One and Only Star Wars Geekiness Thread

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I don't honestly think these films would work real well watching from 1-6.  It just kills the surprises.  How exciting is Empire really going to be if you watch Ep. III and already know Vader is Luke's dad?  And ditto Jedi, knowing Leia is his sister?  The films won't work quite the same way

Well, they may not work the same way...

 

But I have seen shows where the audience knew most if not all of the secrets beforehand (one anime which I will leave annoynomous at the moment as an example) and the fun is seeing how the characters will react to such situations happening...how they'll react to discovering the truth.

 

Plus, it makes the Luke and Leia kisses even stranger...and you have to kinda laugh in a "If they only knew" way to it.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Also, I have to wonder...

 

Had Luke and/or Leia become Sith Lords...what would their Sith names have been?

[Art Sandusky 0]

#1 and #2 are looking too far into it, and #4 is outright wrong. #3 is very valid, and it's why Episode I ranks only fourth at highest in my mind.

[Damaramu 0]

Ok well I didn't nitpick it and find those problems with it that you did. A lot of that is petty nitpicking.

And I still don't get the black stereotype. I think that's just making something out of nothing.

[Damaramu 0]

3.  Fundamental script problems.  We know Anakin is a slave, and he has to race for his freedom.  Knowing he is going to be Vader, what is our incentive to root for him here?  We know he'll turn heel and wreck the galaxy, so it's kinda hard to say "Go Ani!"  Also the central drama of the film (Trade Federation taking over Naboo so that Palpatine can manipulate Padme into having her get rid of the Chancellor and he can take over) is underdeveloped and not compelling.

Ok well about that one.

Who cares that he becomes the bad guy?

That's what's supposed to make it even more tragic. We see him as this little kid and we watch him grow up and watch him go to evil over time. And we watch him manipulated to evil and it makes his redemption in Return of the Jedi even more sweeter.

It gives us some background on the character and we don't just go "Well he's a bad guy. Big whoop."

The Star Wars films are the rise, fall, and redemption of Anakin Skywalker. Without Ep I and II all we see is the fall and redemption. The story is incomplete. `

[Guest Askewniverse]

I was pleased with Episode III. I'd have to watch it at least one more time to be sure, but for now, I'd probably rank ROTS as my second favorite Star Wars movie (just behind TESB).

 

Though it was short, I liked the Anakin-Dooku duel. I thought Anakin giving in to Palpatine and killing Dooku made the Luke-Vader duel in ROTJ mean that much more.

 

I thought the movie did a great job in showing how much Anakin had been consumed by the dark side. From wiping out younglings to force-choking his own wife, he became a total dickheaded bad-ass.

 

My only real complaint is that ending seemed to be missing a few things (Yoda arriving at Dagobah and Qui-Gon becoming one with the Force being the two most significant). I was also kinda disappointed that Lucas didn't include an explanation about changing Anakin's spirit in the DVD release of ROTJ.

 

 

As I said before I'm not obsessed enough with Star Wars stuff to watch hours upon hours of cartoons just so I can find out why Grievous is coughing.

Saying "hours upon hours of cartoons" would be a misnomer. If you combine all 25 chapters, the running time is around 2 hours. The series is very well done and is worth checking out. I'm not into the whole expanded universe thing at all, but I really liked the Clone Wars series. The final episode of the series literally leads right into Episode III.

 

Inspired by Kotz's last post, how would everybody rank the movies? At the moment, my list would look like this:

 

1. Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

2. Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

3. Episode IV - A New Hope

4. Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

5. Episode II - Attack of the Clones

6. Episode I - The Phantom Menace

[Lord of The Curry 0]

1. Empire

2. Jedi

3. ROTS

4. ANH

5. AOTC

6. TPM

[Guest Vitamin X]

It's not so bad as it is long, boring, and ultimately, unnecessary.

 

What we get in Episode I, is, in my opinion, something that didn't work with appeasing both casual and hardcore fans of the saga alike. The Jar Jar Binks stuff, the pod races, all that served absolutely no purpose. The most we get out of Episode I that's actually relevant to the rest of the saga is only knowing the natural ability that Anakin possessed during the pod races, and the whole thing about the prophecy and all. But it seemed like the crap with the Gungans and Jar Jar, along with Darth Maul, were made to appeal to casual fans, while they just threw in Obi Wan and Yoda and references to the later ones (albeit very few) for the hardcore fans, and what you're left with is this inconsequential piece of crap.

