• Latest

Max’s View

January 4, 2016

Summer Food Service Program Funds Available

February 7, 2023
Knights of Columbus Hoop Shoot

Knights of Columbus Hoop Shoot

February 7, 2023
Roxbury Country Store

Roxbury Country Store

February 7, 2023
African Queen (1951)

The Desperate Hours (1955)

February 7, 2023
Just Some Thoughts

Thoughts on Valentine’s Day

February 7, 2023

News From The Forty & Eight (40&8) Voiture 646

January 31, 2023
The Winter Renaissance Faire is Back for Its 6th Year

The Winter Renaissance Faire is Back for Its 6th Year

January 31, 2023

Investment in Women is Needed to Grow Workforce for Infrastructure Projects

January 31, 2023

Cancer-Fighting Advocates Call on Gov. Scott to Protect VT Kids; Increase Tobacco Control Program Funding

January 31, 2023
African Queen (1951)

Notorious (1946)

January 31, 2023

RAD Denounces Threats to Organizing for Safe and Inclusive Schools

January 24, 2023
African Queen (1951)

The Heiress

January 24, 2023
  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
The World Online
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The World Online
No Result
View All Result

Max’s View

vt-world by vt-world
January 4, 2016
in Max's View
0

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
***
I don’t think JJ Abrams is a good filmmaker. I didn’t have high expectations for the new Star Wars movie. But of course I saw it, anyway. My mind was made up in 2005.

In 2005, George Lucas proved that it is possible to make a great new Star Wars film. “Revenge of the Sith” is magnificent: dark, intense, and uncompromising.

“Sith” explored the character Obi-Wan Kenobi: a fanatically dedicated jedi who happily died for his cause after living 20 years as a desert hermit. “Sith” explored the character Yoda: a flawless monk who is equally at home in a swamp hovel as he was when he was a leader of the galaxy.

Finally, the film blew me away by transforming the evil villain Emperor Palpatine into a believable character. At the end of “Sith,” we finally understood how a relentlessly ambitious Senator rose to the heights of power with a combination of deception, political savvy, and utilization of the dark side of the force. As soon as Hillary Clinton saw “Revenge of the Sith,” she decided to run for President.

“The Force Awakens” does not have any great characters. The new heroes are perfectly likable but bland. And the villains are disappointing.

Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader are the one and two coolest bad guys in the history of cinema. In contrast, Rylo Ken (Adam Driver) is a mopey emo kid with a lightsaber.

[Spoiler Alert] However, we’re supposed to believe that young Rylo Ken is second in command in the powerful military group The First Order. As the film begins, The First Order is poised to annihilate the Republic, crush Princess Leia’s Resistance, and take control of the galaxy.

But with Rylo Ken at the helm, I’m just not buying it. He seems slightly less trustworthy and manly than the character Adam Driver plays on the HBO show “Girls.”

JJ Abrams expects us to believe that The First Order has the tax base and the know-how to afford an armada of souped-up starships and a planet-sized super weapon but they are dumb enough to hire Lena Dunham’s flaky boyfriend to lead them.

Sorry, folks. I’m a cantankerous old “Star Wars” nerd. I’m sure JJ Abrams was aware that when he made a new Star Wars movie that guys like me would compare it unfavorably to the five great films that came before it (“The Phantom Menace” stinks).

Mostly, though, “The Force Awakens” is a success. It is entertaining from start to finish. It’s beautifully shot. And the climax is emotionally satisfying.

“The Force Awakens” doesn’t hold a candle to “Revenge of the Sith,” let alone “The Empire Strikes Back.” But everybody likes it. And that’s impressive.

Previous Post

The People’s House: A History of the Vermont Statehouse Part IV in a Series

Next Post

Reiss’s Pieces

Next Post

Reiss’s Pieces

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This Week’s Ads

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
The World
403 US Route 302
Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-2582

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

No Result
View All Result
  • Art Exhibits
  • Audit and Reader Surveys
  • Births
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Daily Horoscope
  • Fall Guide
  • Food & Recipe
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • Ongoing Events
  • Pay Your Bill Here
  • Senior Living Edition
  • Showtimes
  • Submit Birth Announcement
  • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
  • Submit Engagement Announcement
  • Submit Listing to our Local Directory
  • Submit Sports News/Photo
  • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Testimonials
  • The World Coupons
  • Weather Forecast
  • World Deadlines
  • World Distribution Map
  • World Rate Card
  • World Rates and Ad Sizes
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • About Us
  • Vermont Lottery
  • Advertising Information
  • The World Staff
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • Submit Letter To The Editor
  • Local Directory
  • Poll Results
  • Local Deals
  • Classifieds
  • Submit An Article To The World
  • Events
  • The World – This Week’s Online Digital Edition
  • The World Auto & Sports

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In