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The trailer will be out at the Three Musketeers 3D, but who would see that??

Here their new poster, it's looks horrible, as fan art? Who want one that Yoda check up Darth Maul's bum?

(http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news/27301/_1318537674.jpg)

not good as original one??

(http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news/27301/_1318537698.jpg)

So it's in select 2D theatres as well come Feb the 10th, WHY?

Hmmm... was looking forward to the trailer when it came this week to go in "Musketeers".
But no sign of it yet.
And today they want it playing in "Lion King" too.
::)

This is like trying to polish a turd using piss instead of polish.

This only confirms that Lucas needs a firm drubbing with a large cock.

JvB

Quote from: COMMANDO FORCES on 14 October, 2011, 11:55:43 AM
So it's in select 2D theatres as well come Feb the 10th, WHY?

I think the reason is "money".

Ha ha. i love the way that Qui Gon Jin, Amidala and Anakin don't even feature on the new poster now that everyone knows what crappy, boring characters they are! Anakin's supposed to b the main protaganist and he isn't even on the poster! :lol:

Quote from: Goaty on 14 October, 2011, 11:53:11 AM

Who want one that Yoda check up Darth Maul's bum?

:lol:

Every time I see R2-D2 now I see the Cleveland version too. There's a caption in there somewhere "Hey Yoda..."  :D

Looks like it's done by the same temp that did the Empire Dredd cover  :)

No thanks, and that poster is fucking awful.

Are you sure thats the official poster, because thats just a load of images photoshopped together with no sense of structure.
At least Jar Jar Binks isn't on it.





V

Quote from: vzzbux on 14 October, 2011, 03:34:18 PM
Are you sure thats the official poster, because thats just a load of images photoshopped together with no sense of structure.
At least Jar Jar Binks isn't on it.

It's on IMP awards website; http://www.impawards.com/1999/star_wars_episode_one_the_phantom_menace_ver3.html (http://www.impawards.com/1999/star_wars_episode_one_the_phantom_menace_ver3.html)

Dont like the prequels and not keen on 3D. Apart from that.........

Quote from: vzzbux on 14 October, 2011, 03:34:18 PMthats just a load of images photoshopped together with no sense of structure.

Just like the prequels then. TPM gets the poster it deserves.

at least they seem to have replaced the crappy yoda puppet that didnt actually look like yoda with the freeborn cgi version....still not going to see it mind.

Considering Anakin -the central character- is nowhere to be seen on that poster and Maul is the dominant figure -to be resurrected in the Clone Wars- Lucas as usual is aware of the 'selling' points.

The point that Anakin isn't on the poster smacks of fandom. Qui-Gon is integral to the film and also doesn't appear. The cast list is choppy at best and you can see the cloning and Deleting on the 'See it on the big screen' slogan.
I await the offical poster.



V

Relax, it's official:


(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XdP6Lp2ceqY/TKVGbqHXwXI/AAAAAAAAdGo/o7hmJh57BCo/s1600/170156537.jpg)

Now that I would accept.




V

This thread is FAR more entertaining than the film! Good work all!  :D

The sooner Lucas dies, the better.

I have never felt that way about a human being, and certainly not over something as trivial as a film franchise, but fucking hell somebody just put him in the ground before he makes it any worse.

Um. I'd just settle for another director he respects whispering loudly in his ear "ENOUGH GEORGE! LET THEM BE!"

And if he were to create more films/series, decent editors and hopefully another director. He oversees the Clone Wars cartoons too, and they've turned out rather well with all that other creative input.

It has some added scenes too, but they're just of Lucas laughing as he rolls around in a big pile of money...

CGI Money.

There was a rumour that the 3D movies were going to be the 7,8 and 9 in the story, but alas they were just rumours.

(http://www.obviouswinner.com/storage/post-images/star-wars-3d.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1286288314357)



V

no fucking thank you. I'll sit it out for the original trilogy thank you.

Here the frokking trailer!

http://collider.com/star-wars-phantom-menace-3d-trailer/122030/ (http://collider.com/star-wars-phantom-menace-3d-trailer/122030/)

There's as much chance of me not seeing this as there is of me shitting ice cream.

I'm not proud of it but it's true.

I swerve wildly from apathetic to angry and back again via disinterest whenever I think about the prequels and re-releases.

The prequels were dire, for me there was one new character I liked. I thought Darth Maul was ace, still like him now. Every time I see that awful CG'd bit [spoiler]where his body and legs come away from each other[/spoiler] I cringe, knowing that there's [spoiler]no hope he'll return[/spoiler]. For a while, between I & II I hoped that the Clone Wars were a war with an army of Mauls that the Emperor had engineered. I'm not suggesting that would have been good, but I'd rather that than what they did to poor Boba.

In short <bravado>I'm not giving that bearded idiot any more of my money for things I already own.</bravado> Unfortunately, unless everyone does stop encouraging him, he'll continue to faff until he carks it. Eventually the film we all knew and loved will look like a bad remake of Willow.

He needs to edit Ep 1,2 and 3 down to one movie. Id see that.
Otherwise, sorry George, but no.

Thanks for Boba Fett , though.

Well Phantom Menace is my favourite of the prequels (no, really) and I like 3D so I may go see this. 

Saw the trailer in the cinema at 3 Musketeers and it didn't actually look that impressive though.


I never thought there'd be a day when I didn't immediately rush out and buy/see a new version of a Star Wars film but I won't be picking up the Blu Rays until they hit bargain bin prices and I'm still not decided on this. 

I dunno if that's me being older and having less money/time for me and me alone or whether it's just the cumlative effects of Attack of Clones being crap, Revenge of Sith being even worse and the endless tinkering.

Quote from: Teivion on 26 October, 2011, 12:07:25 PM
He needs to edit Ep 1,2 and 3 down to one movie. Id see that.
Otherwise, sorry George, but no.

Thanks for Boba Fett , though.

You know, I really have never understood what the big deal is with Boba Fett. I mean, sure he has a cool helmet and a jetpack, but really, what does he actually do in the films? Fuck all, that's what. He stands in the reception area of a Star Destroyer, he stands in Jabba's palace reception area, then he falls and gets eaten by the thing. Is it because of comic stuff? The toys? His ironing ship?

As for the entire 3D thing, don't get me started  :D

I think it was the enigma behind the character of Boba Fett that was the attraction. Such a brilliant visage with minimal screen time. Probably why they introduced Jango Fett because of the underuse of Boba.






V

Not being overly keen on phantom menace (still better than jedi though), i had no great impetus to see this. However, both my boys practically begged me to promise to take them, i guess i will.

Clones and Sith though- love them, and will be there for the 3D no matter what.

SBT

Quote from: vzzbux on 26 October, 2011, 01:38:15 PM
I think it was the enigma behind the character of Boba Fett that was the attraction. Such a brilliant visage with minimal screen time. Probably why they introduced Jango Fett because of the underuse of Boba.

V

That seems fair. Heh, there's me mentioning the comics too, forgot I had the Wagner/Ezquerra/Gibson one  :D

Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 26 October, 2011, 02:15:28 PM
Clones and Sith though- love them, and will be there for the 3D no matter what.

I'm very fond of those too, although the acting in all the prequels makes me wince.  I particularly liked the Obi-wan detective thread in Clones. You get to see what the Jedi actually did (apart from fight) and there was some great action and storyline too. I think Clones is underrated. (Sith, too, although their were pacing issues in that one.) It's a shame the Anakin/Amidala thead took things down... but I didn't dislike that as much as most people. It think it's as much about having a boylike dislike of soppy stuff than anything.

In fact, I generally prefer the stories of the prequels to the originals. Controversial I know, but I'll admit there were things the originals still did better. The acting and dialogue in the originals was better for one thing, although it was cheesy in places. It still think the main problem with the prequels was having modern actors acting in a 20s (or was it 30s) style (not to knock films of the actual period) but I can't say that for certain. (The actors are great in other things, after all.) The script certainly didn't help their delivery.

Back on topic, I'm not fussed to see these in 3D. As someone who hasn't seen much 3d (and none of the new cinematic 3D that doesn't involve different coloured lenses) I would like the experience, but I'd prefer to  take in a film that I haven't seen before. I won't say never though.

I know it's early days yet, but if any of you Southers want to meet up for the Dredd film, I'll be up for that. But that's a whole other thread...

Quote from: Mardroid on 26 October, 2011, 06:10:03 PM
their were pacing issues

Ugh, time-out. That should be:

"there were pacing issues".

I'm irritated when I see those two (three including 'they're') mixed up, but it's worrying how often I do that myself. I know when each should be used, but it's amazing how often my hands move faster than my mind.

i love the trailer when it says "the excitement". did i miss something? everything i see a prequel or a clone wars cartoon i spend hours daydreaming of what it could have been.

I can't wait to see some aliens with asian accents discuss interplanetary trade agreements in glorious 3D

This is the official poster.
Accidentallly deleted the full photo but this will have to do.
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff200/vzzbuxblx/005-1.jpg)




V

No expense spared I see.

I know. Very disapointing.
The woman at the stall said she had some ridiculous money offers for the poster but it had to go back with her.





V

Disappointing is a fitting theme for this poster.

JvB

I encourage eveyone to watch these video reviews of prequels

http://redlettermedia.com/plinkett/star-wars/ (http://redlettermedia.com/plinkett/star-wars/)

I am a fan of the prequels but I have to agree with most of the "Mr Plinkett" has to say!

im surprised no one has done a !NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Its never ending - bad enough we're getting that, "Lion King" had folk demanding their money back because "that 3D was crap - there was nuffink comin' at'cha", but now we've had a 3D trailer for "Titanic" arrive...

Don't tell me what happens at the end...

the butler did it.

I can't remember where I saw it, I think it was one of the what-if's that were labeled as bluray redo's on youtube, but someone dubbed Jar-Jar with a completely different voice and accent.. It instantly became far less grating..

As for Star Wars and Titanic going 3D.. How's this for a nice blend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsvj0TmBlO4

QuoteI can't remember where I saw it, I think it was one of the what-if's that were labeled as bluray redo's on youtube, but someone dubbed Jar-Jar with a completely different voice and accent.. It instantly became far less grating..

There's a relatively well-known fan edit on Youtube called 'Balance of the Force', which has alien languages dubbed over the Gungans and the trade federation guys. I think they've also cut out a lot of the sillier moments of the film, and also rewritten dialogue (via subtitles for the alien characters) so the plot makes a bit more sense - ie the trade federation now actually has a coherent plan/motivation.

I never did understand the trade federation blockade of what is essentially a planet made for coach holidays..

Quote from: Michaelvk on 27 November, 2011, 09:32:07 PM
I never did understand the trade federation blockade of what is essentially a planet made for coach holidays..

The Senator for Naboo Gardens and Waterpark is secretly the Dark Lord of the Sith, who has orchestrated the blockade through his spineless ineffective allies.  By engineering this crisis specifically around his own homeworld, he both undermines Chancellor Zod of the Republic and positions himself to be elected in his place.  At the same time, he demonstrates the ineffectiveness of the Republic to manage its tax affairs, let alone deal with invasions of one of its member by another, giving momentum to a secessionist movement and eventually a civil war that he will use to set up the Jedi and reshape the Republic into his new Empire.

The critical flaw in TPM isn't so much the plot, it's its complete failure to communicate it in a clear and interesting manner.

(Incidentally, the heroes in TPM do succeed in so far as they make the Republic look much more effective than it actually is, and cost the Sith an apprentice, thus probably delaying all Sidious' plans for a little while at least).

It sounded better as a prologue in the original '77 Star Wars novelisation:

Another galaxy, another time.

The Old Republic was the Republic of legend, greater than distance or time. No need to note where it was or whence it came, only to know that... it was the Republic.

Once, under the wise rule of the Senate and the protection of the Jedi Knights, the Republic throve and grew. But as often happens when wealth and power pass beyond the admirable and attain the awesome, then appear those evil ones who have greed to match.

So it was with the Republic at its height. Like the greatest of trees, able to withstand any external attack, the Republic rotted from within though the danger was not visible from outside.

Aided and abetted by restless, power-hungry individuals within the government, and the massive organs of commerce, the ambitious Senator Palpatine caused himself to be elected President of the Republic. He promised to reunite the disaffected among the people and to restore the remembered glory of the Republic.

Once secure in office he declared himself Emperor, shutting himself away from the populace. Soon he was controlled by the very assistants and boot-lickers he had appointed to high office, and the cries of the people for justice did not reach his ears.

Having exterminated through treachery and deception the Jedi Knights, guardians of justice in the galaxy, the Imperial governors and bureaucrats prepared to institute a reign of terror among the disheartened worlds of the galaxy. Many used the imperial forces and the name of the increasingly isolated Emperor to further their own personal ambitions.

But a small number of systems rebelled at these new outrages. Declaring themselves opposed to the New Order they began the great battle to restore the Old Republic.

From the beginning they were vastly outnumbered by the systems held in thrall by the Emperor. In those first dark days it seemed certain the bright flame of resistance would be extinguished before it could cast the light of new truth across a galaxy of oppressed and beaten peoples...

From the First Saga
Journal of the Whills

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally they became heroes."
Leia Organa of Alderaan, Senator

That's curious. In that version the emperor has less power but is controlled by his corrupt imperial governors! Interesting to see how things evolve over time...

I never really saw the Emperor as a Dark Jedi in the original films. He's obviously powerful/magical, but seeing him waving a lightsaber around in Episode III seemed to demystify him a lot.

I don't often take this stance on entertainment, but...

Is it just me, or does the advertising schtick here seem a bit overblown? 'Experience it for the frst time in 3D'... as if any of these movies were mind-blowing tip-top Star Wars experiences in the first place?

Lucas needs to STOP with this continual tinkering and endless regurgitation of the movies. It's turned a once-was-fun franchise into something quite boring and missable, to be blunt.

Don't get me wrong, I LIKE those 3 movies. But there's no doubt in my mind that the magic and excitement from the original trilogy just isn't there. These aren't movie events that are worthy of the sort of fanfare that seems present in those header texts.

Lucs might tinker too much but I'd argue that the original Star Wars trilogy would have dated badly if they hadn't had the Special Edition treatment.  Seriously, even a fair proportion of those people who bought the "original version" DVDs probably rarely watch them.

As for the Phantom Menace, it's very clear that people are just looking for a nail to hang their hate on.  It as made for 10-year-olds, just like the originals were, and it works great for 10-year-olds.  Lucas' big mistake on the other two was that he listened too much to the fanboys' whining -- trying to inject a more adult tone to a saga that is more Power Rangers than Godfather.

George Lucas might be a bit of a twonk, but he gets far too little credit for the stuff he got right.

Quote from: A.Cow on 28 November, 2011, 02:13:28 AMLucas' big mistake on the other two was that he listened too much to the fanboys' whining -- trying to inject a more adult tone to a saga that is more Power Rangers than Godfather.

Yup.  It's important to remember that TPM came out the same year as The Matrix, an orgy of patent leather trench coats, endless sub-machine guns and painfully self-conscious  "cool".  By contrast, TPM is bright, airy and distinctly, resolutely, UNcool - rejecting the grimy bounty hunters, mile-long grey death-ships, desperate outnumbered humans and technology held together with spit and duck tape of the originals in favour of a mix of baroque shininess, outre aliens and simple homespun.  It's not like Lucas hadn't considered these things - the pre-production art shows variations on armoured Jedi in black leather throughout - but instead he decides to go with something almost at visual right-angles to both his own work and the SF culture of the time.

Which is my way of saying that the fresh, deep, design of TPM is the best thing about the prequels, and the progressive slide into fanservice and familiarity, best exemplified by Jar Jar's exclusion from RotS, is not the partial redemption some critics feel it is.

Quote from: A.Cow on 28 November, 2011, 02:13:28 AMAs for the Phantom Menace, it's very clear that people are just looking for a nail to hang their hate on.  It as made for 10-year-olds, just like the originals were, and it works great for 10-year-olds. 

That's no excuse for bad storytelling in the prequels just cos it's for ten year olds. Don't they deserve better?

Granted, I did like the design elements, some of the concepts (the pod racing was definitely awesome..) and the idea of going back to an era where there was form over function. In Ep2 there was even more of this.. That beautiful opening of the ship gliding past those art deco skyscrapers really does look pretty.. But it does kind of all fall down when people start to open their mouths, especially Anakin, who always seems to be trying too hard to be whiney..

Quote from: JOE SOAP on 28 November, 2011, 08:43:28 AM

That's no excuse for bad storytelling in the prequels just cos it's for ten year olds. Don't they deserve better?

Pixar has no problem with storytelling..

I don't think Jar Jar Binks is the biggest problem with The Phantom Menace. Even without him it would be an incoherent, joyless, confusing, soulless mess of a film.

The characters are all boring and two dimensional and the plot makes no sense. Without decent characters and a gripping narrative, all you are left with is a total failure.

Quote from: HdE on 28 November, 2011, 01:52:59 AM
I don't often take this stance on entertainment, but...

Is it just me, or does the advertising schtick here seem a bit overblown? 'Experience it for the frst time in 3D'... as if any of these movies were mind-blowing tip-top Star Wars experiences in the first place?

Lucas needs to STOP with this continual tinkering and endless regurgitation of the movies. It's turned a once-was-fun franchise into something quite boring and missable, to be blunt.

Don't get me wrong, I LIKE those 3 movies. But there's no doubt in my mind that the magic and excitement from the original trilogy just isn't there. These aren't movie events that are worthy of the sort of fanfare that seems present in those header texts.

You do know the advertising "fanfare" is designed to make people want to see the film?

What would you recommend?

"See this so-so film that most people thought was one of the worst Star Wars films ever made - IN 3D!"

QuoteThe Senator for Naboo Gardens and Waterpark is secretly the Dark Lord of the Sith, who has orchestrated the blockade through his spineless ineffective allies.  By engineering this crisis specifically around his own homeworld, he both undermines Chancellor Zod of the Republic and positions himself to be elected in his place.  At the same time, he demonstrates the ineffectiveness of the Republic to manage its tax affairs, let alone deal with invasions of one of its member by another, giving momentum to a secessionist movement and eventually a civil war that he will use to set up the Jedi and reshape the Republic into his new Empire.

No offence, but I think pretty much anyone could pick that much up from watching the film. My problem with it is that the specifics of Palpatine's plan make no sense at all. There's no context for any of the events, no reason given to care about it all. And the characters are painted in such broad strokes that their personalities are 'good guy' and 'bad guy' with little in between - it's impossible to tell what their actual motivations are - it's all just a load of stuff happening in sequence rather than a coherent, driving narrative.

The 'plot', such as it is, is pretty comprehensively picked apart in the much-referenced Plinkett reviews. Why does Palpatine order the deaths of Obi Wan and Qui Gon? Why do the Jedi accept to train Anakin? What the hell is all that confusing nonsense about Qui Gon and Watto's deal? Who is the main character of the film? Why do characters frequently do completely illogical things?

That sort of thing is why people call the film 'confusing' - not because they can't grasp the basics of the story.

Quote from: radiator on 28 November, 2011, 12:49:13 PM
No offence, but I think pretty much anyone could pick that much up from watching the film.

Well aye, I wasn't suggesting any deep personal insight denied to the masses, I was answering the specific question of "why would you blockade a coach-tour destination?". 

All the stuff you mention, all of which is true, is part of what obscures and confuses what's (as space fantasy adventures go) a pretty interesting basic story. 

However, where I take issue with the Red Letter Media reviews, extremely clever though they are, is that many of their criticisms could be applied to ANY action film.  Raiders of the Lost Ark, one of the most enjoyable films ever made, makes no sense, and the heroes achieve absolutely nothing, when examined with the same sort of precise dissection applied by RLM*.  However, it doesn't matter in RotLA, because we care about the characters, we now their motivations, and we know who the bad guys are, so the adventure carries us past dodgy questions of location, logic and physics. 

The problem with TPM is exactly what you state - it never spends any of its running time getting us to care, because it spends too much time lurching about illogically and inconsistently, obscuring what has the potential to be a good story. In short, in trades on the expectation that SW fandom will automatically care, will buy the reference books and the comic tie-ins, and fill in the gaps for themselves, because that's what SW fandom has always dome.  For example, as to the coach-tour blockade question, I would argue that you'd have to know Palpatine and Sidious are one and the same for it to make sense, information not really contained in the film itself, beyond one lingering camera shot at the end.  Lucas just assumes you will know, or go off and find out, because everyone loves Star Wars.

But I'm repeating myself for the n^th time. 


* The RLM are videos designed as comedies, extracting the most laughs possible from lameness, and they're very funny - but they're not realistic reviews. 

I dunno.. Somehow after 25 years that's the best he could come up with? It all just seemed a bit hashed together really.. As is to make sure that it made it's screen time he left every other page out of the script.

I think it's more of a case of someone dashing off a script in one draft with no editorial control.

No arguments there.

Quote from: brendan1 on 28 November, 2011, 12:36:32 PM

Quote from: HdE on 28 November, 2011, 01:52:59 AM
I don't often take this stance on entertainment, but...

Is it just me, or does the advertising schtick here seem a bit overblown? 'Experience it for the frst time in 3D'... as if any of these movies were mind-blowing tip-top Star Wars experiences in the first place?

Lucas needs to STOP with this continual tinkering and endless regurgitation of the movies. It's turned a once-was-fun franchise into something quite boring and missable, to be blunt.

Don't get me wrong, I LIKE those 3 movies. But there's no doubt in my mind that the magic and excitement from the original trilogy just isn't there. These aren't movie events that are worthy of the sort of fanfare that seems present in those header texts.

You do know the advertising "fanfare" is designed to make people want to see the film?

What would you recommend?

"See this so-so film that most people thought was one of the worst Star Wars films ever made - IN 3D!"

Yes, I fully acknowledge that (I'm not daft, you know!) ;)

My point is, that tag line seems to suggest that there's something particularly special about these movies, and... well, I just don't get that. These movies didn't even have the magic and air of excitement about them that the earlier trilogy did. At least, certainly not in my neck of the woods.

And like I said, I enjoy these movies. I think they get progressively better with each instalment. But rather than continually making alterations to stuff he's already done, I'd have more respect for Lucas if he would maybe make some other movies. From scratch.

As has been said before the kids enjoy it and it still will put bums on the seats.
No matter how lame people think it is they will introduce their kids to it through this medium which is something Lucas knows and had tapped into.
The Star Wars brand has been cleverly sold for decades and will continue to do so. Love it or loath it Lucas wins.





V

Quote from: vzzbux on 28 November, 2011, 05:09:22 PM
The Star Wars brand has been cleverly sold for decades and will continue to do so. Love it or loath it Lucas wins.

This.

Of course there are innumerable ways new Star Wars could have been way better handled from this ageing nerd's point of view, but the bottom line is that I'm making a Clone Trooper base for my son's Christmas present, 30 years after I first saw Empire Strikes back, and almost 10 years after I first saw a Clone Trooper, which was itself 4 years before he was born.  Next year we'll be seeing our first cinema Star Wars together.  That's a result for Lucas and for me.

Why don't you marry him if he's so great?

Quote from: TordelBack on 28 November, 2011, 06:15:05 PM..and almost 10 years after I first saw a Clone Trooper..

Bloody nora! Has it been THAT long already??

No wonder I groan getting up off the sofa...

Quote from: Roger Godpleton on 28 November, 2011, 07:44:55 PM
Why don't you marry him if he's so great?

His wife wouldn't put up with the extra chinnage in bed.

Quote from: JOE SOAP on 28 November, 2011, 08:43:28 AM
That's no excuse for bad storytelling in the prequels just cos it's for ten year olds. Don't they deserve better?

Are you suggesting that the dialogue in any of the original Star Wars trilogy was "better"?  That there was dramatic depth in a fairy tale about heroes rescuing a princess, or teddy bears saving the universe whilst worshipping a camp golden robot?

Star Wars was fluff with great special effects, but it was immensely enjoyable fluff -- and we loved it because we were kids.

When our parents took us to see Star Wars they didn't exactly get much out of it -- you don't see many people over 50 (now) still raving about it the same way as our generation does.  To them it was just a kids' film that didn't really offer much for adults.  Sound familiar?

I've seen Phantom Menace half a dozen times and I've no idea who Chancellor Zod is. Unless it's Charles Dance.

And it was my dad who wanted to see Star Wars. I was too young (4/5) to have been aware of it.

Wait, are you 38?

Quote from: Roger Godpleton on 28 November, 2011, 11:47:50 PM
Wait, are you 38?

Yes. How does that affect our relationship?

Quote from: A.Cow on 28 November, 2011, 08:52:22 PM

Quote from: JOE SOAP on 28 November, 2011, 08:43:28 AM
That's no excuse for bad storytelling in the prequels just cos it's for ten year olds. Don't they deserve better?

Are you suggesting that the dialogue in any of the original Star Wars trilogy was "better"?

No, I never suggested that or anything, dialogue is not storytelling. Storytelling as in structure, meaning, pacing, dramatic beats and even adequate direction from Lucas/Kirshner/Marquand plus actual 'acting'. The original SW films are fairly simple yet make story sense quite elegantly, not filled with windbags who spout clunky unresolved/unimportant plotpoints/expostition in endless two-shots and little visual dynamism or connective tissue. It may be working on the level of simplistic folk-tales but at least it had folk-tale logic which the prequels fail to attain. ROTJ only fails cos they failed to capitalise on the story but still managed to pull through with the emotion. Ain't much emotion in the prequels other than relief that it's over.

Quote from: A.Cow on 28 November, 2011, 08:52:22 PMWhen our parents took us to see Star Wars they didn't exactly get much out of it -- you don't see many people over 50 (now) still raving about it the same way as our generation does.  To them it was just a kids' film that didn't really offer much for adults.  Sound familiar?

The adults in my family enjoyed them immensely, that's partly why they took us and to all the other well-made kids films in the 80's.

Quote from: A.Cow on 28 November, 2011, 08:52:22 PM
... you don't see many people over 50 (now) still raving about it the same way as our generation does.  To them it was just a kids' film that didn't really offer much for adults.

But you do see many people almost 50 still raving about it. Some of them even frequent this forum.

Not me, honest.

QuoteAre you suggesting that the dialogue in any of the original Star Wars trilogy was "better"?  That there was dramatic depth in a fairy tale about heroes rescuing a princess, or teddy bears saving the universe whilst worshipping a camp golden robot?

Sorry but I'm not having that. The dialogue in the OT - not it's strongest suit, admittedly - is still infinitely better than the prequels. Just compare the interplay between Han/Leia to that of (shudder) Anakin/Padme....

QuoteWhen our parents took us to see Star Wars they didn't exactly get much out of it -- you don't see many people over 50 (now) still raving about it the same way as our generation does.  To them it was just a kids' film that didn't really offer much for adults.  Sound familiar?

I'll refer again to the time I watched the Star Wars films with my girlfriend last year. She'd never seen a SW film in her life so came to the whole thing completely cold, but while she loved the originals, she could only stand about ten minutes of Phantom Menace.

Quote from: radiator on 28 November, 2011, 03:40:59 PM
I think it's more of a case of someone dashing off a script in one draft with no editorial control.

Now THERE'S someone who's captured the prequel's main problem(s) in a nutshell!  TPM had the most scriptwriting time of all three episodes - around two-and-a-half years, all told - but was terribly unfocused and a narrative shambles (and don't get me started on the dialogue), which is Lucas' achilles heel and the reason why he absolutely should have gotten other screenwriters to help shape the final screenplay(s), the way he did with the original trilogy, Lucas himself said years before that he hates writing and that when he sits down to write he "bleeds all over the page", metaphorically speaking. AotC and RotS had their respective first-drafts hammered out THREE MONTHS before production began, the fact they turned out as good as they did (all things considered) is testament to Lucas' considerable imagination and storytelling talents. 

For my two cents, if Lucas had written story outline treatments for all three prequel episodes in advance, and just jumped into pre-production on each respective episode by hiring a screenwriter to start work on the actual screenplay, as well as beginning work on conceptual designs, chances are the scripts, and by extension the final films, would have been better... as would hiring a proper editor to shape a tight and focused final cut, not to mention ILM working (almost) exclusively on each respective episode so each and every effects shot is given the proper time and attention to detail in order to realise it's fullest potential, but I'll finish right here, as I could go about this subject all week...

Quote from: The Cosh on 28 November, 2011, 11:40:56 PM
I've seen Phantom Menace half a dozen times and I've no idea who Chancellor Zod is. Unless it's Charles Dance.

And it was my dad who wanted to see Star Wars. I was too young (4/5) to have been aware of it.

Sorry Cosh, I was unfunnily linking Chancellor Valorum with General Zod of Superman II fame, but I could have gone with Bernadette.

And indeed, both my parents (pushing 70) loved Star Wars - I remember my Dad being hugely enthusiastic about it at the time -  and my mother still does.  The prequels not at all, although my mother tries to understand them so she can communicate with her grandson... poor dear.

In fact it's interesting that they still enjoy and even rewatch a lot of the kids' films we would have dragged them to in that period - Raiders, ET, Superman even Krull. 

Quote from: radiator on 29 November, 2011, 02:32:48 AM

Sorry but I'm not having that. The dialogue in the OT - not it's strongest suit, admittedly - is still infinitely better than the prequels. Just compare the interplay between Han/Leia to that of (shudder) Anakin/Padme....

There is a huge gulf in acting skills between Ford/Fisher and Wooden/Woodener.
This was a problem throughout the prequels the Main stars just didn't have the ability to propel their characters or play off each other. The interplay in ESB between Ford and Fisher just seems so natural. I know I am repeating Radiator but this needs to be enforced. Sorry Mr McGregor but this includes you.
McDiarmid excluded. I thought he came into his own in ROTS.




V

I don't think it's necessarily acting ability that's the problem - on the face of it the prequels have a really great cast, poor Jake Lloyd and disastrously miscast Hayden Christensen aside. Even Natalie Portman is almost certainly a stronger actor than Carrie Fisher - she even did the 'superhero's girlfriend' role proud in Thor.  The issue is their charmless performances - and here they all, possibly bar Neeson and McDiarmid, let themselves down badly, blame for which is frequently laid at the Director's feet, and having seen footage of the filming I can believe it. 

Maybe what was required was an Alec Guinness figure, someone who was bigger than the production, could mentor his colleagues and could challenge and influence Lucas.  The problem with TPM was that no-one was bigger than the production.

QuoteThere is a huge gulf in acting skills between Ford/Fisher and Wooden/Woodener.
This was a problem throughout the prequels the Main stars just didn't have the ability to propel their characters or play off each other.

Bollocks - it's the script and the direction at fault, not the actors - there's no actor alive who could have made anything meaningful of the truly horrendous Anakin/Padme courtship/love scenes.

Quote"You are so... beautiful."
"It's only because I'm so in love."
"No, it's because I'm so in love with you."
"So love has blinded you?"
"[laughs] Well, that's not exactly what I meant."
"But it's probably true."

The entire cinema was in stitches during the scene above. I'm guessing that's not the result Lucas was going for?

Compare and contrast with:

Quote"I love you".
"I know".

Short, sweet, and full of meaning and character. A line of soppy (improv'd ISTR) dialogue becomes one of the most memorable and enduring things in a space fantasy adventure movie.

There's really no contest.

And there's this absolutely laughable attempt at heartfelt dialogue -

Anakin Skywalker: From the moment I met you, all those years ago, not a day has gone by when I haven't thought of you. And now that I'm with you again... I'm in agony. The closer I get to you, the worse it gets. The thought of not being with you- I can't breath. I'm haunted by the kiss that you should never have given me. My heart is beating... hoping that kiss will not become a scar. You are in my very soul, tormenting me... what can I do?- I will do anything you ask. If you are suffering as much as I am, please tell me.

HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

I confess that the 'next scene' button on the DVD remote always gets a workout in the middle of Attack of the Clones... 

Although I have been to Villa Balbianello (the location for many of the worst lines in cinema history), and it is very lovely.  Not coarse and rough and irritating. 

Oh those 5 new posters so crap, whynot kept the original poster??

(http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com/images/f/five-new-posters-for-star-wars-episode-1-re-release-77287-01-470-75.jpg)

(http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com/images/f/five-new-posters-for-star-wars-episode-1-re-release-77287-02-470-75.jpg)

(http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com/images/f/five-new-posters-for-star-wars-episode-1-re-release-77287-03-470-75.jpg)

(http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com/images/f/five-new-posters-for-star-wars-episode-1-re-release-77287-04-470-75.jpg)

(http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com/images/f/five-new-posters-for-star-wars-episode-1-re-release-77287-05-470-75.jpg)

Jeebus wept, I know George is a skinflint, but he didn't have to do the photoshop himself.  Exactly one of those is just about passable, and the rest look like banners from the less-popular fan-sites ca. 1999.  Doesn't help that everyone pictured looks utterly bored.

What the hell has happened to LFL's publicity department, every DVD cover and poster since the original TPM outing has been dog vomit.  There was a time you could fill coffee-table books with their glorious promo art, now it's shoddily cropped and comped stills, some dodge and a lens flare. They have such talent at their disposal, why not use it?  I look at the glorious work being done on environments and lighting in The Clone Wars, and all the beautiful pre-production sketches, and then I look at the blurry images in the most recent Vehicles book, and the static gormlessness of the most recent boxsets, and I have to assume that there's no overlap of any kind in quality control. BAH!

Quote from: TordelBack on 13 January, 2012, 01:06:36 PM
Doesn't help that everyone pictured looks utterly bored.

Just as well. The audience will be bored near to tears. At least they can take a nap during the pod race.

JvB

The podrace one is just about OK, but the rest of them are cack - especially the top one, which is insanely, laughably bad.

Quote from: radiator on 13 January, 2012, 01:19:54 PM
The podrace one is just about OK, but the rest of them are cack - especially the top one, which is insanely, laughably bad.

Not only is it terrible, it's actually using the default Star Trek poster design - badly:


(http://www.wonderfulworldofmovies.com/rolled_posters/startrek6_lg.jpg)



(http://www.sci-fimovieposters.co.uk/images/posters-st/S-0084_Star_Trek_one_sheet_movie_poster_l.jpg)

Quote from: TordelBack on 13 January, 2012, 01:36:53 PM
Not only is it terrible, it's actually using the default Star Trek poster design - badly

Now I know where I see those designs before! Argh! Thanks!

(http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com/images/f/five-new-posters-for-star-wars-episode-1-re-release-77287-04-470-75.jpg)

(http://inspiredposters.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/bowie.jpg?w=450&h=583)

(http://inspiredposters.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/fbmovie.jpg?w=450&h=709)

(http://www.fansshare.com/celebrity/chrishemsworth/450_thor-movie-poster-shirtless-1068124755.jpg)

Oh that's awful!

Could be something like this which is graphic novel based on the film;

(http://images.comiccollectorlive.com/covers/133/1338be55-1089-4254-94d5-c7256f71be57.jpg)

Star Wars is now offically shit.

Quote from: The return of Judge Jack on 13 January, 2012, 09:22:11 PM
Star Wars is now offically shit.

...since 1999.

(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff200/vzzbuxblx/005-1.jpg)

So why spend money on this one if they don't use it.
Fucking bottomless pit of cash is Lucas and we will all forever feed it.



V

Quote from: vzzbux on 13 January, 2012, 09:33:00 PM
Fucking bottomless pit of cash is Lucas and we will all forever feed it.

George treats us bad sometimes, but deep down he loves us - I just know we can change him.

Quote from: vzzbux on 13 January, 2012, 09:33:00 PMFucking bottomless pit of cash is Lucas and we will all forever feed it.

I know a good de-programmer.

YOU'RE BREAKING MY HEART.

Quote from: JOE SOAP on 13 January, 2012, 09:31:25 PM

Quote from: The return of Judge Jack on 13 January, 2012, 09:22:11 PM
Star Wars is now offically shit.

...since 1999.

... since 1997 and the so-called 'special editions' when Star Wars officially became a corporate self-contained industry onto itself, and Luca$' permanent source of revenue, it's all been downhill since that year...

Sigh.
Booked for 51:15 viewing for me and Robbie.
Sigh.






V

Thankfully, im currently very ill, so have not had to make good on my promise to take the boys. While i have no particular axe to grind against tpm, the thought of paying for three of us to see this again, 3D or not, doesnt please me. Have they changed any of it, do you know?

SBT

Only replacing the Yoda puppet with a CGI version as far as I know...

Good to watch again on the big screen but 3 hours in the cinema was almost too much for my 7 year old.
He did enjoy it though.
If all screenings are like the one I went to today then Lucas is making another killing. It was full of aged dads taking their sons. The whole back row was a party of about 12 kids with 2 adults. From listening to the banter afterwards from the people leaving it was a hit.
Another generation converted to Star Wars.





V

At least it's a good day-out.

I heard that after the credits there's an 'Easter Egg'.

George Lucas walks on stage with a bucket and starts throwing real faeces into the audience's faces whilst screaming; "EAT IT! EAT MY SHIT YOU MORONS!"

Can anyone confirm this?

Quote from: Lee Bates on 13 February, 2012, 12:59:37 AM
I heard that after the credits there's an 'Easter Egg'.

George Lucas walks on stage with a bucket and starts throwing real faeces into the audience's faces whilst screaming; "EAT IT! EAT MY SHIT YOU MORONS!"

Can anyone confirm this?

Indeed! That's how advanced 3D effects have become!

Wife and son have Thursday off (ev'ry day's an 'oliday for Tordels!), youngest dumped on grandparents, popcorn pre-bought, lightsabre batteries recharged, blasters set on stun, my boy's first SW in the cinema, looking forward to this. 



(I do wish George had gone with converting Episode IV first, or even gone ahead and done the lot so we could have them at several-month intervals, like the Special Editions, or even just re-released the damn things without 3D, but hey!  Star Wars in the cinema!).

Quote from: TordelBack on 13 February, 2012, 08:10:30 AM
Wife and son have Thursday off (ev'ry day's an 'oliday for Tordels!), youngest dumped on grandparents, popcorn pre-bought, lightsabre batteries recharged, blasters set on stun, my boy's first SW in the cinema, looking forward to this. 



(I do wish George had gone with converting Episode IV first, or even gone ahead and done the lot so we could have them at several-month intervals, like the Special Editions, or even just re-released the damn things without 3D, but hey!  Star Wars in the cinema!).

Dont tell me how it ending,  ;)

You are truly one of the lamest people ever to draw breath.

If that was aimed at me (and I hope and presume it was), guilty as charged!   :D

Well, I decided to go watch it.. Herself is off skiing so I'm home alone and bored. Going to go to the imax here in Cardiff in about an hours time.. Funny thing though. I realized the date and came to the conclusion that I'll be spending valentines day like I did in my teens. On my own in a dark room watching Star Wars with zero chance of sex..

Michaelvk. What did you think of the 3d Rendering.
My thoughts were that is was well done in some places but very bitty for most. At some points I thought "Whats the point".
Off topic where has your missus gone Skiing?




V

Man. You are about to go watch The Phantom Menace in 3D. Not gettin any is the fuckin least of problems tonight. Have u seen this film before? I mean really!  :o Lol.

Still having my pre movie pizza, V, but I'll give my professional opinion later.

Of course I've seen it before! Almost walked out 10 minutes in too.. But it's star wars, innit?

Almost forgot.. She's gone to Valmorant(?) in the French alps..

Only the fact that I don't have the cash has stopped me going myself in advance of our family outing.  There's Star Wars in the cinema.  What the hell am I doing sitting here?!?  Oh yeah: Valentines' Night in, kids asleep, homemade plonk chilling in the fridge, probability of quality rumpy high-to-certain.  But even so... Star Wars in the cinema.

Keen to know what you think of the conversion, Michael.

Never skied in Valmorel.
It has been nearly 20 years since I put on the two planks, I do miss it so.




V

I take it back. Lucas is a fuckin genius afetrall. He really has managed to get inside the mind of modern day kids and found that they fuckin love films about 'Trade Routes'. ;) You don't understand mate! U weren't there @ the beginin.  :lol:

And what is up with all the racist stero types. 'Black Man Binks' and the flyin Turk/Jew alien twat that owns Anakin. WTF!
Why no fat beardy, money grabbin, creepy and socially inept film maker alien?
(Man I felt so robbed by it all)
:lol:

So what are they going to do? Have everyone with an american/british accent and totally omit all other accents round the world. I am sure the Japanese version has the Nemoidians with a British accent.





V

Listen man just do me a favor and check out 'Phantom Menace Review' on the 'Tube of U'. This guy tells it like it is and is a funny as fuck @ the same time. :|

Even if it does, the British aren't stereotyped as being cold, ruthless businessmen so it wouldnt have the same nasty connotations.

Come on, even the biggest sw fan can see that a lot of the racial stereotypes in the prequels are at best a bit dodgy and Ill-advised.

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 14 February, 2012, 09:22:35 PM
... flyin Turk/Jew alien twat that owns Anakin.

Obviously not much of a racist caricature if you can't decide whether he's a Turk or a Jew.  Me, I saw a flying blue elephant alien with humming-bird wings running a scrapyard. 

The Jar Jar/Steppin Fetchit accusations are also pretty funny when the only two black men* in the universe are respectively the top Jedi warrior and the guy who blew up the second Death Star.  Jar Jar, on the other hand, is an orangey pink duck thing.



*Hugh Quarshie doesn't count, he's English.

As far as Lu'KKK'as is concerned they're all the same thing. Jewish,Turkish. Not WASP!! He'll take their fuckin money though. Greedy bastard. :lol:

The (and I'm gonna cut the fat c##t some slack here) possibly ill advised and not rigorously challenged enough by the arse lickers around him, formation and inclusion into the films of those 'Characters' (& I use that term characters loosely,cause they're shit). Puttin all that aside. Are u defending these fuckin awful, dull,shitstain films and if so why when we still have the first glorious three? Phew!! That felt good.  :lol:

Look bigjobs, you're wasting your time. I've been through all this before with poor, deluded Tordelback (and one or two others on here).

He's been brainwashed beyond all rational thought into believing that the 3 impossibly shit films that pretend to be related to Star Wars are of any value whatsoever.

I only hope that one day, the scales will fall from his eyes and these piss poor films will be revealed to him as the re-heated dog shit that they are.

The thing you have to remember with the prequels is that he made them to rope in a new generation to Star Wars. Why preach to the converted. The kids of the Prequel generation probably looked at those films the same as we did when the first three came out all those years ago.
The Prequel generation are now taking their kids to see the 3D version. As are the Original Trilogy generation (Myself) Thus ropeing another generation to the Star Wars money wheel. With the success of the Clone Wars series that job was more than half done.





V

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FxKtZmQgxrI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Hope this works and if it does hope it gets watched. :)

Quote from: vzzbux on 14 February, 2012, 10:40:11 PM
The thing you have to remember with the prequels is that he made them to rope in a new generation to Star Wars. Why preach to the converted. The kids of the Prequel generation probably looked at those films the same as we did when the first three came out all those years ago.
The Prequel generation are now taking their kids to see the 3D version. As are the Original Trilogy generation (Myself) Thus ropeing another generation to the Star Wars money wheel. With the success of the Clone Wars series that job was more than half done.

:(

Please.Please watch this. It explains it all in a much more eloquent and hilarious way than I ever could. And by the way. If I find out you've taken your kids to see these films I'll have no choice but to call 'Childline' and report you.
Just so you know.
:lol:

Quote from: vzzbux on 14 February, 2012, 10:40:11 PM
The thing you have to remember with the prequels is that he made them to rope in a new generation to Star Wars. Why preach to the converted. The kids of the Prequel generation probably looked at those films the same as we did when the first three came out all those years ago.
The Prequel generation are now taking their kids to see the 3D version. As are the Original Trilogy generation (Myself) Thus ropeing another generation to the Star Wars money wheel. With the success of the Clone Wars series that job was more than half done.





V

The big difference is that as an adult, I can still watch and enjoy the original films. There are so many great characters, the story is ace, the set-pieces are exciting, there's progress throughout the 3 films for all the characters and you genuinely care about what happens.

The prequels might be liked by children but, let's be honest, children don't know shit. My kids have watched Care Bears the movie 2 about 25 times and it's absolutely crap. Ha ha! Bless 'em.

He made them to flog more shit.
How much more fuckin money does that twat need.
He's gota fuckin Ranch!!!
I hope one of the many towers of millions of Dollar bills he has stored in one of his many silos on that fuckin Ranch falls on the fat bastard and squashes him flat whilst he's wafftin about counting it all and laughing like a drain :lol:

@ least you find yourself 'Care'in about those damn bears.
Who gives a fuck about anyone in those horrible movies.
Anyone!
Darth Maul and he kills that twat off @ the end of the first one.
Sheesh. :lol:

Quote from: Lee Bates on 14 February, 2012, 10:55:34 PM
The prequels might be liked by children but, let's be honest, children don't know shit.

Glad you put "might" be liked.... in there. In my experience, i find that my nieces/nephews/cousins and friends children, or younger people i work with, all prefer the original films. In fact, i really dont know anyone out here in the real world that has any love, or time for the prequels.

I was thinking about these re-releases, and wondered if theyd get to do all six films before either, the 3D bubble totally burst, or people just got bored and gave up. But then the last 3 films are the original trilogy, so thatll keep things rolling, i guess.

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 14 February, 2012, 11:01:45 PM

Who gives a fuck about anyone in those horrible movies.

Darth Maul

Yes, Darth Maul. For the 4 minutes he's in it.

I hate smilies.

Wow BigJobs! What remarkable insight you bring to discussion of the Star Wars prequels. No wonder you had to make so many posts about it. And I'm sure none of the SW geeks on here will have seen or heard of the fresh new comedy stylings of Mr RedLetter.

Right...

Back in 1999, when I went all the way to Australia to see this before it opened in the Netherlands where I was living at the time, I was so intensely disappointed when I saw Phantom. As soon as those bad Japanese accents came over the 5:1, I almost walked out.. Jar jar was like taking a cheese grater to the sack and some of the dialogue sounded like it was being delivered at gunpoint. Like any Star Wars fan of my generation I took an instant and deep disliking to this, practically to Tim Bisley levels..

Fast forward thirteen years, two mediocre-yet-watchable sequels and an ignored bluray set. Not wanting to sit at home all night on my own again, and having an Odeon literally on the doorstep, I decided to go and watch it anyway. Now maybe it's because I wasn't expecting much, but...


...I actually enjoyed it.

I'm as surprised as you are.

Now before you all start coming at me with virtual torches and pitchforks, let me continue..

I decided to plump for the medium priced seat. Got a seat dead center in the practically empty theatre. Just the way I like it. After the trailers ended and I could make out the faint motion of the curtains opening up to make space for the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. And all of a sudden I felt excited! I was actually surprised that I felt excited! Then I sort of decided: Sod it! I'm going to sit back and just watch the movie.. We all know the story, it's forced plot, less than Oscar winning performances and Jar Jar. Fucking Jar Jar.. I recall seeing a youtube clip where he had been dubbed with an entirely different kind of voice which made him instantly non offensive. But I'm not going to harp on about that. It's all been said before, it's all been debated to death before. However, maybe it's because I've mellowed in my old age, or maybe I decided to tune out and ignore the really intensely annoying bits and concentrated on the shiny new 3D, but I found myself properly enjoying watching Star Wars on the big screen again. Sort of nostalgia.. It's still not a very good film, and nowhere nearly as good as The Originals, but fuck it. I was having fun.

Now.. On to the 3d..

There were a few mentions that the 3d wasn't very consistent throughout the film. So when my attention drifted away from the 'story', I had a good look at the 3d. And I agree, the 3d -is- inconsistent, but that's not because they were lazy. It's all down to the lensing. You see, you've got to remember that 13 years ago (or even 15, if you want to add the time for when the cameras started rolling on this), 3d wasn't being thought of at all yet, and the film was shot without it in mind. It was thus traditionally framed and the shots were composed in the best way they thought would convey the story. This means that there were clean shots without much clutter in the foreground, long lenses that compress the depth and have very little leeway for parallax. When you're purposely filming for 3d, you're doing it to give the viewer that being-in-the-middle-of-it feeling. The set is then arranged in such a way that there's items in front of and behind the focal point, and the lensing and camera motion makes sure that you can get the most of the 3d feeling. It's two different trains of thought, really. 2d being a passive movie going experience, 3d an active one. So basically, where the 3d in TPM seems to be falling down a bit, it's really mostly due to the fact that the lens chosen on the day virtually obliterates any chance of parallax for 3d. Also, the depth of field makes life tricky when converting, because how do you successfully separate a blur? I must admit, half of the 'faults' I saw was because I was actively looking for them, and knew what to look for, like the flat looking trees in a forest and pod racing crowds in some shots, because it would've been virtually impossible to make a deadline and budget with separating each and every single element of something that's safely far away and small enough from the focal point to warrant an 'it'll do'. On the whole I was quite impressed with the effort, and by watching the credits it soon became clear that there was a small army at work doing the conversion. In places I'm quite sure there were some little additions made to just add to the sense of depth (like an extra STAP in one shot). Every now and again I peeked over my glasses to see if they'de gotten lazy, but just about every time I thought nothing was going on, it was a lens choice that made the 3d effect minimal. Thing is, yes, you can start playing around with enhancing the 3d depth effect, that would just start making everything look a bit weird, and I'm glad that they didn't choose to go down that route, because people would end up with migraines. I think what actually added to my enjoyment was the 3d. It just added a certain something. Sometimes it felt though that the one shot wasn't quite as crisp as another, but I figure that's due to the same parallax and depth of field issues of the original print.

Overall, I'm quite glad I went, really..

Blimey. I'm tempted to go, now.

Keep in mind it's still episode 1, albeit the slightly extended podrace version, and there isn't any real jump out in your face gimmicky 3d.. It just feels a bit deeper.. It does add to it, in my opinion.

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 14 February, 2012, 10:07:32 PM
As far as Lu'KKK'as is concerned they're all the same thing. Jewish,Turkish. Not WASP!! He'll take their fuckin money though. Greedy bastard. :lol:

Not WASP?  What's Blackie Lawless got to do with Star Wars :D...?

Quote from: Michaelvk on 15 February, 2012, 03:30:35 AM
Keep in mind it's still episode 1, albeit the slightly extended podrace version, and there isn't any real jump out in your face gimmicky 3d.. It just feels a bit deeper.. It does add to it, in my opinion.

I maybe would have entertained going to this if Luca$ had brought in a proper outside editor (like Walter Murch or Stuart Baird) and given The Phantom Menace a thorough re-edit to about 120-odd minutes (instead of the ridiculously inflated 136 minutes it is now), cutting out all the superfluous crap, and upgrading the less-than-perfect CGI visual effect shots, but he hasn't so I won't... and that goes for all the rest of the movies when they're (re-re-re-re-re-re) released in 3-D, well, that and the fact I'm officially boycotting any and all Lucasfilm products until old Jorge decides to release the OT's theatrical versions in nicely remastered and anamorphic widescreen DVD's, period!

Quote from: Lee Bates on 14 February, 2012, 10:36:40 PM
He's been brainwashed beyond all rational thought into believing that the 3 impossibly shit films that pretend to be related to Star Wars are of any value whatsoever.

And don't think I don't appreciate your efforts, Lee.  A few times I've felt on the brink of great revelation, notably when I left the cinema after the sad waste of potential that was Revenge of Sith, and possibly agan on this coming Saturday morning when I'll be watching the first part of the [spoiler]Cyborg Maul [/spoiler]arc just beginning on Clone Wars (a show which has more than justified my interest in the franchise with some fun stories over the past few months, but looks set to lose me entirely from this point).  Alas, I have embraced the Godpletonian lameness, and like every deluded religious type am happy to blunder along with the comforting rituals and observances of my faith, even though deep down I know the tomb remains full. 

As to the RedLetterMedia review, yes it's very funny, very clever and well-observed and I've watched them all more than once, and the Star Trek ones too.  However, I equally don't come away from a good stand-up routine thinking 'gawd, yes, he's right, women/dogs/brits are so stupid, why didn't I see it before'.

I'm sorry, but Irish comedians have absolutely no right to make fun of British people. I demand to know who these people are.

Quote from: TordelBack on 15 February, 2012, 08:44:43 AM
As to the RedLetterMedia review, yes it's very funny, very clever and well-observed and I've watched them all more than once, and the Star Trek ones too.  However, I equally don't come away from a good stand-up routine thinking 'gawd, yes, he's right, women/dogs/brits are so stupid, why didn't I see it before'.

Aye, but it depends on whether those comedians are making a serious point behind the humour or just making daft jokes. When I watch Bill Hicks, Doug Stanhope, Daniel Kitson or Stewart Lee, I'm thinking 'Yes, that's exactly how things are'.

Same with the RedLetterMedia reviews. I always knew the prequels were terrible but these reviews (and I believe they ARE reviews first, comedy second) articulated that hatred perfectly and pinpointed all of the many, many, many critical flaws in these films.

Anyway, I'm planning an intervention for you Tordelback. Expect to be kidnapped in the middle of the night by a gang dressed as Gungans.

I probably feel the same about the prequels as most almost 40 year old geeky males do, they're really, really shit! I mean pure, utter SHITE! But I will still take my kids this weekend to see this because it will make them happy and god knows I've been on worse trips with them in the past.

£30 to see Lazy Town Live is a good example, Oh how I wish Darth Maul had chopped those fuckers up!

I think the best bit in the RLM Phantom Menace review is at the beginning when he asks people to describe various Star Wars characters without saying what they do or what they look like - starting with the classic trilogy, then the cast of The Phantom Menace. Silence. I think the best anyone can come up with is "stoic" for Qui Gon, and "monotone" for Amidala.

Just absolutely hits the nail on the head of why the film doesn't work, and is pretty much impossible to argue with.

As for the film itself, certainly won't be going to see it at the cinema. I got caught up in the hype when it first came out, but find it pretty much unwatchable these days - haven't seen it in about ten years.

Phantom at cinema (age 13) - Holy Shit! This is awesome!

Phantom on VHS - Wow, this is really bad.

Clones at cinema (age 15) - This is really good. Oh cool, we get to see Yoda fighting.

Clones on DVD - Wow, this is boring as fuck. The big battle at the end is really boring. Yoda fighting is fucking retarded.

Sith at cinema - This is going to suck. Oh hang on, that first shot is pretty cool. Oh God, Anakin and Padme are "talking" at each other. That stupid Jedi kid is dumb, he deserves to die. They said "Younglings." The Yoda fight in this one is actually the best bit.

Sith at cinema take two - Well, I was expecting to hate it last time, seeing it in Leicester Square might make it cool. Nope, still sucks. Yoda fighting the Emperor is still cool. Anakin and Obi-Wan is really over-choreographed and lifeless. YOU'RE BREAKING MY HEART.

Quote from: Roger Godpleton on 15 February, 2012, 12:35:22 PM
Anakin and Obi-Wan is really over-choreographed and lifeless.

So true.  There are a few brief moments of passion, swiftly killed by the third-most pathetic stretch of dialogue in the whole series, and the rest looks like a carefully rehearsed Morris Dance. What I'd give for it to have a hint of the seriousness of the Neeson/Roth duel in Rob Roy, or the skillfullness of Westley/Inigo in Princess Bride:  instead it's strike - block -strike - block - punch - pause -strike - block... sigh

Quote from: Roger Godpleton on 15 February, 2012, 12:35:22 PM
Phantom at cinema (age 13)

:o I keep forgetting you're only a youngling yourself!

Quote from: TordelBack on 15 February, 2012, 01:07:42 PM
What I'd give for it to have a hint of the seriousness of the Neeson/Roth duel in Rob Roy, or the skillfullness of Westley/Inigo in Princess Bride

Or even the grim posturing of Achilles and Hector in Troy.

What about Ledger and Gyllenhaal?

Quote from: Michaelvk on 15 February, 2012, 04:20:20 PM
What about Ledger and Gyllenhaal?

That's a different type of sword-fight.

personally i'm holding out for "empire" just to see it on the big screen again...imagine when lucas remakes the originals all the kids who grew up with phantom wil be on message boards bitching how its not as good as "their" star wars films

Quote from: mogzilla on 15 February, 2012, 08:32:56 PM
imagine when lucas remakes the originals

Madness.

Don't give Lucas any ideas. The Special Editions are bad enough.

JvB

To right. Lol.

Quote from: Judge von Boom on 15 February, 2012, 08:51:03 PM

Quote from: mogzilla on 15 February, 2012, 08:32:56 PM
imagine when lucas remakes the originals

Madness.

Don't give Lucas any ideas. The Special Editions are bad enough.

JvB

Its already on his to-do list.

Just back from a viewing, and I really enjoyed it.

I'll get the negative stuff out of the way first.

This is the first time I've seen the extended edition on the big screen, and while the lengthier podrace is quite spectacular, and certainly engaged the Boy throughout, it was too long in the original release and it's way too long in this.  This is a problem made worse by it coming right after the terrible unbroken sequence of talking heads scenes that precedes it.  People give out about the 'taxation of trade routes' elements, but they take up about 2 minutes of the running time - it's actually Act 2, The Tatooine Conversation Act, that kills all momentum, and just when the podrace looks set to pick things up it hangs around for 10 minutes more than is necessary and slows everything down so that when more conversations loom in its aftermath, even I felt like stretching my legs. 

After that things pick up considerably, and I enjoyed the added Coruscant taxi scene, and the great CGI Yoda.

The other bad thing was the failure to address the unwanted effect of the bloody 3D glasses.  Being unversed in the technicalities of cinema, I don't understand the problem:  you're effectively watching the movie wearing a pair of sunglasses, so why not just brighten either the print or the projector?  Maybe it was the cinema I saw it in, but certain parts of the film were so dark I could barely make them out - the characters in underwater scenes were virtually silhouettes, and some of the space scenes were distinctly murky.

And there end the negatives - everything else was groovy.

The 3D looked great, particularly on the characters, be they human, practical make-up or CGI.  Sebulba (CGI), the battle droids (CGI) and the Neimodians (practical) were all entrancing to watch - as was Neeson's magnificently huge nose, and Portman's genuine beauty.  Interiors were also fascinating - the depth in ship cockpits and corridors and Anakin's home was captivating, as were the real locations - Casserta and Medinine looked amazing.  I didn't feel much was added to the wider landscapes, except where they were practical models (like Theed and the Podrace Arena).  I got a lot of pleasure from peering into the backgrounds and control panels, and some of the overly-busy clutter in the Mos Espa scenes really shone when separated by apparent depth. 

The design work in Phantom Menace is really astonishing, and has aged very well - to my surprise the 3D actually did add to my appreciation of it.  On the other hand I don't think it added much to the action, although some of the longer shots of the assault on the Trade Federation control ship and the Gungan plains battle were quite spectacular. 

As to the rest... well, I've never minded Jar Jar at all, and after his considerable rehabilitation in the Clone Wars cartoon I (and the Boy) actually thought some of his pratfalls were a good laugh.  He certainly isn't the dominant figure that people make him out to be.  Jake Lloyd's Anakin I've never warmed to, but his final scene with his mother was actually mildly affecting for a change (the perils of being a parent).  I thought Portman's Padme was great, both lovely and decisive, and not at all the flat whiny creature she becomes by the time of Episode 3.  The two Jedi are great value, my love of Neeson's headstrong Qui-Gon is no secret, and McGregor's conformist Obi-Wan is a nice contrast, and a good start-point for the character.  The two droids are pretty pointless in TPM, as is Jackson's Mace Windu.  McDiarmid's Palpatine seemed more pantomimey than I remembered, but it's still a good performance.  The new CGI largely saves Frank Oz's lacklustre work on Yoda.

Terribly saggy middle aside, it works better as a movie than I remembered, and its strong points (intense detail and art direction) are accentuated by a cinema viewing, and yes, by the 3D. This viewing didn't change my view that Phantom Menace is a heroic failure whose huge ambition is crushed by bad pacing and a plot that relies on external knowledge to decipher, but it definitely reminded me why I still love it. 

Oh, and despite being terrified of Darth Maul (who really is barely in it at all), the Boy's first cinematic Star Wars was a great success, with him hopping up and down and shouting with excitement at several points - the bits with the Gungans being his favourites.

And I may sneak off to see it again if I can find some money to do so. 

Quote from: The return of Judge Jack on 15 February, 2012, 09:26:41 PM

Quote from: Judge von Boom on 15 February, 2012, 08:51:03 PM

Quote from: mogzilla on 15 February, 2012, 08:32:56 PM
imagine when lucas remakes the originals

Madness.

Don't give Lucas any ideas. The Special Editions are bad enough.

JvB

Its already on his to-do list.

I say we take off and nuke Skywalker ranch for orbit. It's ONLY way to be sure.

JvB

Tordelback. You missed out, "some of the worst dialogue ever committed to film, delivered with all the passion and dramatic reasonance of a speak and spell" in your review.  ;)

Exactly in what way are Qui Gon 'headstrong' and Obi Wan 'conformist'? Did we watch a different film?

We're told that Qui Gon is something of an outsider and hippy, but we're not given anything to back that up in anything he actually does. He chooses to go against the council and train Anakin, but only because of some laughably vague plot device prophecy.

Him and Obi Wan are both blank slates with no discernable personality or believable motivation at all. They are the two of them dull as dishwater, with Qui Gon only being memorable at all because he is played by a charming and charismatic actor.

I think you're just projecting personalities onto them.

Quote from: Judge von Boom on 16 February, 2012, 03:59:50 PM

Quote from: The return of Judge Jack on 15 February, 2012, 09:26:41 PM

Quote from: Judge von Boom on 15 February, 2012, 08:51:03 PM

Quote from: mogzilla on 15 February, 2012, 08:32:56 PM
imagine when lucas remakes the originals

Madness.

Don't give Lucas any ideas. The Special Editions are bad enough.

JvB

Its already on his to-do list.

I say we take off and nuke Skywalker ranch for orbit. It's ONLY way to be sure.

JvB

You'd only get the one chance though, because if you missed he'd go into full-on Hugo Drax mode, and retaliate with his own personal Death Star that he had ILM build him

 The new CGI largely saves Frank Oz's lacklustre work on Yoda.
TKE THAT FUCKIN BACK RIGHT NOW!!!! :lol:

In the interest of balance I will say though that John Williams' scores for the prequels were consistently brilliant, as they are for the entire saga.

Sadly they were the priceless jewel set in a crown of mediocrity and disappointment.

Quote from: The return of Judge Jack on 16 February, 2012, 04:44:37 PM
You'd only get the one chance though, because if you missed he'd go into full-on Hugo Drax mode, and retaliate with his own personal Death Star that he had ILM build him

I'd get a second shot at least since ILM would only issue him an Early Bird Certificate for the Death Star. Payback's a bitch.

JvB

 :lol:

...and it would be an CGI certificate at that.

I fuckin hate CGI! FACT!!! :lol:

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 16 February, 2012, 06:40:39 PM
I fuckin hate CGI! FACT!!! :lol:

Why?

Quote from: dweezil2 on 16 February, 2012, 04:21:42 PM
Tordelback. You missed out, "some of the worst dialogue ever committed to film, delivered with all the passion and dramatic reasonance of a speak and spell" in your review.  ;)

I'm sure I mentioned it was a Star Wars film?  I assumed a certain level of knowledge from my audience - should I also have pointed out it's set in a galaxy far far away?

Quote from: radiator on 16 February, 2012, 04:40:00 PM
I think you're just projecting personalities onto them.

Well yeah, I'm viewing it with 13 years' worth of retrospect and 20 years worth of anticipation, so I'm afraid 'projecting' is a given.  Not much I can do about that now, and I do acknowledge that a great deal of anyone's appreciation of the film depends on foreknowledge, which is one of its biggest sins (for another, see the paragraph above too!).  It's certainly true that Obi-Wan is a virtual blank, whose only visible trait is a certain superiority and a stated respect for the Council, but he has another 3+ movies to develop a personality, so I don't mind that's a bit of a formless scrote here.  However:

Quote from: radiator on 16 February, 2012, 04:40:00 PM
We're told that Qui Gon is something of an outsider and hippy, but we're not given anything to back that up in anything he actually does.

I would disagree that there's no evidence in the film that QG is what we're told he is - he's seen to be feeling his way along through the Force throughout and urges others not to think but to act, asserting that he 'feels certain' about things he could have no rational knowledge of, making prophetic utterances, acquiring unconventional traveling companions (with the implication that he does this sort of thing a lot), constantly urging patience and passivity, and stopping to meditate in the middle of a fight - that's 'hippy' enough for me. 

As to being an outsider, in all his interactions with his peers he is constantly at odds with their opinions and rules - granted this is in the form of conversations, rather than actions, but there are a lot of them, and many refer to a long history.  There's a strong element of tell, not show, but within the linear confines of a film that separates him from all but his apprentice for most of its running time, it's hard to see how that could be otherwise.  I certainly buy it completely, and that's even though QG is one of the least explored of the characters in other media.   

Quote from: radiator on 16 February, 2012, 04:40:00 PM
He chooses to go against the council and train Anakin, but only because of some laughably vague plot device prophecy.

The vaguer the prophecy the better - another major (legitimate) complaint made against the film is the introduction of an 'explanation' for the Force (although I'd argue it's no such thing), if this is so objectionable why would we want the vagueness of a prophecy spelled out?  I do think it would have been nice to have some form of an explanation in Episode III, which fails to deliver so many things that were patently its job, but that's hardly Episode I's fault.  It looks like that role is being assigned to The Clone Wars cartoon, and I look forward to it, but an unexplored mystery motivation in the 'first' film is no real problem, IMO. 

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 16 February, 2012, 04:44:48 PM
The new CGI largely saves Frank Oz's lacklustre work on Yoda.
TKE THAT FUCKIN BACK RIGHT NOW!!!! :lol:

Ah c'mon.  The TPM Yoda puppet was vile and allegedly almost impossible to operate, and probably as a result Frank Oz (who I normally worship) gives a barely coherent performance throughout - at least with an expressive CGI version his Yoda just about resembles the one from Empire.  It's a massive improvement on what was there before, and at least they didn't re-dub his lines with Tom Kane (although the temptation must have been there).

Quote from: TordelBack on 16 February, 2012, 06:50:00 PM
The TPM Yoda puppet was vile and allegedly almost impossible to operate.

The only puppet in the entire series that was worse than TPM Yoda was Hayden.

QuoteI'm sure I mentioned it was a Star Wars film?

While the OT contains some pretty naff dialogue, it also contains a hell of a lot of great dialogue. "It's a Star Wars film" is no defence.

QuoteThe vaguer the prophecy the better - another major (legitimate) complaint made against the film is the introduction of an 'explanation' for the Force (although I'd argue it's no such thing), if this is so objectionable why would we want the vagueness of a prophecy spelled out?  I do think it would have been nice to have some form of an explanation in Episode III, which fails to deliver so many things that were patently its job, but that's hardly Episode I's fault.

I meant more that the whole 'prophecy' thing is just incredibly lazy, contrived writing. There's an element of soap-opera writing about the prequels - the plot dictating what the characters do and say rather than the other way round - there's a million other examples of this throughout the prequels. All the characters just feel that they're going through the motions.

Quote from: radiator on 16 February, 2012, 07:04:14 PM
"It's a Star Wars film" is no defence.

There should have been a winking smiley at the end of that bit - I do agree with you, but equally, I think there's some half-decent dialogue in TPM, just not teh vast majority - I certainly wouldn't claim otherwise.  A lot of the stuff in Episode IV is terrible, viewed objectively - if such a thing were ever possible - although it's saved by some heavy hitters and a lot of heart.

QuoteI meant more that the whole 'prophecy' thing is just incredibly lazy, contrived writing. There's an element of soap-opera writing about the prequels - the plot dictating what the characters do and say rather than the other way round - there's a million other examples of this throughout the prequels. All the characters just feel that they're going through the motions.

Yeah, no arguments there.  The relentlessly teleological way the Prequels are written is one of the most disappointing things about the whole project.  I do feel TPM is the least guilty of this sin, since at least at the end you're left with the feeling that the story could do all sorts of thing from that point on (and still get everyone to Epsiode IV)... only it never really does. 

Quote from: Richmond Clements on 16 February, 2012, 06:48:01 PM

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 16 February, 2012, 06:40:39 PM
I fuckin hate CGI! FACT!!! :lol:

Why?

Okay not all. Used in a discrete and subtle way as an enhancement to a films it has its place (I suppose) but for me it's largely a soulless clinical thing that does my head after about twenty seconds. I want realness. I want vast sets and insanely detailed miniatures. I want an army of beardy nerds bulidin shit using materials that when breathed in will shorten their life span by about two years. :)

Lucas has no conscience. Just saw the TPM novel tie-in was in the bookshops. I wonder if it's in 3d too? If the book must be worse than the film.

JvB

Man alive. He is one greedy motherfucker!

I have a great deal of respect for you Mr. Tordelback. In a way, I'm impressed by your sheer bloody-minded, pig-headed refusal to see The Phantom Menace for what it is - an utterly broken disaster of a film which fails on every level, rendering itself completely unwatchable.

It's a fervent blindness to every available fragment of factual evidence usually only found in religious fundamentalists.

Long may your brain continue to paper over the vast cracks apparent in the Star Wars prequels in order that you may forever enjoy these deeply shit films.

It's a tough, thankless job but someone's got to do it. Thank's for taking one for the team.

Tordelback - We salute you!


PS - I don't mean any offense, just a bit of light ribbing.

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 16 February, 2012, 06:40:39 PM
I fuckin hate CGI! FACT!!! :lol:

I fuckin' hate smilies! Fact.

Quote from: JOE SOAP on 16 February, 2012, 09:07:56 PM

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 16 February, 2012, 06:40:39 PM
I fuckin hate CGI! FACT!!! :lol:

I fuckin' hate smilies! Fact.

:) :D ;) >:( :P :( :o ::) :-[ :-X :-\ :-* :| :lol: >:D :cool: :angel: :crazy: :eh: :rolleyes: :geek: :ssh: :sick: :think: :thumbsdown: :thumbsup: :wave:

I noo you'd say that.

As bad as the prequels plainly are, I can't say I don't get any enjoyment out of them.

I went to see all three at the cinema, getting totally sucked into the hype again and again, still own Episodes II and III on DVD, and I've watched them all a few times each. As time goes by and memory fades I'm finding them less and less tolerable though - as I said above I just can't sit through Phantom Menace any more.

They must have something going for them - great music and visuals (design rather than execution, admittedly). A few neat ideas here and there, and some pretty watchable - though flawed - action scenes. Maybe I just enjoy picking over them and deconstructing them to see what went wrong, imagining what might have been... I think a lot of us are in the same boat if we're honest.

So I'll never say that I hate the prequels, but I know that they're not good movies - if they weren't in any way connected with the old Star Wars films I doubt I'd have given them the time of day.

Same goes for the Matrix sequels.

Quote from: Lee Bates on 16 February, 2012, 09:04:25 PMIt's a fervent blindness to every available fragment of factual evidence usually only found in religious fundamentalists.

Long may your brain continue to paper over the vast cracks apparent in the Star Wars prequels in order that you may forever enjoy these deeply shit films.

Now you're getting it!  It mightn't surprise you to know that I was pretty religious as a young teenager, and am an equally passionate atheist as an adult, so Star Wars is probably the methadone-equivalent for my former habit of believing in unbelievable things, despite all evidence to the contrary...

(Also, I do actually enjoy (most of) the films, and their daffy universe, which has been running in my head for 35 years now).

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 16 February, 2012, 07:18:35 PMI want realness. I want vast sets and insanely detailed miniatures. I want an army of beardy nerds bulidin shit using materials that when breathed in will shorten their life span by about two years. :)

Then Phantom Menace is the movie for you!  Some of the largest most complex miniatures ever constructed for film include Theed, the Podrace circuit and the Trade Federation Droid Control Ship - really only bettered by Revenge of the Sith's Utapau and Mustafar exteriors.  Also, all Podracer engines built 1:1.

A lot of models were made as references for the CGI guys.. While it seems disappointing, filming the pod race with miniatures would've been a nightmare (that said.. the Falcon in the asteroid field was impressive.. Maybe after that they said: "Sod that!!")

The pod-race is nice wee action piece, I can't say it isn't exciting. It just feels like it's been crow-barred in. A good ol' sci-fi drag race just for the sake of itself.

Just been watchin Empire again. Man alive its good. Miniatures, Mattin, Stop Motion, Massive life size sets. Its not been directed by Lucas. A rubber Yoda eatin Luke's space rations (a scene that always makes me crave a Star bar for some reason?) and hobblin around on a tiny walkin stick. Its got the fuckin lot.

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 17 February, 2012, 08:30:27 PM
Just been watchin Empire again.

Best film ever made, OBJECTIVE FACT.  Can't stop watching it, even after 30 years. 

An't it. Its fuckin awsom. I know this is only a small section of a plethora of fantastic stuff in this movie but when they shoot down the AT,AT during the Hoth scenes and it's head explodes and it slowly falls to one side and then blows up and the fuckin debris lands in the fore ground and impacts on the pretend snow. Sooo beautifully done. No CGI bollocks. Just hard workin technically minded,film savvy FX nerds goin 'Yeah man. It needs to be done like this so it looks fuckin awsom. Like if you shot an elephant or some shit'.

I was having a conversation about Star Wars with some of my pupils the other day (a fairly erudite bunch of 15 year-olds who had seen all the films), and the concept of Empire being The Best seemed rather lost on them... in fact, one or two of them declared it poor. They're wrong, of course, but it did make me wonder if the very existence of the prequels had somehow completely undercut all that is good about Empire. From their perspective, Empire is completely lacking in revelation... 'No, there is another' isn't a thrilling mystery to them, it's something they've known for two films, and as for the film's most iconic moment... it was largely greeted with a resounding 'And...?'

We were the lucky ones, I tell ya.

Sadly probably all true, Greg.  Mind you, my lad eagerly watches the Hoth stuff, the asteroids and the Vader fight, and for my money the romance and the lighting, the beautiful lighting, are worth the price of admission alone. 

True,true. Sad but true. mabye they can introduce their kids to it in years to come and hopefully If Lucas hasn't raped the arse out of it all by then. They may have a similar reaction to the one we had all those years ago.

'Asteroids are of no concern to me'. lol.

Quote from: TordelBack on 17 February, 2012, 09:26:24 PM
Sadly probably all true, Greg.  Mind you, my lad eagerly watches the Hoth stuff, the asteroids and the Vader fight, and for my money the romance and the lighting, the beautiful lighting, are worth the price of admission alone. 

Well, this is it. And no external factors can ever undercut the sheer cinematic perfection of "I love you." / "I know."

Quote from: Greg M. on 17 February, 2012, 09:02:23 PM
We were the lucky ones, I tell ya.

Good point that Greg, as i dont own, watch or care for the prequels, i hadnt really thought about how they have impacted upon the original trilogy. Certainly they would kill dead the mystery/major reveals in the older films, for any first time viewers. Can we add "spoilers" to the list of crimes for the prequels?
Yes, perhaps we are the lucky ones.....

Quote from: TordelBack on 17 February, 2012, 08:34:50 PM

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 17 February, 2012, 08:30:27 PM
Just been watchin Empire again.

Best film ever made, OBJECTIVE FACT.  Can't stop watching it, even after 30 years.

Pfft. It's not even as good as Star Wars.

You tryin to bait us Cosh? You know this means 'Beef' don'tcha. Lol.

I'd take Starship Troopers or Robo-Cop over the lot of them.

Battlestar Gallactica's or Buck Rogers' better. ;)

FUCK the right OFF the lotta ya's. Lol. Do like me some Buster Crab Flash though. You watch some of that shit and you can see why Lukkkas and Spielberg were so well into it.It was, least we forget, the genesis for 'Wars'.

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 17 February, 2012, 10:48:26 PM
You tryin to bait us Cosh? You know this means 'Beef' don'tcha. Lol.

Nope. I just prefer Star Wars to Empire Strikes Back. Always have. I think largely because it's self-contained.

Robocop is better than any of them, but probably not as enjoyable as Star Wars. Never really been that fussed about Starship Troopers.

Yeah! Okay! Lovin both because the're Verhoven and he is one mad Dutch man. Hope Dredd has that vibe goin thru it.

Just finished 'Empire' now swingin into 'jedi'. cause u hfta. U just hafta. FUCK!! just remembered! Got some jaffa cakes in my pocket. Lol.

Quote from: TordelBack on 17 February, 2012, 09:26:24 PM
Sadly probably all true, Greg.  Mind you, my lad eagerly watches the Hoth stuff, the asteroids and the Vader fight, and for my money the romance and the lighting, the beautiful lighting, are worth the price of admission alone.

Whilst the lighting on ...Empire... is indeed beautiful still to behold (it should do, it took Irvin Kershner ages to set up one shot, leading to him going WAY over budget and schedule), I always saw the Trilogy - there is only one, after all - as having that 'used' look, the same look in both A New Hope and Return of the Jedi (interior Death Star scenes notwithstanding), whilst The Empire Strikes Back has a more sophisticated and classic look to it... still completely awesome though!

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 18 February, 2012, 01:51:37 AM
Just finished 'Empire' now swingin into 'jedi'. cause u hfta. U just hafta. FUCK!! just remembered! Got some jaffa cakes in my pocket. Lol.

Please tell me you're watching the theatrical versions bigjobs, you'll destroy me if it's the nothing-of-the-sort (so-called) 'special editions' :'(...

I'd rather see this in 3D:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbb5CYC6JTs

:lol:

They are unfortunately Beaky. Its a box set I 'borrowed' offa my brother so didn't have much say in it. My Mum, madly enough, has them all on VHS and I'm pretty sure their old enough to have escaped all the 'fiddlin'. Just have to get me a VCR. No two ways about it. Now where the fuck did I put those Jaffa cakes? Lol.

Just back from a viewing with Tiny Tips and while far from perfect, there is llots to enjoy, especially on a big screen with proper speakers all around.

I'm amused that so many people hate it so much but still take 90 minutes  out to watch this red letter bloke reviewing it. Why for an extra 40 minutes you could watch it yourself and make your own mind up.

Quote from: Tiplodocus on 18 February, 2012, 03:49:12 PM
Just back from a viewing with Tiny Tips and while far from perfect, there is llots to enjoy, especially on a big screen with proper speakers all around.

I'm amused that so many people hate it so much but still take 90 minutes  out to watch this red letter bloke reviewing it. Why for an extra 40 minutes you could watch it yourself and make your own mind up.

The sad thing is those "Red Letter" reviews are more compelling and entertaining than the movies!

Quote from: dweezil2 on 18 February, 2012, 03:54:26 PM

Quote from: Tiplodocus on 18 February, 2012, 03:49:12 PM
Just back from a viewing with Tiny Tips and while far from perfect, there is llots to enjoy, especially on a big screen with proper speakers all around.

I'm amused that so many people hate it so much but still take 90 minutes  out to watch this red letter bloke reviewing it. Why for an extra 40 minutes you could watch it yourself and make your own mind up.

The sad thing is those "Red Letter" reviews are more compelling and entertaining than the movies!

True Dat!lol.

I'm just back as well, kids enjoyed it but my view firmiy remains GASH! Musics good though. And it just occurred to me today that having the high ground done Darth Maul no good at all so Obi Wans clearly talking pish when he fucks up Anakin later.

And as great as Robocop & Starship Troopers are (and I do love them) they arent exactly family viewing.

Oh and Empire has always been the best. We've got them all at home and I almost shed a proud tear when the boy decided to watch Empire all by himself.

Just back from this as well. Both of mine loved it, despite having seen it a few times on DVD and it never being anyone's favourite. The 3D adds so much that I found it almost a different film- and even during the interminable talking head trade dispute yawn-o-rama, it was magnificent fun to just sit back and watch the 3D effect reveal stuff I've never noticed before. even saw the ETs in the council chamber this time, which is a first.

The extra bits are seamless and barely noticeable (especially if you haven't seen it "properly"- as in with full concentration- for over a decade), though the new Yoda looked a little cute for my liking- like the eyes had been scaled up a bit, and there's one shot of him framed with Yaddle that throws up the vast differences between the shonky puppetry of TPM on original release and the CG. The stallholder on Tattooine who accosts Jar-Jar for cash after he lassoos  a fish is another example of this- but then, that always was.

A few of the visual elements I've always had a problem with are still there-  the shot of the federation tanks immediately after the Gungan shield wall goes down is still textureless and shiny, and the stand-in for Sam Jackson who walks down out of the republic cruiser on Naboo at the end still screams "LOOK AT ME!". They could've CG'd Jackson's face on him, at least.

Interestingly, all the talk over the years about the inherent "racism" in TPM still makes me laugh- yes, Watto is a Shylock of the first degree, and the Neimudians are Japanese. Jar-Jar isn't far off a Steppin Fetchitt caricature, but I think comes over pretty well in the end. certainly nowhere near as offensive at it could've been. He is, after all, a frog- and finding offense in that is to me, a bit like moaning that the fat girl in the Muppets is called "Miss Piggy" and her love interest always runs away- because she's fat, and a pig. Also, notice that Lucas has Qui-Gon specifically ask Watto, a slave-trader (in a movie at least half about the horror that slavery exists) for "parts for a nubian". I think old beard-face knew exactly what he was doing. 

Has seeing it again made me any fonder of The Phantom Menace? No. It's still, along with Return of the Jedi, the worst Star Wars ever gets. But the 3D made it a wholly enjoyable experience, and I hope they do the rest of them in the same format.

Trailer for The Hobbit at the front- and my good grud almighty, if you want a load of bollocks that looks set to bore the arse off the audience, then there it is. Truly terrible.

SBT

Whereas me and Tiny Tips tnought The Hobbit trailer was awesome and can't wait for the film and are about to start a read of the book.

I think a lot of the current Star Wars critique sounds like a whiney bloke banging on about how great his ex-girlfriend used to be but now that she's going with somebody else,  he hates her.  She's moved on, so should you (either in the same direction or just let her go).

I wish I had a girl friend.......................................................WHO LOVED THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY AND FUCKIN HATED THE NEW ONES. We make sweet, sweet love each and every day.

It certainly always helps to have a girlfriend who likes miniature things.

BITCH!! That was fuckin harsh man. True though.Better in some ways. They don't notice you slippin it in when they're asleep.

The only ones on this thread that are slating and berrating the experience are the ones who haven't seen the 3D version. Just an observation.




V

That could just be a self-selecting bias... but why take the risk?

I'm actually starting to retroactively like TPM in an "enemy of my enemy..." type of way right now.

The main common in all who have seen it. The kids love it. After all the films are directed at the kids.





V

Im hopefully going to this tomorrow with two of mine, looking forward to it.

Quote from: vzzbux on 18 February, 2012, 08:13:04 PM
The only ones on this thread that are slating and berrating the experience are the ones who haven't seen the 3D version. Just an observation.




V

I've seen the 3D version thank you and it's still rubbish, if not more so when I saw it in 1999.

As for the film's being aimed at kids. Well I enjoy the original trilogy as much now as I did when they were originally released-apart from that horrid Mos Eisly CGI revision and the idiotic Greedo shoots first debacle. Where as I have no love for the prequels beyong the slight improvement in the dramatic stakes when we get to ROTS.

Quote from: Satanist on 18 February, 2012, 04:17:46 PMAnd it just occurred to me today that having the high ground done Darth Maul no good at all so Obi Wans clearly talking pish when he fucks up Anakin later.

Nice observation.  I wonder if that's an intentional parallel/contrast?  Lucas does love his visual mirroring, both within and between films.  It's almost the last vestige of his youthful flair.

Quote from: TordelBack on 18 February, 2012, 10:17:22 PM

Quote from: Satanist on 18 February, 2012, 04:17:46 PMAnd it just occurred to me today that having the high ground done Darth Maul no good at all so Obi Wans clearly talking pish when he fucks up Anakin later.

Nice observation.  I wonder if that's an intentional parallel/contrast?  Lucas does love his visual mirroring, both within and between films.  It's almost the last vestige of his youthful flair.

Or you could accuse Lucas of just lazy writing with all this narrative symmetry-right down to recycling dialogue from the previous films and even from previous scenes from the same film.

I think he crossed the line of mirroring when he started the prequels. Luke's moment of clarity as he stares at his and Vader's robot claws is one thing but the prequels indulged in wholesale duplication.

Quote from: TordelBack on 18 February, 2012, 10:17:22 PM

Quote from: Satanist on 18 February, 2012, 04:17:46 PMAnd it just occurred to me today that having the high ground done Darth Maul no good at all so Obi Wans clearly talking pish when he fucks up Anakin later.

Nice observation.  I wonder if that's an intentional parallel/contrast?  Lucas does love his visual mirroring, both within and between films.  It's almost the last vestige of his youthful flair.

With Anakin, Obi Wan was waiting for and anticipated the attack, but Maul was over confident and was taking pleasure at mocking him. Thus was taken by surprise when Obi Wan attacked.




V

Took my boys to see this and was suprised at just how much I enjoyed it the second time. The last time I saw it was the day it came out in, whatever, 1999.

I wasn't fussed to see this. Not because I dislike the prequels, because I don't.

[controversial mode]
In fact in some ways I prefer the prequels to the originals.
[/controversial mode]

Please note the emphasis on 'in some ways'. Don't get me wrong, I do agree with some of the criticism on the prequels. I thought the line delivery very wooden, for example. From Lucas's commentary in Attack of the Clones I think the actors were going for a 1930s (or was it 20s?) style of acting but it didn't work and came across wooden. They spoke their lines... like they were speaking lines instead of as if they were speaking spontaneously . But I thought the stories were actually quite good, overall... although there were ropey bits.

Certainly, the originals were acted with more heart. On the other hand they pretty much reused the plot of A New Hope for Return of the Jedi. Weirdly, the latter is still probably my favourite of the original trilogy... although Empire might be joint favourite.   The rescue bit at the start was excellent and I liked the extra 3 dimensionality given to Luke and Vader, and found the theme of redemption appealing. [spoiler]Curiously, I find out that Vader's heroism is one reason others disliked Jedi. They wanted him to remain the pantomime villain...[/spoiler]

My main reason for not wanting to see TPM again was that I'm just keen on seeing stuff I've seen before. That and it's the weakest of the prequels for me. The reviews of the 3D version on this thread are persuading me otherwise though. I think it might actually be worth a look. Then again, I'm easily impressed... which is probably another reason I like the prequels, despite admitting their flaws.

Quote from: Mardroid on 19 February, 2012, 01:30:59 AM
From Lucas's commentary in Attack of the Clones I think the actors were going for a 1930s (or was it 20s?) style of acting but it didn't work and came across wooden.

As '1930's B movies acting' it certainly worked.

Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 18 February, 2012, 04:37:50 PM
Trailer for The Hobbit at the front- and my good grud almighty, if you want a load of bollocks that looks set to bore the arse off the audience, then there it is. Truly terrible.
SBT

You gotta be kiddin' SmallBlueThing, did we watch the same trailer, it looks amazing - and that's including the astonishing picture quality of the high-definition cameras used - and I guarantee it will be anything but boring, or did you think The Lord of the Rings trilogy was boring, if so, well, horses for courses...

The first one and a half lord of the rings films are the most godawful, terminally dull pieces of cinematic excrement ive ever ever had the misfortune to see. My wife and i gave up in the middle of the second  one, and have never bothered to try again- nor are we likely to. I despise tolkein anyway for many of the same reasons i find cs lewis a pompous, repellent writer. But for me, tolkein is the worst of them.

Peter jackson is the man who directed the appalling Brain Dead/ Dead Alive and the astonishingly boring and ruinous King Kong remake- a version that makes dino d laurentiis look like he knows a thing or two about drama.

Everyone has something they despise- for you it might be the human centipede movies or barbara cartland. For me, it's tolkein and jackson and the explosion of brain-destroying boredom and crap that exploded forth when they came together.

SBT

Fair comment. His King Kong is just far too long and would have been a better film if he'd shaved about 30mins off of it. I quite liked 'Brain Dead' and I've got 'Meet the Febbles' knocking about somewhere yet to be watched.'Heavenly Creatures' is a great film. Check that out.

Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 19 February, 2012, 08:32:47 AM
The first one and a half lord of the rings films are the most godawful, terminally dull pieces of cinematic excrement ive ever ever had the misfortune to see. My wife and i gave up in the middle of the second  one, and have never bothered to try again- nor are we likely to. I despise tolkein anyway for many of the same reasons i find cs lewis a pompous, repellent writer. But for me, tolkein is the worst of them.

Peter jackson is the man who directed the appalling Brain Dead/ Dead Alive and the astonishingly boring and ruinous King Kong remake- a version that makes dino d laurentiis look like he knows a thing or two about drama.

Everyone has something they despise- for you it might be the human centipede movies or barbara cartland. For me, it's tolkein and jackson and the explosion of brain-destroying boredom and crap that exploded forth when they came together.

SBT

Well just a simple question, why did you bother watching it in the first place?

I totally share your sentiments towards this tripe but wonder why you put yourself through it. It seems illogical. I'd worked out by the age of fifteen from the books what a pile of pants it was. So I never went to see it and saved myself a lot of bother.

You come across as an intelligent person and I cannot quite work out how you cannot glean from trailers, reviews, hype and public opinion, what films are not going to appeal to you.

The same is true of King Kong. Compared to the original I could see how rubbish it was going to be and so never bothered going. Simple.  You have a streak of masochism about you it seems, when it comes to films.

Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 19 February, 2012, 08:32:47 AM
The first one and a half lord of the rings films are the most godawful, terminally dull pieces of cinematic excrement ive ever ever had the misfortune to see. My wife and i gave up in the middle of the second  one, and have never bothered to try again- nor are we likely to. I despise tolkein anyway for many of the same reasons i find cs lewis a pompous, repellent writer. But for me, tolkein is the worst of them.

Peter jackson is the man who directed the appalling Brain Dead/ Dead Alive and the astonishingly boring and ruinous King Kong remake- a version that makes dino d laurentiis look like he knows a thing or two about drama.

Everyone has something they despise- for you it might be the human centipede movies or barbara cartland. For me, it's tolkein and jackson and the explosion of brain-destroying boredom and crap that exploded forth when they came together.

SBT

Same here really...

I'm just bemused that you went to see them, considering it's someone who directed a film you find appalling, adapting an author you already hate.

I don't mind them personally, I don't think he's a great director by any means but bringing that scale of project to the screen is pretty impressive.

And I really liked the Frighteners...

I think ive seen everything jackson made, up to the second rings film. I saw them when they came out, and wast impressed with bad tatste, meet the feebles or braindead, quite liked heavenly creatures, seem to remember liking the frighteners and gave up entirely after the double whammy of the rings and kong. How anyone who professes to like the original could misinterpret kong so spectacularly badly is beyond belief. There's nothing remotely good or right about it, with the possible exception of the insect pit sequence.

I just dont know how he got the reputation he has. Like i say, ive only seen the first rings film all the way through, but it was probly the most boring eighty five hours of my life!

SBT

Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 19 February, 2012, 12:28:50 PMI just dont know how he got the reputation he has.

Probably because he commanded a massive scale production for several years that eventually made massive amounts of money.

I actually like the Jackson King Kong, and the extended DVD version more so.  Granted it isn't a patch on the original, which is one of my favourite films of all time, but there's an awful lot there to like.  I find these Jackson epics work a lot better if you treat them as TV mini-series and watch them in several sittings accordingly.  You can get a very pleasant week's entertainment out of his LotR, but as individual films they can be a bit of a drag.

That said, I completely understand Steev's point of view here. Jackson's LotR teeters on the very cusp between 'overblown over-reverent crap' and 'brilliant respectful spectacle' - much as I like it, even being in the wrong humour can make it unwatchable. 

I enjoyed the Lord of the Rings books, although I found some of the Frodo-Samwise in Mordor stuff in the last book a bit of a chore and [spoiler]hoped for a direct showdown with Sauron. That being said, I appreciate the fact they didn't do that now as it's a bit obvious.[/spoiler]

As for the films, I thoroughly enjoyed the first one in the cinema. I found myself getting a bit bored in the cinema watching the second and third though, although I still enjoyed them overall.

That didn't stop me getting the extended editions of all the film though, and strangely, despite having more footage (and not just a bit more either) I'm don't think I've ever been bored watching them in my home. I'm not sure if it's the way the extended versions gel together or if it's because I know what will happen, so it seems to go quicker, or if it's because I'll often take a break when I need to slot in the DVD containing the second half of the film.

I probably re-watch them each year.

Now I think they're probably among my favourite films of all time. And I'm very much looking forward to The Hobbit.

I think Martin Freeman will do a stand up job on Bilbo.

I like Kong as well but I really wanted to LOVE it.

I agree with the mini-series thing for Kong - best as four one hour episodes but I genuinely never get bored watching Rings and can happily sit with bottle of wine and an extended edition when I get the chance.

I like the insect pit, I think that's one of the bits where it strays from the original (I know about the lost sequence) into the realm of nightmare and thus didn't belong in the film (in my head anyway).

But there was absolutely no excuse to go over 100 minutes with Kong.

Meanwhile, back at Phantom Menace, does anybody know what the release schedule for the others is?  I actively detest the next two but strangely can never pass up the chance to see Star Wars at the cinema so, given a pleasant experience with TPM, I might give them a go.

Last I heard it was all going to be depend on how well TPM did as to whether they did the others at all (although I had also heard Star Wars itself was largely done some time ago), but next year's Hasbro packaging has already leaked and it features a battlin' Episode 2 Yoda to compliment this year's Darth Maul theme - so that means at least a year's wait (or is that respite?) until Attack of the Clones.  I know it allows the toy marketing to be discretely packaged up, but a year is crazy in terms of sustaining interest - it's not like there'll be a DVD release to keep things moving.  Even every six months would give the project momentum, personally I'd have preferred every 3 months, giving us a Prequel year and a Trilogy year.  Will there even be 3D in cinemas by the time of Jedi's putative release in 2017?

I'm onna misson to Search and Desroy LukKKas. I'm gonna travel back in time with my mate Don 'Biggo' Biggs (Biggo is his street name) and fuckin kill that cunt before he starts fuckin with the originals and initiating the filth that is TPM . Therefore ending his greed quest. We'll snap his fingers before he starts fuckin with THX 1138 just to be sure. I'll give him Howard the Duck for novelty value.

You're the worst character ever, Towelie.

"My Time Is Yours".Robert Duvall.Awsom.

Quote from: bigjobs67 on 19 February, 2012, 10:49:13 PM
I'm onna misson to Search and Desroy LukKKas. I'm gonna travel back in time with my mate Don 'Biggo' Biggs (Biggo is his street name) and fuckin kill that cunt before he starts fuckin with the originals and initiating the filth that is TPM . Therefore ending his greed quest. We'll snap his fingers before he starts fuckin with THX 1138 just to be sure. I'll give him Howard the Duck for novelty value.

Uh, I dunno how to break this to ya, bigjobs dude, but Luca$ (>:D) has already fricked around with the excellent THX-1138, he released a new 'director's cut' in 2004 (which is strange, considering his preferred cut had been widely available for three decades on VHS), featuring new CGI visual effect shots - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIfTT8EGj3A - and true to form, he refused to also release the aforementioned unaltered version alongside it, sorry bigjobs dude, I'll duck for cover now...

Make sure you stop him from inventing Ewoks when you get there bigjobs.

LUKKKAASSS!!!!! "Biggo fire up Proteus and pack a bag. We've got a movie mogul to kill".

Slightly off topic and may put Lucas in a different light.
Is order 66 from RotS a play on executive order 9066 signed by President Roosevelt.
Just a thought.





V

Quote from: vzzbux on 20 February, 2012, 09:46:26 PM
Slightly off topic and may put Lucas in a different light.
Is order 66 from RotS a play on executive order 9066 signed by President Roosevelt.
Just a thought.

? Can u just post pics of your wife in her unmentionables. Pronto. Cheers.

I suppose this is the most relevant current topic for the trailer for the not-at-all-cynically-timed return of Darth Maul in The Clone Wars cartoon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqjLUABYeew&feature=youtu.be

I have a bad feeling about this.  It's Boba Fett all over again, with added ridiculous resurrection. 

That said, I was quite surprised on my TPM-3D viewing to realise just how little Darth Maul features in the movie that is sold almost exclusively with his image.  Stripping away the multimedia mystique of being a pure disposable weapon of the Sith, he is sort-of wasted there. 

It's also interesting to see from the trailer how TCW is blending obvious Lucasian money-spinning fiat (Maul and his brother) with their own ongoing on-screen re-working of Expanded Universe elements such as Ventress (beautifully voiced by Nina Futterman) and the Nightsisters, and of course the movie characters. 

In other words, I expect to hate this, but the last 3 or 4 story-arcs on TCW have been superb, so I suppose I should have a little bit of hope.

Not meant to be cheeky but is TCW actually any good? My kids love it but I have never tried to follow it.

From what Ive seen it looked a bit naff at the start but now appears to have ongoing story arcs?

Oh and I saw one where Anakin had a vision of himself as Vader which seemed to be handled much better than the films.

I tried to watch the Clone Wars pilot/movie recently but couldn't warm to it at all and switched it off after 10 minutes. It just seemed very videogame-like (as in literally "defeat the boss robot by hitting its weak point!") and very much aimed at children.

Maybe I should give it another chance but I suspect that it's not for me.

It's all a bit simplistic and cynical to be sure, and definitely pitched at the younger end of the market, but it is frequently very good fun, and by the middle of the 3rd season the animation had scaled incredible new heights and has only improved from there. 

The movie itself is some of the weakest material, and was generally a bad decision, IMO.  There are still occasional bad, nonsensical and plain dull episodes, but plotwise it has really stepped up its game.  The most recent Season 4 story arcs (generally 2-4 episodes, although sometimes building on an arc from a previous season too) have been:

Nomad Droids: A sort-of combined homage to the Droids cartoon, the Wizard of Oz and Gulliver's Travels, where R2 and 3PO bounce about the galaxy getting shipwrecked and overthrowing local petty tyrants.  Silly and childish, but great fun over 2 episodes.

Darkness on Umbara:  A genuinely grim 4-parter focusing entirely on a group of clone troopers in a difficult planetary invasion, and how they deal with the decidedly cold and unorthodox Jedi general in command.

Slaves of the Republic: An uneven 3-parter about the enslavement of Ahsoka's people - some beautiful design and good character moments, but the end is a bit weak.

Deception:  Obi-Wan goes undercover as his own murderer to foil a plot to kidnap Palpatine, 4 episodes of pure backstabbing caper-movie fun, with some mild character development thrown in.  Probably the most consistently enjoyable screen Star Wars in ages.

All that said, the beginning of Season 4 was quite weak, with an interminable underwater story set on Mon Calamari which failed to be better than the one from the Genndy Tartakovsky shorts at about 20 times the length. 

There are ongoing arcs, particularly for the new characters (clones mainly), but I'd recommend picking and choosing rather than sitting through the whole thing, so to give you a flavour of what's worthwhile in my opinion:

Season 1 highlights include the opening Yoda episode Ambush (my favourite of the lot), the 3-part Malevolence arc (attacking Separatist superweapon), the introduction to many of the clone cast in Rookies and uneven-but-fun Ryloth trilogy, a planetary invasion liberation.

Season 2 highlights include the Saving Private Ryan homage Landing at Point Rain,  the Seven Samurai homage Bounty Hunters the amazing Godzilla homage The Zillo Beast (lot of homaging going on in Series 2), and the suitably sinister Children of the Jedi.

Season 3 has the controversial Mortis arc (no relation) which Satanist alludes to, where a mysterious nexus in the Force exposes our heroes to visions and personifications of various mystical things, as well as the force ghost of Qui-Gon Jinn,  Padawan Lost a great version of The Most Dangerous Game featuring Chewbacca and some of the finest alien jungle designs you'll ever see, and Hunt for Ziro, featuring Sy Snootles as the love interest!  Also, the introduction of Maul's people and the Nightsisters, and some rather cool Sith betrayals in Nightsisters/Monster, which is where the current Maul stuff starts.

Damn it TordelBack, are you trying to suck me back in to Lucas' dementia? I've turned my back on all of this, but you're playing the crack dealer, 'C'mon. Little bit won't hurt you.'

Please don't be so rational about this, I prefer bloody minded ranting about Lucas and his creations thank you.

Good day sir.

JvB

Quote from: Judge von Boom on 24 February, 2012, 02:30:17 PM
Damn it TordelBack, are you trying to suck me back in to Lucas' dementia? I've turned my back on all of this, but you're playing the crack dealer, 'C'mon. Little bit won't hurt you.'
Please don't be so rational about this, I prefer bloody minded ranting about Lucas and his creations thank you.

I wholeheartedly agree Sir, the whole Star Wars thing is dead to me now, Luca$ has systematically crushed every last bit of joy out of it for me - with the exception(s) of the Trilogy's original theatrical versions - and no amount of pretty CGI animation series' will undo that... it's time to give the whole thing a rest, it's not only dead, it's corpse is starting to stink!!!

(http://i.imgur.com/B84t9.jpg)

Finally, as the director always intended...

(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae48/adrianbamforth/SeeitinMonochromeSmall-1.jpg)

And the Luca$ pension plan continues - http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=34991 - sigh, enough already, for the love of grud...

Quote from: Judge von Boom on 24 February, 2012, 02:30:17 PM
Damn it TordelBack, are you trying to suck me back in to Lucas' dementia? I've turned my back on all of this, but you're playing the crack dealer, 'C'mon. Little bit won't hurt you.'

Please don't be so rational about this, I prefer bloody minded ranting about Lucas and his creations thank you.

Good day sir.

JvB

Rant away, mate! Everything after movie number three has been phenomanally boring.  I couldn't finish it even when trapped in a small flat with a three year old who was up for a bit of spaceships and robots - it would have to count as cruelty to children to make my son sit through the Liam Neeson/Ewan McGregor bits (can't remember what we watched instead. Probably the Wiggles or the old Batman movie)