 

If they took the last half of Ep. I and the first half of Ep. II, made that Ep. I, then they'd take the last half of Ep. II and finish it off with the Clone Wars with the Yoda/Anakin/Obi-Wan/Dooku sequence to finish it off and go to Ep. III (which is awesome enough in itself to not need to be fucked with) that would have been ideal, IMO.

[Guest Vitamin X]

And my list:

 

1. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

2. Episode V: Empire Strikes Back (tied at the moment because I need to re-watch the OT to judge for sure)

2. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

4. Episode II: Attack of the Clones

5. Episode IV: A New Hope

6. Episode I: A Phantom Menace

[Art Sandusky 0]

The Empire Strikes Back

Revenge of the Sith

Return of the Jedi

A New Hope

The Phantom Menace

Attack of the Clones

 

(ROTS and ROTJ can switch depending on repeat viewings of ROTS, and TPM and ANH can switch depending on my mood)

[Art Sandusky 0]

I'm interested to hear the reactions from us young people people now that we've seen an OT-calibre film as it premiered. Do you see this becoming as well-known as the original three, future generations seeing it all as one story without OT/PT discussion (besides the obvious technical difference), or something else?

[Guest Smues]

1: A new hope

2: Empire Strikes Back

3: Revenge of the Sith

4: Return of the Jedi

5: Attack of the Clones

6: Phantom Menace

[Renegade 0]

R.I.P Mace Windu, you had the Emperor beat and everyone knows it.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

R.I.P Mace Windu, you had the Emperor beat and everyone knows it.

Actually, I have to wonder about that.

 

Did Mace actually have Palpy beat, or was Palpy faking to better get Anakin onto his side and further manipulate.

 

Because, looking later...if Yoda had slight trouble with Palpy...and Yoda is slightly stronger than Mace was...well, you can see where I"m going, right?

[Lord of The Curry 0]

I'm interested to hear the reactions from us young people people now that we've seen an OT-calibre film as it premiered. Do you see this becoming as well-known as the original three, future generations seeing it all as one story without OT/PT discussion (besides the obvious technical difference), or something else?

No way these three will be as well-known or oft-discussed as the original.

 

No way in hell.

[nogoodnick 0]

I dont understand how Mace Windu was bad ass enough to defeat Palpatine but Yoda couldn't. Yoda is about 850 years old in Episode 3 and I would've assumed he had learned a hell of a lot more then everyone else. I suppose his ability to absorb the force lightning is pretty impressive but he should have more powerful abilities at his disposal for someone so knowledgeable.

 

Natalie Portman was absoulutely horrid. Her and Hayden Christensen had zero chemistry.

 

Overall I enjoyed the movie. I am a little depressed that this is the final installment in the series though.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I dont understand how Mace Windu was bad ass enough to defeat Palpatine but Yoda couldn't. Yoda is about 850 years old in Episode 3 and I would've assumed he had learned a hell of a lot more then everyone else. I suppose his ability to absorb the force lightning is pretty impressive but he should have more powerful abilities at his disposal for someone so knowledgeable.

Like I said, I think that Palpatine was holding back in his fight with Windu, trying to get sympathy from Anakin for his plight. I'm sure if Anakin decided not to turn, Palpatine would have shown his true power on Mace even without the hand cut off.

[Anya 0]

The movie was a lot of fun, but I don't know if I'd want to see it again and again. Until the end most of the action scenes are meaningless CGI with no emotion. It's like watching a video game.

 

 

Vader's "Noooo" was so embarassing.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

2. The Trade Federation. Some of the worst heels in cinema history. Two lame Japanese caricatures, who are actually described by Qui Gon as being cowards....and these are your main heels of the film????

I don't see them as the main heels. They're clearly puppets of Palpatine.

 

I've yet to see ROTS (tomorrow night & Sunday), but I can't see myself ranking it higher than ESB or ANH. Maybe Jedi, but we'll see.

[AmericanDragon 0]

Vader's "Noooo" was so embarassing.

Lucas is evil. Just look at what he does to actors like Jackson, Portman, and Jones.

 

Vader:(raises hands in the air) NUHH-OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Anyone who says Phantom Menace is terrible...think of this:

 

It COULD have been THIS bad:

 

http://www.wrestlecrap.com/swholiday.html

[Guest Deft]

I'm glad others pointed out the "NOOOOOOOOO!"

 

I couldn't stop laughing.The rest was quality.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I'm glad others pointed out the "NOOOOOOOOO!"

