Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Soars... And Stumbles (Spoiler Alert)

On Thursday, I had the chance to see Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on the big screen. And judging by its massive opening weekend, most of us have also. But if you're one of the few who still haven't seen it yet, this review contains spoilers! So wait until you've seen the movie to read it. Yo have been warned!

What can I say about this movie that hasn't been said? Ever since I was a kid, my two favorite super heroes were always Batman and Superman. They were both so similar, both wore a cape and both battled the forces of evil, and yet were so different. Superman was light and optimistic. Batman was dark and brooding. Superman believed in fighting for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. Batman believed in striking fear into the hearts of his enemies. There was just something about them that stayed in my mind for years.

And I'm not the only one. They are pop culture icons that have stayed in American culture the same way Mickey Mouse and Santa Claus have. Both Batman and Superman have managed to stand the test of time in comic books, TV shows, video games, and of course the movies. Superman I & II both remain timeless classics in my opinion, and The Dark Knight is still the comic book movie to beat. Sure, they may have their occasional Batman & Robin. And movies like Man of Steel are very divisive. But when both franchise soar, they really soar! Everyone has their own interpretations and their own beliefs on how these characters should act and be.

And let's face it. We have all asked the question at least once with out friends. Who would win in  fight? Batman or Superman? And we have all had our own arguments. Some believe that Superman could crush Batman in five seconds with his own hands, or throw him into the sun if he wanted to. Others argue that Batman can think his way out of any situation, and use his wits to outsmart Superman. (And let's not forget Kryptonite).

There has never really been a definitive answer of the question. The only way to see the outcome is if they both appeared on the big screen together.

Fans have prayed for years to see their favorite heroes on the big screen together. With the historic success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it has been proven that a movie with multiple superheroes together can work if done right. The Batman V Superman movie may have finally been announced at Comic Con back in 2013, but this movie's production history goes way back!

Throughout the 90s up to the mid 2000s, there were several ideas for Batman and Superman movies that were eventually scrapped. Including on that involved Nicolas Cage as Superman!

There was even a fake power for it in Warner Bros. own I Am Legend back in 2007!

After Warner Bros. second attempt at a Superman reboot in 2013, Man of Steel, which did fine at the box office with $600 Million worldwide but was almost as divisive to critics and audiences as Donald Trump, Warner Bros. put aside their planned sequel and decided to go for broke and put Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Auquaman, Flash, an pretty much any DC character and reference you can think of, in one movie to catch up with the Marvel machine.

This made many people worried. Could it work? Will it be a mess? Will it be a hit? Can this movie measure up to DECADES worth of hype?!?!?

After giving this movie a few days to settle, I can simply say... Yes!... And No.

Whether you love this movie or hate it, we can all agree it's a mess. It's like a Pinkberry Yogurt with too many toppings on it. Some people like their yogurt that way, others feel like it loses its flavor.

Let's start with what  I liked.

The action scenes were much better in my opinion than Man of Steel. They felt more flowing and more focused. I love the themes of immigration, war, and conflict. The opening scene of the film, which was the climax of Man of Steel seen from Bruce Wayne's perspective, was really well done, and hit very close to home with 9/11. Bruce Wayne sympathizes with the fear and paranoia many people feel towards terrorism these days. It's always refreshing to see a comic book move genre, which is usually geared towards family audiences, take on adult themes. After all, that is why The Dark Knight is still my favorite comic book movie. I actually found myself really intrigued with a lot of the movie. I didn't feel as bored as some people said they felt. I was actually really invested in what was going to happen to Superman, Batman, Martha Kent, and the world. The whole audience was into it in fact! The best way to see this movie is in a theater packed with DC fans. And the third act where Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman fight Doomsday is the stuff comic book fans dreams are made of!

The moment they announced Ben Affleck as Batman/Ben Affleck, fans were less than thrilled (putting it nicely). I for one had faith in him since Day 1. While most people pointed to Daredevil (2003) as proof that Ben Affleck can not play superheroes, I looked at Argo and saw a talented, smart actor who has clearly grown over the years. He went from a cold actor to an Academy Award winning force to be reckoned with in Hollywood! Plus, I remembered how fans hated the idea of Michael Keaton as Batman, Robert Downy Jr. as Iron Man, and Heath Ledger as the Joker. And we all know how those turned out.

And when I saw the trailer, I knew I was right. Ben Affleck is arguably the best Batman we have seen on the big screen! From the rage, the intensity, the dark, brooding presence. When he's beating up bad guys, it feels like the comic books and Arkham Knight games coming alive! We have never seen Batman this active before. My one complaint is that Batman kills in this movie. And I'm sorry, Batman DOES NOT KILL! That's one of the things I love about him. He tries to think of ways of stopping evil without killing people. He doesn't want to end his enemies, but strike fear in them. That's what makes him stand out from other heroes. I just feel like making him kill takes away something from his character. But other than that, Affleck proves once again that it's best to wait for the movie to judge a casting choice.

Another high point is Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.

Unlike Ben Affleck, I wasn't totally on board with Gadot as Wonder Woman when it was first announced. But then I saw the poster, and started getting more optimistic. And then I saw the movie, I think she absolutely nailed the part! She's strong, confident, mysterious, and able to hold her own with Affleck and Cavill. When she first appeared on screen, I had not heard an applause that loud since seeing Han Solo and Chewbacca back in Star Wars: The Force Awakens! She may have felt a bit shoe-horned in the film (as were a lot of things as I'll get to later), but at least we can now say we have seen Wonder Woman on the big screen!  And I look forward to her own movie in 2017. Seriously, it's about damn time! (sorry for my language)

Henry Cavill is much better as Superman/Clark Kent here. He feels more comfortable and more natural here. Even though Christopher Reeve is still and will always be the definitive Superman/Clark Kent, Henry Cavill is a worthy successor.

Amy Adams does exceptionally well as Lois Lane. I think I enjoyed her character much more here than the last film. I love how she is trying to prove Superman's innocence and stands by her man, even when everyone else is against her.

A lot of the supporting cast was great. Jeremy Irons steals many scenes as Alfred, Diane Lane is very warm and nurturing as Martha Kent.

The weakest link, however, was Jesse Eienberg as Lex Luthor.

Where I had faith in Ben Affleck form day one, and was pleasantly surprised by Gal Gadot, I was skeptical of Jesse Eisenberg from the start. Even though he's a talented actor, and I loved him in The Social Network, I just couldn't see him as the criminal mastermind Lex Luthor. I wanted someone like Bryan Cranston take on the role. In fact, he was practically auditioning for that role in Breaking Bad! But I tried to give Eisenberg a chance. But based on the trailers, and now the movies, I still wish they got Cranston. He just seems so over the top. It's not that he gives a bad performance. In fact, if her were the Riddler, it would be perfect. But it's just not the right performance for Luthor, at least in my opinion. And yes, Gene Hackman was over the top in the original Superman films. But those movies came out in the 70s and 80s, where it was more acceptable. Eisenberg just comes across as awkward. Some people, like my parents, loved him and thought he played a very creepy, insane villain similar to Heath Ledger's Joker. And if you like his performance, I'm happy for you. I didn't hate his performance myself. I just don't feel like it fit with this  movie's tone.

That's another problem I have with this movie. The tone. When you think of the words "Batman v Superman", you expect something fun and exciting. But Batman v Superman is very dark and grim. Almost exhausting. It's also incredibly violent. It's not a movie I would recommend for kids. If you're a parent reading this, you're the only one who can judge what is ok for your kids to see. If they're dying to see it, and you think they can handle it, you can go ahead and see it with them. But if it is too violent, then I would recommend taking them to Deadp-- Uh, never mind!

