Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Abrams gets plenty of hate already, no one's gonna shy away from blaming him if the next film disappoints as well.

Ah yes! How could I forget JJ.
Yep, there's the hate "safety valve".

[reneeatworld]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

Both complete saga sets are identical in content save for packaging.

Thank you, kind sir.

[Stinky-Dinkins]

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

Abrams doesn't have that sort of history in my book, and what could he possibly mess up?

Originally Posted by Arawn

...I can't think of a single thing.

I don't think you understood what I was saying.

I'm not a big Abrams fan. I don't "Dislike" him at all, but I find his movies "meh, I could take 'em or leave 'em." They're fun and entertaining, but lack substance and soul. They're pretty but shallow. I watched his Trek movies and enjoyed them in the same way I enjoy watching a fireworks display.

My point was you can't mess up a mess. Lucas already dismantled the franchise.

[Havok83]

I just saw Episode 1 for the first time and man was that film awful. Ive heard alot about Jar Jar Binks and they were right bc he is hands down one of the most annoying character Ive seen in a film. Are the rest of the prequel films as subpar or do they get better?

[Stinky-Dinkins]

Originally Posted by Havok83

I just saw Episode 1 for the first time and man was that film awful. Ive heard alot about Jar Jar Binks and they were right bc he is hands down one of the most annoying character Ive seen in a film. Are the rest of the prequel films as subpar or do they get better?

The 2nd one is worse or, at least, just as bad. So, so boring. The film opens with a 6 hour long car chase that looks like a PS2 CGI cutscene and then for the next six days the characters stand stiff as manikins and try to one-up themselves in terms of who can deliver the worse dialogue.

The 3rd one is slightly better, but still not very good. The acting is wooden and awkward, and the romance parts between Hayden and Padme ranges from cringe-worthy to downright comedic.

Jar Jar was effectively removed from the films as a featured player after TPM, which is nice. The backlash against the character was more intense than Lucas expected, I think.

[Havok83]

Thank god. i also forgot to mention the CG which was a bit cringeworthy to watch at times. I heard all the complaints about the films and tried to keep an open mind but yeah, that wasnt good. Yeah boring is the way to describe it. There was plenty of action but the story and characters didnt grab me. it dragged too. The best part of the first film was the kid Anakin. I liked him

[Jakdonark]

The Darth Maul duels are pretty good, but I think my favorite thing about eps 1 is Shmi. I liked her character and I think she gave one of the best performances. Also the old lady, "Storm's brewin' Ani." Qui Gon was pretty good and I thought I picked up a hint of romance with Shmi. Although after her speech about Anakin's conception even from my first or second viewing (saw it three times in theaters) I was hoping for a Devil's Advocate/ John Milton twist that somehow Palpatine was Ani's father. Like somehow Shmi would be like "One time when I was young and partying on Naboo I met a nice politician guy, and we had a few drinks..." Alas...

[StingingVelvet]

Darth Maul duel might still be my favorite scene of the whole trilogy, even though it's in the worst movie (for my money).

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Darth Maul duel might still be my favorite scene of the whole trilogy, even though it's in the worst movie (for my money).

That's an interesting perspective. The entire Maul scene still holds up well IMO although the light saber fighting is a bit over-acrobatic and fast.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

That's an interesting perspective. The entire Maul scene still holds up well IMO although the light saber fighting is a bit over-acrobatic and fast.

It's largely stunt work though, and believable. The later duels are overdone for my money, especially the crazy circus stunts in the Obi-Wan/Anakin battle.

Phantom Menace also has the pod race, which is still pretty great for me, and a lot of good moody stuff with Maul and locations. If it weren't for Jar Jar and Jake Lloyd it might be my favorite prequel, honestly, but instead it is my least favorite because they both just kill the movie dead.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

It's when Qui-Gon goes against Darth Maul alone, and then Obi-Wan vs Maul that it gets very good. The two on one stuff never really impressed me, and the choreography seems to stand out as they look like they're really aiming for each other's sabers.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

Oops, DP

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

It's largely stunt work though, and believable. The later duels are overdone for my money, especially the crazy circus stunts in the Obi-Wan/Anakin battle.

