Star Wars Discussion Thread v. Rogue One

[Kotowboy]

Yup. But Avatar proves that even an unoriginal idea can be remembered if done well.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Hey, I liked Zathura!


I mean, I was, like, 7 or something when I saw it, but still.

[Orbert]

I liked Zathura, too.  I hadn't seen Jumanji yet, and thus didn't realize that it's basically the same story, but that actually shouldn't matter.  On its own, it was fine.  In fact, when we got around to watching Jumanji, I enjoyed that, too, because Robin Williams.

[Kotowboy]

Isn't Zathura the sequel to Jumanji ?

One of those sequel that isn't a sequel type films ?

[hefdaddy42]

I liked Zathura, too.  I hadn't seen Jumanji yet, and thus didn't realize that it's basically the same story, but that actually shouldn't matter. 

Well, the films are based on books by the same author.  The book Zathura is a sequel (of sorts) to the book Jumanji, but that isn't the case in the films.

So it does matter.  They made a film that is connected, but didn't connect it.  So for people who don't know about the books, it seems like a ripoff.

[Orbert]

What I meant was that the biggest complaint I've heard about Zathura is that it's just a ripoff/rehash of Jumanji.  To me, that should not matter.  What I care about is whether or not the movie entertained me.  It did.  Is it the same as some other movie?  Doesn't matter.  Is it a ripoff of some other movie?  Doesn't matter.  I can see why it can bother some people, but many, many movies have basically the same plot as some other movie, so what?

[hefdaddy42]

What I meant was that the biggest complaint I've heard about Zathura is that it's just a ripoff/rehash of Jumanji.  To me, that should not matter.  What I care about is whether or not the movie entertained me.  It did.  Is it the same as some other movie?  Doesn't matter.  Is it a ripoff of some other movie?  Doesn't matter.  I can see why it can bother some people, but many, many movies have basically the same plot as some other movie, so what?

You have a very rare viewpoint.  I would imagine that the vast majority of people think it matters if they perceive that a movie (or book, or TV show, whatever) is ripping off another.

It certainly pisses me off.  It's just lazy.

[Calvin6s]

a

[Orbert]

What I meant was that the biggest complaint I've heard about Zathura is that it's just a ripoff/rehash of Jumanji.  To me, that should not matter.  What I care about is whether or not the movie entertained me.  It did.  Is it the same as some other movie?  Doesn't matter.  Is it a ripoff of some other movie?  Doesn't matter.  I can see why it can bother some people, but many, many movies have basically the same plot as some other movie, so what?

You have a very rare viewpoint.  I would imagine that the vast majority of people think it matters if they perceive that a movie (or book, or TV show, whatever) is ripping off another.

It certainly pisses me off.  It's just lazy.

Wasn't it you and I that had a similar discussion regarding the Big King burger from Burger King, and how it's basically a ripoff of the Big Mac from McDonald's?  You (or whoever I'm confusing you with) said that you couldn't stand the Big King because it's such a ripoff.  It's actually a superior burger.  Bigger, better quality ingredients, pretty much better in every way.  When I eat a Big King, I enjoy it.  Do I care that it's a ripoff of the Big Mac?  Not one damned bit.  What matters is whether I enjoy what I'm experiencing.  Other people can come up with reasons to not like it, but to me what matters is how it tastes, period.

[Kotowboy]

Is Avatar similar to lots of other movies ? Yes.

Do I care ? No. Lots of movies have the same basic storyline.

Did I enjoy it regardless ? Hell yes.

[Orbert]

Exactly.  It looked cool, had a twist or two, it entertained.  That's all that matters.

[Calvin6s]

a

[bosk1]

I don't think anybody was comparing Star Wars to Avatar.

[King Postwhore]

I would compare Caddyshack with Dude, Where's My Car.









Nah.

[BlobVanDam]

It's been a little while since I saw Zathura, and I thought it was decent. I didn't care about the similarities to Jumanji, because it still took it in its own direction despite the same premise.

[orcus116]

I liked Zathura, too.  I hadn't seen Jumanji yet, and thus didn't realize that it's basically the same story, but that actually shouldn't matter. 

Well, the films are based on books by the same author.  The book Zathura is a sequel (of sorts) to the book Jumanji, but that isn't the case in the films.

So it does matter.  They made a film that is connected, but didn't connect it. So for people who don't know about the books, it seems like a ripoff.

So did they just ignore the tagline on the poster?



Maybe the better word would just be rehash. I usually equate ripoff to a separate entity creating a near clone of something whereas a rehash is the same story universe reusing the same storytelling cycle.

