Just saw it. At face value, no it wasn't a classic. But, since I knew the history, it was definitely worth my time. Final battle was awesome, and Sam Jackson was money. I thought Yoda was so cute also. Episode 3 will be dark. I can't wait for this. In a way, I wish Lucas would rewrite 4-6. Good to great movie overall; definitely worht your time and money. As for Anakin, yes I definitely see a dark side in him; but overall, I think he's good. Heck, Darth Vader ended up being a good guy. A pretty complex story. I'll admit I'm not a huge fan, so I got confused at certain points. The casting: I thought that at one point Leo Dicrapio was a candidate to play Anakin. Well, I'm glad he wasn't cast. Leo would've dominated the movie, not Anakin. Christenson (sp?) was perfect. It was a role that was more fitting for an obscure actor. Btw, no mention of Jango. I thought he was great. I can't wait for episode 3.
I don't know how much more advanced KEnobi is to Anakin. Remember, Anakin was the kid who flew a freaking plane!!! It was obvious throughout the film that Anakin was certainly more talented than Obi. Anakin, allegedly, could have been better than Yoda. I don't know. Anakin always seemed a step ahead of Obi, and I thought that was intentional.
Gentlemen. The first three were simply not that good. They weren't that deep, weren't that character rich, weren't that well written. Particularly the first. Especially the first. Star Wars, the original - the one I believe Lucas directed himself - suffers from the same kind of stale acting and dialogue most of you are referring to now. Lucas, simply put, is not that good a director. Does that mean I don't like Star Wars? Hell no. Star Wars is great. I love the epic storyline, love the good and evil struggle at its core. And yes, there is Vader. I will admit he is badass. I like Star Wars, I've looked forward to the new ones, and I think the old ones are a lot of fun. But nostalgia is getting the best of most of you. Maybe it was simply because they were original back then; maybe they had a kind of magic that can't be duplicated. But they were *never* beautifully composed, Oscar-caliber works of art. Not in the 70s or 80s, and not now.
You know---I came home from the show with a star wars buzz and told myself: "You shouldn't read the boards. Other people saw stuff they didn't like that didn't bother you, you'll think about it and you'll lose your buzz." I did it anyway. Yup...as a general film, if it were to drop on us out of the blue with no backdrop or history---and, I imagine, if you're not a fan, then it's no big deal at all. But I'm a fan. A big one. A HUGE one. And as such... THIS WAS AN AWESOME ***STAR WARS*** FILM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh man. Twists and turns...action...foreshadowing...I thought Anakin was convincing as a Jedi---loved his Jedi work. I enjoyed a little bit he a Amidala coming togather---I didn't dislike it at all. I loved seeing the jedi fight togather...i loved the fett story...I really like Mace. I loved Obi. I loved Anakins Jedi work---the chase...the battles with Tyranneous...YODA!...seeing the baby Jedi (ok...I was ahead of Yoda and anakin on that one) I just loved this movie. With a few minor squabbles (the sand quote and the sound of music bit) Lucas hit it out the park. He told the story I'd been waiting to hear. This WAS the Prequel. This is what ep one should have been. Ep 3 will just be gravy if it's anywhere close. Can't wait for the none fans to see it and have their say so I can discuss some SW universe points with people without having people feel impelled to jump in just to tell how much they hated it...crap on it all you want---I think Lucas just re-energized the SW magic. Awesome!
I saw it last night and loved it. There a few cheesy scenes, but the original Star War had its fair share as well. I think the biggest difference between the original trilogy and this one is that AOTC is much more ambitious - the story and scope are so much more involved. That would be my only fault - trying to cram too much into each movie, but that is a characteristic of most of the recent blockbusters. Awesome - I was buzzing when I came out of the cinema.
***SPOILERS*** Two comments and one question... 1) Yoda is officially the most bad ass mofo in the entire history of cimema. The dude just EXUDED leadership. The way he flawlessly led the clone army in that big battle scene was tremendous, and the scene where he whips out he light sabre is one of the greatest fight scenes I ever saw on screen. 2) Natalie Portman would be the hottest chick in Hollywood if she were a couple cup sizes bigger. Now for the question: Was that Uncle Owen from the original Star Wars making a cameo on Tatooine?
I know who the young couple was (a young Owen and Veru). I'm talking about that old guy in the wheelchair. Was that THE Uncle Owen from the original? I didn't see him listed on IMDB anywhere, so I'm thinking it wasn't him, but it did look like him...
Good question. I was impressed with how much the young Owen physically looked like the one from the originals, too.
I hate to admit to being a dork, but her name is not Veru, but Beru. There you have it. I know the name of a character that probably never even had an action figure. Maybe the one part that could have been re-done (especially the dialogue) was the love story on Naboo. They were hiding out (in plain sight, I might add). That could have been done on Tatooine; you could have had more depth of Anakin's character, because it really wasn't until then that I became involved with the characters, and Anakin really began showing his darker tendencies. Better late than never. Gotta say it again: Yoda gets out his can of whup-ass. Gotta love it.
