Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by frogmort

That's kind of what I've been thinking of this thread.

But Beast always has an answer.

[greg_achen]

In my Physiology class today, my professor made a reference to Jar Jar Binks and everybody laughed. This got me thinking. How many people would've gotten a reference to a character from a movie like Crash even though it came out only a couple of years ago and won the Oscar for Best Picture no less? A few. Maybe. I am not here to debate whether Jar Jar Binks is a good character or a bad character. Whether you consider his character infamous or famous is irrelevant. The Phantom Menace came out over ten years ago to mixed reactions, yet George Lucas managed to do what many filmmakers only wished they could do by creating something memorable. If George Lucas wanted to create a memorable character in Jar Jar Binks, I'd say mission accomplished. How many "prestigious" writers and directors can say the same about their characters that slowly fade into oblivion in the minds of the majority?

[Beast]

Originally Posted by JamesKurtovich

If Sidious was anti-alien, then why did he train one to be a Dark Lord of the Sith?

Palpatine wasn't against using aliens to further his goals. Such as using the Alien controlled Trade Federation and Banking Clan.

In Maul's case... due to the Jedi Order's Midi-Chlorian screening process on Republic Worlds, he had to find a candidate in the outer systems.

Maul was just a convenient means to an end for Sidious' plots.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by greg_achen

In my Physiology class today, my professor made a reference to Jar Jar Binks and everybody laughed. This got me thinking. How many people would've gotten a reference to a character from a movie like Crash even though it came out only a couple of years ago and won the Oscar for Best Picture no less? A few. Maybe. I am not here to debate whether Jar Jar Binks is a good character or a bad character. Whether you consider his character infamous or famous is irrelevant. The Phantom Menace came out over ten years ago to mixed reactions, yet George Lucas managed to do what many filmmakers only wished they could do by creating something memorable. If George Lucas wanted to create a memorable character in Jar Jar Binks, I'd say mission accomplished. How many "prestigious" writers and directors can say the same about their characters that slowly fade into oblivion in the minds of the majority?

That's hardly an accomplishment, though.

Because of what a huge juggernaut Star Wars was due to the success of the OT (in which the original movie changed how movies were made, how special effects were done, and was more or less the birth of the blockbuster), of course the Star Wars prequels, especially Episode I, were going to get A LOT more viewers (even if the movie had been significantly worse than what it already is), and therefore almost any character made up in it is going to be more recognizable than any character in a movie that isn't anywhere near as huge (i.e. Crash).

If Lucas had not created Jar-Jar, and had instead made pretty much any other character in his place, they would pretty much be just as well known right now (whether or not it would be for as generally negative reasons is a different story).


Your argument is pretty weak. That's like saying that it's better to be the kid in class that everyone makes fun of and gets picked on (because everyone knows who he is as a result of him getting made fun of), than to be the quiet kid sitting off to the side who isn't really popular or picked on, but rather just minds his business, and most of the other students don't pay him much mind or even know much about him except for the handful of friends that he does hang around with (who actually like him).

I don't know about you, but I'd rather be the kid off to the side than the one getting picked on regularly.



Lucas didn't do anything impressive in creating Jar-Jar Binks. And the fact that he is laughed at so much just goes to show how he really dropped the ball when thinking out these prequels.... and by people who are currently in school, and were therefore most likely kids when Episode I came out (i.e. they are of the generation that didn't grow up exclusively on the OT to only first see the PT as adults).

The fact that they laughed speaks volumes on the problems with the movie.

[STARKILLER--1138]

Originally Posted by greg_achen

In my Physiology class today, my professor made a reference to Jar Jar Binks and everybody laughed. This got me thinking. How many people would've gotten a reference to a character from a movie like Crash even though it came out only a couple of years ago and won the Oscar for Best Picture no less? A few. Maybe. I am not here to debate whether Jar Jar Binks is a good character or a bad character. Whether you consider his character infamous or famous is irrelevant. The Phantom Menace came out over ten years ago to mixed reactions, yet George Lucas managed to do what many filmmakers only wished they could do by creating something memorable. If George Lucas wanted to create a memorable character in Jar Jar Binks, I'd say mission accomplished. How many "prestigious" writers and directors can say the same about their characters that slowly fade into oblivion in the minds of the majority?

Awesome. He could have picked anything from the OT but chose to go with JJB. That's gotta piss off those UOTWE's.

[nathan_393]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

That's hardly an accomplishment, though.

Because of what a huge juggernaut Star Wars was due to the success of the OT (in which the original movie changed how movies were made, how special effects were done, and was more or less the birth of the blockbuster), of course the Star Wars prequels, especially Episode I, were going to get A LOT more viewers (even if the movie had been significantly worse than what it already is), and therefore almost any character made up in it is going to be more recognizable than any character in a movie that isn't anywhere near as huge (i.e. Crash).

