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Sithslayer and JawsGeek take a look at THE PHANTOM MENACE!!!
Well folks, seems that first batch of reviews put the fear of Jar Jar into ya. As a result, I have found some of yall's lack of faith disturbing. Are you really so easily persuaded. A few reviews that don't exclaim that "IT'S THE GREATEST FILM EVER MADE!" and you begin weeping about it? Come on folks. Grow a pair. Find your tantric center and be at ease. Cause your reaction to the film could be the same as Sithslayer's here. (For those worried that he may be a plant.... He isn't.) As I finish up my opening crawl, pan down to reveal a bright shiny glowing review...
Well, Harry, it's 12:10 in the freakin' morning. I just came back from
a 2 and a half hour ride from Detroit, where I saw "The Phantom Menace"
at the Star Southfield 20 screen theatre. I scanned the sneak ticket
when I got it a day or two ago and I know you got it because I saw it
posted on your website and I freaked! Yeah Harry! I had to turn the
damn thing into the representatives at the outside entrance to the
auditorium (#10) where they first scanned it with a black light to see
the "Lucasfilm" logo on the back, then gave me a wristband to wear.
They had about 5 security people standing outside the auditorium
watching your every move and not smiling at all. One of them didn't
appreciate my joke about how they just got suckered by my fake pass. I
swear they held me back and re-checked my pass again with that black
light thing and then allowed me to enter. I thought for a minute there
that I wasn't going to get in.
Just before the movie started a man came to the front of the auditorium
and read from a piece of paper like he was the Town Crier, saying to
everyone that he needs everyone's help and to report anyone who was
filming or taping the movie. To remember that this is just a working
print and that it will be destroyed immediately after the showing. That
the sound and coloring still isn't competely done yet. And to please
not talk to any of the reporters outside of the theatre aftewards, to
which a big laugh was heard.
I'm still trying to catch my breath, even after talking about it the
entire time home with the other people I saw the film with. Lemme start
out by saying that I read with great anticipation the reviews posted
here earlier yesterday morning by the people who saw the film in
Toronto. After reading the reviews I was lead to believe that the film
sucked. These people were stating things like, "I know I'm going to get
some flak for saying this, but...." and that sort of stuff, so I was
bracing myself for one bad film.
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!!!!
George Lucas is pure genius, as for me, this film is the greatest film
that I've seen yet. I can't bring myself to cut it down in any
fashion. I'm still in awe at the absolute beauty in which everything
was looking, from the underwater sequences where we meet the Gungans to
the outer shot of the planet of Coruscant. I'm pissed at the people who
said they found Jar Jar to be annoying, because he wasn't. I'm pissed
at the people who said that they looked at their watches because they
thought the film dragged. I'm wondering if they saw the same film I
saw. It didn't drag at all. I'm pissed at the people who stated that
Jake Lloyd was monotone and couldn't act, because he could act. He was
fantastic! He's a boy! Remember that. In fact, this film was filled
from front to back with more stuff than all three of the first Star Wars
films combined!
I'm really trying to hold back from giving anything away because there
are things in this film that I didn't expect and I just sat there with
my jaw to the ground and at a couple of points had my hairs stand on end
on my arm. Lucas did everything in his power to give something to
everybody, to make everyone happy. He put just enough references to the
other movies to make me bust out laughing, while keeping everything
fresh looking. I already heard a few comments that I'm SURE will be
echoed by the typical semi-Star Wars fan, like, "How come this looked so
futuristic, yet Star Wars (Episode IV) doesn't have nearly enough
technology?" and "I was expecting Darth Maul to be a bit more evil".
Well I've got something to say to those people. Screw off. We don't
need ya. Hey, if you can suspend your belief for a moment that a ten
year old boy can pilot a pod racer and fly against aliens, then I think
you can suspend your belief a bit more to cover whatever else ills ya.
Jar Jar Binks: Sure he's clumsy. Sure he's dopey. But he provides
great comedy in all the right places.
Darth Maul: Yes I would have liked to see more of him, but then again
the parts that you do see are so memorable that you forget about the
fact you don't see him too often. Quality, not quantity.
Qui-Gon Jinn: I found out that it's pronounced "Kwai" Gon Jinn, as in
"Bridge Over the River...", not "Key" Gon Jinn. Liam Neeson is
brilliant. You actually BELIEVE that he is the master trainer of
Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Ewan McGregor does a masterful job as the young Jedi.
You can even tell that he imitates the voice of Alec Guiness in spots.
Queen Amidala: I didn't like Natalie Portman in the trailers. But in
the film, she's right up there with Princess Leia.
Anakin Skywalker: Jake Lloyd did a wonderful job. Every scene he was
in was great.
Bottom line is, if you want to be entertained like you never have
before, then see this film. I'm expecting to see this film at least 25
more times in the theatre. The freaking pod race alone is worth the
price of admission. I mean, it's just absolutely amazing. The camera
angles, the sound, the visuals, damn. I wished that I had the balls
enough to tell you people more about this without giving it away!
Thanks for being there Harry,
Your friend,
Sithslayer
And here's what JawsGeek from ATLANTA thought....
I don't know if you want another TPM review but here ya go. I saw it
last night in Atlanta at the Phipps Plaza. HOLY COW! What a fantastic,
fun film. The story was so well crafted... the action moves very fast at
the beginning. Then it slows down a lot after they leave Naboo. But the
last 30 minutes is pure Star Wars.
I can't wait to see this film again. Liam is great. Natalie Portman
impressed the heck out of me. Ewan doesn't spend the film frowning... he
smiles two or three times:) Jake Lloyd did a terrific job as Anakin.
Now, I was afraid that Jar Jar would ruin the film for me. But nothing
could be further from the truth. He is such a good character. He adds
depth to the plot. In fact, this is the first time I've seen a special
effect that could act. You get genuine emotions from him. The special
effects are superb... and they don't overwhelm the plot. God Harry, this
was so great. Life is cruel. I don't get to see it again for another two
weeks!
Jawsgeek
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+ Expand All
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I was starting to get worried there for a second. This review is certainly good to read after yesterday's...but I guess you've got to keep it in perspective...just like the other reviews, this is just one guy's opinion. But if anyone says they'll go back to see a movie 25 times in cinemas(what is that...about $200?), heck, the movie must have SOMEthing going for it. I don't know...for the last year I've been alternating between "it's going to be crap" and "it's going to be great"...I just want to see the damn thing, already. And hey, I think I'm first, in an episode one review talkback, no less...does that make me famous? no? Oh well.
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Oh well, I guess I'm not first after all. *sigh* ...but I typed WAY more than that guy!
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This film seems that it will live up to my expectatiion!.....yeah im a geek! so!!!....i plan on seeing this movie many times even if it is bad!....my girlfriend talls me what if it isnt any good and i reply saying well honey thats not an option!...p.s anyone here in albuquerque NM, who would like to wait with me to get tickets at the century??
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Let's face facts, people. Those who feel they must "brace us for the unfortunate truth" have a deep-seeded need to feel they're better than everyone else, to convince themselves that they are not freaks like the rest of us. Finally, Sithslayer gives us a TRUE fan reaction free from self-serving pride. This film is going to ROCK, but for some that realization may not hit until the second time they see it. It's like your first date after a long time away from dating, you're nervous, you're excited, and you're so caught up in the fact that you're dating again and you might screw it up you forget to enjoy yourself. RELAX PEOPLE...IT'S STAR WARS! Put away your pride, lay aside your anxiety, relax and enjoy the best roller coaster ride since 1983. Don't give into hate, that leads to the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression, the dark side are they. The Force is back baby! I may be 16 years older, but my filmic libido has plenty of life in it! Star Wars is cinematic Viagra and I say BRING IT ON!
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I'm glad someone thinks this movie is "brilliant." But, I'm more pleased with the "negative" reviews. Anything that can help lower my expectations is welcomed. No movie can live up to the expectations surrounding this one. If the Second Coming of Jesus Christ was on May 19th, most of us would have a tough time deciding whether or not to leave the line or to see the movie first!! Please everybody, go in expecting to hate this film & I think you'll do ok. I sure hope so. Of course, the reviews haven't really been all that bad. They've just been mixed. Even the worst reviews say that Episode 1 is "only" as good as or slightly better than ROTJ. Well, I fully agree that ROTJ is, by far, the worst of the trilogy, but it's still one of the 3 or 4 best movies I've seen in the last 16 years!! OH NO!!! "ONLY" as good as Jedi!!! If that's the case, then it'll be more than "good" enough for me.
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I read the earlier reviews with great interest and have to admit they made me a little nervous. But I knew most of us had our expectations set a little too high and the film could never possibly live up to them (what the hell could??). I was especially dismayed by the acidic comments that were posted after the reviews. All of the petty, immature bickering about the Matrix and Kubrick and on and on. Are we Star Wars fans or not? A few lukewarm reviews and people are ready to string Lucas up. After all is said and done, it IS only a movie. What I am hoping for with this experience is to go into the theater, put my adult worries and cynicism on hold and let the kid in me be transported the way I was in 1977, 1980 and 1983. The review above makes me feel confident that will happen. The past six months or so have really brought back some great memories, as did the 1997 special editions, even with Greedo shooting at Han first :-). When was the last time you had so much fun thinking about a movie? The footage we have seen already is worth the price of admission alone to see on the big screen. Plus, we have two more episodes with a grandly plotted story to look forward to. Lucas knows what he's doing. When do you ever get the chance to see a singular vision brougt to the screen that is not polluted with the latest trends and flavor of the month rock soundtrack? Let's just relax, sit back and enjoy the ride.
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It's so nice to see such a upbeat review. I'm tellin ya i was starting to doubt just a tad then i thought, hell being in denver for the celebration was something i have never expierenced. Just like its going to be for me the day i walk in to see this movie. I'll forget about those crappy ex girlfriends i got lucky with but i'll always remember may 19th and the theater, and the time, and the seat, and the fact that for 2 hrs and 6 minutes i was 8 years old like Jake Loyd. No worries in life, just me, my depends(!!!!), and the screen in front of me. Oh yeah, and the 100's of screaming die-hards like myself.Remeber this, not every starwars movie will have exactly what everyone wants, though it will come damn close for many. I say go in watch the movie, enjoy, become a kid, picture yourself at 8 years old wondering if this is real and/or how the hell can they do this. Make it an event, it's not every year a movie will come out and provide the public with such high quality. Most of all be thankfull George""THE MAN"" Lucas and his team of ""GODS"" are treating us to not only a great story but also cutting edge cgi and improved sound. George, thank you so much! It's here!
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I think everyone has to realise that there is going to be the mother of all backlashes against this film...mostly from people who aren't fans and are sick of hearing about Star Wars. In many ways, I don't blame them. The word "overkill" does spring to mind occasionally!
But, hey, it's Star Wars! Freaking Star Wars! This is something that goes beyond a series of moving images. People seem a bit sniffy about the prescence of humour in Ep1. Rewatch Star Wars! It's hilarious. Characters like Jar Jar are just as vital as the serious stuff like Darth Maul.
I think what we have here is the reaction of adult fans, who have lost touch with what drew them to Star Wars over 20 years ago. Star Wars has always been a kids film! But by that I mean that it's a film designed to appeal to our sense of wonder, and innocence. Please don't think that it has to be a dark, serious tale of redemption and loss. That's a part of it, but Star Wars is about fun. Let's not forget that.
Oh, and finally, living in the UK we've still got over a month left to wait. You do realise that I'm going to have to completely avoid the Internet from May 19th onwards, don't you? While everyone else is picking the story apart, we'll still be in the dark. And I want to stay there. So please Harry, keep the non-spoiler section going for your non-US readers! -
Well, reading reviews before May 19 might be ruining the experience for you guys, but what is a guy in Athens, Greece supposed to do? The film opens here in October! I just can't stand it. There's a big chance I'll fly over there just to see it with you guys! Cause, you know, 5 months of reading reviews and reaction from all of you, will definitely make me crazy!
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So I took too damn long to type my post, b.f.d. Anyway, I totally disagree..go in with lowered expectations? Yeah, that's how I'm going to spend my time in line, "The film I've been waiting half my life for is going to totally suck." I don't think so. Go in with realistic expectations, but don't let go of the excitement. When that Lucasfilm Logo hits the screen, I may lose my voice, when "A long time ago.." hits the screen, I may weep like a baby, when the crawl starts I may just, well, I'm too much of a gentleman to say what might happen. Let's just say I'm taking precautions...If you're looking for me, I'll be the one handing out Depends in line. EXPECT STAR WARS!
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Two mentions of Depends already in this talkback? SirSidious and I obviously haven't let the negative reviews get us down, we're prepared baby! "I'm June Allyson for Star Wars Episode 1" YEAH!
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Am I the only one who is bemused by the seemingly blatant propoganda by Lucas & Co. following their discovery that they didn't deliver a solid Star Wars movie?!!! Lucas: "It can't possibly live up to peoples expectations"; "Movies are fake"; "Some people will hate what I am doing with these films". It's all designed to innoculate you from the (apparent) failure of this movie. Jesus christ, don't you people realize when you being manipulated? Your way too hungry for something that (unfortunately) just isn't there. You know it too, which is the really strange thing. I read that other talk-back, and there really wasn't anybody talking bad about the film. Yet, seemingly every individual decided to lash out at a dissenter of the film, even though there wasn't one present. That rates at about a 10 on the scale of bizzaro freudian slips on your part (I say "slip", because I'm going to assume that if you know how to operate a keyboard, then you also know how to read.) Is there ONE amongst you that is willing to accept that "The New Star Wars Movie" is a dissapointment"? Is there any one who will admit that Star Wars was designed for adults? Is there any honest soul out there?
