Star Wars Episode 3:The Creaping Fear?

[stevew]

Someone tell me this isnt true. Say it aint so.


The title for STAR WARS EPISODE III? Heh... I know...
Hey folks, Harry here... Ordinarily I would stay about 30,000 miles away from a rumor about the title of the final Star Wars prequel. How many rumors have there been? A zillion? I've been hearing "RISE OF THE EMPIRE" for a billion years now, but I've always dismissed it because frankly - with the last film having "of the" in the title, I really didn't feel that Lucas would have that in a subsequent title... didn't feel like his style. That being said - when I got this email... with all the blank pieces filled in and when I talked to a friend that knew the person that fills those blanks and works with them - well - this early morning they confirmed this for me. Now... having said that - it is awfully close to April 1st and well that brings out the loons. But I believe this title simply because... well... it sounds like something Lucas would hatch for the final title. Read on, I'll be back afterwards...
Hi Harry,

A lttle nugget of Star Wars info...I work in the animation industry, and I've just had a very interesting conversation with ___________ ___. We were discussing the presentations for the upcoming MIPCOM tradefair which starts at the weekend, and she/he/it was talking about the _____________, and how successful it's been for them...etc...then she/he/it said that Lucasfilm will be announcing the title of Episode 3 early next week, and they were rushing to reprint some artwork with the new title to take to MIP.

She/he/it said the title had been 'Rise of the Empire', but George Lucas recently changed his mind, and it will now be titled 'The Creeping Fear'. She/he/it said this refers to a hooded Death type character who wipes out the Jedi.

If you do use this, can you be sure to leave out ___________ ___'s name...(I wouldn't want he/her/it to get into trouble!)

Thanks Harry,

Call me Gibby Bunt

THE CREEPING FEAR... it sounds like a serial chapter title... it has a retrofunk to it and like both the previous names it would be sure to drive fanboys screaming mad about how Lucas is insane and how Fincher should be directing the final part... but... THE CREEPING FEAR is the thing that's gonna bite Anakin on the ass and complete his transformation. THE CREEPING FEAR is what is going to be wiping out the Jedi, making the few survivors genuinely feeling like lucky bastards. This could all be bullshit, but we'll see soon enough if the rest of the email is correct... personally I do have a skeptical side... after all, THE PHANTOM MENACE was unleashed in September... and ATTACK OF THE CLONES was an August thing, almost a full month earlier... this would be quite a bit earlier than expected... Let's see if THE CREEPING FEAR turns out to be more than just geeks' feelings towards the 3rd and final prequel.

[stevew]

Okay, Its "Creeping Fear"

[sovereignstar]

Got any more links to illegitimate cheap video game deals? http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[stevew]

Got any more links to illegitimate cheap video game deals? http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Man, screw Buy.com. That was all up on like 2 different cheapass sites I visit. Im sorry bout that :(

[sovereignstar]

Just giving you shit. Why should this be taken seriously though?

[stevew]

Hey, for real, if you want a good deal on video games, look at the target ad paper weekly. Invariably they will put games on sale every week. Invariably most of the titles will sell out buy tuesday(if its a regularly $49.99 title priced at say $29.99). Go in and get a raincheck for the out of stock title. Then use that raincheck on any game you want. Not a bad deal. And totally legal

[Draft Dodger]

well, if Ain't it Cool says it's true...it likely isn't.

[tucker342]

If anyone wants a whole hell of a lot of Star Wars information checkout http://www.supershadow.com/
warning: LOTS OF SPOILERS

I don't know how accurate it is, but it has plot scripts for Episodes 7, 8, 9. Which he says is going to start filming in 2012(I hope not, George Lucas has ruined Star Wars enough:()

Interesting website though

[stevew]

If anyone wants a whole hell of a lot of Star Wars information checkout http://www.supershadow.com/
warning: LOTS OF SPOILERS

I don't know how accurate it is, but it has plot scripts for Episodes 7, 8, 9. Which he says is going to start filming in 2012(I hope not, George Lucas has ruined Star Wars enough:()

Interesting website though

Ive heard Supershadow is a farce.

[fhasumi]

Does anybody think these next ones are going to be any better than the last 2 bombs?

[Suicane75]

Does anybody think these next ones are going to be any better than the last 2 bombs?

While Episode 1 sucked donkey balls, I thought Episode was 2 was a decent enough movie, nowhere near the level of the first 3 movies but still decent enough. Episode 3 has enough inherent momentum being a lead in to #4 that it has to be at least decent. Of course, I'll never underestimate Lucas' ability to screw things up horribly.

[Desnudo]

While Episode 1 sucked donkey balls, I thought Episode was 2 was a decent enough movie, nowhere near the level of the first 3 movies but still decent enough. Episode 3 has enough inherent momentum being a lead in to #4 that it has to be at least decent. Of course, I'll never underestimate Lucas' ability to screw things up horribly.

Episode 2 depressed the hell out of me because it made me realize how much the first three were really dependent on the actors. Unless you can hook Harrison Ford up to the juvenation machine or George Lucas somehow remembers how to cast, I'm scared that 3 will be more wink wink jokes and wooden acting.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Hate these movies. so. much. Rage building... Anger rising.... :mad:

I just can't get excited for this third film. I just want it to come out, so we can get this whole thing over with. We should have expected crap after seeing the Star Wars re-releases. The signs were all there...

