Crazy chase through scuttled Star Destroyer is crazy fun. btw, skip my posts if you don't want new-canon nerdery for the next couple months. Sorry all, I've regressed to the mh of 1998.
It looks like, with the exception of showing the villains off in quick shots, the framing of the trailer is "lonely girl, thinking 'bout things on a desert planet, wishing she could get offworld," leading to her meeting the pilot of a downed TIE fighter, and then they meet Han Solo, who tells them all the rumors about how the war really shook out a few decades ago being true.
The story of the Empire most people knew, especially those away from the core worlds, was that he swept away corruption from within the Republic and instituted strong military rule to bring about a better life for those in the galaxy. The flip side of that is that a number of people knew it was on the back of slaves, suppression of free speech, and a ruthless military with weapons that could wipe out planets.
The original trilogy is a very family-based, remnants of the Jedi story that most people wouldn't know. I'd imagine outside of Luke's immediate friends and family, few people knew that he was on the second death star, let alone that Darth Vader was his father. The rebellion in the galaxy at large was the story of a group of people who believed in the vision of the Republic taking down a fascist state. Sure, there were rumors about the Emperor and Vader being creatures of the force, about the rebel alliance having a jedi on their side, but framing the entire conflict as a sith/jedi thing is the story for the moviegoers, not the viewpoint of the characters.
So Han saying that yes, these crazy rumors were true, that they had the force on their side, is pretty exciting for a kid who was born long after all these events.
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 14:51 (eight years ago) link
just watched the original's trailer again to see if it gave any hint of humor in it. it didn't nor any sense of plot which was kinda surprising. i can understand them revealing virtually nothing about the plot w/ the new one, i can appreciate it even. the original's trailer is definitely bigger! louder! though, plus heavy playing up of romance (they really play up the pitch 'the story of a boy, a girl, and a universe', which has generally been forgotten). there's virtually no dialogue in the original (i think threepio talks most and that's just during a 'this movie's got robots y'all' part), just a whole lot of lasers blasting and ships flying and explosions. they play up the swinging on the rope scene big, seeing the star wars trailer on tv is one of my first memories and that specifically is what gripped me, it was a really big part of the iconography at the time - incorporated into the death star toy, a callback in rotj - but it seems to have kinda faded. i posted this elsewhere but i think the thing i take most comfort in is how much isn't 'star warsy' here, the kinds of shots you never saw in the others, etc. if they're going to make god knows how many more of these i'd like directors to be able to have some fun in how they tell the story, the most disappointing thing about the marvel movies for me is how they all basically look the same.
― balls, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 14:53 (eight years ago) link
There's also a strong tradition of jedi-as-monks, leading lives in exile meditating and studying to try to suss out the will of the force. Luke appears in the trailers so far, but only as a voice or in the one repeated cut of him reaching out with his robot arm to touch R2. Chances are, he's been off meditating somewhere or searching out old jedi lore in the outer rim. The books/comics seem to imply the Imperials who are clued into the force seem to think Palpatine had something hidden, something powerful, out there, too.
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 14:54 (eight years ago) link
btw some website seemed to imply there is an ewok cameo, probably when this Vader fanboy goes to see out his relics, lol
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 14:56 (eight years ago) link
Aw that's nice, I think Ewoks get a bit unfairly picked on.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 14:56 (eight years ago) link
Mark Hamill is the new Alec Guinness (good luck everyone)
― skateboards are the new combover (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 14:58 (eight years ago) link
http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/banthapedia/images/2/2a/Logray.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20091019163835
Logray for life.
― how's life, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 14:58 (eight years ago) link
I've seen Star Wars and Empire fairly recently (within the last three years), but I honestly can't remember when I last watched Jedi. I'll probably need to brush up before the new one. Maybe what you say is true and Ewoks aren't as bad as I remember.
