RiggsWolfe wrote:
I personally liked Ep1 and I think a large part of this backlash against it is because people feel like Star Wars is THEIR universe and George didn't do what they expected.
I agree that a lot of people do fall into this category. I have several friends that qualify for sure. But not everyone is like this. There are some, like myself, that just didn't like the movie all that much simply because it was poorly made.
In an earlier post I mentioned how I rated "SW:TPM" a 3.5 out of 10. I still stick by that.
But my gripes don't stem from where you think they might've come from. I liked what Lucas intended, just didn't like HOW he executed it. So really, I don't hate it because he chose to do things different from what I thought. I just hated it because what he did decide to do was done poorly.
--I thought it was fine that they started the story of Anakin at a really young age.
[ Just didn't like Jake Loyd. The 2nd kid in the audition, seen in the DVD, was much better. Dialogue lines like "Yippeee!" Don't help either. ]
--I was fine with the move to make the first chapter about a trade dispute. That actually kinda mirrors some real current world things.
[ Just thought Lucas dropped the ball on the portrayal of the Trade Federation. At no time did they feel like a worthy adversary. Padme talks about her people dying.......oh yeah? When did that happen? In the camps? From starvation? Executions? What?]
--I didn't mind the name "The Phantom Menace" really.
[ Because that is what was going on, a Phantom Menace manipulating things from behind the scenes. Its just that this movie has many aspects to spotlight, and the 'Phantom Menace' part was the least exposed of all of them. Strange, being that it is the title of the movie]
--I didn't mind the role of Jar Jar.
[ Really, I understand why Lucas put him in there. I don't think it was a bad idea at all. Just thought it was done poorly. Basically Jar Jar represents a theme that occurs in a lot of Lucas movies. Which is, even the guy that everyone think is annoying, a nerd, a wimp, a nobody, can be important and pivotal. Look at the "Willow" movie. That's basically the same thing. Annoying little Willow ends up being the savior....blah blah. But what does Jar Jar do?
He is first brought along for the purpose of helping Qui-Gon and Obi Wan navigate through the planet core, yet he doesn't provide any instructions. In fact, even if he did, Qui-Gon reveals to the audience that such info is not needed because, "the force will guide us". Lucas messed up there. If he is brought along to be a guide, show Jar Jar guiding. Sure, in his comedic clumsy way, but at least doing it.
Then later, his biggest contribution is suppose to be the fact that he is key in uniting both the Naboo and the Gungans. Key? All he does is basically say where he thinks they might be hanging out at. His character is not the one that actually convinces Boss Nass to join forces. Padme is. Jar Jar should've been the one that convinces Boss Nass, in his own way. Basically what I'm saying is Jar Jar had potential to be fulfill the need to show that 'even the nerdy outcasts can help' Lucas agenda. But poor directing lost that opportunity.]
Basically you say, its his universe, he can do what he wants. I agree. But whatever he does decide to do.....I just would like to see it done well. That's all. There's sooooo many directing mistakes its incredible. (which would take me forever to list, but I could one day if someone really wanted to hear me talk about them) The lack of directing skills is understandable......he hasn't directed for a long time. So I won't hate him for messing up on SW:TPM, I just won't pretend that it was a good movie.
Till, then......I'm staying away from seeing Ep2 till I'm convinced that it worth seeing. I hope George Lucas has finally warmed up a bit and is getting back to his old self.....the self we saw direct Ep4.