And the plot can be very confusing at times. If you've never read a single comic, or seen any of the previous movies, you would be lost! You might still enjoy all the action and visuals, but will probably be scratching your head.

But the biggest problem I have with this movie is that it's just too much! They take elements from The Dark Knight Returns, The Death of Superman, Court of Owls, etc. and try to make this grand, epic comic book crossover to compete with The Avengers.

Which brings me to this point.  Some people complained that The Avengers' plot was too simple and too basic. But in my opinion, it needed to be simple. The idea alone is ambitious! Have four superheroes from four different franchises come together in the same movie? If that movie's plot was as complex as The Dark Knight, it would have been a mess! What gave the film its depth was the back stories shown in the previous films. And Batman V Superman tries so hard to connect all these story threads and character arcs, that it loses focus. Just like Amazing Spiderman 2, it's so focused on setting up for future films that it forgets to focus on itself.

The end of the movie feels a bit... unnecessary. Superman takes the Kryptonite staff and flies to stab Doomsday with it (who looks like a Troll from Lord of the Rings, except with worse CGI), only to have him self stabbed in the chest by Doomsday. Superman dies in Lois Lane's arms, and is given a funeral service. Lois throws a bit of dirt on Superman's coffin, and for a split second you can see the dirt rising. This lets the audience know that Superman may not be dead after all.

(Deep breath)

What is the point of this?!!??!? Why would you introduce Doomsday this early in the first place? Why would you kill Superman off when he has only been in two films so far, and only had one to himself? And if you're not actually killing him, but pulling an Empire Strikes Back on us and are saving him for the next movie, then why would you pretend to kill him off in first place?

Zack Snyder said the reason for this was because it would be more interesting if Bruce Wayne was founding the Justice League on his own with Wonder Woman. And he felt that if Superman was in the Justice League, they would be too unstoppable.

But how could you do the Justice League without Superman?!?! He's one of, if not the most, iconic member! And  you're going to exclude him because he's too invincible?!!?!?

The Hulk is pretty invincible. And did you see him excluded from The Avengers?

I'm not totally against killing a main character if it furthers the story or adds weight like The Force Awakens. I am however against killing a major character off too early in the story just for the sake of creating unearned drama.

Now with all my ranting, it sounds like I hate this movie, right? No, not at all. I still had a great time watching it in IMAX with a packed crowd of passionate fans. It was worth it to see Batman and Superman together, and to witness Wonder Woman's on screen debut. Could the movie have been better? Sure. Do I regret seeing it? Absolutely not. I'm definitely glad I saw it, and I may see it again sometime soon. But the DC Cinematic Universe still has a long way to go to catch up with Kevin Feige and co.

See it and judge for yourself!

"Lighten Up!" Are Audiences Getting Tired Of Dark Comic Book Movies?

Over the weekend, a movie was released that made headlines. A movie that fans had been anticipating for years, but almost lost hope it would never be. A movie with outrageous humor, a self aware tone, and a "we don't care who gets offended" attitude, that some found refreshing, and others found off-putting. That movie... Was Zoolander 2!

Oh yeah, and Deadpool made over $130 Million, breaking the Valentine's Day record (take that, Fifty Shades of Grey!), and the R-Rated Comic Book Movie Curse.

The success of Deadpool has left all of Hollywood, even Fox, in shock and awe. Studio execs are trying to figure out what it was about this little comic book movie that struck a chord with audiences. Was it the R-rating? Was it the breaking of the 4th wall? Was it Ryan Reynolds? Was it the fact that it was unique and nothing like it has been done before? (It's the last one. But studio executives might not figure that out. Shh!)

Meanwhile, the weekend contained good news and bad news for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The good news is that a new trailer was released online that got fans excited again after a lackluster trailer back in December. 

But the excitement quickly turned back to worry after the bad news, which was that according to Drew McWeeny on HitFix, Warner Bros. is actually WORRIED about how audiences would respond to Batman v Superman based on early screenings. McWeeny claims to have special connections to Warner Bros. 

This got fans worried if Batman V. Superman will be everything they feared: an over-stuffed, over crowded cash grab trying to catch up to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But maybe it's not the quality of the film itself that Warner Bros. is worried about, but rather the audience's reaction to the film? 

But if the film itself is not the problem, why would Warner Bros. be worried about audience reactions? I mean, they're giving audiences what they want, right? A dark, brooding Batman fighting a dark, brooding Superman in a dark, brooding cinematic universe. That's what audiences want to see, right? Right? RIGHT?

Maybe not. Maybe the success of Deadpool is not only a testament of brilliant marketing, but also of the current taste of audiences. Maybe audiences crave more light-hearted, self aware comic book movies like Deadpool and Guardians of the Galaxy, and are starting to get fatigued of dark, gritty, Nolany superhero films like Man Of Steel. So the question: Are audiences getting tired of dark superhero moves?

It seems like yesterday, dark super hero movies were all the rage with Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. Before Batman Begins, superhero movies were filled with colorful, fantastical action scenes, cheesy one liners, and cartoony villains.  They knew they were set in comic book worlds and were proud of it. The X-Men movies and the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies started asking big questions about super hero movies. If you have amazing powers, how should you use them? What is more important, your relationships or your responsibilities as a hero? They had deep philosophies, but still maintained their comic book movie identity. Batman Begins made it look like Batman took place in the real world. It made it seem like a billionaire could develop martial arts skills and design a high tech suit to fight crime. There were no more ice puns or Bat credit cards. This was Batman for adults. The Dark Knight elevated the universe of Begins and gave us a super hero saga like no other. Heath Ledger's Joker wasn't a typical one dimensional comic book villain. He was a demented, insane, sadist who challenged Batman's own values. It delve even deeper into the morality of a super hero, and made audiences think. It really captured America's fears and uncertainties post-9/11. It could almost be qualified more as a political drama than a comic book movie. It got so much acclaim from critics that it not only earned Heath Ledger a (much deserved) posthumous Oscar for Best Supportinng Actor, but also made people outraged that it wasn't nominated for Best Picture. So much that the Academy had to extend the Best Picture category to ten (soon nine) movies a year. 

Think about that for a minute. People were OUTRAGED that a BATMAN movie was not nominated for BEST PICTURE!!! 

Ten years ago, people would have laughed at such an idea. It shows not only how far the comic book movie genre has come, but also how audiences attitudes towards superhero movies have changed. 

Remember when everyone thought Iron Man looked silly? Now Robert Downy Jr. is the highest paid actor in Hollywood for playing him. Remember when nobody knew who Groot was? And now almost everyone wears his catchphrase on a T-Shirt.

But how did we go from being angry about The Dark Knight being snubbed for Best Picture, to people not really responding as highly to Man of Steel, and audiences potentially not responding well to Batman V. Superman?

 Man of Steel was the sixth installment of the Superman series, and was a dark, gritty origin story of the most iconic superhero in history. And it made a little over $600 Million worldwide. Which is fine, if not for the fact that we're in a post-Avatar world where if a sequel or reboot doesn't make over $1 Billion worldwide it's considered a disappointment to the studio. Compare that to Guardians of the Galaxy, a film based on an obscure Marvel comic about a team of outlaws (including a raccoon and a tree) protecting the Galaxy from evil, was the first in a series, and had a ton of comedy, and a soundtrack of songs from the 70s. It grossed over $700 Million worldwide and is already getting a sequel.

