Kevin's Watch

I have been pretty disappointed with the first two Star Wars prequels and am trying to remain guardedly optimistic about ROTS.

There was a big SW celebration last week and some 7 minutes of footage was shown. I am very impressed and now have some optimism about the new one.

Here's a link to a Windows media player file of a recording of the clip - ROTS. It is a 45 meg file. Some pretty powerful visual imagery there even with the heads in the way.

Lots of action. Lots of lightsabres. Could it be possible?

Personally, I enjoyed the prequels, Jar Jar Binks notwithstanding. I like the lightsaber battles in the prequels more than the ones in the original trilogy (as far as technical splendor goes).

I go to Star Wars for a visual joyride, and the prequels did not fail there. They're all very appealing, simplistic space operas, anyway. These movies all play on thousand-year old motifs of heroism and honor, intermixed with a bit of the good ol' pulp and matinee style. It's a real chewy confection for us movie buffs. Thus, I feel sorry for people who try to build the films up as something beyond that, because that's really all Lucas was going for: the motifs of man's common mythology in an updated vehicle.

Perhaps the prequels have their greatest weakness in that fact that their characters are not as identifiable and relatable as the ones in the original trilogy. For instance, the original had archetypical characters, such as the aged old master imparting wisdom, the idealistic youth, the cynical rogue as his foil, the cosmopolitan princess, etc.

Anyway. I'm really looking forward to Episode III, and I think it'll wind up being the best of the prequels.

Hopefully, Lucas will sell the three prequels in one bundle, like the Star Wars Trilogy. Here's hoping!

How do I approach this? I'm a TWOSWF.
I wouldn't call these films simplistic. We're talking about political intrigue as well as religious subjects. That's topped off with a love story.
It's a story (ala LotR) that's for all ages.

Lord Foul With all due respect, I understand why you feel the prequels are weak. Remember that Lucas wanted to tell a complete story. One that would span not two, but three trilogies. He started in the middle for specific reasons. Not the least of which is that he began with what would be the most familiar to the largest audience. Good versus Evil. (One could spend hours arguing the genius, or lack thereof, of this decision.) The decision was also made in part becasue the technology was not what Lucas realized he needed to make the very best films he possibly could. So, where better to start than with a boy, a girl and a galaxy that was on the run from the evil Empire? Yes, the glamour of the Old Republic is missing. There is no Jedi Council, no crowded "streets" of the capitol planet Coruscant, etc. Yet, when all is said and done you'll see it's appropriate for the story. Think of dialogue mentioning the galactic Senate being disbanded? How about Luke's instance that there is actually good in Vader? I understand that the first shot of Vader in ANH Will have greater impact with the ending scripted in RotS. I'm not sure how, but I am confident that Mr. Lucas is pulling out all the stops to present a wham-bang movie experience that with be as exciting to watch as it will be to talk about in the future.

Lord Foul wrote:Personally, I enjoyed the prequels, Jar Jar Binks notwithstanding. I like the lightsaber battles in the prequels more than the ones in the original trilogy (as far as technical splendor goes).

I go to Star Wars for a visual joyride, and the prequels did not fail there. They're all very appealing, simplistic space operas, anyway. These movies all play on thousand-year old motifs of heroism and honor, intermixed with a bit of the good ol' pulp and matinee style. It's a real chewy confection for us movie buffs. Thus, I feel sorry for people who try to build the films up as something beyond that, because that's really all Lucas was going for: the motifs of man's common mythology in an updated vehicle.

Perhaps the prequels have their greatest weakness in that fact that their characters are not as identifiable and relatable as the ones in the original trilogy. For instance, the original had archetypical characters, such as the aged old master imparting wisdom, the idealistic youth, the cynical rogue as his foil, the cosmopolitan princess, etc.

Well said!

Cornaquious wrote:How do I approach this? I'm a TWOSWF.
I wouldn't call these films simplistic. We're talking about political intrigue as well as religious subjects.

