Star Wars: The Force Awakens props, costumes and models

New "Flame Trooper" as seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens or Episode 7

    

     Most who read this blog might think me only a fan of Star Trek. Not true, I am also a fan of Star Wars (Though the prequels obliterated any interest I had in Star Wars) and iO9 recently released pictures of some of the props, models and costumes on display at the Star Wars celebration. I wanted to take a moment to comment on some of what is on display.

http://io9.com/star-wars-costumes-and-props-reveal-new-characters-for-1698341539

Millennium Falcon:

Model of Millennium Falcon as seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Probably my favorite ship from Star Wars as a child, these days I'm not as excited about it as I once was. That said, I am glad to see it again on screen and with a new (Square) Radar dish! Which is apparently a stock Correllian unit whereas the original was a custom military grade if we're to believe "Incredible cross-sections of Star Wars: The ultimate guide to Star Wars vehicles and spacecraft". Beyond the nostalgia associated with it and it's inclusion in the new Star Wars films and it's minor alterations, there's really nothing new to write home about with this one.

New X-wing fighter or T-70 fighter:

New X-wing fighter or T-70 as seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Ah yes, now we get to the new meat-on-the-bone. A new ship for a new era, hearkening back to the classic X-wing fighter, the T-70 puts a new-old spin on the craft by taking a cue from artist Ralph McQuarrie's original concept art for the X-wing. Note the larger engine intakes which split at the center line.  Also note the shorter, sleeker fuselage. The only thing I don't care for is how the wings split. I would have also thought that technology would have advanced considerably following the disbanding of the Empire. I guess in the Star Wars universe the tech only advances as much as plot requires. In other words, not very much.

Flame Trooper:

Flame Trooper helmet

 My second new favorite thing from Episode 7, the Flame Trooper Helmet. I'm one of the few people who never "got" the love of the vac-u-formed Storm Trooper armor. I just found it looking cheesy. Now however, this new Flame Trooper armor and it's Storm Trooper equivalent have me desiring my own helmet for the first time. If anyone out there has or have access to the original molds, I'd love a copy of either. You know, just for wearing around the house! Thing is, it looks rather difficult to see out of without the aid of some kind of computer imaging.

Finn's shoes:

I want a pair! They look like 80's Earth standard. Tennis shoes... in Star Wars. Too cool.

I love the implication that these models make, specifically that the new movie is using physical modeling for it's effects! Unless these were made for J.J. Abrams personal use. ;) Or publicity purposes, which is certainly possible; they did the same thing for Star Trek 2009. I must say I hope they were used to make the film. Physical model making is a dying art, assuming these weren't "grown" (Though even that requires art and skill).

Random thoughts...

-Spaced out blogger