Cool News
Captain Crunch's STAR WARS EPISODE ONE Review
Here we go..... This is how you are supposed to watch STAR WARS. Captain Crunch here is right on the money in terms of... How to react to this movie. Star Wars for many of us was the film that made us first notice film. And we were in awe of it. Goofy smiles were planted across our faces and we fell in love. But... Something has happened in the last 15-20 years. We grew up. We watched more movies, began critiquing them. We began to intellectualize about films. We began to take them seriously. However, STAR WARS (for me) has always been about the immature kid in me. The one that gets all excited and shouts with glee. And, I have to admit that when it comes to STAR WARS all my normal sensors will be turned off. I will simply.... be a kid. However, this won't be the case for everyone. There will be those that see THE MATRIX or BLADE RUNNER or 2001 and hold them on a higher plateau and cast stones from that seat on high, but... The fact of the matter is.... I love those films too... but with a different part of me. The part of me that grew up, that became.... Adult. The kid still longs for STAR WARS and aliens and beings from a thousand galaxies. Last night I saw DARK CRYSTAL... I love that film, but in the audience was a fella who had seen STAR WARS up in DALLAS. My only question for him was... "Is it better than Dark Crystal?" He smiled a toothy crooked grin and said, "THE PHANTOM MENACE MAAAAAAAN!!!!" and started giggling. Yeah.... Ok..... THat's what I wanted to hear. A person devoid of human thought because he had seen.... THE PHANTOM MENACE. For an example of this, read Captain Crunch's piece!
There are NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW, just some thoughts & feelings on the
experience of FINALLY seeing the movie. By the way, KEEP YOUR SHIELDS UP,
there ARE surprises, there are things we do not expect. (Although I must say
that I am relieved that I can let my own shields down & not worry about
spoilers any longer.)
I just saw Star Wars Episode I.
I JUST SAW STAR WARS EPISODE I!!!!!!
I saw those words on the screen again, "A long time ago, in a galaxy far far
away..."
A dream came true.
I loved this movie.
I LOVED IT!
It WAS Star Wars. As much as any of the others. To me, that is all the review
the movie needs.
I cannot WAIT to see it again. And again. And again...
How did all this happen? Well, through an incredible stroke of luck
(and shameless begging), I was able to get a ticket for EPISODE I for today
(Thursday, May 6). Needless to say, sleep was fleeting last night, I was a
jumble of excitement and disbelief. This was a day that felt surreal. Was I
actually going to see STAR WARS? We have all been waiting SO LONG for this
moment that there is a certain sense of unreality about it. A new STAR WARS
movie? The first in a SERIES of new STAR WARS movies? After all these years.
My God, it is really happening. Part of me kept expecting someone to say,
“sorry it was just a daydream, it’s not happening.” (In truth it WAS a
nothing more than a hopeful fantasy until very recently.)
When I sit down to try to write a review, the only thought that comes
to mind is “Who am I, that I would dare critique a new chapter in this great
work?” I realize that my initial response to STAR WARS is always almost
totally emotional, not intellectual, not philosophical, and certainly not
completely rational. All those things come later, as I reflect back on the
movies and see them again and again. This whole experience, the waiting, the
countingdown, the mad rush to see the trailers with hundreds of other
screaming fans, lining up to be first inside TOYS R US when it opens at 12:01
am, all of it has been like being eight years old again. STAR WARS was such a
defining part of my childhood and EPISODE I has taken me right back there. I
was sitting in the dark theater, gazing up at the screen in total wonderment,
not questioning, not critiquing, just letting it wash over me & sweep me
away. STAR WARS is, for me, about FUN, about WONDER, and about innocence.
STAR WARS has always been accessible to children (don’t forget, most us us
“rabid fans” were children when we saw it). It is not a children’s movie in
the sense of being EXCLUSIVELY for kids, but it is, always has been, and
always SHOULD be an experience that children can treasure. It should be one
of the quintessential moments that forever sears the wonderment of the big
screen into children’s minds and metamorphoses them into life long movie
fans. I would never have it any other way. I do not WANT to experience STAR
WARS as an adult, or even an adolescent, I want the eight year old in me to
open his mind again and I want to see it through his eyes. I did and I LOVED
IT!
As for the worries that people have expressed on this site:
JAKE LLOYD was wonderful. (Personally, I never had any doubt.) I was so
completely drawn to Anakin Skywalker. He was my favorite character in the
movie. To me, the journey from innocent young boy to tyrannical Darth Vader
is the most interesting part of this new trilogy. (I imagine there will be
folks out there who disagree, I am NOT saying I am right, just stating my
opinion.)
JAR JAR worked for me. He will NOT work for everyone. I believed his
character. I found his humorous moments charming. (All the kids in the
theater cracked up at his antics and frankly, that warmed my heart.) I also
thought his depth of courage and conviction was moving.
I loved it.
It was Star Wars.
What more needs to be said?
-
+ Expand All
-
Am I first? Thanx for the great review... To me the kiddie stuff will help, not hinder the film. One of my friends dragged his girlfriend to the midnight shopping at Toy's R Us. She had not seen or heard much about the TPM. She was on the verge of running off to the car. When we finally got into Toy's R Us, she got caught in the spirit of things when she saw all the "cute" characters like Jar Jar and Gasgano. This film will bring in young, new fans of all genders...I can't vait!!
-
same here. The whole Episode 1 thing brought out the little kid in me again. It's great to know others feel the same way about it. Some of my friends think I'm crazy but they just don't get it!!! What did they do when they were kids? It'll be here soon... yes yes yes, oh joy!
-
2 quick things:
1) To everyone who says the Episode I soundtrack is "not as good..." Whatever. It rules!
2) To everyone who says that ROTJ is "not as good..." Same thing.
-
Let the movie happen. Let the magic embrace you. I am still just as eager to see it, if not moreso knowing that the date is so close. I have read the book, which is written for a third-grade mind and an abomination in itself, but the story within is charming and involving. The best comparison I would direct you to is that made by the columnist at Mr.Showbiz who said that the movie is to get kids hooked on Star Wars just like our generation did, and then George Lucas will have the money to make the next two for all of us, with a darker, more adult vision. Why do you think this movie derives its adventure from the view of an 8-year-old boy? To attract those fickle young uns out there to spend all their money on TPM toys instead of Britney Spears CDs. The next two movies will have an adult Anakin and more difficult and compelling battles against the Dark Side. Yeah, that makes TPM possibly a very expensive "coming attractions" reel, and maybe now Lucas should have three films to get up to the New Hope chapter after this intro, but still, it is a Star Wars movie!! The fact that there never will be 7-9 is sad enough, but maybe these and other adventures oculd continue on in an animated form much like Batman & Batman Beyond have raised the bar for stories and artwork on the daily telly.
Remember, please don't buy the book expecting a great read. Mr. Brooks put very little effort in doing nothing more than adding a few prepositions and adjectives to the screenplay. No background, no internal agendas, zippo. I can't wait to see the film to flush Mr. Brooks scanty portrait from my head. -
Let me say that I think the "Duel of the Fates" stuff on the PM score is wonderful, but the rest is no more than by-the-numbers Williams. By itself can't hold a candle to other John Williams adventure scores, especially the INDIANA JONES trilogy. But I also think it isn't fair to completely accurately judge a score without having seen it over the movie, so what do I know?
-
Watching the Episodes 2 and 3 should be somewhat like watching Titanic, in the sense that the viewer will be aware of an impending tragedy and knows that nothing can be done to alter the course of action. Remember the scene in Titanic before the berg strikes, when Kate Winslet declares that she'll be getting off with Leo when the ship docks, the viewer desperately wants the implication to become a reality, but knows deep down that fate will takes its toll on the grand scheme of things. Even in the few seconds before the iceberg strikes, I was hoping that somehow the innocent lives would be spared and Jack and Rose would end up living happily together for the rest of their lives. If Lucas pulls it off, there could be a Titanic esque parable in 2 and 3 also. The next chapter will deal with Anakins romance, which will make his transition to Darth Vader all the more disturbing. Personally, I can't wait for Episode 3, which may rival Empire in terms of dramatic denouement and grandjeur. The whole reality of the Episode I phenomenon is finally settling in, even though I think all the hoopla has diminished most of the magic. I suppose it was inevitable that the new Star Wars flick was going to get overexposed ad nauseum, but I never thought it would go this far! Either way, it's going to be a prolific movie experience, if ever there was one.
-
The one thing missing from the first batch of reviews were the words..."The lights went down, the fanfare came up, and I was 8 years old again."
When my father took me to see Star Wars back in 1977 I can remember his review. They consisted of the words "nice special effects", "the action was a little too busy for me", and "not my cup of tea."
The holy trilogy started out bubbling over in innocence, and then it grew up. Could be Mr. Lucas is doing the same with this trilogy too. The movies are for the young and young at heart.
I am looking forward to being 8 years old again...if only for 2 hours and 11 minutes.
-Fenn -
The general perspective on this movie seems to be that it is aimed at kids, has some less than perfect performances and at least one annoying character. It isnt a surprise to me. ROTJ had the ewoks and a braindead Han Solo(everyone seems to ignore him when they critique the movie). The SEs had their own problems. I think Lucas made SW for a teen/adult audience(the same crowd that saw Planet of the Apes 1-5). Empire was aimed at the same demographics. Jedi was trying to appeal to teens and the under ten crowd--and that is where it failed.
With this film--it would seem he is trying the same. Too bad-but not really a surprise. -
...someone started talking about the kids this movie is aimed for and not complaining that it's for kids. I have a 9 y/o brother and when I go to and or take him to movies I want those movies to inspire him to become a film lover as much as watching films made me a film lover, that's why I get him and take him to movies like Babe and Babe pig in this city and movies like The Education of Little Tree and SOME Disney movies....That's why I got him Batman forever...even though it's not as good as the previous ones it's Batman and it's light and airy and that made him want to watch the others which we did and he enjoyed even more...and that's why I got him watching Star Trek...and of course Star Wars...I took him to see the Special Edition and you know what his favorite part was...The Jawa falling of the dinosaur thingy...well it wasn't his favorite part but it was a part he remembered and talked about and that's why I'm excited about taking him to See TPM when it opens...becasue it'll continue to inspire him and draw him into the world of Star Wars...I mean Anakin is my brother's age in this movie, he's gonna eat it up...I've gotten him some toys...He already wants to be Mace Windu(my brother is a dark hispanic and loves hispanic and African American actors...I'm hopeing this will make him a Sam Jackson fan instead of his current favorite:Will SMith)...and being with my brother at this movie will make it much more exciting for me...it'll take me back when I saw Jedi when I was 7, it'll take me back to when I saw Empire and Star Wars on video and fell in love with Leia and wanted to be Han and wanted to fight Vader...This is what Star Wars is supposed to be...escapism, fun, and a morality story all wrapped up for all ages
-
Sounds like the movie I was hoping for... I'll also go in with an open mind on Jar Jar. Poor guy has been bashed enough.
-
I bet some of the people who reviewed it didn't even see it. There's so many jealous people out there that are not excited about this that would do anything to create controversy. This movie will beat Titanic by far. There's no way in hell it wouldn't. If you think this movie is too kidlike, than screw you and watch the movie through a kid's eyes. Stop acting so grown up. Movies are supposed to be liked, not critiqued. Even if this movie wasn't the greatest, everyone who has seen it said it was good, and how many movies have gotten that? Again, screw everyone who didn't think it was the greatest movie, will that stop people from seeing the most anticipated movie ever?
-
I was going through some of my old vinyl LPs the other day, and to my unbounded joy, rediscovered my old, original 1977 STAR WARS double album soundtrack, complete with sleeve notes by John Williams, still with the giveaway poster, all in near mint condition.
One thing though.......the poster showed X-wings, Y-wings TIE fighters, and a FLEET of Millenium Falcons, doing battle around the death star.
I was wondering if this was painted without the artist realising that there was only one Falcon, and if this li'l slice of history is actually worth anything (other than sentimental value to me, that is.....)
-
I have been reading a few comments
regarding Lucas having some sort of influence on why Liam Neeson is leaving film. This is the biggest
bunch of **** I have ever heard. First of all Neeson is going back to the stage because of how much he has recently enjoyed working in the theater again. A good number of actors working today do not like film because of the restraints and boredom of making movies. It sounds to me this is Neeson's complaint also. Second, TPM was filmed almost two years ago. Do you think he has sat around for two years pissed off at Lucas and film making to finally come out and say he has had enough . I really doubt it. Please people think about what you are writing before you write it. -
I was an adult when I saw Star Wars in 1977 and I LOVED it and so did every adult I knew who saw it. We're all even older and we're all still hot to see it. A lot of us have got young'uns we're looking forward to taking to see it. This flick is trans-generational and will makes TONS of money, you watch and see. As for "best sci-fi flick ever", pu-leeze! This is STAR WARS, a flick in a class by itself! What's the point of comparison, except to have something to yap about in Talkback? BTW: I've got the soundtrack and I love it! I doubt that any of the people who have dissed it will ever produce even a tiny fraction of the body of work John Williams has. Buncha Talkback quarterbacks & film-school hacks, is what all y'all are!