And we all remember the famous "Hooked On A Feeling" teaser for Guardians of the Galaxy. Before that, did you ever see a trailer for a super hero movie play an old song from the 60s or 70s? Now it seems like every trailer is trying to be like Guardians with Suicide Squad's second trailer playing "Bohemiam Rasphody" as opposed to its darker, more serious first trailer.

But how could Man of Steel not strike a chord with audiences like The Dark Knight, despite having the same tone?  Even Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice, despite all its hype, has some people more cautious than excited. Almost everyone in my social circle is not that excited for it. Every time I ask someone at my college their thoughts on Batman V. Superman, they almost all have the same reaction:

And when I ask them about Deadpool or Captain America: Civil War, their faces light up with excitement. And Deadpool is considerably more upbeat and fun than Batman V. Superman. 

And maybe there are more people like my friends out there than it seems. And Warner Bros. is probably becoming aware of that. They're becoming aware that maybe audiences just aren't as eager for dark super hero movies like they were in the late 2000s. 

And maybe that's why Batman V. Superman is not getting the reaction Warner Bros. wanted from early screenings. At first, it seemed like a great idea to have DC movies be dark and gritty as a counter act to Marvel's light hearted tone. But maybe audiences are just tired of seeing super hero movies trying to be dark and realistic. 

Or are they just tired of movies trying to be like The Dark Knight?

As I mentioned earlier, the main reason Deadpool is such a success is because it's unique. We've seen self aware comic book movies before. We've even seen movies where they break the fourth wall. We've just never seen them done like Deadpool before. And even before Batman Begins, we had seen dark, gritty super hero movies like Tim Burton's Batman. We've just never seen them done the way Christopher Nolan did it with his Dark Knight trilogy.

And maybe the reason Man of Steel wasn't the box office juggernaut Warner Bros. was hoping for wasn't because it was dark. But perhaps becuse they had seen that already with Batman Begins.

Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier had a serious tone just like The Dark Knight. And just like The Dark Knight, it could be seen as more of a political drama than a comic book movie, asking big questions and delving deep into the morality of a hero. But it still had room for humerus moments like the banter between Captain America and Black Widow, and an upbeat ending. With the success of The Winter Soldier, Marvel proved that comic book movies can be serious and ask deep questions, but still manage to be fun and entertaining.

Maybe it's not that audiences are getting tired of dark super hero movies. They are just tired of the same dark super hero movies. 

Whenever a movie like The Dark Knight and Deadpool breaks records and strikes a chord with audiences, studios try so hard to copy their success by making copy cats that they miss the real reason why those movies were successful. They took risks, broke the mold, and gave us somethings we had never seen before. 

The trick is to not give audiences what they want. But to give them what they never knew they wanted. 

But at the end of the day, we won't really know how the audience will respond to Batman V. Superman until it comes out. Maybe Warner Bros. is worried for no reason, and it will be a phenomenal success. Maybe it will be a Fantastic Four like disaster and put the whole DC slate in jeapordy. 

But, one things for sure. We are all so fortunate to be in a time where an R-rated Deadpool movie is playing in theaters, and a movie with Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman will play in less than a month! 

Remembering Alan Rickman (1946 - 2016)

It's never a good week when we lose someone to cancer. But to lose TWO legends, David Bowie and Alan Rickman, to cancer? Near intolerable.

Last Thursday, just a couple days after learning about the death of rock legend David Bowie, the world was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of world renowned thespian and actor Alan Rickman.

All across social media, Harry Potter fans have posted tributes raising their wands to Rickman. The most touching tribute came from Harry Potter himself, Daniele Radcliffe, on Google+ which you can read here: 

https://plus.google.com/+DanielRadcliffe/posts/BP3YwGbBsDC

So much has been said about Rickman, that I don't really know what else I can say. He was so talented and brought so much to his roles, I don't really know if I can do him justice. But it's worth a try.

Alan has played so many great roles from  Tybalt to Alexander Payne/Dr. Lazarus. But what many people don't know is that Hans Greuber, the greatest action movie villain of all time, was his first role.

Die Hard has been called the greatest Christmas movie of all time by many film fans and for good reasons. It has great action, a likable protagonist played by Bruce Willis, hilarious one liners, etc. But it's Rickman's chilling performance as Hans Greuber that really makes it stand out. His voice alone is so chilling that you can't stop listening to him. We know very little about his character, but the way Rickman plays him gives him so much depth. He's not your typical villain.

Another great role of his is Alexander Payne in the hilarious, criminally under rated Galaxy Quest. 

A thespian who's famous for playing an alien in a sci fi TV show, and sick of it. His famous catchphrase is "By Grathbar's Hammer, you shall be avenged." Rickman is almost playing a parody of himself, as well as Spock in Star Trek. He is in many of the film's funniest scenes, and his interactions with Tim Allen and the cast is so entertaining. It's a must for sci-fi fans. Especially Star Trek fans.

But the role he played that my generation will always remember him for is in Harry Potter as Severus Snape the Potion Master.

Harry Potter started out as a children's book series by J.K. Rowling, and became a cultural phenomenon. With seven books and eight movies, and a prequel coming out later this year, it's safe to say that the world of Hogwarts created by Rowlingg has more than left its mark on our culture. There were so many memorable characters from the smart beyond her years Hermione to the tough and loyal Hagrid, to the wise Dumblefore. But my favorite character, as well as for most people, is Snape. 

Snape started as a character you loved to hate. When we first meet him in The Sorceror's Stone (or The Philosopher's Stone as they call it in London), he seems cold, strict, judgmental, and controlling. At least that's how Harry and his friends see him. But as each book and movie comes out, the story progresses and we begin to see more layers to his character. We learn that, like most villains, he had a tragic backstory. He had strong feelings for Harry's mother Lilly, but she ended up marrying James Potter, which explains why he appears harsh to Harry. For years, fans had debated whether Snape was a friend or a foe. Could Harry trust him, or should he back off. Snape's most memorable moment was in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, when (SPOILER ALERT) Snape kills Dumbledore with the death spell. It shocked millions of readers and movie goers around the world. We all knew Snape appeared cold, but this made him seem downright evil. It seemed like the side of fans that believed Snape was a foe were vindicated.

That is, until The Deahtly Hallows, both the final book and the final two movies in the series. In Deathly Hallows, we learn that Snape killing Dumbledore was all part of a master plan by Dumbledore. Harry was a Horocrux, which meant he carried a bit of Voldemort's soul. So in order for Voldemort to truly be defeated, Dumbledore believed that Harry should perish. Snape feels outraged when he learns this, which makes Dumbledore realize that Snape has grown a soft spot for Harry. Or perhaps always had it.

"After all this time?"

"Always."

It was this moment that we learned that Snape truly was more than he appeared. He wasn't just a servant to the Dark Lord. He had a heart of gold. Snape taught me, as well as millions of readers and movie goers, that not all is what it seems. And heroes can come from anywhere. Snape grew from being a character we loved to hate, to a character we loved.

Harry Potter even named his own son, "Albus Severus Potter". Harry tells his son, "You were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."

So he was to us.

Farewell Alan Rickman. You were a brilliant actor, an amazing wizard, and a good friend. We lift our wands to you Rickman. We will continue to do so. Eventually. Even you may ask us, "After all this time?"

And we reply, "Always."

