Cool News
Booster Gold re-examines his feelings on EPISODE ONE
Ya know folks, I wasn't going to publish any more STAR WARS comments till I saw the film at 12:01am (Cool Standard Time) here in Austin. But... Well, I've been waiting for one of the early DAY ONE reviewers to come to the same conclusion I did immediately upon reading their reviews.
Tuesday Night at the Metropolitan here in Austin, I was offered a press pass to see STAR WARS EPISODE ONE, I turned the fella down to rejoin the line. Why? Because upon reading those reviews, I realized that I need the line. I need to become a kid with all my fellow kids in line. I need to sit in my 'indian sweat box' and let go of everything I've learned. I need to be a kid.
Yesterday, to test my theory, I started doing 'Jar Jar' lines for some kids that visited the line. They all started laughing and giggling and that was just having a fat redhead doing the lines, not the eyes on stalks big lipped Jar Jar. Kids will love Jar Jar. I saw them coming out of the press screening with drool hitting the ground. And one adult film critic here in Austin commented to my father, "I've grown up, but the film didn't grow with me."
BAM! My point exactly. It's real easy to say, "I'm going into this film with a child's perspective" and it's another thing entirely to do it. So... Beginning Saturday Night at the Metropolitan theater here in Austin, Me... and my fellow line folks will become children through the Early Wednesday hours. We'll help each other to acheive this. We'll be revisiting films that make us children. We'll pull out our OLD games. We'll sing early eighties tunes together. We'll devolve.
Why go through this much effort? Because.... remember when you first saw Star Wars? Remember that feeling? I want that again. I don't know if I can get it, but I'm gonna try. And I might end up like Christopher Reeve did on that hotel bed in SOMEWHERE IN TIME, but I'll have a smile. Mind over time.... I can try.... I hope you try... and most of all, I hope it works.
Moriarty did the professional thing. He saw the movie as it is to our generation. I want to see the movie through the eyes of the next generation. I can't wait to write about this Wednesday...
Yesterday, to test my theory, I started doing 'Jar Jar' lines for some kids that visited the line. They all started laughing and giggling and that was just having a fat redhead doing the lines, not the eyes on stalks big lipped Jar Jar. Kids will love Jar Jar. I saw them coming out of the press screening with drool hitting the ground. And one adult film critic here in Austin commented to my father, "I've grown up, but the film didn't grow with me."
BAM! My point exactly. It's real easy to say, "I'm going into this film with a child's perspective" and it's another thing entirely to do it. So... Beginning Saturday Night at the Metropolitan theater here in Austin, Me... and my fellow line folks will become children through the Early Wednesday hours. We'll help each other to acheive this. We'll be revisiting films that make us children. We'll pull out our OLD games. We'll sing early eighties tunes together. We'll devolve.
Why go through this much effort? Because.... remember when you first saw Star Wars? Remember that feeling? I want that again. I don't know if I can get it, but I'm gonna try. And I might end up like Christopher Reeve did on that hotel bed in SOMEWHERE IN TIME, but I'll have a smile. Mind over time.... I can try.... I hope you try... and most of all, I hope it works.
Moriarty did the professional thing. He saw the movie as it is to our generation. I want to see the movie through the eyes of the next generation. I can't wait to write about this Wednesday...
Moriarty did the professional thing. He saw the movie as it is to our generation. I want to see the movie through the eyes of the next generation. I can't wait to write about this Wednesday...
Hi, there, Harry. You know, it's been exactly one week since I was fortunate
enough to finally see STAR WARS EPISODE ONE at the Exhibitor Screening here
in Los Angeles. I posted a review of the film to your website the following
day, which you added to a long line of similar reviews. I was severely
critical of the film, and I guess I had some interesting things to say,
because I actually saw a line of my review quoted in the New York Times (yay,
me!, feeling like Navin R. Johnson finding his name in the phone book).
But it has been a week. A long week. A trying and difficult week for Star
Wars fans everywhere. It seems our worst fears have come to life. The
possibility that EPISODE ONE could be anything less than perfect was, at
best, a denied consideration. And the plethora of people eager to get online
and crow about having seen it, and then tear into it mercilessly, surprised
even me...AND I WAS ONE OF THEM. Shame on me.
It has been a week...and I regret having written a negative review of the
film. Because I think I was wrong. No...I KNOW I WAS WRONG.
This became clear to me today after having a phone conversation with a pal at
20th Fox who got to see an employee screening last night. He came away
giving the film a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10, and described himself as "bummed".
And I tried to talk him into seeing the movie as I saw it.
But, wait...a week earlier I had walked away from the movie with much the
same reaction. What had happened to me?
Here's what...
After 16 years of waiting, I must have made EPISODE ONE, TWO and THREE in my
head a thousand times. I knew what it would look like, sound like, and feel
like. And in that theatre on Tuesday night, what I saw quite simply did not
match my vision...and I faulted the movie and it's creator for that insult to
my imagination. I became a lousy, small town film critic embittered because
I didn't get EXACTLY what I wanted.
And that is NOT THE WAY TO WATCH THIS MOVIE.
I faulted the film for not having more adult themes, for playing too "young",
and in that moment I became one of those movie know-it-alls who can quote
box-office totals from five summers ago, who can name all 12 producers of
"Cliffhanger" off the top of his head, one of those people who breaks a movie
down into "beats" and uses terms like "demographic" and "long term
repeatability". In short, I became a wormy studio exec faulting the film
because it was not one I would have "green-lighted" without more "notes" from
the "creative executives" (<-- oxymoron alert!).
And that is NOT THE WAY TO WATCH THIS MOVIE.
But most of all I faulted the film because after 16 years of loyalty to the
Star Wars mythos, after several thousand dollars spent on various trinkets
and Jedi bric-a-brac, after two years of telling people that the greatest
adventure movie of the decade was coming...and coming...and coming...I felt
entitled to a reward. I wanted a valentine to my Star Wars Generation (21-30
years of age). And EPISODE ONE is, quite frankly, not it. EPISODE ONE is a
valentine to my generation's OFFSPRING. And I was "bummed" about it.
And that is also NOT THE WAY TO WATCH THIS MOVIE.
In order to appreciate EPISODE ONE, you must see it through an 8-year-old's
eyes. The story is not complex, because there's only so much an 8-year-old
mind can assimilate in two hours. The characters are not deep and
multi-faceted because 8-year-olds see behavior only in terms of right and
wrong, black and white, zero ambivalence. The special effects, when less
than photorealistic, will not cause much more than a mild subliminal
distraction to the child mind, accustomed as it is to the uniformly awful
animation of contemporary afterschool television. You simply must come to
terms with the fact that STAR WARS EPISODE ONE IS NOT FOR YOU. It is for
the kid in you, the blank slate who doesn't know Kubrick from Coolio, who has
never read William Goldman or Pauline Kael, who has never been betrayed by a
friend or rejected by a lover or confused by the big bad world at large.
This may sound like simplification, like another lame attempt to justify
weaknesses in a movie rather than accept them. But think about it...
It's easy to knock on Max Rebo's band and the Ewoks from "Jedi", but I bet
you dollars to donuts that most of the so-called "Ewok Haters" did not adopt
that attitude until the late 80's or early 90's. These same people walked
out of "Jedi" during that first week of release in 1983 with their hair blown
back, their cheeks flushed, and convinced they had had some kind of
adolescent epiphany. You know who you are, Ewok Haters. Now, would you
have had the SAME REACTION if you saw "Jedi" for the first time yesterday?
Of course not. Because "Jedi" wasn't meant for the 30-year-old you. It was
meant for the 7-13 year old you. EPISODE ONE works the same way.
Think about the first time you saw "E.T." as a kid. The quarantine hospital
bubble thing, remember? E.T. died, remember? You cried, remember? And when
little Drew Barrymore turned to Dee Wallace and said "I wish he'd come back.
I wish, I wish, I wish", the same exact words were bouncing around in your
own tear-soaked mind. And what did Speilberg do? He defied every law of
logic, every rule of conventional storytelling that exists...and brought E.T.
back to life for no other reason than because every kid in the world wished
it to be so. And you cried even harder, didn't you? That it made no
"logical" sense was irrelevant. It made sense to YOU. EPISODE ONE works the
same way.
Sure, we want all the dark "evil Anakin" stuff in EPISODE ONE. We want the
Sith explained, the Jedi Code detailed, the HOT AND HEAVY STUFF. But the
kids of today are not ready for that yet. First, they need to be introduced
to this wild and fantastic universe we've been lucky enough to explore for
the last 22 years. First, they must be able to meet, identify with, and
ultimately trust Anakin before the rug can be pulled out from under their
feet (as it was for us in "Empire"). As crass and calculated as it may
sound, I genuinely believe this was Lucas' intention. Our Star Wars
Generation is already BOUGHT AND SOLD, let's face it. He needs to assimilate
our children...and we are more than happy to comply.
Jar Jar, annoying? Bet the average 8-year-old won't think so. And how many
of us have parents that thought the original "Star Wars" was a bunch of silly
shit back in 1977? A LOT, I bet. And, sadly, some of us have become our
parents.
I won't sugar coat this movie entirely. I think George Lucas is a visual
genius but only a competent screenwriter. His large-stroke vision for "Star
Wars" is brilliant, of course, but his characters have never been strong, his
dialogue never more than adequate, and his direction of actors limited to
offscreen puppetry. This much is certain. But I would never have said such
things in 1977, because it would never have occured to me...and it would
hardly have made any difference.
EPISODE ONE is the spiritual cousin of both the classic trilogy and more
contemporary summer entertainments like JURASSIC PARK. There are "T-Rex"
moments in EPISODE ONE, there are "Raptors in the kitchen" moments in
EPISODE ONE, but there are also "Ariana hacks into the mainframe" moments,
and "Joe Mazello gets shocked and still lives" moments, too. And in the long
term, I think the "T-Rex" moments will hold up, they'll be the moments we
wake up at three o'clock in the morning to replay on DVD because we "just
have to". And the "Joe Mazello" moments will be the ones our children will
ALWAYS laugh out loud with...until they turn 18, discover night clubs and the
opposite sex, and become Ewok Haters.
I feel sorry for them on that day.
May the Force be with you all. Keep the faith. And I'll see you in line at
the Village on May 19th. (Yes, it was good enough to see again).
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i will weep when i see, a long time ago.................roll down.
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uh, yeah. uhuhuhu, this is akward.
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some of us have jobs. am i the only one kicking themselves in the asshole for not waiting in line for tix because of our responsibility? i was completely unproductive yesterday and overwhelmed that i might not see the 12:01 showing. remember when things were easier, and simple. i want to go back in time where the only thing i had to worry about was getting home in time to see transformers. god i hate being an adult.
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I'm glad to hear someone fianlly admit that Star Wars is for kids. They are great movies, but I think too many people read too much into them.
I was looking froward to seeing Episode 1, but I have a JOB (life) and couldn't devote my week to waiting in line for tickets. Lucky me. I get to see it mid-June. -
I agree completely. It's going to be hard for me to shut out all I've seen and heard leading up to the Big Moment, because I'm afraid it will cloud my judgement. I don't want to be overly critical. I want to see this film as though I'm watching a movie for the first time, I want to see it through the eyes of a child. Maybe it was better to not know anything about it prior (like my husband). Maybe I'm "scarred". I hope not because I am really looking forward to this movie and I don't want to be disappointed. But I don't think I will be, no matter what. I think the real fans (you know who you are)will love it.
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Let me guess: now the Talk Backs are going to be filled with people declaring this guy to be a stooge, a hack, a flip-flopper, a pathetic fann justifying a bad movie experience. I guy whose brain melted from the experience of having the movie his life revolved around for years be bad, couldn't handle it, and so went into denial. ******* OR, you'll start saying, "That's all well and good, but Lucas owes ME." You'll say, "Well, why ISN'T TPM for me?" You'll say, "Lucas is just brainwashing kids into buying toys, because he's an incompetent director who can't handle adults and blah blah blah..." ******* And of course, there will be tons of, "Lucas sucks because he is trying to screw the theaters/the public/the world." ****** In short, these people will not listen to what this guy is saying--basically, you can't let the pointless details bog you down in the film experience. I've said this over and over again--the author of a work, and the circumstances under which it was created, are never important in the long run. Whether Homer was a backstabbing jerk who booked out all the colliseums to play the Oddyssey (the long-awaited follow-up to The Illiad) and thus condeming other Greek poems to obscurity, simply doesn't matter any more. ******* So save your comments, please. We've heard them already, we've tried to make our case, you won't listen. "Turning off your brain" is bad...but getting into the right frame of mind to enjoy a movie is simply neccessary, and some of you can't do it. All we Star Wars-defenders want is for everyone to have a good time, but some people want to fight that because they hate corporate propaganda. Well, look. This is Star Wars. This is only going to happen THREE MORE TIMES in the history of movies. Is it really so hard to shut up and enjoy just this once, and then twice more, down the line? Somehow I doubt you'll become an Armageddon fan if you let your guard down for a moment. You might even...gasp..enjoy yourself. So what will you have lost?
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There is no shame in being disappointed in this film (as well as loving it). I was disappointed too. I still liked it, mind you. I'd give it a B rating. That's above average and more than a passing grade. It just isn't at the head of the class, like the first three (and especially the original one). It's just like an egghead getting a B on his test instead of the usual A. It's a great grade but it still hurts. I don't know why people are forcing themselves to love this film, no matter what the age. Personally, I think Lucas is stretching his story. One prequel instead of three might have been better. But I'm still looking forward to the next two installments!
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I saw ROTJ when I was about 11 and I STILL THOUGHT THE EWOKS BLEW. Just because someone is below the age of twelve does not mean that they have no intelligence or taste. If something sucks, it sucks regardless of age. Period. I was able to overlook the Ewoks and am confident I can overlook JAR-JAR. But I don't feel the need to become an apologist for a cheap merchandising gimmick by insulting the intelligence of children.
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May 13, 1999 2:51:15 PM CDT
Thank you! Thank you! Some one with sense...Recapture the kid in
by mr. zumdish
Finally! This is someone who has come to his senses. All of the Lucas Haters, Ewok Haters, Jar-Jar Haters..etc. This is not the movie for you. I was 6 when I saw Star Wars and I still remember the experience. Don't you? We know too much about film, we know too much about the making of film and the cutthroat bussines behind it. This movie is escapism! Fantasy! Sit back and enjoy the experience over and over again. Characters were underwritten in Star Wars, Empire, and Jedi. But we didn't notice it, we were reveling in the wonderment of the saga. Sure, you think the Ewoks are annoying, but you didn't back then. You cheered them as they fought the stormtroopers! I know you did! Lets stop the negativity, we have waited too long for this movie to act so jaded. On a more personal note...I have a 5 month old son and I can't wait for 2002 when I can take him to the theatre to see Episode 2 and then 3. I'm sad he can't be with me next week for this film. This thrills me that I will be able to share this experience with him that I felt when I was a small boy. Shame on you who dare to slam this movie. I feel sad that you grew up, like the kids from IT. The magic is gone in your lives and you have to get it back. This is the movie to help you put that magic and wonder back into your souls. Harry, devolve and become a kid again! I am.
Zumdish out... -
Kudos Booster. Couldnt agree with you more. I remember a film (I wont name it to avoid embarrassment) that I thought was wonderful from my childhood. Several years ago, I picked it up at the video store and after watching it thought it was a bit of smoking dung. It was a comedy and I sat stone faced through it. I've listened to the PM audiobook and dont think that it's going to suck as bad as the early reviewers are saying and ticket sales seem to be through the roof. As for Newsweek, etc. I wish they would shut up! I now seems to be the in thing to trash the film(s) even before they're out. In the April 19, 1999 issue Newsweek says that Sleep Hollow is "his (Burton's) comic B-movie-ization of Washington Irving's horror classic"???!!! Doesnt sound like they're being upobjective to me. I just hope that the negative reviews dont keep us from having an episode 2 & 3. Cheers.
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Exactly! I was 8 when Jedi came out. I loved the Ewoks. All of my 2nd grade friends loved the Ewoks. I've never heard a kid complain that something is too cute, or too muppety. Then we grow up and become far too sophisticated for that kind of fluff. Star Wars is all about the ten year old boy in all of us.
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Hi there,
to anyone who saw the movie:
Is it more kiddie like than ROTJ?
If not iam sure I -
I had the privilege of seeing Episode One at an advance screening last night. All I can say is that it's a sad day in the life of this geek. Is it because I'm a not an 8 year old any more? No. Is it because the movie sucks? YES!!
Making the excuse that the average adult will think this movie sucks becuase we're not looking at it through the "eyes of a child" is a crock. Hell, I can watch most Disney movies and still appreciate them. Why? STORY!! CHARACTERS!! EMOTIONS!!Something that finally caught up to Lucas. I don't know, maybe he's been sitting on his ass too long, maybe he's lost touch. He might have had what it took twenty years ago, but he didn't have it this time around. Sure, the origianl trilogy was corny. The dialogue was stiff. But at least you could relate *a little*. At least you had characters you could believe in, root for, love. But not in TPM. It's cold, stiff, lifeless. Filling your movie to the brim with special effects and CGI bullshit might entertain a kid for an afternoon, but when that kid grows up, is he still going to appreciate it? The way we still appreciate the original trilogy. HELL NO!! At least I hope they won't. Cuz that would mean that they've really been converted to the dark side. It'd mean that they've accepted this crap as real storytelling.
What a disappointment. -
While Booster Gold's comments should certainly be taken into consideration, I respectfully disagree: I'm a hard-core fan, I'm capable of great immaturity, and I absolutely HATED "Episode 1," which I saw May 11. For those who care, I've written a spoiler-packed, 2,600-word, obsessively detailed review for The DVD Journal (also linked via NewsDroid) that explains exactly why I think many fans are going to be disappointed and a little angry on May 19. If you don't want to know, don't go there -- I can certainly respect that. But if you think you can handle a tough review by a fellow geekette, check it out at http://www.dvdjournal.com/news/phantommenace1.html
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I have to disagree somewhat on everyone proclaiming this movie, and Star Wars in general is "just for kids." Bear with me just a second here. "A New Hope" may have been a kid's movie from the get-go, there's no doubt that was the case. However, after its release it was very obvious that this wasn't just your average 8 year old's film with floods of teenagers and adults going to see the movie. This becomes more obvious with "The Empire Strikes Back." That film is littered with adult themes. I think Lawrence Kasdan did a great job creating the screenplay that truly brought Star Wars to a mature level. The only "kid" insertation may be Yoda with his playful actions with Luke and Artoo early on, yet he eventually turns to grim seriousness. I think labelling this new film as "just for kids" is a bum deal. I'm not here to pick apart the new film, I have yet to see it. I know that when I go in I'll go knowing that I'm here to see another chapter to a story that I literally have memorized (word for word). I simply feel that Lucas has lost, or never had a base with his fans. Then again maybe this will turn out like "A New Hope" and simply be the groundswork for the "meatier" parts that we're all hungry for.
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Bravo!
A TPM reviewer who understands the intent and primary purpose of this movie - to touch the kids. Star Wars has always been what Robert Heinlein wrote best - juvenile fiction first, science fiction last. As sf, it's horrible - bad concepts, bad execution, all wrapped in a pretty technological bow to help you ignore the stupid mistakes (It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 2 parsecs)
But when you drop all the adult double-checking for errors and view it as the simple eye-candy it is, as it was meant to be... At that point you realize that George Lucas was yankin' Bill Moyers with all that religion crap. George still remembers what catches a 10 year old's attention.
Which is why I'm lucky. I get to see TPM with both a 10 year old boy on one side of me and a 13 year old girl on the other and will be able to pick up on one's becoming a podracer pilot and the other's putting herself on the screen as a teenage queen. Few people are so fortunate. -
I guess the bottom line is this: if you try hard enought, you can force yourself to like anything.
I've seen the new film and I'm not big on it. Others liked it more than me, but a lot were equally lukewarm.
For me, Lucas was obviously more interested in directing special effects than he was in the flesh and blood actors. The film just didn't work for me (I'd rather go see "The Matrix" again.)
"A New Hope" didn't have a single child actor in the cast, and yet the film was magical to both kids and adults. Since that first film, the series has been gradually growing more and more child-oriented.
There's just didn't seem to be a sense of mythology in this film (And what's up with that blood test?!?) -- instead it's special effects and aliens and a whole bunch of characters who will be really great action figures.
So go, force yourself to experience the movie as if you were still a child. Try to reclaim your lost youth. I think a film like this should appeal to all age groups, and this one just didn't. -
Well, second is still cool.
