Stop attacking Star Wars prequels? Here come the Sith
POSTED BY: Succatash
UPDATED: Monday, July 26, 2004 22:44
VIEWED: 7560
PAGE 2 of 3
I and a BIG Star Wars fan...though I will admit I vastly prefer our 'verse to that one.....and I have definately seen hardcore SW fans trashing the prequels.......
I like them ok as far as a movie goes...though some thing s make about as much sense as Jayne possibly shaving his head, giving up women, booze, and money by joining a monastary....
I personally look more forward to the BDM than to episode 3 of SW.........
Joss in....George out........survival of the fittest.....hmmmmmmm
"You replaced Firefly with *barf* Fastlane?!"
Zoe:"Take me Sir. Take me hard" - War Stories
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Hope I didn't start something with my tag :)
Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing Star Wars in general. I've been a hard-core Star Wars fan for my entire life - one of my earliest memories is watching 'A New Hope' at the movies... I've even been a big supporter of the prequels...
That said, I'm not as enraptured as I once was. Between some of the updated footage (Greedo shooting first (argh!), the music video, etc), the whole Jar Jar deal, the possibility of boy bands, and now the announcement of the new movie title - I'm disappointed... Some of the recent choices/moves made for the Saga are head-scratching. I *do* have every bit of faith the movie will be very rewarding, and as tagged by JustAShepherd, I *will* be there for the midnight show as well as other viewings... I just think the Star Wars image has been tarnished as of late, and I'm a little bitter to see it that way. Like watching your favorite athlete playing past their prime, you hate to see them struggle...
Ah, maybe I'm just spoiled by Firefly and the potential of Serenity, but I think it's time for the rookie take the ball and run to glory :)
-QO-
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
I saw 'A New Hope' in theaters numerous times in '77 and '78, so I'm a big SW fan, but not fanatical about it. I've enjoyed the prequels from the standpoint that they expand upon the story. The effects and sets are great, but most of the characters and story is absolutely awful. The telling difference? I saw Episodes IV, V and VI in theaters multiple times. Ep 1 and 2 I've watched twice in theaters (once by myself because my family won't go to watch it at midnight with me and once with the family). Then I wait for the DVD. I'm seriously dissapointed with the prequels, but still support them because if they make big $$$, maybe episodes 7-9 will get made in a quality way.
Firefly is amazing in how involved it gets you with the characters, the "'verse" as everyone likes to call it and the ongoing storyline. I want to see the next movie not for effects or action, but to see the characters grow and the storyline advance - and for the humor! My wife and I can't wait. She's a bigger fan than me - which for sci-fi stuff is unusual - I'm usually passionate about SF stuff. Bring it on! Heck, this might be the first movie where we hire a babysitter and we BOTH go to the midnight showing!
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
I think we've all outgrown Star Wars in some way. The prequels aren't terrible, but there are moments when they make me cringe; the original trilogy doesn't do that. Granted, I've been watching them since I was five, but somehow the prequels just aren't doing it. When I watch Episodes IV, V, and VI, on some level I still feel like that little kid eating C-3PO's for breakfast and using sticks from the backyard as lightsabers; when I watch Episode I and Episode II, the feeling I have is probably best described as "ehhhh. . ." I don't think kids today watch the prequels and imagine themselves as Anakin Skywalker or Mace Windu, and cringe in terror at the appearance of Count Dooku (come on, even that name sounds kinda silly when you think about it); the prequels may have their moments, but they don't have the magic. And as for "conversion," I think I've found that most people are at least casual Star Wars fans, and share the same "blah" feeling about the prequels, so if they see "prequel bashing," they're more likely to join in and watch a Firefly episode as a result, rather than get scared off. Anyway, that's my two cents.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
I was already an adult, and a big SF fan, when Star Wars premiered in '77. I am one of the ones who refuses to refer to the original film by its subtitle, to me it will always be Star Wars, period. It didn't get the 'A New Hope' tag until several years later in re-release. My disillusionment with the saga actually began with Return of the Jedi, as I did not care for the Ewoks, too cutesy for me and seemed to be playing to a much younger audience. I'm not sure why Lucas felt the need for the Special Editions, since just prior to that he had issued remastered editions of the original trilogy which cleaned up a lot of the more obvious FX flaws. The additions didn't add anything to the story, and in fact in my opinion some of them looked even more fake than the originals.
