Review Detail
9.6 31 10
(Updated: October 25, 2023)
Overall rating
9.6
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
9.0
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens: Restructured gives new life to what I consider the last good mainline Star Wars film.
After watching Hal's prequel edits, I had every intention of watching the "Custom Special Edition" cuts of the original trilogy. However morbid curiosity took me down a different path and I found myself skipping ahead to Episode VII. I figured if I didn't like rewatching the sequels, I can always wash the taste off with the originals. While I've heard plenty of great things about Hal's prequel edits -- which led me to create this account in the first place -- I intentionally held off on looking into opinions on the sequel edits, because I want to experience these cuts blind.
I personally loved The Force Awakens when it came out, I was 100% on board the hype train and put all my faith in this trilogy. Even with the gift of 20/20 hindsight, I don't think I could have ever predicted just how badly this trilogy would sour my love for this series. However, I can still watch The Force Awakens and have an enjoyable time despite the moments that now make my eyes roll given the context of what comes next.
That being said, I'm very happy with the restructuring done by Hal with this edit. Specifically the choice to move the destruction of the Hosnian system to the final act was genius, it's executed so seamlessly that I forgot I was watching the movie out of order and actually felt the bittersweetness of the victory destroying Starkiller Base, as even though they accomplished their goal, they were too late to save the Republic. In the back of my mind while watching fan edits I can usually recognize when things are switched around or added, no matter how clever the editing, and I must admit this recut actually got me to stop thinking about that in the final act and enjoy the ride. In a lot of ways, it almost feels like I was watching this movie for the first time all over again and getting a spark of that hype I felt in the theater.
There were still moments left in the movie that I didn't care for, but overall, I absolutely recommend this fan edit. Hal, you do good work.
After watching Hal's prequel edits, I had every intention of watching the "Custom Special Edition" cuts of the original trilogy. However morbid curiosity took me down a different path and I found myself skipping ahead to Episode VII. I figured if I didn't like rewatching the sequels, I can always wash the taste off with the originals. While I've heard plenty of great things about Hal's prequel edits -- which led me to create this account in the first place -- I intentionally held off on looking into opinions on the sequel edits, because I want to experience these cuts blind.
I personally loved The Force Awakens when it came out, I was 100% on board the hype train and put all my faith in this trilogy. Even with the gift of 20/20 hindsight, I don't think I could have ever predicted just how badly this trilogy would sour my love for this series. However, I can still watch The Force Awakens and have an enjoyable time despite the moments that now make my eyes roll given the context of what comes next.
That being said, I'm very happy with the restructuring done by Hal with this edit. Specifically the choice to move the destruction of the Hosnian system to the final act was genius, it's executed so seamlessly that I forgot I was watching the movie out of order and actually felt the bittersweetness of the victory destroying Starkiller Base, as even though they accomplished their goal, they were too late to save the Republic. In the back of my mind while watching fan edits I can usually recognize when things are switched around or added, no matter how clever the editing, and I must admit this recut actually got me to stop thinking about that in the final act and enjoy the ride. In a lot of ways, it almost feels like I was watching this movie for the first time all over again and getting a spark of that hype I felt in the theater.
There were still moments left in the movie that I didn't care for, but overall, I absolutely recommend this fan edit. Hal, you do good work.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
P