-
traffic, were can one find this article about L. Neeson???
-
I have not seen SWEPI yet, and so I will reserve all criticism. However, I do want to say that one of my biggest problems with so-called family films today is that they PANDER to children. Star Wars and Empire were family films, accessible to both children and adults (even Yoda, who comes dreadfully close to being a cutesy muppet, manages to come through). As I watch these films over and over as an adult, they are still vastly entertaining--and, of course, I can appreciate them on an intellectual level. But films like Return of the Jedi, which SWEPI supposedly most resembles, contain what I like to call "cringe factors"
-
Oh comeon don't tell me that there is nothing in EMPIRE or ANH that doesn't resemble the "cringe" factors of Jedi...Now I will admit that I don't like the Ewocks or any of those others you mentioned(save Jar Jar...don't know anything about him) but in a ANH you had C-3PO and R2-D2 arguing like Ralph and Alice Kramden and in EMPIRE you had 3PO in pieces and being carried around on Chewie's back bitching and moaning the whole time, so please don't say that there is NOTHING in Empire or ANH...what were the points of those scences...I can see R2 and 3PO in ANH arguing but 3PO in pieces on Cloud City...what did that accomplish...nothing...it was just there...it didn't progress the story any but I don't think anyone complained about it either...but it was funny and I think THAT was the point of that in Empire...now getting back to the Ewokes in Jedi...ok so most of us DON'T like them..but they weren't really a hindernce to the movie, sure they made the move more "cutsie" and "kid-orinted" but surely you can see what Lucas was doing...he was showing us the Technology and Civilized don't always mean better or that it will end in the end...I remember Lucas talking about how the orignial plan in Jedi was to have the Wookies fight the Empire with primitive weapons but when he reworked Chewie into being a more technologial able char. he just cut the wookies in half...
-
If I hear one more comment, from Harry Knowles or anyone else, about how it's our duty to regress into infantilized morons while watching Star Wars, I'm going to lose it completely. Why should we all act like we've been Nurse Ratchett-ized, why strap on a bib and sit there drooling, in order to fill the coffers of a fraudulent, uninspired, out of touch mogul like Lucas? There is something highly distasteful, not to mention pathetic, in this determination to enjoy the movie at all costs. Be a kid again? Hey, when I was a kid, and I'm sure most people still in possession of their senses would agree with me, I reacted violently against movies that pandered to what they supposed were my tastes. My favorite movie was The Untouchables, not E.T. And here's another piece of information for you: Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back are NOT Saturday morning cartoons, like Return of the Jedi is and Phantom Menace assuredly will be. In his attempt to be everything to everyone, Lucas cracked up sometime after Empire was filmed. The Star Wars franchise is DEAD -- get over it. Something else will come along, so just friggin' relax. And I'm not trying to be inflammatory; I'm trying to wake you up from your self-induced stupor. Everything I'm saying here is the gospel truth, and deep in your heart of hearts, you know it. -
If Empire had made $10 it would STILL be one of my favorite movies, and if Jedi had made $10 Billion, I would still despise it. Marchen, thank you, you express my feelings on Jedi EXACTLY. As for Han Solo's "Acting" in Jedi, along with Princess Coke the dazed and confused, they were suffering from Lucasitis. Remember that virtually NO ONE ever works with Lucas twice...
-
WOW I'm impressed...The Untouchables was your favorite movie as a kid...aren't you special...you know what was my favorites growing up...HE-MAN!...I loved HE-MAN with every soul in my body...the cartoons, and the movie...I guess I'm not as sophisticated as you becasue I didn't like the Untouchables, hell when I was a kid I didn't even understand what the hell the Untouchables was about...it's a favorite now, but then I didn't care...||oh and BTW I was joking about the HE-MAN comment, about it being my favorite moive as a kid, to tell you the truth I really can't remember favorites as a kid, although AN AMERICAN TALE and the Tom Hanks/Dan Ankroyd DRAGNET I remember seeing several times
-
Harry, there is no right way and wrong way to watch a movie. Wake up! It's obvious some people are massively disappointed in this film. And yes, maybe you will be too when you see it! This goes for all you freaks who are blindly criticizing the reviewers when you don't even know what you're talking about. Instead of trying to rationalize their bad reviews away, just deal with it. "Episode One" may suck. Just like ROTJ did. Stranger things have happened. Life will actually go on. Breathe. -
When everyone was saying before how great this movie was going to be, I was gearing up for it to suck... Then, the initial reviews came out, rife with masked disappointed. I thought, hey, maybe this movie won't be so bad after all. Now the reviews are getting good again, and I'm back to thinking this movie's going to suck once more. Is this normal? What's wrong with me, Doctor? Signed, Flip-flopping in Hypeville.
-
OK, all you "I saw "Star Wars" when I was a widdle kid" types. I first saw it the same month I finished USAF pilot training, and I had a great time. "Empire" was even better. But, to paraphrase Jimmy Stewart, "then, then came the Ewoks...." Ugh. Double ugh. It's a pretty bad sign when a movie with this level of anticipation has to be "defended" with "check yer brains in at the door, folks - only the young at heart will understand". Nonsense. Lets take a moment to see what kind of movies have merchandising tie-ins: kid flicks. When did this trend start (NOT counting the evil Disney Empire)? I'll tell ya - "Star Wars". You name a non-Disney movie before "Star Wars" that sold everything from underwear to lunchboxes to the googleplex "action figures", and I'll admit my error. What Lucas is doing is abandoning any pretense to making a movie, and instead is giving us a 2-hour-long commercial for all the tie-in crap. The amount of rationalization that I seem to be seeing (or reading, anyway) about this is a forecast of a national psychosis-in-the-making. It's gonna be a scene similar to the one out of "Chinatown", only the older fans-in-denial will be saying "I love it! I hate it! I love it! I hate it!" One last thing - I saw a "life-sized" Jar Jar figure at a local store, and folks - IT STINKS!
-
My, my aren't we all so special. No matter how hard that we try, we could never fully recapture, short of amnesia, the essence of being a Star Wars Virgin. So accept it. I, for one, wil get my tickets on May 12, See the Phantom Menace on the 19, and be one broke bastard by December 26. Screw what anyone else says: If you don't like what he creates, build your own fucking universe. Hell, rip him off completely! I don't care! But don't sit on your fat asses second guessing Lucas, expecting everyone else to nod their heads in amen. Will I like everything about the new movies, most likely not! No, in fact I hate the N-1 already. God damn you Chaing! But I'll accept it, and appreciate the coll thing that I do like. It's a package deal. You know it is. Kubrick. I 'm sorry for not rambling on like a drunken English man but this is ridiculous. Neeson. I for one also liked the matrix, but why is it mentioned so much to prove so little. Lawndo.
-
Your review is on the money. I saw it on Wednesday and had to think about it for a day. When I was 7 I didn't have any other movies to gauge it by so it was the best ever and still is. I don't think the 'real' fans will be disapointed. I enjoyed the film, I was satisfied by the story and the characters. I told my coworkers to still stand in line for hours that it will take to get in, it will be worth it. I will be there in line like the rest. It's a great experience, can't wait for Episode 2, how many more days?
-
To 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:>)
-
Alright. Let's see. I read the unenthusiastic reviews, the better ones and then this one. I read the bitching about Jar Jar in the Talk back and how little Maul is in it. But what really got me is everyone bitching about ROTJ and how crappy it is. So now after waiting i post my thoughts on everything.
You can not say ROTJ is not as good as the rest cause it is. It has faults in it but so do the others and if you ever think about it, the origianl trilogy is like one six hour movie...So if you criticise one part of the story then you are criticising the whole story...If ROTJ is the weak link then that means the story is weak and I don't think any of you will say it. Personally I like Empire the best but I do not think ROTJ or ANH suck and they are all great movies that get better with each viewing. That's part of their magic. Remember you can not have one without the other..hence the word trilogy...
Then the issue of Jar Jar. Shut the fuck up and watch the damn movie then give your opinion. I think he looks great personally.
The issue of Darth Maul having not much screen time...Quality not quantity like one review said and I would tend to agree.
So when May 19 rolls around I can't hardly wait..I remember watching Star Wars so many years ago when I was 7 with a wonderful feeling of something great and watching all the trailers, commercials and clips I get that feeling again. Of something great...I love the feeling and love Star Wars. Thank the maker for George and his expensive indie movies... -
I logged on the other day just in time to catch the hateful, mudslinging squabble of a thread following the TPM reviews. It made me feel, I dunno, weird. It bothered me for a while. Today, before I logged on I tapped out an unusually long message I was hoping to post somewhere appropriate on Harry's page, and lo and behold, the perfect forum. I feel better already, just knowing I'm not the only one who feels the way I do.I know I am just reiterating what has come before, but I wrote it, and dammit, this usual lurker has something to say. Here goes:
I am so ecstatically happy to think, that in less than TWO WEEKS, i will be sitting in a movie theatre viewing a new piece of the Star Wars Saga for the first time in SIXTEEN YEARS! There is no way I will be unhappy with the finished product, because it's not a finished product. It's merely the first act of a much larger story that we haven't seen. I have no expectations. I refuse to build a little Star Wars movie in my head and expect George Lucas to pick up my mental telepathic directing and lay it out on celluloid for me. I WANT to be surprised, shocked. I want to see something I wasn't expecting to see. I want unaswered questions to plague me for the next couple of years. I DONT want it to wotk out the way it is "supposed" to work out according the Hollywood Algebraic Equation, How to Please the Most Possible People with One Product.
I hear objections to the promotional stuff. When I was a kid, I LOVED promotional stuff. I still wish I had one of those glasses from, say, Pizza Hut, with the USS Enterprise exploding and falling to the surface of the Genesis planet, or Elliot's bike taking flight across the face of the moon, with a curious lump in the handle-bar basket, or Indy running for his life from the bowling-ball-o'-death. Happy Meals with the "Help Luke get to his Landspeeder" maze on one side and punch-out cardboard characters on the other. When I was a kid, that sort of thing made the whole summer into a version of Christmas. The anticipation, the anxiety over whether my parents would take me or not. The careful deliberation of a seven-year-old on the correct number of times to beg your parents to take you so that they understood how bad you wanted to go, yet not so much they became angry with you, thereby lessening your chances.
Right now, even after all the villiage idiot's crap, I feel, for the first time in over a decade, how it feels to be a kid of my generation again. I'm no Generation Xer, I'm a space baby, born on the anniversary of man landing on the moon, and no matter how this newer, meaner, internet-anonymity-means-I-can-be-hateful-and-rude-with-no-remorse world tries, I am entralled with the idea of being taken back to a galaxy far, far away. I want to fall into the story like I could so easily when I was a boy. I've watched innumerable movies with less budgeting, technology, or acting ability in its cast and been totally immersed. Jason and the Argonaughts, The Black Hole (Maxamillian was one bad mo-fo.), Silent Running, The Last Starfighter, King Kong, Conan. (Flame me if you will, I've loved all these movies at some point in my life.) On the other hand, I've watched big-budget, technically state-of-the-art flicks, with reputable actors that made me check my watch constantly. Godzilla, everyone's favorite whipping-boy, comes to mind. Remember, PLOT DOES MATTER. If the substance is right, if the story rings true, your mind will forgive the technical idiosyncracies. If the story draws you in, your mind will fill in the gaps in the stop-motion photography, or the texture differences in the CGI and the rest of the film, or whatever the case may be.
This is gonna be great. It doesn't matter if Yoda's lips don't move right, I still loved Planet of the Apes. It doesn't matter if Jar Jar looks superimposed, the Rancor was still kick-ass. It doesn't matter if Jake Lloyd's cating isn't the greatest. "But wanted to go into Toshi (sp?) station to pick up some power converters!" Because I WANT to believe, I WILL believe. If you sit there in the dark and nit-pick every little detail you can find, you shut yourself off from being drawn in. Relax, kick back and take in the glory and color and motion and music that so many people have worked so hard to bring to YOU, the fans. Do you think the guy who just spent the last 12 hours straight writing code or tediously shading individual pixels is in it just for the money? He has a personal stake in it, like so many others working on the film. So many people working on the new trilogy are people just like us, who grew up with Star Wars, who are only there because of what they saw on the screen in 77 or the early 80's. I believe they will treat the franchise (franchise has become such a dirty word I'm almost afraid to use it) with dignity and respect. I have faith in them. If that is my weakness than SO BE IT.
PS. I am taking the 4 goin-on-5 year old son of a friend of mine. My girlfriend and I baby-sat him once so his parents could go out for their anniversary. He became bored and difficult early on, so I said to him, "I'm going to show you something verry special. These are my favorite movies when I was a boy.", pulling out my SE widescreen set."Do you think you would like to watch them?" Well, watch them he did. I think he blinked twice. I only intended to show him Star Wars; we ended up watching the whole trilogy together. He gets really excited when we discuss the new movie. It's like our little conspiracy. We always whisper when we talk about it. "It's getting closer!", I'll say. Then he'll cup his hand to my ear: "How soon?'' "Two weeks. Are you sure you wanna go, it's not to late to back out."This is always followed by emphatic head-shaking on his part. It's so cool to see a new generation latch onto Star Wars. The only bad part is I always get stuck being the Tauntaun. I've been disemboweled so many times, William Wallace personally offered to buy me a beer.