[JayOctavarium]

Helps if you can see the tagline.

[orcus116]

Changed the image link if that didn't work before. I've never seen the movie but from what little I remember from the marketing it never tried to hide itself from the fact that it was related to Jumanji.

[BlobVanDam]

That tagline even words it ambiguously so you think it's connected directly to Jumanji. From a marketing standpoint, it makes sense that they'd try to capitalize on Jumanji's success, rather than try to ignore the obvious similarities.

[hefdaddy42]

What I meant was that the biggest complaint I've heard about Zathura is that it's just a ripoff/rehash of Jumanji.  To me, that should not matter.  What I care about is whether or not the movie entertained me.  It did.  Is it the same as some other movie?  Doesn't matter.  Is it a ripoff of some other movie?  Doesn't matter.  I can see why it can bother some people, but many, many movies have basically the same plot as some other movie, so what?

You have a very rare viewpoint.  I would imagine that the vast majority of people think it matters if they perceive that a movie (or book, or TV show, whatever) is ripping off another.

It certainly pisses me off.  It's just lazy.

Wasn't it you and I that had a similar discussion regarding the Big King burger from Burger King, and how it's basically a ripoff of the Big Mac from McDonald's?  You (or whoever I'm confusing you with) said that you couldn't stand the Big King because it's such a ripoff.  It's actually a superior burger.  Bigger, better quality ingredients, pretty much better in every way.  When I eat a Big King, I enjoy it.  Do I care that it's a ripoff of the Big Mac?  Not one damned bit.  What matters is whether I enjoy what I'm experiencing.  Other people can come up with reasons to not like it, but to me what matters is how it tastes, period.

I remember discussing it, but I like the Big King, it tastes good.

But it's a ripoff.

If something is a ripoff, it's a ripoff, whether it is good or not, and that one in particular is a pretty blatant one.

The Big Mac is better.

[Orbert]

I guess I didn't remember the specifics of the conversation that well.  In general, the idea of blatantly copying something is bad to me, and whoever's doing it definitely loses style points.  But as I said, what it comes down to is whether or not I enjoy the final product.  Hell, there are 1000 different pizza places here in the Chicago area.  Do I care that every single one of them is making something that they didn't invent?  Nope.  I just order the pizza I like.  Same with any food, or movie, or whatever.  I care whether or not I enjoy it.

Now, there will be cases where my awareness that something is literally copied from something else will affect my enjoyment of it.  If I can't watch a certain scene from a movie without it reminding me of the exact same thing happening in some other movie, that can be distracting.  And if it's so distracting that I can't enjoy the scene, then there it is, I don't like it.  But I don't dislike something simply because it copies something else.  I can still enjoy the final result.

[bosk1]

I am with Orbert.

[hefdaddy42]

There is a local sandwich shop that dates back to the 50s.  They have their version of the Big Mac, too.  It's called the Big Mo.

I give the Big Mo a pass because it is ten times better than the Big Mac or the Big King.

[eric42434224]

I am with Orbert.

But I was already with Orbert.
You are blatantly copying.
But I can still enjoy you being with Orbert.
Proceed.

[JayOctavarium]

The big carl beats them all.

[jingle.boy]

The big carl beats them all.

Five Guys, FTW



thread officially derailed

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Flametrooper!!

[Calvin6s]

a

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Yea I heard someone mention the costum from the celebration and that they're in the upcoming movie Including the new snowtroopers. Cool stuff!

[Calvin6s]

a

[Chino]

I've downloaded the first 6 Star Wars films. I'm almost there! Should I start with 4,5, and 6 first?

[Implode]

Yes. The context in which the films were made is more important than seeing the story in chronological order. Also, just curious. Do you have the theatrical releases or the special editions?

[Chino]

Yes. The context in which the films were made is more important than seeing the story in chronological order. Also, just curious. Do you have the theatrical releases or the special editions?

I have no idea  I'm going to assume theatrical release because I didn't see anything about special edition anywhere.

[Implode]

Actually, if you didn't see anything, it's much more likely you have the special editions, which is fine. While some of the changes can be infuriating to many fans, it won't by any means ruin the experience for a first time viewer.

[Chino]

Actually, if you didn't see anything, it's much more likely you have the special editions, which is fine. While some of the changes can be infuriating to many fans, it won't by any means ruin the experience for a first time viewer.

What kind of stuff was changed? Were scenes added or removed, or was it just updated effects and stuff like that?