My Top 10 Favorite Movies Of 2015

Marty: Hey Doc, you better back up. We don't have enough road to get up to 88.

Doc: Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads!

That was dialogue from a scene both at the end of Back to the Future (1985) and Back to the Future Part II (1989), which predicted what 2015 would be like.

2015 is coming to a close... And we still need roads. I guess that's what happens when you mess with the space time continuum too much.

But even without hover boards and flying cars, 2015 was still an unforgettable year. It was a year full of highs and lows. It was the year that same sex marriage became legal in the United States. The year when the Pope visited America. It was the year when Shia Leboeuf made a motivational video that, let's be honest, you still can't stop watching. It was the year when some injustice was brought to the light. It was also a year of great civil unrest and paranoia. Full of uncertainty and fear. And sadly, we even had to say goodby to some legends, including the great Leonard Nimoy.

Whether it was a good year, or a bad one, it was one to remember. Especially for movies. Sure, there was no Jaws 19. But there were countless other sequels. But also some original work as well. We went everywhere from the far reaches of space to the inside of an 11 year old's mind. It was full of dinosaurs, superheroes, and spies. We saw old friends, but also made new ones. There was a little of something for everyone this year. Everyone has made their Top 10 Favorite Films list, so I might as well make mine. And please keep in mind, there are some films I haven't had the chance to see yet. I haven't seen The Revenant, The Big Short, or The Hateful Eight. And remember, this is MY opinion! Film is subjective. This is a list of MY favorite films of the year, not yours. So if you have any disagreements, feel free to leave a comment below as long as it's friendly. 

 So before I say goodbye to 2015 once and for all, and say hello to 2016,  here are my Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2015!

10.) Paddington

Based on the books by Michael Bond, Paddington is a charming story of a marmalade sandwich eating bear who is swept away from his home in the jungles of Peru to the city of London with the Browns. When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I had very low exceptions, especially considering it was a January release. My Dad remembers reading the books when he was a kid, so we both saw this movie together. Not only was the movie really funny without the need for pop culture jokes, but it was also really touching. Ben Whishaw plays Paddington with such sincerity and charm. You instantly connect with him, even though he's a bear. Movies with talking animals rarely work, but director Paul King and producer David Heyman, who helped bring another popular children book series Harry Potter to the big screen, made a film that will delight audiences of all ages. And it's just as tasty and nutritious as a marmalade sandwich.

9.) Trainwreck

From director Judd Apatow, the genius behind two of my favorite comedies Bridesmaids and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and starring the bold and fearless Amy Schumer, Trainwreck tells the story of a girl named Amy who grew up believing that monogamy is a myth, and has spent her whole life in shallow relationships. Until one day, on an assignment for her magazine company, she meets a sport doctor Aaron Connors (Bill Hader), and the two form a connection, causing Amy to rethink her whole philosophy on relationships. On the surface, this sounds like your typical romantic comedy. And in some ways it is. But it is so funny, edgy, and entertaining, not to mention it has a lot of heart, that the familiar topes can be forgiven. The cast has such great chemistry together. Even LeBron James has some really hilarious scenes. There are so many other great celebrity cameos, I don't even want to spoil them. Before seeing this movie, I had little knowledge of who Amy Schumer was. But after seeing this movie, and looking up some of her stand up and clips of her show Inside Amy Schemer, you can now call me a fan! All aboard the Amy Schumer Train!

8.) Fast and the Furious 7

Sorry for making you cry again. With the tragic death of Paul Walker, one of the biggest stars of the franchise, Fast and the Furious 7 had a big challenge. Not only did it have to live up to the success of the last two movies, but it also had to be a perfect farewell to the late Paul Walker. And it more than excelled in both cases. Not only was Fast and the Furious 7 a highly entertaining adrenaline rush, with each stunt eclipsing the last, but it also had a lot of heart to it. It took the best of an unfortunate situation and gave us one of the most touching, moving ending scenes ever. It's an emotional high speed roller coaster of a movie from start to finish. One last ride.

7.) Creed

I have a confession to make. I have only seen one Rocky movie in its entirety. The first one. And I thought it was an emotional, inspiring tale of perseverance and never giving up. It resonated with audiences so much that it led to six sequels, and a spin-off. As someone who only saw the first Rocky, I can tell you that Creed was a every bit as good as that movie. It had all the elements that made me love the first movie, but also gave us something new. Even my Dad, who lost interest in the series at some point, loved this film! The performances from everyone were sensational. But the best actor was the Italian Stallion himself, Sylvester Stallone. Reprising the role that made him famous, Stallone plays an older, wiser, broken down Rocky. And he play sit with so much depth and emotion. It will be upsetting if Stallone does not get an Oscar nomination for this movie. Just like the main character himself, Creed respects its predecessor's legacy, but also creates its own. It's knockout of a movie!

6.) Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Just like Fast and the Furious, Mission Impossible just gets better with each installment! From director Christopher McQuarrie, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation follows Ethan Hunt on the run again, this time from the CIA. The film is loaded with far fetched stunts, and non stop thrills. Tom Cruise has made it clear that this is HIS franchise. And it's doubtful we'll see anyone else playing the role of Ethan Hunt anytime soon! And Simon Pegg never fails to make the audience laugh with his dry British wit. I look forward to more missions with Ethan Hunt and company soon!

5.) Kingsman: Secret Service

Directed by Matthew Vaughn, Kingsman is what happens when you mix James Bond and Quentin Tarantino in a blender. You get a delicious smoothie full of action, violence, quotable dialogue, and an irresistible self awareness charm. It's a movie that knows what it is, and does everything it can with it. The action scenes were all creative, explosive, and even gory. The Church scene alone could possibly be the most brutal, and unforgettable scene of 2015. The cast could not be better. Featuring greats such as Collin Firth, Michael Caine, and Samuel L. Jackson, to newcomers like Taaron Egerton. There's even a cameo from Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill! In a year that included Spy, Spectre, and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Kinsman: Secret Service  was the most entertaining of the bunch. Manners... Maketh... Man...

4.) The Martian

From director Ridley Scott, the director of some of the greatest science fiction films of all time, The Martian tells a story of survival set in the future on Mars. It has more plot that Gravity, and more levity than Interstellar. It's a movie that makes math interesting! How many movies can do that? Matt Damon, proving once again his abilities as a leading man, is very relatable and very likable as the main character. He acts exactly how most of us would act in his situation. He takes a far fetched concept, and makes it believable. The entire cast is great, from Jessica Chasten to Kristen Wiig to Jeff Daniels to even Sean Bean. But what really makes this film stand out for me is its sense of optimism. All the countries of the world setting aside their differences to help bring a man back home to earth. It seems unrealistic, sadly. But Science Fiction isn't about what is real, but what is possible. In a time like now, when there is so much terrorism and racism in the world, we need a movie with a message like this more than ever.

3.) Mad Max: Fury Road

Of all the movie going experiences I had this year, NONE of them gave me an adrenaline rush quite like Mad Max: Fury Road. George Miller returns to the Mad Max film series, but with a different actor, and a much bigger budget. Mad Max: Fury Road doesn't feel like a movie, but an experience. Featuring real, practical effects and explosions, it's a film that restores faith in modern cinema. Tom Hardy proves a worthy successor to Mel Gibson in the title role. But it's Charlize Theoren as Furiosa who steals the show. She's tough, brutal, and fierce, but also broken and vulnerable. She's not a one-dimensional action hero. She's so interesting and complex as a character, I want to see more of her in a sequel. Whether you're a die hard fan of Mad Max, or someone who is just getting exposed to the series, this film will not just entertain you. It will rock your whole world! What a film! WHAT A LOVELY FILM!!!