And I've realized, you may gripe saying there is too much kiddie-humour in Menace, but if my young friend can sit through the kissy-kissy and the political wrangling without complaining, the least I can do is tolerate a little juvenile humour. It's Star Wars, people there's something there for everyone without the Hollywood Equation, young and old, race matters little. And about the Jar Jar/ racism ilk I see voiced by precious few, let it die. Coincidentally, 19 May is Malcolm X's b-day. Remember, luminous beings are we, not this..,crude matter.
So come May 19, we'll be there, not too close, not too far back, not too far left, not too far right, but in the sweet spot, where the screen is centered in your field of vision and the THX is juuusssst right for those fly-overs. So, if you see a 20-something dishwater blond and a rambunctious 5 year old kid laughing and throwing popcorn at each other while making chewie noises, it's probably us. Oh, yeah, and when we're done we're going the fast-food establihment with the best promotional stuff. Peace, and May the Force be with Ya, cause you're gonna need it to beat me to the sweet spot. Later, Yossarian. -
I don't think that we will have to lower our maturity to that of an 8-year-old to enjoy TPM. Actually, if that's what you've been thinking then you've completely missed everyone's point. You see, I believe that you don't have to be a kid to have fun in the Star Wars universe. It's being a "kid at heart" that lets you be mesmorized at what's going on
on that movie screen, that makes you love that sense of adventure. As you get older, and more mature, you will realize certain aspects of the film (and all films, for that matter) that you didn't before when you were younger. And that will futher emmerse you into the whole experience. Go in there, ready to return to that universe we all love so much, and just let the film unfold. Just stop thinking and worrying so damn much. And if it sucks, then hey, there's always Episode II. -
I agree that turning your bakc on reality (if such a word can be applied to something as subjective as the movies) and saying, "Itwillbegooditwillbegood" is not a smart move. There is a chance...some would say a good chance...that TPM will not be that great. BUT...there are a few facts to consider about internet reviews. A) The internet is AWASH IN NEGATIVITY. Let's face it folks, internet types are getting impossible to please, and they (we?) love to deflate hype. This has been healthy in the past (ie, "Batman and Robin", "Godzilla") but it's getting out of hand. Succumbing to a wave of commercialism is a danger, and I can see why people want to resist it, but the backlash can be just as mindless. B) There are a lot of people...the hardcore fans, and therefore the ones most likely to have seen the movie already, are more likely to have been spoiling themselves. If you know all the names and backgrounds of the characters...if you've seen all the images published...if you've read the freaking script before you see the movie, well of course you're going to be let down. You traded bits and pieces of the film for the joy of actually seeing it. If you don't enjoy it NOW, you have no right to complain. You can't have your cake and eat it too. C) "Checking your brain at the door" isn't something I think I can do when it comes to movies. That's what Armageddon wanted from the audience, so no, I don't think that's a good thing to do. But overanalysis can be taken too far, especially before we've seen the movie. Some movies are meant to be enjoyed first, THEN analyzed, and Star Wars movies are among them. If something is "cringe-inducing", then okay, but saying things like, "Darth Maul only has 9 minutes of screen time"...who are these people? What did they do, sit there with a stopwatch? If so, may I gently suggest that they were not exactly in the right frame of mind to enjoy this movie? Darth Vader's screen time in the first movie is almost as brief, Yoda only has 20 minutes in the enitre (original) trilogy, who the #&%$ cares? A movie is more than the sum of its statistics. D) "Star Wars fans are rationalizing these bad reviews"...maybe so. But no one has seen the movies yet, and a little hope can hardly be misconstrued as shutting out reality. Let's face it, early internet reviews have let us down before, and the above points are known by a lot of people. If the movie really, really sucks, and only makes money because people are being brainwashed by Lucas, it's time to get mad. If people are "deluding themselves" into...gasp...ENJOYING a movie, than what the hell is wrong with that? All movies, I repeat, ALL movies require a certain amount of faith that the makers know what they're doing, and it's a faith that those of us of a more fanboyish nature are less and less willing to grant these days. A bt of cynicism is good, a bit of hope is better. At any rate, I'm expecting to walk into the theater May 19th or thereabouts and be transported...I will not consciously will myself to "be a child again", rather I will expect the movie to do that for me. I have faith that it will. But I know I have to allow it to do so.
-
It seems that the real problem
with this movie so far,judging from the reviews I've read has more to do with the fact that the movies aimed more at kids than adults.No surprise there,
since the first trilogy was kind of made for younger folks as
opposed for older people BUT
a good point thats been made
that most everyone is not see-
ing is that the majority of us saw the first 3 movies when we
were kids ourselves.Now we're
grown up and our tastes and perspectives have changed as well.
So my point??The new movie is being made for young
kids more than for old fogies and thats got some people in a
uproar.I can see the concern,
but if you if you're expecting the same experience again,its
not going to happen.I plan to
see the movie and expect just
a plain good old sci-fi action
flick.And if it sucks?Then we
can look forward to the more
dark,depressing 2 sequals in a
few years.And oh yes,there are
Many REASONS why Jedi was
unwatchable,the ewoks were
just one of them. -
Well, to be honest with you, I'm not going to see the movie. It irritates me no end that Hollywood has somehow turned seeing their wretched product into our patriotic duty as Americans. Consider my staying home a vote against the Gerber's strained carrot muck which people on this site actually have the gall to call "entertainment." And consider my seeing Eyes Wide Shut ten times the first weekend a vote for the kind of artist who ( literally ) doesn't exist anymore. I may be pretentious, but I'm not cynical, and a good movie -- Psycho, Pierrot Le Fou, Seven, Breaking the Waves, Dream Life of Angels, Fox and His Friends, Rushmore, The Last Detail, etc. -- sends me into raptures the likes of which these Star Wars tunnel rats will probably never know, closed off as they are to novel experience, whiling away decades of their lives waiting for Lucas to excrete another toy commercial. Listen: I'm not saying Star Wars is a conspiracy, a plot to make money -- ALL movies are a plot to make money. What I am saying is that Lucas long ago lost the conviction, the passion, the drive that made the first Star Wars film and its sequel so mythical and poetic. It's not coming back, either, that passion, so don't hold out any hope for the next, "darker" episodes. They'll be about as dark as someone locked in a cellar his entire life -- someone like Lucas. -
Malcontent...your opinion is certainly valid (not to mention unavoidable). As I said a moment ago, there's a reason we get cynical about being forcefed product. But...have you seen the movie yet? Because you talk with sweeping certainty (and a certain amount of glee) about how Star Wars is dead, and how the movie will suck, and how Lucas has lost his creative drive, yet the man has not directed a film in 22 years. So for you to make these determinations, you must have seen the movie. Right? Otherwise, it seems to me you've swapped one form of mindless subjugation (obeisance to Lucas) for another (mindless rejection).
-
No offense, Downhiller, but should you really have to think about a movie for a full day afterwards to decide whether you like it or not? Shouldn't your gut tell you on the way out of the theatre? Still doesn't bode too well. -
Reading over the first reviews of TPM and browsing the ongoing discussion of which of the two movies will be better (a contrived argument indeed), I figured I'd put in my 2 cents. You know you want to hear it. First of all the Matrix is a well made, fantastically entertaining (best fight scenes this side of Jackie Chan), derivative movie. It wil NOT redifine the genre, nor will it be remembered as a "shift in the way movies are made". It was eye candy with an recycled plot. Enough said. As for TPM, I have yet to read a review that addresses the important aspects of a film. "It won't cater to the hard core fans", etc., etc., etc.. I've news for the "die hard" Star Wars fans. Nothing could have met your expectations.
-
I think these Star Wars talkbacks are actually devolping into some serious discussions and although I don't agree with Malconent's point that lucas is making some kind of less creative movie, I think he brings up some good points, I don't agree with them but I think the can be valid points. And all those movies he named are wonderful movies but it's when people say that these movies are better somehow then other movies and that the fact that I like Armageddon or the Last Starfighter or Star Wars makes me a lesser person just pissses the hell out of me...Where do you get off saying...no not saying Implying that you're a better person becasue of these movies, you're not...it's movie snobs like Malcontent and others that sometimes takes the joy out of seeing a movie. It's like comparing s;ay The Honeymooners or I Love Lucy to The Norm Show...Each has it's supporters and it's detractors, but that doesn't make one person better then another. Dont assume that it does
-
Yeah, Blah Blah, I was actually just thinking that myself when I posted the last message. I know I should see Phantom Menace before railing against it, believe me, but there comes a time when you have to ask yourself: How many more times will I let myself get burned? How many times will I have to spend a depressing evening in the company of a bunch of hooting, hollering C.H.U.D. people before I throw up my hands in disgust and walk away? I went with everyone to see Batman Forever, I went with everyone to see Independence Day, I went with everyone to see Lost World -- and that, finally, was the straw that broke the camel's back. When the black girl did her gymnastics routine on the raptor, she also inadvertently -- and blessedly -- kicked me right out of my complacency. No more of this nonsense! Criminy. I don't want to sound like some embittered jerk, like someone who doesn't know how to have fun, but if I am, it's because I'm a product of my environment. I want to have a good time at the movies, you must understand, but in the last few years that has become well-nigh impossible -- you cannot deny this. So, should I see Phantom Menace and feel like one of those suckers born every minute, or should I assume, based on the reviews, based on Lucas' underwhelming post-Star Wars forays into filmmaking, based on Jake Lloyd's cloying performance in Jingle All the Way, based on the previews which make the movie look like a giant cartoon, based on Natalie Portman's bad accent, based on Jar Jar, based on EVERYTHING... just not to see the movie at all? I'm sorry, but I must choose the latter course. There comes a time when you have to make a few informed assumptions, if only to preserve your sanity. That's why I'm not going to be anywhere near a theatre come May 19th. -
Like most people,I was a little disappointed to here those semi-negative reviews yesterday, and I am a little happier to here the positive ones today. But in the end, it really doesn't matter. Normally, I consider myself as someone with fairly good taste in movies. I don't claim to have any special knowledge about what it takes to make a great film, just that I think I normally can tell what's worth watching. But in this one case, it really doesn't matter how good the film actually is. Maybe some people will think I'm just a sucker who will accept any crap Lucas can dish out, and if so thats fine. Because one of my earliest and happiest memories is waking up on Christmas morning when I was four or five years old to find the Death Star playset set up on my dining room table with most of the action figures set-up inside. And all I could think of at the time, with the gratitude that someone only that age could have, was "geez mom, those aliens don't go in the Death Star, they belong in the Cantina!" I spent the youngest years of my childhood eating, sleeping, and breathing all things Star Wars. I can remember the pure joy I felt seeing Empire, and the years of anticipation I spent wandering how Han would be saved, who Leia would end up with, and who the one was that Yoda referred to. I remember waiting in line to see Jedi and eating every second of it up. Like most fans I got out of the films after Jedi, packed up my toys in a box, and moved on with my life. I forgot about toys, went to school, eventually got a grown up job, but still always enjoyed watching the films when they came on tv. Then, also like alot of other fans, I heard about the new toys in the early nineties and had to get them! I found myself running to the store again and buying any new ones I found. Everytime I saw a new one I felt like that five year old kid who came out and saw the Death Star on the dining room table. I unpacked the old toys from when I was a kid, and put them on some shelves. I was there waiting anxiously when the rereleases came out in '97, and have been praying for the moment a new film would come out. Sure, its just a movie. But its also one of the few things in my life that I could always rely on to put a smile on my face. I still get that corny, excited feeling of a young kid whenever I see the films. I owe alot to these movies, I even met my fiance because we both discovered we were each big fans. To be honest, I really can't judge how good they actually are. I hear that most people feel that Empire is the best and I agree. I also hear that most people think that Jedi is the least of the trilogy, and thats probably true even though I still love it to death. But the fact is that I can't provide an unbiased opinion as to the actual quality of those films. And I really don't care how good they are as films! All that matters to me is that I love them. And when I sit down in that theatre in two weeks I know I am going to love this Star Wars movie. It could terrible. It could be the biggest piece of crap ever put on film. It could make Batmand and Robin look like a masterpiece. But when I hear that John Williams music blasting, and see that crawl come over the screen, all will be right with my world. The plot could suck, the movie could drag, the CGI could be terrible, but I won't be able to tell. All that I'll be able to think about is that I'm seeing Star Wars. I'll that I will be hearing is the names Skywalker, Obi-wan, and Yoda. I'll be watching a bad guy named Darth that I know I will love even if he does only have ten minutes of screen time. Because I'll be that same five year old kid that saw the Death Star in my dining room on Chirstmas morning. If you disagree. thats fine, don't see the movie, go see something you'll enjoy. There's plenty out there. But for me, all that matters is that a Star Wars movie is coming out.