 

I couldn't stop laughing.The rest was quality.

The Vader NOOOOOO actually made sense to me.

 

It was his scream of anguish that..hmm...better spoilerfy this.

 

Was his scream of anguish that, from what Palpatine told him, he was the one responsible for the very thing he was trying to prevent.

 

And hell, screams of NOOOOO run in the family. Look at Empire for a further example.

[AmericanDragon 0]

I'm glad others pointed out the "NOOOOOOOOO!"

 

I couldn't stop laughing.The rest was quality.

The Vader NOOOOOO actually made sense to me.

 

It was his scream of anguish that..hmm...better spoilerfy this.

 

Was his scream of anguish that, from what Palpatine told him, he was the one responsible for the very thing he was trying to prevent.

 

And hell, screams of NOOOOO run in the family. Look at Empire for a further example.

Ok, but the other NOOOOO was a NOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

This NOOOO was basically a nooo...... dot dot dot that just kind of trailed off.

 

I challenge anyone to defend it. Someone post an audio clip of Luke's scream and then a clip of this new piece of shit.

[Justice 0]

1. Jar Jar. Uncle Tom of the Star Wars universe, a blatant black stereotype. I think we all know how bad he sucks, and he's in a LOT of this film. Oh and he's also cowardly and worthless.

This is always the one that needs to be dealt with first, and is probably the dumbest critique you can have of Jar Jar. Bitch about him being useless and irritating, but please. I don't get pissy because Anakin and Palpatine are obvious representations of 'the Man' and are both caucasian males.

 

Plus, this also ignores the fact that, as a whole, the Gungan race nobly sacrifice themselves to save Naboo and all in all aren't all that bad. And this is from a person who hated Episode One. Kotz is right, you look WAY WAY too into this.

 

2.  The Trade Federation.  Some of the worst heels in cinema history.  Two lame Japanese caricatures, who are actually described by Qui Gon as being cowards....and these are your main heels of the film????  I suppose you could say Darth Maul is the heel here but he doesn't really have much screen time.

 

Pfft. They aren't the main heels. They are supposed to be in the dark half the time because the war isn't their idea, it's Sidious's. They are NEVER sure of it. They aren't actually evil, they are just drawn into the conflict through the manipulations of Sidious. Darth Maul and Darth Sidious are the main heels, never the Trade Fed. They shouldn't be expected to be incredibly evil or anything.

 

3.  Fundamental script problems.  We know Anakin is a slave, and he has to race for his freedom.  Knowing he is going to be Vader, what is our incentive to root for him here?  We know he'll turn heel and wreck the galaxy, so it's kinda hard to say "Go Ani!"  Also the central drama of the film (Trade Federation taking over Naboo so that Palpatine can manipulate Padme into having her get rid of the Chancellor and he can take over) is underdeveloped and not compelling.

 

1st part, I disagree. It's primarily to show you that Vader was a great person and a great hero who came from a lowly upbringing like Luke. But Jake Lloyd just isn't good enough to get anyone behind him. 2nd part I do agree.

 

4.  Qui Gon Jin.  Probably the weakest Jedi character in the series.  He goes against the Jedi council in training Anakin (ooops), he can't even do the mind trick on the Mexican Fly dude, and he gets bitchslapped and owned by Darth Maul.  The guy is a jobber, and he's our central adult protagonist, since Obi Wan gets less screen time here.

 

...? Qui Gon is a more compelling Jedi Character than Mace, in my opinion. He embodies the wit, wisdom, and ideals of Jedi. He can't trick Watto because his race is immune to it, he doesn't exactly get 'owned' by Maul, and Liam Neesen is one of the performances (Actually making a very convincing Jedi without ANY buildup) that makes the movie standable. I don't think he is anything less than great in that trainwreck.

[haws bah gawd 0]

Ok well I didn't nitpick it and find those problems with it that you did. A lot of that is petty nitpicking.

And I still don't get the black stereotype. I think that's just making something out of nothing.

As far as I am concerned, there is no stereotype. Aside from the fact that a black guy either plays, or simply provides the voice for Jar Jar, I dont see any similarities. This is nothing more than people forgetting theyre watching a MOVIE, and looking too much into things. When you start going to movies looking for deeper meaning, trying to stereotype characters around various races, and seemingly forgetting that what theyre watching is nothing more than fiction. Thats where the real problem lies.