But now, seriously folks. I wasn't gonna write anything because these are always so long and I think no body is gonna read mine, but now I have the power! Anyways, I'm not a devoted STAR WARS fan. I would totally lose at a SW trivia game. I love movies, and Star Wars is one of the best movies ever made, so I'm really anxious about episode one. Really anxious. It's Star Wars. Star Wars! Did I mention I'm 16? I think that might help, somehow. Anyway, my friend got to see the movie this past tuesday. Well, not really my friend. I really don't like him. Havn't liked him for about two years now. Anyway, he was so sure I was jelouse that he got to see it before me. For some reason he thought(thinks) that I'm a big SW fan. But I'm not. But I'm still anxious. I got out of class Wednsday, like 10:30. Got in line at around 11:30 at a great theater that I love that just happens to be hidden from the world. There were only four people there. I was fifth. I really wanted to stand in line for hours to get the total experience, but I didn't want to be at the end of the line. By the end there were a few more then a hundred people. I know it's not that much compared to other places, but it was my first time standing in line for something like this and it felt great to be one of the first few. Those almost four hours went down as my forth most fun time that i have had, ever. The only thing I regret is that I didn't get there earlier. I would have loved to have been there since 6:00am. But then we still have the premire. And I tell you what, I'll be there more then 14 hours before hand, and it's gonna be great! I got to the booth and said those words I've been dying to say for a very long time. Even though I didn't have to say them becuase the line was obviously for Star Wars, and Star Wars only. In fact, I kinda sounded stupid saying it. But I thought "what the hell". "Two for Star Wars: Episode I... The Phantom Menace, please." I've made sure I would say those words exactly. I've actually had dreams about messing up right just then and saying "Two for the New Star wars movie" I was scared I was really gonna screw up and say something like "Two for Back To The Future: Episode I... The Phan...!DOH!". But I didn't care if the booth guy thought I was an idiot, I said them "Two For Star Wars: Episode I... The Phantom Menace". And it's those... nine, nine words that makes me feel that much more luckier than my stupid "friend". Cause he never got to say them. He got his tickets from a friend of a friend. He never got to go up and say those words that are gonna stick in my mind forever. He never got to stand in line for hours waiting for them, waiting to say those words. He didn't get to discuse micilanious Sci-Fi stuff with the guy behind him with the Mighty Mouse shirt and the surprisingly good looking chick in front of him with the tatoo of the Empire's logo on her ankel. He missed out. I was the true lucky one. -
I love Star Wars. Its that simple
no big deal, who cares? Lot's of people love Star Wars. Hearing all these "tepid" reviews made me think. I looked up some old reviews of EP 4-6. Guess what? They got the same reviews, the same crap was said. I couldn't imagine no one would think that way. So I tried something...I watched A New Hope (for like the 1000th time), but this time I watched it as a movie fan and not as a Star Wars fan. You know what I discovered? From the point of view as a 24 year old male, and just taking the movie apart...The movie wasn't great. It was too slow at times, the characters weren't really that complex, and the story (while containing mythical and seemingly complex issues) was pretty basic. I had a moment of doubt...was my life a lie? Did this movie suck that bad? The answer...NO! Folks raise your hand if you have seen a movie that the critics hated but you loved because it was fun? Okay most of you except for the fools in the back who think they have all the answers. This is Star Wars, not an truely dramatic picture. You have the chance to go escape for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Take that chance! Have some fun! Go see the movie and relax. Forget about the fact that you have given up 30 hours (or more) of work for this film. Forget about the crap we have to deal with everyday. This is your chance to have fun again. This is another Summer Blockbuster (with a religous following that very few gods have ever seen) that is meant to make your heart beat a little faster. I can't wait. -
I got my ticket yesterday and I'm going to have so much fun seeing this! I don't care if it is too cutesy or childish. I mean, when I was a kid, I loved cheesy cute movies (like Return of the Jedi!). My favorite movie when I was younger (much much younger) was Return to Oz, you remember that silly movie with the fake Jake Pumpkinhead and that flying moose couch! I still love to have fun and let go. Not every movie is made to be studied by film students and praised as a masterpiece. Entertainment is quite a factor as well.
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I hadn't thought about it, but Star Wars for Gen-X and thereabouts really does seem to change with age. Ewoks were fine with me when the film came out, but got a little sillier as I got older. God! I hope I don't come to the end of my life thinking Luke was really a whiney whipper snapper and that Vader was just doing the boy some good by kicking his hiney and toughening him up!
Episode One is really every bit the movie that Star Wars was, it's just Star Wars for all of the kids that were our age.
I think hoping that this film takes you back to being a kid is the WRONG thing to do. I think trying to be a kid to enjoy this movie is the WRONG thing to do. I think seeing this movie and realizing that you're an adult now and that you may have grown out of it is the RIGHT thing to do. Don't get me wrong, I've got tickets to the first show on midnight Tuesday, and I've got ALL the new action figures (except for that darned 12'' Maul!), but I know seeing this movie the one thing that will be mnost apparent is that I am now a whole heck of a lot older than I was when Star Wars came out.
I'm taking my dad to see it. I bought his ticket. If anything, the coolest thing about this flick is that I get to pay him back for all those hours he spent in line to get me into the first trilogy on opening day. -
Let me start by saying that I havent seen Episode 1 yet. I will be joining millions of you on Wednesday morning at 12:01AM (isnt that considered a matinee?). With the exception of the origional Star Wars, George Lucas has made and written some pretty uninspiring movies. I sense a lot of people are going to force themselves into liking this movie.
Let's put things into perspective and enjoy the movie or not enjoy it. Don't force yourself into liking it. So what if this is the one blemish in a great 6 part series? If George has faultered on this one, he has 2 more to make up for his mistakes. On Wednesday come to your own conclusions and move on. There is life left in this series either way... -
Yeah, Gorgar, I'm shameless. Sorry: I just want fellow geeks to read something on which I worked pretty damn hard. Have an excellent day.
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You're both right. I was not even born when Star Wars came out. The first one I saw (in the theatre) was ROTJ. Luckily, I'm still young enough to remember what it was like. The best way to view these movies are with new eyes. Too many already have a preconceived notion of the movie, from years of waiting, and hoping that it would be made. Now, when the moment is upon us, we realize that we became the guy that didn't think much of the movie then. I am not a huge Star Wars fan, but I loved the movies when I was younger. Now, I plan on loving these movies as well.
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Well, this is getting really old, people. As expected, TPM will be taken to every possible extreme opinion. People are just so sure that everyone out there cares whether or not they liked TPM that they must blast these message boards with thier little reviews. Honestly, I don't really think half of the people who claim to have seen it actually have. They're just jumping on the bandwagon, like most weaker geeks will. They aren't qualified to even give reviews, and most level-headed people will just ignore them. Please do. Alexandria DuPont up there - the mere fact that your posting is nothing but shameless self-promotion leads me to beleive that the only reason you "hate" TPM is to call attention to yourself - this applies to most early negative reviews. Same goes for good reviews, too - any review at this point will just be a bunch of useless drivel that serves no purpose other than a pathetic attempt to sway opinion. News flash: It won't work. Star Wars is too big a part of our culture to be marred by some angry, attention-hungry twit. Everything I've seen/heard of for TPM makes it look like an excellent peice of fantasy storytelling - a myth, a fable, just like the first 3. Greek myths weren't all that complex either, remember? You can't label a myth as something "for kids" - Myths are for everyone. It's just a matter of whether or not you're mature enough to handle that concept. If it's a poorly told myth, then so be it - but please, make your minds up for yourselves - don't listen to the angry, angst-ridden morons whose sole motive for writing a review of any kind is to call attention to themselves. We'll all see for ourselves, and make up our own minds, like intelligent, independent human beings should, on May 19th.
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Fear.
Fear attracts the fearful...
I'm sure you all saw the commercial which does a pretty good job of outclassing the trailers. And fear is what is gonna draw y'all to the movie. I can't wait and it is advisable that you all wear your ten year old glasses cause that's all you are going to get.. A ten year old movie. Nothing more and nothing less... See you at the movies. -
EXACTLY
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A few points here: 1) Lucas has made THREE films. THREE. THX 1138, American Graffiti, and Star Wars. He had as much to do with Willow or Howard the Duck (or, to be fair, Indiana Jones) as Steven Spielberg had to do with Mask of Zorro. "Smelling Willow" is a reeeeally cynical and foolish thing to say. It's bringing into play all the wrong kind of self-awareness. 2) It's now impossible to make a commment against Star Wars without being called a jaded cynic, and it's impossible to defend it without being called a Lucas-programmed drone fanboy slavering geek idiot who refuses to face reality. Could the two side smaybe listen to each other, and maybe believe that the other maybe has a point? 3) I happen to be in the second category, so I'll say it: yes, a lot of us are rationalizing. It's called, "hoping for the best." But there's SOOOOOO much baggage attached to this movie, can you blame us for using optimism to combat all the self-conciousness? Some of you guys are going out of your way to be cynical too. See the "Smelling Willow" comment again.
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Now, Harry, I know you're going to love waiting in line, and I really appreciate that you and many others took the attention at the Metropolitan away from the other theaters here in Austin. However, you're going to start a line on Sunday for the late Tuesday night showing? That's a wee bit much, my friend. I have a ticket at 9:15 AM on May 19th at the Tinseltown. Their rules are that NO line is to form prior to one hour before the film. Granted, I'll be out there sometime before 7 AM, but not 2-3 days before. Anyhow, let's get back to this press screening in Austin Tuesday night. The Austin American Statesman this morning reported that many of the people invited to this screening were Dell employees. That seems to me to be a load of crap (no offense to those of you that work at Dell). I tell you Dell gets way too many advantages in this town. They have a great variety of restaurants (I like to eat, too, you know) around their plant, and they get these special privileges. Anybody ever heard of AMD just down the street a wee bit!!??
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About 2 years ago, I was saying to myself, "wow, all this anticipation will only cause dissapointment...."
Why do we expect this one movie to be the be all and end all of everything? What would be left for episodes 2 and 3? -
I'm in the U.K. and won't get to see TPM til July, so all this discussion I'm following with great interest. I agree that a certain "Childlike" openness is necessary to "get" these films - I've always believed that, and I don't think thats negative.
However, Trailers A & B, and the current "One Love", "One Truth" ads, have in no way prepared me for an utterly kiddie flick. Can someone please answer this:- have the trailers and ads to date been misrepresenatative and kinda deceptive as regards the feel of TPM?? -
I hate to say it. I do not want to say say it but I have to. It is just a movie. I was in line yesterday with my friends talking and hoping that I would get tickets. I even filmed people in line. I asked them why they were there. Everyone said because they want to have fun. FUN. If you do not enjoy the movie oh well. What have you lost ? Time oh well. Money that was your choice. But what if some eight year old kid sees it for the first time and falls in love. Remember like you did. Then it was worth it. As much as we want this to be our movie it is not. It is George's movie and it is his present to kids. Go see Eyes Wide Shut or some other movie that is meant for adults. But Star Wars is for the kids. I you like it great if you do not great. Either way so what.
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Episode 2 definately needs a different director and someone to help George right the script. He needs a Leigh Brackett type or even Larry Kasdan to help him with character and dialogue. He should also hand the directing reins overto someone like David Fincher. Personally, I could really care less about how Episode I is aimed toward the kids. I actually expected that. However, I will genuinely be extremely disappointed if George doesn't create a much darker vision for Episodes 2 and 3. I want to experience that feeling that The Empire Stikes Back gives me every single time I watch it. I want to see Episode 2 entirely devoted to Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Ian McDiarmid, and whoever plays Anakin. I want to see Sam Jackson kick some ass with a light saber. In my opinion, Lucas is probably incapable of providing us with a darker vision unless he goes out and gets someone to help him. Remember, this is the guy who refused to compensate Frank Darabont, who was supposed to do an uncredited polish on the Episode I screenplay.
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You state:
"Since that first film, the series has been gradually growing more and more child-oriented. "
If there was some way to plot (on a graph) a movie being child-oriented, do you really think the slope would be down from ANH to ESB to ROJ (lower means more child-oriented)? I would think there would be a huge spike upward around ESB. ROJ would be lower than ANH. In response to Alexandra DuPont, I am going to be interested to see how many self-proclaimed "geeks" will agree with you at the end of next week. If the majority does not, will you think maybe you've grown out of your geek-dome? I've listened to the sound-track many times and think that it's wonderful. You state "Nor does it contain anything like the larger plot escalation of Episodes 4-6 taken together, where there's an Empire to vanquish, a father to redeem, and a sister to find." Are you forgetting the purpose for the Prequels? It's about the fall of Anakin - not the victory over the evil empire. You can't take 4-6 as one and 1-3 as another -- if you're going to look at an ark, you need to take 1-6, and we won't be able to do that until 2000 and something. "To succeed, the more picaresque, travelogue-ish plot of The Phantom Menace (which was written, annoyingly, as if a sequel were a foregone conclusion)". Isn't it? When Lucas did ANH, he didn't know there was going to be a sequel - do you think ESB would stand alone very well? "They need to growl their lines and get sweaty with fear to convince us that Naboo and Anakin are worth saving; if they don't, we're going to have trouble caring, because an escalating sense of urgency is not really present in the plot mechanics." These are Jedi we're talking about here, correct? I would want a certain amount of self-confidence exhibited. "After the too-brief final fight, however, even Obi-Wan is sent back to dullsville, denied even the opportunity to grieve for his fallen comrades." Did Luke grieve for his friends he lost in the attack on the first death star? "I could go on and on, but you get the idea...." Yes, I think I do. I stopped reading your review right there - I'll draw my own conclusions and I'll see how my neices and nephews react to it and then I might respond once again to the rest of your "review". Maybe you should also go ask your parents what they thought of Star Wars when you were seeing it over and over - mine loved it because of the joy it brought me and my sister (they were approximately 29-31 at the time it came out (my parents - not my sister)). Otherwise they were not too taken with it (although my mom had to see ANH several times to understand what the heck was going on). -
ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH! I'VE HAD ENOUGH SHIT AS IT IS, ANTICIPATING TO SEE THIS MOVIE! WHY SHOULD THERE BE MORE REVIEWS OR ANY AT ALL BEFORE EPISODE ONE IS DOMESTICALLY RELEASED MAY 19TH?! THESE REVIEWS WILL JUST RUIN IT FOR YOU! THROUGHOUT TIME, NEWSWEEK, AND KAN WAHL (GOD SHE'S AN ANNOYING, ARROGANT JERK) ON NBC NEWS, I JUST HAVE TO SAY ONE THING.... THEY ARE ALL WRONG! NEWSWEEK SAYS THAT WE'LL KNOW WHAT TOO EXPECT IN EPISODE 1 AND THAT BY THIS, IT WON'T BE THAT MUCH OF A SURPRISE... WELL, THEY CAN GO SUCK ON MY BIG FAT SCHWANG! PEOPLE WHO LOVED STAR WARS WANTED TO KNOW THE ORIGIN OF ANAKIN SKYWALKER, THE CLONE WARS, WHERE OBI-WAN KENOBI CAME FROM, AND SO ON! I SERIOUSLY DOUBT GEORGE LUCAS INTENDED ON DOING THE NEW TRILOGY INSTALLMENT TO DISAPPOINT US. HE'S THE CREATOR BEHIND ALL OF STAR WARS. HE'S THE ONE WHO DETERMINES THE WHOLE HISTORY OF IT AND WILL SAY WHEN IT'LL END! ALSO, BE AWARE THAT IT WASN'T EASY FOR LUCAS TO JUST SIMPLY WORK ON THE NEW TRILOGY... HE RUNS PRACTICALLY 5 MAJOR COMPANIES (THX, LUCASFILM, LUCASARTS, LUCAS LICENSING LTD, SKYWALKER SOUND, LUCAS LEARNING, AND ANY OTHERS I DIDN'T MENTION)AND TAKES CARE OF THREE ADOPTED CHILDREN ON HIS OWN! YOU PEOPLE THINK TOO HARD! JUST DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE MEDIA, CRITICS, OR ANYTHING, AND YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR STAR WARS EXPERIENCE EVEN MORE! HARRY, ENOUGH OF THE REVIEWS... ENOUGH! E-N-O-U-G-H! THIS IS NOT THE TYPE OF MOVIE TO JUST PUT REVIEWS ON THE WEB LIKE OTHERS! EPISODE ONE MAY VERY WELL END UP LIKE THE ORIGINAL STAR WARS, E.T., OR INDIANA JONES AND MIGHT EVEN BEAT TITANIC! JUST STOP EXPECTING WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT TO HAPPEN IN EPISODE ONE! ENJOY THE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE AND BE BLOW AWAY! ENJOY SEEING C-3PO AND R2D2 AGAIN (EVEN IF THEY DON'T PLAY MAJOR ROLES AS IN THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY)! IF YOU WORRY TOO MUCH, THEN YOU MIGHT AS WELL ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE LESS! FOR ONE THING, EPISODE ONE WILL NOT BE A DISAPPOINTMENT IF YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE REVIEWS AND COMPARE IT TO THE OTHER STAR WARS FILMS! KEEP YOUR MIND OFF OTHER THINGS WHEN YOU VIEW STAR WARS: PHANTOM MENACE AND MAYBE YOUR EXPERIENCE WILL BE BETTER.
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I hate this patronizing attitude that somehow Harry can see this movie through a child's eyes and thus must lecture us on telling us we must do the same. I don't disagree with this idea, I just can't stand the fact that he feels he has to lecture us about it.
I'm also dissapointed with Moriarty's comments. I have respected his opinions before, but to come now and totally backpedal on his review because he didn't see TPM through a child's eyes is BS. I bet part of the reason he's backpedalling is because of the slew of positive reviews coming out. It's the same crap Harry pulled when Godzilla came out last year.
Just a week ago it was fashionable to be negative about the film. Now that better reviews come out Moriarty starts to patronize others with this "eyes of a child" banter. If you really wanted to watch it through the eyes of a child you would not have gone to see the movie with a bunch of movie critics two weeks in advance. You would have waited to see it with the fans (on this I agree with Harry).
Moriarty, stop lecturing us about the "wrong you did which we should not do." You sound like Jerry Fallwell.
Be real and admit you didn't like TPM. Now give me a chance to go see it and enjoy it.
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I was 18 when Star Wars came out, rather than 8, and I thought it was terrific. No need to be a child to enjoy the movie.
If the Phantom Menace is good, it will be good whatever age you are. Sorry, but that is the way it is. If it sucks, well then, perhaps you will have to be a kid to not realize that.
God, I hope it doesn't suck, though. -
Now, I may be deranged, but the more I see of Jar Jar the more I like him. Here I am, a first-generation Star Wars fan in my mid-thirties, laughing out loud at a silly clutz CG character. I guess it helps that I have a 3-year-old who keeps begging "Again! Again!" as I play my Quicktime version of the Jar Jar commercial over and over. JAR JAR RULZ!! I recommend to everyone who's "fearful" about Jar Jar to take a little kid with you to the theater. If you can't be a kid yourself, seeing their enjoyment is the next best thing.
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Remember the SNL skit where Shatner went to a Trekkie convention (yes, I said trekkie, you know who you are) and told them all to get a life? Too many people are out here in the ether overanalyzing the crap out of TPM. Yes, I've been a fan of SF ever since I was a little boy of 5 or so, I grew up with Space Ghost, JQ, the Herculoids, etc. on Sat. morning. I know what to expect from TPM. Lucas recently stated that this movie will never live up to the hype that's been created for it, and that we need to remember that "this is a satureday afternoon children's serial adventure" (sorry, I think I paraphrased there). I think none of us needs anyone to tell us how to watch it, but I for one am going to just let it come at me and I bet I'll enjoy myself. Isn't that what movies are, anyway, entertainment? And as an aside, how can a lot of CGI be bad?
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One week ago, the Internet was flooded with reports from disappointed fans emerging from the first screenings of George Lucas's much anticipated latest entry in his space opera serial. Negative buzz accumulated, focused on the "kiddie" qualities of "The Phantom Menace", focusing in particular on Jar Jar Binks. About four days ago, the discussion took a curious turn. Encouraged by remarks by Lucas himself in a series of interviews, fans began to question their own opinions of the film -- as this article exemplifies. Suddenly, Star Wars was not the sci-fi masterpiece everyone had expected -- it was simply a "Saturday afternoon serial for kids". Interesting. But wait a minute. Didn't adults devour the original "Star Wars" in 1977? Sure they did. Adults were not simply attracted to the film's amazing visuals -- they found something in the film's characters and thematic strands which appealed to a spiritually starved generation, still grappling with their own leftover angst from the 1960s. Thus, a popular obsession (or religion?) emerged around The Force, supported by legions of hungry fans. Others simply enjoyed Star Wars as the most incredible "ride" ever to grace a movie screen. Flash-forward twenty-two years. These same fans -- now a couple decades older -- are disappointed. The latest entry in the saga does not stir something within them as the tale of the Skywalkers did decades earlier. No, to them the film is devoid of its magic, replaced instead by idiotic, unintellible characters and dizzying set-pieces -- all of which seem to miss the point. And that is because THEY DO MISS THE POINT. But the anticipation of the fans has engendered something else. As a can't-miss proposition, the new Star Wars film SHOULDN'T be anything less than perfect. The fans can't conceive of the notion that it might be. What does a distaught fan do? He/she blames himself. Convinced by Lucas that the film is for children, they decide that since the film is undoubtedly perfect, they JUST AREN'T WATCHING IT CORRECTLY. Have you ever heard anything so absurd as what Knowles said at the top of this article? Star Wars is cross-generational -- as it should be. Degressing to one's childhood should not be required to appreciate the first portion of the saga. The idea that people should have to do such a thing is the last resort of a distressed and distraught fan. The real problem is that the magic is gone. I believe I know why. The strength of the middle trilogy was in that its place in the story paralleled our knowledge of the Force itself. Just as the Force was something vast, eternal and expansive -- beyond our complete understanding -- so too was the complete story far more expansive than the first films belied. The general impression was of eternal, timeless myth (emphasized by the opening crawl) -- and by laying the first part on film, the aura of myth and mystery surrounding the backstory has been dispelled. The charm of the middle trilogy has been tarnished, by making clear what should be shrouded in the uncertainties of a mythical past. And by attempting to realize what essentially constitutes such mythical beginnings, Lucas has inevitably sucked the "magic" from Star Wars as a whole. The Force becomes "midichlorines" (sp?), for example. But what's done is done. So what is to be done now? I have a modest suggestion. Give it up, George. Hand off Episode II to filmmakers like Spielberg, Cameron, or Darabont. Any of those three filmmakers has a sufficient understanding of the human spirit to infuse the next chapter with some of the luster that would otherwise be lost. And I'd love to see a David Fincher-directed Episode III. But perhaps that's not such a good idea. In any case, this nonsense about children is ludicrous. It's high time someone pointed that out to Emperor Lucas.
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On my previous post I referred to Harry a couple of times. I meant to say Booster Gold, not Harry.
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I haven't read one thing written in this talkback yet. Why? Because I'm sick of the hate, the negativity, the out-right SELFISHNESS! You all want Star Wars to grow up with you and it's not fair. A part of me wants that too, but the other part - the side that's winning now - wants to walk in there like all the kids will and just feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I think it was Moriarty's review that mentioned the little boy looking back at the screen and saying to his mom, "How'd they do that." I just about cried when I read that because that was ME. I was that kid and dammit, I'm mad I know when dialogue is bad, when characters aren't fleshed out, when stories have irrational plot structure - the faults that make my enjoyment of your beloved trilogy a test for me to watch today. I want that wonder and excitement back and finally, after sitting in line for 8 hours (starting at 4 a.m.) waiting for tickets, I found that 7 year old in me again. I don't want a fantastic story, I could not care less about bad dialogue, I will probably laugh at Jar Jar, I WILL be a boy again. I just want to sit back and have my mind say, "What if?" I owe Lucas my love of movies, my fascination with so many of the edicts passed through his force - a bushido code with a blaster and a light saber. I owe him the courtesy of seeing his movie as he intends it to be seen - through a child's eyes. I can't wait to be a kid again. Yahoooooooooo!
