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2015/12/20 21:04:28
Subject: Re:Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
OK, I saw it this morning. I thought it was pretty good despite going in with low expectations. My main issues were the scope of it. It didnt have the feel that the good three had of going anywhere. The galaxy didnt seem as big. I have a few other issues and answers to some things.
Spoiler:
Hux- I thought he did a good job. I think the whole idea was to make him a Hitler analogue and he pulled that off well especially at the speech.
Kylo- Han should have yelled Jacen not Ben, would have made a lot more EU fans happy and wouldnt have really hurt anything. I really didnt like the characer or actor, but I really didnt like Anakin or Hayden Christiansen either for the exact same reasons. Actually Driver might have a little more acting skill than Hayden. It was the point I think to make him an annoying whiny character like younger Anakin since thats who he looked up to. Same pouting lips and goofy mop hair.
I liked Rey and Finn, I look forward to seeing them as leads in the future.
Issues -
-ok, there is a planet killing weapon, where the hell was the New Republic fleet or at least a sector fleet? Theres lots going on in the galaxy they have to keep tabs on but I think a solar system killing super weapon belonging to a known hostile government might necessitate keeping at least a minor fleet on the border to keep watch.
-There was no time delay. How the heck did they fly around the galaxy like it was nothing? their lightspeed was super fast and they got from a to b in minutes instead of days.
-You are attacking a base, wouldnt you bring some actual, you know, bombers, Y and B wings maybe, while the air superiority fighters X and A wings flew cover?
-I am curious who Rey's mother is. Is it possible we might see Mara Jade after all?
If you dont short hand your list, Im not reading it.
Example: Assault Intercessors- x5 -Thunder hammer and plasma pistol on sgt.
or Assault Terminators 3xTH/SS, 2xLCs
For the love of God, GW, get rid of reroll mechanics. ALL OF THEM!
2015/12/20 21:04:30
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
chaos0xomega wrote: really?? thats sad :( Ive seen every star wars film more times than I can count and I enjoyed them all more and more with each viewing.
But the question to ask is why did it get worse. Is it because they notice plot holes, or because the surprises and shocking moments are already known? etc.
The Laws of Thermodynamics:
1) You cannot win. 2) You cannot break even. 3) You cannot stop playing the game.
Colonel Flagg wrote:You think you're real smart. But you're not smart; you're dumb. Very dumb. But you've met your match in me.
2015/12/20 21:10:36
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
chaos0xomega wrote: really?? thats sad :( Ive seen every star wars film more times than I can count and I enjoyed them all more and more with each viewing.
But the question to ask is why did it get worse. Is it because they notice plot holes, or because the surprises and shocking moments are already known? etc.
I asked, they said the initial wow factor had gone down so they viewed the movie being able to take more of it in etc. Without the wow first time view in the way they could see it more "critically" as they put it.
We didn't go into much detail but they still love it, however if you didn't like it first try then it's likely you will like it less based on that anecdote.
2015/12/20 21:15:12
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
Well, I would think ive already analyzed the film as critically as critical can be lol. I guess well see what happens.
It sounds similar to what happened with the prequels tbh. I remember everyone loving the films when they first released and then within a week or two that began to unravel as more people began to pick them apart.
CoALabaer wrote: Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
2015/12/20 21:20:38
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
chaos0xomega wrote: Well, I would think ive already analyzed the film as critically as critical can be lol. I guess well see what happens.
It sounds similar to what happened with the prequels tbh. I remember everyone loving the films when they first released and then within a week or two that began to unravel as more people began to pick them apart.
With episode 2 and 3, yes. I remember people literally storming out of the cinema in anger and booing at the screen when Jar Jar "I'm a terrible script writer" Binks appeared.
chaos0xomega wrote: Well, I would think ive already analyzed the film as critically as critical can be lol. I guess well see what happens.
It sounds similar to what happened with the prequels tbh. I remember everyone loving the films when they first released and then within a week or two that began to unravel as more people began to pick them apart.
With episode 2 and 3, yes. I remember people literally storming out of the cinema in anger and booing at the screen when Jar Jar "I'm a terrible script writer" Binks appeared.