-
I've already posted this elsewhere,but something tells
me we haven't seen the last of Darth Maul.Think Clone Wars.
And one last time....Star Wars
was made for kids including
this one,hype has been build-
ing for 20 years and of course
people are disappointed.Does
this mean the movie was bad
or good?Once again,was the
movie bad or good,on its on,no
comparing it to the earlier movies. -
Having read the screenplay (i'm not going to spoil anything) I have to agree with those who say that PM is geared more to children. I was quite surprised, because anyone would assume that episodes 1-3 would be much darker than episodes 4-6. Wven John William's score is darker (and not as memorable if you want my opinion) Lucas runs the risk of creating horrible word of mouth if star wars fanatics reject the movie on opening. It could really effect the millions of people who are not really sw fans but plan to see the movie. Let's hope episode 2 will re-capture the magic of the originals. Let's also hope that Jar Jar is nowhere to be seen it it!
-
May 07, 1999 7:41:29 PM CDT
Can't We All Just Get Along, Join Forces and Defeat the Empire?
by maulcontent
Ok, "Malcontent", here's why I love StarWars..and it ain't about the action figures, commercial brainwashing, cultural hypnosis...etc.
Regardless of what Lucas and Joseph Campbell say/said, all this notion about a MODERN MYTHOLOGICAL SUBTEXT isn't what's important about StarWars..To me StarWars is about friendship/family and loyalty, its as simple as that.
The best moment in ANH? When Han decides loyalty to his friends over a quick buck and comes back to help his friend Luke blow up the DeathStar..."Alright Kid!" It ain't about joining the rebellion, its about being a friend. The best moments in ESB are similar. 1) when Han risks freezing to death "THEN I'LL SEE YOU IN HELL!", hops on his tauntaun and goes to find Luke. 2) Luke, against Yoda's warning, goes to Cloud City, to rescue his friends, who he knows are in danger. 3) the end of ESB, Lando and Chewie set out for Jabba's and Luke and rest of the Gang will meet them there...not to launch some Rebel mission against the Empire, but to rescue their good friend Han....ROTJ, 1) Leia, Luke and the rest descend upon Jabba's palace to recue Han..2)the "gang" befriends the Ewoks and they join forces against the Empirial troops on Endor, ultimately helping to free the galaxy...3)Lando joins his friends in the Rebellion and blows up the second deathstar..4)Vader chooses loyalty to his son/family vs. power over the entire galaxy....and so on.
The StarWars Trilogy is filled with examples of friendship such as these (including the flipside of friendship..petty blickering/jealousy, etc). That's why I enjoyed it when I first saw it (as a child)..and why I continue to enjoy it to this day. These characters basically love each other like a family and it shows..you don't see alot of that in movies these days or when the original films first came out...
If TPM has these elements of loyalty and friendship.. of a group of characters who "gel" and seem to care for each other like a family...who join together with other like minded individuals.. against a great evil, I'll be content.
-
For all those naysayers out there who shamelessly bash Star Wars and all related, here's a message just for you.
We all, the Star Wars geeks of the world, realize that these films ARE NOT REAL (oh no, an ewok just fell down dead. everyone, if you believe in ewoks, clap your hands! that's it! yay wicket! you can go on to do willow and leprechaun!) We do not let Star Wars rule our lives. We are, however, hopelessly devoted to the story from a galaxy far, far away.
We don't live on Dagobah, we aren't Jedi Knights, and we don't smuggle shipments for Jabba the Hutt. We're just a bunch of people who, well, wish that we did, that we were. And there isn't a single person on this planet who can honestly say that, if given the chance, they would want to use the Force or rocket a ship in a lightspeed.
I'm no one important, just a fan. But fans are what made Star Wars huge in the first place. Perhaps we ARE geeks, perhaps we are obsessed, but we are geeks together, obsessed together, and nothing you could ever say can take that away from us.
Michael Martin -
Ok yall Might critize me and think im stupied cause im just a 13 1/2 year old who happens to like starwars but I would still like to put my input in Ok I think starwars:TPM is going to be cool but still it could be bad im not till judge it till I see it and also why is it sopposed to just be for kids??? I read that Jar Jar Blinks is sopposed to be the only comic relief (or kid thing) in the whole movie and also the movie isent about Violence if you want to see Violence and Action go see The Matrix it was cool (dont see entrapment if you want action ACK!) But action and Violence isent what Starwars is about what starwars is about is unexplainable to some people kinda like seinfeld its a mystery why both of them are hits but all you know is people like them and that there classic's and that there not really every going to die as long as people remember them...
Thank you for reading
(dont make me explain my signing its just a traditon)
The all knowing bug,
Cricketx1 -
I am really getting sick of all the panning the film is getting. I'm not one of the lucky ones to see the preview so stop trying to spoil it. So Jar Jar is childish. Duh! You'll probably like him if you were 8 years old again. I can't wait for my 10 year old son to experience the new Star Wars in the theater. I'm sure it will be magical for him and me. Also ROTJ is not the worst Star Wars film. The Ewoks did not spoil it. Please. The whole Star Wars series are just movies remember? Stop trying to elevate them to something they can never be. They all have been terrific good movies and I'm sure Phantom Menace will be on the same level as the previous three.
-
Ahem. Hello, you know, those of you that are bitching about Harry Knowles telling you what to do, how to watch Star Wars...yadda, yadda, yadda.
GET OVER IT. This is his frigging site. If you don't like it, go somewhere else.
Personally, I like what he has to say. And I think those of you who are bitching are simply sour grapes. Grow up.
Watch Star Wars.
Have a good time.
quityerbitching.
Rani
-
You know it's Capulets like you who make for blood in the marketplace (or something like that, ye gods). I am so sick of all of this...you all just can't get enough of your self-importance crammed into these talkbacks, can you? "Matrix" rules (fine, I hope it inspires you in whatever way you need inspiring), "Jedi" sucks (fine, make something better and shut up already), Kubrick is god (I thought gods didn't die),
Jar Jar ruins the movie (amazing you know that even though you haven't seen it), so on and so forth until the end of time or Bond flicks, whichever comes first. You know, I can state 3 things that are absolute certainties: 1) some people will love TPM, 2) some people won't, and 3) you will fall into one of these two categories. So until you've seen the film and know which category you're in SHUT UP ALREADY. -
Do you want to know a sure fire way to demonstrate ignorance? It's easy, make a broad generalization (and act like a sanctimonious prick when you do it). Your fantasy world where all "Star Wars freaks" are "mindless C.H.U.D.s" doesn't exist. Did it ever occure to you that most people aren't saying that Ep. 1 is the greatest film of all time but rather one of the most anticipated films of all time. Sure it might dissapoint me. But I doubt it. It will no doubt dissapoint some. I don't know if it's going to be all I hope for yet (I have faith though). But when I'm in line I'm still going to turn to my friends and say "THIS IS GONNA BE FRICKIN' GREAT!!!" The people looking forward to this film aren't all loosers who just like special effects and don't know anything about film history (some of them sure), some of us are aware of the totality of cinematic art and are offended by your insinuation that we all conform to some inferior stereotype that you've created in your own mind. We're not your freaks! We're human beings! You however are a narcissist.
-
"Remember, no one works with Lucas twice." Hello? Didn't everyone in the trilogy work with Lucas at least three times? Harrison Ford worked with him four times!!
-
May 07, 1999 9:00:35 PM CDT
another post about Darth Sidious, as I will keep on posting unti
by 4-lom/zuckuss
Okay, I guess the only way to get noticed in these damn talkback sections is to start acting like an asshole and get very obnoxious. Well here goes: you people are all assholes. all you're talking about is your little neurotic worries about "oh, the film is too much like Return of the Jedi," or "this movie caters to the little kids." Why don't you start worrying about the important things, like the actual plot of this trilogy, and how everything is explained. Like my theory, which I am convinced is the truth, that Darth Sidious and Palpatine are the same person. OK. There I've said it. My reasons: Sidious' chinline looks quite similar to Palpatine's and his toy has quotes such as "my young apprentice," which the Emperor said to Luke a few times. Now why doesn't anybody take notice of me??? I don't try to be annoying like JMS and those people. But until someone takes notice of the supreme bounty hunter duo I will continue to be an asshole. People say it's what I do best anyway.
-
Chills run up my spine!!! Can not sit still! Can NOT wait till the film is here in Richmond VA. Will be first in line with my son. I know he will sense the rush as I did back in the day of the first film. Still get chills when the DEATH STAR blows up!The FORCE is BACK!
-
We can blame it on lack of imagination and failure to develop the strands laid out so beautifully in the first two films. So much of ROTJ is simply regurgitated, especially the dialog (a lethal drinking game could be devised here) and action (another assault on another death star). The new material is treated tiredly: Boba Fett (whom some of us felt would surely play a larger part in ROTJ -- if not Yoda's "there is another" then at least a character to be dealt with in some charged finale) is dispatched accidently by a blind man, and all the lead actors deliver their lines as though in a drug-induced haze (actual or not). Many things were just senseless: why would the Imperial troops choose a populated forest moon to house their generators; and why not nuke or denude the forest, for at least a ten mile clear perimeter; and once the teddy bears start attacking, fight from a higher vantage above the treetops? Leia and Luke may have been related in earlier drafts, but their development in the first movies was nothing of the sort (and the actors, in their tired drone, never seem to sell this revelation anyway). The Emperor is a disappointment; he steps into the movie like a crotchety relative from out of town; pehaps if we saw him on Coruscant, in his element, he would make more of an impression (though I think Peter Cushing's Tarkin would be hard to top). Other characters, like Mon Motha, and the various fishlike alien races, barely register, even when the movie grinds to a halt to introduce them.. The special edition only made things worse, with an unbearable musical number, and the scene depicting a victory celebration on Coruscant only begging the question: how did this galaxy-wide empire really fall? Here is perhaps the crucial problem: why end the film, and the trilogy (and now we know, the series) with another death star and teddy bears? It simply HAD to end on Coruscant -- the signals were there in the beginning: we started on the planet that's farthest from the bright center of the universe; we ended the second film in dark transit; in the end, Luke should have had to face the Emperor on the Emperor's home ground (a star war to end all star wars). I want to add that this is my first, and I think, only post (sigh). I simply had to reply to those who admire ROTJ. Star Wars was central to my youth; the Empire Strikes Back, with its somber cliffhanger, warped me forever,and the three year period between TESB and ROTJ was one of highly feverish speculation and anticipation (back when the only rumor sources were Starlog and Cinefantastique and Fantastic Films). I learned a lesson, one of disapointment, but I don't regret it now.. For me, Star Wars is as much Gary Kurtz's, Irving Kershner's, Joe Johnstron's, Ralph McQuarrie's, Leigh Brackett's and Lawerence Kasdan's as George Lucas's. And for me, the Wars end with Luke, Leia, 3PO and R2 standing at the window of the great hospital ship as it pulls away, and the music sadly swells. Nothing else should be allowed into the canon; at this point, nothing else would work as well..
-
Thus far, I have yet to read a review that says TPM sucks. All the reviews I have read say it is very good to great, and most people say they will see it again. It is possible, especially for those of us who are big Star Wars fans, to over-analyze this film and compare it to something we have loved for 20 years. That is what is being done here. Almost nothing could live up to that kind of scrutiny. Please, just let the movie be released before attempting to destroy it. And by the way, George Lucas is doing the press junket this week, and screening to tons of critics. I don't think he would be doing that if this movie was going to be some sort of embarassment. Go see TPM, and if you enjoy it, fine. If you don't, fine as well. For the die-hards, this film WILL be different. With a different tone, style, pacing, and setting than the original trilogy. I dare say that with no preconceived notions about what it is "supposed" to be, this film would amaze you. Just try, as hard as it may be, to let it stand on its own.
-
i think Ridley Scott, or James Cameron should direct the next ones.
-
Mr. gittes,
I kind of made sense of your ramblings about ROTJ and here is my conclusion-who cares who blew up the Death Star at the end of it? Admiral Ackbar could have swam in there and blown it up and we would have still cheered. The DStar plotline is secondary in ROTJ. It is about the redemption of Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader. Logic doesn't always explain why Wedge is a hero...