2.) Inside Out

From the brilliant minds at Pixar, Inside Out asks the question "What is going on inside someone's head?" It follows the story of Riley, who is trying to cope with moving from Minnesota to San Fransisco. Her central emotion Joy (Amy Poehler) tries everything she can to keep Riley happy, and prevent Sadness from getting anywhere near the control panel. Inside Out has funny moments, but at its core it's a dramatic story about growing up, moving on, and facing the reality of how you really feel. It takes so many risks, pulls no punches, and does not talk down to its audience at all. I believe every kid should watch this movie. They will love it, and even learn something form it. Even adults will learn something from it. It's a movie that plays with all your emotions, both literally and figuratively. "Who's your friend who likes to play?"

Because this was such a great year for 2015, there are some gems I forgot to mention. Here are...

The Honorable Mentions of 2015:

Spotlight

An intriguing drama directed by Todd McCarthy based on a true story about the exposure of child molestation in the Catholic Church. Spotlight is powerfully acted, and well paced. I was not bored for a second. Michael Keaton definitely deserves another Oscar nomination.

Amazing performances from the cast, great music, and a provocative message about our generation, Straight Outta Compton is one of the most important films of the year , and for good reason. 

Ant-Man

Small scale, big heart. Ant-Man is one of Marvel's simplest, most entertaining movies yet!

The Walk

Beautifully directed by Robert Zemeckis. It takes filmmaking to new heights.

And my Number 1 Favorite Movie of 2015 is...

1.) Star Wars: The Force Awakens

For some, Star Wars is a movie. But for others, it's a way of life. I fall in the latter. I have been a Star Wars fan for as long as I can remember. I have waited years to have my questions from Return of the Jedi answered. And it was more than worth the wait! Star Wars: The Force Awakens has it all: Action, Adventure, Excitement, Drama, Humor, and Heart. JJ Abrams uses practical effects and puppetry to make this feel like a real world just like the Original Trilogy. But it's not just the effects that make it believable, but also the acting. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega give star making performances. And Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher return to their iconic roles with grace. If there is one flaw with the film, it's that it sometimes feels a little too similar to A New Hope, with the main character coming from a desert planet, a cantina full of aliens, a super weapon the scan destroy planets, etc. But the film is so well made and so entertaining, that the familiar elements can be forgiven. JJ Abrams and everyone else involved bring so much love and passion to this project. Just like Creed, it takes everything we loved about the original, and adds something new. It entertains us, and also makes us excited for what's next. There are so many unanswered questions and so many endless possibilities from this film alone. This is the first of many new Star Wars films from Disney and Kathleen Kennedy. And judging by this film, it's safe to say that George Lucas' Saga is in good hands. I look forward to many more adventures in that galaxy far, far away in the future.

And that is my list of my favorite films form 2015! What are your favorites? Are they on this list? Are they not on this list? Comment and let me know! I hope you all have a safe, healthy 2016! May the Force be with you!

And as Doc Brown would say, the future is what you make it! :)

The Force Has Been Awakened! My (Spoiler-Free) Star Wars Episode VII Review

A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...

A young film student at USC had a dream. A dream to make an adaptation of the Flash Gordon serials of his youth. After he graduated from USC he directed two movies. One that was not a success (THX-1138), and one that was a huge success (American Graffiti). Even though he directed a big hit, he couldn't get the rights to Flash Gordon. So instead of adapting Flash Gordon, the student decided to write his own space fantasy that paid homage to Flash Gordon. But little did this student and the rest of the world know that this space fantasy would not only be the perfect homage to Flash Gordon, not only would it surpass it, not only would it start a long running, record breaking franchise, but it would change the face of cinema, and our entire culture forever.

The student's name was George Lucas. And his space fantasy was Star Wars.

Just like Luke, Han, Leia, and the Rebels overcame impossible odds to destroy the Death Star, Star Wars overcame behind-the-scenes problems and lack of confidence from 20th Century Fox, to become the highest grossing film of all time for a few years (and unadjusted for inflation, it is still the 2nd highest grossing film behind Gone With The Wind).

Star Wars was so popular, it led to two sequels The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi that set new grounds for sequels in general, and made Star Wars into more than just a movie, but a mythology.

After Return of the Jedi, the Star Wars Saga went on hiatus for fourteen years. Then in 1999, George Lucas decided to go back to the beginning. Way back. Lucas decided to tell the story of the rise and fall of the Republic, how Anakin Skywalker started as a Jedi Knight and became Darth Vader, and how Luke and Leia were born. This story was told in three Prequels: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith. Even though they were box office juggernauts, fans of the Original Trilogy were overall disappointed in them. They found the overuse of CGI unnecessary, the acting wooden, the dialogue cheesy, and Jar Jar Binks... well. But some fans who grew up with them find much to enjoy about them, even in spite of their flaws.

For ten years, the franchise went on another hiatus, with The Clone Wars on Cartoon Network to fill the void. George Lucas had kept insisting that he was done with Star Wars, and that he told the story he wanted to tell. For a while, it really seemed like the Saga was truly over. But that did't stop fans from holding out hope. Their faith was soon rewarded.

In 2012, Disney bought Lucasfilm for $4.05 Billion, and announced they would be making more Star Wars movies starting with Episode VII in 2015. It was later announced that Episode VII would be directed by J.J. Abrams, the man responsible for breathing new life into Star Wars' (friendly) competitor, Star Trek. Like every filmmaker of his generation, JJ Abrams became inspired by Star Wars to pick up a Super 8 camera and start making movies in his backyard. Him directing the next installment of the Star Wars Saga felt like the circle was now complete.

The next three years felt like an eternity for fans. Years of speculation, years of anticipation, years of excitement, years of questions.

Does Luke Skywalker turn to the Dark Side? Who is the villain? Which OG character will die? Will Jar Jar Binks make a cameo?

In 2014, there was an 88 second teaser with narration from Andy Serkis and images form the new movie that included John Boyega as a Stormtrooper, a cute ball droid named BB-8 rolling around, a mysterious villain with a red cross-guard lightsaber, and the Millennium Falcon flying with the classic Star Wars theme by John Williams.

Then in April 2015, a longer teaser was released at Star Wars Celebration. This one featured a voice over from Luke Skywalker giving the same speech he gave to his sister Leia in Return of the Jedi. And it ended with possibly the greatest reveal in the history of trailers. Han Solo and Chewbacca. "Chewy, we're home!" "Aaaaarrrrrgggghhh!"

Then in October, tickets went on sale on Fandango.com and the internet blew up like the Death Stars. Everyone who was anyone, from die-hard fans to casual fans, HAD to see this movie! Even if the movie itself was a dud, the hype for it would go down in history.

Yesterday, I went to AMC at the Block in Orange, California with a life-long friend of mine. We got there at 10:30 A.M. and passed the time by watching The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi on my Mom's iPad.

Our love of Star Wars goes way back. Back in Middle School, we used to have hour long discussions about the movies and The Clone Wars. I myself remember watching the Original Star Wars on VHS when I was 4 years old. I was 10 years old when Revenge of the Sith came out. I saw i there times, and dressed up as Darth Vader every time! I would watch all six movies with my family every Spring Break from Episode I to Episode VI. You can pretty much say Star Wars is like a second language to me.