[Desnudo]

I think I'd look forward to a Spaceballs sequel more right now actually.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Will the title song be by Metallica then ?

[Eaglesfan27]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I really enjoyed the last one. I agree the first one was crap, but I find myself watching (at least in the background) the second one whenever it comes on cable tv (which is a lot.)

[sachmo71]

Will the title song be by Metallica then ?


Creeping Death, but I'm sure they could change it. Personally, I think Star Wars could use some Iron Maiden in the soundtrack, but I'm just an aging headbanger.

[cthomer5000]

Hate these movies. so. much. Rage building... Anger rising.... :mad:

I just can't get excited for this third film. I just want it to come out, so we can get this whole thing over with. We should have expected crap after seeing the Star Wars re-releases. The signs were all there...

I used to be a gigantic fan, but now I feel like you do. We just have to get this over with. Episodes 1 & 2 are 2 of the biggest pieces of cinematic shit I've ever seen. Just fucking disasters from start to finish.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I used to be a gigantic fan, but now I feel like you do. We just have to get this over with. Episodes 1 & 2 are 2 of the biggest pieces of cinematic shit I've ever seen. Just fucking disasters from start to finish.

Amen, brother.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Creeping Death, but I'm sure they could change it. Personally, I think Star Wars could use some Iron Maiden in the soundtrack, but I'm just an aging headbanger.
I know it's Creeping Death, but I thought it would fit anyway...
signed,
another again headbanger...

[DanGarion]

Does anybody think these next ones are going to be any better than the last 2 bombs?
I really think parts 4-6 are going to be great! I can't wait till they come out!

[Shepp]

What does it say for Gworge Lucas when the story in "Knights of the old Republic" is head and shoulders better than any of the crap he has put together in either of the last two movies?

[BigJohn&TheLions]

It could be titled "Anakin's Anal Adventure" and geeks would still flock to see it by the millions...

I'll do the same thing as with the first two prequils... wait until the hype has died down to go be disappointed.

[fantastic flying froggies]

It could be titled "Anakin's Anal Adventure" ...
DING ! We have a winner ! :D

[RendeR]

Wow, I can't even begin to comment on the comments here.

If you dislike the man's movies, stay home. He won't care. honest.

[Easy Mac]

I think they should title it "Its Fucking Queer."

[Noop]

I think this will be good...

[ISiddiqui]

One wonders if people actually thought that Episodes 4-6 were good moviemaking? And if so, what are these people smoking?

Episode 2, at least, was just as well written AND acted as the first three of the series. People are suffereing from 'everything was better in the old days' nostaglia. Doesn't mean I hated them, just take them for what they are.

[cthomer5000]

One wonders if people actually thought that Episodes 4-6 were good moviemaking? And if so, what are these people smoking?

Episode 2, at least, was just as well written AND acted as the first three of the series. People are suffereing from 'everything was better in the old days' nostaglia. Doesn't mean I hated them, just take them for what they are.
Empire Strikes Back::The Phantom Menace
The Godfather::Gigli

[cthomer5000]

Wow, I can't even begin to comment on the comments here.

If you dislike the man's movies, stay home. He won't care. honest.
We have no right to express our opinions? I'm speaking as someone who was a HUGE star wars fan going into EP1. I saw the fucking midnight showing, and saw it again in digital projection. The movie sucked a fat one, and the 2nd was equally bad. If you think the originals weren't any better, you simply can't tell good movies from bad.

[Suicane75]

One wonders if people actually thought that Episodes 4-6 were good moviemaking? And if so, what are these people smoking?

Episode 2, at least, was just as well written AND acted as the first three of the series.

No.....It.....Wasn't.

[rkmsuf]

The bloopers were much better in the old ones...I like it when the stormtrooper hits his head...

[cthomer5000]

One wonders if people actually thought that Episodes 4-6 were good moviemaking? And if so, what are these people smoking?

Episode 2, at least, was just as well written AND acted as the first three of the series. People are suffereing from 'everything was better in the old days' nostaglia. Doesn't mean I hated them, just take them for what they are.
If we were to have a board of 20-to-infinity number of published movie critics review The Empire Strikes Back versus your choice of either episode 1 or 2, I would gladly bet my LIFE that they would rate the ESB a full grade higher (on average) on a 5 point scale.

[Desnudo]

Wow, I can't even begin to comment on the comments here.

If you dislike the man's movies, stay home. He won't care. honest.

If you dislike the posts, then stay out of the thread. We won't care. Honest. :p

[CamEdwards]

We have no right to express our opinions? I'm speaking as someone who was a HUGE star wars fan going into EP1. I saw the fucking midnight showing, and saw it again in digital projection. The movie sucked a fat one, and the 2nd was equally bad. If you think the originals weren't any better, you simply can't tell good movies from bad.

This cracked me up. You saw the first one at a midnight showing, thought it sucked, and so you went back to see it again??!? WTF is that all about? :)

[RendeR]

We have no right to express our opinions? I'm speaking as someone who was a HUGE star wars fan going into EP1. I saw the fucking midnight showing, and saw it again in digital projection. The movie sucked a fat one, and the 2nd was equally bad. If you think the originals weren't any better, you simply can't tell good movies from bad.

Oh I can tell good movies from bad, thats not the issue, the issue is you didn't like the way the creator made his own movie, and you feel like lashing out at him because of...what? You think he owes you a better (by your standards) prequel to his first trilogy?

