Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Petyr_Baelish]

Originally Posted by octagon

Obviously it's not too surprising when people who don't care for the PT overall don't care for Clones but I'm still always a little surprised to see how many PT fans don't like it.

I've always thought it was fairly inoffensive and over the past few years have even come to think the good outweighs the bad.

More or less, anyway.

No matter what, george Lucas won't let any of us forget his prequel movies, so its probably best to find some redeeming qualities in them. Look at watching all the star wars movies like watching ROTJ. You sit through the whole thing till you get to the part you like.

[hipster.doofus7]

Originally Posted by Boone_Carlyle

Does the phantom menace even have a purpose? All it does is introduce a bunch of characters: most which don't even appear in the sequel.

TPM was the first time we saw the Old Republic. Prior to that, you only ever heard about it.

It was the first time we saw the Jedi Order at its peak form. The council, the knights, the masters, padawans, everything. Prior to that, we only saw remnants of the once proud order.

TPM had two of the most interesting characters specifically created for the prequel trilogy. Darth Maul and Qui-Gon.

TPM introduced us to Duel of the Fates, arguably the most memorable music track in Star Wars after the main theme and Imperial March.

TPM had the 2nd most elaborate lightsabre duel in the entire saga.

Ian Mcdiarmid and Liam Neeson were terrific in their roles.

Natalie Portman wasn't terrible in TPM like she was in AotC and RotS.

TPM didn't go overboard with bluescreen CGI sets like AotC and RotS did.

Cinematography in TPM is easily the best in the entire Star Wars saga, IMHO. It's unfortunate that some people are too busy bashing the movie to notice the cinematography. The way Lucas shot Naboo and later the Droid Invasion was nothing short of epic.

Originally Posted by Boone_Carlyle

No critical thinking is required to realize tpm is terrible.

No critical thinking is required to mindlessly bash a movie.

[Maggot]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

Thanks for saying this, nathan. I thought I was the only one.

For me it was another example of the prequel films not meshing with the originals. When I finally saw Clones, I couldn't see anything that justified Luke's awe and excitement in New Hope when he said, "You fought in the Clone Wars?!" to Ben Kenobi. It was so pointless and anti-climactic, it just didn't seem like anything a restless farm boy could get excited about. Terrible writing, George.

I didn't mind Christopher Lee in the roll, per se, as he has that great voice and presence. Very much the presence that Peter Cushing and Alec Guinness had before. The problem I saw was that Dooku was such an under-developed character. Darth Maul and General Grievous were jokes. I'll say this again......the prequels had no meaningful character development as much as Lucas tried. I cared for nobody's fate in the prequels, while with the original three, I actually cared and rooted for Luke, Lea and company. The poor direction, the poor(and I mean extremely wooden)acting made for characters that were as thin as paper. I'll certainly get the Blu-ray set, but I hold the prequels in such distain. It's only that there's some core element to the Star Wars story that makes me watch them. I wish they'd just re-do the prequels with someone who knows how to direct and doesn't go hog-wild on the CGI/FX.

[Petyr_Baelish]

Originally Posted by hipster.doofus7

TPM was the first time we saw the Old Republic. Prior to that, you only ever heard about it.

It was the first time we saw the Jedi Order at its peak form. The council, the knights, the masters, padawans, everything. Prior to that, we only saw remnants of the once proud order.

TPM had two of the most interesting characters specifically created for the prequel trilogy. Darth Maul and Qui-Gon.

TPM introduced us to Duel of the Fates, arguably the most memorable music track in Star Wars after the main theme and Imperial March.

TPM had the 2nd most elaborate lightsabre duel in the entire saga.

Ian Mcdiarmid and Liam Neeson were terrific in their roles.

Natalie Portman wasn't terrible in TPM like she was in AotC and RotS.

TPM didn't go overboard with bluescreen CGI sets like AotC and RotS did.

Cinematography in TPM is easily the best in the entire Star Wars saga, IMHO. It's unfortunate that some people are too busy bashing the movie to notice the cinematography. The way Lucas shot Naboo and later the Droid Invasion was nothing short of epic.






No critical thinking is required to mindlessly bash a movie.

I meant in contribution to the overall story.

[sevb36]

Originally Posted by Boone_Carlyle

Then I will raise you a AOTC is only hated, because of its soap operatic style. I would say I actually like AOTC. Maybe not in the same way as beast loves TPM, but I think its entertaining enough. It probably has the most action out of any of the movies and these are action movies. natalie portman looks pretty and there are some beautiful locations that the other star wars films do not have. I guess it appeals to me more on a visual level more than anything. However, unlike phantom menace which had like one interesting scene (the lightsaber fight), AOTC had that arena battle, the yoda fight and boba fett chase scene. Compared to the OT, maybe not ROTJ, none of the prequels are great, but they are still better than a movie like transformers which I can barely stay awake during.


