In Praise of Star Wars

[SoiBiker]

I liked it.

Maybe it helps that I never put the old ones on an unrealistic pedestal.

[Fabricus]

"Unless it’s a franchise, Disney isn’t all that interested in pursuing big live-action films.

That was the sentiment expressed by Jay Rasulo, Disney’s senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, during a Q&A session Wednesday at the MoffettNathanson Media & Communications Summit.

“We’re ratcheting down live action,” he said, adding that the company is being particularly careful to make sure any of its “blockbuster live-action (films) fit into some franchise strategy.”

The strategy reflects Disney’s continuing emphasis on sequel-friendly tentpole titles like “Captain America: Winter Soldier,” from its Marvel arm, and upcoming Walt Disney Pictures’ “Maleficent,” which the studio is hoping will be the start of a new franchise. There’s evidently still room for the occasional smaller budgeted project, with “Million Dollar Arm” coming to theaters this weekend.

This isn’t a new strategy for Disney.

It’s been talking about focusing on Disney friendly tentpoles since 2010 when Iger appointed Rich Ross to run Walt Disney Studios and rethink the kinds of movies it will make."

Variety Quote http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/disney-cfo-reaffirms-big-live-action-films-must-fit-franchise-mold-1201180702/

Sad really. I used to look up to Disney, now I turn my back.

To me, this is good business sense. These days marketing and distribution expenses for a blockbuster title can eclipse the budget for the actual movie.

The new Star Wars movie, for example, cost about 200 million USD to make; a further 250 million USD were spent on marketing and distribution.

Investing in sequel-friendly projects works because sequels not only draw on the success of the original to win audiences but also cost less to market.

The Pirates of the Caribbean movies were good examples of this, as is the Jurassic Park franchise.

Another good example is the latest Terminator movie. I watched it because, well, I had to. I thought it was quite good, too.

I agree though that long gone are the days of Disney's Fantasia and the 1937 production of Snow White.

PS. I watched Disney's Tomorrowland earlier today. It stars George Clooney. Unfortunately it's not very good.

[JHolmesJr]

Wow….am I only one who thought it was <deleted>?!!

Nothing new, just a rehash of the same old plot points, with younger actors.

I got my hand a very good copy….turned it off after 20 min.

[SoiBiker]

Wow.am I only one who thought it was <deleted>?!!

Nothing new, just a rehash of the same old plot points, with younger actors.

I got my hand a very good copy.turned it off after 20 min.

You feel you can judge the whole movie based on the first 20 minutes?

[JHolmesJr]

Wow.am I only one who thought it was <deleted>?!!

Nothing new, just a rehash of the same old plot points, with younger actors.

I got my hand a very good copy.turned it off after 20 min.

You feel you can judge the whole movie based on the first 20 minutes?

Yup.

[BookMan]

Wow.am I only one who thought it was <deleted>?!!

Nothing new, just a rehash of the same old plot points, with younger actors.

I got my hand a very good copy.turned it off after 20 min.

You feel you can judge the whole movie based on the first 20 minutes?

Yup.

I caught this one on the big screen. Better than the last few, but not out of this world fantastic in any way.

Not such a bad call JHolmesJr. Nothing much new in this one. First hour was fairly slow. Not sure where they spent the 200 million...wages I can only guess. If i was watching at home I would have paused and come back another time to finish it.

anyway, 7/10 from me

[SoiBiker]

Wow.am I only one who thought it was <deleted>?!!

Nothing new, just a rehash of the same old plot points, with younger actors.

I got my hand a very good copy.turned it off after 20 min.

You feel you can judge the whole movie based on the first 20 minutes?

Yup.

But you didn't even get to the bit where Chewy eats Luke.

[Dmaxdan]

Saw it today. To be honest I enjoyed it....but it is flawed [emoji106]

[Berkshire]

Rotten Tomatoes now has it on 95% from 264 reviews. Like it or not, the movie is set to conquer the galaxy.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_vii_the_force_awakens/

Just saw it. As usual, Rotten Tomatoes has it about right. I'd say it's the best Star Wars ever. However, it's not as good as Avatar, if we're comparing sci fi. What Disney needs to do is get James Cameron to direct the next Star Wars.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Rotten Tomatoes now has it on 95% from 264 reviews. Like it or not, the movie is set to conquer the galaxy.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_vii_the_force_awakens/

Just saw it. As usual, Rotten Tomatoes has it about right. I'd say it's the best Star Wars ever. However, it's not as good as Avatar, if we're comparing sci fi. What Disney needs to do is get James Cameron to direct the next Star Wars.

Worst. Worse than prequels.

Not a single memorable moment.

At least Lucas could throw a surprise or 2.

The most disappointing thing.... the music. It's what makes Star Wars.

Nothing. That's what this movie is.

[SoiBiker]

Rotten Tomatoes now has it on 95% from 264 reviews. Like it or not, the movie is set to conquer the galaxy.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_vii_the_force_awakens/

Just saw it. As usual, Rotten Tomatoes has it about right. I'd say it's the best Star Wars ever. However, it's not as good as Avatar, if we're comparing sci fi. What Disney needs to do is get James Cameron to direct the next Star Wars.

Worst. Worse than prequels.

Not a single memorable moment.

At least Lucas could throw a surprise or 2.

The most disappointing thing.... the music. It's what makes Star Wars.

Nothing. That's what this movie is.

Are you sure you were in the right theatre?

[JHolmesJr]

Rotten Tomatoes now has it on 95% from 264 reviews. Like it or not, the movie is set to conquer the galaxy.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_vii_the_force_awakens/

Worst. Worse than prequels.

Not a single memorable moment.

At least Lucas could throw a surprise or 2.

The most disappointing thing.... the music. It's what makes Star Wars.

Nothing. That's what this movie is.

I can believe that…

@ rotten tomatoes…lol.

[Berkshire]

Rotten Tomatoes now has it on 95% from 264 reviews. Like it or not, the movie is set to conquer the galaxy.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_vii_the_force_awakens/

Just saw it. As usual, Rotten Tomatoes has it about right. I'd say it's the best Star Wars ever. However, it's not as good as Avatar, if we're comparing sci fi. What Disney needs to do is get James Cameron to direct the next Star Wars.

Worst. Worse than prequels.

Not a single memorable moment.

At least Lucas could throw a surprise or 2.

The most disappointing thing.... the music. It's what makes Star Wars.

Nothing. That's what this movie is.

It's a matter of opinion, isn't it? And the fact that this movie will break all records and be the highest grossing movie of all time (already at $765 million as of today), I'd say most people disagree with you.

I'm not a Star Wars geek, but I am into movies. This movie just seems less cartoonish than the other Star Wars. And Daisy Ridley is quite the hottie.

[canuckamuck]

Saw it in 3D, It was great. If some of you guys saw the 1978 version today for the first time you would think it was silly. But nostalgia or the dark side has clouded your mind. Awesome show, and Daisy is wonderful.

What shocked me is Parker Scnhabel is Han Solo's son.

[puukao]

felt like a movie i saw before......like another star wars, really not adding much.

i'm glad they made another movie, but i thought it was just average, barely

i hope they make 100 more......until it's like Friday 13th and and then we know they made one, or two, or ten too many...

even a bad star wars is better than 90% of other movies....but i definitely don't think it deserves any oscars this year...

[JHolmesJr]

If you remember I had watched 20 minutes of this film and turned it off due to its bland homogeneity.

Spurred on by positive reviews I watched another 20 minutes …. naaaah…still crap, Im afraid.

The marketing for the film is excellent though.