Star Wars: Movie Review – Part 2
March 10, 2009
Cinemassacre Radio – Part 2: You Know What’s Bullshit
This time, we discuss some bullshit. Listen here!
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awsome a new reveiw:D
Cool! Great review and great interview! Any idea when the new AVGN will come out as now the contract issue has been solved?
YES! new star wars rewiew i waited it
The only thing i missed in the review is about EP 2.
Episode 2 is called “attack of the clones”, but in the whole film, the clones are not attacking. Only yoda sais “begun the attack of the clones has” or something at the end(!) of the movie. It doesn’t fucking make sense.
There will be AVGN announcement shortly.
You said it perfectly,GREAT job James!!
James, we all know what you think CGI should not be used for. and I agree. What SHOULD it be used for?
one of my biggest gripes with The Phantom Menace was the actor of Anakin. I mean the casting really sucked with that one, the kid was so annoying and he read his lines in such an overacting style. it felt like it was the first time he had read a script, every scene he talked he would instantly annoy me.
i wish i could ask Lucas, was there really no one better than that kid at the casting call?
I loved the original trilogy better than the new. The original Yoda was funny, and lively. In the new ones there are som much new characters who dies so quick befor you even know them well. I just have one funny memo abuot episode one. We were on a trip and in the house there was only one black and white coloured TV. And there is a scene where Watto rolls his dice to settle that is it your Anakin or his mother will go with Qui Gon. And we saw that scene million tmies before that. But we laughed becuse Watto said “If it blue the boy if red his mother.” And we just saw gray or darker gray. And everyone in the room said out loud: “Now what?!” XD
PS: My girlfriend and I wants to know what is the name of your black cat? He or She is cute.
I love your videos and reviews. From Hungary
Thanks for ripping apart the new added special effects. I came. I was worried that as a nerd you were going to overlook these travesties like many nerds of your ilk.
Thanks for holding strong, and giving me a bone.
Oh, come on, James. What question is “in what order are you gonna show them to your kids?”?
There is no real choice, you HAVE TO show them 4-6 first, you can’t just spoil them “I AM YOUR FATHER” by showing them who Vader was once first. I’ve watched the movies first, when I was about six years old, when they aired as trilogy on German TV. I don’t remember much, by I definitely remember THIS! It’s so offputting and unsettling and I wouldn’t dare to spoil that sensation for anyone who hasn’t seen any of the films yet.
I really hated the way they changed Anakin’s ghost at the end of Return of the Jedi, because the old Anakin looked JUST LIKE my father.
Also, if nothing else, your review shows me I should be watching more westerns.
Cinemassacre Radio – Part 2: You Know What’s Bullshit
You Know What’s Bullshit dogs in city when you walking from home to school, on streets are lying a dog turds. the chanse to step in dog shit is chanse 1:5, and the dogs master never cleans up that spot where dog poped. you go to school and realise you steped in dog shit, the kids make fun of you a calling you ‘’shit leg” thats bullsit!!!
I grew up watching the prequel trilogy ,and I think they are pretty good though the original trilogy is superior BY FAR.The first exposure I had to the Original movies was the changed version and now that I have watched the Theatrical version. I thought none of the new scenes and effects were needed.
So i saw the movies In chronological order and not release order,but I wish I hadn’t.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention the “Mitechlorians” or whatever it was which is what alot of hardcore SW nerds thought was a huge travesty to turn the force from this mystical magic force that held the universe together into some biological mumbo jumbo.
a very nice review james, thats how it should be
but I have to say that I think that EP2 and 3 sucked too, because there was way more CGI than in EP1, and that volcano fight at the end of part 3 is just ridiculous, its like all CGI and they jump like grashoppers…
besides, that yoda fight in EP2 is pretty unrealistic too
the old star wars will be the better ones forever
Hey James, love the site. SMDC2000 is my new role model.
Just wanted to say that Ian McDiarmid frequents the restaurant I work in. The emperor is fond of pizza it seems.
