Jupiter Ascending was better than The Force Awakens
And I'm 100% serious when I say that.
First of all, I enjoyed both films. While they're both flawed, however, I find the flaws in JA more minor and forgiveable than the flaws in TFA.
The main problems with TFA were, as far as I'm concerned, as follows:
- The plot was far too rushed, and there wasn't really any pause for breath.
- There were far too many gaping holes/mysteries that were obviously left unexplained so they can be left for the sequels. I'm especially thinking of the question of Rey's parentage here.
- It was far too derivative of A New Hope. It really was a plot point by plot point remake of ANH for much of the film, with a few setpieces/emotional beats borrowed from the sequels.
- Character development was sketchy, with there being some great character building scenes but some seriously underdeveloped character motivations.
- The dialogue was extremely contrived and goofy.
- There were a ridiculous number of plot contrivances.
- Characters just drop out of the film without any explanation as to where the hell they went.
What's most interesting to me, however, is that JA was accused of having many of the same flaws - the rushed plot, underdeveloped characters, unexplained mysteries and goofy dialogue are all problems with JA as well. However, I don't think they are as serious problems in JA as they are in TFA - in JA, I always understood why everyone was doing what they doing. I understood why Caine was so fiercely protective of Jupiter, and determined to go back for her. I understood why the villains were so twisted and depraved. While there's a lot to take in and not everything is explained, the film is mostly self contained and no major questions are left hanging. I found the pace fast, but not unduly rushed.
One definite advantage TFA has on its own terms over JA is that it has better character building moments, and Rey is better established and better developed than Jupiter is as a heroine. I really loved Rey, and just wish the film had focused on her a bit more since she was easily one of its strongest elements.
But the single greatest advantage JA has over TFA is originality. While it's common to see people accuse JA of being derivative of other sci-fi films and pre-existing properties, it's no more guilty of that than A New Hope was back in 1977. It's cine literate and conscious of its influences, but it is absolutely its own thing and it takes risks and swings for the fences in ways that TFA doesn't even skirt around. It's also by far the more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing film - and while there's no way it will happen, JA is eminently more deserving of 'best VFX' plaudits than TFA. It's far more beautiful and visually inspired.
Overall, I can't escape the impression that TFA is lauded while something like JA is viciously attacked and rejected because of the nostalgic attachment people have for Star Wars, and their craving for a 'new' story identifiably set in the same world as the original trilogy. I've seen people endlessly make excuses for the flaws in TFA, and while I don't doubt that people genuinely enjoyed it (I did!) I can't escape the impression that if it had been a film on its own right with no predecessors it would come under far harsher criticism, as JA did.
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