# Mr. Plinkett's Force Awakens review **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 2, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538 "2016-10-02T22:46:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/1 "2016-10-02T22:46:40Z")
I didn’t think Mike Stoklasa would bother reviewing Force Awakens in his Plinkett character, but he apparently has. He liked the Force Awakens a lot, so I assume this review will be quite different. [Here is their initial review/discussion of the Force Awakens if you are curious.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvsiJppCdmk) [Here is the new Plinkett review, which I will watch over a few days.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miVRaoR_8xQ&feature=em-u) ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/2 "2016-10-02T22:50:54Z")
He shouldn’t have bothered, that was not very good. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/3 "2016-10-03T00:16:45Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > He shouldn’t have bothered, that was not very good. Wow, you’re quick. He only uploaded it 3 hours ago and you watched it? ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/4 "2016-10-03T01:45:53Z")
It was as much about the current state of Star Wars as it was about the Force Awakens. I didn’t agree with everything but he made some interesting points. For example, the lack of Romance in TFA was one of those things that I noticed without being able to put my finger on what was wrong until he pointed it out. I also agree with his dread about the future where there is a Star Wars movie every year forever. ---
**Author:** ![Lobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobot)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/5 "2016-10-03T07:17:11Z")
About the only thing worthwhile in the video was the critique of ring theory. I have no problem with people enjoying the prequels, but ring theory is a complete wank, and it turns otherwise normal people into smug arseholes. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/6 "2016-10-03T08:18:44Z")
I was told there would be no math. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/7 "2016-10-03T12:04:14Z")
> [@Lobot](#): > > About the only thing worthwhile in the video was the critique of ring theory. I have no problem with people enjoying the prequels, but ring theory is a complete wank, and it turns otherwise normal people into smug arseholes. I don’t follow Star Wars reviews, but is this ring theory even something that more than two people cared about? Seemed like a weird thing to spend 30 minutes on. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/8 "2016-10-03T13:34:05Z")
I think it was meant to be a refutation of the spate of “The Prequels are actually really good guys articles”. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/9 "2016-10-03T16:02:51Z")
What’s a Mr. Plinkett? ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/10 "2016-10-03T19:17:43Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > It was as much about the current state of Star Wars as it was about the Force Awakens. I didn’t agree with everything but he made some interesting points. For example, the lack of Romance in TFA was one of those things that I noticed without being able to put my finger on what was wrong until he pointed it out. > > I also agree with his dread about the future where there is a Star Wars movie every year forever. I think lack of romance would have been ok if they had decided not to have any at all. But Finn’s “cute boyfriend” and Han’s “a woman always learns the truth” comments felt like they were trying to force romance where there was no chemistry. I also agree about there being a bit too much comedy and slapstickery. Finn felt a bit goofy for a former Stormtrooper. Poe’s lines also felt cheesy. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/11 "2016-10-03T19:22:27Z")
> [@Daddypants](#): > > What’s a Mr. Plinkett? A character created at [http://redlettermedia.com/](http://redlettermedia.com/) who reviewed the Star Wars prequels. Some of the character stuff he does is a little too stupid but he’s got a great eye for what didn’t work and why. ---
**Author:** ![Lobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobot)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/12 "2016-10-03T20:09:11Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > I don’t follow Star Wars reviews, but is this ring theory even something that more than two people cared about? Seemed like a weird thing to spend 30 minutes on. In the fan community, it’s held to dearly by prequel apologists. Basically, if you don’t like the prequels, it’s because you’re an anti-intellectual recalcitrant. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/13 "2016-10-03T20:28:16Z")
Okay, I can find “ring theory” in wikipedia, as a mathematical theory that I can’t follow. What is its application to _Star Wars_? I’m at work, and can’t listen to the video. ---
**Author:** ![Lobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobot)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/14 "2016-10-03T20:45:38Z")
“Ring theory” is a very, very long-winded series of webpages by a self-described “Star Wars scholar” who holds that the prequels play like an inversion of the original trilogy. Episode I mirrors Episode VI, II mirrors V and III mirrors IV. Some of his observations are kind of fun, but mostly it’s an exercise in confirmation bias, and despite his claims of “hidden artistry”, it doesn’t actually make them better films. Here’s the link: [http://www.starwarsringtheory.com/](http://www.starwarsringtheory.com/) ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/15 "2016-10-03T21:00:11Z")
Thanks. Looks like a lot of reading. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/16 "2016-10-03T21:09:57Z")
> [@Lobot](#): > > “Ring theory” is a very, very long-winded series of webpages by a self-described “Star Wars scholar” who holds that the prequels play like an inversion of the original trilogy. Episode I mirrors Episode VI, II mirrors V and III mirrors IV. > > Some of his observations are kind of fun, but mostly it’s an exercise in confirmation bias, and despite his claims of “hidden artistry”, it doesn’t actually make them better films. > > Here’s the link: [http://www.starwarsringtheory.com/](http://www.starwarsringtheory.com/) actually this was being discussed as I left the theatre when I seen ep1 on opening night The fact that ep1 had the same tone as ep 4… But they chalked it up to Lucas’s writing and directing I say they should of got larry kasadan for the screen play and the guy who did empire to direct… ---
**Author:** ![Lobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobot)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/17 "2016-10-03T21:26:51Z")
In fairness, Lucas approached Kasdan to write and Zemeckis to direct (and Ron Howard, too). But note that ring theory says that The Phantom Menace is an echoing of Return of the Jedi, not Episode IV… ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/18 "2016-10-04T01:14:26Z")
As someone who likes the prequels, I find there to be no credence to the ring theory (Plinkett’s vid last night the first time I heard about it). It’s cherry picking and being VERY generous to Lucas’s attention to detail. I think it wasn’t deliberate parallels but repeating himself because he had very little new to say in an eloquent way. I do think the prequels are better than most people give them credit for, but not for ring-theory reasons. I mean, they’re not GREAT, but they’re enjoyable popcorn movies with laser weapons and shit blowing up. I did like JJ and George visiting the narrator in the video. I liked the video overall and laughed quite a lot. I too am worried about the future of it being too Disneyfied without a strong, single, competent artist to lead the series, but it’s off to a good start so it’s not panic mode. Just a wary eye in Disney’s direction. ---
**Author:** ![Lobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobot)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/19 "2016-10-04T03:33:13Z")
I think that the team in charge (i.e. Kasdan, Kennedy, the Lucasfilm Story Group, etc.) have a good handle on things, and many of them were friends, collaborators and proteges of Lucas over the years. I like to think that his good ideas now have a chance to be even better due to each creative voice being more actively challenged internally. And FWIW, I like parts of the prequels, but I feel that Lucas’ limitations are totally exposed, and they never reach the level of the original films. The best of the prequels (Sith) comes the closest to rivalling the worst of the original trilogy (Jedi), and that’s as close as they get. The Force Awakens, OTOH, is the best Star Wars film since The Empire Strikes Back. I’d say the prequels range from 2.5-4 stars while the original trilogy is closer to 3.5-5 stars. No amount of ring theory will close that gap. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538/20 "2016-10-04T11:10:34Z")
Their complaint about the dialogue being too quipy and jokey could be made about almost all media today. That is how characters all talk now (my “Joss Whedon inadvertently ruined dialogue” thesis). Also I should have mentioned in my first post, their comments about diversity being dumb corporate nonsense are just completely wrong. It matters a lot when people can see characters like themselves in the media they love. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-plinketts-force-awakens-review/767538.md?page=2)