I grew up with Star Wars, and frankly, I don't much give a rats fat bloated ass what the "majority" of people say, the first movie was the best movie, Empire was great, but it changed the style of the story from one that was more melodramatic to something more serious. The third was made for kids, pure and simple, it wasn't aimed at the discerning movie goer and certainly wasn't aimed at the hard core (and I believe sometimes "living in their own little universe) Star wars fans.

So of course everyone complains, "its not what we expected from the story" well no shit, you didn't write it, you didn't have to watch it either.

Now the first three movies are filmed and here we go again "its terrible, its not the amazing acting and stellar storyline we expected from Lucas" well gee, lets think about this one now:

its PRE QUEL, its not supposed to be flashier and better than the originals, its supposed to introduce characters and BACK story, and frankly folks THATS BORING.

In episode one they reverted to the melodramatic almost campy acting style they had in the original picture, it worked just fine, it told a story, it developed the background of many characters, and it was cute enough to pull in the children of a new generation. Which, of course, was the whole farking point of making the movies.

they made a more interesting movie for the modern fans in episode 2, and still everyone complains.

You are right, you are entitled to your opinion, but maybe your opinion is more than a little blown out of proportion. I've listened to people left right forwads and backwords do nothing but bitch about the films. It gets old. You've beaten the dead horse until its not even good for glue anymore.

If you don't like the fucking movies, stop being a ass fuck and don't GO to the movies. but of course you've already crossed that boundry "I saw it again in digital...." you hated it the first time, and what? thought it would get BETTER with repetition?

Stop bitching, accept the movies for what they were meant to be, or just stop going to them altogether. Screaming at the wind about how terrible you thought they were isn't going to stop the next one from being made, its not going to make lucas change how he makes the films, and it certainly isn't going to keep ANYONE with the slightest interest in the stories from going to it.

By all means, say whatever you like, but at least try and make it something worth saying and stop blowing smoke out yer ass for everyone to read through.

[RendeR]

This cracked me up. You saw the first one at a midnight showing, thought it sucked, and so you went back to see it again??!? WTF is that all about? :)

yeah, no shit, lends real weight to his opinion doesn't it?.


My apologies for my previous rant, I just get really annoyed with movie-whiners. Its a choice people, you don't have to CHOOSE to go.

[Tigercat]

I agree with the sentiment that people kid themselves when they think episodes 4-6 were great pieces of film making. The only reason the first 3 are a better piece of storytelling is because Lucas went for obvious grand space opera and the public was ready for it. If Lucas followed the same exact formula for the first 3 episodes, went with some of the same obvious and corny plot lines, some people would have been just as sick of these movies as they are now.

The first three movies had bad bad acting. Hello, even if the part was made fairly well for him Mark Hamill couldn't act his way out of a paper bag. I am surprised more people don't look at 4-6 again years later and think "Man those are some bad lines and an even worse delivery!" But most don't because of nostalgia.

Lucas didn't suddenly become a sucky filmmaker over night, its just that no one can make you feel like movies 4-6 made you feel, just like no Godfather movie after 1 and 2 could ever feel as enthralled as the originals.

[Chief Rum]

Don't worry, Render. I for one agree with you, although I don't think I would take it as far as you did.

I think expectations were ridiculiusly high for the prequels, given the amazing popularity of the original series. But looking back at the originals now, I can't see they are technically great movies, at least not when it comes to story-telling or acting (for the most part). Even the dialogue is mostly hokie.

I think where Lucas is having problems is that he has made the storyline a lot more complicated, which is difficult to do (and frankly, Lucas has shown he's not all that good at complicated plot lines). I also think he went too much for the kiddies, as you noted, but I understand why he did that. And I think he and his screenwriters just didn't do as good a job of writing interesting characters. Guiness's Obi-Wan, Han Solo, Yoda, the droids, Chewbacca and, of course, big badass Darth Vader-- I mean, these are some kick ass characters. The prequels (so far) have nothing on them. Personally, I think the most interesting characters in the prequels so far have been Qui-Gon and Darth Maul, and damn it all to hell, they killed them both off in the first movie. :)

Basically, I don't think the prequels grab the modern adult movie-goer the way the originals grabbed all audiences, because of the above issues. But outside of Guiness and Ford, I don't think any cast member in the prequels has done a shameful job in comparison tot eh campy acts put up by the originals' other stars, and the special effects remain very solid, and the moivies fun to experience, even if it's not on the same level as the first trilogy.

EDIT: The sentence in the middle of the above paragraph is badlywritten. I am saying no one in the prequels holds a candle to Ford or Guinness, IMO, when it comes to acting, but they were just as good as anyone else in the originals (real, that is).

Basically, I have accepted that I, personally, am probably not going to enjoy these the way I enjoyed the originals, because I'm not a kid anymore (which made it so wonderful for me), and it's not ground-breaking effects stuff anymore (which is what hooked the parents and adults of the time). For instance, my dad probably knew Mark Hamill wasn't going to end up doing shit with his acting "prowess", but he was smart enough not to tell my brother and I that, as we wore out our new "VCR" by repeatedly playing our tape of Star Wars (I think we saw it 42 times in one summer when we were about 9-10, IIRC).

But even accpeting that, I have enjoyed the prequels for what they are--passingly entertaining films with cool connections to some of my favorite movies of all time, and as worthy of being seen as most blockbusters released nowadays.

