Star Wars - Constructive Criticism of the Prequels. - Page 5

***Alexander*** · 08-22-2004, 11:11 PM

I'm guessing this thread will really flourish by the end of May2005

...as ROTS comes out...

**Cryostar** · 08-24-2004, 10:33 PM

Flourish or end up being abolished.

LittleMilkJug · 08-25-2004, 05:52 AM

No way! Binks still sucks

**Cryostar** · 08-26-2004, 01:40 AM

I guess that's true, we will always have jar jar.

MiAjeM3 · 09-23-2004, 12:59 AM

I guess this is really early to be asking this, but I was just thinking about it as I was reading all the posts on this thread.

So here's my question to all you people:

What are your expectations going into Ep3 after the past two prequel movies? Do you think it'll be a bit better or go downhill?

**Cryostar** · 09-24-2004, 02:35 AM

I think it will have to be better. I can only hope, as this is George's last chance to redeem and answer the questions.

TheCheshireKitten · 09-28-2004, 03:25 PM

I think it will be the best out of the prequel trilogy. That isn't saying as much as I'd like it to be, though.

**Cryostar** · 09-29-2004, 12:12 AM

Very true...still, I have high hopes.

Darth Liz · 09-30-2004, 01:01 PM

I really think this movie has a chance to be good and be the best out of the prequel trilogy.

**Cryostar** · 10-01-2004, 01:40 AM

I think the best thing possible, is if Lucas just cut the cord and went with the PG-13 rating....it honestly needs it, don't candy coat it like the other ones.

MiAjeM3 · 10-01-2004, 05:30 PM

i know! i agree with you there. it's supposed to be dark and evil...helloooo it's anakin turning over to the dark side. so we know what we're supposed to be expecting..but not how. and i think he should go on with the pg-13 rating, too.

**Cryostar** · 10-02-2004, 01:39 AM

Just think of all the people he has to kill in the movie....that enough warrants it.

UnsilentMajorty · 11-04-2004, 11:04 PM

I think the big reason Lucas doesn't "kill his babies" is because not only does he not have to -- He has final say on the final cut; 20th Century Fox only distributes the films; he finances them all with his own money -- But because he, himself, to some degree wants to see all that time and money up on the big screen...

Regardless of whether, or not it needs to be up there and or advances (or hinders) the overall plot and momentum.

I'm a semi-professional screenwriter (I've been paid to write scripts in a limited capacity for Hollywood) and the two main things that are killing the prequels is the dialogue and missed opportunities like some of you have already cited.

Every film starts with the script.

I don't care what directors, producers or others in the biz say. This is a "dirty" factoid that the industry kind of hates to admit, but is true in every sense of the word.

If you have a crappy script... Or one that is already bloated with extraneous, uneeded scenes and they DON'T get cut when doing rewrites... They are going to end up being shot and probably put in the film just to justify the time and money it took to complete those scenes like I said above.

It's clearly an ego problem on GL's part in terms of his inability to cut scenes -- both in the rewrite stages and editing -- That we have no way of "getting around", or "getting through" to him and just have to accept.

The other main problem that others have brought up with and that ITA with is that GL also toned down these films and specifically marketed them to younger kids... When half of the original audience who saw the films in the '70s are in their late 20s, early 30s now and of course, are more mature and sophisticated themselves.

This is one element that infuriates me because I think this attitude also plays a part in why the prequels are nothing more than CGI fests with very little universal heart. or character development as others have mentioned.

I think GL -- now that he has young(er) kids -- Is trying to make stories that THEY will like and completely ignoring what his original fans will like and there is a huge age/experience discrepency there and it shows.

I for one think that all of the prequels should have been PG-13 and been more "bold" in showing that while it was a more elegant and "simpler" time before the Empire... At the same time, it would be more brutal beneath the surface since that is the reality in a lot of societies once you get past all the glitze and glam of so-called "civilization".

Like others have brought up... Why didn't Lucas use or hire some of the writers who did the EU novels to help flesh out the backstory of how the republic came about?

This is the big problem in TPM in that we are just thrown into a situation -- which, at its core would in no way start the Republic down the road to seperatism and rebellion; A trade dispute? Please... -- With absolutely no background as to WHY the blockade is happening, nor are we really given any INVESTMENT as to why this dispute must be settled.

Like I said, the TF wanting more money is going to start a glalatic spiral toward the dark side???

It's logic choices like this that must be thought through very clearly... Especially, in film where you only have about 120 minutes to convey your story when compared to episodic TV where you have essentially 24 hours (24 episodes) to gradually build up character and audience investment and backstory... And apparently, Lucas just doesn't do this well enough according to his own confessions.

AOTC is the prime example missed opportunities galore.

The whole thrust of Episode II should be more focused on Anakin and his conflicting emotions and tendency toward the dark side -- as when he slaughted the Tuksen camp, including the women and children -- And his relationships to Padme and Obi-Wan, and more imporantly, their REACTION to how he is starting to turn.

That, I think, is the big error of AOTC.

Like someone said, it is as if Anakin is on this lone journey all by himself... Even when Padme is standing right beside him and he confesses things like massacring the Tuskens.

I think this is also the bigger element as to why the prequels just are not good films in general:

They have no sense of investment, or something that can really draw us in.

Sure, lightsaber battles and exotic locales are "cool" to see... But like we've been discussing, they should just be a cursory part of the story and not BE the story... Or a substitute FOR a good story.

To the Person Who Thinks Criticism is Wrong

No offense, but it's called being an adult and grown up.

I've had my own scripts torn apart and literally re-written during creative meetings...

So my advice to you, and I say this as nice as possible...

If you can't take the heat, then don't voice your opinion.

**Cryostar** · 11-06-2004, 02:38 AM

Wow!

Lots of good points in there, but I think you missed one big one...a nickname that George has rightly earned: Mr. Marketing.

While it might be true that he's making these somewhat for his kids, don't forget that there are two whole generations of kids out that that have grown up without a starwars to speak of. He just signed a marketting deal with Hasbro that will last until 2018...that's lots of $$$, and now he's got a whole generation hooked on jar jar and the like.

Ingenious, isn't it?

So what if we present this for a theory: Darth Sidious is GEORGE LUCAS!

AlexEvans · 11-07-2004, 02:05 AM

I don't know if focusing more on Anakin would help; I'm not that interested in him. I'd rather learn more about Padme, Obi-Wan, etc.

I agree about the lack of background. The first trilogy had background. Some was presented, some was hinted at. This new trilogy lacks that sense of depth. Why is this blockade important to the galaxy as a whole? Why are so many otherwise seemingly intelligent people opposed to having a military, when the lack of one is causing so many problems?