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I'm reading the script right now, and I think this film is going to be great. Sure it's more for kids than the previous three episodes, but It still kicks ass. I must admit that I was a little let down after reading the comic book version. Having a second and more detailed look at the story, however, has changed my mind. This is Star Wars. Deal with it narrow minded "Empire" lovers. Each one of these episodes is different from the others. Some are light and some are dark. This one like Jedi is light. So be it.
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What the hell are you talking about? The movie isn't out yet. how could it be a disappointment. Movies are (as life is) subjective. Some people may be disappointed, but let's remember this is Lucas' movie. He was able to make it exactly the way he wanted. since he created Star Wars, it doesn't get much more authentic than that. It cannot be anything but pure Star Wars. How could that be a dissapointment? Why do some people feel compelled to create a negative feeling out of nothing? i think you need to be honest with yourself as to why you are annoyed by others who are having fun and are excited about something.
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I knew when I went into these "first" Internet reviews, that I shouldn't have went. Internet junkies are in general, harsh, biting individuals who use the net usually to tear down something more creative than they could ever do. The problem is they miss the point.
What are the two major complaints I heard coming out of these peoples mouths? 1. It's aimed for kids, and not dark enough.
and 2.It drags in places.
Did any of these supposed fans ever see A New Hope? The first twenty minutes of A New Hope dragged on quite a bit, but it was the wonderful moments that came later that made it magical. It made us feel what it was like to go to a new frontier, and live a wide eyed myth. These "star wars geeks" are missing the point.
Star Wars is about discovery and mythology, and wide eyed wonder.
Perhaps the movie is light, and it is aimed for kids, but wasn't the original film pointed the same direction? The subject matter in TPM doesn't seem to perpetuate darkness quite yet. Is it just me, or isn't this movie about a little boy destined to be something greater?
How dark do we want it?
If all these people want dark, that's fine...Episode 3 will be dark enough for anyone. They are nitpicking the details so much, that they have missed the point of Star Wars.
Yes, I know Empire was the most solid and serious of the films, and it fit great in it's spot in the trilogy, It connected the first part (the most magical) and the last (the most carefree and whimsical, some say, weakest)together in a perfect union.
In the first episode of the prequel trilogy, do we really want the darkness of Empire, or do we want the wide eyed magic of the first film? I for one want to walk in and see once again through a childs eyes. Just like I did the first time. I want my nephew to see it that way too, and I want it to perpetuate new Star Wars fans, new addicts. All those kids that the movie supposedly plays to, well they are the future, they are the ones that keep the myth of the modern age, (such as Star Wars and superheroes) alive. That is who this film should be for. Our youngest generation. We all know that Episode 2 will be the romantic one, and Episode 3 will be the dark one, well that's fine with me. Let the films grow and expand in maturity and subject as these younger fans grow as well. Of course,let us not forget the original Star Wars generation, whose true fans (not those posting these reviews) will with pure wonderment discover once again how fun the world can be.
Donn Green
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I'm glad that this Episode is light like Jedi. It's a perfect bookend for the Saga.
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I like many read the reviews yesterday, I thought well thats a few opinions but I am still my own person. How many people read reviews and felt a different way to the review once they have watched the film. I have on many occasions, as the saying goes each to their own. One thing I noticed from the PM reviews was that it was mentioned that star wars was a kids film. I do not know about the rest of you but when was the last time your saw a childs film that was a trilogy so rich with characters and sub-plots. Just because most of us were children when we first saw the original star wars series does not mean they are kids films. Also George Lucas has been accused of this film not having such a great plot or the sith are not in it enough. But consider this, its a 3 film story arc and Empire was a lot darker and more adult. Then jedi ended it all on a lighter and more cummalative tone. Like many classic stories George has written a start middle end, this year is only the beginning!!!!
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There is a logical, rational reason why everything looks better. Isn't this the era when the dark side is NOT in power yet? These three episodes degenerate into the next three when the Empire is the driving force of the universe. When the rebels are hiding and trying to join together to fight back. Think of it as a great civilization that will be repressed later on (or just be destroyed) Think of it this way- What civilization was more modern and civilized- Ancient Rome or England during the Plague? There's several hundred years difference there. Anyway, end of lecture. Any comments? Am I completely full of shit?
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May 06, 1999 3:06:04 AM CDT
Dirty old techology, well you might be onto something!!!
by kahoona burger
I think the oppressed rebels with limited resources is a nice explanation. The PM does indeed show a wonderous peace loving society that has been at peace for so long without a great presence of evil. When the Phantom Menace (doh sorry for being corny) finally rears its sith like head they are caught off card. This once great republic is reduced to a mere shadow of its former self. If you follow that train of thought the idea of the tech not looking so advanced for the rebels in the future kinda works. After all in the first trilogy the Empire is shown as having near infinite resources and all the best toys. Except for the old falcon of course!! One thing I have noticed is with the 20 year gap in effects development the ship shapes in this new movie are a lot rounder more organic like than in the previous trilogy. Where most of the ships, except for the rebel cruisers, where generally more angular. What do you guys & gals think????
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For Sithslayer TPM is the "greatest film he's seen yet". Only he knows if that's really true, or just hyperbole, but personally I'm a bit suspicious that any film released in 1999 could qualify for such an encomium. How can you blind youself to all the magnificent sweep of film history and say that a slice of sci-fi kiddie popcorn is "greater" than The Battleship Potemkin, Citizen Kane, Dr Strangelove, The Seven Samurai, Vertigo, 2001 or a hundred other classics? I'm sure for all the fans who love Star Wars, TPM will be a fantastic experience, but it won't be the greatest film ever made. It doesn't have to be. One of the most fun, exciting, thrilling or whatever, but the greatest? No way Jose.
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I have to say that I have been reading and posting to various talk backs for quite some time now. It never ceases to amaze me how aggressive in tone people get over their passion for movies!! Yet again another talk back session has been reduced to people basically accusing each others movie tastes of being wrong and their comments are more valid. The people who read and write to these pages are obviously old enough to have free will and understand the concept of personal opinion. People are inherently born to disagree, we all form are opinions differently via different stimuli. I for one strongly dislike quite a few movies but that no way means that I am right. In fact I applaud the fact that I dislike them, because if every film ever produced was exactly to my tastes the world would be a dull place. We need variation & differences in opinion, the fact a film gets made means that at least one person in the world likes it. Its that variety that adds to the spice of life, it keeps us challenged and on our toes. I just wish that when people feel strongly about films that they do not have to resort to commenting about over peoples opinions in such an aggressive manner. Surely it would be better to find out what other people like about films you do not and see if their opinion alters or adds to your opinion, thus enhancing your experience of the film.
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As an experiment, pay $400 to see your favorite movie ever, whether it's Star Wars or not, and tell me if you don't feel the slightest bit let down afterwards.
-- ZK. -
People who watch things that have many good qualities and deem them a "dissapointment" are admitting that their own limited perception and mental preoccupations have stopped them from enjoying the film at hand. All my most joyous or interesting film going experiences were of films I knew next to NOTHING about before going in. Your mind is pure and the film washes over you like a dream. EP IV, SEVEN, PAPERHOUSE and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK are a few examples. It's been awhile since I've had this experience in a theatre (still get it on video sometimes cause I never read the back of the boxes) and even though I know allot about THE PHANTOM MENACE I'm gonna do my best to force my brain into "open" mode. Don't expect. Just enjoy, or don't enjoy as the case may be. Film was not meant to live up to expectations, it was meant to let us dream together in the dark.
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Since THE PHANTOM MENACE is supposed to be the first in the series of six, I'm going to pretend, as a little experiment in self brain manipualtion that IV, V and VI don't even exist. Just like when the first FLASH GORDON serials came out and nobody knew they were coming , or the first episode of the MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE cartoon I saw as a kid that to me seemingly came out of nowhere-- man that blew me away.
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The reason for the technology looking different is because the new trilogy takes place in another part of the galaxy altogether. And Chiang said Lucas wanted the movie to have a retro feel, more classical. Besides, look at the styles of the 40's and compare them to the styles of the say, 70's. Alot different, no? Furthermore, this is Lucas we're talking about! He thinks of everything.
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I'm very happy I did not have to pay money to see this movie, 'cause it really SUCKED!!!
No plot, no interesting characters, nothing interesting going on, unintelligible accents from all the alien critters (especially the one that seemed like a Roger Rabbit-wannabe), not-particularly-special special effects, terrible dialogue, and just god-awful acting. The kid in the flick was so bad he makes you yearn for the days of MacCauley Culkin. The performances overall were so deadpan they made Jack Webb seem like Roberto Benigni. They even stooped to ripping off the chariot race from BEN-HUR.
It's especially ironic that Lucasfilm is insisting on no screen advertising being shown with the film, because it's just a 2 hour 14 minute commercial for toys and video games.
I haven't seen anything suck this much since they introduced the Monica Lewinsky Vacuum Cleaner. In fact...it's the worst film I've seen since INDEPENDENCE DAY, and that's saying a lot! -
I don't think that there has been a film made that is so good it's worth seeing a minimum of 25 times - Sithslayer, and I don't mean this insultingly, but you really need to get a life - there's more to the world that Star Wars regardless of how good it may or may not be - all you StarWars geeks should turn off your PCs and go outside before you make the sad realisation that your life has slipped you by.
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...Jar-Jar loves you.
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Sorry for the triple postings (bad kitty!). I was just thinking about the IMDB feature of the day, "Excalibur", which Boorman produced and directed. All Optical special effects, some very creative. Imagine what he could do with LucasFilm behind him?
Also Paul Verhoeven would be an excellent choice. I doubt the Jedi will suddenly start f*cking. -
These reviews strike me as those headlines movies will print on their newspaper ads taken from obscure radio or tv stations that say they like the film when general consensus is it isn't THAT good. I am not interested in Lucasfilm errand boy reviews. I look forward to some critics who can judge it outside the rampant geeking or marketing blitz. I suspect it will look amazing but lack some bite story-wise. But hey, I'm not AFRAID of the movie. What in the world could make you afraid of the movie? Dissappintment? Gee, Hollywood has certainly trained me, with the plethora of film nonsense they pander out, to keep me from slitting my wrists if the movie isn't what I wanted. I am just peeved I have to keep spending over $9 to see it...But thats the movie houses, not the film per se.
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Anyone stop to think that the end of civilization could be occuring? SW:TPM premiere, DS9 conclusion and Crusade premiere all within a month of each other? Jobs will be lost, wives and children will leave, computers (without their babysitters) will crash, all while 50 million geeks bask in reflected celluloid and phosphor. Y2K nothing, I'm packing now!!!!!!
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Hey, George once said that there are 3 main parts to his stories.
1. The introduction of the characters and setting the stage.
(A New Hope)
2. He puts them in the worst possible situation. (Empire)
3. Our heroes somehow defeat the bad guys. (Jedi)
(Hopefully without the help of 2 foot tall walking carpets this time.)
I am treating TPM as the first chapter of a story. In the beginning of a story, you have to get certain things out the way first, like letting us know who people are and why they are doing what they are doing. Then you can get into the nitty-gritty. Calm down and enjoy the ride people. "Unlearn what you have learned!!!"
This is a beginning!!!!!
PS: I was just thinking about ANH. Isn't Leia a little quick with the raciest comments to Chewie for her being a Senator and diplomat? Oh well. -
Alleluia!... Alleluia! Alleluia! Thanks Harry for posting these reviews. It gives me A New Hope (no pun intended).
Can't wait...The only thing that kills me now is that when I bought the soundtrack, I think I shot myself in the foot by reading the names of the songs on back. It was like "A Christmas Story" when the kid goes Fuuuddge...only I didn't say fudge. Major Buzzkill. -
I got one question for all you guys reading all these reviews: What made you think this movie WASN'T gonna be great?! It's STAR WARS for crying out loud! By definition, it's gonna be classic. But, I wouldn't go so far as to call this thing the greatest film ever made. Don't get me wrong, I know it's gonna be absolutely spectacular, but somebody tell this reviewer not to jump the gun (either that or start seeing more movies). Did this guy ever see SCHINDLER'S LIST, or ON THE WATERFRONT, or TERMS OF ENDEARMENT?
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Even though I was warned, I was listening to the album and then heard a track I liked so I decided to have a peek. The first thing my eyes looked at was the plot give away. It was not even the track I was looking for, its like my sub-concious could not resist the temptation!! I think the wise words of a great Jedi Master sum this up DOH!!!!
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What the hell are you on? Kubrick boring, you should be banned just for saying...ah, again, my hearts not in it. But you really shouldn't knock movies because other people think they are art (all movies are art because they have nothing to do with survival of the species, see Scott McLeod's books for a further dissertation on what "art" is) if you think they are boring leave it at that but don't tell us what we should and shouldn't like because then you are being a Nazi, my friend!
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KUBRICK A HACK?!!? Are you losing your mind. Kubrick's body of work is unparalleled in all of film history. Arguably he has singlehandedly produced the best war movie (Full Metal Jacket), the best sci-fi film (Depending on which type of sci-fi film you like choose either 2001 or A Clockwork Orange), the best period or historical film (Choose Spartacus or Barry Lyndon), the best black comedy (Dr. Strangelove or Lolita), and the best thriller (The Shining) since mankind began filming in the late 1800's. Now how is it possible that an artist that has produced so many brilliant films across so many varied genres is possibly a "hack"? No my friend, Kubrick is the real thing. If there was any justice on this Earth, and if true intelligence and incitefulness counted for anything, Lucas's marketing magnet "The Phantom Menace" wouldn't be receiving all this hype, and "Eyes Wide Shut" would. Until he passed away in March Kubrick was the worlds greatest living director, a legend who has been producing brilliant films since the 1950's, a pioneer in the industry who invented the modern sci-fi film and the sci-fi myth that Lucas claims to own, and now he's gone, and "Eyes Wide Shut" is his last gift to the world. One of the greatest artists of the 20th century has left us, gone forever from the face of this earth, silent for all eternity, except for the film he finished on his death bed which [luckily] will be released in its entirety on July 16, and the man who brought us Howard the Duck and Willow receives all the press. The world should be ashamed and embarrassed. At what point did it become possible for a two-bit money hungry hack like Lucas, making his pictures purely to sell products, to steal the thunder from a man far more deserving of our respect and admiration, a man of uncompromising vision, wit, and humanity, who gave all he had to his films without concern for profits or products? The most anticipated film of the summer should be "Eyes Wide Shut" the last vision of one of America's greatest artists...