We finally got in our seats at 5:00ish. Ten years of questions, ten years of speculation, ten years of dreams would finally be revealed in less than two hours.

"More Butter, I require! Hmm?"

7:00. My parents were waiting in line to get snacks for me, my sister, and friends. I hoped and prayed they would make it at least before the opening crawl. Luckily, they made it just in time.

The theater was full of three generations. Those who saw the Original Trilogy when they came out. Those who grew up with the Prequels. And little kids who are getting into Star Wars for the first time. And when the Lucasfilm logo appeared, followed by the famous words "A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...", everyone, and I mean EVERYONE screamed in excitement. I had to tell myself countless times "I am seeing Star Wars Episode VII." I just couldn't believe it. I thought I would never live to see it. In the famous words of Darth Vader, right before the Death Star blew up, "This would be a day long remembered..."

After the movie ended, I felt an overwhelming sensation of different emotions. But the overall emotion I had was Joy.

As a life-long fan, this movie lived up to my expectations! It had everything we love about Star Wars. Humor, action, adventure, and heart.

I won't say anything about the plot, because the less you know about it the better. I will say though that it is very similar to the first Star Wars movie, A New Hope. Almost beat-for-beat. Even before the movie came out, there were worries it would try to rehash A New Hope. In some ways, it is kind of a retelling of A New Hope. But there are enough twists and turns to make it stand on its own. And when you think about it, A New Hope was a retelling of Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress. (Heck, in one part, Admiral Motti says "Rebel's Hidden For-" before Vader chokes him). Just because a movie is similar to another movie doesn't make it less good. It shows that art imitates art, and that all ideas come from somewhere. As George Lucas would say "It's like poetry. It rhymes."

The new characters were wonderful. John Boyega plays Finn, who was raised to serve the First Order, but now begins to question if he's doing the right thing. Oscar Isaac is quite likable as Poe Dameron, and even has some of the Han Solo charm. But the stand out in my eyes was Daisy Ridley as Rey.

Rey is a scavenger on the planet Jakku who survives by finding old parts from old spaceships and selling them for money. She has never been away from her planet before, but has heard stories of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and the Rebellion. She has dreams of getting off her desert planet and going on an adventure. If that sounds familiar, it should. Rey could easily be seen as the Luke Skywalker of this trilogy. For fans who felt like Princess Leia could have done more in the Original Trilogy besides being a Princess, they will be more than pleased to see that Rey takes center stage. She is at the heart of the movie, and I look forward to having more adventures with her soon.

Another stand-out was the villain Kylo-Ren, played by Adam Driver.

Kylo-Ren is not your typical Star Wars baddie. He is menacing, intimidating, and yet has a complexity to him. Just like how Darth Vader before him had moments of conflict with his morality, so does Kylo-Ren. You can feel the torment he goes through. He's a villain you almost sympathize with, but just like Darth Vader, you will love to hate him.

The new character that stole the show, unsurprisingly, was BB-8.

From the moment we saw him in the teaser back in 2014, and saw him roll on stage at Celebration in April, BB-8 stole our hearts. He became the hottest toy of the year, and disappeared from the shelves quicker than Obi-Wan. And he's even more irresistible in the movie. If you have kids, you will have no question of what they want for Christmas this year.

All the new characters were great. Although some I wish I could have seen more of. Just like how I wish I could have seen more of Darth Maul and Boba Fett in the first six films. All the new characters are wonderful. But let's be honest. It's the classic characters, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Princess -- I mean, General Leia, that we were excited to see. And seeing them again felt like seeing old friends.

Harrison Ford not only gives his best performance in years. He gives the best performance as Han Solo out of all the movies. He IS Han Solo! Ford hasn't lost an inch of the charm and swag that makes us love Han Solo. But he's not playing the same Han Solo form the Original Trilogy. He's playing a Han Solo who has lived thirty years after the Original Trilogy. He has had years of experience. He has even changed some of his views and beliefs. The same Han Solo who said "I've flown from one side of the galaxy to the other, and I've never seen anything to make me believe that there's an all powerful force controlling everything." now says without a doubt in his mind "It's true. All of it. The Dark Side. The Jedi. They're real." Han is now a believer in the Force, just like Harrison Ford is now a believer in Star Wars. Seeing Harrison Ford enthusiastic in interviews during press releases for this movie has warmed so many fans' hearts, given his past sourness to the Han Solo character.

Carrie Fisher gives a moving, emotional performance as General Leia, who is older, more weary and defeated than she was in the Original Trilogy. She's not as feisty as she was in the Original Trilogy, but she is just as tough and just as warm. And her chemistry with Harrison Ford hasn't lost a beat.

And C-3PO is still the same paranoid protocol droid we all know and love. Chewbacca has some of the funniest scenes in the movie. His interactions with John Boyega being a highlight. There is a lot of humor in this movie. Just like how a lot of the comedy from the Original Trilogy came from the interactions between the cast, so does this film. But it also is from little moments that recall the Original Trilogy. The humor is funny enough for both kids and adults. In fact, adults may laugh more than their kids. At my screening, the audience was roaring with laughter. In fact, there may be more funny moments here than in most comedies of this year.

The action scenes were spectacular. JJ Abrams is a professional when it comes to directing action.The cinematography felt exactly like the dogfights in the Original Trilogy. And the fact that used real explosions made it seem more exciting and thrilling. And the lightsaber battle, without giving too much away, felt so gritty and realistic. It felt just like the lightsaber fights of the Original Trilogy.

The music by John Williams is exactly as you'd expect. It's whimsical, powerful, emotional, sweeping, etc. It recalls themes from the earlier films, but also gives us something new. Aside from George Lucas, John Williams is arguably the MVP of the Star Wars Saga. Without his music, the films would not be half of what they are. When they first announced this movie, one of the first thoughts I had was "I hope John Williams comes back". And after seeing this movie, one of my firs thoughts is "I hope they keep John Williams for as long as possible."

The film, though amazing, is not without its flaws. Sometimes it does feel to similar to the Original Trilogy. And anyone who has seen the film millions of times (like I have) will notice them. The third act especially. I won't spoil anything, but if you've seen A New Hope, you can almost guess what happens. But for the most part, the callbacks to the Original Trilogy will leave a smile on your face and may even make you laugh from nostalgia,  like the audience at my theater.

I could talk about this film for hours. But because it just came out, and there are still millions who have yet to see it, I want to be a gentlemen and not ruin the fun for them. I will give a spoiler-filled blog entry in January, a month after it's been released. JJ Abrams is a man who loves to surprise his audience. He was inspired by how the Original Trilogy had so much mystery to it. When you first saw Star Wars, you may have wondered "Who were the Jedi? Who is Obi-Wan Kenobi? Where did Darth Vader come from?" These questions made the film even more intriguing and more fun to watch. And when you watched it multiple more times, you notice things you never noticed before. And the same applies to this film. Even if it does feel similar to A New Hope, there are still tons of surprises you won't be prepared for.

Overall, this film lived up to all my expectations. It had humor, action, adventure, and heart. Were there flaws? Sure. Could some things have been done just a little bit better? Absolutely. But when you think about it, even the Original Trilogy as beloved as it is, had flaws of its own. We just did' notice them because we were so young when we watched them. But since most of us are adults now, it's easier for us to notice the flaws in The Force Awakens. But just like how the Original Trilogy was great in spite of its flaws, so is The Force Awakens. For fans who grew up with the Original Trilogy and were disappointed by the Prequels, you will be more than pleased with The Force Awakens. You may even cry.

