blamebrampton: 15th century woodcut of a hound (Default)
blamebrampton ([personal profile] blamebrampton) wrote2016-01-06 01:15 am

So, I saw Star Wars... [Spoiler free, but opinionated]

I did not expect to see Star Wars. But when I got home from work just before 8pm because I NEED A NEW JOB, poor old Mr B who has been sick as a dog since Boxing Day, leapt up and said MOVIE NIGHT! And given his state of illness (throaty, chesty, achey horror), I felt I had to go along with this plan.

I thought the writing was really lazy, though competent, but I liked the direction, acting, design, editing and music. And I am prepared to give a bit over two hours of my life for the sight of two stormtroopers backing away Slowly and Quietly. I laughed vey loudly.

However. If you're a writer, give your readers a reason for things. A real reason, not 'he's the best pilot in the Resistance' – that's a description. Something like "Poe grew up in the Resistance. He's been flying these planes since he was eight. Stealing them since he was nine, but he never broke one, so we didn't complain …' or 'I met a pilot from the Rebellion when I was 16, and while he told me stories of laying down covering fire on the Death Star attack, I realised, that's what I really wanted to be. So every minute since then, that's what I've trained for. I found out years later that he just ferried the X-Wings around, but by then, I was flight leader, so I didn't hold it against him.'

I just want films that acknowledge that, most of the time, you get good at things by doing things. And that work has worth and value to it and can be a part of the story that makes your character a person.

Which, obviously, means I should say 'Oh, let's watch something small' the next time Mr B has a hankering for big budget. But it was fun, and I didn't need to worry my poor overtaxed brain, and those stormtroopers will bring me joy for years to come.

[personal profile] snegurochka_lee 2016-01-05 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
most of the time, you get good at things by doing things

a;lskdjfsl;dj. I haven't seen the movie yet (I know, I know), but I was JUST having a convo with the S.O. yesterday about this! What is with pop culture books/TV/movies where people are just magically good at things without putting any work or practice in?? Is this why my students all want As for no reason??! I don't know where it comes from, other than fantasy wish-fulfillment, I guess, but damn, is it ever maddening. And I agree with you, character development would be all the richer if we could see how people who are good at stuff got that way. Graaah!

And oh hey, hi! :)

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2016-01-08 02:02 pm (UTC)(link)
YES! EXACTLY! This is why some young people HAVE NO IDEA THEY HAVE TO WORK!!!! (And also because we don't let them go down mines and walk to school and suffer in all the ways we did when we were young, though of course, since we missed the world wars, we are by definition soft.)

And HELLO! I had assumed you've been up to your nose in life, as have I, but I have missed you!