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Why are some reviewers (and review readers) getting their panties in a wad because TPM doesn't exactly re-create the original movie? I'm glad to see more positive reviews today. But all I really want to know is, is this a good movie? I was flatly dissapointed with some of the reviews yesterday. Instead of commenting on TPM in and of itself, some reviewers compared it to what they wanted it to be... "it lacked a Han Solo-like side kick," "a trade conflict isn't the same as blowing up the Death Star," "Darth Maul could have replaced Vader as the ultimate bad guy, but they under-used him" etc. etc. etc. Face it people, TPM is TPM... it is not ANH, it is not EMPIRE, it is not ROTJ... it is a totally new story. I think what some people wanted is verbatim replay ANH with new faces. Is the darn thing a good movie in and of itself? When reviewers compare it to ROTJ, are they just comparing the kiddie elements, or was it as badly constructed as ROTJ? You see, I think the poor Ewoks have been blamed unfairly for how ROTJ turned out... having a few kiddie elements would not have spoiled ROTJ if the rest of the movie had been any good. Let's face it folks, it wasn't just the Ewoks that made ROTJ the black sheep of the original trilogy... ROTJ blew in a lot of places. Come on, the set up in Empire was SOOOO GOOOOD... the surprise about Darth Vader being Luke's dad, the fact that "there is another" hope... it was so cool and mysterious. I thought that the finale of the trilogy would handle those kind of dramatic elements in the same way. Instead, the writers just kind of half-heartedly inserted them into the story. Come on, the whole back to Dagobah (sp?) was so bad... Yoda just says, ok, you're a jedi and keels over and dies, Ben meets Luke and says, "Oh, yeah, Leia's your sister." That whole scene was cheesy and forced... like they just stuck it in as an afterthought. The writing in that was just bad. The only place where it looked like any thought went into ROTJ was parts of the beginning with Jabba and during the Ewok scenes... I'm sorry, but the scene where C3PO is telling the Ewoks the group's story and making the sound effect of light sabers and Vader's breathing was 10 times more effective than the supposedly dramatic scene where Luke tells Leia that they're related... again, cheesy and forced. I enjoy ROTJ for what it is... it's actually fun in a lot of places... and being "lite" isn't what makes it bad in some spots. Anyway, would a reviewer tell me if the story of TPM flows or not? If it makes sense? If the acting's any good? Is the movie well constructed? Oh, well, maybe I'll have to wait until impartial reviews see it instead of people who have so much emotion invested in the series.
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I love reading statements such as "great story" and "best film ever" from people who obviously has absolutely the barest scintilla of knowledge about film.
Those two reviews are from people who have no taste. That much is clear, and I haven't even seen the damned film.
They are rabid fan-boys, and whomever pointed out that these are the kinds of reviews from which newspaper quotations are taken was correct.
Further, whoever buys into the bullshit argument that this movie is "just the first chapter" and we should "treat it like a beginning", you can all bite down hard on this: you are wrong. That simple. Whatever story this film is a part of, it is nevertheless a film first. It must stand on a its own as a film, not as part of something larger. That's a bullshit rationalization when the movie doesn't live up to its expectations. What do you think, gee, if this film had such a fantastic story, and it was so earth-shatteringly brilliant as those two reviews suggested, would anyone NEED to justify criticisms by saying "Oh, well, no, it's okay, it's just the first chapter . . ." What they DON'T say is, "The next one will be a lot better. I hope."
Losers. -
I keep reading reviews from people saying that it's slow and not enough action and blah, blah, blah. Well, obviously your memories are a little short since Star Wars Ep 4 DRAGS hard in the middle. From the point where we meet Luke to the Falcon lifting off from Mos Eisley, very little happens. This is called "Exposition" and "Plot Development" people. Now I didn't notice this until I found myself falling asleep about a half hour into it every time I see it lately. Before I get flamed for that, know that I'm 26, I saw all re-issues, remastered, and special edition prints in the theater for all the movies. But after about 200 times with A New Hope, that mid point is nearly excruciating.
This doesn't mean it's bad, but it is slow. I want Phantom Menace to be slow because the amount of story and plot that they HAVE to include is massive compared to The first trilogy (or second trilogy, I'm not sure what the vernacular is supposed to be):the Clone Wars, Anakin and Padme marry, Ankin becomes a Jedi, the Jedi are hunted and destroyed, Empire Rises, Republic falls, Anakin converts, etc. Compare this to the old movies: destroy Death Star twice, Luke becomes Jedi, Anakin returns to the light, Anakin kills Emperor, Alliance defeats Empire, that's pretty much it in the scheme of the important developments.
JUST STOP WORRYING! Phantom Menace will be a great movie, just don't have your expectations SO high that nothing could fulfil them. -
I keep reading reviews from people saying that it's slow and not enough action and blah, blah, blah. Well, obviously your memories are a little short since Star Wars Ep 4 DRAGS hard in the middle. From the point where we meet Luke to the Falcon lifting off from Mos Eisley, very little happens. This is called "Exposition" and "Plot Development" people. Now I didn't notice this until I found myself falling asleep about a half hour into it every time I see it lately. Before I get flamed for that, know that I'm 26, I saw all re-issues, remastered, and special edition prints in the theater for all the movies. But after about 200 times with A New Hope, that mid point is nearly excruciating.
This doesn't mean it's bad, but it is slow. I want Phantom Menace to be slow because the amount of story and plot that they HAVE to include is massive compared to The first trilogy (or second trilogy, I'm not sure what the vernacular is supposed to be):the Clone Wars, Anakin and Padme marry, Ankin becomes a Jedi, the Jedi are hunted and destroyed, Empire Rises, Republic falls, Anakin converts, etc. Compare this to the old movies: destroy Death Star twice, Luke becomes Jedi, Anakin returns to the light, Anakin kills Emperor, Alliance defeats Empire, that's pretty much it in the scheme of the important developments.
JUST STOP WORRYING! Phantom Menace will be a great movie, just don't have your expectations SO high that nothing could fulfil them. -
Cuthbert, I didn't say Kubrick was God (no filmmaker is), but I do think he was a cinematic genius. I won't bore you with an explanation as to why, because Peregrin's post above mine does that pretty eloquently. Also, the films I cited as "classics" were just a few examples of the many many wonderful movies made in the past century against which you must measure TPM if you want to call it the "greatest ever". Now you personally might not like these movies, and that's fine. I don't like all of them all that much either (especially not Citizen Kane), but received opinion is that they are all examples of excellence in filmmaking of their time/type. To say that these movies "suck chicken" is just silly, perverse and plain wrongheaded. Me I'm a bit of a Sam Peckinpah fan myself, as you can probably tell from my user name. I think The Wild Bunch is one of the milestones of movie history, a fanastic, lyrical, epic, profound, exciting film, but it's not the "greatest ever". (Actually Dr. Strangelove is my favourite movie, but that's another story.) I was only calling for some perspective on this whole TPM business. Like somebody else said, it may be the greatest ever to some people, but then again, some people probably loved Kingpin, or raved over Godzilla. Some people are not always right. Including me.
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It never ceases to amaze me how many times people compare things out of context. Just because they both made films does not mean they should be compared. Its like comparing the acting of Tom Cruise to that of Orsen Welles. Two totally different actors acting in completely different genres of films. One is not really worse than the other because they never both did exactly the same thing so that you could compare them. Kubrick, may he rest in piece, was a totally different film maker to Lucas. I might personally believe that Kubrick made more good films than Lucas has. But at the end of the day they made movies as per their visions. I do not believe that Kubrick could do a better job of star wars anymore than lucas could do a better clock work orange. Due to there individual visions and styles. For the type of genre and period that Stanley Kubrick made films he was a visionary. For the type of sci-fi saga thats accessible to anybody young or old, Lucas has achieved a cultural awareness that has spanned many years and many generations. That to is quite an accomplishment but totally different to Stanley Kubrick.
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May 06, 1999 8:21:54 AM CDT
I knew it I knew it I knew it I knew it I knew it I knew it I kn
by angry
Take that your naysayin' dorks! I knew this movie would kick ass! Total ass! You were bitching, I knew it would be good. You're all whining "Jar Jar this, Jar Jar that, Oh no Jake Lloyd this, Jake Lloyd that" I never believed you geeks for a second!
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Look all I want to say is that people should stop bickering, especially those who have not yet seen the film. If you have seen the film than your opinions are valid, good or bad. But allow me to digress and make a few points to the nay-sayers. You say that the film is "only" as good as Jedi. Well what do you expect? These three films should be kinda like the original trilogy in reverse. The original trilogy was about the redemption of Anakin, this one is about the fall of Anakin. Think about it. And if you think it's a bad thing for this film to be geared towards kids you're off your nut. The original films were geared towards children. It just so happens that adults enjoyed it too. Kids enjoy the effects and the simplicity of good vs evil, adults enjoy the complexity of emotion and depth and I am quite sure that once all three films have been released this once again will come to light. Besides, us 20+ folks don't need heroes the children need heroes and by god I say more power to Lucas. They are the ones who need the role models not us. I also wish that people would stop judging this film based on the other SW films. I know that this is a little unrealistic but shouldn't we be judging this just as we did ANH, on whether or not it is a good movie? Of course I want to see it based on the fact that I loved the original but I also want to see it because I love movies and I want it to be a good movie more than I want it to be a good prequel.
One last thing, to all those who disparage Lucas for saying things like "can't please everyone", what the hell is your problem? He's right! And I give him a big thumbs up for taking the honest approach. Other film makers sit there and talk about how wonderful there films are, how they are the greatest of all time when they know damn well that their movies suck. Of course I know a few cynics would tear him down either way but for the most part people should think before they open their mouths. I for one am gladdened by the fact that Lucas has the guts to say what he has despite the fact that he made this film with his own money. He is being honest and I for one don't know that I would have the guts to be as open about the film as he has. But that goes to show the power of this film, the fact that Lucas beleives in it so whole-heartedly. Why else would he give an advanced screening knowing full well that there would be some who would be unhappy. Hell that was a garuantee, he might as well have printed that on the posters. He knows what he is up against and still he drives on full steam.
Anyway I guess I have rambled enough. I am sure that my opinions will have little effect on the general population but I had to say it.
May the Force be with you, always. -
First or all I have to say that I am not a star wars fanatic though i did like the trilogy very much. I'm more into independent films and foreign films because those are the movies I grew up on. I went to the premiere in New York and I must say that this movie is something that is never been done before. This is what you call a 120 million independent film. The film is awesome. Kurosowa was definitely an influence on Lucas. Jar Jar was definitely a character lifted from the movie Ran and the Queen from Kagemusha the shadow warrior. Natalie Portman does a remarkable job playing the subtle Queen and Padme. I wouldn't be surpise to see her in future Merchant Ivory films. Jake Lloyd is fantastic. Just the thought of little sweet Anakin becoming the future darth hitler gives me chills when he comes on. And that was the key to the film for me but this was definitely Liam Neeson's movie all the way. I can't picture anybody else doing the movie. And Ewan Mcgreggor IS Ob1.
I definitely have to see the movie again just because there was so many things going on in every scene. Too many details I over looked. The commercials and the trailers and the DOTF video doesn't even come close to what is in the actual movie. The movie is hard to put to words because it is so visual that you have to see it for yourself.
What I don't get is the negative reviews on this film saying that it is only up to par with ROTJ. I never really liked Jedi. To me Empire was the best of the trilogy. Comparing TPM and the trilogy is idiotic. This is a totally different star wars and should not be compared to the trilogy. It's like trying to compare Broadcast News to Dangerous Liasons. If they had to be compared this movie is so much better than ANH and ROTJ just because the acting was great, the effects were better and the story surpasses the two. I'll admit it doesn't have that bite that Empire has because, let's face it, the line "I'm your father" alone gives the Empire the edge. TPM does not have that bite but this is the first of the trilogy and we should not expect a turning point till 2 and 3.
TPM should be nominated for best picture of the year, not just in the Academy Awards but also the Golden Globe. Why? Because we have never seen anything like this before. It is a completely original "picture" just because of the effects alone and how they were used in the overall film. I doubt it's gonna win because there will be other films out there that will definitely be a contender. I for one am waiting for Eyes Wide Shut.
I give this movie four out of four stars just for the fact that this is something I have never seen before in any movie. Those are usually the best films that stand out for me. Like the first twenty minutes of Saving Private Ryan or the story of Shakespeare falling in love with a Juliette in Shakespeare in Love or Queen Elizabeth becoming a bitch who realizes she must spend the rest of her life alone in the end of Elizabeth or the humorous take on the Holocaust in Life is Beautiful. These are original films that has never been done before that's why they were picked for best picture. TPM is that because it takes us to another world unlike any scifilm has ever done.
I love this movie and I'm gonna be there again come May 19th. -
People saying Seven Samurai is
crap ? People comparing Lucas
and Kubrick and saying Kubrick's
a hack ? Hmm, I've encountered
anti-Kubrick sentiment before
but what the heck is it doing in
a TalkBack forum about Episode 1.
Also of all these reviews from
people who've seen the movie and
people saying Harry is trying to
hype the movie up by not showing
the negative reviews of the movie
as in JMS Forever's post. Honestly, I like Empire (it's
one of my favorite films),
I think both Lucas and Kubrick
are great filmmakers. Lucas has
his flaws like Howard The Duck
and Radioland Murders which he
executive produced and Kubrick
did make Clockwork Orange which
goes on my list of one of those
films which has qualities I admire
(Malcom McDowell's performance,
the visual style) but all in all,
think is really over-rated. But,
hey that's just one okay film in
a director's cannon whom I feel
is of nothing but the good,
and the very good and the greatest
ever of all-time, in my opinion.