 

When I watch Star Wars, and see characters like Jar Jar and the Trade Federation aliens, I see an ugly annoying fish man, and 2 cowardly green men, not a black stereotype or a japanese stereotype. Why cant people just enjoy a movie for what it is? A MOVIE!

[cabbageboy 0]

Palpatine was really not in a whole lot of Phantom Menace...in fact would you believe the first time though he was so nondescript that it wasn't till an hour later that I realized "Whoa, that guy is the Emperor? He didn't do shit here." The Trade Federation are the main heels of Episode 1....Palpatine is the main heel of Episode 3.

 

Why am I so wrong on Qui Gon being the weakest Jedi character of the entire series? He was Morpheus level wrong in his decisions (training Anakin in particular), and he's really the only Jedi who flat out jobs clean in a fight when he's going 100% (Obi Wan in Star Wars was old and clearly sacrificing himself) and even had backup to boot.

 

I haven't seen ROTS yet but will tomorrow most likely...really looking forward to it. And again I request can we PLEASE quit with this "A New Hope" crap. The original is simply "Star Wars."

 

Dama, what I mean by Phantom Menace having the internal problem of forcing us to cheer Anakin is that the rest of the series doesn't really do this. Throughout AOTC Anakin is depicted as a backtalking punk who really is never a terribly sympathetic character that you are asked to side with. I'm not sure what Lucas is talking about when he says that Anakin wasn't to show any of the dark side in Ep. 2 because you can see it all through the movie (the way he backtalks Obi Wan, his slaughter of the sand people, etc).

 

In Episode 1 we are asked to wholeheartedly root for Anakin during the pod race to achieve his freedom, despite our knowledge going in that the galaxy would be a better place if he just jobbed here and stayed in slavery.

[SuperJerk 0]

Fuck spoiler warnings. If you're reading a thread about a movie a full day after it comes out, you don't deserve a warning.

 

 

Random thoughts about the movie itself:

 

Order 66 pwn3d my fucking ass.

 

I honestly didn't even notice the weak dialogue. Okay, I NOTICED, but it didn't distract me. I actually liked the scenes between Padme and Anakin.

 

I'm a little pissed that Obi-Wan never said he still sensed good in him (as if 20 years later Yoda would confuse Kenobi with Padme).

 

Yoda ducking out on the Emperor like that was weak. At least have Yoda being chased by clones or something.

(Yoda ownerizing Palpatine's two guards got the biggest cheer of the movie.)

 

The dude playing Tarkin at the end looked so much like Peter Cushing it creeped me out.

 

R2D2's mad kung fu skills was way cool.

 

Vader does a mean impression of Frankenstein.

 

This was way better than Clones or Phantom Menace. A lot of genuine emoition came through in the way it was shot and edited. It didn't feel like a video game the way those movies did.

 

They really needed to give Anakin more of a reason to go from simply hating the Jedi for "holding him back" to killing little Jedi kids. I guess we knew he was capable of it from watching "Clones", but geez...that was hardcore insta-evil.

 

Palpatine was totally playing possum at the end of his battle with Mace Windu. He could've used the dark side lightening at any time.

 

It was nice of them to leave it open like other Jedi might still be alive...its as if Lucas is planning a STAR WARS television show or something.

 

My opinion of the STAR WARS movies from best to worst:

EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

A NEW HOPE

RETURN OF THE JEDI

REVENGE OF THE SITH

PHANTOM MENACE

ATTACK OF THE CLONES

[DMann2003 0]

I really like the film although when I saw it at 12:20 I'd already been up for17 hours, so I was a little pooped. But there were some great moments and a good story to go with it.

 

Bit I loved:

I loved Palpatine when Anakin had Dooku beat going "Very good Anakin*beat*kill him". Just his matter of fact way of saying it"

[Anakin Flair 0]

I dont understand how Mace Windu was bad ass enough to defeat Palpatine but Yoda couldn't. Yoda is about 850 years old in Episode 3 and I would've assumed he had learned a hell of a lot more then everyone else. I suppose his ability to absorb the force lightning is pretty impressive but he should have more powerful abilities at his disposal for someone so knowledgeable.

 

Natalie Portman was absoulutely horrid. Her and Hayden Christensen had zero chemistry.

 

Overall I enjoyed the movie. I am a little depressed that this is the final installment in the series though.

in the novelization, they point out that Mace uses a lightsaber form (Vapa, or Vapid, or something) that draws slightly on the Dark Side, which makes it the most powerful lightsaber form that the Jedi use.