I used to feel the same way about Star Wars, but then I read the Dune books.

Cornaquious wrote:Lord Foul With all due respect, I understand why you feel the prequels are weak.

Well, I feel the prequels have weaknesses, yes, but I also feel that the good outweighs the bad. I've been enjoying the prequels, critics be damned. Nothing will stop me from having a good time with new Star Wars films. I don't expected Episode III to be an Episode V. Who does, really? You're asking for disappointment if you go to the theaters looking for another "Luke, I am your father."

Cornaquious wrote:Remember that Lucas wanted to tell a complete story. One that would span not two, but three trilogies. He started in the middle for specific reasons. Not the least of which is that he began with what would be the most familiar to the largest audience. Good versus Evil. (One could spend hours arguing the genius, or lack thereof, of this decision.) The decision was also made in part becasue the technology was not what Lucas realized he needed to make the very best films he possibly could. So, where better to start than with a boy, a girl and a galaxy that was on the run from the evil Empire? Yes, the glamour of the Old Republic is missing. There is no Jedi Council, no crowded "streets" of the capitol planet Coruscant, etc. Yet, when all is said and done you'll see it's appropriate for the story. Think of dialogue mentioning the galactic Senate being disbanded? How about Luke's instance that there is actually good in Vader? I understand that the first shot of Vader in ANH Will have greater impact with the ending scripted in RotS. I'm not sure how, but I am confident that Mr. Lucas is pulling out all the stops to present a wham-bang movie experience that with be as exciting to watch as it will be to talk about in the future.

Um, slow your horses there ; I never said anything contrary to any of that. I'm glad you're so passionate about the films!

BTW, I posted a link to an early review in another topic. The one-man-so-far consensus is that prequel haters need to shut up now.

Thanks for the link!

I'm really tempted to click that link, but I don't want to ruin the experience when I go to see the movie in theaters; although, seven minutes is a lot of footage.

My primary complaint about the two prequels (besides Jar Jar, who very well might the most annoying movie character ever created) is the poor acting.

Now, the novel ROTS was a great read -- and I am looking much more forward to this movie as a result.

Spoiler

Amidala is not in the book much, which means that much less of Portman's woodeness. And a lot of Annakin's scenes are action oriented, which will hopefully mean less woodeness from Christianson as well.

Does anybody see the irony of the acronym? SW ROTS... Like naming your kid Andrew Samuel Sanders.

Saw the preview in the theater. Seemed to me like it gave away all the important parts... all the motivations and plot twists that would make me want to go see how Anakin turned into Vader. How well does the book expand on this? Is it just a power trip, or does Anakin have greater motivations? Is there a chance of this movie having a good analysis of motive? Seriously, somebody convince me that I should go see this. Tell me more about it.

I haven't read the book and I don't have any strong desire to. For me, the Star Wars experience is about the movies, not the novelizations. The fact that Episode III is the last SW film is more than enough to convince me to see it (not that I really needed any convincing, heh).

Alynna, why should any of us try to convince you to see the movie? You just want us fans to reveal the depth of our SW geekiness so you can mock us, right?

I completely understand why SW has become a joke to many people. Seriously, there's no need for you to waste your money on a movie you don't believe in, Alynna. Feel free to sit back and laugh evilly at the rest of us attending the premiere, some of us in full Princess Amidala or Mace Windu regalia...

Thanks for the link, Old Darth! I watched the clip, of course. Between the music and the visuals, it was mesmerizing. WOW.

Alynna Lis Eachann wrote: Is there a chance of this movie having a good analysis of motive? Seriously, somebody convince me that I should go see this. Tell me more about it.

I'm only seeing this movie because I'm seeing it for free (like the last two) and it's the end of the prequels. The fact that I consider eps 1 and 2 to be among the worst movies of all time is not enough to deter me.