Episode III was, no doubt, the best of the prequels, but I really think it dropped the ball in a few important respects, the biggest being this:
I didn’t buy the good-to-evil transition of Anakin. It’s like OK, he’s an annoying little kid, then he’s an annoying and brooding adolescent, and then — BAM — he’s killing little Jedi kids. Ummm…OK. The third film (really, all three of them) failed in that aspect. I wanted to see Anakin as a good person, really, I did…but instead, we just got a whiny kid and then a terrible hack actor playing a brooding, miserable asshat.
Hayden kinda ruined Darth’s mystique for me. Now, whenever I watch the original trilogy and see Vader, I am thinking in the back of my mind, “Ah yeah…that annoying f*ck is in the suit.”
One general comment on the prequels — and I’m totally with the Nerd here — did we really need Episode I? Did we need to see Anakin in diapers? Not really. Why didn’t Lucas give us what we all want to see? How about a film that would have filled the space between III and IV? Now that’s a movie I’d wanna see, all about the Empire building itself into an ass-kicking monster and the Emperor & Vader running loose with mad power.
Star Wars was always meant to be a kids’ movie, sure. But Lucas gave the finger to the kids who grew up with the original trilogy with these prequels.
Aaah, nothing is better but when you get home after a hard day of work and find this uploaded. Thanks alot.
I showed the unchanged original trilogy to my nephew first, so he would experience the huge twist in empire strikes back. He is a huge star wars fan now.
“Han shot first” is the ONLY problem I have with the special editions, and seeing Lucas wearing that t-shirt is crazy. Why was he wearing it ??
@ Bender
I watched to first 20 minutes of EpIII over and over again, they are sooo awesome and so is the movie. I got to agree on a lot of things James mentioned, but I think I’m one of the few people that aren’t so offended/annoyed by Jar-Jar like everyone else did. I accepted him for the time being.
I think we all know why he found his way into the movie. Lucas wanted to attract more young people. But I think he was right when he commented on the criticism of Jar-Jar by the fanbase that Star Wars was always most appealing to kids. I mean, look at all the Star Wars fans today and think about how old they were, when the films were released.
Yeah, maybe this isn’t what you’d expect from a Star Wars movie, but can you really blame Lucas for everything? In the 20s slap stick was totally in as the way humor was conveyed and today? Look at shows like Simpsons, Family Guy or Big Bang Theory – they feed on cultural references.
I know, you’d probably say: What does that have to do with Jar-Jar? Actually a lot, because the “needs” and expectations of the average audience had changed in the 16 years between the release of EpVI and I. You always have to consider that.
Same goes to you, James. How do you think would you have experienced Jar-Jar, if you would’ve been as old as you were when Ep IV was released? Ever gave thought to that?
I mean, I really, really understand every fan that is disappointed in the way Ep I turned out. I’m just pointing out it isn’t just black and white.
Great review, James! Oh, and perfect timing, because today, Howard the Duck is being released on DVD in the US.
Seeing these reviews I got once again interested in these sieries and I realised how good they were, etspecialy original trilogy, but seeing the special edition and original at start I didn’t realise what’s going on. Now my suspiton was enlighten, thank for the astoning review.
Btw, the review is missing one important aspect, which I think is one of the biggest reasons why many fans are angry with George Lucas: the fact that the altered versions of the original trilogy started as being “Special Editions” in 1997, and then slowly, Lucas pretended the original theatrical versions didn’t exist for him anymore, and then releasing the original trilogy in 2004 on DVD without the “Special Edition” title and more changes.
Do you own the 2006 DVD’s with the original theatrical versions on it, James?
Yeah, about episode three. He confront Palpatine with Windu because he know he is a Sith lord, he then cut the hands of Mace, believing that Palpatine will die (he is obvioulsy faking, but even so, he is a fuckin Sith Lord!), Palpatine THROWS Mace Windu out the window and then BAM, he turn to the dark side… seriously, what a lame Jedi…
Good movie review. Can’t wait for the AVGN announcement. I hope its a new video tonight. If not I’ll still wait and let your other videos keep me entertained
@k.Line i agree with you. the kid who played Anakin in episode 1 made me want to shit glass.