If Lucas had not created Jar-Jar, and had instead made pretty much any other character in his place, they would pretty much be just as well known right now (whether or not it would be for as generally negative reasons is a different story).


Your argument is pretty weak. That's like saying that it's better to be the kid in class that everyone makes fun of and gets picked on (because everyone knows who he is as a result of him getting made fun of), than to be the quiet kid sitting off to the side who isn't really popular or picked on, but rather just minds his business, and most of the other students don't pay him much mind or even know much about him except for the handful of friends that he does hang around with (who actually like him).

I don't know about you, but I'd rather be the kid off to the side than the one getting picked on regularly.



Lucas didn't do anything impressive in creating Jar-Jar Binks. And the fact that he is laughed at so much just goes to show how he really dropped the ball when thinking out these prequels.... and by people who are currently in school, and were therefore most likely kids when Episode I came out (i.e. they are of the generation that didn't grow up exclusively on the OT to only first see the PT as adults).

The fact that they laughed speaks volumes on the problems with the movie.

The only thing I'd disagree with you on is that Jaws created the blockbuster, particularly the summer blockbuster. But no worries, it's a mere point of contention and there's no reason to seriously debate it. Just interesting that people have different start points for these things.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by nathan_393

The only thing I'd disagree with you on is that Jaws created the blockbuster, particularly the summer blockbuster. But no worries, it's a mere point of contention and there's no reason to seriously debate it. Just interesting that people have different start points for these things.

You do have a point, actually. Jaws was a major turning point as well (hence the more or less in my post). I had considered that, but I just look at Star Wars as the beginning of the special effects era, etc. It just blew the doors wide open in a way that Jaws didn't (no disrespect to Jaws, though).

[nathan_393]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

You do have a point, actually. Jaws was a major turning point as well (hence the more or less in my post). I had considered that, but I just look at Star Wars as the beginning of the special effects era, etc. It just blew the doors wide open in a way that Jaws didn't (no disrespect to Jaws, though).

Oh, absolutely agreed. Just like SW invented 5.1, along with Apocalypse Now. There were a couple random films that accomplished some similar feats at the same time.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by STARKILLER--1138

Awesome. He could have picked anything from the OT but chose to go with JJB. That's gotta piss off those UOTWE's.

Somebody mentioned Jar Jar and a room full of people laughed.

I can't speak for all OT fans but I'm reasonably sure my world view can survive that blow.

[al cos.]

Yeah, stop the presses.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by nathan_393

Oh, absolutely agreed. Just like SW invented 5.1, along with Apocalypse Now. There were a couple random films that accomplished some similar feats at the same time.

SW did not invent 5.1, it was 70MM 6-track but it was a 4.2 layout: left-center-right-surround-baby boom left center-baby boom right center (LFE)

The first 5.1 was Superman: The Movie in some tests (and even then only certain scenes were 5.1) and Apocalype Now.

Star Trek VI was the first Dolby Digital 5.1 (test runs) and Episode I was the first 5.1 EX.

[Sith]

Originally Posted by STARKILLER--1138

Check out the new footage that will be added to the Hoth battle on the upcoming BD!

I will crush these Rebel scum underneath my boot. They pose no threat to the power of a Sith Lord.

[Sith]

Originally Posted by JamesKurtovich

If Sidious was anti-alien, then why did he train one to be a Dark Lord of the Sith?

Sidious was of course anti-alien.

But a apprentice's power in the force is more important than anything else.

While he may of felt Maul was an inferior species, he can only choose one apprentice. If he thought Lord Maul was the right candidate, he must forgo any personal feelings and obey the dark side of the force.

[greg_achen]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

Your argument is pretty weak. That's like saying that it's better to be the kid in class that everyone makes fun of and gets picked on (because everyone knows who he is as a result of him getting made fun of), than to be the quiet kid sitting off to the side who isn't really popular or picked on, but rather just minds his business, and most of the other students don't pay him much mind or even know much about him except for the handful of friends that he does hang around with (who actually like him).

Wow! Such hostility for such an innocent observation on my part! For the record, I merely intended my post as an interesting observation, nothing more. My intent was to illustrate that for as much flack as Phantom Menace gets by some fanboys, the movie and its characters are still relevant in the pop culture lexicon today, over ten years later. As I explicitly stated in my original post, the reasons for this are open to interpretation. I do find it amusing though that you criticized my "argument" as being weak by using an equally weak analogy about the class clown versus the quiet kid in class. Kudos.

Lucas didn't do anything impressive in creating Jar-Jar Binks. And the fact that he is laughed at so much just goes to show how he really dropped the ball when thinking out these prequels....