Hell, I'm surprised they waited that long when the opening crawl was so exciting and dramatic
Spoiler:
"Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. The taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems is in dispute. Hoping to resolve the matter with a blockade of deadly battleships, the greedy Trade Federation has stopped all shipping to the small planet of Naboo. While the Congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict...."
I mean lets just compare that to the original Star Wars
Spoiler:
"It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire. During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR, an armored space station with enough power to destroy an entire planet. Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess Leia races home aboard her starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save her people and restore freedom to the galaxy...."
Disputes over trade route taxation vs Civil war against an evil empire. The blocking of trade to one small planet vs space station capable of destroying a planet. Two jedi sent to settle a trade dispute vs a princess fleeing from sinister agents in order to save the galaxy. One of those opening crawls suggests you're going to be watching an exciting, fun adventure. I'm sure we can all agree on which one that is
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2015/12/20 21:37:23
The Laws of Thermodynamics:
1) You cannot win. 2) You cannot break even. 3) You cannot stop playing the game.
Colonel Flagg wrote:You think you're real smart. But you're not smart; you're dumb. Very dumb. But you've met your match in me.
2015/12/20 21:51:11
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
Gosh, that movie was just all over the place. On the one hand, Lucas wanted to give it some serious background, but on the other hand, he poops comic relief all over it, starting with clunkily moving droids and....Jar Jar Stinks. And suddenly, Midichlorians. Out of nowhere. And...pod-racing? Just...what the heck?
Sigvatr wrote: Gosh, that movie was just all over the place. On the one hand, Lucas wanted to give it some serious background, but on the other hand, he poops comic relief all over it, starting with clunkily moving droids and....Jar Jar Stinks. And suddenly, Midichlorians. Out of nowhere. And...pod-racing? Just...what the heck?
Don't you remember Lucas's own reaction when he watched Episode I...after watching the final cut, and seeing the look of concern on mccallums face.. he said to everyone there."Maybe I tried to do too much".
And of course he was correct.
Anyway...Saw TFA twice...I liked it the first time, and the 2nd time I liked it even more.
Oh yes I had minor gripes...but this was the film we should have had 16 years ago, instead of the phantom messness.
GG
2015/12/20 22:41:00
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
Hux- I thought he did a good job. I think the whole idea was to make him a Hitler analogue and he pulled that off well especially at the speech.
Kylo- Han should have yelled Jacen not Ben, would have made a lot more EU fans happy and wouldnt have really hurt anything. I really didnt like the characer or actor, but I really didnt like Anakin or Hayden Christiansen either for the exact same reasons. Actually Driver might have a little more acting skill than Hayden. It was the point I think to make him an annoying whiny character like younger Anakin since thats who he looked up to. Same pouting lips and goofy mop hair.
I liked Rey and Finn, I look forward to seeing them as leads in the future.
Spoiler:
Agreed that the Hitleresque speech was spot on. The First Order is supposedly Empire diehards that just can't accept being defeated, no wonder they get more absurd with the rhetoric than they used to be.
Kylo - him removing the mask does make him more human. My take on his character is not as much whiny as just an insecure youngster given too much responsibility and too little support. He's got Jedi training, but after falling to the Dark side he's not received much training at all and he's afraid that he'll "fall back" to the Light if he uses the previous skills he had. Then he'd have to admit exactly what he's done. And he's not really a "typical" darksider as in dangerously unstable - anger, rage, hatred, Kylo just doesn't seem to have very much of these things to fuel him except for destroying the furniture when he gets upset. One part of Anakin he does emulate perfectly is impulsiveness and overconfidence in the worst possible places. Finn almost gives him trouble with a lightsaber thanks to stormtrooper melee training, and Kylo doesn't take that as a lesson. A girl picks up the lightsaber next, a girl he knows has Force powers, and stil Kylo (who is already severely wounded mind you) postures and makes one-handed flourishes with his own weapon as if he didn't see any possibility that a girl could be a threat at all.
Certainly nothing wrong with the casting, people did fit their roles. Someone complained Finn was a bit stiff but hey, he's a freshly ran-away stormtrooper! What sort of personality would he actually have in a society/role where he can't even remove his helmet without permission?