As for me, I will show my daughter the movies in the order they were released as I feel that is the way they are meant to be seen. We has the original trilogy on vhs back in the day, but I don’t thin we do anymore. Have they released the original unchanged trilogy onto dvd? I hate all that cgi bullshit because as you said, it just doesn’t fit, and it just looks cheap to me. Like they couldn’t afford anything more realistic? Anyways, my husband is the big SW fan boy, so he’ll be the one to really share these with our child, and future children. Thanks for the review James, as always you are right on the mark.
Brilliant review as always, but after seeing this review, I feel kinda weird because I love Episode I when I first saw it. I mean, the first trilogy will always be in my heart but I think that Episode I is pretty good. I also think that Jar Jar Binks is like the funniest guy at the time and I didn’t realize people hate him so much
. Episode II is my least favorite and III is much more awesome. Great stuff James!
dottor_male: when anakin saw Palpatine THROW Mace Windu out the window he thought: “WTF, I want to be that powerful also!!”. I would aslo turn to the darkside to learn that shit.
And I like Jar-Jar Binks. Can’t understand why it is so popular to hate him.
That was beautiful James, keep it up!
Oh and I’m going to show my children the movies in the order they came out… starting with Episode IV of course.
They have to experience Vader’s badassery to the fullest!
Greetings from Peru.
I agree with that Star wars has had a huge impact on our movie culture but what i found sad is that the last parts or the star wars i,ii.iii movies seamed more fitted for kids making lame humor i mean in the older movies there were Saying hell and all sort of swearing
in the old ones it seamed real
Oh and the Act in the third movie when they were landing General Grievous Battleship Anakin said Were Coming in to hot same line as said in the movie Airplane!
I’m gonna cum when I hear the AVGN announcement. I don’t even want to see a video. I just want to read about it. Imma nut, for sure.
I think the proper order is: 4 5 6 1 2 3
I have to say you were right on the ball with this one.
I just bought the Prequel sets to re-watch them again before your review today, and I ended up feelin the exact same way you did.
Episode 1 put me to sleep. Episode 2 was kinda fun. Episode 3 blew me away.
And of course then I watched the original Trilogy all over again since the first time I saw it years and years ago. Episode 4 is a great film, Episode 5 is the best Star Wars you can possibly EVER see, and Episode 6 was good but somewhat childish with all of the boring and childish little Ewoks ruining an otherwise good film.
Empire though, is still the king of Star Wars movies.
Also, Lucas said of the new effects that he believes that there’s no difference between CGI and practical effects. He says “It’s all still a trick no matter which way you look at it.”
Well, he’s wrong. Dead wrong. Practical effects are “Practical” because they are there. CGI is indeed fake looking because there still is no good way to make computer effects believable in a scene. Even today.
Also, Lucas hates actors. That’s his main problem. He doesn’t consider them important. He doesn’t care about good actors, nor does he care about who is right for a part and especially doesn’t care how good they are at acting.
To Lucas, Actors are simply a disposable commodity and a means to an end, to just do what he writes down for them to do and then leave. As long as they rush through a scene and badly act in a cardboard and wooden fashion, Lucas is pleased that they delivered his lines and put forth his idea.
I think if you look at the films he’s made… even the good ones, he never seems to give the actors any credit, and he never seems to think they were important to the process. I’m sure that if Lucas didn’t even have to even USE actors, he’d be happy.
Lucas is a visionary. The problem with that however is that he’s SUCH an idea man, that he doesn’t care how convincingly his vision is portrayed just as long as he gets it on the screen somehow. He spawns epic stories and has grand plans, but the actual process of having humanity in his films to put the ideas across is foreign and a pain in the ass to him.
I’m not ripping on Star Wars and I don’t mean to rip on Lucas so badly for what he’s done, which in the end is pretty great. I’m just saying that his weaknesses are excruciatingly evident, and he needs to learn that what makes a truly great film on EVERY level is tangibility belivability, emotion and acting.
Not how many extra CGI banthas he can throw into the background or how cool his computers are.
And I like Jar-Jar Binks. Can’t understand why it is so popular to hate him.
Because he practically drowns the first part of the movie. Every time a scene seems to develop a little bit, Lucas feels the need to cut to Jar Jar doing over the top ridiculous nonsense. This humor may work for 5 year old children, but not for me being 17 years old when I watched it the first time. Nothing wrong with humour, but I did not expect it to be dominating this movie so much. Not to mention that Lucas has a very infantile sense of humour.
But Jar Jar is not the only reason Episode 1 didn’t work. The biggest problem is the acting. Both Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor, 2 very talented actors, are so wodden in their performances. A lot of the dialogue is redundant, where oftentimes the same issue is repeated 2-3 times in 3 minutes. Or things like “What do you make of it?” “I don’t know”, dialogue writing which resembles B-Movies made for less than 1/100 the money those movies cost.
In the end, it paid off. But the prequel trilogy will never ever gain cult status. Once the hype was over, people started to look more critical at them, realizing that between the amazing special effects, there was hardly anything humanly relateable.
There’s no question about what order I’ll show the Star Wars films. Episodes 1-3 start off with boring topics and episodes 4 starts off with a gigantic spaceship consuming a small ship and a dark masked character emerging from the smoke. It’s so exciting and kids will remember it forever – not be bored to death and never wanting to watch past episode 2.
As an adult, I was able to think about the original trilogy and really understand the serious and boring topics in episodes 1-3.
I’m a huge Star Wars fan and have been since I saw the original trilogy on cable when I was a little kid in the early 90s. I’ll probably lose my Star Wars nerd cred for saying this, but I actually like episode 3 better than episode 6. In my opinion, through episodes 1 and 2, the original trilogy was easily superior, but I always felt Episode 6 was the weakest of the OT, and when episode 3 came out, it was amazing. Especially at the very end of episode 3, when it shows the young Owen and Beru holding the baby Luke as they watch the twin suns set… it’s such a nostalgic feeling towards episode 4. Maybe thats why I think episode 3 is so great, and it might be silly to base a movies weight on one scene, but that scene was so incredible, it, i don’t know, it was amazing. I’m glad James included that scene in the video too. He’s right, it really does explain the New Hope of episode 4, coming out of the prequel trilogy. But yeah, I think episode 6 is pretty weak. Even without the retarded musical number of the special edition.
You left out one thing about the special edition that was the #1 most abominable sin Lucas could have done..
In the last scene of return of the jedi.. Lucas fucking changed music!!!!! I always loved the jawa celebration music! The whole movie I looked forward to getting to that last scene. I don’t know whether any of you like that original music but either way, you just dont change music. You can re-master to make the sound quality higher but you dont just fucking up and change out the whole song with a different one!!!!! Songs affect your memory in a big way and you cannot do that!!!!!
Well.. a couple of years ago they finally released the theatrical version of the original trilogy so I guess its all good now but still..
who else agrees that that was a huge mistake and that you dont change music????
*damn it sorry, I meant the ewok celebration music not jawa!!!
Great videos, as always
Well.. a couple of years ago they finally released the theatrical version of the original trilogy so I guess its all good now but still..
No, it’s not all good, because the picture quality of the original theatrical versions is sub-standard. They look much worse than, for example, Howard the Duck on DVD, being treated as 3rd grade waste products, and have only been released because fan made DVD’s made from Laserdisc/VHS transfers became very popular.
Well, As a movie fan myself, The original trilogy getting two upgrades was one upgrade TOO many and the Prequels were half decent but was Jar Jar really necessary? HELL NO!
Awesome review! I heard that one day in the future that they were going to make 3 more star wars films that takes place after episode 6?
wow. these star wars reviews might just be your best yet. thanks so much for the review. oh and the ending of part 2 was so perfect. great job!
i saw the originals first and thought vader was badass! then i dedicated a whole day to watching them in episode order and grasped what lucas was trying to convey, the tragedy of vader. i think its great both ways!