For me, someone who grew up with all six films, this not only gave me closure to questions I had for ten years, but it also gave me more questions. It go my heart pounding hearing the John Williams theme again. It got the hair on the back of my neck standing up. It brought tears of joy down form my eyes, and a smile on my face. It brought me back to being ten years old again. As it will for any adult who sees this.

And as for that little kid who watches this film for the first time, it will be an experience they will never forget. Just like how JJ Abrams was inspired by Star Wars when he was a kid, and how George Lucas was inspired by Flash Gordon when he was a kid, so will that kid who sees this film for the firs time. It will open their eyes to the possibilities. It will change their whole world and inspire them to dream.

Who knows? When they become an adult, they may even be inspired to make their own homage to Star Wars.

No matter what age you are when you see this, no matter what generation you come from, we can all agree on one thing.

The Force has been awakened. And can all feel it.

A Force That Binds Us: The Sociological Impact of Star Wars

The Geeks have inherited the Earth, from our cinemas, with movies like The Dark Knight and The Avengers, to television with Game of Thrones and Doctor Who. We are currently living in an era where we embrace all things fantasy and pop culture. These can either bring us together over mutual love, or divide us and tear us apart with heated debates (i.e. Kirk vs. Picard). Either way, it brings out the passion in us. It makes us prove how we are willing to express the deep love we have for these works of fiction. There are fandoms. And then there’s Star Wars fandom, the most passionate and loyal fandom of them all. While most fandom movies these days like The Hunger Games or Guardians of the Galaxy are based on pre-existing material like books or comic books, Star Wars started as an original idea from USC Alumnus George Lucas, who sent out to make an homage to the Flash Gordon serials and westerns of his youth (Taylor, 2015). Yet, people are still going nuts over it. How many movies can you think of, that are original concepts, which came out more than three decades ago, and are still, leaving this big of an impact on our culture? There have been six Star Wars films released so far, and the seventh one, The Force Awakens, is set to come out this December, and it is already destroyed pre-sale records. How many franchises with this many movies can still have that much hype for their next film? Star Wars is not most franchises. 

There is something about it that brings diverse people together. There are adults who saw the first three films when they first came out, and children and teenagers who are recently getting into them by watching the films for the first time. What is it about this space film that continuously brings people young and old together?

Hypothesis

A hypothesis is “a proposition that can be tested to determine its validity (Hughes, 2013). My hypothesis is that adults like watching Star Wars movies because it brings out the child in them. Most adults love to be reminded of their youth. It brings them back to simpler times when anything was possible, and their whole future was ahead of them. This could also be known as “nostalgia”.

Research Method

I administered a survey on a closed Facebook group called Schmoeville, which is a page dedicated to the YouTube Podcast, Schmoes Know Movies, asking ten questions about the Star Wars franchise. The comment thread exploded like the Death Star! Dozens and dozens of group members posted passionate responses to the questions. So many people answered in fact, that it was almost impossible for me to count them all in time. I constructed a survey with the same questions on surveymonkey.com. A total of 46 people participated in that and I analyzed the data.

Results

Table 1

How Old Are You?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

0-10 0.0% 0

11-19 43.5% 20

20-29 39.1% 18

30+ 17.4% 8

answered question 46

skipped question 0

Since this was online, a majority of the respondents were between the ages of 11-19. Young people now tend to spend a great deal of time on the Internet. What is interesting is that most of these respondents were not even born when the first Star Wars came out, and yet they were willing to participate in a survey dedicated to it.

Table 2

How old were you when you first saw Star Wars?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

0-10 78.3% 36

11-19 21.7% 10

20-29 0.0% 0

30+ 0.0% 0

answered question 46

skipped question 0

George Lucas has made it no secret that he was inspired by the Flash Gordon serials of his youth. They would play every weekend at his local theater. They were full of adventure and excitement, and helped people to escape. If you were a kid, it was the coolest thing ever. As an adult though, Lucas admitted they didn’t quite hold up as well as he remembered. The dialogue was cheesy, the effects were cheep looking, and the acting was not exactly Shakespeare (putting it nicely).  He said he was “under a spell” when he watched them. “You had to have watched them at the right age,” said Lucas. When he first dreamed up Star Wars, Lucas began to wonder what it would be like if those serials were well made, and had believable effects. So it’s not surprising that a majority of the respondents were age 0-10 when they first saw Star Wars. If you first see Star Wars as an adult, you might still like it. But you’ll get the sense that it’s “over-hyped”, and will scratch your head wondering what all the fuss is about. But if you watch it at just the right age, such as 0-12, it could leave a lasting impression on you; like The Wizard of Oz, or ironically enough the animated films from Disney.

Table 3

What do you remember feeling when you first saw it?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

Excited 41.3% 19

Frightened 0.0% 0

Intrigued 23.9% 11

All of the Above 34.8% 16

answered question 46

skipped question  

Most of the respondents said they felt excited when they first watched Star Wars. When you are a kid, or even an adult, it is hard to not to feel excited watching a movie like Star Wars. Whether it’s the space battles, the heart-pounding sword fights, the terrifying monsters, or escaping death in the nick of time. How can you watch Luke Skywalker flying his X-Wing through the Death Star trench, and not be on the edge of your seat?

Table 4

How many times have you seen it since then?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

Once 4.3% 2

Twice 4.3% 2

Three times 4.3% 2

More than that 87.0% 40

answered question 46

skipped question 0

A vast majority of the respondents said they have seen Star Wars way more than three times. This makes sense because it is one of the most beloved and most popular movies of all time. The Star Wars marathons on Spike TV always manage to receive high ratings.

Table 5

Which order do you prefer to watch them in?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

4,5,6,1,2,3 47.7% 21

1,2,3,4,5,6 40.9% 18

4,5,1,2,3,6 9.1% 4

4,5,2,3,6 2.3% 1

answered question 44

skipped question 2

Most of the respondents said they prefer to watch the movies in the order they were released. While the Original Trilogy (1977-1983), which tells the story of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia, is universally beloved by critics and moviegoers alike, the Prequel Trilogy (1999-2005), which tells the story of the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker, has received a more mixed reception. Fans have often criticized their overuse of CGI and Green Screens, the wooden performances from Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman, the cringe-worthy dialogue, giving a biological explanation for the Force by introducting Midi-Chlorians, and the annoying CGI character, Jar Jar Binks. Celebrities such as Simon Pegg and Patton Oswalt, who are major Star Wars fans, have been very vocal on their disappointment with the prequels. “It’s like George Lucas killing his own children”, said Simon Pegg on the Prequels. Even before The Phantom Menace, disappointing sequels were nothing new. Films like Rocky, Jurassic Park, Superman, Batman, and even The Godfather, all had at least one sequel that critics and fans felt betrayed the legacy of the original. And yet when you bring up the Star Wars Prequels to Star Wars fans, they treat them almost like the Holocaust. They are not without their defenders, however. Many fans feel that the Prequels were Star Wars for a new generation. Revenge of the Sith has been praised by some fans to be almost as good as the Original Trilogy, with Ewan McGregor’s performance as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi being a highlight. But whatever one thinks about the Prequels, love them or hate them, most can agree they don’t quite reach the mark set by George Lucas’ Original Trilogy. But the passion for both trilogies cannot be denied.