2015/12/20 23:25:57
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
chaos0xomega wrote: Re: Republic v First Order, the Republic defeated the Empire at the Battle of Jakku, devestating their remaining military capability and forcing the Empire to sue for peace. The Republic controls most of the Galactic interior, while the Imperial Remnant held on to the Outer Rim, in other words the Republic is the predominant faction within the galaxy. Some of the former Rebellions members chose to continue fighting and formed the Resistance. Its not made clear yet, bit its believed the First Order is a splinter group of the remnant who may or may not have taken control of the remaining Imperial possessions in order to oppose the Republic.
Hmmm...really, what bothered me in the movie that whole 'Resistance' thing was never explained. Why would there be need for 'resistance movement' if there already is a Republic? Isn't the First Order then 'resistance' movement? Above makes it all clear, but it wasn't explained at all.
Anyone who says TFA felt like Star Wars, IMO, doesnt actually understand Star Wars. First, Star Wars is a series of ADVENTURE films. This was an ACTION film (if you dont know the difference read up on it).
Second, Star Wars is an homage to the scifi pulp serials of the 20s and 30s and the Golden Age of the 40s and 50s. This film has none of the elements of those pulp serials, not the plot structure, nor the acting style, or the visual style, etc. This film was basically just generic modern scifi (so much so that it would have passed for a new Star Trek or Guardians of the Galaxy film if you swapped out the characters).
The thing lots of people dont understand is that Star Wars isnt scifi. Its Space Opera, basically its Dungeons and Dragons or Lord of the Rings in space.There is a huge difference between them, and treating it as scifi changes it entirely from what it should be.
Third, Star Wars is built around the concept of Joseph Campbells character archetypes and the story of the Hero with a Thousand Faces, etc. None of the characters in this story fit those archetypes, nor does the story resemble that of the archetypal story of the Hero with a Thousand Faces.
I've never watched any of the 1920's to '50s pulp fictions so none of the above makes any sense to me. Are you saying one has to be intimately familiar with that genre to understand Star Wars? I don't care what character archetypes existed in some movie genre 60 years ago and I don't understand why Star Wars should conform to those archetypes. There are plenty of literary archetypes to rip off...I mean, pay tribute to.
Story arc of original trilogy was a variation of "student avenging his master" storyline popular in martial arts movies etc. In the first act student is introduced to the Way, but his master is killed. In second, he becomes more capable but can't quite challenge his arch-enemy yet, he has to learn some final secret. In the third, he becomes the master himself.
TFA seems like a variation of other Kung Fu trope, "Rival students". There we have two students who become enemies, gradually becoming more powerful and exchanging tit-for-tat until the last, final confrontation. I don't know if that's gonna be the case as we've seen only first act so far, but it seems to fit to characters and if so, it works just as well in Star Wars as the "Avenge the Master" -cliche.
Fourth, there are a few "rules" to Star Wars films. First - no Mcguffins. This film had a hugely obvious one - Luke Skywalker was basically the crystal skull from Indiana Jones. Second - There are no coincidences, everything happens for a reason (literally stated at least once in previous films). This entire film relies on coincidences to work - Rey and Finn blast off in the Falcon and Han is coincidentally in the same system to find them, for example. Third - there is no Deus Ex Machina is Star Wars, this kind of goes hand in hand with the coincidences, and in this case its quite literal - R2D2 (a literal machine) suddenly and mysteriously wakes up after years of inactivity to coincidentally provide BB-8 with the missing piece to the puzzle of where to find Luke.
Uh, where does it say that Star Wars shouldn't have 'McGuffins'? Very first movie obviously had one - Death Star plans. George Lucas himself said that MacGuffins are important and he used them! Prequel trilogies had no McGuffins as such (unless Anakin himself counts) but that's because they were a horrible mess so it doesn't matter what they had or didn't have.
Han finding Falcon might seem like coincidence, however Han himself said that he didn't find his ship by coincidence. I presume he was looking for it and by dialogue he had an idea where to look. And R2D2 undoubtely just reacted to the events around him. Sure, there were some fortuous coincidences in the movie. However, ALL of the predecing Star Wars movies had them so it's hardly anything new.
