You know what? I like Star Trek Into Darkness more than Star Wars The Force Awakens

[Hector]

There, I said it....

Neither awfully original, both derivative, etc...

Saw Force Awakens again, and this time I got a tad bored, found it slow and ponderous.

On the other hand, just saw Into Darkness for the fourth time (on FX), and boy, it sure is lot more fun than Force Awakens.

Star Trek more action packed than Star Wars?

Who would've thunk it?

Who is with me?

[Wee67]

I'm with you, Hec. I found Force Awakens to be so derivative that it contained almost no surprises. Maybe because the whole film is a set up for things to come, but another Death Star that needs to be taken out after we take down th shields. Yeah, yeah, they added the explosives bit it was pretty much the same. Into Darknss managed to retell the story in the spirit of Star Trek, but adding new tensions and character developments.

[enyawd72]

Same here...I left the theatre after seeing Force Awakens very much conflicted by what I saw. Something about the whole production seemed...off. For me at least, this was the first Star Wars film that didn't feel like Star Wars. Lucas' non-involvement was evident. People may hate the prequels, but there is just something about the way Lucas crafts a film that was missing this time.

[Hedji]

Funny I should come home from viewing #2 to this thread. (3D IMAX was AWESOME!!!!)

I'll have to disagree. STID felt like a real betrayal after setting up the radical 2009 Trek, they could go literally anywhere storywise, but they went safe... they wen to Khan. I just couldn't believe how let down I was with that film. It has it's good parts, but the bad outweighs the good. Can't do better than Ricardo Montalban.

At least TFA plays it safe (understandably so, with a lot of $$$ at stake) with the first film, establishing a foundation for (hopefully) more surprising storytelling in Episode VIII, whereas STID recycled comfort-food stories for STID when they didn't have to. I thought the whole point of rebooting the ST timeline was to make a fresh canvas, but they chickened out and ran to Khan.

TFA still moves me to tears after 2 viewings. (C-3PO to Artoo when he wakes up, "My Dear Friend, how I've missed you!" I know, I'm such a baby! )

Derivative? You betcha. TFA definitely has some flaws. Missing Lucas' touch? 100% agreed! I'm so saddened that it was a clean break and he's not involved. (bear in mind I'm a 'Prequel Lover'). But there is still some real magic here, and you leave the theater with a head full of questions... good questions outweighing the plot holes or oversights. That's Star Wars at it's best, leaving you with playground discussion fodder, and leaving you wanting more.

I'm not a big JJ Abrahms fan. I think his strengths are directing his actors to play off each other with vitality. But his writing and shaping of stories is his weakness. I'm glad we'll get a new director for VIII.

I really enjoyed the action in TFA. Lots of great blaster battles, especially when the First Order invades Maz's Cantina. Has the bowcaster ever seen so much use? Also really liked the fight with the electro-baton Stormtrooper. See it again!

[Hector]

No, I get that...Roddenberry would be turning in his grave if he were to watch Into Darkness. Malevolence in the Federation? Blasphemy, lol.

I just thought it was more fun than Force Awakens, that's all...

[Hedji]

I'm so emotionally tied to Star Wars...permission granted to take my comments with a huge grain of bias salt. It's in my very DNA I think. But I love Trek too, and am hoping for a return to form for Star Trek Beyond.

[Hector]

Same here...I left the theatre after seeing Force Awakens very much conflicted by what I saw. Something about the whole production seemed...off. For me at least, this was the first Star Wars film that didn't feel like Star Wars. Lucas' non-involvement was evident. People may hate the prequels, but there is just something about the way Lucas crafts a film that was missing this time.

Oh no, my dear Sir...the prequels are horrendous...they don't feel like Star Wars at all...I prefer a Force Awakens waaaaaay more...it does feel Star Wars to me...but it was basically an almost scene to scene reboot...I did enjoy the first viewing...the second I got bored a bit, that's all.

But thanks for picking Into Darkness over Force Awakens though...

[Hector]

...bear in mind I'm a 'Prequel Lover'.

Ok, you and I are now officially mortal enemies as of now....

[Mikey]

The only prob with Into Darkness for me was it was a little confusing ... Have to watch it again and see.

For Star Wars, didn't see it but not really in a hurry.

Personally I think any Star Trek movie (short of ALL Next Gen movies) are better than any Star Wars - including Trek 5

[Hedji]

Ok, you and I are now officially mortal enemies as of now....

At least Fran Oz (Yoda himself) agrees with me.

[Hector]

Fran Oz is officially now senile...

[Hector]

The only prob with Into Darkness for me was it was a little confusing ... Have to watch it again and see.

For Star Wars, didn't see it but not really in a hurry.

Personally I think any Star Trek movie (short of ALL Next Gen movies) are better than any Star Wars - including Trek 5

You lost me at Trek 5...

Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream...

[Hedji]

Hector... I like Trek 5 too. (*ducks*!)

[Hector]

[Mikey]

I still laugh when Shatner wanted to re-edit 5 with new special effects for a director's cut and Paramount said, it will be perfume on a pig