Great review! I got some of dem’ Starwars goosebums when watching.
I am part of a much younger generation and I watched the Original trilogy around the age of 3-6. I watched them over and over and over. I just loved them! even if I at first I didn’t really follow the plot as much I just loved these movies and the more I watched them the more I understood. At the age of 7, about 10 years ago I saw Starwars episode 1. I remember I accepted it as a starwars film but I never loved it as much as the original trilogy. Later when Episode 2 and 3 came out I instantly fell in love with starwars again. I don’t care for the critisism from all the hardcore starwars fans, I actually like the new trilogy – although I know they were marketed for a younger audience which at the time I was a part of.
Woah, this comment has gotten a lot longer than I had planned.
To answer your question about what order I would show my kids the movies (when I get kids) I would say the same order as I saw them in. First original unaltered trilogy, then the new trilogy and lastly the altered original.
@BloodyFox
I didnt say the first 20 minutes of the film were bad, I just mentioned that there were too many CGI things around, like the volcano and that platform at the end and obi-wan and anakin hopping around seemed way too unrealistic
and what was that dinosaur obi-wan was riding? Its just like a video game I think…
Great review. It’s really funny when you brought up “how are you going to introduce your kids to the series etc.” Ive had that exact same thought for some time now. Anyways Great work. There is no pressure from me on anything AVGN related, Im just happy to see Someone work so hard to make gamers like myself so happy. Do what you need to do James. The Force will be with you always…..
Nice review man, i had never seen the original scene with han and greedo so know i understand all those “who shot first” jokes in those kevin smith movies. I’m pissed that they changed the ewok celebration song at the end of jedi. My sis and I seen jedi first and was a nostalgia fav now its fucked coz of that stupid shit song they replaced it with.
Just thought i’d share that with you, and hope they release the original movies unaltered or (unfucked) on DVD format, that would be sweet.
P.S When i have kids i’ll show them the orginal trilogy first, in chronological order. Hopefully by then they’ll have the unaltered (unfucked) versions of the trilogy on DVD or bluray
Great Review!
Wow, I never thought about how important the order was. I think I would definitely show 4,5, and 6 first and then 1,2, and 3. Although I feel bad for first time viewers who are uneducated. The naming scheme should reflect that idea. Maybe they should get rid of the numbers and just call use the subtitles.
I was recently going to watch the entire series in order from 1-6 from netflix. After watching it, I’m going to change the order.
I think the new ending and song in JEDI is much better then the original version, and I watched the originals in the 80s.
Anyway, it is original as long as it is John Williams composing the music damnit!!
Like James says in his batman reveiw: “fans are never satisfied, the will always complain about anything”.
I’ve found I have a pretty unusual viewpoint of the Special Edition… The whole Han Shot First thing never really bugged me, but I still have to confess the best way is the original way. I frequently get blasted for approving of the CG remaking of parts like the Death Star battle in Episode IV, but I’ve always felt ship-to-ship combat is the only thing in sci-fi movies that should be pure CG. Its the only time its possible to make it feel right. Beyond my not caring of the Han Shot First issue and liking the revamped space battles, I was never really a fan of the changes made in the Special Edition overall.
I’m also not bothered by the midichlorian thing because upon closer inspection, it DOES NOT emove the mysticism of The Force. Two words: FORCE GHOSTS. Midichlorians are just a biological component that allows for a stronger connection to The Force. End of discussion.
I like all three Prequels myself, but only because I like the alterations to lightsaber combat. That there is the only non-space battle thing that I wouldn’t mind seeing changed in a new version. The prequels showed off the power and skill of the Jedi so much more in the way those battles were done. Episode I was watchable, Episode II really got things going, and Episode III blew my mind. Simple as that.
Waitminit here, I’m not supposed to be doing my own review and outlining my own feelings, what the frak has gotten into me? I’m supposed to be saying something far simpler:
Excellent work, James. You have a great talent for expressing your feelings on a matter. Whether you’re being a civil guy or playing the Nerd, nobody does it better. And its nice to find someone else who thought Episode III was good. Seriously, it seems like everyone I know places it below even Episode I in terms of quality and it drives me insane. Thank you for being the voice of reason on that matter.
James I agree with you a lot in ways but i do disagree with you in parts. Jar Jar Binks is annoying but at the time i first saw this movie i thought well that’s different really nothing else. My opinion on what movie kids should watch first is probably Episode 4. Who wants to know who anikan is first? I think it would really kill the ENTIRE series if you saw Phantom Menace first. You would Know that Darth Vader is anikan. the mystery of who obi wan would be gone. I mean think about it when you first saw this movie you thought Huh who the hell is this Guy? I think this is just great. I personally have only see the original remasters and the originals. The Mos Eisly add ins were just boring i mean that alone just makes me want to get rid of my remasters!
Great job James. Why aren’t these reviews on Spike.com? (Don’t answer, i’m sure you did in the first review.)
I thought a lot about how i’m going to show these movies to my kids, even my GF, and I completely forgot about “Luke, I am your father.” Just because of that alone I will show them in the order that they were filmed. As for which version, i plan on getting it on blu-ray. I may or may not get a lot of poo for that statement but thats just how i feel, i want to own all my favorites on blu-ray.
James, thank you for spending time making a review, really enjoyed watching it.
The first one wasn’t that bad but like you said it didn’t live up so I agree with you. The CGI, the Haun shot first and only shot should of been that.
I hope you do one about Lord Of The Rings and maybe Watchmen if you can.
James you kick ass.
The first of those movies I saw was Episode 1, and as you hypothesized, I love that movie. I think people had way too high expectations. I mean, its entertaining, and that’s all that’s really necessary for me. I think I like the prequels a lot better. I mean, they’re all great, but the new ones look so much better, and there story is cooler too.
I dig the first three Star Wars movies, the prequels, not so much. Although I don’t think they’re the worst movies on the face of the Earth, and from a technical perspective, they were amazing.
Regaring Lucas’s tampering with the original trilogy, they’re his movies and he can do what he wants with them, and I agree that it was awesome seeing them on the big screen. But just because you can do something, doesn’t automatically mean you should. The Jabba the Hutt scene in episode IV was unnecessary being that Jabba essentially repeated everything Greedo said in the previous scene. IMHO, there was only one added scene in that entire trilogy that was necessary, and that was the brief scene where Luke sees his friend Biggs Darklighter and the two reminisce.
If you’re gonna shoot, SHOOT, don’t talk.
Some may disagree but I agree with “BloodyFox” if you have not read what he typed then here it is:
Bender
I watched to first 20 minutes of EpIII over and over again, they are sooo awesome and so is the movie. I got to agree on a lot of things James mentioned, but I think I’m one of the few people that aren’t so offended/annoyed by Jar-Jar like everyone else did. I accepted him for the time being.
I think we all know why he found his way into the movie. Lucas wanted to attract more young people. But I think he was right when he commented on the criticism of Jar-Jar by the fanbase that Star Wars was always most appealing to kids. I mean, look at all the Star Wars fans today and think about how old they were, when the films were released.
Yeah, maybe this isn’t what you’d expect from a Star Wars movie, but can you really blame Lucas for everything? In the 20s slap stick was totally in as the way humor was conveyed and today? Look at shows like Simpsons, Family Guy or Big Bang Theory – they feed on cultural references.
I know, you’d probably say: What does that have to do with Jar-Jar? Actually a lot, because the “needs” and expectations of the average audience had changed in the 16 years between the release of EpVI and I. You always have to consider that.
Same goes to you, James. How do you think would you have experienced Jar-Jar, if you would’ve been as old as you were when Ep IV was released? Ever gave thought to that?
