The Force Awakens John Boyega as Finn

[Blade X]

Those of you who think The Finn noise is an overreaction are too busy gloating on Mary Sue Rey to care that someone so talented as John is underutilized as mere comic relief.

I think that some (NOT ALL) of them MIGHT just be happy that the Black guy isn't the sole lead and a Force user. Which, if true, is even sadder then Finn's alleged (I say "alleged" because I haven't seen the movie yet) portrayal in this film.

 

[Brother Jack]

Damn, that sucks. Funny how Lucas got a lot of crap for Jar Jar (who some even called a racist caricature), but Abrams gets a pass for making Finn into the stereotypical useless comedic Black guy. Now granted, I haven't seen this movie yet in order to judge for myself if this is indeed the case, but based on the spoilers that I have read this does seem to be the case, which I find very disappointing.

I have seen the movie and that is not the case.

 

[Blade X]

I wonder what the odds are of him [BLACKOUT]coming back paralyzed. That was a pretty nasty strike that Kylo delivered to finish him off - straight up the middle of his back. If not that severe, I'd be genuinely surprised if he didn't sustain some serious permanent damage from that encounter.[/BLACKOUT]

Please tell me that this wasn't one of those cliche Hollywood story elements where the Black guy takes a hit to save the white heroes.

So, what is everyone expecting to see from Finn in the next couple outings?

What do you want to see happen to/with him?

Either as a Force user or a bionic super soldier with some unique cool weapons.

 

[Visualiza]

Please tell me that this wasn't one of those cliche Hollywood story elements where the Black guy takes a hit to save the white heroes.

Please watch the movie so you can understand these things in context. Right now, you seem to be looking at everything you read and hear through a filter of racial bias, for whatever reason. To a degree, I get it; I can sympathize with your fears and concerns, but make no mistake about it - Finn isn't reduced to some sort of stereotype in this movie, and neither is Rey. Abrams actually did a pretty damn good job in that respect, for both characters. I will tell you that he's not Rambo, nor was he ever meant to be, but what he is, is a very well-realized character with plenty of layers that were explored in this film, with so much left wide open for the sequels to expand upon as well. Yes, Rey is [BLACKOUT]the force-sensitive, future savior[/BLACKOUT] of the franchise, but I'd argue that Finn far and away received more character development and depth than she did, as right now they're playing the mystery card with her.

Either as a Force user or a bionic super soldier with some unique cool weapons.

With the current trajectory both characters seem to be taking, I'll tell you right now that this doesn't seem likely to happen. Either way, it shouldn't stop him from being an excellent, well-loved character. Didn't seem to damage Han's status amongst fans.

 

[danoyse]

Now granted, I haven't seen this movie yet

Please do that before making assumptions.

 

[Blade X]

Please watch the movie so you can understand these things in context. Right now, you seem to be looking at everything you read and hear through a filter of racial bias, for whatever reason. To a degree, I get it; I can sympathize with your fears and concerns, but make no mistake about it - Finn isn't reduced to some sort of stereotype in this movie, and neither is Rey. Abrams actually did a pretty damn good job in that respect, for both characters. I will tell you that he's not Rambo, nor was he ever meant to be, but what he is, is a very well-realized character with plenty of layers that were explored in this film, with so much left wide open for the sequels to expand upon as well. Yes, Rey is [BLACKOUT]the force-sensitive, future savior[/BLACKOUT] of the franchise, but I'd argue that Finn far and away received more character development and depth than she did, as right now they're playing the mystery card with her.

While I'm all fine with character development, I also want Black heroic characters to be very useful and effective in a fight and/or have cool powers and/or special weapons. Frankly, I was hoping for all three of the lead characters to have Force powers (which might still turn out to be the case in the next 2 movies).

With the current trajectory both characters seem to be taking, I'll tell you right now that this doesn't seem likely to happen. Either way, it shouldn't stop him from being an excellent, well-loved character. Didn't seem to damage Han's status amongst fans.