Table 6

Which of the first six movies is your favorite?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

Star Wars (A New Hope) 17.8% 8

The Empire Strikes Back 57.8% 26

Return of the Jedi 15.6% 7

The Phantom Menace 2.2% 1

Attack of the Clones 0.0% 0

Revenge of the Sith 6.7% 3

answered question 45

skipped question 1

I asked the respondents which of the six movies to date was their favorite. The Empire Strikes Back won in a landslide. Shortly after the Dearth Star was destroyed, the Rebels attempt to hide from the Empire by retreating to the ice planet Hoth. Darth Vader manages to track them down with Probe Droids, and sends AT-ATs to destroy their base. Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO manage to escape on the Millenium Falcon, while Luke travels in his X-Wing to Dagobah to train under the legendary Jedi Master, Yoda. Under Yoda, Luke learns about perseverance, patience, self-control, finding his inner peace, and more about the mystical Force. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Princess Leia start to develop romantic feelings for each other. Their chemistry could easily be compared to Humphrey Bogard and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. Unlike the first Star Wars, where it ends on a triumphant note, The Empire Strikes Back is more bittersweet. At the end of the movie, Han Solo gets frozen in Carbonite, and Luke Skywalker learns a shocking truth about his relationship to Darth Vader. We all know there will be another chapter, Return of the Jedi, that will tie up the loose ends. These days, anyone can just pop Return of the Jedi in the Blu-Ray player right after they finish The Empire Strikes Back. But back in 1980, audiences had to wait three whole years to have their questions answered. And this was before the internet where they could find spoilers. However, it’s mostly about the journey, not the destination. Even if The Empire Strikes Back has an unresolved ending, it’s still an effective middle chapter that allows us to breathe, and learn more about these characters, and the mythology.

Table 7

Who is your favorite character?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

Darth Vader 20.0% 9

Han Solo 33.3% 15

Yoda 11.1% 5

Other 35.6% 16

answered question 45

skipped question 1

Most movies have only one iconic character that stands out. Star Wars has so much more than that, from the evil Darth Vader to the lovable R2-D2. I asked the respondents who was their favorite character. Han Solo won the popular vote. Han Solo doesn’t have the Force or a Lightsaber. What he does have, though, is a trusty blaster, a loyal Wookie companion, a cool ship, and the heart of a Princess, and audiences. Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t have Jedi powers that makes it easier for us to relate to him. He appeals to the cynic in all of us. He’s the opposite of Luke Skywalker, who is wide-eyed and hungry for adventure. Han is a guy who has seen it all. He’s flown from one side of the galaxy to the other. He’s the person we all wish we could be. We all wish we had his confidence and his swagger. But as cool as Han Solo is, he has a softer side to him. He may appear selfish in the first Star Wars, but he helps to assist Luke in blowing up the Death Star at the end. As the Trilogy progresses, Han slowly learns to put other people’s needs before his. He ends up being in a relationship with Princess Leia, which is very satisfying for the audience.

Table 8

What is your take on the Force?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

It should be used for knowledge and defense. Never for attack. 46.7% 21

It should be used to gain power and make others bow to your whim. 17.8% 8

It's all just simple tricks and nonsense. 2.2% 1

Other 33.3% 15

answered question 45

skipped question 1

“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, it penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.” says Obi-Wan Kenobi to Luke Skywalker after he hands him his father’s lightsaber.  The Force can help you to lift things in the air without even touching them, it can control the weak minded, it can even help you to make a clear shot without using a targeting computer. The Force has two sides, the Light Side and the Dark Side. The Light Side, which is what the Jedi use, is about knowledge, defense, and peace. The Jedi are like Buddhists and Christians; a peaceful religion. The Dark Side, used by the Sith, is full of anger, fear, and hate. It is used to make others bow to your whim. I asked the respondents to give their take on the Force. Thankfully, most of them said it should be used for knowledge and defense, and never for attack. Sorry Darth Vader.

Table 9

When you have kids, how do you plan on showing the films to them for the first time?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

4,5,6,1,2,3 65.9% 29

1,2,3,4,5,6 15.9% 7

4,5,1,2,3,6 15.9% 7

4,5,2,3,6 2.3% 1

answered question 44

skipped question 2

It’s that question most parents ask when they have kids. “What order should I expose the movies to my kids?” In almost every household in America, and the world, watching Star Wars has become a tradition passed on from generation to generation. Everyone has their own opinion on how you should watch them. Some believe you  should watch them in the order they were released, for the big twist in The Empire Strikes Back to be effective. Others believe you should watch them in chronological order, so the story will be much clearer. Others believe you should watch Episode IV and V first, then I,II, and III as a flashback, and finish with Episode VI. There’s also the Machete order, where you watch IV and V first, skip Episode I, watch II, and III, and finish with Episode VI.  Almost all of them said they would show them in the order they were released. And with more movies coming on the way, this dilemma will become even more challenging.

Table 10

What is it about Star Wars that continues to resonate with you?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

It brings me back to my childhood. 4.4% 2

The religious, mythical, and political undertones. 0.0% 0

Sci-Fi element (Spaceships, Planets, Aliens, etc.) 6.7% 3

All of the above 80.0% 36

Other 8.9% 4

answered question 45

skipped question 1

What is it about Star Wars that continues to resonate with people? How could a film series that started in 1977 continue to cause this much discussion among movie goers? Is it the nostalgia? Is it the Sci-Fi element? Is it the political, religious, and mythological undertones? I asked the respondents to tell me what it is about Star Wars that continues to resonate with them; whether it’s the religious, political, and mythical undertones, the Sci-Fi elements, or the nostalgia. Most of them answered all of the above. I mentioned earlier that in order for Star Wars to have a huge impact on you, you had to be the right age to watch it. Well, it also had to come out at the right time.

Conclusion

When Star Wars first came out in the 70s, our world was in turmoil. We had just come out of a brutal, and in hindsight pointless, war in Vietnam. Our leaders and heroes (i.e. Richard Nixon) had let us down. We were full of fear and doubt for our future. The movies playing in theaters at the time, The Godfather, Taxi Driver, etc., mirrored the fears and paranoia of audiences. And here, Star Wars was a light-hearted Space Fantasy that was full of optimism and fun. It helped audiences to escape, but it also had something to say. It told audiences that our lives don’t have to stay the way they are. We are meant for so much more. We all have a purpose. We can change the course of history, and make the world a better place, through courage, team work, and perseverance. We can destroy a whole space station the size of a moon if we wanted to, as long as we believe we can.

It’s interesting that history is repeating itself. We are still in the aftermath of another war, Iraq. Our government's trust is being questioned. There is great civil unrest in our nation, just like the 70s. The rise of terrorism has caused great fear and paranoia in the hearts of many. And just like how movies in the 70s mirrored our paranoia and fears, so do movies these days, such as the films by Christopher Nolan. We all need a story of Good vs Evil. A story to tell us about hope, that life can be so much more. We all need to be transported to a galaxy far, far away.

For some, Star Wars is just a movie. But for most of us, especially those who first saw it as a kid, it's so much more than that. It's a way of life. It reminds us that no matter how hard life can get, how dark things may seem, there is always hope. No matter what religion, race, or background you come from, most of us can identify with the concept that there is good and evil in this world. But no matter how powerful the Dark Side, anger and hate, may seem, love, hope, and friendship, the Light Side, will always prevail.

It's a Force that binds us together.


 

References

Hughes, M. and Kroehler, C. (2013). Sociology: The Core 11th Edition. New

  York: McGraw Hill.

Taylor, C. (2015). How Star Wars Conquered the Universe. New York: Basic Books