That said, I do hope that the dim rumors I have heard about Episodes 7-9 possibly being done by someone else are true. I know Lucas doesn't want to do them, and I have heard he will only allow them to be done if the right guy takes it over. Like his Raiders of the Lost Ark co-producer buddy, Steven Spielbergo perhaps?...(a guy can dream, right?)...

CR

[BishopMVP]

I get the feeling part of it is that children like Lucas' filmaking (reportedly Jar Jar Binks was a hit among kids :rolleyes:). So a lot of people let their nostalgia and initial impressions impact their opinion of the first three movies. Most of the people who hate the new ones are people who saw the first three when they were growing up. Just my opinion.

[stevew]

Man, I cant believe RendeR and I have found common ground. If you all want to hate on Star Wars, fuck off.

Face it, you would have hated any Episodes 1-3. While I might not LOVE the newest 2 movies, IMO they stack up well with the others. All in all we will have a nice 6 part series.

I love the fact that he went in and messed around with the originals. Outside of possibly the design decision of having Greedo shoot first, Im all for it.

[Anthony]

the problems people have with these prequels is this:

1. one assumes if you're going to take an outdated franchise who last movie was made some 25 years ago - you're going to improve upon it somehow. access to better acting, better technology for better effects, etc. unfortunately the uproar is that the prequels so far have not improved upon the first 3 movies, their quality is poor to the point where they begin to detract from the franchise many have loved.

2. consistently bad decisions when it comes to acting. the boy who plays the young anikan makes me cringe. i didn't notice it when i saw it in the movies, but repeated viewings are awful, enough to detract from the movie. hayden christiansen is horrible as an actor in the star wars series, and natalie portman, while great jackoff material, gives a performance that would make Keanu Reeves proud. the CGI characters display more charsima and watchability than these actors, whereas we are accustomed to by and large more believable performances from people like Ford or even the character of Darth Vadar.

3. an overreliance on technology has stripped the soul off the franchise. there are more CGI characters in Phantom Menace than in all three 4-6 episodes. more blue screen backgrounds than actual on-location set pieces. there was a tangible quality to the franchise, from the desert of Attila the Hut to the costumed aliens worn by the extras. Star Wars was never intended to be a showcase for the latest in special effects technology (as the Matrix franchise was intended).

you just can't mix real characters with essentially cartoons and expect adults to sit through it. don't give me that weak line "the prequels are meant for the kids". children of this generation had no idea of the star wars series. the prequels were aimed for the adults, the built-in market who would actually care about the backstory of a series that came out 2 decades ago.

so, you got not adding to the franchise, bad acting and too much CGI, add it up and you're left with people scratching their heads in bewilderment asking why is their beloved franchise being shit on.

[ISiddiqui]

If we were to have a board of 20-to-infinity number of published movie critics review The Empire Strikes Back versus your choice of either episode 1 or 2, I would gladly bet my LIFE that they would rate the ESB a full grade higher (on average) on a 5 point scale.

Mostly for nostalgia's sake. I'd say ESB is better than AotC, but not by much. As bad has Hayden Christensen is, take a look at Mark Hamill's shit performance.

[Suicane75]

I would rather go down on Star Jones on the hottest, most humid day of the year than ever watch that abomination that is AOTC again. The story, the characters, the intensity, the acting, the aura of all of the first 3 movies are all so much better than AOTC that i dont understand how anyone can debate it. Chapter 2 was a decent movie, and it moved closer to the feel of the first 3 but it was not in there league.

[ISiddiqui]

The story, the characters, the intensity, the acting, the aura of all of the first 3 movies are all so much better than AOTC

LOL! Oh wait, you aren't joking.

AotC wiped the floor with RotJ.

[Suicane75]

LOL! Oh wait, you aren't joking.

AotC wiped the floor with RotJ.

I think the only thing that we will agree on is that we should never catch a film together. :D

[HornedFrog Purple]

I thought the first 2 haven't been that bad. As far as the acting goes, all the actors are basically acting in front of a blue screen. Lucas has become so obsessed with it, it has hurt that part a lot.

I really think the midichlorians(?) angle is stupid. "Hey let's just give a blood test and see if they are Jedi!" That part he should have done away with.

Looking back at the original trilogy, what these Jedi can do in the prequels makes Luke look like an absolute wuss. It's amazing the good guys won. :D

Overall though I have liked the films for what they are which is entertaining.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I'm sticking with cthomer5000 on this one. It's not even close. Godfather::Gigli is a good comparison. If you don't want to be so dramatic, I could settle for Godfather::Godfather III.

Yes, the Ewoks suck, but they aren't even in the same ballpark of suck as Jar-Jar Binks. Not even close. Hell, I'd even take the damned little Ewoks over that droid factory scene (and C-3PO's horrible jokes) any day.

Don't even get me started on metacholrians or whatever the hell those things were called.

The last two films are just poor. Poor acting. Poor screen-plays. Overly confusing and ridiculous plots. Over-used CGI. It's really a shame too. Well, we got Lord of The Rings. I guess it's more than we geeks could hope for.

[RendeR]

..... I guess it's more than we geeks could hope for.


You know, maybe this is the problem. You critics set your expectations so high even jackson can barely make you happy with an unbelievably superior set of movies.