No filmmaker is god in that, they're incapable of
faliure. Please, stop dissing Kubrick and Lucas and stop comparing them. You want
to diss Kubrick ? When his film,
EYES WIDE SHUT comes out then you can diss him to your heart's contents. You have your opinions and I'll have mine. As for
dissing Lucas, I'm surprised.
Just a few weeks ago we were
all hyped up for this film
and now just because of
some negative reviews we
instantly think, MY GOD IT'S
THE WORST MOVIE EVER! Get a grip.
That's the opinions of
the reviewers and not you.
I like a lot of films such as Spaced Invaders and
Mars Attacks which a lot of
other people don't like.
I personally think Jedi was
a wonderful exciting funny
and even touching film and
a worthy if not great conclusion
to the Star Wars trilogy
I read people's reviews and
opinions and I respect them
for it...but don't try and say
"Hey, if you like that stupid
piece of crap then you're an idiot
cause you're right and I'm wrong."
That's just a pissing contest.
Come on, people. When Menace
opens May 19, 1999 and after
you yourself have personally
watched the film from start
to finish, then you can give
your opinion on whether or not
it is great or good or so-so
or just plain rotten. You'll
do yourself a favor and now whether or not your worst fears
are true or not. I've read parts
of the novelization posted on
the Internet and from what I've
read The Phantom Menace will
be a great film. I plan to see it
at a special midnight screening
at the Uptown in Washington D.C.
I hope it will be a good film.
Lucas may have his faults as
a producer but as a director
he's near flawless. THX1138 is
one of most under-rated films
of the 70's, dazzling,
thought-provoking and imaginative. American Graffiti
is innocence, change, and a time
and place in America perfectly
captured on celluloid. Star Wars:
A New Hope is a magnificent film.
Slow ? yes. Cliched ? yes but
at the end of the film I feel
wonderful and happy knowing
I have had a magnificent time watching a movie unlike any I have ever seen and experienced many
emotions of joy, laughter,
fear, wonder, and magic. And
all in all, I have enjoyed visiting this place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away and
hope to visit it again.
I hope that after seeing
The Phantom Menace, my thoughts
will be very similar.
Lucas has not let me down yet
in his career as a film director
and I know he will not now.
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It would be nice if your above comments about Lucas were true, but in fact they aren't. Lucas isn't showing this film before its official release date out of the goodness of his huge heart. Rather he is required to do so by LAW [in most states], and so, regardless of the films propensity to suck, it must play anyhow. For some reason or another everyone is convinced that Lucas is some artist working on high for the pure pleasure of creating, regardless of his audience, profits, etc. [kind of like Kubrick REALLY did, but that's another matter entirely]. But the truth is, he's a money hungry, egotistical, self-righteous buffoon who takes credit for an entire series he ripped off from someone else, and didn't even create himself. Check me if I'm wrong, but Lucas didn't write or direct either of the last two. Now he's working without the help of those who brought Empire to life, without the effects genius of Phil Tippet, and it's going miserably. This film was suppossed to be out in 1997. This film was suppossed to cost around $50,000,000. The were suppossed to film this at the same time they filmed the other two. So what happened? Now the films two years late and twice the budget, with the other two no where in sight -- save for discussions of budgets which are approaching the 150 million mark and some crap about shooting it digitally. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what happened there. Couple that with the ending being revamped by Spielberg to adjust its pacing, and it is obvious that they are sitting on some pathetic piece of shit with more hype surrounding it than any movie ever. So what's Lucas to do? Stick some cute ears on some critters, throw some funny looking CG creatures in there, get ready with a shitload of toys, gear up the marketing machine and whalla! you have the typical event movie of the nineties. It really is that simple. I mean all you have to do is ask yourself this: For all of Lucas's endless talk of myths made real, and every generation needs a legend, and every other ridiculously erudite and high handed comment he has made over the past six months, when was the last time you read a myth [or myth inspired story] with armies of funny eared freaks that just coincidentally happened to make real cute toys?
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Christ on a bicycle! Can we not have a talk back with out a dozen pretentious fops bringing up this mans name and listing all his films and why they are superior to everything else ever filmed! Shit, shut up already!
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that the very day this film opens in the U.K. I am taking an (unofficial) day off work ! My son gets an (unofficial) day off school, and we'll stand in line for as long as it takes to get to see it.
Does that make me a bad parent ?
HELL NO !!!!!!!!!! -
In reference to the topic of everything in The Phantom Menace looking so futuristic . . . . The film is supposed to be set in a period similar to the Renaissance era of our own history. A New Hope was sort of a Dark Ages for the galaxy far, far away. After any major political changes, a period of social depression can happen . . . just look at Russia. The Empire came into power and the collective economy of the galaxy fell into it's own little Great Depression. That's why everything looks so futuristic in Phantom . . . the technology may very well have been better in their society than it was in A New Hope.
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I want to talk about an issue that has not really been touched upon regarding TPM. I am talking about the people that are already hyping up Darth Maul as the new BadMuthaFucker of the Star Wars universe. Gee, I guess poor Bubba Fatt 15 minutes of geek-love are over. Listen to me people: If you are a grown man and you put make-up on your face and it is not Halloween or you aren't getting paid for it (ala Marilyn Manson), then you are a loser. End of story. You freaks can justify it however you
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No one has mentioned THE greatest director of all time. You can have your Stanley Kubricks and your Akira Kirosawas and your Alan Smithees but I have my own personal hero. I have patterned my life after his and have strived to acheive excellence in every facet of my life because of this man. Who is it you ask?
The guy who directed the crying indian "don't litter" commercial.
The subtlety of his work... the pathos he conveys...truly marvelous.
In case you're wondering, I'M INSULTING ALL OF YOU.
Jerkoffs. -
one simple way to explain the apparent advanced technology is to assume that it never went anywhere. the original trilogy is set mostly on "outer rim" worlds far away from the empire. put simply, do you thing that tattooine will have the technology a naboo or coruscant would have. or how about hoth? we see coruscant briefly at the end of rotj:se, and it still looks pretty advanced.
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I want to talk about an issue that has not really been touched upon regarding TPM. I am talking about the people that are already hyping up Darth Maul as the new BadMuthaFucker of the Star Wars universe. Gee, I guess poor Bubba Fatt's 15 minutes of geek-love are over. Listen to me people: If you are a grown man and you put make-up on your face and it is not Halloween or you aren't getting paid for it (ala Marilyn Manson), then you are a loser. End of story. You freaks can justify it however you want, but if you are over the age of 7 and you dress up like your favorite character, then set up a date with Lorena Bobbitt and hopefully she'll give you a trim. Although, I suppose with dressing like that, you probably won't end up with many dates anyway. But I digress. I don't want to see what happened with Boba Fett happen to Darth Maul. You get a few losers that have no self-esteem and they latch onto a character that has the qualities that they want to have in their lives. The geek set fell in love with Boba, but I ask you why is that? He was as big a loser as the people that hyped him up are. Let's see, what makes Boba so great.... umm, err, I know... He had a cool outfit!! The outfit may have been cool, but the man wearing it was a moron. He got punked by a blind Han Solo!! And then he gets eaten by a giant vagina!! Oh, yeah, what a badass. Listen freaks, see the movie, then decide whether or not the Maul bandwagon is worth taking a ride on.
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I have been a Star WARS fan since i was three. In twenty years my opinion on which film was better has changed. After all three were released i loved Jedi best. But after I hit my teen years i began to like Empire more. Why? Who knows? Thats what bothers me about these "reviews". How many peoplw who post them have actually seen the film? Almost all say it's not as good as Empire or its the worst. Let's remeber something this film isnt set in that time frame. It's set thirty some years in the past. The characters are different. Jar Jar is one of them. Who knows what Lucas has in store for him in the next films. These "reviewers" are jumping the gun. There are still two films left in this trilogy. Let's wait to see them before making our opinions on which is the best film.
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This is getting really wierd. Its really entertaining listening to grown folks arguing about films and trying to force opinions on one another. What makes a kids movie? The lack of sex, violence, swears? Why can't a film be cheerful, light and entertaining and not make deep, important statements? Kubrick and co. did this kind of movie but surely this isn't what you'd expect from Lucas? You really can't compare films with one another so generally, the Star Wars films are just good fun. I seem to be the only one, but I really liked RotJ, and I am not ashamed to say that I loved the ewoks. They were cute and funny and, in my opinion, just as believable as Jabba or Chewie. Surely adults are just kids who know about sex, have learned to question the deeper meanings and that to be cynical and critical is 'mature'. It is so easy to criticise with everyone else but I think this movie will be good, not comparible with "classics" ( the emporer's new clothes more like!) but it should be worth a few watches and be entertaining. Bad films are often worth more than mediochre films in the long run, good comparisons/ jokes, and I think, with all the hype, this film could never be mediochre.
This is becoming very philisophical and heavy. I'll stop now...... -
well, I must say that you're all lucky peeps in the states and i'm jealous of the lot of ya being able to watch the movie before us sad old brits-sob sniff. I just want it to make me feela s excited as 'The Empire Strikes Back' did when as a child my dad drove me thru the snow and ice to see the movie- I was hooked and still am-i was so giddy the other day in Tesco's when I spotted a 'Stap' toy on sale that my bloke was quite embarrassed-I am 26!)
BTW just as a quick aside-can anyone tell me if they know what the film was that was shown as the 'taster' before Empire in the cinemas? I remember seeing it and it wasn't all that long in duration, think it was a sci-fi fantasy type thing designed to wet the appetite for what was to follow...Keep up the good work chaps and chappesses!:) -
First of all, let's understand that anyone who takes a shot at Episode 1 does so knowing that they'll get some free press out of it. And there are people who will deride the film for that instant celebrity. It's sad that they can't find a better way to get their 15 minutes, but we can see them for the staus seekers they are and dismiss their comments.
What bothers me more than anything bad someone may write is Lucas' assertation that this is a "Kids' movie." That suggests to me that Lucas is dismissing those of us who made these films so popular in favor of luring the dollars of a new generation. His statements ring with a subtle assumption that we'll be along for the ride no matter what he puts on the screen. If that means more Ewok-style cuteness, older audiences may turn away. I don't think any of us want to see this series reduced to the level of those Saturday morning cartoons that supplanted Jedi as our last memories of the Saga for so many years.
Lucas, of all people, should recognize that Star Wars is not a kids' movie. It touches something deeper inside all of us, something that is perhaps childlike, but that defies such a simple marketing description. If all Lucas is interested in making is a kids' movie, then I'm worried. But I'll see the film before I let anyone tell me what to think about it. -
I want to thank all of you who responded positively to my review. And to those that thought I didn't say much about it, I have to tell you that it's an immense amount of pressure on me to have already seen the film. I'm glad I saw it, but it's like I got laid by Princess Leia and can't tell anyone what it was like because I have to keep it a secret. I could very well spoil it for EVERYONE by mentioning a few things, but I choose not to do so. It's so hard to make a fair review of a film without telling some of the details, so that is why my review is kind of fluffy. IF there are any questions that one wants to have answered ONE on ONE, ask them through my e-mail and I will answer all of them, carefully and without spoiling anything. My sincere thanks to Harry for even posting it. I am 34 years old and this film forces you to look at things through the eyes of a young boy. I really felt like I was 13 in 1977 again. Thank you George Lucas. At least you made me VERY happy........Incidentally, I wasn't kidding about seeing the film another 25 more times.
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I agree 100% with bearcat's
comments.Stop comparing this
movie to the older,other ones.
Remember,these are mostly
new characters(or younger versions of familar ones) and the story takes place earlier in the past when the star wars universe was different.Its not
going to be the same.Also,no
doubt that some people's ex-
pections are a little too high.A
big set-up for them to be disap-
pointed.Remember,when all is said and done...Its just a sci-fi
movie.Enjoy it for what it is.And
remember,not EVERYONE is
going to like the movie,fan or
otherwise.Fact of life. -
.....ooops....shouldn't have left my computer. LaneMyers= You're funny. HOW MANY PEOPLE JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT THIS MOVIE ANYMORE?
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(And yes, I saw TPM at the Toronto screening)
This is a great movie. Period. It is *not* the greatest movie of all time, not the greatest movie of this decade (my vote goes to Schindler's List) and may not even be the greatest movie this year (time will tell). But it's a damn good flick. 4 light sabers out of five.
People are correct in saying that you really can't compare it to the original three movies. First of all, the acting is waaaaaaaay better this time around. I loved ANH and its siblings, but the very sight of Mark Hamill still makes me shudder. Cripes, Jake Lloyd isn't even in his teens and he's a better actor. Also, this movie doesn't stand on its own very well, which is something the originals were a bit better at. The reason you see those lukewarm reviews is because the whole thing is very obviously setting up for what's to follow. As a standalone movie, it ain't so hot. My 4/5 comes with the expectation that there are two more movies coming. All on its own, I might say 3/5 but that's a moot point since that's not how it's going to be.
As a quick summary: Liam is awesome, Ewan is awesome, Jake is very good considering his age, Natalie would've been better if George hadn't forced her into trying that accent (she gives up eventually), the CG artists were awesome and whoever wrote Ja-Ja's dialogue must be shot. Repeatedly. All you people who hated the Ewoks are gonna hate him too. Though in truth it's not as bad on the cute-hokey factor as the Ewoks were.
