A New Hope Reopens Dressed up as The Force Awakens
by Natalie
December 17, 2015. Everywhere. On December 17, 2015, coast to coast in the United States and elsewhere, A New Hope was reborn, this time under the title of The Force Awakens. Some camp-outs started as early as December 3, 2015 for seating. Camp-outs also took place for ticket purchasing. But though the crowds, tents and furniture that arrived at the theaters for the latest camp-outs was not as extensive as that seen in earlier Star Wars camp-outs due to assigned IMAX seating and massive Internet ticket sales, those who showed up for the camp-outs and parties appeared to have a great time. Those wanting to watch the movie with their own eyes as opposed to 3D glasses, chose 2D general seating over IMAX 3D assigned seating. General admission meant camping out for a prime seat. Most of the new viewers were from a younger generation that had not been born when the original three movies debuted. Many there had camped out as young children for I, II and III. Lost of campers got into the spirit by dressing in costume and look, there is a picture of little Ewok or Yoda eagerly waiting to see the new movie. Concession stands were set up in the theaters for people to buy the latest Star Wars paraphernalia. But the paraphernalia had one major problem. It listed the wrong date for the opening. While the show opened on December 17th to viewers everywhere, the T-shirts, etc, listed the 18th, a mistake (?) that did not go down well with the campers who saw the show on the 17th.
To fans who had camped out in the freezing temperatures, the camp-out party and movie were well worth the wait. In terms of action, the movie was kept the audience excited and happy. Everyone wanted to see the original three characters (Luke/Mark Hamill, Leia/Carrie Fisher, Han/Harrison Ford) as well as the latest action characters and the movie did not disappoint. To those who saw the original Star Wars (A New Hope, Episode IV) it was like seeing the original: REALLY--except you knew what what was going to happen next before it happened. And of course, Chewy (Peter Mayhew) was at Han's side, looking as young as ever. And yes, the Millennium Falcon is back. Leah is now a general for the Republican. Every plot in the original was brought forth into the new movie with Han Solo taking the place of Obi-Wan Kenobe and an orphaned Rey (with whom the Force is very strong) taking the place of Luke in terms of plot. Rey is played by Daisy Ridley, who very much charmed the viewers. If you shift the names from old onto the new or adjusted characters, you get the gist of how the story goes. There is a new death star, much bigger and badder than the original and the Darth Vader vs Obi-Wan duel takes place with a beloved older hero vs a new villain. The new Darth Vader (Kylo Ren or Ben, played by Adam Driver) is even more dastardly than the original and you quickly learn who his parents and grandfather are. While some grandparents are good and bring lots of presents at Christmastime, some are over-rated.
One of the more interesting additions was Finn (John Boyega), a defector from the stormtroopers. He's basically an enlightened/disgruntled storm trooper who had been stuck with sanitation duties. No wonder he got enlightenment and defected. Like Rey, he is strong, capable and has the power of the Force. People will continue to guess about his parentage into the next movie.
One of the more resilient characters is Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), called the best pilot in the galaxy. He is the one who starts the train of events by giving the message to the latest droid (BB-8). Though R2 (Kenny Baker) isn't the primary droid, he and C3PO (Anthony Daniels) also have important roles.
The majority of the action and film time revolves Rey, Finn, Hann, BB-8, and Ben/Kylo Ren. Time didn't do Mark Hamill any harm. Though no longer a boy, he certainly didn't look his age.
Those most upset about the movie are the fans of Star Wars fiction, many of whom claim that Disney stole inventions and gadgetry from the authors/cartoonists of the fan fiction and fear that Disney and not the original creators will get credit for creations such as the double-bladed light saber. Disney ignored or overrode the fan fiction in the remaking A New Hope under the new name, instead of following the developments and successes of the children of original characters created in the fan fiction. A couple fans said they would go if someone gives them free tickets while stating that Disney should have used a new name for the series rather than wipe out the work of the fans of the original series. Many readers of the fan fiction expressed dissatisfaction with J.J. Abrams and the direction in which he took the Star Trek movies. Abrams does have a sizable following of his own enthusiasts but seemingly not many among the Star Wars fan fiction crowd. Interestingly, nobody interviewed at the camp-out had read any of the fan fiction.