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exactly man! i had my star wars time back in the 70s and 80s. if my 11 year old sister loves this new one than thats good enough for me. ive been able to get into R rated films for years, i can see all the dark, adult oriented films i want. if my sis laughs at jar jar, ill take her to see him 10 times just like my grandpa put up with star wars films he thought were silly 20 years ago.
and to the guy that said he hated ewoks when he was 8 and that we shouldnt underestimate the intelligence of children, i dont know what was up with you but the goofy stuff i was into as a kid seems alot like the goofy stuff i see kids crazy about today. if i'm supposed to be impressed because you thought like a 18 year old at age 8, well, that isnt impressive, man, thats just sad. -
Listen up, "Star Wars' played to everybody when it was originally released, from kids to grandparents. That's why it was special. There is a difference between kids movies and movies appropriate for kids. "ROTJ" was for kids (& the ewoks were and always will be an abomination), while "Star Wars" & "Empire" are exciting, yet, appropriate for kids. That is the most disconcerting aspect of "Episode One" at this point, it seems to be playing to 7-8 year old kids and avoiding the thrills for anybody else. I hope it's great, but my doubts grow with everything I read about it.
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I think it's a GREAT idea, you can't count on it happening. I hope it does.
My wife has always called me a big kid and not always meant it as a compliment, but I've thrived on holding on to that feeling. I'm 42 and I still cry at the end of ET and I still cheer when ET and the kids fly away from the grown-ups. What great feelings.
The best way to retain that piece of 'kid-ness' has been through my own 8 year old son. Our tastes differ in may things, but since that day when he was 5 and I sat him down, flipped on the VCR and the words "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." flashed on the screen, I knew we would have a common language for the rest of our days.
He took a look at the current issue of Newsweek and asked about the review. I told him that this review, like many, were complaining that TPM was too much a kid's movie. He looked at me very intently and said the wisest thing I've yet heard on the subject:
"What's wrong with that?"
I couldn't hug him hard enough. I am so blessed that his mother and my wife is letting me take him out of school next week to see the big show.
"What's wrong with that?"
Nothing, my bright boy, nothing. -
Either you like this movie or you don't. You state that "..to appreciate EPISODE ONE, you must see it through an 8-year-old's eyes." A clearer, more factual way to state the above is to write that to appreciate TPM we must lie to ourselves.
I am a tremendous fan of AICN for the following reasons:
1) AICN provides TRUTHFUL, HONEST, up to the minute media news.
2) AICN provide a powerful lobby against terrible movies and manipulative marketing tactics.
Booster, your comments betray and belittle everything that makes AICN unique. -
What drugs are all of you people on. If you can honestly - at age 20+ sit through An New Hope and tell me that's a good movie - rated on the quality levels you rate all movies at this time, you're a lying, pathetic excuse for a human being or you received a sharp blow to the head at about age 10 and your mental growth was stunted. The dialogue is HORRIBLE! The acting - is there any acting from anyone beyond Guiness? The special effects? They're effective at getting one to laugh. Compared to today's SFX, A New Hope looks crude and sorry. It's like watching Jason and the Argonauts or some other old, lame special effects movie ("Clash of the titans" anyone?). Hell, watch Jurassic Park and tell me the SFX there are any good and you're blowing smoke up my ass. Grow up. The movie was a basic, poorly written story of knights and an evil empire. It isn't that great. Do i still enjoy it? Yes, when I'm in the mood for hokum like Army of Darkness. But to say Star Wars is one of the best films of all time . . .well, okay sure, if you're six and you don't know better. I know all you drooling SW freaks will go monkey shit over this - fine, be defensive and every post or email i receive rebuking my statements simply proves you've got some kind of mental problem. Then again a lot of you find the Matrix to be mindblowing too. Sure...whatever.
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Young Obi-Wan (played by Ewan McGreggor, age 28) = Generation X (AKA the "'Star Wars' Generation"). Amidala (played by Natalie Portman, 17) = the Millenials (AKA "Generation Y"). Young Anakin (played by Jake Lloyd, 9) = hopefully, the next kiddie generation of "Star Wars" fans. None of this is by chance; we know Lucas is a control freak. If Episode I doesn't do for the current generation of kids what it did for our generation, then, culturally, it will be nothing more than a geeky nostalgia trip for us.
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I have mixed feelings about this film. I ran into Mark Hammil the other day and asked him what he thought. He said he didn't care and went on about his business. He looked like the "Incredible Melting Man" with that plastic surgery not taking just quite right. At least the REAL heroes when their careers had diminished still believed in what they did. I'm talking about Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, John Wayne, Gene Autry, Clayton Moore and many others. It wasn't about how much money and what kind of residuals I'll get. Its about doing the job and keeping the dream alive in some little boy or girl's eyes. Even as an adult everyone wants to be a kid again. To paraphrase from "The Wild Bunch", "Even the worst of us." But, there also comes a time when you have a "Childhood's End". Its something that no one looks forward to, but it happens. Gone are the days of 12 cent comics, Saturday matinees in the summer when 25 cents could buy you a coke and a hot (real) buttered popcorn. The special pizza you used to eat as a kid doesn't quite taste the same. The feeling, the enjoyment is gone, like the first time you well and truly fall in love with the girl of your dreams and one day the breakup happens and you can just never quite get that same feeling again. You try and try with other relationships, but you can't recapture that moment in time. I hope everyone finds what their looking for in "Phantom Menace" and I hope its your moment lost, recaptured.
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Last time I checked, I believe it was an opinion that something sucks, correct?
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My dad was 37 when he saw STAR WARS. He LOVED IT. I was 27 when I saw Disney's ALADIN. I LOVED IT. My mother was 55 when she saw BABE. Both she and my 25 year old brother LOVED IT. TPM will either transend the age barrier or it won't. Harry's "revision quest" may serve him well when watching TPM. But after days of travelling into this mind-numbing child bubble, couldn't one have a transcendental epiphany by listening to the next guy in line urinate into an empty coke bottle?
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George Lucas really needs to look into starting his own religion, as unable (and/or unwilling) as some of his followers seem to admit to the mere possibility The Phantom Menace may be less than spectacular. You shouldn't have to suspend critical judgment or turn off your brain or pretend to be a child to enjoy a good child-oriented picture...I still enjoy the first Star Wars, and Empire, and other child's movies like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
I still have some hope that the movie is going to be good, but it's getting harder and harder to believe that TPM is going to be very entertaining after reading some of the daily rationalizations coming from this site.
You travel down a frightening path when you try to insinuate that perhaps there's something wrong with the people that have seen the movie and don't like it. This kind of blind Lucas worship scares me.
If Emperor George has no clothes, then you should be willing to admit it. -
The reason Episode 1 plays "young" is because Lucas has all three prequels planned out thematically. He has always said that the first one is "fun" and "lays all the groundwork" for the series. Episode 2 is the "romantic" one and the plot thickens. And that Episode 3 is "really dark" and "would probably make half what the others make" because it will be so unrelenting - the story has a sad ending, period.
Lucas has always been a master of theme and tone. Think back to the original Star Wars and how the "good guys" are more "natural" characters and wear more "earthy" wardrobe, come from worlds that are more earth-toned colors, use natural forces, etc. - whereas the "bad guys" rely totally on technology, work in surroundings that are stark black, whites, and greys, and are in some cases half machine themselves. There is a LOT of subtext going on here.
What I think Lucas is doing with the prequels is being even more deliberate with giving each episode its own theme. These are ANAKIN's stories and we are watching him grow up and we see these worlds through his eyes. Hence, Episode One is the world seen through a eight year old's eyes - fun, bright, goofy, and full of promise. Episode 2 will be more romantic because Anakin will discover love, but get more complicated because he'll realize that life isn't always easy and there are hard choices to make. I suspect he'll have to make tough choices like being dedicated to the Jedi and training or choose his heart and dedicate himself to Amidala. In Episode 3, the shit hits the fan. He'll discover that the world is FUCKED: he'll feel that he's been betrayed by his friends - (maybe because of a love triangle with Obi Wan and Amidala? I have a feeling that old Ben is going to be complicated, too) - he'll feel betrayed by his lover, and he will strike back HARD and punish those that he feels screwed him over. Whatever turns him to the dark side will have to be FUCKED and he pays the price HARD in the end.
So, I say give George Lucas the benefit of the doubt here. The dark stuff is coming soon enough, trust me. Enjoy Episode 1 for what it is: a child's adventure. Episode 2 will complicate stuff and bring in the angst. Episode 3 will bring in the sadness and horror. Let George tell the story the way he wants.
(Having said all that, I'll be the first to admit it sucks if it does. But, I'm not going to be deterred by people that can't sit back and enjoy the ride for what it is - pure entertainment from a true visionary.)
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What a bunch of joyless souls many of those posting here are. It's sad, really. You want to pick it apart a perfectly entertaining flick because it's not your vision. Booster said it perfectly.
I found Episode One thoroughly enjoyable. Some parts childish? yes, but so $#%^ing what? These are movies that tap into the KID in all of us, otherwise what's the point of watching them? Star Wars ANH sure ain't Shakespeare, folks.
Hitting on specific complaints i've seen:
1. Jake Lloyd's acting... he did fine! I know a kid who is EXACTLY like that (but without the Force skills of course). Stiff? Mannequin Skywalker? Bullshit.
2. Jar Jar. Obnoxious? Yes, but look at the character: he's clumsy, awkward, well-intentioned but usually causes a wreck despite his best intentions. Kids are sure to sympathize with that, and find him funny to boot. And yes, he is funny. The audience i saw it with laughed more than they groaned at him.
3. overdone visual effects. Are you on crack? You don't go to any Star Wars movie without expecting the screen to be filled to bursting with images, so many you have to catch it on repeat viewings. Lucas is giving us a vibrant, bustling universe.
4. Oh, there are plenty of other complaints, and no, it's not a perfect movie, but the vast majority of complaints i've heard are not treating the movie fairly.
I'm not an apologist, and i'm not a rabid fanboy. There are plenty of movies i prefer to the original trilogy. But i hate seeing petty-minded people tear apart a thoroughly valid, entertaining piece of work just because its not made specifically for them. It reminds me of some of the posts here back when Lucas first announced "The Phantom Menace" as the title. How dare he, some complained, he OWES us a movie with a better title. He should give up his fondness for the old movie serials that inspired the title and give us a title WE want, because he OWES us that. It was bullshit then, it's bullshit now. You don't like his vision, there are plenty of other movies to see.
Congrats, George. I'll be there the 19th (lines willing) to see it again, and to cheer on my new hero, Sebulba the sleazy Pod Pilot (what can i say, my favorite Archie character was always Reggie). And everyone who can keep an open mind and enjoy a movie on its own terms, you should enjoy this one.
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Ok, so basically all the critics say the movie isn't amazing. So now everyone is in a mad dash to reassert that it will be the best thing the kid in them ever saw. How a whole new generation will find Star Wars. That if the people who are Star Wars fans who saw the movie and gave it a bad review aren now to "grown up" to be able to enjoy it. That if those people saw Star Wars now for the first time, they wouldn't like it. Well ok, there is a reason for that. Star Wars isn't a good movie. (brief pause to dodge bullets and other object thrown at me)
Admit it, it's not. The first one was boring, it had a few good parts here or there, but the whole thing wasn't WOW. However, the story was. It was so simple, and yet so complex. Some people might say the whole good versus evil thing is to simple, but come on people, read shakespear, Good versus evil is all over that. For some reason there is a huge emphasis on the grey these days. For pete's sake, I don't need my entertainment to remind me of how life is, that's why it's entertainment. Anyway, the point is Star Wars is a fun movie. Phantom Menace will be a fun movie. Not a great awe inspiring make me think alot, discuss the issues presented movie.
I'd also like to make another point. This next trilogy starts out hunky dory, meaning mostly everything is ok, the republic is still around, and evil empire is opressing everyone. Now, this is basically where the original trilogy ends, and why ROTJ is so happy. So of course Phantom Menace will be a happy, funnyish, kiddy flick. The later movies will be deeper, like Empire. The really good ones are yet to come.
Oh, and my favorite Star Wars is ROTJ, I'm over 18 and I still like the Ewoks, so it looks like I have nothing to worry about
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This film is what it is. It will not, could never be, what you want it to be. This film will not, should not, must not, completely define, once and for all, with no room for discussion, what Star Wars "means" or what Star Wars "is all about." Where would that leave us? There is still a little thing called imagination. There is still a couple more movies to come, if I'm not mistaken. There is still the notion that we can fill in the blanks for ourselves, either as kids or adults. Did ANH spell out everything for us? Did Luke become a full fledged Jedi Knight? Was the force fully explained? Didn't we have a pretty good idea what it was all about anyway? Didn't we spend hours on the playground, and in our back yards battling the Empire in scenes that were never seen in any movie, were never written in any sequel, novelization, comic adaption, or cartoon spin off. This movie is what it is. It is incomplete. It is simplistic. It leaves much to THE IMAGINATION. Damn. And here I wanted to check my brain at the door.
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I think Booster Gold was very moving and convincing in his Episode One review retraction however, I find an observation to be disconcerting. I don't believe that 'Star Wars: A New Hope' was aimed at children. I know this sounds blasphemous but think about it. Episode Four is a coming of age story. Before the notion of sequels and prequels this picture was about a boy becoming a man. The longing for leaving the ties of home and finding a girl - finding HIMSELF.
The original 'Star Wars' spoke to children on many levels but had the emotional pull for adults. By telling 'Episode One' from the perspective of a child, it does change the dynamic of the series considerably. I don't fault this new approach but I also don't view it as being consistant with 'Episode Four'. If there are complaints among (older than pre-teen) audience members bemoaning the childishness of 'Phantom Menace' - they may just be miffed that this picture did something that the first 'Star Wars' never did -- leave them out in the cold. -
Hale to Harry for bringing out the best in a reviewer.
I'm so delighted to have read the re-review by Booster Gold. Yes, I too had heard of other piss poor reviews on Star Wars One, and I was crushed.
To think that George Lucas would steer our modern day society wrong by making any attempt to equate his simplistic, yet magnificent, story with that of todays modernistic twisted video rampage sorts of novelistic fodder.
Nope. . . Of course he wouldn't, because the basic foundation of Star Wars defines what is good or bad in any society. And the good always wins, with the bad is kept in check.
Evil seeks perfection, and perfection is of God? May the Force be with You. . . Hm. . . (not trying to throw in religion, but you get what I mean?)
Hale to Harry for waiting in line with the Kid in him. I know the Kid in me is about to explode if I don't see that movie pretty darn quick!
Read Booster Gold's re-review. It made me whispy eyed.
Rango -
May 13, 1999 5:00:13 PM CDT
THIS REVIEW IS PURE 100% BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by quentin2
8 year olds??? 8 YEAR OLDS??? EIGHT YEAR OLDS?????? GIMME A FUCKING BREAK!!!!!!! "This movie does not have a complex plot because there is only so much an eight year old can understand in two hours..." BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!! BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!! AND BULLSHIT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is this guy talking about "The Phantom Menace"????? Cause that sure as hell ain't what I'm getting from this movie!!!! LOOK. HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS? TPM'S PLOT IS THE MOST COMPLEX OF THE STAR WARS MOVIES. THERE. UNDERSTAND????? DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS SHIT-FOR-BRAINS ASSHOLE SAYING THAT YOU MUST LOOK AT TPM THROUGH AN 8 YEAR OLD'S EYES!!!!! YESTERDAY, I WATCHED THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY SPECIAL EDITION ON TAPE AGAIN. I AM NOT AN EIGHT YEAR OLD. I AM A 23 YEAR OLD ASPIRING FILM MAKER. I HAVE WRITTEN TWO SCREENPLAYS, AND I CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 16 OTHER ORIGINAL MOVIES IN MY HEAD. I HAVE BEEN A MOVIE FAN SINCE I WAS 5 YEARS OLD. MY DAD SHOWED ME EVERYTHING FROM R-RATED MOVIES TO G-MOVIES. I KNOW JUST AS MUCH IF NOT MORE THAN ANY "PROFFESSIONAL FILM CRITIC" OUT THERE. I LOVE THE FILMS OF KUBRICK, FELLINI, POLANSKI, AND OTHERS. I AM A HUGE QUENTIN TARANTINO FAN. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT MOST EIGHT YEAR OLDS LIKE QUENTIN TARANTINO. AND I WATCHED THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY MOVIES FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME, AND I STILL LOVE THEM. I LOVE THEM JUST AS MUCH AS I EVER DID. I DO NOT LOOK AT THEM THROUGH A CHILD'S EYES. I LOOK AT THEM THROUGH MY EYES, AND I LOVE THEM. AND GUESS WHAT? TPM IS MORE COMPLEX THAN ANY OF THEM. DON'T EVER EVER EVER SAY THAT TPM'S PLOT IS TOO SIMPLISTIC. THAT IS BULLSHIT. THIS IS THE MOST COMPLEX OF THE SW MOVIES BY FAR. LET ME SAY SOMETHING. THE PLOT TO "A NEW HOPE" IS INFINTLEY MORE SIMPLISTIC THAN THE PLOT TO TPM. THAT IS A FUCKING FACT. I HATE THESE STUPID ASSHOLES BAD-MOUTHING TPM. THEY'RE TRYING TO COMPARE IT TO..."WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE". I WONDER, IF THESE PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TPM, THEN WHY THE FUCK DO CRITICS HAIL THE STAR WARS MOVIES AS CLASSIC? THIS FILM IS MUCH MUCH BETTER THAN THE "CLASSIC" FILM THAT CAME OUT IN 1977!!!!!! THIS HAS THE MOST INTELLIGENT DIALOGUE AND THE MOST COMPLEX PLOT OF ALL THE STAR WARS MOVIES. AND YOU THINK TPM IS CHILDISH?????? MADE FOR EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS, YOU SAY???????????? WATCH A LITTLE MOVIE CALLED "A NEW HOPE"!!!!!!!! ANH IS TEN TIMES MORE CHILDISH THAN TPM!!!!!! I SWEAR TO GOD, WHEN COMPARED TO ANH LUKE, ANAKIN SEEMS LIKE A WISE OLD MAN!!!!!!!!!! LUKE IS A MILLION TIMES MORE CHILDISH THAN ANAKIN IN ANH. HERE'S SOME ADVICE: RIGHT BEFORE YOU SEE TPM, WATCH "A NEW HOPE" ON TAPE. PLEASE DO THIS. RIGHT AFTER YOU SEE TPM, WATCH "A NEW HOPE" ON TAPE. THEN WATCH IT AGAIN IF YOU HAVE TO. IF YOU STILL HAVE TO WATCH IT AGAIN, DO IT. NOW, AFTER SEEING TPM AND ANH, FORMULATE YOUR OPINION ON TPM. AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT SPECIAL EFFECTS AND MOVIE-THEATER SOUND. I'M TALKING PLOT, DIALOGUE, AND CHARACTERS. TELL ME THAT "A NEW HOPE" IS SUPERIOR TO "TPM" IN THOSE AREAS, AND YOU WILL HAVE PROVEN TO BE THE FIRST LIVING BREATHING BRAINLESS HUMAN BEING. FUCK ALL THIS "YOU CAN'T COMPARE TPM TO THE ORIGINALS" BULLSHIT!!!!!!! WHY THE FUCK CAN'T WE COMPARE TPM TO THE ORIGINALS????????? BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU WILL ONLY SEE HOW MUCH MORE INTELLIGNET TPM IS COMPARED TO "A NEW HOPE". AND YOU WANT TO COMPARE IT TO "RETURN OF THE JEDI" AND "THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK"? YES, TPM IS BETTER THAN ROTJ. OF COURSE, THE LIGHTSABER FIGHTS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME FEEL AS THE FIGHT BETWEEN LUKE AND VADER, BUT THAT IS BECAUSE FATHER AND SON ARE DUELING FOR THE LAST TIME. TPM IS THE BEGINNING. WE ARE BEING INTRODUCED TO STAR WARS IN TPM. BUT, TPM IS BY FAR, BETTER THAN ROTJ. I'D ALSO HAVE TO SAY THAT TPM IS A TAD BETTER THAN TESB. TESB IS DEFINITLEY CLOSE, THOUGH. TESB IS MORE DRAMATIC AND DEEP, AND EXCITING. BUT TPM IS THE BETTER FILM. ..........GOD, I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL TPM COMES OUT ON VIDEO. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOMENT WHEN PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO OWN TPM RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE OTHER SW MOVIES. THEN, THE DAY WILL FINALLY COME WHEN THOSE PEOPLE CAN WATCH TPM, AND THEN IMMEDIATLEY WATCH ANH. THEN, WE CAN REALLY COMPARE IT TO THE SW MOVIES. THE PROBLEM IS, THAT PEOPLE APPARENTLY HAVEN'T SEEN AN SW MOVIE IN OVER A DECADE!!!!!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK THEY ARE COMPARING TPM TO, BUT IT SURE AS HELL AIN'T STAR WARS!!!!!! LOOK, JUST TAKE MY ADVICE: WATCH "A NEW HOPE" BEFORE YOU SEE TPM. YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS AT ALL!!!!!!!!! JUST PUT YOURSELF INTO A "STAR WARS" PERSPECTIVE!!!!!!!!! HONESTLY, PLEASE, TAKE THIS ADVICE: WATCH "A NEW HOPE" RIGHT BEFORE YOU SEE TPM! PLEASE!! OTHERWISE, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE IN A "SAVING PRIVATE RYAN", "SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE" FRAME OF MIND..... THAT IS FUCKING RIDICULOUS. .....WELL (SIGH), THE GOOD THING IS THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT BE SO FUCKING RETARDED WHEN THEY SEE EPISODE II. LOOK, I AM GONNA SAY THIS ONE MORE TIME: TPM IS A BETTER MOVIE THAN "A NEW HOPE" IN EVERY SINGLE POSSIBLE GODDAMN MOTHER-FUCKING WAY. SO, LIKE I SAID, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE WATCH "A NEW HOPE" THE DAY YOU GO SEE "THE PHANTOM MENACE". TRUST ME. THAT IS ALL YOU NEED TO DO.