Luke was the hero of the trilogy. He blew up the 1st Death Star, saved his friends and his father. I agree he is the MAN of that trilogy. And I have been thinking about the one who will bring Balance to the Force and all that. Well I'm sure some think it is Luke cause he resists the dark side and saves his father, but it could be that Anakin is the one who is the Balance to the Force because he goes from Light to Dark to Light again. If he had survived ROTJ he would have been the ultimate Jedi. Any thoughts on that? -
I don't know why I got started on this subject. The die-hard Star Wars fans aren't going to be dissuaded, and besides, I have no wish to dissuade them -- or, for that matter, have anything to do with them. Now through my own hubris I've brought the plagues of Egypt down on my head. I get back from dinner and two armchair terrorists have tried to send me viruses. A bunch of other people felt the burning desire to send me E-mails calling me a moron. Touche. I just wonder if these fanboys are so rabid that they write letters to each and every person who dares to thumb his nose at their beloved Wars. Lucas really doesn't need any proselytizing on his behalf, you know -- he's ekeing out an existence pretty well on his own. Anyway, I doubt my apostasy will make a significant dent in the The Phantom Menace's final gross. I can stay home and there will still be Parts 2 and 3, don't worry. All I want to do is remind everyone that the reason there are movies like Armageddon is because people go to see movies like Armageddon, then grouse and grumble afterwards like someone forced them to go at gunpoint. Then the process repeats itself ad infinitum. If you think Phantom Menace can't be as bad as Armageddon, I'm inclined to agree with you. I much prefer harmless dorkiness to Bay's patented cut-real-fast-to-create-the-illusion-of-action approach. Still, I stand by my statement that long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Lucas lost the golden touch, and it won't ever come back. So to the one guy who recounted the plot of the entire trilogy to show me what I was missing, I can tell you in good conscience that you wasted your breath -- I said on numerous occasions the first two films are great. This is getting redundant. And to the guy that called me a film snob... check yo head. It's that supposedly down-to-earth and populistic mentality that makes you such a willing dumping ground for recycled pap. The movies I like are not obscure, they're not pretentious, they're not difficult -- they're just good fucking movies. I never said anything against genre movies or popcorn movies in general. If they're done well, as James Cameron's are, as John Carpenter's used to be, as ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S were, then I'm in hog heaven. But I'm not going to sit here and pretend to be satisfied by junk just so I can take part in some prefabricated event that's supposed to draw us all together for one charmed afternoon. Demand quality, and you'll get it. But most people don't demand anything anymore, and it's exactly this sort of stupid blinking complacency with the status quo that's indirectly responsible for Lucas' idea that he could get away with Jar Jar. More's the pity.
-
I had to post this for some reason- feel free to ignore it, for apparently I don't care what you think. Here it goes:
I am really excited about seeing The Phanom Menace. After years of waiting to find out what happened before Luke fought the Empire, the time has come to begin this new(old?) chapter. From everything that I have seen so far, I will really like this film. Why? Simply put, I happen to like the kinds of stories that Mr. Lucas tells. I like his sense of style, direction, design, and storytelling abilities. Many people don't. That really doesn't matter to me because I could care less of what other people think. Heck, I went for years in school during the 80's and early 90's being like, the only kid in school who still liked Star Wars and drew pictures from the films and wore shirts and had all of the toys and posters on my bedroom wall. People were like- that movie is old- you suck and so on. People will do so with this new film too. It's like that saying 'you can't please all of the people all of the time'. Thank Mr. Lucas for not bowing to each and every fans' whilms. It's his story and he paid for it. By the way, I still strongly support the Ewoks and will continue to do so. Ewoks are cool. Also, Jar Jar looks awsome and I can't wait to see him. Long live Jar Jar. -
Alright
Malcontent is ok to say what he wants
I can understand his feelings of dissapointments in film
However, I seem to enjoy a wide range of films
I can enjoy a fil like 2001 or Citizen Kane or The 400 Blows
and I can enjoy mindless fun like Aliens, Raiders of the Lost Ark and of course Star Wars Trilogy
That is why I do not worry about TPM- no I won't do that a film shouldn't be reduced to initials- I look forward to Star Wars Episode One The Phantom Menance
I acknowledge the fact that it could disappoint, not live up to expectations, and even SUCK
But part of the reason I'm going- and a reason why I love The rerelease special editions- is to look to my side and see a 6 year old boy eyes wide open in amazement at the power of film
A film like 2001 didn't bring me to the game, it keeps me around
But 'mindless films' like Star Wars, E.T., etc brought me to the game- reason why I study film in college
I might not wish to make films like these
But I do still enjoy them
In fact- enough Return of the Jedi bashing- damnit the Ewoks are no the antichrist- AND spell it correctly it's Ewoks EWOKS there is no C in the word.
The best part for me is the empororer's smug taunting at Luke into succumbing to his feelings of hatred- I am so glad McDirmend is in Episode One- I hope when the time comes in the next films I can hear him say the words that can still make me shake- "Young Skywalker"
Especially if he uses that creak old voice like in Jedi
And that is what the power of film can do- ANY film
Joe -
I'm still anticipating Ep 1 with much excitement. "Kid's movie" concerns don't bother me much; one of the best film experiences I had last year was seeing the big-screen re-release of Wizard of Oz -- itself an influence on Lucas, I think. I never thought the SW movies were the "best films" in terms of story sophistication (I'd reserve that category for films like Blade Runner), but they are the best in bringing together the total movie experience -- story, art, effects, music -- of which plot is only one element. Lucas made the original SW expecting it to be just a good, entertaining update of old movie serials of the 30s and 40s, and never calculated on it becoming the Event of the Decade. If the movie gets too highbrow and esoteric it just isn't going to appeal to the huge audience he's aiming at.
-
This is proof that wealth drives you into insanity. As soon as I saw the first trailor I knew this would be on par or below The Muppet Movie 2 (I mean Return of the Jedi). I saw Star Wars, Empire, and even THX 1138, and American Graphitti when they were released. That was the work of someone ambitious to tell a story with out copping out to the masses. Since then, Lucas' neck has swollen so much it's blocking the oxygen to his brain. What is even worse is that someone cast Seth Green in EP.1!!!!! Lucas must be stopped before he makes Episode 2 (The Sesame Street Wars)
Amen. -
...and haven't the faintest clue how those who have seen the film can't like it. The story for just the film is brilliant, that of the Naboo blockade, but the overall story over 6 films will be amazing when it is completed. Anakin is so different to Darth Vader that the story of his fall from grace seems all the more tragic.
Those who dismiss some of the aspects of TPM as 'for kids'. Of course its a family film, but the Star Wars saga is unlike any other 'family' film, you can't classify it. They miss the point that both Episode I and IV are a beginning, and charachters have to be introduced. Subplots have to be initiated so that they can pan out into the next two films (A New Hope wasn't exactly subtle was it?). The reason Empire is the best of the films is because of its place in the trilogy.
People are expecting the last trilogy in the space of one film. They simply can't get that. TPM is as amazing as A New Hope first was, and I can't wait to see it on screen. From his behaviour in the book, McGregor will play young Obi-Wan brilliantly. Darth Maul is a bit part player, but only in terms of appearence time, his scenes are great(Especially at the three way lightsaber fight). The criticism of Lucas's dialogue I don't agree with either, Anakin's dialogue especially is very good.
The criticism about the book is fair, but Brooks does a good job. I bought it so I could appreciate the story first then look at the visuals more in the cinema.
-
I'm first! I'm first! Yay! (Aren't I first?)
-
May 07, 1999 11:57:34 PM CDT
Darth Sidious and Senator Palpitine are twin clones who want to
by grouchlord
Sidious becomes Boba Fatt in Episode 2, after Palpitine takes over for his chickenshit clone brother. Leia is actually Boba Fatt's daughter- Luke and Leia were fraternal twins, wink , wink.
-
is everyone tired of this thread yet? Although I find enough reedeming qualities in Jedi to restrain myself from offering it in sacrifice up to the Film Gods, those who think the Ewoks are the only complaint of ROTJ-critics should check out "The Unauthorized STAR WARS Compendium" by Ted Edwards. His "50 reasons why Jedi sucks" lays it down for you with some tres convicing arguments (to be fair, he includes 10 reasons to like Jedi).
I think it's more important how Lucas ended the character arcs than arguing over the colors in those arcs. Yeah, there might have been some missed opportunitues and a pandering to children (the Blue Elephant is 50x worse than any ewok), but Vader picking up the Emperor and tossing him into the reactor is what we all know had to happen. If Vader's death scene with Luke doesn't reel you in enough to put the Ewoks out of your mind, then you probably don't get the idea at all to begin with.
NOW...for those of you that seem to think Star Wars and Empire were so much more hardcore than Jedi, should I point out one of the most cringe-inducing moments in the whole trilogy, where a tiny droid is racing towards Chewbacca, who growls and sends the droid into a r2 on speed electronic-bleeping retreat? How stupid and generic of a joke is that? How about R2 squealing and falling flat on his face (is that even likely) when zapped by the jawas? From the moment R2 and Threepio have the first scenes (and dialogue), it is clear these two characters are meant to lead you through the series. And guess what? Except for a few moments in the entire trilogy, they are COMIC RELIEF. Used most pathetically in Jedi, but still the same way.
Befor I waste any more space, understand that this serial is not Dark Shadows. It is not Party of Five. Episode 1 is meant to be entertainment, and that means balancing drama and action with comedy. We have all been corrupted by this Blade Runner mentality where all Sci-Fi must be dark and hard-boiled. Sometimes, this is cool, but most sci-fi takes place in a small setting, which can be dark and moody. But when you are trying to show a whole galaxy, you have to incorporate the laughs into the screams and jedi-preaching.
Sorry so long--Laz. -
Jeez guys! It'a amazing how stinkin opinionated this whole discussion is. I mean, does anybody realize that this is George Lucas's story? That it's his idea? That it's his baby? That he doesn't have to care about what anybody thinks because he has created this whole phenomenon? Think about it. How would you like to be told what to do by everybody in the freakin world when you're writing a book or somthing? I think we all need to be a bit balanced and fair about his whole deal because honestly, we DONT have all the facts. Just sit back and enjoy it when the time is here, because you have to admit - his is a masterpiece - the whole deal, else half the world wouldn't be crazy over it.
-
I love reading posts from people bashing a movie they haven't even seen yet. It you are so sure you'll hate the movie, then don't go see it. As for me....Its Star Wars. Its been a huge part of my life for the last 22 years. Okay, fine. Call me a loser. Its still fun. Isn't THAT what matters? When you can make a better series of movies, make sure you contact me so I can watch them.
-
Geez... Can't we all just get along!?? Why have people resorted to insulting each other because they give their HONEST opinions? I am referring to those who criticize Malcontent and question his sanity. Star Wars remains my favorite movie, and I (like 99% of the world) intend to see TPM. I happen to agree with a great deal of what Malcontent says. TPM IS primarily about money, and I too am eagerly awaiting Eyes wide Shut, more so than TPM. TPM has been way overhyped - did we really need such revealing previews??? Like this film isn't going to rake in megabucks anyway! Lucasfilm has really exposed itself as a money grabbing empire. The re-releases were only really successful in the case of 'Star Wars', ROTJ was made even worse. And what was all this about the re-releases being 'ONLY IN THEATERS!!'???
So it is easy to see why Malcontent feels the way he does about the blockbusters nowadays. Have we really learned nothing from the Star Wars films? Whatever happened to being good and all that? Yet those who criticise Malcontent for his views are contradicting everything the Star Wars films supposedly stand for!!! So c'mon people lets learn something and treat other users with more respect.
-
Thanks to JohnSimon for stating what I've always wanted to say to the world about ROTJ. There's
more I could add, but essentially I understand what you're getting at and wholeheartedly sympathize
with you.
I put it this way - Star Wars opened my mind up to this fantastic world of fantasy and amazement that
justified my youthful idealism, while Return of the Jedi introduced me to disappointment, skepticism
and betrayal. It sounds like a bigger deal than it should be but it's how I felt.
I specifically remember sitting in the theater at ROTJ day one, show one, after camping out, and
feeling *so* let down - I couldn't believe that this was what Lucas and Kenner had done to my beloved
series. That acting was so awful, the plotlines so non-existent and insignificant. I recall, during the
opening scene with Luke and Jabba, 100% believing that Mark Hamill was 1 click away from cracking
up laughing - or getting really bad-ass Jedi on Jabba - whatever - but in no way did I think until too
late that the scene was playing out seriously. LOVED the action in the desert rescue however. The
Ewoks - like they could do *anything* to the forces of the same Empire that had conquered/controlled
scores of systems and civilizations before.
It's late - I'm rambling. I could go on but I will end by saying I'm still looking forward to TPM and
will watch with pleasure regardless. Hey - after ROTJ, I'm immune!!!!
-
My, aren't quite a few of us insolent and derogatory as we describe the Star Wars phenominon... For God's sake, listen to yourselves: "I don't mean to be inflammatory, but man, you people are dumb, Star Wars is dead, you people suck, blah blah blah..." Strange how our negative insights serve only to insult these people, and make ourselves look like an ass.
You know, it would be foolish to ignore the fact that Star Wars has created a massive subculture that perpeates todays society. Why? Who the fuck knows. Perhaps because it stirs in some the ancient archetypal figures of light vs darkness, a son beneath the shadow of the father, the rebellion of the oppressed against the oppressor... The inlikely boy who becomes a hero. There are no new stories, folks. It just so happens that Star Wars struck a chord in many of us that cannot be silenced or crushed, no matter how silly one might say it is, or childish, or outlandish.
Some people would say that it is 'idiotic' to believe that beings dwelling in a universe created by an omniscient, omnipotent God could ever have free will. Others will say that it is ludicrous to spend 8 hours of your day behind a desk pushing papers so that by the end of the month, your boss can give you lots of little green slips of paper. More will tell you that it is absurd that we pay taxes.