And the problem with the prequels wasnt that they didnt feel like Star Wars or that they were bad stories, the problem with them were they were objectively terrible films - the pacing was wrong (just as it was through much of TFA, TFA didnt give the film enough room to breathe, the prequels generally gave the films TOO much room to breathe which made it drag and feel boring), acting was off, too many scenes dedicated to world building, not enough to plot/character development or exposition, etc. But if you read the novizations, you will see that the story itself is actually quite good just presented poorly.
This is why some people like the prequels, while we recognize that they were honest-to-god bad films, they were still good stories that actually felt like Star Wars.
None of the prequels were good stories by themselves:
-Episode 1 was awful mess of a story which made no sense and characters which almost without exception were terrible. I admit, however, that visually it had great Star Wars feel, perhaps even second best after ANH.
-Episode 2 was a platform computer game with 5-6 subgames and some exposition dialogue scenes in-between. Seriously it didn't even feel like a movie, much less Star Wars movie. Low point of the franchise in every respect.
-Episode 3 at least was a God honest attempt to show the fall of the Republic. However like the previous films, the script felt like a draft, likely because it was a draft, and directing was non-existing.
-major problem of all these movies was that the Jedi were shown as lightsaber-wielding action machines. It was not what original trilogy led us believe the Jedi were all about. Light saber was just an auxiliary weapon for the Jedi, like baton and pistol to a cop, not soul of a Samurai. Yoda never even taught Luke lightsaber!
I guess one could argue that overall story arc wasn't bad, and who knows maybe it wasn't, but I didn't read any of the EU material. However, these movies lacked the dynamic humour and interaction, powerfully set up scenes and well defined characters we saw in original trilogy.
So I argue that TFA was much closer to the originals in both feel and directing than the prequels. Sure it was in many ways modernized and at the times it felt like they were trying too much to be cute and modern. I definitely also agree that they packed too much to the movie, and recycled Episode IV elements too much. Whole 'Starkiller' angle was unnecessary and just cluttered the movie and made it seem like a remake, rather than sequel. At times I got strong vibes from Star Trek remakes - like inability to grasp galactic distances shown in the planet killing scene. However Star Trek remakes did not at all feel like Star Trek, so in this sense TFA was more honest to the original.
Mr Vetock, give back my Multi-tracker!
2015/12/20 23:39:41
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
I've reported those of you who skipped spoiler tags. Some of us were coming for reviews. I hope every one of you in here who spoiled that MAJOR point are banned permanently from here. You don't deserve access to a keyboard.
Reality is a nice place to visit, but I'd hate to live there.
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Due to work, I can usually only ship any sales or trades out on Saturday morning. Please trade/purchase with this in mind.
2015/12/20 23:44:30
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
timetowaste85 wrote: I've reported those of you who skipped spoiler tags. Some of us were coming for reviews. I hope every one of you in here who spoiled that MAJOR point are banned permanently from here. You don't deserve access to a keyboard.
FULL OF SPOILERS BEWARE!
Looks like you walked into a trap willingly and things didn't go as planned. They did go as expected though...
I have read... I think, that spoilers do not ruin peoples enjoyment of a movie. I know for me, it doesn't in anyway (unless the spoilers show how bad it is). So if you were going to like it you still will regardless of spoilers.
2015/12/20 23:50:15
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
timetowaste85 wrote: I've reported those of you who skipped spoiler tags. Some of us were coming for reviews. I hope every one of you in here who spoiled that MAJOR point are banned permanently from here. You don't deserve access to a keyboard.
This is not a professional review site. Expecting people to remember to follow that etiquette whilst at the same time being so excited to discuss their enjoyment (or lack) of the film was always hopeful.
If you wanted reviews, you would have been better off going to find reviews on websites dedicated to that purpose, not here.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/12/21 00:17:51
The Laws of Thermodynamics:
1) You cannot win. 2) You cannot break even. 3) You cannot stop playing the game.
Colonel Flagg wrote:You think you're real smart. But you're not smart; you're dumb. Very dumb. But you've met your match in me.