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Kids, adults, mindsets? Whatever. Hopefully, most of us have the capability to watch A Bug's Life while throwing some cold ones down -- blockbusters are normally entertaining, not enlightening, and that's ok. So what's with the anger, which leads to hate, which leads to fear, which leads to . . . OH GOD! HELP ME, I'M SINKING!!!!
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'm only looking for one thing - visual escapism. Can someone tell me whether or not the scenery is ORIGINAL and fun to look at? That's the only reason I liked Fifth Element. Correction: that and Milla Jovovich (whom I smoked with once on the set of Dazed and Confused before I realized that I didn't have glaucoma -- the rest of you may may feel free to be jealous now!!). That's what my $7.50 will go towards, so is TPM a good investment for a childish adult who wants nothing more than to stare at new and exciting landscapes for 2 hours? -
...even if the story is weak, where else can you see a pod race, a three way lightsaber duel, a Jedi council, and all the rest this summer? I can't wait!
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It bothers me so much when people refer to certain Star Wars fan as having no life....that's ridiculaus!!! I for one did not go to buy tickets yesterday but it wasn't because I had to work OR because I didn't wan't to. I just figured I'd wait and take my chances opening weekend. Hear me roar. I LOVE STAR WARS!! Just becuase you're not as excited as the next person or you just don't have the time to soak it up like others, doesn't give you the right to blurt out "oh I have a life!" No duh! We all have a life and we should all be able to spend it however we want without being criticized by those who "don't see the big deal". Well guess what IT'S YOUR LOSS!! Too bad you can't share this with us.
Doomzday -
To Maul99
Leigh Brackett is dead. It would be hard for her to help Mr. Lucas scripting his next movie.
You don't have to bring up her name and also Lawrence Kasdan just because someone happened to say that they worked on ESB, ya know...
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Ohhh...waaaaahh, waaah, waaaah! I am so pissed off right now, I can't stand it! So you all think George Lucas *owes* you something? My ass! What the hell were you expecting? George Lucas handing you your childhood on a platter? Handing you those days before you found out that life is difficult and you don't always get what you want? No one can do that for you! We're all older now, face it! Fact of life #2340: George Lucas owes you nothing. Now take a deep breath and get used to it. I swear by all the gods I have never heard such whining in my entire life! So he didn't make the movie that you sat and dreamed of for fifteen years...guess what? It's his vision, not yours, get used to it! I can't stand anymore of this. I am ashamed, deeply heartily ashamed by all the whining and kvetching I see here. And for all you fools who think 'The Matrix' is the be all end all...I never want to hear one word about bad acting in TPM after sitting through the tortured posturings that Keanu Reeves calls acting! The SFX were cool, but the acting and the dialogue was *pathetic*! I just really hate all of you naysayers right now, and I'll tell you why. It's because you think GL owes *you*, it's because you have gone into this movie with so much goddamned baggage you can't see the movie for your magnified and undoubtedly erroneous memories. The problem with those memories is that you have blown them out of all proportion for fifteen years! You have built a pseudo fantasty life around the entire thing, and now that you have an opportunity to engross yourself in the story yet again, NOTHING IN THE DAMNED WORLD WILL EVER LIVE UP TO THE IDEALIZATION THAT YOU *CREATED IN YOUR OWN MINDS*! My gods, don't you realize what you've all done? You are only hurting yourselves! Stop it! Things aren't the same, things change...but give it a chance! If you can't do that, then you have to step aside for the new fans, I'm afraid. You've grown up, Peter Pan. You can fly if you want to, but you have to remember how.
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1. I haven't seen the film yet, so I can't speak to much of what Booster Gold is saying. 2. Like Harry, I would refuse an early screening pass. I waited in line 8 1/2 hours yesterday with 300 fellow geeks, talking movies, computers, playing Star Wars Monopoly, and that alone was half the experience. I want to see Episode I on its debut midnight showing in the best theatre house filled with fellow fanboys (and girls), and damnit, that's what I'm going to do. 3. Booster IS right about one thing: it's not fair to judge Episode I by our expectations built up over the last 16 years - what WE think it should be. It IS fair to judge it on how well it accomplishes what it's intended to do. If the plot is incoherent, if the characters aren't believable or generate zero empathy, that's a problem. If the dialogue is a little wooden, however, I can overlook that. I certainly had to with the original trilogy ("I want to know what's in it for _me_, sister."). We know Lucas isn't the best screenwriter in the world. We do know he is unmatched at bringing a powerful and brilliant vision to the screen, and I certainly will be expecting THAT. 4. I've decided to stop all surfing about TPM, and purge my mind as much as I can of what I know about this film and the reviews (positive or negative). A good friend of mine, a sci-fi geek beyond measure, has refused to learn much of anything about TPM; he hasn't even seen Trailer B yet. He wants the same, untainted experience he had in 1977, '80, and '83. He plans to watch the original trilogy once again that day, and that's it. I have to wonder if his isn't the best approach of all. In a way, I think that's the point Harry was trying to make.
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OK, let's get this straight:
a) I was a kid when the first trilogy was released, so this Star Wars film is not aimed at me.
b) To enjoy this film I must pretend to be an eight-year old.
c) I must have no preconceptions of what this film will be like, prior to seeing it.
d) I must not have high expectations.
e) I must accept that after 16 years of advances in cinema, this film cannot be better than the original films.
Fuck. -
Enough discussion about whether "Phantom" was good or bad! Jeez! It is what it is. The first episode in a story than spans six.
The whole Star Wars arch, is simple. Senator Palpatine becomes an evil emperor and a young lad by the name of Luke Skywalker overthrows his empire.
That's it. That's the whole story of Star Wars. So for filler and for added involvement, we have subplots. Darth Vader. Han Solo. Jabba the Hutt. Etc.
Come on people, this is not a debate about politics, yet it's been taken to that extreme. It's a film. A film that's made for pure enjoyment, with some obvious
and inspirational morality tales to it. Like any good childrens fable.
Of course you're bound to be disappointed. Your own imagination is far superior than what can ever manifest itself on the screen. Although, there are occassions when a book or a script is turned into a film that equals the excellence found on the page. Your imagination is a hard to grasp concept. It's blurred. It's not defined. It's all over the place. A film must have structure in order to follow it's cohesive story. Otherwise, you'll find yourself in the realm of a Salvador Dali painting. Which is just as creative, yet confounding. Star Wars is an old fashioned serial. In the vein of Flash Gordon. George Lucas is drawn to that type of story telling. He did it with Indian Jones, and in some respect American Graffiti. He tells his stories in episodes. The cinematic layout of the film is presented in that fashion. A lot of swipes for transitions of scenes. This is the script he wanted to film after 20 years. That's it. End of story. He doesn't owe anyone anything. Except an explaination of the characters, which he's done, no matter how undercooked they were - and they were. And he owes an awe inspiring time. That he accomplished. The visuals are pretty amazing. I already stated in a previous talkback that I felt the movie was an animated film. It has over 2,000 digital effects. What else can you call it?
Fans need not be disappointed. Star Wars need not be thought of as a religion that would at any time, ask you to commit suicide as a sacrificial lamb, for it's leader Jedi Lucas.
It is however, one of the most successful franchises in the world, besides James Bond, and just rejoice in that fact that you were of it's generation, and that you were able to share in it's osmotic celebration by the everyday man and woman. And then appreciate it. As you appreciate anything that affects you. Let's not get too emotional about something you don't even share in the financial profits with.
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May 13, 1999 5:42:35 PM CDT
This 13 year old was annoyed by the Ewoks and STILL loved ROTJ
by oberon
Yes, that's right, I still loved ROTJ, nearly as much as ESB. I DID find the Ewoks annoying, but it didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the film. On the other hand, my wife saw ROTJ for the first time as the SE in '97; she nearly cried when the Ewok died. So what do I know? Well, most likely, Jar Jar may be a little annoying, but I won't be surprised if it doesn't detract at all from the experience for me.
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You are all losers! You did this to yourself, and now you;re trying to spoon feed yourself bullshit like "Thats not the way to watch this movie." You suck! I dare you to remove this post, wimps. If you dish it out, you got to take it when it's your turn. So I fuckin' dare you to censor me.
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is this talk about about that movie with that guy Dark Vaders? Cuz I liked that movie. That guy was big, allright, I tell ya! I also like the light bulb sword.
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This movie needs to live or die on its own merits. Period. I think it says A LOT about this film that Harry and Co. feel the need to "devolve" or endure a span of physical exhaustion to utterly enjoy it. A good film whether its a kids movie (like Babe) or some adult epic is good becuase its well-crafted. Booster Gold TOTALLY contradicts himself by saying this film is for kids and should be viewed as a child sees it even though Lucas isn't a master director or writer. So what is he saying? Kids should like--or deserve--mediocre fare? I agree with the above post about Disney not "talking down" with its animated movies. Plenty of grown-ups enjoyed those movies, too. I find all these "apologists" making life here on AICN madness...
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JEEZUS! YOU PEOPLE ARE FUNNY. MOST OF YOU OLD FARTS OUT THERE HAVE NO FUCKING CLUE AS TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN ENTERTAINMENT AT THIS PRECIOUS TIME. FOR 1999, EYES WIDE SHUT, SOUTH PARK: BIGGER LONGER AND UNCUT(YEA, EVER WATCH THE SHOW OLD TIMERS), AUSTIN POWERS 2, THE FIGHT CLUB AND MANY OTHER HIGH PROFILE FILMS INCLUDING THE PHANTOM MENACE. IN MUSIC IT IS ALSO A PRECIOUS TIME. NEW NIN, CHEMICAL BROTHERS, PAVEMENT, BECK, RADIOHEAD, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE STP, APHEX TWIN AND ON AND ON. AND HOW COME MOST OLD PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND ELECTRONIC MUSIC OR CONTEMPORARY ROCK MUSIC?? MAYBE THEY ARE BORING PEOPLE LIKE MY PARENTS. NO MIND TO TRY SOMETHING NEW. THE PHANTOM MENACE IS A NEW MOVIE, A MOVIE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN ACHEIVED UNTIL NOW. NOT A BEATLES SINGLE hehe
SO TO THE PEOPLE OF GENERATION X, WAKE UP, CUZ IT BEGINS MAY 19TH! -
I don't know if anyone else has seen this coming, but look at the ages of the main characters in this movie. Mainly anakin and the queen. any movie (at least action movies) with children ALWAYS end up being childish. But that does not mean that this will stay that way. The movies will grow up as the characters grow up. Look at how Empire grew up as luke stopped being a whiney pansy.
Also realize that these movies are being spread apart over what? Six years? Those 8-13 year olds lucus is capturing now will be the 14-19 year olds when Episode 3 hits. The episode that should be the darkest with the best plot. And anakin will also be much older, with the kid in him totally destroyed by the end of that movie. Ewoks were added to jedi to keep the movie from being too dark for all ages in my opinion. There is alot of stuff that would scare a child in that movie. What child would not be scared of his DAD trying to kill him? Or the simple concept of the emporer? Even at that, I would have a hard time seeing an 8 year old enjoy jedi. But ewoks at least would make it possible. Lucus like FAMILY films.
But getting back to my point. Lucus is making a TRILOGY, not a movie. he is also trying to recapture an audience that has had 20 years to get lost. Sure we are all adults now and would love to see the dark and gritty side NOW, but he also has to keep in mind the children. Like you said, this movie is for younger audiences (not entirely, but maily) I don't think the whole trilogy will be. Lets face it. how much story line was really in A New Hope?
I have not seen this movie, have only read one review (luke warm one), and have been avoiding star wars information like the plague. 1. I hate hype. 2. hype will ruin ANY movie. 3. I just want to be surprised by it, good or bad.
At first I saw Lucas spreading this out over 6 years as a horrible loss, but then I realized that this allows the audience to grow WITH the film. Just like the first trilogy. Anyone out there agree? -
no accident, i just want people to see the truth, yes Trey Parker and Matt Stone ARE funny. The movie will be a hit, if not in theaters then on video. Also think about this one geezers, which film would be more fun on acid or extasy, ANH??? WRONGGGGG!
I would say Menace from the trailers and the novelization is NOT tepid, it's engaging. I will have fun, and you will cry. -
I was in the same line as Harry at the Metropolitan, though not nearly as close to the front as he. I did not camp out in line b/c I am a "freak" who has to see the first showing on the first day. I camped out to be part of the hoopla and craziness surrounding this movie and to spend time meeting and talking to others my age who loved the first three films and who are excited about the new one as I am. Everyone around me was there for the same reason.
If your reading this, Hello Jacob, hello Lucas, I had a great time meeting you, playing cards and Star Wars Trivia. Thank you Mike for venturing forth at 11:30 pm to buy the game. Hope to see you guys Wed.
For those of you who think we are stupid an immature for camping out in line, I pity you. You have already missed half of the Star Wars experience and I have no doubt that you will not enjoy the movie. More importantly, I would hate to go through life like you, always being "reliable and responsible" always being "adult". What is the point of living a life where you never do anything spontanious, silly and even a bit crazy. Where fear of what other might think of you dictates your actions. "A life lived in fear is a life half lived." -
Dude, I've been reading talkback for about a year now, and have seen your rants before. Why the hell do you presume George Lucas owes you or any of us shit? Live in the real world, he owes nobody but himself, I've absorbed all the info I can gather on TPM, I've got my ticket for 12:15 am. I'll love the movie because it is part of me. Star Wars, the Jedi Knights, The Sith, yes even the Ewoks. Lucas don't owe me shit, I owe him for making these movies the integral part of my childhood that they are, I owe him for giving me something that I can share with my kids, I owe him for having the balls to release this movie when he must have known that the hype was going to be incredible and people like you were waiting to shoot at him because it wasn't the way you wanted it to be. Take a break, look at your post and realise what a pompous, selfish, childish ass you sound like.
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I can still remember what it was like seeing Empire on my 10th birthday in May of 1980 and expecting the little green elf to take Luke to a stern guy with a dark beard sitting on a throne in the middle of the swamp. Big surprise when we found out who he was. Megashock about Vader's revelation to Luke and real misery that the movie ended the way it did.
But hey--when i saw those films rereleased--I was surprised how well they(mainly SW and Empire) held up against the movies today. they were made with much more care. ROTJ was a different story--but even so, i get goosebumps everytime I see Darth Vader turn to the Emperor, then back to Luke, then back to the Emperor, and pick him up with the Force theme playing over it. And it was far better than alot of similar films made today. Jurassic Park was a joke!
But I say that SW and Empire were aimed for a slightly older crowd than Lucas is claiming. The Planet of the Apes crowd--which was older than 7-13! ROTJ did seem to pander to a younger audience at times. I think with The Phantom Menace Lucas has thought alot about making a film that his son can apppreciate. Maybe trying to make it play to a child is the problem. plus he had 16 years to write it! 16 years!!! If he hadnt made Howard the Duck, Willow, Labrynth, and Radioland Murders we probably wouldnt be in this mess! Okay-maybe we still would have.
:) -
Is it possible to make a film to make both adults and children happy?? OF COURSE! Do children need really lame comic relief? Nope. People should not expect the perfect film out of The Phantom Menace. That would be a mistake and those people will be let down no matter what. However, they don't need to make excuses if they don't like it. Sure, I can sit around and keep thinking about The Mummy and convince myself that it's an ok film. But in the end, I can't be the 8 year old who the movie was aimed at. I'm sorry I can't laugh at The Mummy's lame excuse for humor. I can't enjoy charaters that have the same depth as teletubbies. BUT it is the job of the filmmaker to tell a great story with great characters and to win over the audience. If it's not there, it's NOT there. Star Wars should be aimed at all ages. The original trilogy succeeded. There's no reason why this should be any different. If you like the Phantom Menace..GREAT. If you don't FINE. But don't feel like there's something wrong with you if you don't like it(excluding those who have let the hype get control of them..if your expecations are too high, it's your own damn fault). You don't need to make excuses for the film. The film should blow you away, you shouldn't have to revert to having a mind of a child to enjoy Star Wars.
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I know many of you (like me as well, unfortunately) like to glaze over long posts, but I really put my heart and soul into this, it's what I really believe is the way Lucas is doing things. *******************
Okay, I'm about to go off on what may seem like another topic, but it really is an analogy, and does tie into the Phantom Menace, and my opinion on it at the end. Please read this, as I think it may shed some light on some things!***********************Most of you who are clammering for the darker side of George Lucas haven't even experienced some of his darkest stuff yet: In novel form. TO be exact, the Chronicles of the Shadow War novels. Yes, folks, it's fantasy. And, please don't buzz past this post as soon as you read the follwing: They're sequels to WILLOW. Kind of. WILLOW is to the Chronicles of the Shadow War what the Hobbit is to The Lord of The Rings. It sets the major elements into play, and is quite childish. Then the real trilogy starts, and the good stuff, the 'meat', if you will, begins to come out. At the beginning of shadow Moon, First In The chronicles of The Shadow War (by George Lucas and Chris Claremont), Willow's whole world is destroyed. A great catyclysm detroys various places of Magical power, including the castle of Tir Asleen. Madmartigna, Sorsha, Fin Raziel, are all instantly struck dead. willow returns hom eto find his villiage completely abandoned. HE is alone. The book then jumps 13 years into the future where Willow has changed his name to Thorn Drumheller, a nickname his old friends had given him as an inside joke. The old Willow is dead. His companions are the brownies Franjean and Rool, but they've grown up as well. They're friends were killed as well, and their homes were abandoned. And it gets worse. A dark evil power is raging the land, and everyone hopes that the prophesy of Elora Danan will come into action...but when Thorn meets up with Elora, the baby whose life he had saved years ago from Queen Bavmorda, he finds she has turned into a royal Spoiled Brat. Evil plagues the land, only she can save it. And she couldn't care less. There's Demons, death, dying, and wounded all over. And it's dark. Many people bashed Willow for being to childish, and being a 'rip-off' of Star Wars. I disagree. Yes, it had it's childish moments (Elora spitting up on Burglekutt, a bird 'dropping' on Burglekutt's head), but it was SUPPOSED to be. the times were happier. the times SEEMED to have sucked, an army ruled by an Evil Queen who killed all female babies ruled the land...but that's childs play compared to what happens in the chronicles of the Shadow War. But the story was needed to jump-start the 'Real Story'. Lucas has even said he had a huge vision for the WILLOW saga, and that the movie was only the 'backstory'. But since the movie was a flop (due mostly to bad reviews by Kael, and Siskel and Ebert, all three of which were mocked in sorts in the film: the evil skull-masked general was named Kael, the two headed dragon was called the Eborsisk), Lucas was unable to follow it up with more films. The meat of the story, IE, the DARKER stuff, was yet to come, but it couldn't be displayed in the best fashion, because PEOPLE WOULDN'T ACCEPT THE ORIGINAL. In fact, in the original Hardcover edition of Shadow Moon, there is no reference whatsoever to it being a sequel to WILLOW. They were afraid it would scare away those wanting to read dark fantasy..(in the paperback edition, however, the 'based on the movie WILLOW' was attatched, to catch those WILLOW fans who wanted to know more about the saga). I know people who LOVE the Chronicles of the Shadopw War that hated, and still hate the movie WILLOW. But they do agree that it set up the story, and was essential to the overall plot. Others hated it at first, read The Shadow War novels, and gained a new appreciation for it, seeing it for what it was: a prelude. Lighthearted, yes, but it set you up. Ended on a happy note. High in the sky. THAT is always when the rug is pulled out from under your feet. ***********
And I believe that's EXACTLY what TPM is doing, and will do. It sets up the basics. Introduces you to a new world. New characters. New people. Anakin is great kid! On top of the world! Flying high! Not a thing wrong with him! The movie ends on a happy note! THAT is when the rug is pulled out below you....and down into EPISODE II. Folks, I hope you got my idea. It's the exposition. It's a tale that needs to be told to make the coming fall have more impact. Sure, it's a, and I hate to use the term, "kiddie movie". A feel-good film. Yeah, so was ANH. Luke was flying high, king of the world. HE was a hero! Life was grand! then ESB comes by, and it's a non-stop @$$whooping for Luke! Attack by the Wampa, almost freezes to death out in the snow, almost gets trampeled by the Walkers, gets his training, and a dream-like confrontation with a mental image of Vader that hints that he may turn to be as evil as Vader is...then he ignores his master's warning, goes to cloud city, gets his arm chopped off by Vader, and is told that this evil man, the man he hates the most, who had is friends in pain, was his FATHER! Then rather than joining him, he dives down into what looks like a bottomless pit, and hangs on the proverbial 'end of the rope' for his very life. But the pevious movie had NOTHING of that sorts. It was happy. It made you feel good. the good guys won, the bad guys lost.********
Just like TPM, huh? So don't knock Lucas. He's doing what he ALWAYS does, and it works. He's maiing you feel good, high up there. And you know what they say: The bigger they are, the harder they fall. As in ESB, Shadow Moon, and, dare I say it, Episode 2?*********
Taalcon out!
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> HELLO?!?!! What if your child discovers the SAME sex? The term "opposite sex" is showing its overuse... but this is just a reminder that people continue to fallaciously assume heterosexuality on everyone. Get with the times please.
