
This is just the beginning.
2.) Rey/Daisy Ridley.
This was a strong woman character whose strength was primarily feminine. She wept at the weight of her calling, geek-ed out at meeting the mythical heroes of her youth, fought valiantly when needed. This character was the most well-drawn, complete female character I've ever seen in film.
Daisy Ridley: Astonishing – a revelation.
I'm not a trained actor, but I know when an actor is doing it right: I was so enthralled and convinced by Ridley's performance – not for a second was she anything but Rey.
All the actors were good and deserve props, but Ridley deserves the highest praise. She absolutely owned this role.
This is the most FUN I have ever had seeing a movie in the theater. I was giddy. The scenery, cinematography, unbelievable performances by Ridley and others, charm, humor, action, scenery/cinematography – characters and story. Even the pacing was brilliant. The healing from the past pains washed over me and I was catapulted into a cool new adventure.
Abrams, Ridley and anyone else involved: I hope you don't read this crap, but if you do, please note: here is one long-time fan saying THANK YOU! This was SO good, I was gee-king out the entire time. Giggling like a kid. I whispered "No, please – don't do it" to Kylo Ren on that bridge.
I was absolutely LOST in a great star wars story. And isn't that the point?
If you can't get lost in this movie, maybe it's not J.J. Abrams' fault. Maybe you're just bringing too much baggage of your own. I think the team making this movie did everything humanly possible to help us get lost in the universe we love.
Go again, pretend your 13, empty your head – UNLEARN WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED – and just soak it in, because this is really a great Star Wars movie.
PEACE