Disney is talking of making a movie a year with spin off movies. It is suspected that over-saturation plan of Disney's will be the thing that will finally destroys the popularity of the series. A poll of those at the campout showed that IV, V and VI remain the most popular and it is suspected that that will continue to be the case long after any future movies are released.
Everyone should see the movie at least once (maybe 3 or 4 or 5 times) and those who don't will likely regret having missed one of the most major opportunities of the decade.
To fans who had camped out in the freezing temperatures, the camp-out party and movie were well worth the wait. In terms of action, the movie was kept the audience excited and happy. Everyone wanted to see the original three characters (Luke/Mark Hamill, Leia/Carrie Fisher, Han/Harrison Ford) as well as the latest action characters and the movie did not disappoint. To those who saw the original Star Wars (A New Hope, Episode IV) it was like seeing the original: REALLY--except you knew what what was going to happen next before it happened. And of course, Chewy (Peter Mayhew) was at Han's side, looking as young as ever. And yes, the Millennium Falcon is back. Leah is now a general for the Republican. Every plot in the original was brought forth into the new movie with Han Solo taking the place of Obi-Wan Kenobe and an orphaned Rey (with whom the Force is very strong) taking the place of Luke in terms of plot. Rey is played by Daisy Ridley, who very much charmed the viewers. If you shift the names from old onto the new or adjusted characters, you get the gist of how the story goes. There is a new death star, much bigger and badder than the original and the Darth Vader vs Obi-Wan duel takes place with a beloved older hero vs a new villain. The new Darth Vader (Kylo Ren or Ben, played by Adam Driver) is even more dastardly than the original and you quickly learn who his parents and grandfather are. While some grandparents are good and bring lots of presents at Christmastime, some are over-rated.
One of the more interesting additions was Finn (John Boyega), a defector from the stormtroopers. He's basically an enlightened/disgruntled storm trooper who had been stuck with sanitation duties. No wonder he got enlightenment and defected. Like Rey, he is strong, capable and has the power of the Force. People will continue to guess about his parentage into the next movie.
One of the more resilient characters is Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), called the best pilot in the galaxy. He is the one who starts the train of events by giving the message to the latest droid (BB-8). Though R2 (Kenny Baker) isn't the primary droid, he and C3PO (Anthony Daniels) also have important roles.
The majority of the action and film time revolves Rey, Finn, Hann, BB-8, and Ben/Kylo Ren. Time didn't do Mark Hamill any harm. Though no longer a boy, he certainly didn't look his age.
Those most upset about the movie are the fans of Star Wars fiction, many of whom claim that Disney stole inventions and gadgetry from the authors/cartoonists of the fan fiction and fear that Disney and not the original creators will get credit for creations such as the double-bladed light saber. Disney ignored or overrode the fan fiction in the remaking A New Hope under the new name, instead of following the developments and successes of the children of original characters created in the fan fiction. A couple fans said they would go if someone gives them free tickets while stating that Disney should have used a new name for the series rather than wipe out the work of the fans of the original series. Many readers of the fan fiction expressed dissatisfaction with J.J. Abrams and the direction in which he took the Star Trek movies. Abrams does have a sizable following of his own enthusiasts but seemingly not many among the Star Wars fan fiction crowd. Interestingly, nobody interviewed at the camp-out had read any of the fan fiction.
Disney is talking of making a movie a year with spin off movies. It is suspected that over-saturation plan of Disney's will be the thing that will finally destroys the popularity of the series. A poll of those at the campout showed that IV, V and VI remain the most popular and it is suspected that that will continue to be the case long after any future movies are released.
Everyone should see the movie at least once (maybe 3 or 4 or 5 times) and those who don't will likely regret having missed one of the most major opportunities of the decade.
Even the little Ewok, who camped out, made it into the theater for the 7 P.M. December 17th showing, along with the the rest of the Stormtroopers and Jedis who wanted to see the next chapter in the most popular movie series in history. It did not matter that it was a remake of a 38 year old movie because what the movie-goers really wanted was another Star Wars experience and that's exactly what they got.
May the Force be with all the viewers.
May the Force be with all the viewers.