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I'm getting really sick of this crap. Who thought that Star Wars would be the downfall of AICN? No one. I watched Star Wars over and over again when I was a kid. Since then I've watched it maybe a few times, thanks to the Special Edition rereleases. What kept my fan loyalty alive was the books, figures, games, and all that other stuff that made Lucas so rich (the third time). This new Star Wars movie is entertainment. It generates enjoyment. It started with following the movie through concept, pre-production, production, post-production, and now the marketing and advent. I waited in line yesterday from 11:00pm till 4:00pm EST and got tickets, including the 12:01am show. I hung out with cool people, played chess, talked, worked on my tan, and had tons of fun. I even met Matt Kelly, the guy who did the Batman Poster in Pot Luck (he writes for www.film-411.com). He was wearing a cool Jay and Silent Bob t-shirt. That's just one example of how cool it was. It was a blast in fact! I'm going to be at the movie an hour early not jut to get a good seat, but to hang out, and try to recapture more of that experience (and waiting for the SE two years ago). I bought ALL the merchandise, basically. It's fun, and they are too. I liked the Script A LOT, and a I loved the Novel. I love the story -- it's my favorite, and it's the most complex, compared to the original trilogy. ANH had three basic parts to it (Intro - Travel to and Escape From Death - Kill Death). ESB was (Intro - Dagobah Training - Cloud City) peppered with a chase. Return of the Jedi was really simple (Intro/Rescuse - Exposition - Go to Endor). I love them because I loved them as a cool, and they're cool. Same as Jason and the Argonauts, and Droopy, and 20,000 Lagues under the Sea, and Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, and Johnny Quest, and Three Musketeer's with Gene Kelly, and all those other things I watched as a kid. I am now familar with Episode I. I hold no preconceptions, I accept it as it is, and am excited for it by it's own merits, not just because it's Star Wars. It's a big fun cultural event being ruined by a bunch of bummed out naysayers who will change their tune eventually anyway, but possibly too late. After all the hype, and 16 years of waiting, the backlash is ineveitable, and unfortune (no not that you know the truth). It's just everyone's opinion, and if you dig it, great. Oh, and I think, like Terry Brooks, this movie is really a character study, at least in script and book form. I like these characters a lot. I feel Qui-Gon's relationship with Obi-Wan, the Jedi Council, and Anakin. I felt Annie's relationship with Shmi, and Padme. These people are real to me, as real as fiction gets. Who cares if they don't sit around trading cool dialogue or have huge wars or emotional battles to fight, it's a great universe, with regular people. I liked Armageddon a heck of a lot, and I thought it and it's characters -- if you really looked -- were real too, as with it's portrayal and emotions. It was big special effects, and it was fun. I expect Episode One to be at least as good as that, if not better. And if that's true, or even if it's as good as ROTJ, I'll be happy. I don't need to de-evole, I'm objective, and I'm eclectic. It seems highly artificial to do all these crap to enjoy the movie. And for the record, I never liked E.T. either. The Phantom Menace is a popcorn movie, a Saturday matinee, one rich man's vision, and a delight for kids. Get over it, and enjoy it, or ignore it, but whatever you do, be honest, and be fair. And the novetly of your flagrantly excessive foul-mouths wore off long ago, just so you know. I perfer even CAPS to it. I'll tell you if it sucks AND EXACTLY WHY on May 19th on my website, www.thespotlight.cx (it's not opened yet).
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Jesus Christ have mercy that was the fucking worst review I read yet. The others made me determined to see the best in this movie, this review makes me want to slash my wrists. Are you fucking kidding me? The mind of an 8 year old? I never had to do that with the other SW films. But I feel everyone is exaggerating. Just because Liam and Neeson dont' gang-bang Natale, just because Anakin doesn't get masterbation advice from Yoda, just because Samuel doesn't say Mother fucker every other word doesn't mean this is a kids movie. Hey NYTimes, stop quoting dumbasses please, I'm a subscriber.
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> Some people are vegetarians you stupid fuck
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Liam and Ewan don't gang-bang Natalie? I WISH THEY DID!!! funny stuff. JEEZUS-CHRIST, is it just me, or does anyone else really really wanna fuck Natalie Portman? Damn, she is a sex-kitten if ever there was one. Can't wait until she turns 18 this year. She'll finally be able to pose nude! I pray she does a nude pictorial for Playboy. But, to be honest, I would have loved an "Amidala gang-bang" scene. Wait a second. Harry or Father Geek: PLEASE don't ban me again! I was banned a year ago for saying that I wanted to have anal sex with Natalie Portman.... please don't ban me again...I've already gone from "quentin" to "quentin2", and I had two other identites before that...
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Everyone figures the true 'phantom' of the movie is palpatine, but that's not entirely accurate. The phantom in this movie is the villain, darth maul, because he's barely in the movie. He's only there long enough to kill qui-gon and have obi-wan then cut him in half. Oh yeah, he gets to make a menacing facial expression or two. Ooooooooo how scary and threatening. Also common sense and good taste is a phantom in this movie. For god's sake someone slap lucas on the head, because what the hell was he thinking by making anakin 'the virgin birth', and shmi his 'surrogate mother'?????? Lucas is starting to believe all the hype from fans that worship every turd he drops in the toilet. Plus we still have the issue of midi-chlorians. Lucas has changed the force from being something spiritual to something in your blood. We now learn that for the force to be with you, you have to have been born with the right genetics or you're s.o.l. Barf barf barf. Another phantom is good humor. Watching jar jar step in a pile of dung isn't funny, it's lame. In fact it's lower than the ace ventura jim carrey type of humor. And come on, there's 3 fart jokes in the film. This is supposed to be a star wars movie for crying out loud, not jerry lewis in the incredible land of great-but-still-fake-looking-cgi. This isn't a movie, it's a non-interactive video game. The backlash over this has started, and once it gets released into theaters it's just going to grow and grow. First it'll be there on the net, but then once the gross isn't what everyone was expecting it to be, once it's obvious it won't beat titanic, won't even come close to it, then the mainstream tv and print press will start to trash it, and then "THE SECOND COMING" will turn out to be a godzilla. A movie that never had a chance to live up to the hype and that everyone looks down upon now. The phantom will finally be the audience, because once they see how bad it is they won't be there anymore to buy every little toy, every little ewok/jar jar type creation which perverts children worse than the teletubbies and barney combined, and they won't go see the movie anymore. And when the film doesn't make as much money as hoped the theaters will be beyond pissed, and they'll get back at both fox and lucas, and when episode 2 comes out the theaters will be in the position of power and lucas will have to bend over and take it worse than jan de bont did for speed 2 or joel schumaker for batman and robin. And lucas will hopefully have learned his lesson and will let someone else direct and write episode 3, because it's probably too late to save episode 2. Lucas wasn't the sole writer or the director of ESB, and the film turned out great, and he should do ep's 2 and 3 like that so there's a chance the fans can get a good movie for once, and not this pile of cgi gungan doo-doo. But it's not likely to happen, so true movie fans better start looking elsewhere for a great ongoing film franchise to watch. Like alien, er, 3 and 4 sucked, damn. I mean like star trek, er, damn odd numbered films. Um, I really meant superman, polar bears guarding the fortress of solitude, ick. Well at least there's batman.....and robin with their rubber nipples and butt shots. Damn, there's no franchise left anymore that hasn't been f***ed over by money grubbing jerks(of which lucas has now been included). Oh well, there's always video.
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Those geeks who camped out for tickets wasted their time. I phoned up the local theatres expecting to hear they'd be sold out for a week! HA! Apparently you can STILL go buy tickets for the first showing of the first day!!!
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Star wars is great because of Empire, that's it.
Star Wars was good, Jedi was good, Empire was great.
Make Empire just ok and it's another sequel machine.
it's loved because it's sequel was better than the original. And that's only because of the Hoth Scene.
but there won't be anything else like it. The greatest minds in the world have been trying to repeat it for 20 years now and failed.
it's a simple theme, which people like, it's great music, which most films lack, it's futuristic science fiction, which people dig, and yet it smells like the middle ages, which people like just as much as the future. (swordplay, knights, etc. )
Combine that with an overblown villain that works, and the original films didn't have to be that great to succeed, because they are the only group of films that combine so many fun elements in one venue.
but to pick up the torch, at this point, after it was carried better than anyone before or since, is dangerous.
it's part money grubbing, part his revisionist tendecies.
the original trilogy was great. Could it have been better? sure, anything can be made better. Should George try? probably not. Because imperfect or not, the original ones were the best.
So the only way they could have been better, would be to be remade by someone, or rather several someones, becasue we all know george isn't perfect on ever count. nobody is. Where george kicks ass, he kicks ass. And where he sucks, he sucks.
so what I'm saying is that the original trilogy is was a lucky thing, the right films with the right elements at the right time, and even if this film were better than jedi, it would lack that fresh, raw element that so delighted and surprised us with Star Wars, surprised us again with Empire being even better, and at least Jedi let it come to a good, if not great close.
These films have everything going for them except the fresh, raw element, and I think when you get down to it, that's the most important thing.
Surprise me when I go to the movies. Star Wars was better than I expected, Empire was better than that, Shawshank, Superman, Alien, Blade Runner, Excalibur, Braveheart, the Natural, and a host of other films that I've enjoyed weren't perfect but surprised the hell out of me by being much better than I expected them to be. Good or bad, Phantom has never had the surprise element going for it.
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Then i should love Episode 1.
Because i never became one
of those people who later
hated ROTJ. I think a lot
of you have matured badly. Nitpicking at everything.
Not me. I've always been
a kid at heart. I know
what to expect. Thrilling
excitment and a lot of fun.
I'm 26. -
I have been reading so many negative reviews of TPM that I am beginning th tell myself that it can't be that bad. Much of the criticism stems from the fact that this episode seems to be targetted for the kids. I have no problem with that. One has to remember that this trilogy will end in a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. The next 2 will be more downbeat and give the critics what they want, a more character driven plot. I think to start the trilogy off with a light off beat film is great...it'll keep u coming back for more. At least on hindsight it could be said that there was one light episode in owhat could become a very dark and depressing story with a lot of death.
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All this 'see it as a child' crap is just away to excuse a movie you don't like. You should watch a film as yourself not as another person. Pretty soon you could end up excusing any bad movie by saying "See it as .....etc etc". Give it up.
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Hahaha there's always video. What the hell are you talking about?
The movie is gonna make like a billion dollars. You know it.
You're just trying to bring everybody who likes Star Wars
down. How can you compare it to the horrible Godzilla?
Egad! Will always love Star Wars and there's nothing you can do
about. Keep posting your negative statements about Star Wars. It won't make a difference to the fans. It must frustrate you that we all ban together and like a film so much. Well too bad. Your
sad attempt at trying to make it
look like the movie already bombed. Failed! STAR WARS!!!
NOTHING , BUT STAR WARS!!!!
COMING AT YOU!!!!! YOU KNOW WHO
YOU ARE!!!! STAR WARS IN YOUR FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
After careful study and thinking over the last few days, I, Professor Roberts have decided I was wrong about George Lucas and Episode 1. Millions of people are looking forward to phenomenon and it provides a very bright spot in what is otherwise a very dull exisitence for many. Why should I not see it or bash Lucas. Yes, the hype may be just a tad extreme. But, the young, or just the young at heart have something grand and special in this movie. I'll see it early Wednesday morning. I admit I was wrong. I shouldn't have gone off against the film early. I am now looking forward to watching and reviewing what I hope is a solid film. I dedicating a portion of my site to TPM. Visit me at http://www.angelfire.com/biz3/themovieguy
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What a buncha losers you guys all are. You act like you've never seen a bad movie b4. Just coz it isn't what you hoped for, doesn't mean it sucks. I bet a Star Wars movie at its worst is still a whole lot better than "The Matrix", or "The Mummy", at its best. Besides, it's just a fucking movie....don't live and die by it.....damn crybabies.
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Shouldn't the Phantom Menace still be a good movie without having to watch it through the eyes of children? I wasn't born when A New Hope fist came out, I was 1 when Empire came out and so i had to enjoy them all on video untill the Special edition came out and i enjoyed them all. in terms of Ewoks, well i think Empire was the best of the three and it hardly had any cute aliens in it.
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I teach German here in Austin at UT and I decided to show German-dubbed versions of "Empire" and "Jedi" to my class this past semester. After I showed "Empire," several students said that they definitely wanted me to show "Jedi" -- because it was the one with the Ewoks in it! I kinda looked at them funny for a minute and was like, uh... okay. When I finally showed "Jedi," several of the students were cooing and going "awwww" over the scenes on Endor. I, of course, kept hearing Dante's voice from "Clerks" saying "Jedi's just a bunch of Muppets" -- but it just goes to show you, we alleged "true fans" are not the only ones with opinions on these movies. They're not just OUR movies -- they're everyone's. And with that being said, I still think Jedi was just a bunch of Muppets. But after seeing it again for the first time in 15 years on the big screen two years ago, I realized how powerful the scenes with Vader, Luke, and the Emperor were... that's what makes the film watchable for me.
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You like that phrase dont you?
All this fear began with the announcement of the title months ago.. 'The Phantom Menace'.. but we grew to love it and ignore it.. guess what will happen next? Jar Jar will be tolerated while watching TPM just like the Ewoks are tolerated while watching ROTJ.. -
"Opposite Sex" and "there's no meat.." are just words people use, it dosn't mean that their dissmissing homosexuality, etc...
If we have to use the right words to satisfy every variety of people we'll be on our ass all day, and looks like you Matrix69 will be too if you keep correcting every TALK BACK.
P.S. www.moviefone.com sucks! -
How pathetic. Now Harry will only post someone's review if they "recant" and say oh no, I was wrong, I should never have been disappointed in this movie -- I WATCHED IT WRONG!!! There is no such fucking thing, people. You can't talk yourself into liking a movie. What are we supposed to keep repeating "I'm a kid, I'm a kid" the whole time we're watching this movie?? This is so fucking pathetic. ROTJ was bad when it came out and it's still bad now. But it's just a movie, and so is this. Harry is in complete and utter denial right now, let's all just tiptoe out of the room and leave him alone. Shhhh.... -
Ya know what? As long as it's fun and entertaining, I don't care. I LIKE a lot of "kid-oriented" movies. I also know that the second film will be a little darker and heavier, and that makes up for it. Hell, it'll be like Empire. I remember watching the Special Edition in the theatre, and being completely astonished at the sheer emotional impact of the scenes on Bespin, where Luke confronts Vader. It was a feeling I could not have understood at 14, when I first got into the trilogy. I had a different experience from a lot of you, it seems; I'm only 20, and while I had seen the films, I didn't become obsessed with them until my freshman year in college. I watched them every day after school. I had crushes on Luke and Han. I drew tauntauns on my class notes. While some of you are going to fall back into your childlike mindset on the 19th, I'm going be a 14-year-old girl again. ^_^ I waited 7 hours in line yesterday; I was nursing a cold and I got sunburned (maybe you saw me, in front of the Mann Regent in Westwood). Now that's a 14-year-old mentality--enduring incredible physical discomfort, while shunning academic and financial responsibility, all for a movie. But what the hell--I GOT MY TICKET! See you Angelenos at the 9:00 show at the beautiful Mann Village theatre (one of THE BEST in LA--God, I love where I live) in Westwood, on THE DAY, the 19th.
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I'm not what you'd call a star wars purist or anything, but I do enjoy the movies.. funny thing is, I lined up for 15 hours yesterday to get tickets to the 12:01 am showing.. Why? To see this movie with friends who I can relate to, people who have shared the same experiences with me.. The movie is only half of it, the rest is the overall experience.. We have 2 theatres in this city and both are showing the movie come wednesday.. There were line ups at one but none at the other.. Why? Because one theatre is of the new variety that seats only about 150-250 people at a time. The other is a big, old classic one that seats over 500 and is the place that I saw ESB for the first time.. I'm thinking that alot of people feel the same way I do and want the crowd experience as well as a good movie.. Maybe this movie wasn't made for the 20 or 30 somethings, so what? Look at it this way, do you think that in 20 years your kids will look back on the next few weeks as we look back upon the first few weeks of ANH and ESB? I think so. Those who are the same age as when we first saw the originals are gonna grow up with these movies.. For myslef though, I can't wait for episode 3. =)
And where I live we get to see the movie in its first 'regular' showing in north america.. Kool.. -
I am a StarWars fan , that much I know. The past week has disgusted me though. First of all even though this is StarWars, its only a movie. Second, I'm tired of all these so called StarWars fans coming out of the movie crying that its not what I thought it would be and its for little kids. What the fuck do u think the first StarWars movie was for? What do u think ET was for, or any other big summer movie. Going to the movies is supposed to be fun and make u feel like a kid. If u analyze any movie long enough ur gonna find faults. I say go in and just enjoy it and dont look for the most perfect movie ever, because it doesnt exist.
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We are now having several flashing blue light specials for your convenience. One aisle one, we have just received a shipment of Child's Eyes, perfect for seeing the 'The Phantom Menace.' We have them in a wide variety of colors and styles. Get them quickly, they're going fast. Want to wait in line for the big day, but reality keeps getting in the way? Then hop on over to Aisle Four, and pick up a book of Reality Checks, ideal for the line sitter in your family. Surf the Internet? Then surf over to Aisle nine, where you'll find our new Windows keyboards, which have had that bothersome 'Caps Lock' key removed. Negative reviews of the 'Phantom Menace' getting you down? Stop by our pharmacy, where one of our trained pharmacists will be happy to sell you a bottle of 'Chill Pills.' Remember, shop smart. Shop S-Mart."
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You can't devolve. Next Tues. Night at 12:01 at the Grand, I'll decide for myself. And at 1PM on Wed. I'll get a second chance to enjoy or weep. And if it sucks, and I realize that it could be great for everyone else and still suck to me- I'll mourn BUT I still be grateful that I had the opprotunity. In fact, some of you dissappointed geeks might just find yourself making a new "star wars" type movie in the future just to continue a legacy that you feel has faultered. I'm not scared or fearful. I could have been dead already or I might die before the movie comes out. Enjoy what you can in your life. As for films just for Kids, I watched KiKi's Delivery Service and was quite entertained, even though I 30. Sadly, it was one of Phil Hartman's last voice-overs.:-{
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First off, kudos for the Army of Darkness quote. Second, this review hit it right on the money for me. I was all hyped up ready for a Star Wars flick to rock my now 27 year old ass the way the first trilogy rocked me from ages 6 - 12. Shoulda known it would never happen. This movie ought to be for kids, just the way the first trilogy was. If kids these days enjoy it the same way I enjoyed Star Wars, Lucas did a great job. If I don't get rocked by it, so what? Star Wars was such an amazing kids movie, it shaped my whole generation in a positive way, and kids these days deserve their turn. Sucks for us that we can't get totally jazzed like that anymore by movies, but that's why we grow up. And when we grow up, we get jazzed by things far more cool than Star Wars, like my newborn son. What can any movie compare to that?
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I, like the rest of you, tried in vain to get through to Moviephone and Moviephone.com on Wednesday to get tickets to Phantom Menace. I failed. Moviephone has to be one of the most poorly run services ever. This was the biggest day in the company's history, and they could not satisfy everyone who wanted tickets. However, after giving up after four hours, I went over to my local theater (where people had gathered and spent the night) and bought five tickets to the 7:30 PM show on May 19th. No line, no hassel. And I don't live in some backwater town either. All this is true. Granted I won't be able to tell my children of the night I spent sleeping out for Star Wars tickets, but really, who cares? I still got them.
Folks, I've seen scalpers advertising these things for hundreds of dollars. Don't believe the hype. Go to your theater first. And the hell with Moviephone. -
Not to rub it in anyones face who didnt get tickets but...I GOT OPENING NIGHT TICKETS!!!...Now, where the fuck is Morristown?? Who cares...12:01 show...I'm there...Ok, I've said my peace...I wont say another peep about Star Wars until after I see it. Later. -
OK, since some of us are being all cool and "adult" on this forum, shall I jump on the bandwagon and tell y'all just what I would do with Ewan McGregor once I've got him tied up and subdued? Cuz I'm just asking to be banned. Yeah, all you fellas are just assuming that the readers here are heterosexual males! Well, get with the times! =P You guys crack me up.
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Okay, you can't have it both ways. You can't write a paper, turn it in and get a D on it and then go back to the prof and say, "Re-read it again, only this time, turn out the lights."
Re-reviewing a movie with the arguments the writer made means he has no credibility. See it through the eyes of an 8-year old? Uh, no. If a movie does not evoke fantasy, magic and all that nonsense, then it didn't do it's job. Too bad. Deal with it.
Well, enough of that. -
who was first in line in San Francisco for the premire of ROTJ....
Hey folks...I barely post ehre, but damn y'all are hostile.
Ok...I first saw SW at the Mann's Chinese when I was visiting my Grandfather in LA..I was almost 11 and Star Wars was the best damn movie I had ever seen...changed my life because it gave a great mythology at a time that there really wasnt any for our generation (the seventies were really a kind of crappy time to be a kid).
3 years later I saw Empire. It was incredible, and still my faveorite film of trhe first 3. It made a more "adult" statement than the original, and gave me feelings of satisfaction, even though it made me wait for another 3 years until...
Jedi in 1983...I was almost 17, seeing a great gal almost 7 years my senior, and she & my friends were in full geek mode. We arived at the Coronet on Geary st. at 6 am the day before the movie, and we were the first there. 2 minutes later, a kid of around 14 was behind us (we took him under our wing), 15 minutes after that, there was a good 200ish people lined up after him.
We stuck it out, even though there was a midnight showing the night before the premire that a theator full of people got into. At 11:55 pm, a guy came out of the theator and handed me 4 tickets tot eh midnight showing and said "Good luck!", then walked off...the 14 year old behind us freaked out because he was doing a friggin school report in line...we handed him one of the tikets and kept the rest for ourselves as souveneirs....we didnt want to see it beofre some of our friends that weree with us.
The next day, we were in our pathetieic home-made "Jedi" costumes. Some of us had some old flash guns that we used as lightsabres.....mine was the same kind as the prop for Darth Vader's, and my gal Cindy's was a Graflex...they were our prize posessions. We saw Jedi, thought it was great! Even screamed at Vader to save his son when Palpatine was killing Luke...along with the rest of the audience. We laughed and got caught up in the whole moment. We fucking LOVED that film...afterwards, since we were the first in line, we were interviewed by some reporter for the SF Chronicle to get reviews from us...we gave it gigantic thumbs up. We all went to our homes...washed up..changed clothes..and metup to go to Concord to see ita again.