I think I'll stick with my own cynicism: I expect shit, and then am happily surprised when I recieve in return shit+1


try it sometime, it may amaze you how much more pleasent life can be.

[cthomer5000]

This cracked me up. You saw the first one at a midnight showing, thought it sucked, and so you went back to see it again??!? WTF is that all about? :)

The first viewing was a circus-type atmosphere (audience applauding at scenes, etc), so I didn't really get a good read on it. Upon re-viewing... the movie is borderline unwatchable.

[cthomer5000]

the issue is you didn't like the way the creator made his own movie, and you feel like lashing out at him because of...what? You think he owes you a better (by your standards) prequel to his first trilogy?

Honestly, what are you talking about? I never once said I was "owed" anything. All I said was that Episodes 1 & 2 are Grade A Crap, and pale in comparsion to the original trilogy (although we'd all agree ROTJ is clearly the weakest link there). I didn't say Lucas owed me anything, and I didn't say I questioned "the way" he made his own movie. I just said they were bad movies.

So of course everyone complains, "its not what we expected from the story" well no shit, you didn't write it, you didn't have to watch it either.
I don't think anyone here has said anything to the effect of not getting what we expected. Well actually, we expected good movies - and haven't gotten that yet.


Now the first three movies are filmed and here we go again "its terrible, its not the amazing acting and stellar storyline we expected from Lucas" well gee, lets think about this one now:

its PRE QUEL, its not supposed to be flashier and better than the originals, its supposed to introduce characters and BACK story, and frankly folks THATS BORING.

They made a more interesting movie for the modern fans in episode 2, and still everyone complains.

I think Lucas has shown with this two films that is a below-average director. When you assemble a cast of legitimately good actors, and they all turn in terrible performances - where does the problem lie? If a coach had an offense loaded with all-stars that was consistenly getting shutout, we know he'd be fired. Sadly, Lucas will not fire himself - although I wish he hadn't directed either film (and he didn't originally plan to). It's obvious his strengths are in story-writing (please note the difference between "story" and "script"), not in directing.

If you don't like the fucking movies, stop being a ass fuck and don't GO to the movies. but of course you've already crossed that boundry "I saw it again in digital...." you hated it the first time, and what? thought it would get BETTER with repetition?

Again, my first viewing of EP1 was at midnight showing with a wild crowd. Combine that with desperately wanting to love the movie, and it's clear my original judgement of the movie was far better than my current one. Also, 50% of the reason I saw the digital showing was just for the digital factor alone - I believe they were the first commercial digital projections here in the states. (And the picture was quite nice). And I actually feel more certain of the shortcomings of the movie having seen it multiple times (I even received TPM on VHS as a birthday present - and have seen it 4 times in total).

Unless the reviews are incredible, I will not see the 3rd movie in the theater.


Stop bitching, accept the movies for what they were meant to be, or just stop going to them altogether. Screaming at the wind about how terrible you thought they were isn't going to stop the next one from being made, its not going to make lucas change how he makes the films, and it certainly isn't going to keep ANYONE with the slightest interest in the stories from going to it.

By all means, say whatever you like, but at least try and make it something worth saying and stop blowing smoke out yer ass for everyone to read through.


This just appears to devolve into some sort of personal attack, and I don't quite know why. You like the movies (or at least support the way in which Lucas is making them), and I do not like the movies. Why you even feel the need to retort criticism of the films is beyond me.

[oykib]

"Episode 1" was so-so.

"Attack of the Clones" was a piece of garbage.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. It's just that if you disagree with me on this, you're absolutely wrong.:D

Seriously, I don't get the attacks either. We spout off about every subject on this message board. To get upset about whether or not some movies that are obviously not classics are decent, watchable fare or utter crap seems kind of silly to me.

[Anthony]

Looking back at the original trilogy, what these Jedi can do in the prequels makes Luke look like an absolute wuss. It's amazing the good guys won

well, you have to understand Luke didn't go through proper Jedi training. even Anakin was too old by the time Qui-Gon brought him to the academy. the Jedi's liked to train their padawan's at a very young age. so don't compare what Luke could do to what people could do who were trained in the Jedi arts their entire lives.

nevermind me, i'm gonna hang myself now.

[Anthony]

(I even received TPM on VHS as a birthday present - and have seen it 4 times in total).


what's a VHS?

[ISiddiqui]

When you assemble a cast of legitimately good actors

Lucas has NEVER done this... not for the first trilogy, not for this one. In the first trilogy you had Alec Guinness and Harrison Ford and everyone else sucked badly (though Billy Dee Williams was pretty cool). In this one, you have Ewen McGregor (who has been very good) and Liam Neelson was good in TPM. Hayden Christensen is crap.. though probably on the same level as Mark Hamill and Natalie Portman is just as bad as Carrie Fisher (whose only saving grace was the Jabba the Hut bikini scene).

[wig]

Why are you guys pretending that the original trilogy was good?

It was a steaming pile of donkey crap too.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Why are you guys pretending that the original trilogy was good?

It was a steaming pile of donkey crap too.

Uh.... No.

[Honolulu_Blue]

You know, maybe this is the problem. You critics set your expectations so high even jackson can barely make you happy with an unbelievably superior set of movies.

I think I'll stick with my own cynicism: I expect shit, and then am happily surprised when I recieve in return shit+1


try it sometime, it may amaze you how much more pleasent life can be.

