What A Shame

Rating: 6/10 (16 December 2017)

Fellow "Star Wars" fans, we all know the history of this series. 1977's (First) Episode IV--exciting, fast-paced, groundbreaking Western light space-opera version of the 1958 Japanese Classic, "The Hidden Fortress" ("Kakushi-toride no san-akunin"). Episode V (1980)--a truly great and (for its day) special-effects-packed sequel. Episode VI (1983)--a flawed but arguably satisfying conclusion to the original film trilogy. The next three live-action pictures, Parts I through III (1999-2005)), were an arguably disappointing balance of state-of-the-art special effects, action-packed stories, and, sadly, poor poor casting choices. Then in 2015 came Episode VII--a seeming partial remake (of Episode IV) cum series sequel that was beautifully paced and action-packed. For an aging fan who saw "A New Hope" (Episode IV) TWICE in a row on day 1 in 1977, "The Force Awakens" (Episode VII) was a popular cinematic triumph (by primary helmsman J.J. Abrams).
So it is with reluctance and sadness, tinged nonetheless with hope, that I award only 6 stars to this overly-long and poorly-plotted/edited effort.
Yes, it has everything that "Star Wars" fans, especially the young, will enjoy. Yes, it advances the story(ies). Yes, it ties up some loose ends while leaving some mysteries appropriately unanswered, But it is just too darn (a) long, (b) juvenile, and (c) boring (I KNOW! HOW COULD HE SAY THAT!?) in too many places.
Consider a few other films: 1942's "Casablanca," "Aliens" (1986), 1999's "The Matrix," and even "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" (1977). I argue that in each case these were particularly terrific popular movies that stand the test of time not because they always make sense or because every line of dialogue is expressed perfectly (though often they are), but because the scripts, direction, plotting, and editing keep the stories moving along at just the right pace.
(New to the "Star Wars" universe) Director Rian Johnson unfortunately gave fans TOO much of what they wanted. Less is more, Mr. Johnson. As P.T. Barnum is alleged to have said, "Always leave them wanting more," not glancing at their watches (or cell phones) and eyeing the exits. Hopefully he will learn this lessen before tackling that trio of future SW movies.
As is often the case, my criticisms have less to do with the actors than the directors and producers. I thought that our young favorites--Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, et cetera--did the best they could with a script that did not always give all their characters as many chances to shine as in the previous flick. (There were at time some exceptions to this criticism.) Keeping "Rey" and "Fin" apart for most of the film was a (big) mistake, I think. And for me, a little "Poe Dameron" goes a long way.
Meanwhile, old timers Mark Hamill and the late Carrie Fisher fulfilled their acting obligations satisfactorily. The "Leia Organa" role was oddly abbreviated, but perhaps this was due to illness or her eventual death, I don't know. (I thought she passed AFTER filming was completed.)
All in all, I feel like the powers that be overseeing these new SW films are trying to duplicate the general FEEL of the first three films. (Hopefully there will be no equivalent "Ewoks.") That makes sense, but in this film, no way does it achieve the greatness of 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back."
So, a few questions: (A) Why did Gwendoline Christie's agent agree to a deal where she is encased in chrome CONTINUOUSLY? What a waste. (She might just as well have been a voice actor for the role. Maybe she was?) (B) Why was "Vice Admiral Holdo" (the otherwise great Laura Dern) such a weak character? I blame direction for this. (C) Was the character "General Hux" (Domhnall Gleeson) SUPPOSED to be so over-the-top, Nazi-officer, comically-evil? (D) Would it have ruined the movie for Chewbacca to have taken just one bite out of a Kentucky-fried Porg? It was already dead, after all. (That WAS a funny bit. The crystalline foxes made no sense, however, except as a likely merchandising money-maker.)
Oh well, I could be eventually proven wrong. If the box office is through the roof, again (the 2015 film made $936,662,225 domestically and another $1,131,561,399 overseas--think about THAT!!!), it won't matter what individuals like me think. But, darn it, I want every "Star Wars" picture to be great. I think I heard that Abrams is returning as director for Episode IX. Good. The force is strong with that one.