Needless to say, regardless of these irrationalities, many still pay taxes, work for a living, and believe in God... AAAAAND some of us will love Star Wars to the point of extravagance...or criticize those that do.
So instead of bitching and moaning and trying to damper the spirits of those pleased with these things that are out of our control, live and let live. Go about your own absurd little life, and these people will go about theirs'.
When I go to get my tickets for what I expect to be a smashing movie (despite the bleating of naysayers), I will look upon those that have been camping in line for days and smile...Not because I think they're crazy, over-zealus nuts, but because I admire their strength of heart and passion for a good story.
Am I being hypocritical? Perhaps...But that's only because I'm as absurd as everyone else.
Ok. I'm done. :)
-The Monkey Lord -
I like to consider myself somewhat geeky but feel I fall down something shocking because I haven't ever seen a Star Wars movie. Looking forward to starting at the beginning with Episode 1 - think I'll do the whole thing in chronological order of the narrative rather than the release dates. Perhaps this will give me a different spin. I do love the whole geeky obsession/fascination/proprietal aspect SW fans present though. If George has done something so right once - what the hell, he might be able to do it again. btw Malcontent, I agree with lots of what you say, but "Breaking the Waves"? Didn't you need to go on some sort of serotonin-level altering drug after that?
-
Yes. Everyone is right. Return was not as good as A New Hope or Empire. The Ewoks were not what I wanted to see at all. But you know what? Who cares? This is not an apology for Star Wars "just because it's Star Wars." I don't watch any movie 100 times if I don't really like it. I've seen Jedi over and over and over again and there are things about it that bother me, but there are things about all of the movies that bother me (if the ion cannon was so powerful why didn't they fire that at the AT-ATs?). I don't care if TPM is not the best thing ever. I just want to see the movie and let this universe that I enjoy so much become a little bit more defined. This doesn't have anything to do with "regressing intellectually." First of all, seeing something through the eyes of a child is not the same thing as becoming an idiot. Kids are smart, just not sophisticated. Secondly, if something doesn't appeal to me but does appeal to children, I haven't been robbed or cheated out of anything, any more than kids are cheated because they won't appreciate some of the things that I will pick up on. My little sister who was 7 when ROTJ came out LOVED the ewoks. She had an ewok teddy bear. Was she wrong? Was she stupid? She's one of the smartest people I have ever met. She loves the whole Star Wars saga, and her introduction was Jedi. But you know what? It would have been fine with me if she hated it and never saw the first two films because of it. I saw the first two, saw Jedi, will see Phantom and episodes 2 & 3 and will enjoy them on whatever level I can, or perhaps not at all. Who cares in the end? They are just movies, and don't amount to much in the larger view of things.
-
From what I saw, and am still seeing, it looks like the twenty-something crowd is the group spending the most money on the toys. There were no 8-10 year olds waiting at midnight at the Walmart by my house, thank you. It was all "grown-ups." Pretty cool ones, I might add. But the next day I went to the K-Mart across the street at 6:00 am and THEY WERE JUST PUTTING THEM OUT, and NO ONE WAS THERE! I got 'em all, he he he. I've read the script, and the novel. I don't see why all the haters are bitching - except for JMS, who must be Lucas's illegitimate child, cut out of the will or something, with all the hate he has. Fucking CHILD. - the story is a good one, and it, like ANH, lays the groundwork for what happens later. The part that disturbs me the most about it is just how innocent Anakin really is. It makes his fall from grace seem more pronounced. This is a BEGINNING, folks. Everyone expecting to see at the end Darth Vader chasing Kenobi and a baby Luke into the sunset are woefully misinformed - and a little impatient. I will let Lucas tell the story his way. Remember this, all those who can't wait for the trilogy to get dark (and it will, believe me) - Mace Windu DIES. Amidala DIES. Darth Vader may be the one to actually MURDER her. I can see the scene now. Amidala begging Anakin to return home, to the family, to the world he once loved, and with a hateful grimace Anakin turns on his saber and STRIKES HER DOWN. All the Jedi DIE. Obi-Wan is sentenced to exile on Tatooine. Darth Sidious WINS. Even Jar Jar DIES. We know how this will end, badly. Hell, Naboo may get destroyed. Who says Alderaan is the first planet to fall to the Death Star? Well, ANH does, but go with me. Or it gets bombarded from space by Star Destoryers until it is a useless husk of a planet. Just wait and see. The rest of this trilogy (and TPM too) will knock us on our ass.
-
Thanks for the reviews. You guys are lucky to be getting the movie now as we have to wait until July in the UK. Just enjoy the movie & don't treat it like the Holy Grail or you will be disapointed. W've had 20 years to love the other 3 so give this one some breathing space. Myself & my friends can't wait to see the movie. Its a special kind of movie that brings together 25 people who are now adults in vastly different jobs all wanting to see the movie on its opening & making us feel like kids again. Roll on July & USA enjoy in the meantime.
-
You are right about Palpatine and Sidious-it is blatant. That is what will be the big surprise about this trilogy(maybe). That is why Palpatine has Force powers- because he is a Sithlord. In fact, check out the cast list at www.imdb.com-they are the same person. That is why George Lucas said that The Phantom Menace referred to Palpatine and Sidious and S. will make a bigger appearance in Ep. 2. THEY ARE THE SAME PERSON. Either that or they are the first of the Clones.....
-
I hate "heartwarming". All I want from the kids in the audience is for them to keep their damn little mouths shut during the movie!
Based on what I've heard so far, sounds like this episode is going to SUCK big time for anyone but little kids and morons. -
The Phantom Menace is to be considered to be a previous level of film in science fiction. Do you agree with me? But, however, I am sure to be in question if I ask whether it is in mistake not to be in the cast of a film 'good' actors who give, however, gravitas and an essence of quality in presence. Is it to be another success or no? Do you agree with me? Where is the elements of adventure and suspense? I have thought all of this since some time ago.
Liam Neeson can not do the acting. His face is of the potato, for he brings, however, the sex for the wrong headed ladies. What it is that he is to be lacking he renumerates for in other things he also is lacking however, to be the action hero is no good. NO GOOD.
Mr Lucas tries to make the film, the film of HIM, from a box. This box is of graphics and is of the laughter and the screams of the children. Mr Lucas is the great man but the great man who paints the screams of the children on the screen and he works always from his magic box with Liam Neeson.
How can one relate, first to not only the acting of Liam Neeson, but then, however, to the character of whom I know nothing. Jar Jar. Is it to be for the want of Homer Simpson that the alliance floundered in the grips of the sickening stench? What role can the last adventure put in the place of the graphic from the magic box that only Mr Lucas can ever keep in his brain?
I ask of the people to return to order the sense of frustration the awful people will put into the screen in the film. The people must look instead of to see the beard and the graphic of Liam Neeson and Jar Jar of whom I know of only very little in information.
It is with great anticipation that I await the film and the blastings of the eyes and the ears and with the spirit of friendship I invite you all to celebrate the spirit of adventure. -
First of all..... i'd like to say Malcontent is one of the most out of touch with reality people i've seen... if the SATR WARS franchise is dead, than why is it more popular than ever?
and to the ill-conceived notion that the MATRIX is on par with STAR WARS, 2001 and BLADE RUNNER... i'm afraid there's a huge difference... all of the latter had incredibly intelligent, original stories (and innovative visuals). the MATRIX had neither. the story is a dime-store attempt at something really "intellectual" -- and in reality, is a rip off of every mainstream sci-fi and hong kong action movie! furthermore, the effects in the MATRIX are not anything new or mindblowing -- unless you think all of the SUBARU commercials of the past 2 years are mindblowing.
moreover, the MATRIX had plot holes the size of Jupiter --- and hey -- don't complain about JAR JAR -- the MATRIX HAS KEANU REEVES!!!!!!!
and to anyone who says the new STAR WARS panders to children and loves the MATRIX in the same breath.... excuse me, but i think the MATRIX panders to the 12 - 15 year old DOOM/QUAKE crowd.
i think the MATRIX panders to fools who allow the wool to be pulled over their eyes by flashy production design and slo-motion camera work. there's nothing cool about a dumb movie (even the trendy black leather costumes can't save the MATRIX). the MATRIX is as dated and silly as the michael jackson video with that annoying MORPHING effect...
the much living STAR WARS FRANCHISE, 2001, and BLADE RUNNER are timeless classics! the MATRIX is right on PAR with WILLOW!!!!!
xtopher -
hey, don't complain about Han Solo being an idiot in ROTJ... the MATRIX has KEANU!!
also.... my favorite, intelligent, innovative adult lines from the MATRIX are, "WHOA" and "We ain't in Kansas anymore."
xtopher -
I don't think the fact that Palpatine is Darth Sidious will be the suprise of the trilogy, considering the fact that it is soooo painfully obvious. I doubt Lucas means for it to be a secret, it's probably just a way Palpie can be bad without anyone knowing it's him.
-
Back in '94 I heard that Lucas had commented that after the prequel trilogy, if those films did not turn out to be as successful as he hoped, then parts 7-9 would be animated features in the theatre. However, as we all know he has recently stated that there would be no 7-9. Could it be that his animated features idea will kick back in after the wild ride of the prequel trilogy???
-
Yet another actor retires! How will film survive until next month when he signs on for a new flick?? If Anthony Hopkins retirement had lasted more than two weeks, I would have cried.
-
People, people, people. All this bickering over a movie.
TPM *will* be light-hearted. ROTJ *was* light-hearted. I see many of you hated the Ewoks for some reason (they didn't bother me, but I've come to grips with the fact that I'm not the most critical evaluator of films). Without seeing a single frame of the movie in context, a lot of you hate Jar Jar. You'll probably hate him after you've seen the movie too, because (1) you've already made up your minds, and (2) you've somehow concluded that all Star Wars movies should be the dark wonderment that was The Empire Strikes Back. Well, let me point out a little thing which has been a part of literature since ... well, since as far back as I can think, anyways: story arc. The story progresses, that's what makes an epic story. The Empire Strikes Back was not an epic; it was a piece of an epic. Likewise Star Wars, likewise Retun of the Jedi. These are all pieces of a larger arc. The Phantom Menace is another piece of the arc. It is the first, ROTJ was the last. In most story arcs, there is a "circularity" which brings the first and last pieces close together in tone or in concept. Thus, as the arc ends with everyone happy and light-hearted, looking ahead at rebuilding after the turmoil of the story, so too does it begin with everyone happy and light-hearted, without the first bit of understanding about what is about to happen. --------------------------------------------------------------------
The Phantom Menace will be light-hearted, just like ROTJ was. Ep 2 and Ep 3 will delve us deeper and deeper into the dark and dismal reality which we had jumped straight into with Star Wars. When all is said and done, what will be left will be a full story, a full arc. A father and a son finding redemption while the universe turns itself inside out. That story is Star Wars.
-
ESB was the first starwars movie I saw as a kid. Naturally I felt disappointed when I had the chance to see ANH. ROTJ was dense but didn't have the spirit of ESB. I don't think you have to see TPM to notice that it shares many sad similarities with ROTJ. I'd like to say first than any of the changes Lucas did to the original trilogy improved the quality of the pictures. Mos Eisley was more threatening looking dusty and empty than looking like toon town.
TPM seems to be more like "Return of the toon town"
As I said there are similarities with ROTJ: 1. There are too many characters (Qui-Gon,OB1,Amidala,Anakin Padme, Sidious, Palpatine, Sebulba, Watto, Jabba, Maul, Jar jar) how can you do anything serious with such a crowd?
2. If ROTJ was muppets go to the space, TPM is looney toons go to the space
3. The gungans are the new ewoks in the glorious final battle
4. The movie seems far too dense to be fully understood by small children.
I will see the movie anyway. I will see it just because it will be a film curiosity, some kind of freak-picture, a circus atraction, that's what it deserves to be. -
I've been hearing a lot of comments about how the movie is child oriented and basically a 2 hour plus toy commercial. I haven't seen the movie so I can't rebut those comments. However, I saw the trailer last night with Obi-Wan and Qui Gon fighting Darth Maul in a sabre duel. To me, that is worth the price of admission. I love the idea of two jedis against one. Who needs honor when you are fighting a bad ass like Darth Maul. Death to the Sith!!!
Ron -
Regarding Liam Neeson's recent announcement of departure from films and everyone's supposition that Episode 1 is what drove him over the brink, I found a couple different quotes to the contrary. Mr. Showbiz's article said "He does allow that working for George Lucas on The Phantom Menace was not the straw that broke the camel's back. "It would be unfair to mention [any specific film]," he tells USA Today's Williams, adding that his distaste for making movies is "accrued knowledge."" The NY Times went on to say "Neeson also insists that he's had it with Hollywood, but left the door open to another "Star Wars" prequel. "After 20 years experience in movies I've decided I don't fit in anymore," he said. "I don't want to fit in anymore."" I don't know their source for this but I'd think they're reputable enough to assume it verified. It's heartening to me at least.