For the record Jackson made me quite more than "barely" happy. I've expressed my views on these movies time and time again here. I think they are a triumph, utterly surpassing the books in almost all respects. Excellent films that I've seen over and over and will continue to do so.

As for expecting shit and being happy with shit+1... So be it.

I was expecting shit when I went to see AotC and got shit-1, if not shit-a hell of a lot more than more.

[cthomer5000]

what's a VHS?
even worse - it's not wide screen. :mad:

This was during Lucas' "Star Wars will never be released on DVD phase. :rolleyes:

[RendeR]

This just appears to devolve into some sort of personal attack, and I don't quite know why. You like the movies (or at least support the way in which Lucas is making them), and I do not like the movies. Why you even feel the need to retort criticism of the films is beyond me.


A: this isn't about you, its about every person who can do nothing but trash talk about a set of movies that isn't up to their "expectations"

B: I don't particularly like the way he dumbed down the movies, I would much rather have had them filmed in a serious and more realistic manner. I do accept however that he made these movies for 8 year olds and not for anyone else. In trying to appease everyone he managed to make things worse than they could have been.

C: Its not the criticism of the films per say as the continuous-nonstop-unabating-never-fucking-ends commentary on how terrible they are. every time ANY piece of news comes out about this series, you (as in the critics of hw they were made or how poor they are) come back out and rehash everything over and over restating what's been said a thousand times (please note the beating the dead horse comment) Why is it so impossible for people to let go of something so trivial? Its a movie, if you didn't like it, fine, don't watch it again.

lastly, I am a fan of these movies, all of them because they pull me back into a beautifully crafted world that gives me a few hours respit from reality. Yeah, they aren't movie of teh year winners, so what? Why is that a necessary quality? Why can't people simply watch movies and take them as they are? Its a freaking fantasy world, there are no standards of what its supposed to be, and if anyone thinks they are they should take note that those standards are simply manifestations of their own brains, and not anything real.

Suspension of disbelief people, try it the next time you go into a theatre, maybe you won't have as much whining to do afterwards.

[cthomer5000]

Suspension of disbelief people, try it the next time you go into a theatre, maybe you won't have as much whining to do afterwards.
I guess we just need to suspend our belief in good acting, writing, or direction in order to enjoy these. :)

[ISiddiqui]

I guess we just need to suspend our belief in good acting, writing, or direction in order to enjoy these.

You did it for the first trilogy.

[wig]

You did it for the first trilogy.

No doubt

[Draft Dodger]

well, I'm pretty much with CR here.

I've seen the original trilogy about a zillion times. If there was only one movie I could take to deserted island, it would be Star Wars (or maybe a porno...). It's special effects, as revolutionary as they were, are showing their age in some spots. And it never was a study in stellar directing (especially humorous is watching Darth Vader - Jame's Earl Jone's voice acting often doesn't match up well with David Prowse's physical movements). But it sure tugged at the heartstrings of this 6-year old.

I've thought about the disappointment of Menace and Clones quite a bit. It's not the directing, and it's not the acting - those same criticisms could just as easily be aimed at 4 through 6. And it's not that 1 and 2 are aimed at kids - I really don't buy that at all, and, again, it's no different from the original 3.

What Menace and Clones do have is a really, really, REALLY bad script. Lucas does what really should be impossible, and he's done it twice. He's come up with a story that is both far too complex than it needs to be, and yet juvenile at the same time. I own more Star Wars action figures than any one person should, and yet I STILL can't fully explain just what the hell is going on in the 2 newest movies. And yet we can squeeze in cutesy conveniences like all the unrelated characters (or their parents) crossing paths in Menace and Clones. It's sad, because if he'd just had someone else write a decent story, we could have had some outstanding films.

but, it doesn't taint the original trilogy at all for me (nor does the ridiculous crap added into the Special Editions). There's still enough eye/ear candy for me to watch the new ones from time to time; I certainly wish they were better, but that just wasn't meant to be.

[cuervo72]

But outside of Guiness and Ford, I don't think any cast member in the prequels has done a shameful job in comparison tot eh campy acts put up by the originals' other stars, and the special effects remain very solid, and the moivies fun to experience, even if it's not on the same level as the first trilogy.

EDIT: The sentence in the middle of the above paragraph is badlywritten. I am saying no one in the prequels holds a candle to Ford or Guinness, IMO, when it comes to acting, but they were just as good as anyone else in the originals (real, that is).

The voice of JEJ, man! And don't forget Billy Dee! I think part 3 should just be Han and Billy Dee flying around smuggling, then going back to cloud city to hook up with some hotties over some Colt 45's.

;)

[ISiddiqui]

LOL!

Well, JEJ's voice will be back for like 10 minutes in TCF (The Creeping Fear). ;)

[Honolulu_Blue]

You did it for the first trilogy.

Wrong. The writing, acting, and directing were all better in the first three. They aren't masterpieces of cinema, but they are vastly superior to these last two pieces of crap.

This really isn't about nostalgia either. I know the difference between things I liked as a kid, but are actually crap, and things I liked as a kid and that are actually quite good. The former list includes illions of films I loved as a kid: Bestmaster, Battle Beyond the Stars, Conan the Destroyer, etc, etc. These are movies that I enjoy watching now, because of how I felt about them when I first saw them, but I can readily admit they are all pretty much crap films.

The original Star Wars trilogy is not.