Phantom Menace also has the pod race, which is still pretty great for me, and a lot of good moody stuff with Maul and locations. If it weren't for Jar Jar and Jake Lloyd it might be my favorite prequel, honestly, but instead it is my least favorite because they both just kill the movie dead.

Yeah, it went a bit overboard in Sith too. Mind you, I didn't dislike any of the duels though (how can any Star Wars fan?).
The pod race was about a good five minutes too long.

[Captain Flint]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

That's an interesting perspective. The entire Maul scene still holds up well IMO although the light saber fighting is a bit over-acrobatic and fast.

Very interesting to hear that. I thought the Maul/Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon saber duel was badass. I loved how tightly choreographed and fast it was. You can tell they really practiced the hell out of that fight.

[happydood]

Interesting (maybe) aside: Went to Disneyland in CA today with my family and was delighted/floored by the amount of Star Wars stuff since it's now officially theirs.

Was struck by how many kids were all about the Darth Maul-in-costume as much as the Darth Vaders and new Ep 7 stormtroopers. In some ways it really struck home a reality about the forthcoming movies. Regardless of the caterwauling about the new ones being fan-fiction or about Lucas losing it or whatever, the iconography of these is going to ensure that they ALL last a very long time.

But God, I hope these new ones are good.

And lastly, not to stir up trouble as I've seen what I'm about to say be treated somewhat controversially in this very thread a long time ago (in a galaxy far, far way-) having heard the soundtracks from all 6 movies on a loop all day long, I'm renewed in the vigor of my opinion: the scores to all of these films are not only equally good, the scores to the Prequels are as good as Williams in his 1975-1981 prime. And complaints about the lack of 'memorable tunes' speaks more to an ignorance of music than a lack of memorable tunes.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by happydood

And lastly, not to stir up trouble as I've seen what I'm about to say be treated somewhat controversially in this very thread a long time ago (in a galaxy far, far way-) having heard the soundtracks from all 6 movies on a loop all day long, I'm renewed in the vigor of my opinion: the scores to all of these films are not only equally good, the scores to the Prequels are as good as Williams in his 1975-1981 prime. And complaints about the lack of 'memorable tunes' speaks more to an ignorance of music than a lack of memorable tunes.

People say that? Odd. Personally I'd say there are equally as many "memorable tunes" in the PT as the OT. Duel of the Fates, the Trade Federation theme, Across the Stars, Grievous' theme, Battle of the Heroes... hell, even Jar Jar's theme.

[Bickle76]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

People say that? Odd. Personally I'd say there are equally as many "memorable tunes" in the PT as the OT. Duel of the Fates, the Trade Federation theme, Across the Stars, Grievous' theme, Battle of the Heroes... hell, even Jar Jar's theme.

If think the "trade federation theme" is the same if not, very, very similar to "nazi theme" in Last Crusade.

[happydood]

Originally Posted by Bickle76

If think the "trade federation theme" is the same if not, very, very similar to "nazi theme" in Last Crusade.

They're similar, it's true, probably due to the Imperial March working so well being so well-received. His rotation of martial bad guy themes all seem to come from the same wheelhouse, but I prefer to apply the 'auteur' sensibility we lay on directors to composers, too, rather than being bothered by his stealing from himself.

A lot of the Harry Potter material comes from his typical action cue place, but the themes introduced in it are all great- and what could be generic action music is always packed with so much melody it makes my head spin.

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

People say that? Odd. Personally I'd say there are equally as many "memorable tunes" in the PT as the OT. Duel of the Fates, the Trade Federation theme, Across the Stars, Grievous' theme, Battle of the Heroes... hell, even Jar Jar's theme.

Also Anakin's Theme and how it works in the Imperial March.

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

Jar Jar was effectively removed from the films as a featured player after TPM, which is nice.

He still got to help create the Empire, which is also nice.

Originally Posted by Obi-Wan Kenobi

they look like they're really aiming for each other's sabers.

I felt that way about ROTS. ( Of course, my impression of that fight is influenced by having seen the practice work and the production footage from the 2004 DVD set beforehand. )

[Nada]

Originally Posted by Arawn

Also Anakin's Theme and how it works in the Imperial March.

The Celebration music at the end of The Phantom Menace is a reworking of the Emperor's theme.