Star Wars

[Splat]

Have you also considered the fact that he is 73 years old?

True. He's still a badass though.

[StormWolf]

I'd argue that Plinkett doesn't apply to a multi medium genre that has been multimedium since it's first installment. The republic is a backseat player through all post-ROTJ material, mainly due in part to the galactic-political shitstorm that would ensue. If the Republic declared war on the First Order, they would be declaring at on all of the Imperial Remnants across the galaxy. It'd be like if the US actually declared open war on Russia during the cold war rather than arm the Taliban. Though comparing the Resistance to the Taliban is disingenuous. They are more like the French Resistance in occupied France during WWII, because those nazi overtones weren't exactly subtle.

[Atrum Daemon]

My biggest gripe with the film remains the unanswered questions that can turn into plotholes. Mainly the exact details of where the First Order came from and how it got to be as big as it is with no intervention. Especially if we are to believe they converted a planet into a battle station without anyone noticing. Is it a recognized sovereign power? If so, for how long? What part of the galaxy belongs to them and what part is the Republic? These are not hard questions to answer. Even a throw-away line about remnants of the Empire consolidating power near the Outer Rim would be acceptable.

From what I've gathered, some of that is addressed in secondary media. I, personally, find such a thing unacceptable. A movie needs to stand on its own without leaving important answers up to comics, novellas, etc.

[Imperial1917]

True. He's still a badass though.

Agreed, though I think that it was just convenient for Disney that he may have wanted to depart. For their own part, I am pretty sure that Disney wanted to start clearing the field for new players. Its not perfect, per se, but the more beloved (or at least important) members of the original cast have received their spiritual replacements, for better or worse.

On another note, I haven't the slightest idea where they are taking the lore of the greater universe. Glancing at the Wookieepedia pages (yes, I know, not exactly the best source), it is apparent that there is quite a bit of backstory, at least to the First Order. The problem is that a ton of it appears not to have made it into the film. Granted, that would have required quite a bit of exposition that would have slowed the film down, but going without it leaves people rather lost.

Along those lines, it isn't quite explained how everyone could see the planets being destroyed by the Starkiller base, even if it is explained in Wookieepedia. Also, what happened to Coruscant? Why is the Republic suddenly based out of another system? More to the point, why in the world would anyone gather all of their fleet onto one (or four) worlds? Apparently the Republic did just that, leaving them with nothing when the base was fired. Presumably they should have seen this coming, given that the creation of the two Death Stars was something of a trend setter. It is rather inconceivable that they would be completely oblivious to the massive movement of materials and labor that would be necessary to make such a thing.

[Megilwen]

From what I understand, Harrison Ford wanted Solo to die in Episode 5.

[Jarms48]

My biggest gripe with the film remains the unanswered questions that can turn into plotholes. Mainly the exact details of where the First Order came from and how it got to be as big as it is with no intervention. Especially if we are to believe they converted a planet into a battle station without anyone noticing. Is it a recognized sovereign power? If so, for how long? What part of the galaxy belongs to them and what part is the Republic? These are not hard questions to answer. Even a throw-away line about remnants of the Empire consolidating power near the Outer Rim would be acceptable.

The First Order arose sometime between the death of Emperor Palpatine and the battle of Jakku. Starkiller base was situated in the Unknown Regions, as the name suggests, were largely unexplored. Allowing them to stay hidden and muster for decades -- Finn tells us that they kidnapped children to bolster their forces. Remember the Death Star Mk. II was operational within the period of three years, so in the three decades spanning between Jedi and Awakens building a superweapon is somewhat reasonable.

Along those lines, it isn't quite explained how everyone could see the planets being destroyed by the Starkiller base, even if it is explained in Wookieepedia.

Shock factor. Not realism.

Also, what happened to Coruscant? Why is the Republic suddenly based out of another system? More to the point, why in the world would anyone gather all of their fleet onto one (or four) worlds? Apparently the Republic did just that, leaving them with nothing when the base was fired. Presumably they should have seen this coming, given that the creation of the two Death Stars was something of a trend setter. It is rather inconceivable that they would be completely oblivious to the massive movement of materials and labor that would be necessary to make such a thing.

In the EU the Imperial Remnant controlled Coruscant until they signed the Galactic Concordance.
I doubt it was their entire fleet. Specifically one of their fleets. It might turn out to be a Pearl Harbor event. After the collapse of the Empire as a whole it could be assumed that they believed no-one could muster the resources to build another battle-station of that scale, as they no longer held onto an entire galaxy worth of industry.

I'd recommend going back a page and reading the discussion between Az and myself.

[Azazeal849]

Dropping back in to say that I've now seen the film a second time with my fiancée; and because I knew the plot holes and contrivances were coming this time they didn't bug me so much, and I was able to just enjoy the film (and the cinematography - the rollercoaster camera as the Falcon takes off, for example, is just timelessly cool). As for my other half, she loved the film, thought Rey was a badass, and made a WTF face when Kylo Ren took off his helmet. She agreed that TFA is "Star Wars for her generation".

As before, my thoughts for the two main areas that could have been done better are some scene setting for the Republic (however brief) and making better use of Han's earlier scenes to at least hint at how his son's loss affected him.

EDIT - And just for fun, here's an article listing some of the film's plot holes (by a guy who still liked the film).