Reboot sequel...

Rating: 8/10 (17 April 2016)

I'll start off talking about its cinematography, since I've not heard many people touch on it. Compared to the previous installments - TFA played with scale, showing off the Star Destroyer at Jakku. Exceeding long takes, fluid camera movement, seems to be up to the viewer whether that's an improvement, I like it since it's a step up from the TV- show cinematography. It also shows off grand establishing shots, nothing like that from the previous installments. It also borrows the style of the others, as the portrayal of Kylo Ren reminds me of the portrayal of Vader - Kylo Ren with helmet was filmed from a low-angle, same as Darth Vader with the helmet, implying intimidation - Kylo Ren without helmet, was filmed from eye-level, same as Darth Vader, implying they're human and 'normal.'' 'There's a scene, where lighting plays a significant role and is symbolic in terms of the character's internalisation, where the light illuminates half the face, meaning the character's split in terms of decision -- Kylo Ren is partly told through the cinematography, it tries to say he's not supposed to be as badass, since he's still learning, though some prefers one dimensional characters. The lighting and camera-work in the TIE- Fighters -- clear improvement, instead of the unnatural blue lighting from nowhere in ANH, it's the lighting of the outside, also when it fires laser bolts, the cockpit illuminates from the green laser bolts, really convincing in comparison. Though it has innovative cinematography for a Star Wars film, it has a lot of ''homage'' shots, trying to connect the saga, whether it's too many similarities, it's up to you - Jakku mirroring ANH's Mos Eisley reveal - Maz Kanata's castle mirrors Mos Eisley cantina, though they try and make the shots their own, by taking their own variation of it, it may have gone too far. I absolutely loved the opening, my second favourite, only behind ANH's - my interpretation of the Star Destroyer covering the light, I'm thinking it foreshadows the darkness to come. The ending shot comes off really awkward, and feels like a commercial for Ireland...
The pacing felt really weird; something felt missing. Some parts also felt a bit rushed, but so does the other installments. I thought there would be some scenes in the deleted scenes that would make the pacing more fluid and natural, but I was wrong. It's still bearable, nothing bad, really -- feels a bit rushed, but that's just me. It's still enjoyable and exciting, it doesn't drag, but it doesn't feel fluid either. Rathar scene felt weird, both by the directing and writing, I assume. It felt unnecessary and stalled the pacing and tone. The score plays it safe, though there are a few that could've had more impact and made people more positive towards it would be not playing it as safe as they did, by having it in the background and not letting it swell, when they let it swell (Rey's theme) it gave me shivers, wish they'd give Kylo's theme and the Resistance's theme a more pivotal role - from a person whom is aware of the power of silence. It has kind of grown on me by each viewing. It'd probably be better if it was scored by London instead of Los Angeles.
It's more of a soft reboot sequel - Story-wise, it takes a safe route - Indiana Jones, James Bond, Toy Story, as they rather wants to launch it than take a risk and scare off people by making it not feel like Star Wars. I'm glad it at least had the Star Wars charm, and didn't feel like some artificial re-creation, though that's more matter of opinion. As much as I understand their decision, I as a fan would love to see a more innovative story, though I'm excited to see where characters like Kylo Ren and Poe are going throughout the next two installments. The story feels familiar, which it is - most people seemed to be bothered by the similarities by other people complaining, not by their own observation, which makes me wonder if people didn't seek errors, not saying it's flawless, since the ANH plot points in TFA bothers me, too. Innovative dialogue, for a Star Wars movie - went away from the OT writing, in my opinion, it's charming and different, but in the end it's subjective. Rey was disappointing, I wasn't bothered by her being good in such and such, she just wasn't all that interesting, though I think she'll develop, but in TFA, her character let me down. But there's also characters like Kylo Ren, whom is rather interesting, and I'm eager to follow through the new trilogy. It's not a complex screenplay, the characters, story and plot of TFA are simple and easy to digest -- entertainment, not supposed to be some art masterpiece, it's for everyone, imaginative; adventurous fun.