Here's the thing, while I liked Han (I liked his attitude/personality, which I found to be very funny), I always preferred Luke to Han because Luke had Force powers and a cool Light Saber. Based on what you have said, Finn is basically the Han Solo of this new trilogy, which I'm all fine with as long as he is useful in a fight and/or have a cool weapon or Force powers. Based on what happened to him in this movie, it might be possible that he might receive some bionics, which I would be fine with.

 

[Blade X]

Please do that before making assumptions.

Oh I intend to see this movie. And again, my "assumptions" are based on spoiler that I read from people who claim to have seen this movie. Feel free to spoil me on all of the cool useful things that Finn has done in this movie while in a battle.

 

[Octoberist]

It doesn't mean he won't have Force powers, but it's nice to have folks who aren't Force Senstiives.

 

[Lencho01]

I liked him. My only complaint is that due to the fast pace of the film, he's defection felt like there was stuff missing.

I loved how much he reminded me of the different personalities you'd see in fan films or Robot Chicken of the troopers.

 

[TheVileOne]

It's pretty obvious that Finn is not a Force user. He just doesn't have enough midi-chlorians.

 

[Gianakin_]

Damn, that sucks. Funny how Lucas got a lot of crap for Jar Jar (who some even called a racist caricature), but Abrams gets a pass for making Finn into the stereotypical useless comedic Black guy. Now granted, I haven't seen this movie yet in order to judge for myself if this is indeed the case, but based on the spoilers that I have read this does seem to be the case, which I find very disappointing.

It's not true. Any of it. Finn being "useless"... "token"... It's false.

 

[Gianakin_]

Just to be clear, when I say his arc has no real payoff, I don't mean it like in the course of the trilogy. The characters of ANH all had a complete arc WITHIN the movie. Well, those of them who were MEANT to have an arc, at least. Leia didn't. Had did, so did Luke and they were complete by movie's end. In TFA, Rey had a complete arc, Poe didn't have one so it's fine, but I felt that Finn was a bit unfinished. Now, I need to see TFA again to be sure, and one could argue that his arc was complete when he reunited with Rey. I'll be back in 6 days with that.

EDIT: After some thought I've been giving this, I think I'm wrong. [blackout]If we take his lack of self-confidence into consideration, the fact that he stands up to Kylo in the end is pretty much the finale of his arc in the end. Not that he's a coward in the beginning like some trailers implied, but he was clearly trying to find it in him to stop running. And he did. He was about to run away after he got Rey back and he decided to stop and face that Kylo. He DOES have an arc.[/blackout]

 

[chamber-music]

So, what is everyone expecting to see from Finn in the next couple outings?

What do you want to see happen to/with him?

I expect

Spoiler

Finn to fully embrace the Resistance and develop his bromance with Poe (he could tech him how to fly ships)

1. Just because Boyega is getting good reviews, doesn't discount the poster's complaints about him playing the stereotypical useless comic relief Black guy (assuming of course, that is indeed true about his character in this movie).

2. Correct me if I'm wrong, while Boyega isn't the SOLE lead of this new SW trilogy, he is one of the main 3 co-leads of this new trilogy.

Finn isn't useless. There are a number of actions he takes in the movie that lead to him saving lives. The character is comical at times but he still has depth and moments of heroism.

Spoiler

Finn helps Poe escape The First Order, supplies The Resistance with information about The Starkiller weapon and goes back to rescue Rey. Finn takes on Kylo Ren in a lightsabre duel despite not having force powers.

Rey, Finn and Poe are the big three good guy leads of the new Star Wars trilogy.

 

[Gianakin_]

"Comic relief" is usually associated with something that's there to make people laugh and little to nothing more.

Finn is literally nothing like that. His actions to further the plot and character development are there. Fact. He's just a funny guy like Han.

 

[titansupes]

It's not true. Any of it. Finn being "useless"... "token"... It's false.

I see what you did there.

"Comic relief" is usually associated with something that's there to make people laugh and little to nothing more.

Finn is literally nothing like that. His actions to further the plot and character development are there. Fact. He's just a funny guy like Han.

This.

 

[chamber-music]

Finn is a Big Deal

 

[Lencho01]

Everyone was comic relief. He's just a more funny outright compared to the others.