-
What is Star Wars, the Phantom Menace? Well it's supposed to be a movie. The prequel to five others, it is said. Science-fantasy-like. A movie, then.
Not at all.
And, although I won't say that PM:EP1 goes as far as being a conspiracy, you SW-lovers must admit it's a pretty well organized capitalist venture. Heck, I shouldn't even call it a venture, no risk being near of toppling Lucas entreprise!!!
Yeah, let's talk about George Lucas. 5 billion dollars in bank, isn't it so? For one man. You know why? Because the smartie decided, 22 years ago, to be paid with toy and miscellaneous SW stuff revenues. Nothing wrong, up to date.
Then his hyperspace-driven trilogy hit the box-office hard. Until 1984-1985, I think. Lucas made a lot of money... here you may hear my teeth grind, but this part is subjective.
Then fourteen years passed. And what did the SW Commander-in-chief did all this time long?
M-O-N-E-Y. A heck lot of it.
Don't you think fourteen years is a bit long to make a movie, since the average one takes about three to four years?
But why do Episode I at the start of the nineties?
No need to release another movie at that time, gosh, since GL could still milk a healthy cow. Computer games, video games, role-playing games, everything that was related to SW was taken and commercialized.
And the Man became richer than Richie Rich.
5 billion dollars. For one man.
And, at the same time, great
cinematographic productions get grounded in the dust, great directors, not making enough money, are being delegated to moronic and worthless projects. People stop them from doing great movies like they did first because they don't bring home enough money.
Money which goes to Titanic, Armaggedon, and Star Wars.
But don't get me wrong. I haven't seen Titanic, Armaggedon, or the Phantom Menace. All I've seen is that other great movies are forgotten because people don't care. Many people don't know, many movie theaters don't care, and both prefer what "Everyone" is supposed to like. It's just like saying to everbody : "Hey man, the line is there, you can't step outside."
Oh sure, I can go and see great movies like Ravenous. Except it'll cost me more than 40$ to reach the nearest theater which presents it. Oh, indeed, I can go see a great movie like Lolita. But who will be interested hearing about my opinion on the film?
For this, and all the reasons and facts I've written in this post, I won't go see Star Wars. I won't go see something which restrains my movie choices, and I won't give 6 dollars to a ?Man? (maybe he's an E.T.?) who doesn't care.
So, to all you converted fans : Go and see it, but know what it is that you are going to see.
And to all others, to those who are not sure or who will surely hate the movie : Think again. You know you have better things to do with your money than give to someone who truly don't care. Wait until july. Or Austin Powers II, if you care.
I don't want to live in a Star-Wars-driven world.
I want choice.
I want freedom.
F-R-E-E-D-O-M!!! -
Star Wars was based on the old B-movies and serials of the 30's and 40s. It was a recapturing of Lucas's youth (and Speilberg w/ Raiders). So IMHO Star Wars is very much for the kid in all of us.
As for Jedi being the worst of the Holy Trilogy, well I agree to an extent. However Darth Vader was not lame in this movie. He wasn't much of a villian, he was more. He was a hero. -
I am really sick and tired of dedicated SW fans being refered to as imbecilic infants with little to no gray matter. I am a die-hard SW fan and have been since I was five but this isn't to say that I cannot see the merit of other movies nor do I shut myself off from anything. I enjoy a wide range of films from the artistic to the man-this-is-a-fun-movie movie and those who close themselves off from a particular film because it doesn't fit their view of "art" are not real movie fans. Movies are a means of information, entertainment and an artistically expressive medium and the truth is all these forms of film are valid. If you are too narrow minded to see the value of SW as a film just because it sells toys than I pity you. I just simply don't understand peoples idea that if something sells it's not "art". The truth is art is a very subjective term yet people throw around their interpretations as though they were gospel. Art is about expressing ideas that exist within the human soul it's not about how much money you make or don't make. Is Picasso any less valid as an artist because he made money from his work? I dare say no.
But to get back to my original point I enjoy "good" films(Citizen Kane, Seven Samurai, Boogie Nights, Marathon Man) and I also enjoy "entertainment" films(Death Race 2000, Evil Dead, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly). Just because I love SW doesn't make me a drooling, low-brow mongoloid and to generalize all SW fans like that is ridiculous. I think some of you take yourselves way to seriously and forget that watching a movie is supposed to be fun. What makes a good film? Well I always thought it was the filmmakers ability to draw you in and for a short period of time make you forget where you are and immerse you in a world of imagination. That is what all great filmmakers tried to acheive including Kubrick, who seems to be such a favorite around here. And if you view films in these terms you see that Lucas and Kubrick aren't as far apart as all you artistic types seem to think. The differance is in style and in true art one style does not outweigh nor does it negate another. So if you don't like SW so be it that is your opinion but don't down people who do. Their opinions are just as valid your own. When we shut ourselves off from new ideas we stop learning and when we stop learning we start dying.
Oh and by the way, if you want to see a good art film as good entertainment watch Akira Kurosawa's Dreams. You just might learn something. -
If, like "Return of the Jedi," the new Star Wars installment turns out to be nothing but a glorified, computer-rendered Muppets extravaganza, I'll only be seeing the movie once; my disappointment won't allow me to pay twice for the same embarrassment.
It's been too long since I was a 5-year-old for me to enjoy floppy, silly creatures. Heck, I didn't like the Muppets, Mickey Mouse, etc., even when I WAS 5 years old! (I was a Johnny Quest/Herculoids/Dark Shadows kind of kid... not predisposed to canned "cuteness" or "niceness.")
I refuse to excuse a kiddie-fied "Star Wars" installment as anything other than a parody or rip-off of the original "Star Wars" and its "Empire" sequel. Apologists be damned! I can only hope that George Lucas isn't permanently skewing his franchise into a "Howard the Duck"-like slapstick festival that forgets its adult audience entirely. We'll see... -
don't all of you just shut off your computers, take the night off from the chat-rooms--it's Saturday, for Christ's sake--and go out for a night on the town. Then, on May 19th, AFTER you've seen the MOST ANTICIPATED FILM OF ALL TIME, come back and post to your heart's content. But until then, you are all very pathetic creature's who are seething with jealousy that you have not seen that which you wish to critique. Because once you do, you will see that it is BEYOND your petty arguments...good, or bad.
-
... Thanks, I think you've well expressed what many of us are feeling. One thing these talkbacks have provided is an understanding of the contrast between child-like wonder and childishness.
-
What I would like to propose is
the following.Has anyone who
HASN'T seen the first movies seen this movie yet and if they
have then what was their SUB-
JECTIVE opinion on it.I think we need an unbiased review
here.I can't seem to make out
WHAT the movie was actually
like since most people have
been blinded by the hype and
were expecting the second coming or something.Have to
admit though,heard more neg-
tive reviews than postive ones
and thats got me worried.BUT
my friend who saw tuesday as-
sured me thats it not that bad.A
pretty good action flick with some cool scenes and some,in
his opinion,minor flaws.Not the
disaster everyones keep saying
it is. -
I see this TalkBack area is cluttered with rabid comments on either how bad TPM is going to blow or how unbelievably great it's going to be. Frankly, why waste your breath berating or praising a movie that what, 8,000 people have seen? Just go see it and then evaluate.
Star Wars' fanbase is enormous, and the "hardcore" fans are based not just in their love for the films, but for the memories they have for their experiences seeing it in the theater...most of them are over 21 years old. It's a nostalgia piece, which is not to say it's archaic -- just that that is the core of its mystique.
I was lucky enough to see all three movies in the theater, which I think bolstered my fondness toward Star Wars. However, I also hold a similar fondness for other movies I saw in the theater, such as the Indy films, Back To The Future and Clash Of The Titans. I don't believe Lucas intended for the SW films to be the haven for every critic on the planet...they're meant to be entertaining, not particularly thought-evoking.
As for those who harp on ROTJ as the worst film of the original three...don't tell me you weren't waiting for it to come out after the credits began at the end of ESB. Sure, it had its kid-specific elements, but it also provided plenty of wrap-ups to the loose ends.
Whether or not it's as good as the original three, TPM will do enormous business, and those who don't like it the first time will kick themselves later if they only see it once in the theater. It's not just the film itself, it's the atmosphere...which is my favorite part of the whole hype.
(By the way...anyone think the ST:DS9 writers watched a marathon of ESB and ROTJ while writing the last few eps of the series?) -
All the TPM reviews on this site are the product of weak, brainwashed minds who are the slaves of marketing propoganda.
Please read the following review by someone who has the courage to be honest:
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/starwars/phantom.html
Erik Hansen -
Alright, I bought the book the first day it came out. Other people have stated that Mr. Brooks didn't put a lot into the book. Well what can you expect? It's based on a movie and not the movie based on the book.
It wasn't very hard to read and I finished in a short period of time, but I couldn't put it down!
It was entertaining. That's what made it good. Now that I know the plot and secrets of TPM, I can't wait to watch it.
I know people have said that Jar-Jar and little Anakin might be annoying because they feel these characters make the movie more biased toward a younger audience. However, in my opinion, I bet this movie will be the most ENTERTAINING of the Star Wars Legacy.
As for one last comment on the book, it does provide some background, but nothing spectacular. But, it makes you want the real thing more than ever. -
OK, yes i'm a huge fan of the trilogy but enough already Lucas is a modern day PT BARNUM whose going to make a fortune and again, AICN film criticism is for the guy who still lives at home, wears YODA underwear and a shirt that says I GROCK SPOCK...this film will be OK, but the THRILL of watching it with other STAR WARS geeks who never grow up is what this is all about...it's an event people...i for one can't wait to start a BOBA FETT chant at the MANN'S VILLAGE...and to all you geeks in line at CHINESE & VILLAGE...LINCOLN you rock...WORD UP HOMIES!!!!!!
-
THIS ONE CONTAINS SPOILERS SO DONT READ IF YOU DONT WANT TO KNOW. I read yhe script and the book and thought it was great. This morning i brought my niece the kids read along book and cassette. In the back it lists Darth Siddious' voice as Ian Mcdiarmond. Yes thats right Siddious is played by the same guy that plays Palpatine. Futrure Emperor. That should show all you people that Lucas is planing something great for the next films. To those that say the film is kid freindly and cutesy so what. Are all aliens wookies and rodians. No. I like the ewoks. These little insignificant beings overthrowing the Empire is great. In regards to Jar Jar, all aliens dont speak English. Sure it may be gibberish but hes a great character. There are dark moments in the film. From what i read there are some really dark and angry moments in the film with anakin. But this is just my opinion.
-
It's funny reading all these talk backs about how Star Wars should be like this or Star Wars should be like that. I love how everyone talks about Star Wars as if it were theirs. Will you people please shut up and smell the fucking coffee. This is Lucas's film. This is his vision. Nothing you do or say will change his mind or the out come of this or the rest of the films. George is going to make the films he want's to make and that is that. Why do you think he's worked so hard all these years? To make films for the masses? No, to make them for himself! Yes, it's true that he said that he likes to tell stories and make movies for kids, but if you read between the lines you'll see that he is really just making films that he would want to see. As far as I know, Star Wars is George's vehicle and we
-
Damn, I could have called this one. YOU HAVENT SEEN THE MOVIE, BUT ALREADY IT SUCKS.
