While everybody is caught up with discussing the amount of cash Star Wars: The Force Awakens has made, the main question of whether it’s actually very great as a film, appears to have been disregarded. Here are 10 reasons why it is disappointing.
10. Practically Zero World-building
Where did the First Order originate from? How strong would they say they are? What’s up with the Republic? What has Luke been doing? Where is Jakku? None of these questions and various others regarding what is happening are ever addressed. This is a huge put-off, since this learning would not just link the film to the first trilogy, it would also make the events on screen have more weight. Rather, we’re tossed into the film totally confused.
9. Duplicates New Hope
I’m sure all will agree that Force Awakens duplicates a lot of the plot of Star Wars: A New Hope. Both movies begin with a droid carrying important data on a desert planet. It then winds up encountering a Force-sensitive youth, incorporates a Death-Staresque weapon that has one lethal flaw, a wicked Sith Lord, a military commander partner to the miscreant, a bar scene, a gang of rebels and a group of evil imperials, a strained father-son relationship… and the list goes on.
I agree that it was only “OK”. My two main reactions to it have been: “lots of great parts that do not add up to a great whole” and “This is the best fan film I’ve ever seen.”
Half of the criticisms are essentially the same thing said in a different way (“It’s the same as A New Hope!”), and the other half can easily be said about A New Hope.
Exactly the same thing can be said about Prequel hater’s arguments. Either way, fanboys will always come to defend.