 

[ironman_rick]

I just saw the movie....and Fin ain't a comedic relief. He just has some awesome (and seriously funny) 1-liners.

He is in the movie a whole lot longer than anymore (apart from rey) too.

 

[titansupes]

I loved--

[BLACKOUT]
Rey: You're in the Resistance?!
Finn: *pause* Obviously. I'm in the Resistance. I'm Finn and I'm in the Resistance. This is what we look like.[/BLACKOUT]

 

[RockSP]

People are doing it all over the place.

"Snoke has no backstory!" "Phasma didn't do anything!" "Luke didn't do anything!" "Finn's arc had no payoff!"

It's like, you DO realize these characters have one or two more movies, right?

That's a legitimate complaint. They could've given us a decent reason to care that she returns in the sequel. As someone suggested on another forum, why not have her

Spoiler

be the stormtrooper Finn fights with the nightstick thingy? Give her a badass moment and give Finn an antagonist for the sequel(s), while at the same time not having Finn lose to some random faceless stormtrooper...

 

[antonydelfini]

Finn was funnier than I expected which is awesome. He's got a great arc IMO.

 

[MadVillainy]

I think Finn, and the movie as a whole, is really good example on how to balance tones. Funny when it needed to be, dramatic at all the right parts.

It wasnt like "wow this traumatic thing just happened...LETS CRACK A JOKE/QUIP" like a lot of blockbusters nowadays.

I think the only real complaint I had about Finn is not really the character himself, but I wish we saw more of the Storm Trooper lifestyle. I feel like that couldve been interesting and given him a little more backstory


And I don't think it's obvious that Finn is not a force user. I'm not as well versed/deep into the Star Wars lore like some on here, but isnt it true that not anyone can just pick up a lightsaber and fight?

People are doing it all over the place.

"Snoke has no backstory!" "Phasma didn't do anything!" "Luke didn't do anything!" "Finn's arc had no payoff!"

It's like, you DO realize these characters have one or two more movies, right?

Eh. I never really liked that defense in movies. I do think that Luke not doing anything was fine for the story and Finn did have a payoff, but I'm talking just generally.
If the movie is supposed to be 3 parts I think you need to give 3 parts to a characters story not just say "hold it off for the sequel". Han in ANH had full character arcs in 1 movie that were also built upon in sequel

why not have her

Spoiler

be the stormtrooper Finn fights with the nightstick thingy? Give her a badass moment and give Finn an antagonist for the sequel(s), while at the same time not having Finn lose to some random faceless stormtrooper...

I didn't think of that. That wouldve been really cool and much better for the character.

 

[False Prophet]

As a black man, I didn't feel that Finn was in any way a stereotype or token. He's a solid, somewhat well developed character whose motivations were pretty clear.

And unlike others, I do think he had a complete character arc. He chose to

Spoiler

go back to the Starkiller base and face the First Order, the one thing he said he'd never do, and he did it because of the friendship of the first person to look at and treat him like a human being.

That's a complete arc.

 

[danoyse]

Finn is a Big Deal

I see what you did there.

 

[Spider-Who?]

While I'm all fine with character development, I also want Black heroic characters to be very useful and effective in a fight and/or have cool powers and/or special weapons.

Finn is integral to the entire plot of the film.

Spoiler

- He saves Poe from Kylo Ren
- Convinces BB8 to take everyone to The Resistance which helps not only give vital info about Luke's location, but also reunites Han and Leia
- Gives The Resistance vital information about Starkiller base
- Leads the charge to save Rey
- Knows who to deal with to turn the base's shields off for the Resistance fighters, allowing them to win the battle
- Destroys Tie Fighters, fights storm troopers, and faces Kylo Ren, even landing a few hits.
- He is also the ONLY character in the ENTIRE Star Wars franchise who fights with a lightsaber without being a force user.

Is that enough for you? Fin is one of the most integral characters in the movie, has the most fully-realized character arc, AND uses a lightsaber despite not being a Jedi or a Sith. I'm all for minority characters being represented well, but if you're complaining or worried about Finn, you're barking up the wrong tree.