Do I look at "Jedi" the same way I did then? Nope....I..like most of us..dont like the ewoks. The scenes with Luke and Vader are still great in my opinion, but there are many flaws to be sure. ( What the FUCK happend to Liea and Han..they became shlubs that had no use) BUT....When I watch the films now and then on Laserdisc..I watch all of them, because they are parts of a whole.
Im looking very forward to seeing thisnew movie...why not? Am I the same as I was back then? Nope. I got a career, a fiancee that wonders what the fuck I see in the Star Wars movies , and too many things to think about here in Minnesota than to give my life to Star Wars like I did back in the days of my youth.
I have deliberately not read TOO much about the film so it will still hold some surprises for me. I know there will be moments that thrill me, and I know there will be moments that I will be disapointed with. After all..I didnt make Phantom Menace, Lucas did....and thats cool by me. I wanted him to make the rest of the films, and am just glad he's getting to it finaly. (Hope he doesnt keel over before he finishes them). Unlike Star Trek..I dont think that Star Wars would be better without its creator (all Star Trek fanatics can kiss my ass if they are offended by that last comment...Rodenberry made a fun campy show int eh sixties that I still like to watch, but after he died they made the new stuff better) ((But it IS time to kill the damn star trek shit off)). After all, its George's vision. So, George WILL thrill me via his movies and he WILL disapoint me as well.
I will still see the damn movie. I guess Im cynical about too many other things in REAL LIFE to be cynical about this.
See you in the theators folks....
Capt FUBAR
ps- Hi to Pipe, Cindy, Sandy, and all the others out there who were in line with us 16 years ago
pps..I promise to buy a spell check one of these years
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Let's face it, TPM may suck for adults but the kids will love it. Anyone who's ever read or watched a biography on Lucas knows he always wanted to make Disney type movies in the worst way. Now he's done it and in a good spot. He begins the saga that way and ends it that way. The characters are introduced to us in a sugar coated fashion so the "rug can be pulled out from under us" later. Episode II will be more romantic in nature and III will be dark and depressing. Fear not my fellow older fans who hate Ewoks, our movies are coming. We've waited this long . . .
-
May 13, 1999 11:07:19 PM CDT
"Lane, I think you should take a stress pill and try and think t
by uncapie
Hmmmmmm, I agree, it is just a movie and not the second coming of Jesus,Elvis or the resurrection of Brooke Shields' acting career. As I said before, it'll be "Childhood's End" for many(See my earlier post. It deals with relationships too.). I did laugh at the "fuckos" part though. P.S. I went to the Playboy Mansion once. BFD! Its a lot smaller in person, more like a big house on a lot of ten acres. It was pretty gross to see three 18(?) year old girls fawning all over a close to 80 year old Hef in his jammies with scumbag guests like Chuck McCann sucking up to him. Prick. Although, Mort Sahl was pretty cool to talk to.
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So it's taken LaneMyers well over a decade to realize that his entire life has been a waste. Ha, ha, HA!!! That is funny in so many ways.
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During a meeting with my accountant this morning I couldn't help but mention Episode I and the long line forming down the street at the Senator Theater in Baltimore. His comment was "I don't get it, what is wrong with these people. Don't they have anything better to do?" I paused and reflected on this comment.
What would make thousands of people wait for days in line to buy an $8.00 movie ticket? It's really quite simple...
I remembered that magical evening in 1977 when I sat in the family station wagon with Mom and Dad. We were watching an amazing movie in an old drive-in theater with a really bad sound system. I was five years old, and it was the second movie I had seen (the first being Jaws). Flashes of light...the bad guy wore black...the good guys wore white...it was important for the good guys to kick Darth Vadar's ass...that's all I took away with me that night. I had dreams about Star Wars for weeks. It was wonderful. When I visited my friends they had Star Wars sheets and pillows, supplimented with posters. We played with our Han Solo action figures and turned our flashlights into light sabers. Does any of this sound familiar? The best part was Halloween...how did Mom make those buns on the sides of my head?
As soon as the fad passed we were introduced to "The Empire Strikes Back" and Yoda in all his green glory (that was a great Halloween too). Once again Mom was at my side to see the Force in action.
"Return of the Jedi" made an appearance while I and my other friends became aware in the differences among the sexes (age 10)...the princess' new costume (gold bikini and chains)made those differences clear.
BACK TO THE POINT...
What's big deal about Episode I? Six years of action figures, home decore and fashion, all during the most impressionable time of my life. Unless you experienced this...you just don't get it.
To make sure I wasn't going insane, I watched Episodes 1-3 (all in a row) this evening. To be fair, if I was an adult in 1977 I probably wouldn't have liked the movies all that much. The dialogue was cheesey, the costumes silly, and the plot was absurd. But, none of these things matter when you're a child who knows nothing of the Queen's English, fashion and literature. The only thing that's important is that the good guys win (having a lot of cute creatures helps too). The movies are all esthetically spectacular. So...I may think Episodes 1-3 are cream puffs, but hell, I like the sweet taste now and again (I'll just run a little longer on the treadmill tomorrow).
Mom and I have already made a date to goto Episode I. I think it makes her feel a little younger too. I'll wait a month or so after it opens...but I know I will experience the feeling of child-like awe while watching George Lucas' sci-fi soap opera unfold. -
I've said it before & I will again, I LOVED EPISODE I. Many people will agree. Many people won't. Nothing appeals to everyone. I didn't try to be a kid while watching the movie, the movie made me FEEL like a kid. I have warm, wonderful Star Wars memories from childhood and this brought them all back to me. It was fun to be in that theater & watch this movie. -John
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The battle we should be focusing on is the stuggle between the honesty and integrity of AICN vs. the corporate power and business interests of Lucas Films. Booster's retraction is an act of cowardice and a precursor to a complete surrender of integrity. Are you next Harry?
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I'm forced to respond to your (what is it, the TENTH time you said you were leaving? I've lost count.) declaration of desertion.
GOOD RIDDANCE!
Harry may not be the coolest guy ever, but he's got it on you and that's all that matters.
I'm real sorry you hate TPM, but that's your fucking problem. Take your shit and lose yourself in the sea of negative vomit from whence you came and never dirty this board with your wanna-be wit and buckshot logic that more often falls out of the sky before it reaches it's target than actually coming close to a point.
On a side note, I'm not letting anything affect my enthusiasm for this movie. I HAVE ALSO WAITED 16 YEARS and I doubt it's going to 'suck ass' as you're so fond of saying.
I love "Star Wars" and I have faith that Lucas won't let us down. Until 12:35 on May 19th, when I view and decide for myself, nothing anyone says, (Good, Bad or backpeddling and reversed or pseudo-half assed, non-commital blurbs) isn't going to matter a damn.
I think it will be the film I've been waiting for, because unlike everyone else, I think that Lucas understands "Star Wars" better than anyone alive and would never let us down.
Jar Jar Rocks, the Ewoks are great and all the negative assholes who feel the need to post here need to get fucked.
And stop bashing, Harry. It's the last act of someone who had nothing interesting to say.
Peace. -
It has been 16 years people, and all most of you want to do is bitch n moan about how this movie hasn't lived up to your expectations. Lucas stated that this movie would be about introducing the charchters nothing more, which would be the entire basis for episodes 2&3. Lucas also stated years ago that episode 4 served the same purpose for episodes 5&6. We all knew all long time ago that all this movie was supposed to be was an introduction. The Empire Strikes Back was the movie that defined the original trilogy, and I truly believe that episode 2 will be the defining moment for this trilogy. The original films were acted out by relatively no name actors, with hardly much expierence in big time movies. This movie showcases 2 actors with great acting ability. Neeson is regarded as one of the great actors of our time, and McGregor who hasn't had as much exsposure as Neeson was abosolutely unblievable in that legendary episode of ER, as well as Trainspotting. Every time I watch that episode I am blown away by his sheer acting ability. My point is that Lucas went all out with this movie with acting and special effects, and that this is only the appetizer to the grand meal and dessert that are to follow. So take seat at this grand feast that Lucas has prepared for us and enjoy the appetizer of cheese fries that will only make you hungrier for the Outback special and the thunder from down under.
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Check out http://beam.to/thejunk to see the scan of my ticket to the second screening of TPM at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Or just stare at your own ticket some more. Which ever. -darthpeteskious@spinninghead.com
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I am really glad that Harry has given people this 'Talk Back' section to voice our own opinions and to say what we all feel like saying at times. I have come to this site many times in the past just to take a break from my regular routines because I genuinely enjoy reading what other people have to say regarding many movies, and especially this one in particular, the upcoming 'Star Wars: Episode One: The Phantom Menace'. I guess I'd consider myself somewhat of a 'Star Wars' fan. I first saw this film when I was sixteen years old with my mom and dad. I totally loved it, and walked out of that theater with a genuine smile on my face, and I knew that I wanted to see it several times after that with my friends. Later when the two other films came out (ESB & ROTJ), I made sure that I saw themas well. Once I saw 'Empire' I just had to see how the third one concluded the series. I was hooked, and glad that I went to see them. Like everyone, there were things that I liked about the original films, and things I didn't. There was always one thing that bothered me from the time that I first saw "The Empire Strikes Back", and although this is pure speculation on my part, I still have this nagging feeling, and still believe in my own mind today that George Lucas may have had another plan altogether for the outcome of his 'second story', regarding 'Luke's father'. I will be the first to say that I really enjoyed ESB, but I originally pictured in my own mind that Luke Skywalker had a father that wasn't connected in any way to Darth Vader. It
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Lets see...I watched as my dad was sent to prison I saw my best friend with his chest blasted open being loaded into an ambulance, my fiancee of two years cheating on me with a cop, my own brother nearly cut his hands off with a butcher knife and nothing even comes close to the horror I felt as I watched TPM. GIVE ME A BREAK!!It's absolutely ridiculous to get so worked up over a movie.I haven't seen the movie yet but from what I've seen and heard so far I expect I'LL love it.
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May 14, 1999 1:31:09 AM CDT
I disagree . . . I'm not compromising my expectations for anybod
by ravenlot
Don't get me wrong. I'm not expecting this to be the best movie ever made. I am hoping for compelling characters and a story that draws you into it. These are reasonable expectations in my opinion especially in light of the fact that Lucas has had 20 years to think about this, backed up with the money and the technological resources to make it happen.
After thinking about all the talk over the past few days about suggesting we all see this with the eyes of a child, I have come to the opinion that that's just a bunch of baloney (trying to be nice here:)). Everyone keeps on suggesting that the movie doesn't appear that good at first thought because all of us have grown up and we no longer have those innocent eyes. This implies that the SW success was solely based on the appeal to children. But critics in the 70's liked the first film too. It was a great film trilogy that spanned generations and happened to especially appeal to kids. I read these "pep talks" that say we should view this film as a child as rather an attempt to give Lucas a break since he's giving us a film after all.
I want to see this movie. I can't wait to see this movie. I will see it several times. I'm hoping for an enjoyable movie worthy of being called Star Wars. I'd love to relive the feelings of the 70's when I was a kid but it wasn't my youthful eyes that made the original films great. I think my youth just enhanced my experience of what were inherently great films.
...No...I won't give Lucas a break from any criticism I might have simply because I am a Star Wars fanatic.
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Booster Gold's comments seem to have calmed me down. My expectations have
been lowered to that of an eight
year old child. I'll be seeing Episode I on 5/19 at 12:01am at the Westminster AMC 24 in Colorado. The very fact that I know "the have to be darker due to the very nature of the mythology" Episodes II and III are already on the way makes me happier that Episode I is going to be the Hasbro part of the new trilogy. I was six when I saw Episode 4; I cannot believe the Second Coming is at hand! -
...we don't care if you're a liar or not, we just love you for your flowery prose.
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Right on Lecter. I won't be able to see the movie for a couple of months, and I can live with it (I wouldn't mind seeing it earlier, but can't for being in Europe). However, this fact does not kill me. I can't believe the overreactions on both "sides", but especially the LaneM one. A movie will not be the greatest thing in your life, and being disappointed by a movie will not ruin your life. There'll be those who love TPM and those who don't. Either side, get over it. I am looking forward to TPM, it looks like I'll love it. Love it or not, it will not make or break my life. Peace.
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Does Lucasfilm have a full-time person that ensures all people queried about Lucas mention his "vision" three or four times? I'm not joking about that! I really suspect they do. Every interview mentions that, and it always sounds like a standard, required statement.
I hope they adhere to their promise of a "character-driven" series for the next two, because that appears to be lip-service for the first. Adding multiple muppets does not (in any way) enhance the film. It maker is busier, not richer in texture or meaning. I suppose we should focus on the good -- but don't hesitate to vent your constructive criticism -- it's definitely appropriate.
MORE MACE WINDU, LESS MUPPETS!
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What a bunch of idiots to stand in line for a movie that has been forced into the theaters for most of the summer by George "make a billion" Lucas.
He suckers people into what appears to be a dry desert movie with grown men and boys swathed in flowing linen fighting with multi-colored light beams --mingling, fighting, talking with muppets, puppets and computer generated whatchamacallits!!
Give me a break! -
What everyone, be they optimists or naysayers, should do is simply not judge the movie before you watch it. The greatest problem I've seen so far is that everyone seems to have made up their mind about the movie before they have seen it. If you do that, then you can judge the movie with a clear heart and conscience. If you love it great. If you hate it, fine. But there is no point in arguing whether it's any good or not if you haven't seen it. Don't say that Jar Jar is annoying or Jake Lloyd can't act until you have seen it for yourself. It's pretty simple, don't pre-judge and then think for yourselves.
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Not fully domesticated.
[*!*]
That's better. Now, repeat after me:
"Star Wars has always been for kids; Skeletal remains of foster parents, destruction of entire planets, mass murder of helpless aliens, torture and execution of prisoners, destroying hundreds of thousands of enemy soldiers in a just war are all themes intended for eight-year old consumption, thus the PG-Rating."
"The reviews for the original Star Wars were bad; that Time magazine article in 1977 was even harsher that the one out now. The hack mainstream press doesn't know what they are talking about anyway."
"There were always six movies in the grand plan; the original Star Wars was called Episode IV: A New Hope when it was released and the subsequent talk about nine movies was just Internet fanboy wishful thinking."
"That KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut commercial with the John Williams music you saw on TV last night captures the true spirit of Star Wars. Only children and major corporations and really 'get it.'"
"Oceana has always been at war with East Asia."
So have a belt of Victory Gin, and relax. It will all be over soon.
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WooHoo!!!! I am 158th!!! Yeah!!!
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Why is every one so suprised that The Phantom Menace is for kids . The main reason you go back to the original film is because they take you back to your childhood and remind you of the magic of childhood. As an adult Empire Strikes Back is my faverot but as a child Star Wars and ROTJ were my faverots . We still have two mounths to wait for it over in England and the wait is becomeing unbareable especially with all the bad reviews comming out of the states.
On a different subject go abd see lock sotck and two smokeing barrels if you get the chance its proubally the best Brittish film of the Nineties and just shows you why the Brits dominate Hollywood -
There was once a reviewer who didn't understand the role of a director in relation to his actors and so he said something about the direction of the actors. And then someone applied this nonsense to George Lucas. And then a lot of other folks picked up on that and whenever they saw some performances where the actors weren't ACTING!!!(Think Jon Lovitz' overexaggerated SNL thespian character)they blamed the director. Let's clear something up, actors are not puppets. A director can explain where the actor needs to look, stand, move, and answer an insipid question about a character's motivation, but they cannot stick their hands up their asses and make them talk a certain way. They can make some suggestions, but they can't magically make it happen unless it's not within the actors themselves. An "actor's director" is a buzzword that critics picked up from actors. It means something completely different to actors than it does to critics. An actor's director is a director who will seemingly indulge his/her perfomers egos. Actors are usually more concerned about making an impression than serving the story at hand. If it were up to her, the gal who plays the waitress in the diner where the hero in the mad terrorist bomber picture goes to get breakfast would alter the story so that it was about how her character is trying to raise her three kids in their trailer home while putting up with her abusive boyfriend. Lucas has been criticized for being not being an actor's director because he makes highly technical films where there is no room for all of the improvisation and posturing the fevered egoed actors crave.
Thank you for your eye-opening review. In light of recent comments surrounding this movie, I have discovered that it is better dismiss something not partially, but completely because it makes you seem smarter. "Hey this person not only said the film had some weaknesses, she said it outright sucked. Boy she must really know something, have a deeper understanding that enables her to see what the rest of us miss." -
Well I did it, I camped out for 24+ hours (which is nothing compared to whats going on in LA and NY) for my TPM tickets. I got them, YES! Let me start off by saying that at the ripe young age of 25, it's happening. It is all coming back to me, and it ROCKS! I wish Titanic, English Patient, and all other criticaly acclaimed movies could do this for me but none has yet to come close.
Here I am, i have never camped out for ANYTHING before and I am out in the rain with my wife, and 350+ screaming SW fans waiting, watching the trilogies, playing with lightsabers, action figures, comparing SW ideas and philosophies with my peers.
To make this entire experience more emotional, I have seen many parents with their 5-8 year old kids in line this amazing glow in their eyes, as they try to explain to their kids how their imaginations are going to get a thrust into high gear on May 19th. I see kids 9-11 years old next me decked out in SW gear and it seems they know more of the trilogy than I do, AND THEY WEREN'T THERE 1977!!
Why? Because SW is magic.
I am so SICK and TIRED of all the people that have slammed this movie, complaining about Jar Jar, saying there was too MUCH special effects, talking about how bad Jake Lloyd and Natalie were in the film. How you need to be a kid to see this movie and enjoy it. DUH!
Personally, and probably 80% will disagree, ROTJ was the BEST of the 3 films (actually surveys on the internet have shown 45% ANH, 35% for ESB, and 20% say ROTJ was the best).
Why is ROTJ last, people complain about the Ewoks (or Lando). You know what, I can see why, it is a bit unbelievable that a band of arrow tossing furry things are going to take on the Emperor's "best legion" of troops.
But you know what, if you step back, the annoying over-critical people you are, and deeply examine SW, your going to see a young Mark Hammil whine about his "power converters". Your going to see some really sucky ass storm trooper legion miss shooting Han Solo from a mere 4 feet away. You will notice a retarded performance by Carrie Fisher, and what's with the scene with her english accent? (Maybe she's not from Alderaan I bet they didnt check her green card on the DS). The bottom line, SW is simplistic, it is universal. Whether you were old or young you found somehting to LOVE about SW. When I was a kid, I was fascinated by the special effects, that is what captured me. I wanted a friggin lightsaber for the next 10 years until I turned 13. As an adult IT IS the story that compels me to watch them over and over again, I have to see the ENTIRE trilogy to be happy. I have to see ROTJ and watch Luke finally face of Vader and in the end bring him to the good side.
Personally I think Luke Skywalker's character was the flavor of ROTJ while before Luke was lost in the mix of the other characters. (and personally, if George Lucas had tons of cash and the Cg technology of today and WANTED an "R" rating for his film, he would have shown 3 billion Ewoks converging on a relatively puny band of soldiers, he would have shown 1.5 billion of them slaughtered in the attempt, given nightmares to kids, all for the sake of quenching bloodthirsy imaginations of the "unbelievers" and making Endor's Battle more realistic, yeah right).
I feel that the alleged "die-hard" fans, and movie critics, are just so incredibly nerdy and picky that they can no longer enjoy movies period. "Titanic" and "English Patient" won so many oscars and acclaimed by so many critics. Let's see here I saw "English Patient" once, good film, I will never see it again unless I have trouble sleeping. I saw "Titanic" twice in the theatre, the second time I wished I had hung on to the money and waited for the tape, and now HBO has me completely SICK of the movie.
I cannot say the same for any of the SW flicks. I can never tire of neither space battles for the destruction of the DS's, the speeder bike race, the Luke vs. Vader showdowns, the emotional conflicts of Father Vs. Son, the mystical powers of the "Force", Obi Wan, etc. I have seen the movies so many times I think I can carry on a decent conversation in Huttese, and every time I watch them I never fall asleep or think "you know what i saw this so many times let me give it a rest". I never tire of buying SW novels, NEVER. So nerdy movie critics can kiss my Jedi ASS, for you (and the ones from the last generation), slammed a movie that changed movie culture. All the mamsy pamsy things you say about how bad the original trilogy was COULD NOT STOP THE BOMB THAT IS STAR WARS. None of the things you pompous arrogant critics that think what you have to say is so "sheik and stylish" can go drown in the North Atlantic with your beloved "Titanic".
All the people that slammed the movie will go see it again at least 3 times by what you have declared ( or more ). So right there everyone should know how FULL OF IT they really are. your talking about a group of buck-toother slick-haired morons who cheer in adulation when they acquired the 1978 Kenner Han Solo with the four pocket vest, not the three pocket vest with the blaster. The ones that did nothing but yack and throw in their lame ass "Mystery Science Theatre" style comments during the entire airing or the special edition films in theatres.
These forsaken misearable people that are never content unless they can criticize all that is fun and entertaining in this world.
What do I want to here from a critic, a movie critic, it can be answered in a sentence: Was the movie entertaining, or not? Will you see the movie again and again and again? or not?
All the movie critics have said they found a lot of the scenes intensly exciting (but they complain about too much special effects stating the SW was never totally about special effects), they complained about not enough Darth Maul (yet nag about insufficient character development, hmm dying to see more of a character makes it poor development), they complain that Jake Lloyd was either "hot or cold" or too "wooden" but what the hell is a 8-year old supposed to act like Leonardo DiCaprio as Anakin!? (He grabs Darth Maul from the edge and says "Hey if you jump I jump, okay?" to which Maul replies "I'm the king of the Force!!") And no matter how much they slammed this movie and cried how it was not dark enough, gloomy enough (which by the way, NEWS FLASH, TPM is supposed to take place B4 the clone wars, which ravage the galaxy, soon after all the Jedi are slain, leading to the worn torn look of ANH and ESB. This is before all that so it makes sense that Coruscant and Naboo look so "clean" and majestic get with the program alleged "die-hards"), you all can kiss my ass, because you all said you will watch it over, and over again. If you think it sucks SAY SO, and DO NOT join me in my theatre with my true fans on May 19th.
