Star Wars Episode VII News: Week 33

The Title for Episode VII Just Dropped

(And It's Really Lame)

     This week has been very important for Episode VII. To begin, principal photography wrapped up, leading to a massive cast and crew party in London. It will probably be the last time everyone who worked on the film will ever be together at one time, besides contractual conventions and other events. Maybe they'll be back for the sequel. A large part of the creation process for Episode VII has ended. What began in May has been (mostly) completed. Now everything has been shot, and the wonders of editing will make this film what it will become, be it great or terrible. The editing process is just as or arguably more important than shooting. The editors need to bring their A-game to this project in order for it to be polished and at its best. Hopefully they will. Editing can make or break a movie. However, if it's done right, then Anthony Daniels believes it will be better than The Empire Strikes Back.
     This claim came from Daniels' Twitter account, in which he boldly compared the newly shot film to the Holy Grail of Star Wars. I know I'm technically supposed to think that TESB is my favorite, and I can see how it is superior to the others, but I've personally always like Star Wars the best. You can't beat what started it all. Technical flaws and all, it still is on the top spot of my list. Anyways, Daniels comparing TESB and Episode VII seems a little arrogant. However, if you haven't acted in a good Star Wars movie in over 35 years, I can see how you can get excited about the coherent plot line, the realness of locations, and other things. It just might be the best one since TESB, but better than it? That remains to be seen.
     Speaking of Star Wars movies that begin with the word "The", the official title for Episode VII is finally upon us, after 2 years and 7 days since the announcement that we were getting an Episode VII. This information was released via Star Wars' Facebook page. It took the Internet by storm. This is now officially the the title for the direct sequel to the original trilogy:

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

     REALLY?!?!?!?!?!?!

     Let's break this down.

THE

     Okay, so the title of Episode VII begins with "The". There is only one other Star Wars movie that begins with "The", and that is The Empire Strikes Back. Now, this is interesting. Is Episode VII (or should I say, The Force Awakens?) comparing itself to TESB through its title? Is it that good? Or is it that full of itself? Who knows!

FORCE

     So, something is happening to The Force in this movie. This implies some major shift or change with the Force. Besides the generic subject matter, what could possibly be affecting the Force so heavily that it features in the title?

AWAKENS

     Oh, so the Force is awakening. I see. Wait, awakening from what? What was the Force doing in the other six movies? Did it hit snooze? I would think that Luke woke up the Force in the original trilogy by saving the universe or whatever, so how is the awakened force going to be manifested? It might be like one of those superhero movies, where superheroes discover their powers, and they grow stronger with practice. Is that what will happen to the Force? Will the Sith suddenly gain the ability to Force choke ten billion people or be able to smash planets together? Will the Force somehow become available to everyone? You see, with such a vague title, you can never know what the movie pertains to. You see, Star Wars (not the vague A New Hope that was added later) was about a war in the stars (space). The Empire Strikes Back was about the Empire getting revenge on the rebels. Return of the Jedi was about the Jedi being restored. Even Revenge of the Sith was specific. Vague titles, such as The Phantom Menace don't add much to a film. You can't really add much to The Phantom Menace, though, because it's so bad as it is. The only time when specific titles don't work are when they are so utterly ridiculous that you can't take seriously. Example: Attack of the Clones. Mark Hamill once likened the title to Attack of the Puppet People. The Force Awakens isn't nearly that bad, but it could do better. But, I guess eventually we'll probably get used to it. There are worse titles out there.