Romantic scenes on Tatooine? I'm not sure that a scorching hot desert is the best place to develop a romantic storyline. Way too much brown. Naboo was perfect...big fields of grass, beautiful waterfalls and lakes. (too bad most of it was CGI...It would be cool if there were a place that nice on Earth). It was the perfect place for them to fall in love...
if you've read any of lucas' comments, this is intentional; it's to represent the republic at the height of its success and power. it's no accident they look more worn and used in 4-6; it's 30 years into the struggle (from TPM). the effects in this film are staggering; simply mind-blowing. with the digital technology, lucas has successfully found a way to seamlessly integrate actors into digital landscapes that left me awed. i highly recommend seeking out a theater with digital projection; the difference is NIGHT AND DAY.
Did someone say cheese? Princess Leia: The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers. C-3PO: Listen to them, they're dying, Artoo! Curse my metal body! I wasn't fast enough! It's all my fault! My poor master! [Referring to Ben Kenobi.] Tarkin: If you're right, he must not be allowed to escape. Darth Vader: Escape is not his plan. I must face him. Alone. [Two stormtroopers are posted near the tractor beam power terminal.] Stormtrooper: Do you know what's going on? Other stormtrooper: Maybe it's another drill. Ben (Obi-wan) Kenobi: That's no moon. It's a space station. Luke: Listen, I can't get involved! I've got work to do! It's not that I like the Empire; I hate it! But there's nothing I can do about it right now. ...It's all such a long way from here. Obi-Wan Kenobi: That's your uncle talking. Obi-Wan Kenobi: The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. Han Solo: Well, you can forget your troubles with those Imperial slugs. I told you I'd outrun 'em. [Nobody is listening.] Don't everyone thank me at once. Han Solo: Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid. Luke Skywalker: I'm Luke Skywalker, I'm here to rescue you. C-3PO: We seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life. Princess Leia Organa: Help me, Obi-wan Kenobi. You're my only hope. Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi: For more than a thousand generations the Jedi were the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. Before the dark times. Before the Empire. Luke: How did my father die? Obi-Wan: A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi knights. He betrayed and murdered your father. Obi-wan Kenobi: Mos Eisley spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. Obi-wan Kenobi: The Force can have a strong influence on a weak mind. Han Solo: Han Solo. I'm captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells me you're lookin' for passage to the Alderaan system? Obi-wan Kenobi: Yes indeed, if it's a fast ship. Han Solo: Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon? Luke Skywalker: What a piece of junk! Han Solo: She'll make point five past lightspeed. She may not look like much but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself. Han Solo: Watch your mouth, kid, or you're gonna find yourself floating home. Darth Vader: I find your lack of faith disturbing. Darth Vader: Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force. Darth Vader: I sense something. A presence I've not felt since... Obi-wan Kenobi: You must learn the ways of the Force if you are to come with me to Alderaan. C-3PO: Don't call me a mindless philosopher, you overweight glob of grease! C-3PO: We're doomed! Han Solo: Wonderful girl! Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to like her. Han Solo: Damn fool, I knew you were going to say that. Obi-wan Kenobi: Who's the more foolish, the fool, or the fool who follows him? Han Solo: Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy. Leia: Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper? Han Solo: Get in there you big furry oaf! I don't care what you smell! Han: This is not going to work. Luke: Why didn't you say so before? Han: I did say so before! [Princess Leia gets her first look at the Millennium Falcon.] Princess Leia: You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought! [Luke blows up his first TIE fighter.] Luke Skywalker: Got 'im! I got 'im! Han Solo: Great, kid! Don't get cocky! Princess Leia Organa: If money is all you love, then that's what you'll receive. [After a successful rescue of Princess Leia.] Luke Skywalker: So, what do you think of her, Han? Han Solo: I'm tryin' not to, kid. Luke Skywalker: [sotto voce] Good. Han Solo: [baiting him] Still, she's gotta lot of spirit. I don't know, whaddya think? You think a princess and a guy like me-- Luke Skywalker: [quickly] No.
I'm sorry, but 80% (if not more) of those lines are not cheesy... None of those lines even compare to the "You're soft and smooth" line quoted earlier...
Question for those whove seen Episode II. Obviously, C3PO has a "long memory" As a machine, he remembers everything, I guess. That's why when Anakin returns he remembers him as his master. But C3PO had been living with Shmi and her new family, which included Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. But in Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope, when they get the droids in the beginning, C3PO doesn't recognize Owen from earlier (and neitehr does R2 for that matter, although he was also there previously). Oh well, I'm sure there is more stuff like this.
Uh, I don't know about anyone else. But among those lines Surfguy just posted, the C3P0 lines are the only ones that seem remotely "cheesy" or "corny" to me. A great deal of them seemed a LOT more natural to read and hear than many of the lines in AOTC.
Yeah, I was also HIGHLY surprised to find out that R2D2 apparently has freaking rockets in his legs! Now, I can't think of any specific instances right now, but I am quite certain there is at least one or two situations in Eps. 4-6 where that would have been handy.
Yeah, I wondered about that too. It was cool to see a flying R-2, but also a little out of place. One instance that immediately comes to mind it in ROTJ when he and 3PO were on the skiff above Sarlaac on Tattooine and 3PO and R-2 fell off the skiff.
Best line ever in a Star Wars movie was from Return of the Jedi. As Han and Luke were being escorted out of Jabba's hideout to be tossed into Sarlacc's belly... Han: How we doin', kid? Luke: Same as always... Han: That bad, huh? Han Solo had all the classic lines... "I think my vision is getting better. Instead of a big dark blur, I see a big white blur" "No reward is worth this!" "Traveling through hyperspace isn't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?" "What a nice smell you've discovered!"