As far as I'm concerned, there's only one thing wrong with the two prequels so far, that being Lucas' casting choices for the role of Annakin. Neither Jake Lloyd or Hayden Christiansen can act worth a flip, or at least didn't show it in these films. And I find it hard to picture Hayden morphing into Vader, but I will go to see Ep3. Probably not opening weekend, and I doubt if I will see it multiple times like I did with the original trilogy, and like I definitely will for Serenity.
ETA: I became a film projectionist in '78, and worked in theatres running The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. One of my major regrets is not having acquired one of the original posters for the final film, when its title was "Revenge of the Jedi." I would think those might be worth quite a bit right now.
wo men ren ran zai fei xing.
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by rechelon:
Everyone has complaints, but in the last five years I've yet to hear a single fan with a better idea for the prequel trilogy.
I've seen Star Wars (and I agree with whoever said that they refuse to call it "A New Hope") more times than you will ever get me to admit, and I don't care much for the new ones, though I am curious to see what the third one's gonna be like.
I don't think that the ideas for the prequel trilogy were bad, or improbable or out of place or even dull, as a lot of people have said. I like all the backstory -- I find the history angle very interesting.
Here's the thing, I think, at least for me --
George Lucas can plot like a son of a building block. He has come up with interesting storylines. He has come up with a very detailed universe, which is a fairly difficult thing to do.
He is not, however,a good writer, on the whole. There is a huge difference in those two things.
Another thing is that the love story plays a big part in Part 2, and Lucas' love-story writing is greatly lacking. Lots of people's are. They're not easy to write at all, especially when everyone watching knows what's coming.
I suspect that all three would be much better if he had let someone else do the actual script writing. That's my biggest gripe -- I like the ideas, I like the politics, frankly, and, although I don't care much for Hayden Christensen, it could have been much, much worse. And I think Ewan McGregor was an inspired choice. But Lucas writing is like Tarantino acting: no-one seems to be able to tell them that they don't do it that well, so they keep doing it.
Well, I also have CGI issues, but those are definitely not exclusive to Star Wars movies. I have CGI issues with loads of movies.
::edit::
Oh, yeah, the point of the thread, right:
I don't see any reason why Browncoats and Star Wars fans should feel the need to compete. I never understood why Star Wars and Star Trek fans were/are at each other's throats all the time. Sure, I like one more than the other, but that doesn't mean I can't like both, in some way. Or all three, which I do. It's just silly to get into a "our show is better than your show" arguement.
"You two are the two who are the two! I'm the other one!"
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
I've always loved Star Wars. I was like 6 when I saw it in the theatre. And I remember seeing it then and my eldest brother getting me out of school early for "family emergencies" to see the first showing of Empire and Jedi (as well as the Indiana Jones flicks). So I've felt a need to see the first showing of the prequels(midnight showings). I'll see episode III at midnight on day one. I'll see Serenity at midnight on day one if they show it, as well as every showing after that on day one and day two (as I've heard sun #'s don't really count towards weekend box office, if this is incorrect let me know and I'll see every show on sunday too ). I love story of Star Wars, but agree that casting could have been better in some cases. I'll not bash Star Wars, but I'll comment on things that I didn't care for. Even some of the things added in "special editions" detracted from the films, not the least of which was Greedo shooting first. Luke screams when he lets go in cloud city in Empire? Before he was strong willed and giving Vader a big F you, now he's a scared little girl. But the prequels show being a whiner runs in the skywalker family. I know we were supposed to see Anikan as young and innocent in episode I, but seeing the future Darth Vader exclaim "yippeee!" just hurt a little. and the whole " one day *sniff sniff* I'm gonna be the strongest jedi ever *sniff sniff*" . Ouch. The strong powerful leading characters (heroes or not) shouldn't be whiners. I hope III turns it around, like I said I'm planing to see it. I've enjoyed seeing the Back story, just wish they had worked at the spirit of the original 3 films a little more.
Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by embers:
actually I don't know of any Star War fans who haven't done their own bashing of the prequels...
If you haven't seen it, Simon Pegg in Spaced had the greatest comment from a fan to Lucas on the prequels. 1 year on, he is still bitter, and there is a flashback to him dressed as Luke in Jedi, the funeral pyre scene - except what he is burning is all his Star Wars merchandise.
"I threw up on your bed"
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Spaced, is of course, utterly awesome. My dedication runs to painstakingly transcripting a scene.
(Shot of Tim in 'Fantasy Bazaar', an unusually cool comic shop in London. He is standing behind the counter ranting at someone we cannot see.)
Tim: "You are so blind! You so do not understand! You were'nt there at the beginning! You don't know how good it was, how important! This is it for you, a jumped up firework display of a toy-advert! People like you make me sick, what's wrong with you!?"
(Camera cuts to reveal the victim of the tirade, a poor, bewildered, upset looking child - now cut back to Tim)
Tim: "Now, I don't care if you've saved up all your 50p's, okay? Take your pocket money - and (shouting now) get out!"
(Shot of lil'l kid running down the street from the store, crying in a shocked and high pitched childish way)
Tim: "What a prick."
(Tim turns and jumps as he suddenly sees his bearded, long haired boss next to him, Bilbo Bagshot.)
Bilbo: "Tim, could I have a word with you in my office?"
Tim: "Yes."
Tim walks past Bilbo into the office, Bilbo follows him in, somewhat menacingly.
Bilbo: "Have a seat, Tim."
Bilbo: (Offers bowl of nobbly sticks to Tim) "Twiglet?"
Tim: "No, better not."
Bilbo: "I was like you once, blonde hair, scraggly little beard, child-like ears - full of beans and spunk. I let my principles get in the way soemtimes, I punched a bloke in the face once for saying Hawk the Slayer was rubbish."
Tim: "Good for you."
Bilbo: (Wistfully)"Yeah, thanks."
Bilbo: (Turning serious) "But that's not the point, Tim. The point is, I was defending the fantasy genre with terminal intensity. When what I should have said was, Dad, you're right - but let's give Krull a try, and discuss it later. The Phantom Menace was eighteen months ago, Tim!"
Tim: "I know, Bilbo, okay, it still hurts! I mean that kid wanted a Jar-Jar doll!"
Bilbo: "Kids like Jar-Jar!"
Tim: "Why?"
Bilbo: "What about the Ewoks? THey were rubbish! YOu don't complain about them.
Tim: (Shouting) "Yeah, but the Ewoks make Jar-Jar look like... fucking Shaft!"
Bilbo: "I've had enough Tim."
Tim: "But Bilbo!"
Bilbo: "Look, I know how you feel, I really do. But this can't go on."
Tim: "What are you trying to say, Bilbo?"
Bilbo: (Solemnly) "I'm going to have to let you go."
Tim: (Look of intense relief on Tim's face. He wipes his brow) "Phew! Ha ha ha! I mean, 'Erk!' Ha ha ha! I thought you were gonna fire me then. Ha ha ha! I was like - 'erk!' I mean, phew. Ha ha! Look at that! (Holds up shaking hands) Ha ha ha."
(Suddenly realisation dawns on Tim's face. Sinister horror note plays. The camera zooms into Bilbo's face. He nods his head.)
(Camera zooms into Tim's face, mouth open with horror)
(Cut to outside of Fantasy Bazaar, Tim runs down the street at exactly the same camera angle and in exactly the same manner as the little kid, sobbing like a child)
Being big Joss Whedon fans, I hope they mention Firefly in one of their many culture references (around sixty references a show, including a melancholy end to an episode carefully built around the dialogue of the last scene of Empire Strikes Back, only set in London. "There are over a thousand off-licenses in this area, she could be in any one of them."
Sorry. Heh heh. Watch Spaced.
Nervous Pete
"If you can keep your head whilst others... eurgh! Ack! I've spilt my ink! Ugh! Ink on my trousers! Agh! Ink on my shirt! My only hope! The window! Aieeeeee!" (Falls to death)
- Jonathan Nash
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME