The Force Awakens is probably the last thing in my life I ever looked forward to as much as I did

[Bayesian 1,363]

Today I had this weird itch to watch the official trailer for Star Wars The Force Awakens again. Revisiting it after a couple years or more, I realized that it's more than likely that I will never again obsessively anticipate something in my life as much as I did that movie. (Properly expanded SW CDs don't count, since none of knows if that's ever actually going to be thing. A trailer saying "This Christmas," on the other hand... you know that shit is coming. Totally different experience.)

 

God, I must have watched that trailer six or seven dozen times that fall. When it dropped, I remember a bunch of us were at a bar after kickball and I dragged four of my friends out into my car so I could play the trailer for them on my phone thru the car speakers--and that was after already watching the thing over and over on my own. And I remember all the time I spent here with you guys in 2015 obsessing about the music (well, more like just following along while you all deconstructed every chord and instrument). Those were halcyon days, my friends...

 

Anyone else feel like that movie was the last major thing you'll ever anticipate so hotly in your life? Or maybe some other film or other creative IP? Or do you think it's ridiculous that anyone could look forward to a movie that much?

 

 

[Jay 37,368]

Yea, that was me with The Phantom Menace.  I have never before or since been more hyped for a movie.  

The hype reached it's absolutely peak at the midnight premiere as the Star Wars logo blasted onto the screen with the LSO playing a new recording of the main title... and deflated long before the film was over.

 

I've never come closed to being that hyped for anything since.

i was also 19 at the time

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

No. I still anticipate having kids and many other actual life experiences that will occur while movies and other entertainment are just distractions.

[Bayesian 1,363]

3 minutes ago, Gruesome Son of a Bitch said:

No. I still anticipate having kids and many other actual life experiences that will occur while movies and other entertainment are just distractions.

I knew there’d be at least one here to pull the lever for that third option of mine. 

[Anthony 572]

Obligatory posting of this. The version with this music hits me right in the nostalgia feels.

 

[Bayesian 1,363]

12 minutes ago, Jay said:

Yea, that was me with The Phantom Menace.  I have never before or since been more hyped for a movie.  

The hype reached it's absolutely peak at the midnight premiere as the Star Wars logo blasted onto the screen with the LSO playing a new recording of the main title... and deflated long before the film was over.

 

I've never come closed to being that hyped for anything since.

i was also 19 at the time

I remember being really pumped for Ep. I too, but not quite to the same level. I’d gotten the soundtrack about two weeks before the movie opened (back when they did that sort of thing) and remember trying to work out the story from the track list.
 

I never realized or appreciated, though, what it meant to have a new LSO performed opening crawl. I wasn’t as JW- or film music-obsessed back then. I do remember, though, being utterly

infatuated with the flag parade and DOTF, and not caring for Anakin’s theme or much else of the soundtrack [hangs head in shame].
 

Of course, I got older and wiser and came to recognize the utter lunacy of my first opinions on the rest of that score.😊

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

People have nostalgia for things that are fairly recent these days, I guess.

[SteveMc 2,674]

Tell me about it, I have nostalgia for yesterday.

[TSMefford 1,509]

Force Awakens was probably it for me as well. Although I was pretty pumped for Godzilla: King of the Monsters because of this trailer:

 

 

The movie itself was a disappointment for me, but it really looked like it was going to be cool as hell. 

 

I can't think of any upcoming films that I have remotely the same level of anticipation for.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Funny that. I was pumped for the trailers, and the film met my expectations.

[TSMefford 1,509]

22 minutes ago, The Big Man said:

Funny that. I was pumped for the trailers, and the film met my expectations.

 

The trailers make it look less silly than it ended up being and yes, I know, it's a Godzilla flick.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Apparently crappy popcorn movies for kids are all you people have to look forward to

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

3 minutes ago, TSMefford said:

 

The trailers make it look less silly than it ended up being and yes, I know, it's a Godzilla flick.

 

The trailers emphasised the awe these titans inspire. The movie does that too, but builds it around a 1990s Saturday morning cartoon plot, making it more of an adaptation of the 1994 Trendmasters Godzilla dolls.

[A. A. Ron 1,742]

3 hours ago, Jay said:

Yea, that was me with The Phantom Menace.

 

I've never come closed to being that hyped for anything since.

i was also 19 at the time

 

My most hyped title was the first Hobbit movie. The novel was a childhood favorite of mine and my girlfriend at the time knew that and took me to see the movie, which premiered on my 21st birthday. The hype peaked for me as I got to listen to what turned out to be the standard edition of the soundtrack on some random website -- Variety maybe? Anyway, like you, my hype had completely deflated while watching the movie. People told me I was crazy and that the other 2 films would be better, but now that they're all out, most people will at least admit that the trilogy was a bad adaptation and a mixed bag on its own terms. I'll be hyped if anyone ever comes along to readapt this novel, but I doubt I'll ever be that excited about an upcoming movie again.

[mrbellamy 6,287]

7 hours ago, SteveMc said:

Tell me about it, I have nostalgia for yesterday.

