So this is how Star Wars dies, to the sound of thunderous applause

Rating: 4/10 (28 December 2015)

First time I have ever gone to the trouble of reviewing a movie. This movie was a significant disappointment for me. Like a lot of people I was less than exited about the prequels. I think Harry Plinkett dissected those perfectly. I rather naively supposed that the deficiencies of the prequels would lend some insight into what was needed for any further movies that might be made. The funny thing is it didn't work out that way. If anything TFA highlights some of the few things the prequels handled better, such as the score, the bigger sense of scale, Darth Maul and dare I say it greater imagination overall. The major flaw they share in common is bad execution of certain specifics.In prequels case pacing, shitty dialogue, character motivation and general lack of finesse during the key moments. In the case of TFA all its specific faults are in danger of coming of the rails because of the manic pace of the film. There needs to be moments of pause and slower pacing at key moments. I won't fault the actors in either set of films, any deficiencies were due in my opinion to characterization and dialogue. I have seen many of the actors in other roles which have been handled well. The openly cack-handed way in which the characters are presented so to appeal to childish sensibilities of the audience is a fault in both sets of movie. Rey is presented in order to appeal to the most vulgar caricature of the modern trope the strong woman. If you want to make a believable female lead then take a look at Sarah Connor and Ellen Ripley, believable, fleshed out and yes STRONG. Finn was a wasted opportunity. The trailer hinted at more than comic relief. Perhaps Kylo could have been worked if a little more care was spent on making him work. The cheap coincidences I do not need to mention as others out there have eyes to see what is obvious.What does this mean for the future of the franchise? Judging by the high scores doled out by lazy and perhaps compliant collection of professional critics, along with a significant majority of the fanbase this could be a parting of the ways for people like me. I would hope that episode 8 redeems this mess because if it doesn't I won't bother again. I will give this movie a 4 because it would be ridiculous to go much lower than that as I have seen worse. I can understand the desire to give it 0 though, as so much was expected while so little emerged.