The thing about the romance in AOTC is that george lucas isn't an expert writer. He could pretty much keep romantic dialogue to a minimum in the OT, but in the PT, the romance was essential to his plot and he couldn't have kept it to a couple of lines. The plot structures were less than stellar because he was writing something more complicated than he is capable of. The first star wars movie was stolen from the basic structure of a fairytale. Then he worked from there from a basically simple plotline. With the prequels he felt he had to go bigger and in the process showed his true colors.

In the making of AOTC book, George calls his own romantic dialog "pretty corny" and said he "didn't know if people would laugh, or throw things at the screen."

[BMM]

Originally Posted by Mr. Grieves

Pre-order canceled. Screw Lucas, enough is enough. I may not even be a drop in the pond but it's the only way I can stand for anything.

All those little drops can make a pretty big splash and I'm pretty sure right now Amazon is shocked at the number of cancellations they've had this week.

[Prog5000]

Originally Posted by BMM

All those little drops can make a pretty big splash and I'm pretty sure right now Amazon is shocked at the number of cancellations they've had this week.

I hope your right. I finally understand the disappointment the 97 editions were to the fans.

[Petyr_Baelish]

Originally Posted by BMM

All those little drops can make a pretty big splash and I'm pretty sure right now Amazon is shocked at the number of cancellations they've had this week.

Its number #1 for blu ray at least, so i doubt they are too affected by it.

[Maggot]

Originally Posted by sevb36

In the making of AOTC book, George calls his own romantic dialog "pretty corny" and said he "didn't know if people would laugh, or throw things at the screen."

It's so hilarious what passes for romance on the big screen. Seriously, how many people do you know who talk and act like so called "romantic scenes or movies". It's not even corny. I'd take corn and ham anytime. The acting was absolutely stiff and wooden. It's painful to watch people "act" like this. At least corny and hammy is fun, and even rather human, but the stiffness in the prequels makes me want to blow my brains out. The oringal three Star Wars ran fast and loose, corny and hammy at times, but they worked and didn't take themselves too seriously. The prequels remind me of The Godfather III. A movie made too long after the first two, not even remotely resembling the first two, and basically everybody on autopilot and or phoning their performances in. Also sounds like Indiana Jones 4.....huh?

[Petyr_Baelish]

Originally Posted by Maggot

It's so hilarious what passes for romance on the big screen. Seriously, how many people do you know who talk and act like so called "romantic scenes or movies". It's not even corny. I'd take corn and ham anytime. The acting was absolutely stiff and wooden. It's painful to watch people "act" like this. At least corny and hammy is fun, and even rather human, but the stiffness in the prequels makes me want to blow my brains out. The oringal three Star Wars ran fast and loose, corny and hammy at times, but they worked and didn't take themselves too seriously. The prequels remind me of The Godfather III. A movie made too long after the first two, not even remotely resembling the first two, and basically everybody on autopilot and or phoning their performances in.

You must have some unrealistic acting expectations for star wars if you are comparing it to the acting in the godfather. Harrison ford and carrie fisher couldn't read those lines.

[Blu-Raynger]

Originally Posted by Boone_Carlyle

Its number #1 for blu ray at least, so i doubt they are too affected by it.

If there's one thing Star Wars fans do is complain and talk big about cancelling and then buy the products anyway. I bet they hardly noticed. As for the ones that really did cancel, I bet that once the release date comes around they'll break down and buy it at a brick and mortar store...

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

I'm a great defender of the prequels - I love TPM (mix of nostalgia - I was 15 - and adoration for the greatness that is Liam Neeson), and I thought RotS was pretty great (certain acting notwithstanding). But I just cannot watch AotC. The wooden romance and the cartoonish battle scenes just kill it for me. I did not particularly enjoy it in 2002 (though I did have a massive crush on Natalie Portman, which helped), and time has not improved it in my eyes.

[scraptor]

Originally Posted by GORT

I am having so much fun watching so many so called "Fans of star wars" just lose their minds over something they have no control over and never will.

There is one thing we have control over, and that is the purchase decision.

Don't get me wrong. I am not one of the frothing lunatics who claims Lucas ruined my childhood.

But I do take issue with people equating blind devotion with fanhood. You can question the revisionism while still loving Star Wars. It's like questioning a war while still loving your country; it doesn't make you any less of a patriot.

[Maggot]

Originally Posted by Boone_Carlyle

You must have some unrealistic acting expectations for star wars if you are comparing it to the acting in the godfather. Harrison ford and carrie fisher couldn't read those lines.

I'm not comparing the acting, but rather the fact that here you have great franchise movies like the first Star Wars triliogy......then years later come back with the prequels. The first 3 Indiana Jones, then years later the 4th. The first 2 Godfathers, the years later the 3rd. The commonality is, all the movies that came after the acclaimed "originals" sucked in pretty much every way. Like they lost the focus, the personality of each franchise.

[Petyr_Baelish]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

I'm a great defender of the prequels - I love TPM (mix of nostalgia - I was 15 - and adoration for the greatness that is Liam Neeson), and I thought RotS was pretty great (certain acting notwithstanding). But I just cannot watch AotC. The wooden romance and the cartoonish battle scenes just kill it for me. I did not particularly enjoy it in 2002 (though I did have a massive crush on Natalie Portman, which helped), and time has not improved it in my eyes.

I gotta ask: jar jar binks killing battle droids and blowing up tanks by accident wasn't cartoonish for you?

Originally Posted by Maggot

I'm not comparing the acting, but rather the fact that here you have great franchise movies like the first Star Wars triliogy......then years later come back with the prequels. The first 3 Indiana Jones, then years later the 4th. The first 2 Godfathers, the years later the 3rd. The commonality is, all the movies that came after the acclaimed "originals" sucked in pretty much every way. Like they lost the focus, the personality of each franchise.

That's always going to happen. Its like the saying "you can never go home again". Godfather iii isn't a bad movie, its just not great like the others.

[Inspector Toschi]

Originally Posted by hipster.doofus7

No critical thinking is required to mindlessly bash a movie.

Now that deserves a badum-ching. So simple, and so true.

[CodyCourtBlack2]

In fear of igniting nerd rage...

Am I the only one who liked the pt better than the ot? rots was awesome!

[Petyr_Baelish]

Originally Posted by PixarPerfect

In fear of igniting nerd rage...

Am I the only one who liked the pt better than the ot? rots was awesome!

Actually, I think you came at the right time. There is a legion of TPM fans, right now, who would like a piece of me.

[Inspector Toschi]

Just to jump in on the AOTC talk quickly... I used to dislike AOTC. It's still the only SW film I've seen in a theater that I didn't enjoy. Not that I loved TPM... but I can see past a poor quality (Jar Jar) as long as there's some good stuff (Visuals, Qui Gon, Maul, The Music) Sith I've always liked as a whole.

But a couple of years ago I watched AOTC on DVD for the first time since originally seeing it. To my shock I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. The worst part is the love story, obviously. And fortunately it's only a solid 10-15 minutes where it really dominates screen time. Bless that fast forward button.

On the other hand, I loved seeing Obi Wan play Jedi She Wrote on his little mission. It was nice to see a Jedi act as a detective for once. Personally, I loved Dooku and Jango. I liked the idea that a Mandalorian was used as genetic template for the clones. In fact I thought they could have went deeper into that story. And seeing all the Jedi's battle it out the end was a visual treat. The films still suffers from very poor dialogue, but again, I can look past that. One thing with the Prequels is that the visuals are spectacular and the music is some of the best produced in the last 20 years. That alone makes them more watchable than 90% of the films that come out. Avatar didn't even have memorable music...

[mitch22]

Originally Posted by Boone_Carlyle

Then I will raise you a AOTC is only hated, because of its soap operatic style. I would say I actually like AOTC. Maybe not in the same way as beast loves TPM, but I think its entertaining enough. It probably has the most action out of any of the movies and these are action movies. natalie portman looks pretty and there are some beautiful locations that the other star wars films do not have. I guess it appeals to me more on a visual level more than anything. However, unlike phantom menace which had like one interesting scene (the lightsaber fight), AOTC had that arena battle, the yoda fight and boba fett chase scene. Compared to the OT, maybe not ROTJ, none of the prequels are great, but they are still better than a movie like transformers which I can barely stay awake during.


The thing about the romance in AOTC is that george lucas isn't an expert writer. He could pretty much keep romantic dialogue to a minimum in the OT, but in the PT, the romance was essential to his plot and he couldn't have kept it to a couple of lines. The plot structures were less than stellar because he was writing something more complicated than he is capable of. The first star wars movie was stolen from the basic structure of a fairytale. Then he worked from there to form a basically simple plotline. With the prequels he felt he had to go bigger and in the process showed his true colors.

I don't like sand; it's coarse, rough, and it gets everywhere.

tee hee. I remember me and my buddy rewatching the arena scene for hours.