A word to those who were upset at some of the cutsie-hokey stuff: Star Wars *is* cutsie-hokey. Those dreadful transitions give it away every time. Star Wars is a mythology, though. Re-read your ancient myths. They're silly in the same way. It doesn't detract from it in any way, though. Yes, I still wanted to see Ja-Ja Binks get nailed by a stray blaster shot, but he didn't detract from my movie experience and the character will open the movie to children more. Good call from the Lucas camp there. Star Wars isn't high art. It won't win the Academy Award for Best Picture. And certainly George isn't getting Best Director. You're supposed to enjoy it, not analyse it. Fairy tales and all that. Sigh, anyways.
The CG effects are very well done for the most part. The rolling sentry droids that unfold themselves are *the* coolest thing to hit a screen since the first Imperial Star Destroyer appeared on one 22 years ago. OTOH, there are parts where I felt that Lucas was layering on more and more effects just because he could. One explosion looks really bad and I'm suprised it made the cut. But that's one effect. 3 seconds of the movie. Many of Darth Maul's acrobatics are in fact a CG effect. I dare anyone to tell the difference. Some people worried that parts were filmed on digital cameras and not 35mm. Relax, those parts look *better*. With all the effects, it's much easier to put them into something that's digital to begin with. The effects done on what was originally 35mm don't look as nice. (But still nice) It appears to be a given that the pod races are going to be a LucasArts software title.
Overall, my impression is of a very well made movie. It has its weak points, it drags at times and it's got an annoying character, but none of this detracts from the overall experience. I'd say that it's not worth the hype, but *nothing* is worth this much hype. Maybe the moon landings and the discovery of fire come close. You should all go see it, but no-one should have to wait in line for a week or pay $200 for a ticket. It's a freakin' movie folks.
My personal wish: That Lucas doesn't direct the next one. He's in over his head. It's a testament to how good the story and characters are that you don't notice this much, but American Graffiti aside he's not a great director. Maybe his buddy Spielberg can do him a favour. ;) -
Ok first of all ive read 100 posts about how everyone who reviewed yesterday was not a star wars fan, and they were all "suits". Id just like to clear up im as big a star wars fan as anyone out there. I got collection 1, 2, and 3 on the midnight they came out. I have star wars episode I and IV posters framed in my room and i also have the rare Luke Skywalker theater edition unopened. So just to clear that up for those of you who said i didnt know shit about star wars. But i am not a complete geek, i play sports and i have a girlfriend so i do not sit in my room all day playing star wars. So in my opinion that would make me a perfect person to review this film, which is what i already have done. Now if you did read my review I said this is a very good film and very enjoyable. But it is not the greatest thing i have ever seen and i have a hard time believing the guy who said that. A few things really urk me about this film, for example, in the original star wars can you imagine a Ton-ton walking a way and ripping a fart right in front of the camara? can you imagine chewy walking away from a scene and stepping in a large pile of shit? stuff like this happens in TPM. You will believe me when you see the movie. Now i admit its difficult to judge the film because i have always been acustomed to being able to see all three star wars at one time, and this is a different experience for me (im only 19) but trust me people im not an idiot i know what im talking about. Another problem with this movie it lacks a true evil to root against. Maul is underdeveloped and you really dont give a rats ass what happens to him. Anyways this is a great film dont be dissapointed but its not what i hoped for or what you do...
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I feel I must address this ongoing issue with the Ewoks. Since 83' there's been this unfortunate belief that Return of the Jedi is by far the worst of the original trilogy because of the Ewoks. Essentially, it is common knowledge that they are too cheesy, too goofy, too kiddy and so on. They are believed to be nothing more than a marketing tool, a cheap idea to appeal to the kiddies and make some extra cash. They are believed to have no relevance to the underlying theme and storyline of the Star Wars saga and thus, saturate the close of it all in too cheesy a fashion. I could not disagree with these ideas more. There's a genius behind the Ewoks that's been overlooked by most of these hard-ass, not-dark-enough, Ewoks- ruined-Star-Wars fanboy types. Allow me to explain. If it wasn't for the Ewoks, or a similar species of innocent looking, harmless creatures, Luke and his crew would have never beaten the Empire. A lot of people have always wished that the Ewoks should have been Wookies. Well, don't you think the all knowing, wise Emperor would have accounted for the technologically advanced, ferocious Wookie species and not built his masterpiece, the Death Star II, next to their fucking planet? Exactly, they were not Wookies, they were fuzzy, teddy-bear looking, primitive Ewoks. The Emperor surely knew of their existence and considered them threatless, an underdeveloped group of savage, if not darn cute looking, cheese balls. How could such a species have an impact on such an advanced creation as the Death Star? That, my friends, was the Emperor
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The Ebert show wasn't enough. Now you go and make National headlines with yesterday's Phantom Menace reviews!
See http://news.excite.com/news/r/990506/02/film-menace for the story, carried by Reuters/Variety, and also placed on Excite, Yahoo, etc.
Though the peice is way too negative IMHO about Phantom Menace, it features several nice paragraphs about AICN, and calls it THE "home of buzz" these days for major movies...
Congrats, Harry, on being such a bigtime mover-and-shaker. Amazing what can happen from such humble "just a fan" beginnings. Here's hoping you don't get too important to keep the website the way we love it...
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Thanks for some clarification... it farts & shit doesn't sound like kidde humor to me, sounds like teen humor (and it does pain me to know that it's in the movie). But it shouldn't ruin the entire movie if the rest of the TPM is well done and acted. (The Jabba scenes in ROTJ were well done for the most part... I enjoyed them, even if the sand monster thing belched).
My main gripe is that some reviews expect TPM to have the same elements as ANH had, seeing as they each represent the beginning of a trilogy. For example, you complain that Darth Maul wasn't built up enough, that there wasn't a real EVIL to root against (compared to ANH, where Darth Vader was one badass and cleary a major vilan). Of course having Vader play a prominent, evil role in ANH added excitement to the movie. But even more important, he wasn't just put in there for show... it made sense in the overall sceme of things. Vader HAD to be such a badass, immediately, for the rest of the trilogy to have any meaning. The ultimate story of IV - VI was the rise of Luke, his battle against Vader (Vader representing the entire evil Empire) and Vader's redemption. What is the overall story line of I - III? This trilogy is ultimately about the fall of the Republic, the rise of the Empire, the discovery of Anakin, his relationship with his mother (I'm guessing that leaving her at such an early age plays a big part in his life). It's about his relationship with Obi-Wan. It's about his promise and jedi training. It's about his relationship with Amidala. It's about his transformation into Vader, and the destruction of the jedi. These are the elements that TPM should introduce... this is its story and what it should focus on. Does TPM set up the Old Republic as a noble, but rotting-from-within institution? Does the movie do a good job of setting up the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan and Amidala? Are the jedi presented in a way that we would care about their eventual slaughter? And your comment about a bad guy... who, in this trilogy, is the most important bad guy(s)? Well, it's the emperor and, at the end, Annakin. So, how does TPM use those characters? Is Anakin presented in such a way to make his ultimate fall into evil tragic? How is Senator Palpatine, the eventual emperor, presented in the movie? You see, in the greater sceme of things, I don't think TPM needed ONE BIG VILLAN... the title is the Phantom menace... it's about evil waiting in the shadows. Does the movie do a good job of presenting a seemingly glorified republic that's crumbling from within? If it does these things I've discussed well, then it should be a good movie in and of itself.
By the way, sorry about any spelling errors. -
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the original trilogy state (in several places) that Yoda trained Obi-Wan? For instance: "There you will learn from Yoda, the jedi master that instructed me." And "Was I any different when you taught me?" Why then is everyone saying that Qui-Gon Jinn is Obi-Wan's teacher in EP1?
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Oh, god, I knew it. I KNEW IT! That guy that said 'these sort of things happen in TPM', I believe him just because I expected the same thing! First off, all along, for some reason I expected Ace-Ventura level gags to be in TPM. (and if you say that's a good thing, please burn you DVD player in effigy). Also, from the look of the second Trailer, in which not one, but TWO giant 'beasts' 'growl' at 'people' in the foreground, I expected major Jurassic Park rip offs with TPM, thus the shit-stepping. Oh, god.... FARTS? FARTS????? Oh, man... BY THE WAY. There ARE perfect films. We don't see them made anymore because too many of you are satisfied with movies that are 'a good ride' or 'fun'. And we WON'T get perfect movies again until we STOP PAYING for the 'good ride-fun' movies. And, yes, it's dumb that people are saying that TPM has to be put in context with the fact that 2 more movies are coming. Geesh. When SW: ANH came out, do you think Lucas thought he had a chance in HELL of making sequels? No! He was sweating bullets that he'd break even! So he made THAT movie stand on its own... So many of you are quick to label older actors as 'washed up' 'done for' and say 'we need new blood!' What about old directors? What the 'powers that be' need to fear most is some kid making a movie in his garage who will learn the skills someday revolutionize filmmaking... Hogwash? Think back to Speilberg's start...
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I don't know what the problem is with Darth Maul's screen time. Heck, the Emperor didn't even show up until the second movie! Even then, he didn't have much screen time. We still booed him, we still knew he was evil.
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Well, early reviews are in and they seem mixed. Well, let's all not get too excited (or pissed), and look at this from a different perspective. First off, please people PLEASE!!!!, this is the first of THREE (as in '3') films leading up to ANH. I don't know about you guys, but the buzz on these films is going to be (and already is) SOOOO high that for all of us to expect all three to be absolute masterpeices is a bit naive. All I'm trying to say is let's all wait until it gets released and we all see it. I caught a lot of positive buzz about "The Matrix" on the net, I went to see it and was a bit let down, so I'm not really going to listen to people saying it was a disappointment, or that it was the best movie ever...
Oh well, only a few days left, I hope the guy running this site is ready for the flood of reviews that's gonna come in the night it is released (hehe), good luck dude...
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Bearcat - I agree with you wholeheartedly regarding most of these reviews. People complain and compare TPM to the old movies, while neglecting the most important thing - is the story any good? That's the key for me. Give me a good story and good dialogue and I'm in heaven. If you look back on ANH - the writing was just plain awful at times. ESB was - as we all know - the best of the bunch, with the most going on. In the end the special effects are not that important and I could not care less how many spaceships blow up. I want to know if the story works. From what I've read about TPM, the actual storyline sounds much more interesting and complex than the original three movies. I do think a trade dispute can be INFINTELY more interesting than a bunch of rebels trying to topple an Empire. I look forward to seeing the events which lead to the Empire's take over of the galaxy. Even if the movie isn't the bomb, I can rest assured it will be made with style and class - two things regretably missing in just about every movie today. There won't be rampant sex or gratutitous violence or dialogue filled with offensive words. No, Lucas may not be the deepest storyteller, but he sure does spin good wholesome tails of good v. evil. Thank God for at least one moviemaker with a soul.
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I want to sit in the theatre and have the Star Wars logo blast onto the screen. The palms of my hands will be all sweaty and I will be far to excited to enjoy to half of what is in front of me in.
I doubt very much if I will enjoy it the first time round, but if I do then that is a bonus. I have no doubt it will be a very very good film. Totally different to what I have seen of the Star Wars universe before.
One thing I think we all seem to do is put the original films somewhere so high that nothing could ever come close, but if you sit down and watch them you will realise that they are not untouchable. I am going to try and sit with an open mind when watching TPM..... -
I have to comment on Dilbert1 who says he saw the film. He's right on about what he's saying. Why compare the first trilogy to TPM. From what TPM trailers look like this seems to be a totally different movie. I'm glad a film buff like Dilbert thinks that TPM should be nominated for best picture just because the film is something that's never been done before. I for one am a star wars geek so i can't help but be biased if i saw the film early. But somebody who has knowledge on film critiquing TPM and saying that it should be nominated for best picture is a big load off my shoulders. I want this film to succeed and I'm glad for now that there's a confirmation from a real film critic that the film is good. Thank you Dilbert.
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Jack Shit! Just a little wasted here, stomping on brain cells and telling stories. TARZAN AND THE LOST CITY is on HBO and I really admire Casper Van Diem's acting. I can see how Tarzan would like Jane March - she resembles a chimpanzee with that overbite.
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I can't wait to see the movie. I'm going to wait in line for a week, and my mom is going to make me peanut butter and jelly sandwichs so I don't have to leave the line. I'm dressing up as Bobafet, does anyone want to come down to the Chinese Mann Theater and join me. You can have a PBJ!!! Gosh, you guys are a bunch of idoits. No movie is worth all of this. You build it up so much in your head, nothing can live up to it. Once the tide settles, and you wait a while and watch it again, you will like it, but it's not sex with Katie Holmes. Come on party people. Rando saying peace out...............
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I couldn't even read anymore when I saw that Citizen Kane and (gasp!!!)The Seven Samurai were being called bad films. These films should be taken in the context of the time they were made. Kane blew open many doors and advanced the art of filmmaking to a new degree. The Seven Samurai is a wonderful adventure that influenced Lucas greatly. Think about seeing the astounding effects in 2001 when it first opened. I'm sure it would have affected us greatly just like Star Wars did when we were kids in the 70's. Open your minds and digest as many films from all eras as you can!!! Movielovers UNITE!!! Because 50 years from now there will be someone saying "Star Wars??? That movie sucks!!! How could anyone find that interesting or groundbreaking???"
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I'm amazed at the number of people who mistake good exposition and story telling as lagging narrative. The feeling I get is that there are a number of people here who thought ARMAGEDDON was a great film even though it had no depth, stock characters and rediculous scenarios (I wonder why the Russian space agency doesn't put Mir in a spin all the time to generate false gravity?). When I saw ANH for the first time -- I was 10 -- I was blown away BUT I was bored with what I percieved as the "slow" parts, the expositionary scenes which set up the whole trilogy. It was only when I got older and more sophisticated that I began appreciating the films for thier character development and plot structure as well. This is what makes movies classics, the ability to entertain audiences over time. When you see TPM, just enjoy it for what it is to you. If you are unable to appreciate the finer nuances of films, that's okay. Just wait a little bit for the pod race and the final battle and you should be content. The rest of us adults who wish to enjoy the movie as a whole LIKE the "slow" parts. :-)
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Hopefully, reading these posts won't be more interesting than watching the movie itself (it better not be...) Anyways, all you people so worked up over how much of a "kid's" movie this is--take it easy. The Star Wars trilogy has always been pretty goofy. Why all the Jar-Jar Binks bashing? C3PO, R2D2, and the Ewoks all fit in the same category. I mean, can you imagine any of those goofy guys in the Star Trek movies (well, Shatner was goofy enough), or in any other recent sci-fi movie to date? Probably not.
