Movies
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
I've never been a big Star Wars fan, but the original trilogy was pretty decent and fun. The subsequent ones were anything but and this final episode seems hellbent on repeating all the mistakes of the previous entries. While on paper a film like this seems virtually impossible to fuck up, Abrams certainly gave it his best shot. Rise of Skywalker tried to be dark, funny and emotional, and it failed miserable at all of these things. For example, it's clear that McDiarmid was supposed to come off as evil and menacing, but it's almost embarrassing to see him struggle. Then there's the obvious attempts at comic relief, but not a single one of the jokes land. And with so many nonsense floating around, it's nigh impossible to feel anything for anyone. Some horrendous performances don't help either. Isaac is a fluke, Ridley is a poor Knightley stand-in and Boyega looks utterly lost. Ultimately though, it's Abrams who should shoulder most of the blame. With all that money and technical skill on display, it's shameful that there isn't a single impressive scene here. Badly paced, horribly cut up and completely unbalanced. Abrams has no place in cinema. Read all