 

I was just listening the other day to some music I was getting into when I had a great seasonal job I worked in 2018 and made me feel a little nostalgic. Plenty has changed for me and in the world since then, even without Covid in the mix which adds a whole other layer. Things are always moving. I can often find myself stop and think wow, it really has been three years since I saw this or that person, or since so and so died. Every place and time in my life has its own mood.

 

Anyway, idk what's wrong with looking forward to new movies for babies, or liking old 1989 movies for babies. I remember thinking when the last Harry Potter movie came out that probably would be the last movie I anticipated like that, ten years of those being my favorite thing to look forward to. But it hasn't really gone away. Didn't take long before I couldn't get my mind off two new John Williams soundtracks coming that same Christmas. The next year I was pretty impatient waiting around for any news and trailers on The Master and Lincoln which were both very stingy on marketing and came out around the same time. Downloaded those trailers and watched them over and over. Did the same with the Star Wars sequels. Now I'm back into all my Beatles albums, books, podcasts, going down YouTube rabbit holes because I'm wondering when I'll ever get to see Peter Jackson's doc.

 

I didn't think I'd ever top waiting a whole year for the Jim Carrey Grinch movie to come out on VHS when I was 10 because Universal was waiting for Christmas to roll around again (bastards). Then it was announced the Return of the King DVD and the Prisoner of Azkaban CD would come out the same day, life would never again be so fine at 14. Then there I was 11 years later waiting for new John Williams and Ennio Morricone soundtracks to arrive on the same day, couldn't believe it. This shit hasn't stopped being fun for me.

 

But then like, duh, hopefully we've all experienced or will soon experience the adrenaline rush realizing you have a chance with a special someone, or months spent fantasizing about an upcoming trip....I mean, I also got way too excited last week when I discovered that my favorite sandwich place which had closed permanently a few years ago was back open and met up there with a friend yesterday to once again have my beloved Atomic Turkey lost to time....many ways to glimpse the sublime.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

Just replace TFA with RETURN OF THE JEDI and I said the same thing 😒 - thirty eight years ago😞

[A24 4,338]

Same for me, and boy, what a disappointment is was.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

Just now, AC1 said:

Same for me, and boy, what a disappointment is was.

Oh boy!😰

[A24 4,338]

You once knew someone like me, right?

 

 

Anyway, having such extremely high expectations really has to be a teen thing.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

ROTJ had the best album.

[A24 4,338]

That's probably because it was your introduction to John Williams and Star Wars.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

I saw the Ewok Adventure movies before I saw ROTJ. When I finally did see ROTJ, I was so surprised to see Ewoks in it, I thought it was an Ewok/SW crossover.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

47 minutes ago, AC1 said:

You once knew someone like me, right?

 

 

Anyway, having such extremely high expectations really has to be a teen thing.

I'm embarrassed even thinking about my SW geekdom!

[GerateWohl 4,370]

I think, I probably was even more hyped for The Last Jedi than for The Force Awakens.

And, oh, what a dissapointment it was.

 

Actually, I would say it was John Williams music that allowed me to be a Star Wars fan beyond my 20s.

Probably, if ever the complete Star Wars score presentation for prequels ans sequels would be coming out, I would probably be twice as hyped.

[Jurassic Shark 12,079]

47 minutes ago, The Big Man said:

When I finally did see ROTJ, I was so surprised to see Ewoks in it, I thought it was an Ewok/SW crossover.

 

Isn't it?

[Thor 7,508]

I don't think I've experienced the kind of giddy expectation of my childhood in my adult years. Then again, who has?

 

However, in the last two decades there is no other new film I've been more excited about than PROMETHEUS. At that point, it had been 20 years since the last ALIEN film (10 if you count the AvP movies). And the ALIEN series remains the most important film series in my life. I obsess over it. Heck, I was even on national news to talk about my expectations just prior to the press screening.

 

The amazing thing is that it fulfilled my towering expectations. True, it was not the film I expected with Ridley Scott back at the helm. Not the lean, visceral horror film with the xeno in focus. But it was excellent in a different, more cerebral way. Philosophical in a different way than the original. And it has just grown further in my appreciation since.

 

Note to everyone else: Yes, I know 90% here hates the film, and will feel very tempted to post some smartalec bashing of it at this point. I don't need to hear it again. Thank you. Feel free to share your own 'positive expectation' story instead.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

27 minutes ago, Thor said:

However, in the last two decades there is no other new film I've been more excited about than PROMETHEUS. At that point, it had been 20 years since the last ALIEN film (10 if you count the AvP movies).

 

It had been 15 years between Alien Resurrection and Prometheus, and five years between AVPR and Prometheus.

[Nick1Ø66 4,718]

11 hours ago, SteveMc said:

Tell me about it, I have nostalgia for yesterday.

 

Me too. All my troubles seemed so far away.

[Thor 7,508]

2 hours ago, The Big Man said:

 

It had been 15 years between Alien Resurrection and Prometheus, and five years between AVPR and Prometheus.