Give a review and STICK BY IT, dont slam it and then say you can't wait to get back in line May 19th. I hope people notice that and ignore your pathetic reviews.
If it were not for SW I might have grown up to be a nagging father, that does not know how to be a kid. Come May 19th, my daughter will know what her own Dad went through in 1977, and I want to bond with her as I let loose myself and take in TPM as the "real" me. Not the I have to go pay bills, and worry about my job me, the real me is the kid that stared in total silence, in 1977, as Star Wars astounded me, slapped me around and left me SCREAMING for MORE!! I can't wait to see him again... -
I have read plenty of negative reviews here on aint-it-cool-news.com, hey guess what, the New York Post used the AICN site and quoted the negative reviews here, look at all the negative talk back here. What are you saying that AICN bans negative reviews, your a dumb ass
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This is the best I've seen yet of a discussion of how to set your frame of mind for viewing the movie. I saw it at an exhibitor screening as well, and while not exactly underwhelmed, was not as euphoric as I had hoped to be when leaving the theatre. Within five minutes I realized that it was because George Lucas could never create the movie in my mind for the last 16 years -- and immediately recongnized that I had to reset my expectations to where they were the first time I saw those fateful words scroll "...A long time ago...". Once I did that, I realized I loved it all over again. Yes, Jar Jar is a bit unintelligible and a little to manic for my 33-yr. old tolerance levels (I wanted someone -- namely Liam Neeson-- to pop Jar Jar a valium and quick!), but he's not in this movie to amuse me. He's in this movie to amuse what I used to be -- a 10 year old. Did I want him loveable and cuddly like Chewie -- sure, but he's not. I can see past that and so should everyone else. Lucas has created another and in some ways more stunning visual masterpiece, and that certainly does all this adult needs to fulfill her soul.
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This debate about the new
movie being more for kids than
adults,and us adults having seen the original when we were kids.Does anyone remember any of their favourite cartoons and years later watching them again only
they don't seem the same.Not
better or worse but now you realize what they actually
were.Children's entertainment.
Pure and simple.Our perspectives have changed with becoming adults and while
we still might get a kick out of
them,its not quite the same.
One last note,the Globe and Mail(toronto)reviewed Phantom
and gave it a passsing grade.
Said while adults would probably enjoy the film,it was
most definitely made for kids.They also printed their original reviews for the first films
and guess what???2 out the 3
movies got mixed/bad reviews.
Nothings changed here. -
Almost forgot.Does anyone
think theres something wrong
with the jedi not being able to
sense the sith on thier home
planet??You would think that
SOMEONE would sense a
disturbance in the force and not a good one at that.Just
wondering. -
Trader, I just wanted to take a sec and say that I disagree with your theory that the "Darth is Luke's Father" ending of ESB was tacked on. To support my stance, I site the scene where Luke mentions Ben Kenobi to his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru (hey, do we get to see a young Owen in Ep. 1?). Owen looks at Beru with a serious look of dread on his face. We can speculate that it is simply because he thinks that Anakin was killed through his association with Obi Wan, but later when Beru mentions that Luke has too much of his father in him, Owen says, "That's what I'm afraid of." To me, these are serious hints that Luke's uncle was very concerned that some great evil would befall him if he got hooked up with the Jedi's. Something beyond just going and getting himself killed. Just my two cents. And to everyone that equates seeing the movie "through the eyes of a child" with somehow regressing or becoming an imbecile, I have to say that I'm taking the same path as Harry and reassociating myself with the things that interested me as a child (I'm almost done reading the Chronicles of Narnia). Why? I'm not trying to lose something (my intelligence or critical edge). I'm trying to REGAIN something. The sense of wonder and magic that so often only children posess. This is why it is so befuddling to many of us when other "adults" ask us to "get a life" just because we have a passion for Star Wars. We don't just have a passion for this film, we have a passion for magic, and imagination, and cool fucking special effects, and aliens, and epic stories with the fate of the universe in the balance in them. Passions that a child might have. Many of us have never lost that. Some of us are trying to regain it. Some of us (sadly) will never get it back. For those folks I mourn, but as for the rest of us, I can't wait to hang out with you guys in line Tuesday night!! MTFBWY!!!
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May 14, 1999 10:58:14 AM CDT
I never saw a screening of "Cruel Intentions" or "Never Been Kis
by quentin2
Yep, that's exactly what Lane said. So that means: DISREGARD HIS LAST POST ON WHAT A BIG DISSAPOINTMENT TPM WAS. ......well, I'm gonna take a lil' time out from Star Wars to discuss Lane. ....Jesus christ, man. I had no fucking clue. Lane is fucked up. I'll admit, I take Prozac, but I'm not as much of a loser as he is. I thought you lived in California! And YOU WERE PORTER????? So, all that time, the one guy who defended you was YOU! hmmm.....I wonder if you're really L'Auteur too.... Anyway, I wanna know if that thing with Jenny was real too. Cuz, now I'm starting to think you made that up as well. MAN! Okay, well if ya wanna know who I am.... My name is Damion Graff. My mother was British... Let's see.... I am 23 years old. I am a college student at the University of Buffalo. I HAVE written two screenplays. One is entitled "Weird Tales" and the other is: "The Trouble". They are both Tarantino-esque stories, but I haven't submitted them to the Screenwriter's guild for Copyrighting, so I won't send them to anyone. ...Let's see, I honestly do have 16 other movies in my head: "The Dark One" -a story about a teenager who commits suicide "A Woman in the City" -about a lesbian sex-addict in San Fransisco (it is a drama, not a porn). "Busfare" -about a middle-aged black man who deals with memories about racism in his past, and rides a bus that gets held up by a racist. "Coconut Rum" -a pirate story "The Last Battle" -WWII in the pacific and a young Japanese woman's struggle to survive. "Miami" -about a cop looking for a rapist, but HE's really the rapist. "The Darkest Sunrise" -a story about the Crusades and Emperor Frederick Barbarosa. "Object of Beauty" -a story about two young adults obsessed with a teenage actress, they kill each other in the end. "Latronis" -a shakespeare/sophocles-esque tragedy that takes place in ancient greece. .....okay. That about sums it. So, I guess that review of "Never Been Kissed" that Harry posted was bull, eh? Well, lemme tell ya this: I HAVE NOT seen TPM, but I've got tickets for four showings including "12:01 am" on Tuesday night. I have read the script, I have the comic-adaptation, I have the soundtrack. From all that, I can say so far that HONESTLY, Episode I: "The Phantom Menace" is the BEST of the Star Wars movies in nearly every way. Only "The Empire Strikes Back" is superior in drama and excitment, but TPM has a better plot and storyline. That's my honest opinion, take or leave it. So, if I think that TPM is the best of the SW movies, script-wise, I can't imagine that the actual special-effects-laden movie will detract from that opinion. It can only add to it. And don't listen to this bullshit about Jake Lloyd's acting. I've seen so many conflicting reports. USA Today even went so far as to say that Jake Lloyd was the best actor in the movie and generated far more charisma then Liam, Ewan, or Natalie. I highly doubt that, but what it means is that JAKE CAN ACT! I'm confident his performance will not be wooden. And to JIM RYALTO: I think Natalie Portman is sexy, big fucking deal. And what's with this bullshit "Why would you want to see someone that you respect nude?" WHAT??? I'll admit, I don't have a girlfriend right now, but when I did, I respected her yet I wanted to see her nude! Jim, are you...homosexual? Not that there's anything wrong with that.
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Lane, I'm gonna give the best advice I can.... Commit suicide, bro. Just fucking kill yourself. What are you living for anyway? Your're just taking money from your mom and siblings. You're just another mouth to feed. And at 330lbs, you are definitley a WASTE OF SPACE! Seriously, just kill yourself. We all die someday. Just get it over with, bro! PS: "Jenny" never existed, did she?
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Sports fans, I'm ancient. That's > 40. I saw the original Star Wars in LA the 1st weekend it opened in 1977. My 14 y/o son ( a dedicated SW Fan Club member) got a pair of tickets to see the Special Edition release in '97. We have tickets for the 4:30 p.m. show next Wednesday for TPM..and some more for Friday night. I will love TPM, REGARDLESS of how well George and crew did because I get to share another event with my son. He may even be more critical of it than me, but I'm betting we will own tape, DVD, data solid, whatever of TPM, 2 and 3..and watch and enjoy them together...with his kids. Lighten up..take a child..be a child..escape..enjoy..dream.
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Wait a sec. Star Wars has the plot of GI Joe? Guess what? I LIKE THE STAR WARS MOVIES! If you think that they have the plot of Transformers and GI Joe, then do you think TPM is in the same league as the other SW movies? THAT'S the question. The question is, how does it compare to the originals? Spare me your bullshit about Star Wars being a kiddie cartoon, because we ALREADY LOVE STAR WARS!!! Why the fuck are you so positive I'm gonna give TPM a bad review? I give "A New Hope" 4 out of 4 stars. Can you tell me that "A New Hope" is better than TPM? CAN YOU HONESTLY TELL ME THAT? HOW COME NO ONE IS ADDRESSING THAT???? NO ONE IS BRINGING UP THE SUBJECT OF ANH!!!! I AM STILL WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO SAY THAT TPM IS WORSE THAN ANH. ....Now listen, JMS. I have read the script, the comic-adaptation, and I have listened to the soundtrack. I have the script, the comic-adaptation, and the soundtrack for Episodes IV-VI, as well. In comparing those three items for each movie, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT "THE PHANTOM MENACE" IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST IN THOSE AREAS. The only arena left for TPM to prove itself in is THE MOVIE THEATER!!!! But, let's say that it sucks cock, as you say it does. IF IT SUCKS, THEN I WOULD STILL SAY THAT TPM IS BEST COMIC-ADAPTATION, THE BEST SOUNDTRACK, AND THE BEST SCRIPT!!!!!!!!! DOES THAT MAKE ANY FUCKING SENSE TO YOU????????? SO HOW THE HELL CAN YOU EXPECT ME TO GIVE TPM A BAD REVIEW WHEN I THINK IT HAS THE BEST SCRIPT, THE BEST COMIC-ADAPTATION, AND THE BEST SOUNDTRACK??????????????????? It doesn't make any sense to me. Oh yeah: Have you actually seen the movie yet? Or are you just listening to the reviews? Cuz if you haven't seen the movie yet, why don't you go suck your own cock, bro. Shut the fuck up until the 19th. After the 19th, I'll listen to what you have to say, bro.
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It's a good movie!!!
Jeez Louise, you're behaving like just the kind of sour, unhappy troll i see waaaay too much of on the talkbacks.
Bad acting? Bullshit. Silly aliens? You've seen the original trilogy, right? cartoonish plot? compared to what?
I have seen The Phantom Menace; i assume you have too, though who knows?
There is nothing wrong with the movie.
I judge movies based on whether they succeed at what they're aiming at. i can admire an arthouse film like The Comedian Harmonists as much as i can an action flick like Blade.
The Phantom Menace is entertaining, even if it could be trimmed down about 15 minutes.
Most of the acting is solid, even Jake Lloyd.
I'm not saying it's a great, stupendous piece of film, but i'll bet in ten years it'll be viewed as superior to the earlier installments of the trilogy.
Sorry you didn't "get it". it was a fun movie. Crap like Godzilla deserves this kind of venom; TPM does not. -
Your post is loathsome and unconscionable. If I were adminstrating this web site I'd have you permanantly banned. I implore Harry to create a few general rules of conduct for AICN. A virtual kingdom without laws is a virtual hell.
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Alexandra Dupont draws rather ridiculous
conclusions in her review, on midichlorians
She writes-
>Midi-chlorians.
>In Menace, as explained by Qui-Gon,
>midi-chlorians are particles that reside in all living things and
>act in a sort of spiritual middle-management capacity, allowing one
>to communicate with The Force. Anakin has a whole bunch of them in
>his blood, which is why Qui-Gon wants to train him.
>My criticism here is two fold: First,this concept is Star Trek-ish
>bullcorn par excellence--"midi-chlorians"sound like something
>the crew of the Voyager would pump through the ship's sensorarray
>to create a tachyon pulse to open a space-time yadda yadda wormhole
>yadda yadda whatever. And Lucas contradicts himself: As Darth
>Vader, Anakin Skywalker is a Force-wieldin' badass in later life,
>but he's also largely mechanical -- so he hasn't got hardly any
>midi-chlorians left in him! By quantifying The Force biologically,
>Lucas shoots himself in the foot as our generation's foremost
>mythmaker. It's a sloppy, mildly disastrous bit of screenwriting,
You are presuming too much. Now you are attacking the plot with the same
Star Trekkish scientific logic that you accuse the concept of having.
How do you know that force ability was related to the *total* number of
midichlorians in his body and not the density in each cell?
Perhaps force ability is related to how concentrated midichlorians are
in his cells and not to how many cells his body had, with midichlorians in them.
Just because he lost a limb or two and his lungs, dosent mean he lost
a part of his force ability because of fewer cells in his body and hence
fewer midichlorians!!! -
but thought jedi was watered down for young kids.I agree with them ANH was not just for 5 year olds like jedi was!
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Quentin2,
It only costs you $20 to register each screenplay. After that, mail yousself a copy, which you don't open and you'll have what is affectionately referred to in the literary world as a "Poor Man's Copyright". It's that simple, register and mail. After that, anyone steals your stuff has got problems. Just a word of advice from a guy who has completed 5 screenplays and is currently embroiled in his sixth - which should have a completed first draft by the end of the weekend. -
Honestly, JMS, quit acting like the only honest review is by default a negative one.
I saw the movie, and enjoyed it. That's honest.
if you're hoping for people to be disappointed in the movie, well that's just sad and kinda petty.
Not that it's faultless, of course; nothing on Earth could live up to the hype. But it's not boring, it's not poorly acted, nothing. Jar Jar isnt even that obnoxious; he has his moments, yes, but he's cute and harmless enough.
The vast majority of critiques i've seen lately are so totally over the top venomous and spiteful i know not to take them seriously. People clearly have a grudge against the movie going into it. That's wrong-headed and mean-spirited.
I will agree with you, the book was better. A thousand times so??? No way. Not even double. Just better, by the very fact that it gave insight into Anakin and was more of his story rather than Qui-Gonn's.
Things I DID have problems with: I'm not too fond of this midichlorian nonsense. But it's early in the game yet, and may make better sense later.
As for your theory on Shmi, I suspect she doesn't know who the father is but that she was impregnated (either through tech or rape with sith mind tricks to make her forget) by Darth Sidious/Palpatine, hoping to create a new, more powerful sith lord.
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May 14, 1999 2:00:09 PM CDT
INDEFENSIBLE! LAME LINERS disclaims his "GREEK" lifestyle to rec
by grouchlord
Seriously, Lane Myers, I could give a fuck who you really are, so be whatever you want to be.:-} And Quentin, are you kidding? To fall to such a level, even in jest is despicable ...or just too damn funny to be posted here. I think I'll waffle on it a while.
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May 14, 1999 2:03:39 PM CDT
If this is how it is BEFORE most of you have seen the movie...
by rolande
I can't wait to see the Talkbacks after May 19th. And after Harry posts his
897000 word "review" of the movie, hopefully not written in the
7 yr old manner that he plans on watching the movie in.
Yup, they'll need more servers to accomodate the voluminous Odes to Jar Jar, the Soliloquys to Anakin, and
of course the Homage to Maul. I can't wait! -
>>But when you watch Ep. 1, you WILL not become nearly as involved in the movie was the original trilogy.
I did see it. I was involved in the movie, i felt for Anakin, cheered the end of the saber duel, sympathized with the Jedis for their loss, etc.
As for how i feel about it compared with the original trilogy, i havent had 16 years for the originals to grow on me, but i do know for a fact that i felt iffier about ROTJ after seeing it back in 83 than i did about TPM. It's a better movie.
The humor is debatable; everyone has a different sense.
Attacks on the acting, for the most part, i don't see it. There's a difference between playing a stoic character and being a stiff actor.
The ONLY actively bad actor in the primary cast was the captain of the guard for Amidala, and he's peripheral to the story. Everyone else was either adequate or actively good. You don't go to a Star Wars movie for the acting skills any more than you go to see Fried Green Tomatoes for the nifty robots.
And I don't have fanboy blinders on here; i make fun of the first Star Wars frequently, considering that only three people can act in it, two of which are old guys (Cushing and Guiness) and one of which is Harrison Ford. I simply saw TPM as an entertaining, visually dazzling movie that doesnt deserve the animosity it's getting on these talkback forums.
If you didn't like it, fine; everyone's entitled to their opinions. But quick acting like people who dont agree with you are fooling themselves.
Maybe in time, you'll soften your opinion. Maybe i'll harden mine. but in both cases, i doubt it.
Ciao.
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I do not think Lucas needs any more money, being one of the richest people in Hollywood.
But that's beside the point.
I like to state that the descussions above are really amusing. People deffending a movie they didn't even see yet.
Others have said it already: the expectations will kill the experience...no doubt.
Lucas is not a great filmmaker, he's a mediocre director. But he HAS a vision.
The star wars movies are fairytales. You've got to buy into them.
But also don't forget that moviemaking is something that is changing all the time. People's expectations are different then twenty years ago, even ten or five years ago. Some of us will 'learn' to appreciate films for what they are and when they were made.
If I show Vertigo or Mr Smith goes to Washington or Sunset Boulevard to the 'average schoolkid of 17' he would laugh at me loud!
Lucas knows this, but I AM afraid he will try too hard to please everybody and thus end up producing something that's somewhat flat, not too convincing.
I hope I'm wrong though...
I also don't want to hear anymore nagging about the simplicity or childishness of it. SW IS simple, nothing more than a super expensive fairy tale.
Fans will love this movie anyway, count on it. Maybe they will rank it eventually as the least of the (sofar) 4 movies, but they're fans and will cheer even if their team did loose this one game...
From Holland (Verhoevenland) it's Bob M.
"The cat's in the bag and the bag's in the river..." -
sorry, I forgot to give my message a name. So this is it
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::begin quote::
"WIllow" was going to be part of a major trilogy, but it was lame and didn't make any money. Reading the
Shadow War book sequel it is clear that the next movies would have been classics. And what did Lucas do? He
f**cking didn't bother making the other movies because it didn't make enough money. This guy is out there for
the MONEY people. His devotion to his work has turned into a joke. Star Wars is an easy way to make money.
Period.
::end quote::
Did you read my previous post above that talked about WILLOW and the SHADOW WAR novels? Anywho, the reason why he didn't make Shadow War films is NOT because we wouldn't make lots of money...it's because they probably wouldn't make enough money to support being made. The distributors have a part in the say. If a stand alone film doesn't do well, most distributors would NOT want a sequel. Also, could you picture the TREMENDOUS Shadow War novels as films? I personally couldn't. They make absolutely FABULOUS novels, and showcase more of Lucas' wonderous imagination, but I think any film wouldn't do the books justice...the only way distributors would agrree to make the film is if they did a 'Lost World' to it, which includes bastardizing the plot in order to make the film advance faster. However, a Graphic Novel edition, penned by Claremont, and done with the dedication and attention to detail the SW Manga comics were done with...THAT I'd like to see...
-Taalcon out. -
That has to go down as the most inventive film review I have ever read. It's like saying "guys, this film is crap...but if you close your eyes it will be really good...honest guv!"
Let's face facts. a modern day version of Star Wars (which is what TPM is) would never appeal to the modern cinema audience. Kids simply ain't interested in rubber Yoda muppets and cute aliens. And to say that the only way you can enjoy this disaster is to pretend your 8 years old, is excuse making beyond belief!
Toy Story worked on both levels, both kids and adults loved it. At the end of the day you simply need a plot and some decent characters. Cartoon styled CGI effects ain't gonna save a poor film. Expectations are high after multi-plot layered shows such as Babylon 5 and The X-files, they both ushered in a new era of story telling. Shame that Lucas wasn't watching either show. The joke is that millions will still pay to see this film despite the awful reviews, even those who have "forgotten" about Willow and Howard The Duck!! -
So, JMS. Episode 1 is BAD, right? IT IS AWFUL, right? Anyone who likes it is bullshitting themsleves, right? hmmmmmm.... How old are you? Are you some Harvard Film proffessor with 50 years of film-watching experience? Do you teach a course on film history? Or are you just another fucking guy out there, just like everybody else with an opinion. Are you just another guy with your own feelings and opinions, who didn't like Episode 1 and probably didn't like the originals? IF SO, WHY THE FUCK SHOULD ANYONE LISTEN TO YOU? JUST BECAUSE YOU SAW THE MOVIE? GUESS WHAT? EVERYONE'S GONNA SEE IT IN 4 MORE DAYS! Since when is everything you say HOLY and UNTOUCHABLE. WHY ARE YOU AUTOMATICALLY RIGHT ABOUT EPISODE 1? I like Star Wars, but some of my friends don't like it. Do I think they're dumb fucks? No. Some people I know actually like that GOD-AWFUL piece of crap, "Godzilla". Do I think they're brainless assholes? No. Everyone has their own opinions. Some people like blue, and some people like orange. Some people like burgers, some people like pizza. Now, does this always apply to movies? No. You can't look at the Mona Lisa and tell me it's a fucking piece of shit. If you do that, you'll prove yourself an idiot. You can't say that "Citizen Kane" was the worst movie ever made. If you do that, you'll prove yourself an idiot. You can't say the original "Nosferatu" is kiddie-shit. If you do that, you'll prove yourself an idiot. Granted, you may not like movies like "Citizen Kane". You may think it's boring as hell. But if you know one fucking thing about film, you'll relaize: Hey, this is a work of art. I might not like it, but I gotta respect it. Now, you might not think that Star Wars is a work of art, but you would at least have to realize that not everyone has the same opinions. You can say that Episode I is worse than Godzilla. That's your opinion. But does that mean it's worse than Godzilla? No. That's your opinion. I might think it's the greatest movie ever made. Does that mean it's the greatest movie ever made? No. It's my opinion. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, JMS: What do you think of the original trilogy? Do you think they were shitty movies? Were they better or worse than TPM? If you say that the originals were crappy, then you have lost all credibilty. I, and most everyone else on these Talk Backs, love the originals. So if you think they're crappy, then TPM must be a pretty good movie. Oh yeah: I'm the moron, JMS, right? You know what? BULLSHIT. I DON'T EVEN BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE SEEN TPM. I really don't. I could understand if you liked it, but saying that the novel is 1000 times better, and that it's a s bad as Godzilla. That's a bit too fucking ridiculous for me. You've seen it, you say? Bullshit.