Wow again! You are VERY presumptuous in your line of reasoning as to why my classmates laughed. The professor drew a comparison to a certain anatomical feature looking like Jar Jar Binks. If the class laughed at such a comparison using an OT character, I assume that would also prove just how much George dropped the ball with the OT. Right?

and by people who are currently in school, and were therefore most likely kids when Episode I came out (i.e. they are of the generation that didn't grow up exclusively on the OT to only first see the PT as adults).

Because my generation doesn't count right? The opinions and life experiences of OT fanboys are the only ones that matter. Glad we are clear on this.

[Sith]

Originally Posted by greg_achen

Wow! Such hostility for such an innocent observation on my part! For the record, I merely intended my post as an interesting observation, nothing more. My intent was to illustrate that for as much flack as Phantom Menace gets by some fanboys, the movie and its characters are still relevant in the pop culture lexicon today, over ten years later. As I explicitly stated in my original post, the reasons for this are open to interpretation. I do find it amusing though that you criticized my "argument" as being weak by using an equally weak analogy about the class clown versus the quiet kid in class. Kudos.

Wow again! You are VERY presumptuous in your line of reasoning as to why my classmates laughed. The professor drew a comparison to a certain anatomical feature looking like Jar Jar Binks. If the class laughed at such a comparison using an OT character, I assume that would also prove just how much George dropped the ball with the OT. Right?

Because my generation doesn't count right? The opinions and life experiences of OT fanboys are the only ones that matter. Glad we are clear on this.

Where's my popcorn.

[STARKILLER--1138]

Originally Posted by Sith

I will crush these Rebel scum underneath my boot. They pose no threat to the power of a Sith Lord.

[frogmort]

Originally Posted by Sith

Where's my popcorn.

At the popcorn store.

[Deromax]

Were the audio tracks specs of this release revealed yet?

[frogmort]

Originally Posted by Deromax

Were the audio tracks specs of this release revealed yet?

Unfortunately,no. About all we know is that there will be 3 bonus blu-ray discs with the complete saga, and it will come out on September 27th.

From blu-ray.com news:

"Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray will feature all six live-action Star Wars feature films utilizing the highest possible picture and audio presentation, along with three additional discs and more than 30 hours of extensive special features including never-before-seen deleted and alternate scenes, an exploration of the exclusive Star Wars archives, and much more."

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by greg_achen

Wow! Such hostility for such an innocent observation on my part! For the record, I merely intended my post as an interesting observation, nothing more. My intent was to illustrate that for as much flack as Phantom Menace gets by some fanboys, the movie and its characters are still relevant in the pop culture lexicon today, over ten years later. As I explicitly stated in my original post, the reasons for this are open to interpretation. I do find it amusing though that you criticized my "argument" as being weak by using an equally weak analogy about the class clown versus the quiet kid in class. Kudos.

No hostility here... just honest observation on the issue at hand. The way that I see it, being somewhat famous for something that is generally considered positive is much better than being even more famous for something negative.

And my argument didn't involve a "class clown"... it involved someone getting picked on a lot. A class clown is typically laughed at for being funny (kind of like a stand up comedian), as opposed to someone getting picked on, which is generally a negative thing, with the other students putting that person down. That's a pretty big differece there. The analogy makes sense because people tend to laugh at and make fun of Jar Jar in a manner similar to how people make fun of and put down the 'less popular' students (not that I agree with treating people that way in real life, but it happens, and it's a logical comparison). You seemed to have missed the overall point, but based on you referencing a "class clown" that was never in my argument, I'll just chalk it up to questionable reading comprehension skills on your part.

Jar Jar may be a well known pop culture Icon, but it's not for very positive reasons.

Wow again! You are VERY presumptuous in your line of reasoning as to why my classmates laughed. The professor drew a comparison to a certain anatomical feature looking like Jar Jar Binks. If the class laughed at such a comparison using an OT character, I assume that would also prove just how much George dropped the ball with the OT. Right?

The way that you wrote your post indicated that the laughing was not out of love for the character. The general tone of your post seemed to be "They laughed at Jar Jar, but...". If I misinterpreted that, I apologize, but that's how it came across, and based on other subsequent posts from other people here, it seems I'm not the only one who took it that way. If they were laughing in a positive light in favor of the character, you did a poor job of expressing that.

As for the OT character part, get back to me on that when and if a situation comes up with everyone laughing at an OT character.

Because my generation doesn't count right? The opinions and life experiences of OT fanboys are the only ones that matter. Glad we are clear on this.

Quite the contrary. My point (which you once again missed... your stellar reading comprehension skills at work again) is that even people of your generation were laughing at this character. Again, it came across as laughing in a negative light. So, my point is that if Lucas made these movies for kids, and the people who were kids when they came out are reacting to this character in a similar manner at the older, OT fans. So, it just goes to show that he made a bad decision in making this character the way that he did.

If anything, the opinions of people of your generation are arguably just as, if not more important on this matter, since they were the supposed target audience with these movies (being kids at the time of release).