 

Yes, sorry. My "year" mind was set on COVENANT, for some reason. I'm losing track on time in my old age.

[Jurassic Shark 12,079]

You're barely 70!

[LSH 969]

The last time I felt truly excited about a release was when I first saw the trailer for The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring in late 2001. Pretty sure it was attached to the first Harry Potter film. That trailer genuinely gave me goosebumps.

 

 

[Chen G. 3,949]

I didn't have any hype for The Force Awakens. I knew it was a thing, but having not seen any Star Wars film prior to that (I only have the vaguest memories of seeing The Phantom Menace when I was around ten years-old) I had no sense of what it was.

 

I did watch it however. It was (and remains) great fun. I was obviously intrigued enough to then see the previous entries.

[TSMefford 1,509]

13 hours ago, The Big Man said:

 

The trailers emphasised the awe these titans inspire. The movie does that too, but builds it around a 1990s Saturday morning cartoon plot, making it more of an adaptation of the 1994 Trendmasters Godzilla dolls.

 

Yeah. I was hoping the plot would follow that "awe" feel as well. But the awe falls flat when it's in between a dumb plot.

6 hours ago, Thor said:

The amazing thing is that it fulfilled my towering expectations.

 

I'm with you Thor. That said though, I had never seen an Alien film prior. So, this was my first experience with one. I still love the film. I think it's great.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Nehh fusspot.

[bored 309]

I was somewhat looking forward to The Force Awakens. I saw the movie and thought it was good, but not terribly interesting. 

 

No Man's Sky is the last video game / movie I'll ever get excited for. Such a shit release. I don't even enjoy the updates to it, gameplay's just too much of a slog. 

[A24 4,338]

Another movie that I expected a lot from was Blade Runner. It was going to be the successor of Ridley Scott who completely rocked my world with Alien which was one of the most beautiful sci-fi visions I've ever seen. I went to see it on day one together with two friends but somehow my expectations weren't entirely met. I thought it was good but it wasn't as great as Alien. That being said, having 'the wrong expectations' can actually be your worst enemy. Three days later, two of us went to see it again, and this time it even exceeded my initial expectations. My buddy, who was with me, experienced the same thing.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

I don't know why he saved my life. Maybe in those last moments he loved life more than he ever had before. Not just his life - anybody's life; my life. All he'd wanted were the same answers the rest of us want. Where did I come from? Where am I going? How long have I got? All I could do was sit there and watch him die.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

After FOUR consecutive failures I had/have no interest in any more SW films.

Same with SUPE .😞

 

Another movie that I expected a lot from was Blade Runner. It was going to be the successor of Ridley Scott who completely rocked my world with Alien which was one of the most beautiful sci-fi visions I've ever seen. I went to see it on day one together with two friends but somehow my expectations weren't entirely met. I thought it was good but it wasn't as great as Alien. That being said, having 'the wrong expectations' can actually be your worst enemy. ..

That was a HUGELY anticipated film. I remember seeng "

the one sheet with "music by Vangelis" and my heart started pumping.

I was at the peak of my Vangelis love..plus Ford, Scott, science fiction classic....

How could it not be great?

😞😒

 

 

The last film that really hit the anticipation/ disappointment button for me was FORD vs. FERRARI.

A great story turned into a cliched Hollywood underdog sports story.😞

[Jurassic Shark 12,079]

33 minutes ago, bruce marshall said:

The last film that really hit the anticipation/ disappointment button for me was FORD vs. FERRARI.

 

Yeah, Harrison Ford was nowhere to be seen!

[Naïve Old Fart 9,534]

I remember getting real hyped for TRON LEGACY.

Looking back, it's a decent flick, but it meant more to me when I was thirteen years old.

 

[bruce marshall 1,315]

Thirteen!

You call that " old"?

[Jurassic Shark 12,079]

Don't let him fool you. Richard is in his mid-60s.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

I was into my twenties when ROTJ came out. Which is why I'm so embarrassed by my fandom.

I mean...i was an athlete, I got LAID frevvinsakes.😗

I wasn't no nerdy, geeky, Gruesome!😄😅

[Naïve Old Fart 9,534]

1 hour ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Don't let him fool you. Richard is in his mid-60s.

 

Here's a special secret message, just for Jurassic Shark:

Spoiler

FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE!!!

 

[Jurassic Shark 12,079]

Reported!

[bruce marshall 1,315]

Isn't there something in the Protocols Of Jayzon prohibiting personal insults?😗

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Protocols, lulz

[A24 4,338]

10 hours ago, bruce marshall said:

 

That was a HUGELY anticipated film. 

 

 

You would think, right? But we sat in an almost empty theater on premiere night, people just weren't that interested.  

 

5 hours ago, bruce marshall said:

Isn't there something in the Protocols Of Jayzon prohibiting personal insults?😗

 

He makes exceptions for certain members.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

1 hour ago, AC1 said:

 

You would think, right? But we sat in an almost empty theater on premiere night, people just weren't that interested.  

 

 

He makes exceptions for certain members.

You mean the person who is on the receiving end😁