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 14:59 (eight years ago) link
mh i don't know if you're like me and have to ruin things for yrself but have you seen that long theory that basically synthesizes all the rumours and spoilers into one plot outline. cuz it read pretty plausible in general to me (and these things definitely get out - i can remember reading something similar for phantom menace that was pretty dead on enough that i could warn ppl about jar jar and let them know that darth maul was barely in the movie), and nothing i've seen so far negates anything in it.
xp jedis as monks was so how i basically saw them as a kid and so much better than the prequels jedis as cia
― balls, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:00 (eight years ago) link
very impressed with mh's scholarly contributions here, kiu
― ogmor, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:00 (eight years ago) link
Love Han Solo going from "ancient weapons and hokey religions" to "the dark side, the Jedi, it's all true."
this was disorienting
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:00 (eight years ago) link
somewhat tempted to get a ticket to the marathon and then just skip the prequels
― balls, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:01 (eight years ago) link
The Ewoks are awesome. The Luke/Leia "my sister has it" scene though...
― how's life, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:01 (eight years ago) link
Jedi = Hollywood monks who blow up shit!
The Luke/Leia "my sister has it" scene though...
The Force is the new herpes.
― skateboards are the new combover (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:02 (eight years ago) link
*crying tears of joy* you guys star wars is so stupid, this is going to be so bad
― goole, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:07 (eight years ago) link
han would have to be a legit cretin if he was still totally sceptical about the force despite hanging out w/ masters for years
― ogmor, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:08 (eight years ago) link
How much time did the original trilogy cover? Because it's that + 30 years.
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:10 (eight years ago) link
original films take place over the course of about five years, I think
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:16 (eight years ago) link
the time span between SW and TESB is the oddest. Suddenly Solo's a general. I think the novels published since then have said as much as five to eight years?
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:17 (eight years ago) link
fwiw I don't really care about guessing the last couple acts of the new film, I am sure someone has sussed out some details about the twists, but honestly with so many people coming up with fan theories, at least one has to be close
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:18 (eight years ago) link
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Timeline_of_canon_media
this is some new numbering that starts with Episode I, but it looks like Episode IV takes place 32 years in, and Empire is 35, so about three years
the rebels had a pretty small force at the beginning and saw a lot of action, and I'm not sure if it's canon anymore, but Han had military training before he bailed out to be a smuggler, so it's a stretch but not implausible
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:20 (eight years ago) link
One thing I do love in the new trailers is the use of the Falcon. One of the exciting things about the possibilities of space flight/combat is that you don't really have the same kind of directional/gravitational limits, all planes are equally open. Yet most space flight/combat is not filmed with this in mind. Something about the Falcon's shape makes it particularly fun to watch swooping around in all directions, making loops, etc., like it doesn't LOOK like something that was designed with any nods to the principles of flight within gravity. Of course the Falcon is also doing some of that swooping around within gravity, so I guess I'm just saying I like watching the falcon fly around.
― on entre O.K. on sort K.O. (man alive), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:22 (eight years ago) link
judging by the large mane of dark hair this Kylo Ren has, I can only assume he's the son of Leia and Chewbacca
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:23 (eight years ago) link
kylo ren Halloween costumes already on sale btw. First time you'll be able to dress as a character from a movie that's not out yet?
― on entre O.K. on sort K.O. (man alive), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:27 (eight years ago) link
how is time measured in the star wars universe anyway
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:28 (eight years ago) link
in parsnips
― on entre O.K. on sort K.O. (man alive), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:29 (eight years ago) link
The Galactic Standard Calendar was the standard measurement of time in the galaxy. It centered around the Coruscant solar cycle. The Coruscant solar cycle was 368 days long with a day consisting of 24 standard hours.
so uhh basically earth years
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:29 (eight years ago) link
they even fudge the physics of faster-than-light travel. somehow there's a device that keeps time on ships synchronized with the world outside
I don't want to know if anyone has written a goofy "physics of Star Wars" book, but the full text would probably be something to the effect of "we're telling a story here, ok?"