Matrixman wrote:Alynna, why should any of us try to convince you to see the movie? You just want us fans to reveal the depth of our SW geekiness so you can mock us, right?

I completely understand why SW has become a joke to many people. Seriously, there's no need for you to waste your money on a movie you don't believe in, Alynna. Feel free to sit back and laugh evilly at the rest of us attending the premiere, some of us in full Princess Amidala or Mace Windu regalia...

See, I could mock and laugh, but that would be hypocritical. A die-hard- Trekker-Monty-Python-quoting-Stargate-loving-fanfic-writing Harry Potter fan who owns two full sets of medieval garb, has been to the local Renaissance Festival every year since 1993 and ranks only a step or two above Furries in the geek hierarchy has no room to call anyone on their geekiness.

I really was looking forward to seeing this, because the human transition from Good to Evil (and vice versa) intrigues me. Just seems like the preview gave away all the major plot points. I'll still go see it if the Good-to-Evil transition gets expanded upon in some sort of psychological/motivational terms. Guess I'll have to wait until the movie comes out and ask people if they thought that actually happened.

Loremaster wrote:

Alynna Lis Eachann wrote: Is there a chance of this movie having a good analysis of motive? Seriously, somebody convince me that I should go see this. Tell me more about it.

I'm only seeing this movie because I'm seeing it for free (like the last two) and it's the end of the prequels. The fact that I consider eps 1 and 2 to be among the worst movies of all time is not enough to deter me.

Among the worst? Lore, I'm sorry, but the Star Wars prequels are towering monuments of human genius when compared with the worst movies of all time. We're talking stuff like "From Justin to Kelly", "Girl in Gold Boots", "Troll 2", "SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2", and, yes,

'Manos' The Hands of Fate

Seriously, somebody convince me that I should go see this.

You can just be like me, and if it sucks, just laugh at it the whole time. It worked for the first two movies. The acting was so horrible in the first two, you can't help but laugh at it.

If that's not enough, I'll treat ya to the movie. That way if the movie complete sucks and you feel like you want to kill yourself after watching it, then at least you saved 7 bucks. Heh. Although I don't think I'd be able to refund the loss of two hours of your life wasted.

But yeah, I sure don't want to go watch this stupid thing by myself. The Star Wars nuts will gang up on me if I'm the only person in the theater laughing my ass off. They'd beat me up with their plastic glowing lightsabers. Heh.-jay

kevinswatch wrote:If that's not enough, I'll treat ya to the movie. That way if the movie complete sucks and you feel like you want to kill yourself after watching it, then at least you saved 7 bucks. Heh. Although I don't think I'd be able to refund the loss of two hours of your life wasted.

Why are people so sensitive about losing two hours? Don't we waste 24 every day? Heh.

kevinswatch wrote:But yeah, I sure don't want to go watch this stupid thing by myself. The Star Wars nuts will gang up on me if I'm the only person in the theater laughing my ass off. They'd beat me up with their plastic glowing lightsabers. Heh.-jay

Ha! At least your death certificate will look interesting! "Bonked to death by enraged geeks"--or something!

I'm with Loremaster on this. The first two movies were horrible. In all fairness, the original trilogy is pretty cheesy too, but Hayden Christiensen is no Mark Hamill (and that's saying something!).

I'll go see ROTS 'cause I kinda have to, but I'm not looking forward to it.

(Tries to beat up High Lord Jay with plastic lightsabre but he counters with plastic Staff of Law.

Darth Matrix: "You should not have come back. When we first met, I was but the learner. Now I am the master."

High Lord Jay: "Only a master of evil, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more Earthpowerful than you can possibly imagine.")

Alynna, one of the best things in the book is that it did go into Annakin's thoughts, etc. and you could follow his descent into evil and madness...check out the Palpatine thread for bits about it.

The first two movies were horrible.

BLASPHEMY!

PERSECUTE THE BLASPHEMER!