You have to appeal to a wide audience, and not just the die-hards out there. Sure there are people out there with opinions on how'd they make the movie better. But their suggestions aren't for everyone. Why was ANH so watchable? Because it was aimed at everyone, including the kids out there. I'm certain that if you didn't fall in love with Star Wars at age 5, you wouldn't have many of the same fond feelings that you do now.
I don't think any of the films in the original trilogy would've grossed $300 mil if they couldn't connect with everybody out there. -
I think you meant "Ebert and Worthless." Siskel has something in common with Kubrick as of this year. LOL.
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I just watched the latest installment in the "Star Wars" trilogy. Let me be the first to say that everyone is going to be disappointed in episode four "A New Crap." What was Lucas thinking? This was absolutely the wrong way to begin the second trilogy. The story was so simple my pet hamster could've written it. It's basically just a big storming the castle story. Something that we have seen in tons of other stories that have come before this. Alec Guiness as Obi Wan was cool, but (beware: Spoiler!) he get's KILLED halfway through. Han Solo (I forget the actor's name) was good too, but his sidekick was just plain gimmicky, just a guy in a monkey suit. The droids and jawas (made soley to sell dolls, I swear) made the film way too much of a kiddie flick, and even Darth Vader, who everyone seems to think is the next big film villian, wasn't very dark. All he really did that was evil was choke some guys. Big deal. No way is he a worthy successor to Darth Maul. But the main problem here was Puke Skywalker. Come ON!!! This guy is the son of Anakin!!! He's supposed to be one of the greatest Jedis of all time and the title character (the new hope). He's just this whining kid, who couldn't mind trick his way out of a paper bag. He's responsible for the climactic scene in the film. I'm sorry folks, I just didn't buy it. I think this film will go down in history as one of the most over blown and under achieving films in the history of Hollywood. I think it's time for Lucas to go back to drag racing films.
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I think some folks would like Star Wars to be Dune. All political, complicated motivations and plots.
Of course it isn't merely that. The strength of the series is that it works on a good number of levels.
For those who want a "darker" SW, well you know the cute kid is gonna get nasty sometime in the next movies. That puts a good sharp edge on it all.
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May 06, 1999 7:15:52 PM CDT
RE: I love Lucas but maybe he shouldn't direct the next ones!!
by that guy
I wouldn't rule out Lucas as an artist capable of darker drama, especially if you haven't seen THX 1138. Besides, Lucas has said in many interviews that the second episode is the one most people won't like. Perhaps we should read that to mean that he plans on taking the story down a darker path and forgo the cutesy stuff that adds broader appeal to the masses.
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Guys, Star Wars is going to suck because its not an adult film. The Matrix is an adult film. It deals with such mature, thought-provoking topics such as blowing up computer programs with machine guns. Watching the Matrix gave me a fresh perspective on life. How can Star Wars match that ?
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To The Boom: great post! Puts it all in perspective, doesn't it? :-)
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After getting into a sneak-peak preview of the new Star Wars film, I was sorely disappointed to find that it was no longer a Sci-Fi series, but some sort of Gay Cabaret. In addition, the rerelease of the original trilogy was lamer than a Power Rangers episode. The additional footage was lacking to say the least. A much better candidate for a specail release was my superb masterpiece, Flesh Gordon. What? You have yet to see it? You must do a search and find it. On a more positive note, I'm happy to say that the new trilogy is an overdue introduction of Gay Sci-Fi, where such gems as the homosexual and inter-species relation of Ben Kenobi and Jar Jar are fully explored. Even a tastefully done gay sex scene between the two lovers was accomplished with only a hint of nudity, so as to make the PG rating, and not offend this new generation of dysfunctional children. I haven't been this excited since I saw Ewen MacGregor exposing his genitals at a feminist fashion show in France. Long Live George Lucas! Finally, Gays have a friend in Sci-Fi. Welcome to the Family!
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Is anybody here from Seattle, WA? Just curious.
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It will. Just think. 3,000 (rumoured number) screens times $10,000 a day (I have heard that $20,000 per screen over the "weekend" is incredible, so..) = 150,000,000!
HE WILL BE RICH!!! Is Lucas philanthropic? -
Ha ha ha. I can only rebutt in this fashion, because it's all I feel the need to say. And thanks for responding to my messages with REALLY big monosyllabic words and telling me I was an idiot for still enjoying the thought of seeing the film. Oh well, maybe I'll step on their feet as I trample into the theater with the rest of we "cattle" to see an actually FUN summer movie.
P.S. If you need proof that the force exists in reality, just watch a Sabres/Bruins game and see Dominik Hasec use "The Force." :-) Blow me if you don't like me. -
Are we still going to see that cool scrolling expository information text at the beginning of the movie? You know what I'm talking about. In Star Wars IV it was "Episode IV: ANH, A long long time ago in a galaxy far away blah blah blah blah". I mean it would be cool if there was something that read "Episode I: The Phantom Menace, an even longer time ago in a galaxy even further away blah blah blah." I say screw the movie if it doesn't have the scrolling text!!!
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"That Guy" is right. If you are complaining about the "slow parts" of a fucking Star Wars movie, then you need to graduate from 8th grade, take your Ritalin, and watch the movie Armageddon for the rest of your life. As for the tone, remember this is George's movie, and his tone is lighthearted fantasy, not gothic cyberpunk. His films have dark elements, but he always comes back to the family entertainment. Like Ewan Mcgregor once said about Star Wars, "They're just little fairy tales, really" and hes absolutely right. Lucas said he wanted to create a mythology for the modern age, and underneath the aliens and technology there exists a very simple fairy tale, told with epic scope in George's chosen medium, film. And remember kids, NO film lives up to the hype. NONE.
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Am I one of the few people left that actually enjoy the art of storytelling? What you all seem to forget is that YOU have no control over the story (ie. the episode 1 movie), but instead of sitting, relaxing, and enjoying the millenia old art of the myth-epic, you wait to hammer and criticize. What is your problem? It is not your place to ask "Why is there a Jar-Jar?" Your place is to hear about Jar-Jar and how he interacted within this story. I may not like my next door neighbor, but he IS MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR. Likewise, when you enter a movie theater, you must accept the fact that this is not your story, of which you have control. Do not say "I would have done it differently." You are being told what happened. Live with it. Things don't always go the way you want it to. I plan on thoroughly enjoying myself, and ACCEPTING the myth.
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I guess "the Force" wasn't with Hasek tonight. That's why there are at least three more games (and two more movies). Well, at least we can correctly predict the outcome of the movies...
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Great segue to the first review, Harry. Just when I think I have you pegged as a writer (for example, reading a description of a movie that was so good you shot a load in your seat), you use the topic at hand to pen a little bit of real pop-culture poetry. Bravo, my good man!
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First, let me say, quit trying to knock Lucas. He's NOT Bill Gates, and I have no reason to believe that he ever wanted to be a money-grubbing erudite. This goes all the way back to before Episode 1. He wrote (or at least sketched out the plot) in high school, if I'm correct. ANH was supposed to be a flop, and it recieved very critical reviews before it came out. This is the same reason why TPM cannot stand on its own. I'm sure that since ANH was supposed to bomb, they never thought of any need to continue the story. Only after its success was realized were there definite plans for sequels. Now, Star Wars is already an established series. People know it will do well and that they will go back to see Episodes 2 & 3, giving Lucas the ability to stretch the story over three movies. Also, people think that Star Wars is just his cash cow. Now, if it really was, I doubt he would be so involved with it, and if he really thought Star Wars would bring in the dough, he would have continued making them instead of waiting 20+ years. Star Wars is his, and that's why he's so protective of it.
Now, this film will be great, and I don't understimate SithSlayer's nor Jawsgeek's comments. Why? They are fans, not "suits". They didn't even try to overanalyze it, but took it for what it was. Fun, yet complex. Something for everyone, the adults and kids. People are trying too much to make TPM what its not, and trying to determine exactly what audiance this movie was aimed at. The Sci-fi genre is VERY neglected when it comes to things like Academy awards and Golden Globes and such. Why? Because its not realistic, classical, extremely moving, etc. Don't ger me wrong, a lot of those movies were great, but how long has it been since a truly fun movie has been nominated and won lots of awards. One possible exception may be "The Truman Show" which was semi-sci-fi and to some extent, Shakespeare in Love (but it was still based somewhat on historical fact). Star Wars is unique, a universe of its own, like no other. The film student was right, its unique, and that's good enough to get awards. It does not have to be a sad, dark movie to get awards (like a lot of Kubrik's work, Saving Private Ryan, Elizabeth, etc.) In addition to this, I hope the MAtrix will get in on the awards too, but that's doubtful. -
Of course it has the title scroll. Well, I can only say this since I have the soundtrack and it has the "Main Theme" opening music. Then it closes into the eery "space music" as we pan in on what is probably the Death Star...er, Naboo. Hey, comment for those who have the soundtrack...why didn't Williams end the "End Credits" track with the trademark big bang ending? Instead it just closes silently to Anakin's Theme. Seemed rather flat and very un-Star Wars to me.
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I feel that Jar Jar may be a big dissapointment in that he is a pathetic ecscuse for a character. Other than that, Qiu Gonn, Mace Windu and Obi Wan are gonna' be awesome. Also, I am not entirely worried about what the cynical critics have said. They took this film WAAy too seriously. I liked the original SW, even though it centered around luke and his bad diaglogue "I wanna' go to toche station!"
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Well ever since I saw the teaser trailer in November I've been convinced this would be a great flick and that hasn't changed. Truthfully I don't give a rats @$$ what some fanboys think. If I want reviews I look to Ebert, Maltin, Seigel and Shalet. Ya know guys who WENT to film school, not a bunch of pud whackers that work at McDonalds. I love the fact that the film is going to have a lot of humor. Even ESB has enough humor to make you LOL a lot. Humor is an important part of the SW experience (and for the record I love the Ewoks, they as well as Yoda and R2 are the embodiment that you can't judge a person by how they look) Another thing, say that TPM is only as good as ROJ, is that a bad thing? While ROJ may be a bit more flawed then ANH or ESB it's still a great film and one HELL of a ride. No I don't think Sith is right saying TPM is the greatest film of all time... ESB is my favorite film of all-time but I'd never be so pretentious or grandiose to call it the greatest film ever made. Also anyone who thinks TPM can't possibly Titanic's box office take is in for a surprise.
May the Force be with all of you!
-JMYoda
Webmaster of JediMasterYoda.com
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Boy, it's a good thing that some good reviews came in today...otherwise the streets would be running red with blood at this very moment. Couldn't you just picture it? Pure insanity. 'Star Wars' geeks, dressed up as their favorite characters, their skin pasty and eyes drawn, leg muscles horribly atrophied, dragging themselves away from their computers, and taking to the streets, lashing out at unsuspecting townsfolk with their patent-pending "Official" lightsabers that they skipped work and caught pneumonia to buy the very second they came out! "They said it was ONLY as good as 'Return of the Jedi'! Burn them! Burn them all!!" , they would cry. Cities would crumble. Empires would fall. Nations would collapse into the sea. Children of all ages would weep. "It can't be so!," they would wail. "I quit my job and moved into a cardboard box in the alley next to the theater! What will I do?! What will I do?!" But there will be no answer...their cries will fall on deaf ears...for there is no left to hear them...
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How about Lord of the Rings?
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I'm so glad to hear these positive reviews! I'm planning on blowing off work to be there and if the movie sucked it wouldn't be worth it... oh, who am I kidding... If Lucas shot sock puppets in Super 8 and called it Star Wars I'd be there on opeing day!
SKIP WORK & SEE STAR WARS INSTEAD!
http://wookieehooky.starwarsfan.com -
Peregrin, you are such a fucking hypocrite, it's incredible. Your obsession with LOTR is evident from your chosen moniker and you're accusing Star Wars of being silly for basing its mythology on strange critters? What the flying fuck about the midgets with hairy feet, ya know the SHYTE you call "great literature"? I noticed you never responded to my Talkback yesterday about your ridiculous notions that LOTR is great literature. PUSSY!
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May 06, 1999 10:25:01 PM CDT
She'yeett! I I knew this it'll be another KIDDY FLICK!!
by darth nopey-dog
@#!$!@# I wish Lucas would wake the hell up and grow with the rest of the fans from the 70's. Why the $%$@ is he competing with DISNEY!!!!
STAR WARS was ruin with ROTJ and those stupid teddy bear - Hasn't he learn a f@#@! thing?!?!? YOU don't abondon your fan base of mature adults for kiddies! STAR WARS is dead! RETURN OF THE JEDI II (AKA TPM) RATED G!!!
This will be the worst movie Hype in History! -
I've just read the script for pm and I think it will be a very strong movie..even if it is geared more to kids. However, I fear Jar Jar has the potential to ruin a good movie with his jack assed dialogue! Everytime i read his lines in the screenplay I physically winced! Lucas himself said this film may not live up to everyone's expectations...but a good way to correct that would be to immediately re-edit the film and edit Jar Jar out!