Wake up! It is Star Wars. Im going to go see it...on opening night...even though I have a Computer Science exam 2 days later (data structures -- dynamic memory managers, quad-trees - not as exciting as Star Wars :) ). It will NOT be the best movie I have ever seen. But, it adds to the Star Wars universe that I, and MOST of you, know and love. So...go into the theater with an open mind, and dont expect the best ever! Expect STAR WARS! WOOHOO! I cannot wait! I mean, DAMN, A NEW STAR WARS MOVIE! -
ARGH! you people! how can you start critizieing a movie when you haven't even seen it yet! Yes all these negative review (or for some people positive reviews) are a bit depressing to those who have been waiting for this all your life. yet the point is, you havent seen the movie, and each person who is going to see it will have different opnions about it. its just that. so anyone who's gotten depressed (like me) all this talkback crap and negative Reviews, remember they're not YOU. and most probably dont understand what sw's all about. and for u people who think it'll suck cause it's aimed for "kiddies" like me:
dont you think Lucas purposely lightened this film in terms of mood? think about it: episodes 2 and 3 while give you all the darkness you want. this movie is supposed to be lighthearted and airy, its preparing you for the huge dramatic emotional destruction of Anakin Skywalker...and this movie will kick, oh yeah it will, but it wont if you think it will suck and it wont if you are analyzing it through Oscar's eyes: this is is Star Wars. This isn't Citizen Kane ( a very good movie btw), this isn't the MAtrix (another good movie btw), and this isnt Planet of the Apes. THis is Star Wars. Think of what Star Wars really means...as Lucas puts it, its a myth, it makes you think, it stimulates the imagination, its one hell of a thrill ride. so dont criticize it until it comes out, and realize just like McCallum said that some people's expectations are so high that its inevitable that some people are going to be disappointed. sorry for my 15- yr old babbling and self-therapy, thats all i have to say :)
p.s. oh and btw ROTJ rocks! how can u not like Jabba, the speeder chase, and that vader/emperor death scene : -
If you don't like Star Wars fine! Than don't like the goddamn movies and shut the fuck up! Leave it at that. It's your opinion and you are more than entitled to it. You people that come to this board and slam Star Wars, Lucas and the fans are pathetic. You say we need to get a life? Than what the fuck are you doing here for god's sake? You've surely wasting your time. We're geeks, we need to get a life. Why? Because we're passionate about a some movies? Isn't having passion about things one of the essenses of life? There are people out there that are passionate about movies, music, art, sports, history, stamps, books, TV show, etc. The people that are passionate about movies are more likely to be involved in making movies, the people who's passions are sports end up being coaches and playing in the pros. People who are passionate about history end up being respected historian. People who are passionate about art become artists, and so on and so on. The more passionate these people are the more likely they we be able to live out there dreams and the more likely they will be successful in their chosen fields. And you say get a life. Ha! What the fuck are your passions? Probably coming home from work and plunking yourself down in front of the TV until midnight. That's the bulk of your life. You spare time spent as a teen was probably hanging out at the mall. There's an old saying, whenever you point fingers you've got three pointing back at yourself. We have lives, you're the ones who need to stop bitchin and judging and start going out living yours. Or better yet don't. Our sheer joy of standing in defiance of you narrow minded ingnoranuses is one thing that makes us push harder and inject more life into our passions. Spite can be a powerful motivator. Reading your idiotic slams of Lucas and Star Wars only makes me love the goddamn movies more and I'll be laughing my ass of when Phantom Menace comes out and everybody goes to see it. Sure we all won't like it and many will at least be slightly disappointed with some of the movie and some will absolutely fucking hating, but alot will love it and Star Wars is back with a vengeance and it's here to stay until 2005 at least. So go watch your pretentious "art" films or your stupid "serious drama" movies and delude yourself into thinking that you have an ounce of intelligence in your small brains. There's no harm in pretending. Plus, your whole criticism of Lucas reaks of sour grapes. Why the fuck don't you have the courage to admit you hate the bastard because he's filthy rich, successful and much admired. Why don't you admit that when you look at yourself in the fucking mirror and compare yourself to someone like Lucas, you feel about as significant as a piece of rat shit? Why don't you just admit that you look at your life, and see the way how you spent your younger years doing vacuous, banal and idle things and therefore carved a niche out for yourself in life with just the same and are bitter at anybody who had the passion and the will to harness that passion into a great life of at least some sort? Lucas does shit just for the merchandising, the Star Wars films are nothing but to sell toys. Yeah right. You look at it's success in the merchandising and than presume that that must mean everything there is to sell toys. Well maybe, but your just bitter at him making money. Maybe you turds could become film critics, and instead of a star rating system, use money signs, the more money signs a film gets, mean the more you suspect the filmmakers were out to get money, and therefore, that's all the more you hate the fuckin film. You probably can't even enjoy your cereal in the morning with out criticizing how much you think Mr. Kellogg was out to get rich. I mean if you don't like Star Wars as a film, than that's fine. I disagree with you of course, but criticize it as a fuckin movie and a movie alone. Why all this other bullshit do you have to dwell on that has nothing to do with the goddamn movie on it's own? As for some of you idiots out there that think The Matrix was anything special. Give me a break. It was a good solid movie to be sure, but anything more than that, not on your life. It was a compilation of cliches from Hong-Kong action flicks, to almost every second TV commercial you see on tv these days. (that time slice effect was cool for maybe the first time you saw it, on some gap commercial a year and a half ago), to all those "is reality really real" film. I mean other than some cool action sequences, the film was just shit. It was nothing. It was just a we are controlled by machine, reality as we know it is just an illusion and let's just go out and have a bunch of gunfights and kung-fu showdowns. Monkeys could have written a better, more coherant and more original script than that. Just because these Wachowski bros are indie darlings, doesn't mean every piece of shit they touch turns to gold. So deal with it, the Matrix was just good, nothing more. Alot of people love Star Wars and will love Ep I, a massive, unpredented amount of people will see it. Alot of people admire Lucas. He has alot of money, power success and you don't. We have lives filled with dreams and passions and you don't. Deal with it. Adios motherfuckers.
-
Hey that reminds me of a funny story. Once I walked into this place to use the phone and it turned out to be a biker bar. The tention was pretty thick so I decided to lighten things up a bit. I saw the biggest, most ugly guy in the place sitting at a table. I swaggered over and took his drink from the table and downed it in one gulp. Then I looked right in his eye and said "I just boinked your mom you monkey screwin' hairy bastard!" He roared with laughter. He loved my obvious joke. He gave me a big hug and insisted that I let him buy me a drink and we've been best friends ever since.
-
hey all you sad bastards, at the end of star wars, qui jon and obi wan fight darth maul, and to cut a long story short, maul kills qui jon, and knocks obi wan into a pit. then obi wan kills darth maul. think yourselves lucky i just saved you the price of a ticket.
ps harry you are a fat ginger slob get a shave you dick -
Gee I'll bet you just came in your pants when you posted that didn't you. It must suck to be such an unlikable looser. I'll bet that's what twisted you isn't it. And Harry is your host so don't shit on the rug. BAD dans baby, BAD!
-
Why can't certain people just accept that this movie is not that great? Saying that you liked it with your kid part is akin to admitting that it has a weak plot. I have seen the movie, here a review I wrote that Harry did not post.
---------------------------
I know you're already overflowing with Phantom Menace reviews, but what the heck, one more can't hurt. I really wanted to love this movie, but I had to be brutally honest with myself after I left the theater and stop making excuses for it. I believe people have already pointed out most of its major problems, including making the Star Wars universe look less realistic by not making it as dirty and gritty as Episodes 4-6 seemed to be (although CGI here is SPECTACULAR to say the least, it is just too perfect, too glossy), underexposure of potentially more popular characters (Jedi's, Maul), and the overly simple plot.
What I mean by the latter is not just the kid-friendly elements, but how things just come together. In the original SW episodes, things went wrong, sometimes very wrong. Obi Wan dies, Luke loses a hand, Han Solo gets captured. In Phantom Menace, no obstacle for the characters exceeds a minor hassle - you know they will get to the other side of the planet through the water, Anakin will win the pod race, Naboo will be saved. When Anakin saves the day the 2nd time, it was so hard to buy that he could accomplish something by accident that experienced pilots missed completely. It just seems so Disney-fied. When the Queen and her forces use Batman-like devices to lift themselves to another floor, my friend whispered "Wouldn't be cool if one of them fell?" and I knew exactly what he meant - not that we want pointless violence, but just the desire for anything unpredictable to happen (and one big thing does, which I do not want to spoil, but it is not enough). On the other hand, SW enjoys the advantage of being able to say that The Force caused things to happen this way (like the deja vu glitch in the Matrix, except it's not a glitch).
Nevertheless, I think it is a worthy addition to the SW universe. I found it bizarre that some people were unhappy with things like spaceship designs, because I think there were absolutely no problems with design creativity. The battle droids, ships, output screens, speeders, droid tanks, underwater creatures, all seemed very authentic. I lost track of how many times I uttered the word cool, even for things like the Queen's warddrobe or the senate meeting chamber. But the exteme attention to these details cannot carry the plot. Realistically, SW will not gross an incredible amount of money, BUT it should certainly make enough for Lucas to fix the afore-mentioned mistakes by episode 2, where we can hopefully see McGregor develop his character more and see the Jedi Council predictions come true. I will also echo the sentiment that seeing this movie again may change my opinion, though I doubt it.
--------------------------- -
I want to ask all of those who think Mr. Lucas is a sellout.... who has he sold out to?
If he is the sole owner of the movie and all of its related merchandising, licensing, etc... who has he sold out to?
Quite the contrary... he is the most successful independent filmmaker ever.
Give him a break.... he can't help it if millions and millions of people love his work... that's their choice -- not his. He's just savvy enough to capitalize on it (unlike most people, who lead miserably boring and financially frustrating lives) and make a fortune for himself....
At least he's making his riches off of something unique, interesting and spectacular... unlike people like Bill Gates, or the CEO's of companies like GM, Exxon, McDonald's, Ralph's Supermarkets, Napa Auto Parts etc.
Besides... I truly believe he's more interested in pushing the envelope of film technology (remember his company developed AVID, ALIAS WAVEFRONT, and PHOTOSHOP) than adding to his personal coffers. He is an innovator of Hollywood without working within the Hollywood system. He's actually a very anti-Hollywood kind of guy.
I think the naysayers just do so to try and sound as if they are more "intelligent" than the people who are excited by the new movie and who will probably like the new movie. It's easier to create the illusion of being smart by being cynical than being optimistic.
feel free to email with comments
xtopher
-
HAHA! I'M last. Have at you! ARRRRGH!
-
You are beaten, bow thy head so that I may smite thee and cast thee to Hades!!!
-
Thanx to Pete Travers for the Spoiler below, really, don't read it, if you don't want to know- but it interests me...
*
*
*
*
*
Spoiler: Annikin is father-less! No chance for that being a surprise later in the trilogy. This really confuses me about Lucas, why do something so blatantly religous if the Force is n't the fucking Christian religion. Damn, I already knew fucking who was going to die, my damn brain was not stupid enough not see that coming, but this blows me for a loop. George, please! Yoda, Chewbacca, or even cheesily, Palpitine, but please, no fucking immaculate, Jurassic Park Bull Shit!:-(
-
Troopers surround you and as blasters whine, your scream is cut short. Cut down to burning corpses. Prince Xizor smiles, my cameo in Star Wars 3 is assured. Yet sadly, the answer is no, for the crazy lady screaming at Luke is restored to A New Hope, Special Edition 2, and she is Shmi Skywalker the mother of Darth Craven, a clone she made of Anakin's DNA in her bitter loneliness. Master Craven cuts off Xizor's head in the Holiday Special Edition(One). Tee, hee.
-
Man, some of you people are fuckin' hilarious... I mean, come on! Half of you don't even know what you're talking about, really... "No,I've not seen TPM, but it's gonna suck..." "Star Wars is dead...but never you mind that Lucas has more money than God because of it..." Listen to what you are saying! Go read a book...preferably something by Socrates or Kant so that you'll sit back, laugh from your belly, and say "Holy shit! Man, did I look like a jackass when I said those things! Wow...my bad!"
And just one last rebuttle for those slamming on Star Wars fans, calling them infantile or mindless: YOU'RE the one coming onto a Star Wars Talkback, reading these messages, and wasting your precious time being negative, mean, and spiteful. YOU'RE the one making immature and infantile comments about a movie you've not even seen yet, and bitching because Lucas didn't make a story you wanted to hear. Get a life: Go to a board discussing something you LIKE and talk about it...But while you're at it, read the posts made by jackasses like you trying to bring it down. Yes, the freeman is alotted the right to Free Speech, but with that freedom comes the 'moral ought' that should govern when you use it. When you intentially use it to step on the toes of others, you are abusing it. If we want your opinion, then we'll ask for it... At least then, we'll WANT to know what you think. Otherwise, you're just wasting space.
Geez...Assholes... :)
-Der Monkey Lord
-
What the @#$# is all this crap about ROTJ being the weak link of the trilogy and catering to children and blah blah. I never ever thought of any of that stuff until TODAY!( After reading all this crap. ) Sure I was a kid when I first saw ROTJ and loved it, but the fact is, now that I'm "grown" up(with children of my own) ROTJ (and ANH,ESB) means a hundred times MORE to me NOW. My favorite thing in the whole trilogy perhaps, is the final fight between Darth Vader and Luke. When I was a kid that scene was just another fight scene but now that I'm older I can actually FEEL the anger in Luke at the emperor. I can feel the anger as he repeatedly whacks at Darth and cuts his freaking hand off! I LITERALLY get tears in my eyes!!!(which makes my wife think I'm a little loopy) Literally!!! I get teary eyed in several scenes throughout the trilogy!!! Watching the trailers for TPM for the first time made my eyes water. Sad, yes , maybe, but the point is that I'm very emotionally attached in a way that children can't be until later on. Sure ,kids will love it and they're supposed to, but it's NOT a children's movie. Which gets me back to my original point about ROTJ. So what if the Ewoks were cute and fuzzy? I thought Jawas were cute.The whole Jabba section of the movie freakin' rules. How can anyone say ROTJ sucks? Augggggh! And for everyone to extend this kind of criticism to TPM is killing me. Darth Maul doesn't get alot of screen time? Did Darth Vader. The dark lords of the Sith SHOULD hold some mystery around them. Anyways you are probably bored to tears if you're still reading this so I shut up now. But in closing, all I know is that I keep watching the 2 trailers for TPM over and over again and get excited each time and if the full length movie contains these scenes then it is already a winner in my book.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 273 total posts 271 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 92 total posts 92 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 160 total posts 69 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 151 total posts 63 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 67 total posts 59 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 60 total posts 57 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 484 total posts 49 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 69 total posts 42 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 120 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 183 total posts 24 posts