Sure some of the dialgoue is stiff and akward, but they pull it off. Mark Hamil is annoying as hell, but he's a young, punk kid. He's supposed to be whining. The little bit of acting Hamil put into whining about going to the Tashi station to pick up some power converters dwarfs almost anything we saw in the first two films.

Creeping Doom is a stupid title too.

Oops. I guess it's Creeping Fear, which is even stupider.

[sabotai]

This thread is making me miss the political and religious flame wars...

[wig]

Honolulu Blue is wrong.

The first three sucked ass.

[dawgfan]

Wig is wrong. The first 2 movies are very good (RotJ was a definite step down). The latest 2 have their moments, but are weighed down by too much baggage:

- The midichlorians (sp?) thing was the worst thing Lucas could've done; he took what had been an interesting philosophical/quasi-religious idea that really didn't need a technical explanation and gave it one anyway. Why was this necessary? It ruined the whole idea...

- He took the 2 most interesting characters in the first movie and killed them off. Darth Maul was the most watchable character, and the closest thing Lucas had to Darth Vader. I understand the revenge factor and all, but Darth Maul needed more scenes, and why not wait till the next movie to off him?

- Poor acting choices in the most critical role: Anakin Skywalker. The kid in the first movie is not good, and Hayden Christenson is bad. This is the primary character in the whole series, and in the first trilogy was the most watchable character. Natalie Portman, while very nice to look at, is also stiff as a board in both movies; she shows none of the fire of Carrie Fisher.

- Too many "kiddie" moments; the obvious video-game commercial that was the pod-race and the not-funny announcers, the "whoops, I purely by chance took out the blockade ships" scenes with kid-Anakin, Jar-Jar Binks.

- The whole "Anakin's Creek" teenage romance melodrama scenes in the 2nd one.

The first trilogy wasn't a great showcase for script and acting, but they were nowhere near as bad as some here are making them out to be. Mark Hamill is no great shakes, but he works for the role. Harrison Ford is great, Alec Guiness is great, James Earl Jones is great, Billy Dee Williams is great, Carrie Fisher is decent (very good in the first one). The plot was both simpler and more grand in scope. There were much better relationships between the characters - the interplay between Han and Chewy, the mentor:apprentice relationship of Obi-Wan and Luke, the romance between Leia and Han, the interplay between Han and Lando. Wisely, Lucas had scripting help for the series, something he could've used in the latest two. He also wisely handed over the director's chair for the 2nd and 3rd movies (though no directing chops would've been enough to overcome the Ewoks, and the melodrama at the end was a bit much).

The 3D stuff in the most recent 2 don't bother me - I though the battle scenes were fantastic. What sucked were all the little things that just seemed unnceccesary - the overly convoluted plot, things like the Italian-accented winged alien in the first movie (in the original trilogy he would've spoken an entirely alien language with subtitles for the audienc), the pidgin-english speech of Jar-Jar, the midichlorians, the schmaltziness of the Anakin/Padme romance.

Of course expectations were high for the prequels - the first series was highly entertaining. Empire Strikes Back raised the expectation bar by being in many people's minds better than Star Wars (though Return of the Jedi should've served as a warning). High expectations were not unwarrented, given the fact that Lucas has had a tremendous amount of time to work out the storyline and the details and to find the right people to make the movie.

I don't think the prequels are horrible movies; taken by themselves, each is entertaining while being severely flawed in certain ways. It's the fact that they do suffer in comparison to Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back that they've taken so much criticism from the fanbase.

I'm tempering my expectations for the last prequel, but given the nature of the presumed story arc it really should be the best of all the movies, or at least the darkest and most adult. Anakin has to consumate his relationship with Padme, he has to become Vader, Vader has to kill all the jedi, Palpatine has to overthrow the Republic and outwardly stake his claim as emporer, and Obi-Wan has to hide Vader's children. Lucas, for all his faults, has setup a terrific finale for this trilogy, but I think he's "gifted" enough to screw this one up too...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Wig is wrong. The first 2 movies are very good (RotJ was a definite step down). The latest 2 have their moments, but are weighed down by too much baggage:

- The midichlorians (sp?) thing was the worst thing Lucas could've done; he took what had been an interesting philosophical/quasi-religious idea that really didn't need a technical explanation and gave it one anyway. Why was this necessary? It ruined the whole idea...

- He took the 2 most interesting characters in the first movie and killed them off. Darth Maul was the most watchable character, and the closest thing Lucas had to Darth Vader. I understand the revenge factor and all, but Darth Maul needed more scenes, and why not wait till the next movie to off him?

- Poor acting choices in the most critical role: Anakin Skywalker. The kid in the first movie is not good, and Hayden Christenson is bad. This is the primary character in the whole series, and in the first trilogy was the most watchable character. Natalie Portman, while very nice to look at, is also stiff as a board in both movies; she shows none of the fire of Carrie Fisher.

- Too many "kiddie" moments; the obvious video-game commercial that was the pod-race and the not-funny announcers, the "whoops, I purely by chance took out the blockade ships" scenes with kid-Anakin, Jar-Jar Binks.

- The whole "Anakin's Creek" teenage romance melodrama scenes in the 2nd one.