2015/12/21 00:12:30
Subject: Re:Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
timetowaste85 wrote: I've reported those of you who skipped spoiler tags. Some of us were coming for reviews. I hope every one of you in here who spoiled that MAJOR point are banned permanently from here. You don't deserve access to a keyboard.
I haven't seen anyone purposefully spoiling stuff and with all due respect, but if someone goes into a thread that LITERALLY SAYS "lots of SPOILERS in here" and is shocked when people accidentally spoil stuff, then...I'd halt for a second and reconsider said person's actions. Everyone in here has been really careful with spoilers.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/12/21 00:16:00
Relapse wrote: This has probably already been said somewhere, but I have a couple questions.
Spoiler:
how does someone trained from birth to be a storm trooper get their butt whipped in a market place by a teenager?
How does a trained Sith get his butt whipped by someone who never held a light saber before?
Spoiler:
Stormtrooper training may not cover hand to hand at much more than a very basic level, unless you are going to specialise in a close quarters assault role, maybe? Alternatively, Rey has had to look after herself since she was very small in a very hostile environment and thus has developed excellent hand to hand techniques.
A Sith-in-training who had an injured shoulder (from Finn) and side (from a bowcaster bolt, which had been shown to be able to blast people off their feet) was able to be beaten by someone who, despite not having wielded a lightsaber, had demonstrated very good melee skills previously. Parrying with a staff and a lightsaber is similar enough that she wouldn't be at too much of a disadvantage there so that just leaves her offensive abilities, which I imagine can be explained by her being able to intuitively adapt her staff skills into lightsaber combat, helped in part due to her force sensitivity.
When you look at it in a bit more context than just "Sith vs average human" it doesn't seem so unreasonable that Rey could beat him.
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2015/12/21 00:22:03
The Laws of Thermodynamics:
1) You cannot win. 2) You cannot break even. 3) You cannot stop playing the game.
Colonel Flagg wrote:You think you're real smart. But you're not smart; you're dumb. Very dumb. But you've met your match in me.
2015/12/21 00:23:48
Subject: Re:Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
I fething hated it, and I'm really surprised at how many people are okay with how much like A New Hope it is.
Spoiler:
It's practically a carbon copy of the original film, and it astounds me that people can recognize it for that and still think it's good. Why would you not want something different? If all you're content with is a remake, why not just watch the original? If THIS is considered good, it's almost hypocritical to hate on the prequel films. At least THOSE tried to do something different. Sequels should break new ground and do something new with its characters and setting, but Force Awakens doesn't do that at all. It's just a carbon copy of A New Hope with modern special effects. It's completely and totally lacking in creativity, and while it's easy to say 'well nothing is original anymore' there is a fine line between doing your own take on an existing idea and just remaking something. The Force Awakens is squarely the latter, and is hugely disappointing because of it.
2015/12/21 00:25:04
Subject: Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
Rey isn't a Sith, he's a dark side-aligned fighter with a lightsaber. Sith are highly efficient, expertly trained experts that are far superior to any lower being - and the lack of said skill is more than clearly portrayed in the movie. Whether that's because of intent or bad writing is up to debate, but ultimatively, nets the same result: he's not a Sith.
Relapse wrote: This has probably already been said somewhere, but I have a couple questions.
To offer a different perspective from the "horrible writing" and "Mary Sue" explanations:
Spoiler:
how does someone trained from birth to be a storm trooper get their butt whipped in a market place by a teenager?
Spoiler:
Okay, that one may just be your standard "Storm Troopers are good at what they do when needed and bad at what they do when needed" Star Wars trope
Spoiler:
How does a trained Sith get his butt whipped by someone who never held a light saber before?
Spoiler:
1) I think it's pretty clear that he is not a fully trained Sith yet. Snoke mentions multiple times that his training is not finished and that it needs to be completed.
Personal Theory: Darth Plagueis learned his lesson and is very slow at training his latest apprentice and making sure that he keeps his abilities and power at the minimum and utilizing Six Sigma "Just-In-Time" training to only teach him something whenever he actually needs it to remain useful.