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A few things. First, who gives a fuck if its a kids movie! Some of you people seem to have short memories but how old were most of you when you saw any of the originals for the first time? I'd say that the vast majority of you would've been kids then, yet now you expect Mr. Lucas to put everything down and completely rewrite the story simply because you've changed. The main premise behind SW is that good always triumphs over evil, and is designed to give people hope and meke them feel good about themsleves. Yet many of you morons won't be satisified unless the movie is dark, depressing and violent. I think you've probably been listening to that tosser Marilyn Manson too much. It just shows how fucked up the modern world is becoming!
Myself, i cannot wait to see it! And to all of those who say things like "it's just a movie" and "instead of judging the movie, just shut up and enjoy it" I applaud all of you! To all those you say the movie's crap because it may not be the greatest movie ever made, get a fucking life! -
Here's some psycho-babble, take it or leave it: In its initial release, ANH was embraced mostly by the teenage audiences because its plot followed a teenager leaving his family and coming of age. (Of course, there were characters for other age groups to enjoy and relate to as well, like the cool droids for the kids and the comically cynical Han for the older crowd.) The two following films were loved by the same teenagers as they watched the hero learn about "the Force," as they themselves grew into adulthood. Now this new film follows a small child, so it seems only natural for it to be aimed more toward the younger crowd who can relate more closely to the central character of the film. As the next two films jump ahead in Anakin's life, and as he drifts over to the Dark Side, I'm sure the aim will be less toward the kids and more toward the seasoned Star Wars fans who love the darkness and complexity of EMPIRE more than any other aspect of the STAR WARS series. Just hang in there, our time will come.
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SuperDelfin--you fucking cretin. Anyone who thinks LOTR is great literature is a stupendously dumb motherfucker who probably still shits his bed while wanking off thinking about those little hairy midgets. You want to read real literature? Then try One Hundred Years of Solitude or The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man or, more appropriate for you, The Idiot. Oops, I forgot . . . You can't read can you? You saw the shitty little cartoon version of LOTR from years back didn't you? You had your mama write in your crazed mumblings to Talkback, huh? GO GET HOOKED ON PHONICS, YOU GODDAMNED NO-BRAIN WEASEL!
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I wasnt entirely fair to you in my last posting, SuperDelfin. I think your posting about Hallenfuck was right on the money and very, very funny. But I still think that any adult who ranks LOTR amongst the finest works of literature is almost by definition a pedophile. Have you registered under Megan's Law, you creepy bastard?
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May 06, 1999 11:41:04 PM CDT
Since, I'm So Far Down, I'll Have Some Fun, chuckles an insane m
by grouchlord
It really irks me that you people hate the ewoks! They didn't ruin it. Those damn Scout Troopers did with their silly come-hither helmets, and oh so prissy attitude. Too good to mingle with rest of the Empire until the end. Bastards. So proud were they! The cut scenes of Chewbacca clotheslining them were spectacular! Perhaps, Lucas will put them into Special Edition II. I hear he's shoehorning the alien races from the new trilogy into the old. Han Solo now gets shot at by a bitter Jar-Jar Stinks, whose clumsiness is well known since he actually blew up the "first" Death Star in Episode III "Birth of the Empire". Actually, another spoiler plot point is that he, not Obi-Wan, is responsible for Annikin's Death in Hot Fudge River, located in Willy Wonka's Clone Master Factory. The Emperor exploits this in his campaign to eliminate all CGI Aliens from the galaxy, which also explains the banning of fancy technology. By now, everyone who's read the advance rough draft of Episode 2,"Clone Cookies", realizes that Boba Fett was a Security Guard on Vader's(note:different vader) SweatShop Destroyer, where slave-labor wookies endeavored to make the best knick-knacks and brick-brack in the galaxy. Fett steals a Cookie Cloning device, and before you know it, the galaxy is swarmed with the cookie-loving Mandalore Warriors. The Jedi's unite to destroy them, realizing Croissant is their ultimate snack. Senator Palpatine, a cracker enthusiast, rescues Boba Debt, for a price: Cookie Clone.
I can't wait to see Phantom and see how all of this is set up:>) -
what ist your problem? all i read in these statements is: this is bad, this is boring, this could be better, childish...........and so on? are you nuts? STAR WARS is a FAMILY MOVIE as it ever was. parts of menace are boring? what do you want? non-stop action? remember empire? dagobah? you want it darker? as blade oder what? do you want maul cutting anakins arms of and kill all family-charcters? again its a FAMILY MOVIE which is about the young anakin skywalker. as i first saw ANH i was 10 years old and afterwards i felt like luke skywalker. nowadays i would prefer to be vader. but this movie ist not for 30-40 year old fans. it
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That's one thing I'd definitely wait in line for a month for.
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OHHH, that is'nt fair!!!
I want to see it too!
Because I'm from good old Germany and I have
to wait till the 2. or 3. September. Yeah, right folks,
that's not funny. I would love to see this film, but...
shit, anyone get a ticket to US for me. Hello? Anyone here?
OK may the force be with you and:
When you've seen the film, please me how it was! OK? Right to:
nocturnal_shadow@hotmail.com
PS.: OH MAN LIVE SUCKS! -
I have contributed to this list when it started and thought the directions it was going was a bit odd. But since reading all the new comments today I just want to understand if any of the people writing to this are on medication. Some of these notes are just so funny and surreal. If you read the list from top to bottom its like the incoherent ramblings of drunk english man, which I will be tonight but thats another story. I also thought it was only the english who put their heroes on pedistals only to try and knock them off. Listen to most of you, most of you have not even seen the film and your already ripping seven shades of shit out of old George Lucas. The saying that everyones a critic is underestimated with you lot. Christ get a grip on yourselves and try to appreciate this film without all these other opinions. As much as I like the net its really concerns me how it allows for a minority of what seems like some sort of childhood bitterness to try and pervert peoples excitement for this film. I can not remember who in this list said it but one of the previous posters made a very wise statement. He/She said that all the films they have enjoyed the most are the ones they knew least about. Well that effect has happened to me several times and I am trying to keep it that way for TPM. Thanks to all this bloody global media coverage there is no bloody chance of that now. All you people bitching and complaining please take a careful and considerate thought for people in Britain & Germany. Also all the other countries that have to wait, because after you Americans see the film there will nothing but spoilers on the web and on the damn TV. We get fed so much American TV like letterman which I enjoy but will not be able to watch after the 19th. Cause you just know that loads of piss take comedy sketches will be done on the new films. Be grateful that you Americans are in the best place in the world to watch films, be grateful that you have the chance to relive your childhood. Watch this film with fond memories of youth not jaded opinions of an adult. Thats what old georgie has made the film for!! Its a damn fantasy after all!!
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Just one thing. DIE. You'd fuck Santa Claus's dead corpse for the $20 in his wallet. That's it, I've embraced the Dark Side. Here we come, bitches.
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I wish all you bottom-feeding nitwits that love that opus to mediocrity and stupidity "The Matrix" would put all of us out of our misery and go to the Wachowski brothers' house to take turns sucking them off so thar your mouths will be full and we won't have to hear any more inane twaddle about it being "adult" and "excellent". Yeah, it's an adult themed movie . . .if you're 15! Otherwise, I'd expect by now you'd see it as a poorly written, even more horridly acted piece of Keanu feces. Grow the hell up!
BTW, SW is for children. So don't bitch when the cute critters show up because when you were a little bed-wetting dork, you couldn't sleep without your fucking Wicket stuffed animal. Try to remember that magic again and have a great day everyone. -
It finally came. It's hard to believe. It will be fun, exiting, a great experience. History won't repeat itself. It will be different. Change is good. If I want to watch Empire, I'll throw on my video. Here is something new from Lucas himself. The wait is over. 2 new hours for my virgin eyes. And many dreams to follow. See you there for the crawl. G
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For a semi-review from a source I know can be trusted to be accurate goto http://www.empireonline.co.uk
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Would everybody PLEASE stop talking about "The Matrix"? You can't compare "The Matrix" and "Star Wars", it's like comparing apples and oranges. By the same token, NO MORE ARGUING ABOUT STANLEY KUBRICK VS. GEORGE LUCAS! Same thing. Apples and oranges. You won't get anywhere by slinging mud around this way, or by self-righteously defending your position, either. We're here to discuss STAR WARS! Gimme a break... - Dawn
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What extraneously cute critters run around Middle Earth? The Hobbits aren't cute, rather they are REPRESENTATIVE and SYMBOLIC [words Lucas wishes he was familiar with] of the mankind's innocence in the face of Sauron's darkness [which can also be construed as the darkness of World War II -- but that is an entire other chain of analysis]. If you've ever read the trilogy, it is so easy to see that they represent the "child-like" and pure aspects of humanity in a meaningful and purposeful way. In his essay "On Faerie" and many of his letters to friends Tolkien himself has explained thoroughly why he chooses to tell the story through the eyes of the hobbits rather than elves or dwarves or men. He felt that in order for fantasy to function, that is in order for the audience to suspend its disbelief in the face of the fantastic elements of the genre [magic, spellcasting, etc.], the main characters mindsets, thoughts and feelings must be readily accessible to a modern audience. The elves couldn't fill that role due to their immortality. Neither could the dwarves - they live under ground, etc. And humans from that era [round about our middle ages] were far to vulgar and violent to fit the bill. Enter the hobbits. They are pure and innocent, non-hostile and kind, the perfect eyes through which to see the fate of the world in Sauron's grasp. [Not to mention the dramatic aspects of the story purity versus filth, watching the simplicity of Frodo (and to some extent the other hobbits) become slowly corrupted by the evil complexity of Sauron, the loss of his innocence being the price he must pay to save the world. Frodo must give up that which makes him a Hobbit to bear the Ring and ultimately he loses his friends, and his place in society as a direct result of his willingness to fight Sauron. Him being innocent and childlike makes his corruption by the ring all the more moving and powerful.] Plus the hobbits are not unneccessarily cute. They are just small stout men with childlike faces who don't where shoes. There is nothing extraneous or fake in them that belies a money-hungry need for marketing muscle. That's a far cry from a character like Jar-Jar or the Ewoks or that Guy who starts the Pod Race or any number of other characters Lucas has developed over the years -- characters that only look the way they do so they'll look good as dolls. Like the long ears Lucas has insisted on for Jar Jar. What narrative purpose do they serve? In fact, they don't make any sense whatsoever. For all of Lucas's talking of basing his creatures on real animals and the rest of his bullshit, why would an aquatic dwelling race have really long ears to increase their drag underwater? And why would they fight with slings a weapon which absolutely cannot be used while submerged? Or shields for that matter? That is the difference between REAL myth based fantasy like Lord Of The Rings [or Michael Moorcock, or Robert Jordan, or Tad Williams, or George R.R. Martin, etc] and the complete and total bullshit that Lucas peddles so well. Tolkien would've never introduced aspects to his characters purely for show; we are talking about a man who went so far as to invent an Elvish language for characters to speak, and then evolve that language over time to show the changes that centuries and millenia can make to a people. Every facet of Lord of the Rings fills a narrative and symbolic role within the frame-work of Tolkien's vision. Sure the characters and non-human elements are based on Norse mythology [although anyone who has read any of the shaping of Middle-Earth books, or the Silmarilion, will certainly be able to tell you that Tolkien took his non-human races in directions the Norsemen never dreamed], but they are so meticulously constructed and so well thought out that they have a life of their own. The same is certainly not true for Star Wars where the almighty dollar dictates what a non-human character will look like.
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I just read the script and it's very weak. I'm sure the actual movie will be a lot better, but still, this isn't the best one yet.
Darth Maul\CLONE-wars. Get it? -
Is it just me or am I the only one who believes that Darth Sidious and Sen. Palpatine are the same person??? Uh, what do you think?
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Well now, I see a lot of you were able to see the new Star Wars film and didnt quite dig it? That SUCKS FOR YOU!!!!!!!I have been a fan since I first saw Empire in the theatres back in the day, now I'm not a freak who wakes up every morning and brushes my teeth with a star wars tooth brush and spends his day dressed as a jedi playing out roles from your "fave" scenes. I just enjoy the whole concept and mythology of the starwars world, and I am most enjoyably taking in the hype of this film, cause really folks, like it or not it is a kids movie...how old were you when you first saw the originals? come on, were you expecting dark city meets the jedi? its fantasy and fun thats all, I know I will dig the new film and who gives a shit if it's too much like RETURN, I for one liked Return and like all the freaky alien or muppet folks that are in the films.I can't wait to feel like a kid again seeing this film, and having my eyes pop out at all the visual wonder!!!now I am more of a horror fan than a sci-fi fan and really Star wars is the only sci-fi fantasy type film I ever loved and will love...but I say bring on the nay sayers, cause realy they just missed out on a fun visiual ride and I for one cant wait, for this and the other 2......now, where the HELL is Freddy vs Jason!!!???that and the Phantom menace are the only real big thrills I am waiting for this year. and just on a unrelated note...lets all take a healthy poop in dawsons creek, DIG!!!!!!
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I agree with all the comments about "A New Hope" being slow. But this is necessary, just like it is for Phantom Menace. People have to realize, "Star Wars" is a cinematic novella. You have to introduce characters and places that will hold importance throughout the story. George Lucas is having to develop a complex story in order for everything to tie in afterwords. I think, when all films are complete, you will be able to watch these films over and over and see how complex and brilliant they are. This is only the first in a six part series telling a full story. I remember 6 months ago a friend of mine saying this film will probably be slow and disappoint fans, but it is necessary to the full story. If you want full action pack all the way through, go watch Lost in Space or something that tells a full complete story in two hours instead of an intended 12.
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Okay - I guess the real point about this is who the film is aimed at. I'm 29 and saw Star Wars when I was seven. Were 29 year olds at the time as blown away as I was? I'm in the Jedi sucks, Empire rules, group of people and yes, Star Wars does drag a little, but as a Trilogy it works. If this new film is aimed at the seven year olds, then frankly I'll be a tad peeved.