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REALLY! So, I guess TPM is a good movie! Look, I'm not stupid okay. I'm not so blind as to simply fall in love with a movie just becasue it is labeled "Star Wars". Listen, lemme level with you. I understand what you're saying. Let me explain my situation. I HAVE NOT READ THE NOVEL, SO FUCK THAT. Honestly, here, JMS, I'm not you're enemy. It's just that, I've read the script, and I honestly think it's the best SW script. If you compare the SW scripts alone, TPM is the best in my opinion. I have the soundtrack. If you compare the SW movies by music alone, I think that TPM is the best of the SW soundtracks next to TESB. I have the TPM comic-adaptation. If you compare the SW movies by comic-adaptations alone, TPM is the best. That's where I am right now. Of course, just like any other SW fan, I'm excited about TPM, but if it's bad, I'll know. But, maybe you can understand why I'm so skeptical of any negative reviews when I think that TPM has the best script, soundtrack, and comic-adaptation. But, you're right. That's all I can say. I haven't seen the movie. But please understand why it's a little hard for me to believe that I'll hate it when I think that TPM has the best script, soundtrack, and comic-adaptation. It just doesn't make sense to me. That's the only reason I'm attacking you. Okay? I'll watch the movie in four days, and I'll see what I think. PS: Most of the reviews are bad???? WHAT REVIEWS? THE VERY FEW THAT ARE OUT THERE MAKE UP OF A VERY VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA (especially the SW fans out there). Let's wait until the movie comes out before we talk about what the majority of people think okay?
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I think some people are getting too carried away with the issue of "Star Wars" being a kids' movie. It's rated PG, what do you expect!? Anyway, it's supposed to be for everyone. So what if it's a little childish? Deal with it.
Also, I think the idea of Jar Jar is great. The "Star Wars" trilogy are hardly humorous, and it needs a character that will make everyone laugh. Jar Jar is perfect, even if he is a little annoying. I still like him.
Really, people, if you don't think you'll like it or it's too immature for you, don't watch it. Plain and simple. -
Long, but bear with me. I'm not surprised at the depth of passion on all sides here. My first viewing of Star Wars (that is, ANH, though I've never liked adopting this after-born title) was an emotional milestone in my life. It's not that I found a love a film, orchestral music and mythology because of Star Wars (though I'm sure it helped), it's simply that I had never been so engulfed by ANY experience like that before. It was a confluence of many things: being 12, school year ending for summer, waiting in line in the city, attending my first midnite show, connecting with a distant older brother, and viewing the singularly most transporting film I had ever seen. No event had moved me (and few have since) as that first viewing. I really do measure my life pre- and post-1977. For me, everything SW after that first viewing has been a disappointment. (How many of you saw or remember the first trailer for ESB, shown with a rerelease of ANH? No post-production, just live action focusing on rebels milling around in the Hoth trenches and Luke falling down a chute. Beyond lame. I was bereft and didn't speak for days.) We are all here so personally invested -- all in our own way -- that perspective is being lost. Opinions have become so absolute, nobody else's can possibly be valid. TPM might suck, but I'M PLEADING. REMEMBER YOUR OWN ATTACHMENT TO STAR WARS WHEN YOU ATTACK ANOTHER. As much as it matters to you, no less, do you think, does it matter to them? I'm not here to say it's "only a movie" because clearly it's not. Please just don't shit on another because of your own personal disappointment. (Disclaimer: This is from an ROTJ fan who always found the Luke/Vader/Emperor scenes the most engaging of the series and ws never bothered by Ewoks.)
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JMS what little credibility you had flew out the window when I saw your asinine statement that the Keanu Reeves opus "The Matrix" is a 9. Compared to what a Smurfs movie? Bad acting, lame story (liberally stolen from a myriad of other bad flicks - Tron, Soylent Green to name the two most obvious) and absoultely the worst storytelling ever. Are you 16? I have yet to meet an adult who found anything redeeming in that pile of dung. Sure the occasional oddball who still fancies Tango & Cash, but if you give any thing starring Mr. Wooden-gonna-be-fat-again-after-
the-press-junket more than a 3, you're smoking some serious Mexican shit. BTW, I gave the SW movies 10s when I was a kid - you don't have much in the way of critique skills if you can't find fault in those fun but crappy movies. -
I saw the press screening here in Boston on Tuesday. I've been waiting just as long as anyone for this movie. I was aware, going in, that there was going to be more humor etc. going in. And you know what? I liked the movie a whole lot. It was Star Wars. And I wasn't alone. I laughed where I was supposed to (mostly), I gasped where I was supposed to ( and where I wasn't), and I left the theater on a total high. It was a perfect introduction. I knew that the movie wasn't going to live up to the 2000 different versions I have imagined of this story since the mid-80's and how could it? Even "Jedi" didn't go into detail about everything I wanted it to and I was 11 and only had 3 years to think about that one! Imagine this poor movie. We all know Uncle George has been mellowing out since day one, and we can probably assume that neither 2 nor 3 will be anywhere near as amazing a film as "Empire." Sometimes art just works that way. The right combination of people, a certain feeling in the air and great things happen. Big deal, the rest will still be great assuming he doesn't totally revise the end. If he revises the end and everybody somehow lives happily ever after on a planet of clowns THEN we kill ourselves. As I overheard non-fan people saying on the way out of the theater"...it was a lot better than this year's Star Trek!" Good enough for me...
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I think we ahould all keep in mind that Ep.1 will simply be there to set the stage for the rhe real drama that's going to unfold. I can't wait to see the look on peoples face's 3 years from now after we've watched Ep.1 over and over and gotten so used to this sweet young boy. Only to watch in horror as his whole world turns dark(no pun). That's when the real fun begins. I'm lookin forward to TPM just like everybody else but I have to keep in mind that there will be so much left to desire after Ep.1. That's exactly what it is, an "episode". So don't leave the theater in disgust when you discover that you STILL have questions. They will be answered brother! haha
Lucas hasn't dedicated most of his life to this story just to throw some crap out there. I for one always wanted to know, just what happend to Vader? Where did he come from? Who was he? I can now breathe a sigh of relief because these questions are about to be answered...and then some! I'll be purchasing a DVD player later in the year and guess what my first disc will be. then of course then original Trilogy. And the or course Matrix.....did I mention that in the same sentence as Star Wars? sorry
Doomzday -
One thing that can always be counted on in these forums: diversity of opinions. I love hearing what you guys have to say (by that meaning both sexes, for the waiting-to-be-insulted/oppressed crowd). Please excuse the length of my response. There seems to be a several dynamics with at work here the negative opinions, one of which prompted me to interject these thoughts. Let me preface my remarks by saying that I have yet to see the movie. I have tickets for one of those midnight showings. OPINION ZONE--ANH "spoke" to people. Despite all the negative aspects people have drudged up, it reached across boundaries and lit up a place inside of us where we wanted to be: idealistic hero, fierce maternal warrior, mercenary rogue with a heart of gold. ESB took those themes and made them deeper, more complex and gave them more resonance. ROJ summed up the trilogy with an adventure and a climax. The Vader-Luke-Palpatine scenes remain some of my favorite on film. END OPINION. The first way people seem to judge this movie is based around their expectations. If this movie doesn't "speak" to you in the same way that ANH did, entrance you like ESB, and/or fulfill you like ROJ, guess what. "It sucks ass"? I am really, honestly, sorry. "Nothing is worse than having an itch you can't scratch". All of that "eight-year old eyes" stuff will do you no good. I hope you stretch your mind and listen; hear what the movie is saying, however meager its voice. TPM will have to be judge both on its own merits and as part of the second trilogy. Give it some time. Don't let your last impression be "Sixteen years for this?" That is what booster is doing here. He is letting the movie move him. If that doesn't work for you, so be it. No one can say you didn't try.
The next group is comprised of the people who either hate George Lucas because he: 1) wants to make money 2) wants to control every aspect of the movie. Would you be more satisfied if he had made TPM an indie movie? If so, see group one. Let me say this and get it out of the way: COMMERCIAL IS NOT ALWAYS BAD. PROFIT IS NOT EVIL. Just because George Lucas is rich and controlling and wants to continue to be rich and controlling doesn't make him the Anti-Christ. This also goes for the South Park comment earlier and the people who criticize Harry. If you want to be starving artists, that's your right. Just don't decry another's work because it can make money. Obviously there is a line which can be crossed, like Jar-Jar drinking Pepsi and playing with action figures in the movie or something. (I think it has been crossed by all of the shows that advertise the music that was in it afterwards. Does anyone else find that...disturbing?)
The last group, which makes my blood boil, are those pseudo-intellectual pricks who either think they just know better that use what makes a movie good, or are willing to fake superiority by criticizing something just for the sake of sounding discriminating. For those people: CRITIZING SOMETHING DOES NOT MAKE YOU BETTER. It doesn't improve you a wit to run something down. These are the people that would bash TPM even if was great, just to differentiate themselves from the great uncultured masses. For these types, the criticism is merely justification for their stance, table-legs to support their superiority. They have already convinced themselves. In the end, the only review that matters is your own internal one. What this movie means to you is more important than an army of Leonard Maltins, Boosters, and Lane Myers. Re-evaluate these negative reviews in this light. I hope everyone who sees the TPM next week has fun. Congratulations: you have lived long enough to see the First Prequel!
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May 15, 1999 12:46:49 AM CDT
DARTH CRAVEN: I AM THE LAST...WITH SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 2 &3
by grouchlord
DARTH SIDIOUS>long running SITH ruler*PALPATINE>sorry clone puppet of Sidious*ANAKIN>lured to the DarkSide because he's tricked by Sidious who finds he can't clone him*Mace Windu>first Jedi killed by angry, Anakin who thinks he's boinking AMIDALA>(plalyed by Catherine Zeta Jones) makes a tragic, soap opera decision to boink BEN KENOBI>who hunts down and duels a dispairing ANAKIN>who believes he can never have children, failed his mother, and killed an innocent man. The duel is ended by Kenobi slicing off Anakins hand, and in an eerie foreshadowing of EmpireStrikesBack, Anakin jumps into a molten pit, and Ben screams in agony for his loss. Later, a laughing Palpatine's servants pull Anakin's form from the pit. He had been watching and caused Ben to be called away in time to rescue Anakin to be molded into VADER>who makes his grand appearance at the remaining Jedi's Council. The screen goes black, the sound of lightsabers and screaming is heard...then like Ming the Merciless, Palpatine's laughter. Okay, it's a rough draft.
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Man I am totally bummed I have read one to many spoilers on this talk back about episode 1. Quentin2, LaneMyers, and yes JMS you guys need to call Jerry Springer, have a threesome, and join the redneck hall of trailer park fame (its in W. Virginia somewhere). I want to report you 3 to the feds b4 you cause anoter Columbine tragedy somewhere, 'cuz I know you guys have absolutely NO LIFE WHATSOEVER! This talkback section has become nothing but vulgar nerd-fighting between you three, not a movie review section. Geezus, just like many of you have posted, I'll bet more than half the people here that claim to have seen it haven't. At best most of you ran to Barnes and Noble and bought the novel adaptation. Quentin2, I know you got Natalie Portman's cover right?
And where do you get this 80% of the reviews are negative crap? Since really, most ppl have not seen the movie most of everybody's trash-talk is moot. B4 you answer back to this Q2 I know your gunna yap about how your defending the prequel based on comic adaptions yadda yadda, its not that its your "crazed" comment about Natalie Portman, and the fact you indulge people like JMS and Lane by getting into a silly argument with those children.
I would like to present a new theory to everyone, TPM IS NOT FOR KIDS! Not in the slightest, look LaneMyers and JMS hate it, they're about what, 12? Your guys are probably the same losers that LIVE inside of comic book stores and buy everything in sight then try to dazzle nitwits with your "intellect" to make yourselves feelin better. Trashing a movie everyone is waiting to see probably gives you a sense of pride, that keeps you sane enough, for a while, sane enough not to kill yourselves (or other people, then yourselves). What's going to happen if 80% of the world likes this movie? What will happen if they do not? What will you do if hoardes of kids are dressed up in ep. 1 characters for halloween? Will you be able to take it? What if no one gives a damn about the hype they just want to see more Star Wars? What if everyone is happy they got to see more Star Wars after 16 years of sci-fi drought? I think your gunna loose it, at best you'll probably invent a new nickname for this site and start trashing ep. 2. Get a life, secretly you know your saving up money to by TPM the PC Game. -
Actually, come to think of it Anakin kills Mace Windu because he's tricked by Sidious and Palpatine into thinking Mace betrays the Jedi and is the cause of his mother Shmi's death, actually caused by the Sith.:-)
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Pretend? yeah, let's F#@$ing pretend we're kids! I've been pretending for 16 years that ROTJ was not part of SW! I was pretending Ol' George wake his ass up and make the next Trilogy for the fan that supported him and grew up with SW throughout these years. I've been pretending that every thing this movie (TPM) was going to be the best since "THE FLANEL ONE" may have heard the message and learned a lesson from the EWOKS in ROTJ. I've been prentending up to the point whence I heard the tittle--- "The Phantom Menace"! I'm sick of f%$%ing pretending and I'm sick of assholes that tells me to be a f%$%^ing kid again. Well - I ain't no f@#!ing kid! I have cravings for a piece of ass now and then and I do my own Income Taxs. Face it fellow fans, I saw the movie in 1977 as a 10 year old... I love TESB cause the movie grew up and it's MATURE!!! it's a F#$#ing movie with real feel to what ANH was. ROTJ f@#$@ it all up. I pretending after seeing the stupid customs for the royal guard that this aint so! I've pretended after seeing all the ships that weren't eye-catching, the Pix would still be cool. When I saw the non aggressive and uncool design of the war droid I said it'll work. When I saw Yoda and he's the only character that didn't look CGI and realistic enough after 16 years of leap in technology I say... It's okay! And when I saw Samuel L. Jackson stupid smirk and the lame dialog of "the Chosen one" that sounds like "DUNE", I pretended ...er it going to be alright! Well SHIT!! I've pretended long enough. After reading the professinal Neg reviews, I've had it! listen, seeing a couple bad rewviews I can live with - but when every Damn lifeless professional crittics says this movie sucks! I have to admit. It feels suck--it's story lean toward suck, it's CGI looks suck, it's acting looks suck! ,,,er.. You know what - IT SUCKS! Liam Neesan got sick of George's Bullshit and even bradcast it so! Portman don't even watch SW and don't fucking have a clue what the fuck she's doing! Mcgregger's too busing drinking beer on the set to give a flyin-f@#ck! I HAVE had it! I have to face that I ain't gonna prented shit anymore. Anyone who's gonna flame my ass for expressing my feeling can lick my dangle berries! I knew this would come to this. I've heard too may: " Oh, He's just doing the first one for kids and the next Episode would be more mature..BULLSHIT!! This movie can't stand on it's own now. This shit ain't no excuse!--- George you've just shited on all the dedicated fans that had faith in you!
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for all you fucksticks that have the balls to think that George Lucas somehow owes you something for all the time and money you wasted building your sad little lives around his movies like it was some new religion...grow the fuck up. You saw TPM, and it wasn't what you always dreamed it would be--big suprise there! It astounds me that you would actually think that Lucas actually gives two shits what any of you think...he's had this entire storyline working in his head since before most, if not all of you were even born.
I am also quite confused about why you berate TPM for not having complex characters, story, ect. when you have molded your wasted lives around a movie that has atrocious dialog, stiff acting and a child-like plot-STAR WARS! I can only think that you were hoping that this new movie would give some new purpose to your lives, and you have been utterly dissapointed; only now realizing that all you've come to believe is fake--no shit! IT'S JUST A MOVIE!! why in God's name would you think that this is supposed to be some life-changing event? because you believe your original Star Wars experience "changed" your life? give me a fucking break! the only thing that changed was your inability to discern fantasy from reality. I hate to be the one to tell you, but there is no "Force", there are no "lightsabers", Yoda is just a puppet with someones fist jammed up its ass. You want to enjoy TPM? Why don't you stop trying to turn it into some religious experience and join us in the real world. Enjoy it for what it is...a fun movie for anyone. macgawd@mindspring.com -
May 15, 1999 10:36:28 PM CDT
Lucas is just a man. Read the fucking Annotated Scripts if you d
by grouchlord
I have fun, I admit it, posting bullshit, but jeez! Lucas doesn't owe YOU anything, he owes it to HIMSELF to make the best film he can. Several of his earlier versions of star wars plain sucked, read the damn Annotated Scripts and see how cosmic Kizmit has a role in the outcome!
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We should all have a moment of silence for our fallen friend... Okay. Hey! Now, I'm last!
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I TOTALLY agree with the "new" line of reasoning, that to properly appreciate Episode 1 you have to watch it like a 8-12 year old.
Several weeks ago, I had a long weekend for my B-day, and figured hey I'll watch Star Wars for the first time in a while to get psyched for Ep. 1, and I was in a bad mood or something but found myself being critical of some of the plot holes and dialog and the like, and not enjoying it as much as I usually do.
But Saturday, I popped it in again, and just let myself experience it - and had an absolute blast! THIS was the movie I remembered as my favorite of all time, and it was all in my mindset in how I experienced it on two different occasions.
I think a very good analogy is actually from the movie itself, where Obi-Wan is training Luke. He does pretty well looking at the remote but still gets zapped a few times. Obi-Wan tells him to "let go your concious self, reach out with your feelings" as he puts the helmet on him. He can "see" the remote just fine that way. Let go your preconceptions and expectations from these 16 years, and let the movie "flow through you", the 8 year old still in there somewhere, and I think you'll enjoy it a lot.
So I definitely see where this thinking is coming from - we'll see how well it works 12:01 Wed. morning :)
Ken -
I'm lucky enough to be taking my 2.5 year old son to to TPM. Will he complain - I don't think so. He already knows all the original trilogy characters and whether they are good or bad. How many 50 year old die hard Star War fans are there - close to none. Because it was not their generation's movie. This movie is for the KIDS of today. Let them have it. Take a kid to see the movie.
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I want to reply to Buster Gold's assertion that most SW fands did not conceive any anti-Ewok bias until the late '80s or early 90's. For me, nothing could be further from the truth. I came out of Jedi trying to convince myself that Lucas had not gone over the line with these walking furballs (that may be a reference to Chewie, but it fits here) but I just couldn't do it. Dammit I'm 50 years old (not then of course) and I'm not the slightest bit ashamed to say that I love SW and revere ESB. But the first three initials of the acronym for Jedi are ROT and there's a good reason for that. Setting asside the first twenty minutes (the rescue of Han), the rest of this movie is shamelessly derivative of Star Wars and, as someone else has said on this site "hippie, tree hugging crap".
Derivative because Lucas could come up woth nothing better than another ride down the Death Star trench, albeit this time with Lando and Numb Nuts (sorry, don't remember the name, but it soundsed like that) at the stick. Sorry guys, been there, done that.
As to the tree hugging, I mean its obvious. Lucas has said (or had it said in his behalf) that he was trying to show that a complex, technologically based society could be brought to heel by the simplest of society's
citizens. This is pie in the sky. At best we have a mission of incompetents beaten through chance and the fortuitous assistance of other elements of that same technological society (Han and company). Remember, the Ewoks were using the best they could come up, but Han and company were using blasters, trickery and ultimately a vehicle captured from the enemy. Nor was the force field disabled using axes and spears but rather explosive charges with timing devices (hardly available to the rustic, tree hugging civiliation). The incompetent imperial planners equipped their forces with materiel ill-suited to the terrain where they were sent, which is easy to do when you start out with an agenda to prove and can write the script to support it.
Meanwhile, we have the entire father-son subplot, which is okay but in the hamhanded script we saw resulted in the ruination of one of the best villains ever created. Now, don't misunderstand: in this kind of black and white world, villains should get their comeuppance. But instead we have Luke running around whining (which, after all, is all he ever did in three movies) about the good he knows is inherent in his father. And, disgustingly, we have Vader beginning to think so too. If as we suspect, Vader's children were spirited away at birth to protect them, how could he have developed any parental attachment to them which would later result in his coming to the aid of one of them in his moment of need. Instead, what we have is Vader as one of these fathers in our world who suddenly goes to court in our world to assert his parental rights at the expense of the family which raised his child when the court rules in favor of the biological parent over the nurturing parents. Of course, in Vader's case, it didn't matter since his agents (the stormtroopers) had already killed Luke's family (remember Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru?) and Vader himself had accounted for Luke's surrogate father Obi-Wan. But it's okay. Everybody saw the error of his ways and we see the wonderful tableau of Yoda, Obi-Wan and the purified Anakin glowing in the ether. Spare us any more of that please. Why not have Spielberg reshoot Schindler's List to show a Hitler repentant of his crimes and, after his death, saying Sedar (forgive the spelling, I mean no disrespect) with his 6,000,000 victims? That idea is, of course, offensive, but, from a dratic standpoint, so is Vader conceiving this sudden affection for his son and being absolved all his murders and other crimes. Forgive? Maybe so. But absolve? Not so quickly, thank you. And please don't miss the point here. As I write about what's wrong with Jedi, I realize that it's only a movie and is in no way as heinous or important as the all-too-real Holocaust. I've got more to say on this and will return to it, but I have free tickets to a movie tonight (no, I'm afraid not), so I have to leave for now. -
May 19, 2005 1:50:29 AM CDT
"You simply must come to terms with the fact that STAR WARS EPIS
by adiaphoron
Huh. "Prequel hater" is kind of a derogative term. Everybody tried REALLY HARD to like Phantom Menace. "You must bend your mind! Become 8 again! Forget everything! ... it's still not working? Well, you must be broken somehow. Star Wars just can't be bad."
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...that will release the inner child.
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