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:37 (eight years ago) link
It's set in a fictional universe where physics operate entirely differently. SW has never claimed to be hard sci-fi.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:39 (eight years ago) link
I was just curious about something I was sure some nerd came up with an answer for, not really concerned about scientific versimilitude or anything
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:41 (eight years ago) link
is Ree Yees in it
http://www.rebelscum.com/Gentle_Giant_Ltd/ree-yees_mini_bust/header.jpg
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:41 (eight years ago) link
but if star wars isn't real then all the organizing principles of my life are wrong
― 1999 ball boy (Karl Malone), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:43 (eight years ago) link
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo(does this mean yes?)
― 1999 ball boy (Karl Malone), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:44 (eight years ago) link
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 15:46 (eight years ago) link
adopt a strong principle of disorganization
― μpright mammal (mh), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 16:43 (eight years ago) link
mh analysis a+, nice one
I also am interested in the voice talking to Ren at the beginning and end "Who are you?" "The force, it's calling to you. Just let it in." Do we know who that voice is?
I'm exciting by the possibility of these characters (Ren, Boyega) having that Skywalker discovery of something bigger than themselves, journeys to find a purpose etc. The characters were the heart of the original trilogy, and the suggestion that we may get back to some of that kind of storytelling feels good
Han's "it's real" makes me so teary, I love it.
I am excited, hopeful...I feel all the good feelings about this so far
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 16:58 (eight years ago) link
Shot-by-shot breakdown for us obsessives: http://io9.com/heres-a-shot-by-shot-breakdown-of-all-the-goodies-in-th-1737486310
― Resting Bushface (Phil D.), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 16:59 (eight years ago) link
1:1 we get a re-reprise of "I love you" "I know"
― skateboards are the new combover (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 16:59 (eight years ago) link
The characters were the heart of the original trilogy,
they were?
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:00 (eight years ago) link
this is news to me
Think that's Lupita N'yongo.
― how's life, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:01 (eight years ago) link
xpost ok cool shakey you tell me your version
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:05 (eight years ago) link
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--FJTCpHOC--/1482363533917918891.gif
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Lz-4ff5N--/1482366259727175461.gif
― Resting Bushface (Phil D.), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:07 (eight years ago) link
just planting the seeds for the inevitable crossoveryou laugh, but we'll see it in our lifetime
― a llove spat over a llama-keeper (forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:11 (eight years ago) link
if anything it's good design that drives the original trilogy. The characters and their arcs are barely there at all (which is not to say that Hamill, Ford and Fisher don't try their best with the clunky dialogue and limited interactions they're given to work with)
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:12 (eight years ago) link
I'm not a sci-fi nerd and even I know that Star Wars takes place in the past relative to human existence and Star Trek takes place in the future. I guess they've already fuxxed with time travel, though.
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:12 (eight years ago) link
having recently watched Fury Road it kind of reminded me of Star Wars in terms of how much information can be conveyed and how much audience engagement can be generated solely by good art direction/costuming/character design/set design etc. Fury Road is better with the constant forward-motion action sequences but there's def a bit of that in play in the original SW trilogy as well. Characters are like third down the list of things that work in those movies, imo.
xp
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:15 (eight years ago) link
i wonder if Ford did a *callback* on-set w/ "You can write this shit JJ, but you sure can't say it"
― skateboards are the new combover (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:18 (eight years ago) link
man i forget how pedantic these conversations get
Luke's journey, his relationship to Vader, to Obi Wan, his relationship Leia, Leia's relationship to Han, were what the story is about. However poorly realized that story/those characters may be to you, ok fine, whatever... but it's not a newsflash
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:20 (eight years ago) link
I'm not a sci-fi nerd and even I know that Star Wars takes place in the past relative to human existence and Star Trek takes place in the future.
It happened a long time ago relative to when the story of Star Wars is being told. The Magical Storytelling Crawl could still exist in our far future.
― Don't Call Me A Lunkhead, You Dingbat! (Old Lunch), Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:20 (eight years ago) link