I remember watching Pulp Fiction when is was released, sitting there thinking this was going to be the greatest film ever. I hated it all. Bored to tears. (I think I'm the ony one who thinks this by the way). Still can't watch it. TPM is much the same. The logo, the music, the anticipation. Let's hope it doesn't tarnish the reputation of the other three. Lucas hasn't directed for years and then he didn't do it all that often. But what's the point discussing something so few people have seen?
I'm a Brit so'll have to wait to see it. Let's talk about when we've all seen it.
But then again isn't this discussion all part of the fun!!! -
Cute little bastards is what it equals. hahaha! Look there is really no right or wrong answer here because really neither of us know truly why Lucas creates the characters he creates, it is all supposition. I prefer to think that he makes odd looking creatures because children find them amusing, you say it is because he wants to make toys and get rich. As in most situations it is probably a little mix of both. But to say that the Ewoks were only created as a marketing tool in my opinion is definately only half truth. You say that the hobbits were a symbol of innocence and so were the Ewoks. A small, primitive and seemingly defensless culture pitted against a galactic empire that was obviously technologically and numerically superior. These are classic elements that cannot be dismissed simply because they look like teddy bears. Their appearance is for sympathy. Can you imagine what the public reaction would be if it were a planet of Ugnaughts the rebels were defending? And here is a good point, if Lucas is so intent on making marketably viable creatures why aren't all his aliens cute and fuzzy? In fact the creatures appearances often seems to relect their natures. Take Greedo, Jabba and Bib Fortuna all evil and all ugly. Then there is Jar Jar and the Ewoks, both good and both "cute". This certainly doesn't apply to all the creatures as I think most were created to be interesting. The reasoning behind this seems to point obviously, at least to me, to children who often associate ugly with scary with bad and vice versa. I won't dispute that Lucas isn't "in it for the money" but he is also in it because he wants to make movies. Even more he wants to make movies that entertain the masses. And that is what he does, he doesn't claim to make art, he entertains.
Now as far as Lord of the Rings goes don't you think that part of the reasoning behind the hobbits is that everyone loves an underdog? The hobbits were so unlikely to succeed that when they do it is far more enjoyable and exciting. This is also a classic element of myths and fairy tales, "The Unlikely Hero". Again the same element can be seen in the Ewoks and in the other heroes of the SW trilogy, a farmboy, a pirate and a princess. Sounds like an unlikly group of heroes to me but as with all classic tales they overcome the odds and win in spite of them. Classic tales abound with such plot elements and characters; Beowulf, Leif Erikson(sp), Jason and the Argonauts. All stories contained evil in a form that was ugly in one way or another(harpies, Grendel, Death), all the heroes were helped by some mysterious power (whether by the gods or otherwise) and all had their characters overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to win. All of these elements can be found in SW. Actually let me get specific for a minute, in the journey of Leif Erikson he had to win a (duel) game of chess against death (Darth Vader) in order to save the life of his father (Anakin Skywalker). Coincidence? Not likely.
One last thing, since you seem to be equating artistic merit with marketability or lack thereof what are your feelings on Picasso? -
LOL! Blade Runner, very witty. hehehe.
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Your reasoning powers are extraordinary. Faulkner isn't Joyce, Hemingway isn't Joyce, etc., therefore none is great literature because I say that Tolkien isn't Joyce. You ought to write a book on logic; you can call it LOGIC FOR IMBECILES, NINNIES AND PEDOPHILES. Listen, asshole, how dare you even compare Tolkien to Faulkner, Hemingway, Melville, etc. He's not in that class. I agree with you that LOTR is very good and interesting, but it is only enlightening to small children. You would know its limitations if you had ever read modern magical realism such as Marquez or Rushdie. As for Tolkien's prose, it's very nice but hardly distinctive in the manner of Joyce, Faulkner, Hemingway, etc. It is basically very clear, very straightforward and not in the least bit challenging (which is why so many young people love it--it's a book with depth, character and action and they can understand it). Its symbolism, however, is heavyhanded and obvious; not the stuff of great literature.
Get your mama to read this to you, SuperDelfin, then give me your best shot, you sniveling lout. -
I can not see how some of these so called true Star wars fans can call themselves that. They are forgeting that when they saw the originals that they were just kids. For all I know, most are probably still living with their parents and haven't grown up at all. So where do they come off saying they were "disappointed" and "let down." Now, they think they are all grown up and are trying to disect the movie's plot line and character flaws. For christ's sake, it's a freakin kids movie. I am taking my four year old to see this movie and I know that I will love it as much as him if not more. Another thing, for all you who say that Empire Strikes back was the best of the originals, I disagree. I did enjoy it, but did not think it was as fun as the other two. I probably enjoyed Return of the Jedi the most. I was 10 years old for crying out loud. Get over it, pretend you are 6 or 10 again, and go watch the movie.
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Just some random quotes from George for you well-read, interpretive sorts:
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Well everybody has dug their entrenchments on either side of no-mans land. And as the sound of the morning hate booms around us as to whether Episode One sucks or triumphs I feel comelled to remind people that a review is just someones oppinion. Some of these oppinions are rendered with informed objectivity and some with the most irrational passion. We've got guys like Dilbert1 who give us an educated and thoughtful OPPINION. I liked his style but what it all comes down to is will *I* like it come the 19th? Then there are guys like JMS Forever. He's this sites version of Mark McKinney's "I'm crushing your head!" guy from Kids in the Hall, so it's hard to accept his OPPINION as objective. I've got a couple of friends who loved Congo (shudder) and hated Twelve Monkeys. If it came down to which one to pop in the VCR we'd have to fight to the death for it. It all just comes down to individual taste (or lack thereof). So if you're worried by the less than stellar reviews just relax. All it really comes down to is whether or not YOU like this movie. As for me: I'm STILL jacked up about seeing it.
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I appreciate someone posting those Lucas quotes so that we may all refresh our memories as to where Lucas was in 1977 and where he is now. I agree with those old quotes totally and completely; Lucas had it right then with his modest outlook on his own films and the works of others. However, I don't believe that to be the CURRENT situation. Nowadays Lucas shows himself to be nothing but a pompous self-serving ass who does talk about his films as if they were high art. The fact that he dared to allow Moyers [whoever it was that did the interview for Time magazine] to compare Darth Maul to Milton's AND Dante's conception of the devil is proof of his outright foolishness. Who the fuck does he think he is? Milton and Dante are two men of far greater vision and far greater talent who conceived of characters so far beyond anything Lucas could ever dream. Anyone who has read Paradise Lost can certainly attest to Milton's amazing conception of the devil as fallen hero, god's mightiest to god lowest, particular in his warped expressions of remorse - when Satan contemplates the Sun - [the "O thou that with surpassing glory crowned lookest from they sole dominion like the God of this new world, at whose sight all the stars hide their diminished heads, to the I call, but with no friendly voice, and add thy name, Oh! Sun, to tell the how I hate they beams.." and although Dante's Satan isn't much of a character in the poem - not even having one spoken line - his other characterizations are certainly far superior to anything Lucas has done or could ever do...
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One thing that just struck me... there's been some people in talk back (and in some reviews) dismissing either Jar Jar or the ewoks as cynical marketing ploys put into the series simply to sell toys. My question is, how come I don't hear you guys gripping about landspeeders, wookies, Jabba, x-wings, y-wings, Bobba Fett, storm trooers, Lightsabers, Yoda, the Millenium Falcon, Jawas, various droids, Tauntauns, Sand People, At Ats, Sand Crawlers, Tie Fighters, and assorted cantina aliens? Weren't those made into toys? Don't you think they were designed with an eye to merchandising? Why, then, is it wrong to design something as cute (hoping to sell it based on cuteness), but not wrong to design something cool (knowing damn good and well that people will buy it because it's cool)? The only crime the ewoks and Jar Jar ever committed was being too "cute." I haven't heard one person blast Darth Maul's two-sided lightsaber once... and if you don't think that was put into the movie with full knowledge that fanboys everywhere would rush out to buy one, I've got some swamp land in Louisiana I'd like to sell you.
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FOR VERSINGETEREX- If you really believe that Tolkien's symbolism and writing are really that shallow and you have read the trilogy then I am forced to assume that you are nothing more than an ignorant fool. While I cannot possibly get into everything here, I will at least point you in the right direction so [hopefully] you can find it for yourself. The trilogy addresses issues of WWII, industrialism/naturalism, good/evil, freewill/predestination, religion, the relationship between art and artist, the meaning of poetry and the power of words, the cyclical nature of history, racism/prejudice, the meaning of sacrifice, the costs of immortality, and so many other concepts including the nature of language, and the changes that occur to language over eons of time. Tolkien himself once claimed that his Elven language was so advanced that if he thought anyone would read it he would have written the entire story in Elvish, but alas we only get a few poems and songs. Which brings me to the great literary achievement of the trilogy. I'll grant you that Tolkien's prose while adequate is certainly a far cry from Poe, but George Orwell couldn't write worth a lick either and 1984 is certainly one of the greatest literary achievements of this century, however Tolkien's literary achievement was in his (1) Invention of an entire language and its changes over time, (2) Invention of an entire mythology [printed in the Silmarillion] and use of that mythology in a self-concious referential way - creating an epic for that world using countless references to that world's history. It is an unbelievable experiment that was not carried out in literature until Tolkien. Milton, Dante, and other epic writers of the past have always referenced our mythology in their own works -- Tolkien took it one step further by inventing a unique mythology based upon, but different from our own: Giving him the unique ability to make DOUBLE references and metaphors, commenting on both our own world and his imagintive one. I can't write more, but hopefully another Tolkien fan can take up the staff...
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I'm amazed by peoples ability to extrapolate small amounts of evidence into some kind of general theory. This whole "Lucas is an arrogant ass" thing has all the makings of a major religion. When, I ask you, did Lucas say that Star Wars was as lofty as Milton? All he did was talk about his influences! If you were going to write a modern version of the classic myth where else would you look for inspiration? Walker: Texas Ranger?? Come on guys, Lucas is an intelligent and articulate guy who LOVES MAKING MOVIES! Is he an arrogant ass? I don't know, but neither do you! Now I'm about the most skeptical guy I know but I am NOT cynical. And in my objective observation I have yet to see any statement by anyone here that convinces me that they have any real insight or information. "Lucas makes money" WAHH! "Lucas forced Neeson into retirement" Give me a break. Maybe Neeson is just tired of movies. Maybe he's leveraging for more money. Maybe HE'S the asshole. The point is you DON'T KNOW!!! Listening to you guys is like listening to a creation "scientist".
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I'm not a huge fan of chat rooms or whatever you would categoize this as, but I'm being lazy on a Friday at work. Does anyone remember the purpose of movies? They are supposed to be pure entertainment, and to be used as such. No one in their sane mind would ever truly consider that we would have an Academy Award winner on our hands here, but so what? I was seven when I saw the first movie in 1977, and don't even remember the experience that well, but I know that it was a huge part of my childhood. I'm not a parent, but if my seven year old went to this movie and saw tons of violence and no humor, he wouldn't be allowed to go and see the next movie. These parts of the new film are integral to appealing to the structure of any entertaining movie (makes you laugh, creer, and maybe even cry). Regardless, I'm still a huge fan, and I haven't been sucked into the myriad of hype (both positive and negative), in that I haven't seen a preview, or anything more than a photo or two in a magazine. This way, it will all be new to me when I do see it, and allow me to be a kid all over again. Opinions are just that, so relax on both sides of the coin, and remember to remember that you are about to see the retroactive beginning of a story that came out 20 years ago - and leave it at that. Sorry for rambling.
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You are a pompous, egoswollen, blinded-by-the-opinions-of-others child. You are trying to compare two very different forms of literature,( which LOTR very definatley is) and you obviously feel adult and mature because you can knock a great book that younger and older people can enjoy.
I've said it before, criticism is so easy, and all adolescents feel super-mature because they can criticise everything around them.
you are a sad and lonely and tragic individual who really needs to live.
I agree with superdelfin, LOTR is great and your argument is the sort that nobody really cares about. I'm going to university after the summer, and I really hope that it doesn't turn me into an airheaded snob. You should watch 'Educating Rita', because you are like her in the second stage of her development - an insufferable human who is living in another reallity. If you were standing next to me I'd have a real struggle resisting just hitting you - so low and base is your output. I really pity you. If you are so easily impressed by big words and clever things and see no need for beauty and wonder then you are gonna be lonely.
I can't wait to see TPM, and I'm sorry for clogging this talkback with this stuff. It had to be said. -
Reading the various lukewarm reviews, it occured to me that not one reviewer deigned to say TPM was a waste of time and not worth the wait. In fact, they all firmly state their intention to go see it, again . . . and AGAIN!!. If the movie was not up to par or the hype, what's the point?! The truth is that, notwithstanding the reviewers'preconceived notions of how TPM was supposed to unfold, the movie has already gotten under their skin. They are hooked, as we all will be.
Of course, the film's kid-oriented. So was ANH! An for that matter, TESB and ROTJ. I haven't heard anyone say they've outgrown the series. But, unlike with the first trilogy, there's no light at the end of the tunnel for Episodes I-III. As necessitated by the story of Anakin Skywalker's rise and fall, the series will only get darker, and better for the grown-ups.
I, for one, can't wait till the lights go down!! -
I'm really glad your people really loved Star Wars. I'm practically wetting mysself to see it in London.
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How soon we forget... episode 4 was NOT deep- it was pure fluff and we loved it.. it got progressively deeper as the saga progressed. Let's just be patient, for now and hope for the best. The real drama is yet to come. Lucas stated in Premier that episode 3 will be very dark and will make less $ than the other three- he's obviously not going to be pandering to the pre-teen set on THAT one.
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May 19, 2005 1:33:48 AM CDT
"Jar Jar Binks: Sure he's clumsy. Sure he's dopey. But he provid
by adiaphoron
Oh, this is so sad in retrospect. These poor people. *laughs*
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I mean, how could they have not been plants?
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