2) I don't think it is the first time she held a light saber.
Personal Theory: She was trained by Luke in the past when she was very young and before she was removed. When she was removed and abandoned on the planet her memories were blocked and she couldn't remember any of her previous life and training. From the way she talked about Jedi I don't think she would have known about the Jedi Mind Trick by herself, but after she touched Luke's light saber the residual force unlocked her blocked memories. That's why we see her flashbacks of events that she has witnessed in the past, and at that point her previous training is coming back to her. Kylo Ren does act like he knows more about her than he is willing to share when talking to Snoke.
2015/12/21 00:26:37
Subject: Re:Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
creeping-deth87 wrote: I fething hated it, and I'm really surprised at how many people are okay with how much like A New Hope it is.
Spoiler:
It's practically a carbon copy of the original film, and it astounds me that people can recognize it for that and still think it's good. Why would you not want something different? If all you're content with is a remake, why not just watch the original? If THIS is considered good, it's almost hypocritical to hate on the prequel films. At least THOSE tried to do something different. Sequels should break new ground and do something new with its characters and setting, but Force Awakens doesn't do that at all. It's just a carbon copy of A New Hope with modern special effects. It's completely and totally lacking in creativity, and while it's easy to say 'well nothing is original anymore' there is a fine line between doing your own take on an existing idea and just remaking something. The Force Awakens is squarely the latter, and is hugely disappointing because of it.
To me, TFA is the other end of the spectrum compared to the Prequels. Prequels are new and interesting just boring. TFA is no new or interesting but wasn't boring. Both are bad in their own ways.
I don't understand why people love it so much either.
2015/12/21 00:30:20
Subject: Re:Star Wars The Force Awakens -- full of spoilers so beware !
creeping-deth87 wrote: I fething hated it, and I'm really surprised at how many people are okay with how much like A New Hope it is.
It's a cash-in, everyone agrees on it. It's re-imagination of the original Star Wars movie and not a continuation, but that doesn't make the movie itself "bad". Yes, it almost is the same movie with a bit new stuff, like more flashy combat, politcally correct actor and extra fan service on top, but it's not a bad movie per se. It's an action movie that would be forgettable if it wasn't for Star Wars in the title. Not "bad" as I certainly wouldn't say that the first Star Wars movie was bad
I'll stay with my 7/10 verdict. Bland, uninspired but overall enjoyable and fun.
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2015/12/21 00:32:39
1) I think it's pretty clear that he is not a fully trained Sith yet. Snoke mentions multiple times that his training is not finished and that it needs to be completed.
Personal Theory: Darth Plagueis learned his lesson and is very slow at training his latest apprentice and making sure that he keeps his abilities and power at the minimum and utilizing Six Sigma "Just-In-Time" training to only teach him something whenever he actually needs it to remain useful.
2) I don't think it is the first time she held a light saber.
Personal Theory: She was trained by Luke in the past when she was very young and before she was removed. When she was removed and abandoned on the planet her memories were blocked and she couldn't remember any of her previous life and training. From the way she talked about Jedi I don't think she would have known about the Jedi Mind Trick by herself, but after she touched Luke's light saber the residual force unlocked her blocked memories. That's why we see her flashbacks of events that she has witnessed in the past, and at that point her previous training is coming back to her. Kylo Ren does act like he knows more about her than he is willing to share when talking to Snoke.
Spoiler:
1) He's an apprentice nearly thirty years of age, meaning his training has been going on for some time. The guy can catch blaster bolts and mind probe people- he's clearly no scrub. Yes his training was incomplete but the exact same is true of Obi-Wan and Maul in Ep1. Incomplete does not mean untrained. If he started at 25 years old he'd still have 5 years on her, when in actuality he likely started before he was 10.
2) There is absolutely nothing to support this. She's abandoned at the age of 5 and has been on Jakku ever since. IF she did come into contact with a light saber is was over a decade ago and it was for a very, very limited window of time. Her flashbacks are just that- visions from the force. As Yoda says, sometimes the past, sometimes the future. There's no reason to believe these force visions are personal memories that were locked inside a five year old.
40IK - PP Conversion Project Files
