Didn't know this thread existed till now. Saw the movie Thursday at 7 in IMAX 3D. Got the very front seats because of the terrible traffic between League City and Beltway 8. Not as packed as I thought though, I thought there would be long lines. Few people dressed up, wish there were more. Maybe I'll wear a jacket and pin a packet of Sudafed as a Rebel Officer.
Sitting in the front I had to have my eyes adjust so the beginning for me sucked. At least I had railing to rest my feet.
They did everything right with this movie. I think the reason why it did so well was the right amount of battles. This had way more battles than the Force Awakens and better battle scenes.
Grand Moff Tarkin made my day. The CGI was a little disturbing at first but worked real well the rest of the movie. I remember an article way back when,
false rumor, George Lucas wanted to resurrect dead actors for movies like Alec Guinness. Disney has been getting better at this like the scene in Antman with CGI young Michael Douglas. HBO pulled that off with young Anthony Hopkins in Westworld and let's not forget Benjamin Button. The battle scene with Gold Leader and Red Leader was great. I thought they were CGI'd as well but I read that they used old unused film from A New Hope in the archives. When I get the Blu-ray, I'll have to pause that Princess Lea scene. I'm wondering if they just stitched her face from the old film. It looked really good. They couldn't have used Carrie Fischer's now raspy voice.
I noticed those scenes that didn't make the cut but were in the previews. I really like that they did that. I think more movies should do this because it seems like trailers now give off the plot easily. Already knew this would be a sacrifice type of film though, "go! go! I'll hold them off" "noooo", movie. "Fly you fools!" Makes you think there must be a ton of outtakes. Maybe even an alternate ending with Jen Orso running with the plans.
Love that they did well with the 70s hair styles. lol
Also glad they included R2 and 3PO because they're in every Star Wars movie!
For a How It Should Have Ended Youtube video, they should hire Russian Hackers to steal the plans.