The first trilogy wasn't a great showcase for script and acting, but they were nowhere near as bad as some here are making them out to be. Mark Hamill is no great shakes, but he works for the role. Harrison Ford is great, Alec Guiness is great, James Earl Jones is great, Billy Dee Williams is great, Carrie Fisher is decent (very good in the first one). The plot was both simpler and more grand in scope. There were much better relationships between the characters - the interplay between Han and Chewy, the mentor:apprentice relationship of Obi-Wan and Luke, the romance between Leia and Han, the interplay between Han and Lando. Wisely, Lucas had scripting help for the series, something he could've used in the latest two. He also wisely handed over the director's chair for the 2nd and 3rd movies (though no directing chops would've been enough to overcome the Ewoks, and the melodrama at the end was a bit much).

The 3D stuff in the most recent 2 don't bother me - I though the battle scenes were fantastic. What sucked were all the little things that just seemed unnceccesary - the overly convoluted plot, things like the Italian-accented winged alien in the first movie (in the original trilogy he would've spoken an entirely alien language with subtitles for the audienc), the pidgin-english speech of Jar-Jar, the midichlorians, the schmaltziness of the Anakin/Padme romance.

Of course expectations were high for the prequels - the first series was highly entertaining. Empire Strikes Back raised the expectation bar by being in many people's minds better than Star Wars (though Return of the Jedi should've served as a warning). High expectations were not unwarrented, given the fact that Lucas has had a tremendous amount of time to work out the storyline and the details and to find the right people to make the movie.

I don't think the prequels are horrible movies; taken by themselves, each is entertaining while being severely flawed in certain ways. It's the fact that they do suffer in comparison to Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back that they've taken so much criticism from the fanbase.

I'm tempering my expectations for the last prequel, but given the nature of the presumed story arc it really should be the best of all the movies, or at least the darkest and most adult. Anakin has to consumate his relationship with Padme, he has to become Vader, Vader has to kill all the jedi, Palpatine has to overthrow the Republic and outwardly stake his claim as emporer, and Obi-Wan has to hide Vader's children. Lucas, for all his faults, has setup a terrific finale for this trilogy, but I think he's "gifted" enough to screw this one up too...

I second wig being wrong and agree with 99% of what was said above. Well done.

[k0ruptr]

wrong

[Chief Rum]

wrong

right.

Okay, now I'll go...

black

[sabotai]

white

[wig]

I SAID THEY SUCKED ASS!

Write it down!

[sabotai]

But seriously. I loved the first trilogy, I like the prequels. I didn't love the first trilogy because of great acting or nestalgia. I loved them because it was a good story and I'm a geek.

Anyway, there really are several things that have made dents in the prequals.

The midiclorians, while a good idea to sci-fi explain the force, was a bad move. Only because it wasn't brought up in the original trilogy.

C3PO and R2-D2. They should not be in the prequals.

Anakin should not have grown up on Tatooine. Now should he have met the people who would become Luke's adopted "parents".

C3PO should not have been built by Anakin. That's just retarded.

No democracy should ever call their elected leader "Queen". I wonder if Lucas got a little too PC by making the Naboo government a democracy instead of a monarchy.

I'm sure there are a few other ones I would pick up if I watched them again. As far as the acting and cheesy lines in the prequals, they were there in the originals.

And the people who keep talking about the Anakin kid being a horrible actor, I agree, but if you watch the documentary on the DVD, you'll see that really was the best they could do, In the auditions, the kid they choose was head and shoulders above the other kid actors that auditioned. But was it really the kid?

Natalie Portman has usually been a good actress, she's not impressive in the prequals. I like McGregor in some other films, not so good in the prequals. Same with Liam Neison. I think Lucas is just a really piss poor director when it comes to getting good acting out of people. Even Harrison Ford in the original trilogy was not nearly as good as in most of his other movies. I say it was Lucas, not the kid they chose.

[Bubba Wheels]

Title 'Creeping Fear' sounds like a commercial for Immodium AD.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I SAID THEY SUCKED ASS!

Write it down!

Checks his list of things wig has said to write down:

Champ Bailey will be a Minnesota Viking.


Well, so far you're battin' 1.000 wig! ;)

[oykib]

I only hope they didn't suck the ass that needed the Imodium AD...

Ewww...!

[Warhammer]

Just a couple of quick items:

1) Although they are not on the same level as 4-6, the movies are not as bad as everyone makes them out to be.

2) If you watch PM, you will notice Qui-Gonn constantly making subtle hand movements, etc., throughout the movie, a la Obi-Wan at Anchorhead.

3) The point of the mitichlorians was to show how the Jedi no longer trust their feelings and increasingly rely on technology, rather than themselves. Notice there are not as many "Trust your feelings Luke," quotes. They cannot detect the Dark Side of the force either, they just know it is there clouding their judgement. Nothing like Star Wars where they can feel it more keenly, etc.

4) What hurt them, was the sappy Oh Gee, we just destroyed the blockade force in PM, and the extended love story in AotC.

[Desnudo]

Where is Triumph the Insult Comic dog when you need him?

[Desnudo]

Aah, there he is:

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/video/nerds.html

An oldie but goodie. Was anyone in this thread an extra in that filming?

[cthomer5000]

Where is Triumph the Insult Comic dog when you need him?
The "which button calls your parents to pick you up?" is one of the funniest things I've ever seen/heard. Robert Smigel is an absolute comedic genuis.

[wig]

Checks his list of things wig has said to write down:

Champ Bailey will be a Minnesota Viking.


Well, so far you're battin' 1.000 wig! ;)

I think I said Winfield.

:)