I mean, I really, really understand every fan that is disappointed in the way Ep I turned out. I’m just pointing out it isn’t just black and white.
i really dont understand what people have against CG effects.. its just another medium for efects, its not easier to make CG (infact its alot harder if its to look good)
Making a cg model involves pretty much the same steps as making a live action model, infact, many times they actually do make and paint a live action model and then digitize it for animation.. and even if they dont, the cg modeling/textureing is not that diffrent from working in clay or with an airbrush
sure, cg doesnt not a good movie make but neither does live aciton effects..
i think people who diss CG in general do so becase they dont see the ‘craft’ in making such effects.. they seem to assume that you just press a button and the effects are there and that really really isnt the case. its just diffrent mediums for doing the same thing..
They totally blew it with Darth Maul. He really could have been a great villain but instead he was as you said useless.
btw thats not to say i disagree with your comments on the first trilogy, the story was weak and i personally didnt like hayden chrietiansen too much actingwise. but what i mean is, ep1 and 2 sucked because of their lack of story, not their use of cg. imo they would have sucked as much it they where all strings and puppets.
but thats just my oppinion
Star Wars may be one of the greatest trilogy’s of all time. It makes a bigger impression that lotr, potc, and harry potter. One thing that makes me mad though is listening to people say they haven’t seen star wars just cause they think its nerdy or stupid. Saying that only makes you look like a dumbass I mean how can you NOT see star wars, its like a part of life. Anyway, A+++ reviews and can’t wait for the next avgn video! (And may the force be with you.)
Even though I wasn’t born until the 90s (but just missing the 80s by six months, mind you), I was still a huge Star Wars nerd. The posters, the games, action figures, Legos, the works. But in complete honesty, Episode One is my favorite. I have never found anyone else who agrees with my opinion here. Something about Darth Maul I just loved. He surpassed Vader in my eyes. His silence made him more menacing and inhuman than even James Earl Jones could create. Also for whatever reason, Qui Gon still stands as my favorite Jedi. Maybe it’s just because I’m a little skinny smart kid, but Qui Gon seemed so wise, as opposed to a dueling powerhouse.
But really, I was only 9 the first time I saw it, and it was the first time I had seen an original Star Wars film at the theater. To me, it probably was what the original trilogy was to you. Growing up in the 90s, the CG effects didn’t even bother me. Honestly, I don’t even remember noticing them. Really, I think the older films were just that: older films. Things your parents watched and, while still cool, dated. This was something new, and I loved it.
Luke
Such a grood review. The first time I saw ep 1 I kinda had the same oddity as to what it was that just happened. The second time it just set in that there was a character in the history of movies that I would hate more than anything before it. jar jar? What the fuck was that supposed to be. Anywho what you said about two and three were about right on. In three the opening dogfight in space just reminded me of some of the best parts in ep 4 and 6. Didn’t think in my mind that the scene would be so grand but it really helped open the movie and hit the ground running so to speak.
James nice video, BUT
comon I think you are still in denial about episode 2 and 3. Be honest, if you take out everything except the fight scenes, did you need anything else to explain what happens? I mean you briefly mentioned that some of the dialogue was bad but come on it was fucking TERRIBLE. And correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t the dialogue and story what makes up a movie? I will agree with you saying that episode 3 is the best of the new 3 movies but that isn’t saying much. It can’t make up for the first 2 pieces of ass.
The Amidala/Anakin relationship was so uninspired and lacking all chemistry, and story was really creepy. Just how they end up together and their age difference……eck. Portman and Christiansen are awful. Come on the scene when he feeds the apple to her in Episode 2? Although the deleted scenes might have added too much to the film, i wish they were incorporated some how in the film to explain their characters and why they do what they do.
The extra jedi characters like mace windu added nothing. Just more toys to sell on the shelves.
Seeing how Bobba Fett came to be was completely cliché.
The whole root of Anakins anger from episode 2 to 3 begins when his mother dies. But I’m sorry I just can’t feel bad for Anakin. He’s a baby and it just seems that VISITING his mom wouldn’t have been impossible if he did it so easily when he did. Having Owen and Beru in there too wasn’t necessary.
And to finish but I’m sorry this could be just the fault of Lucas starting with Episode 4 and trying to make the first 3 work with 4 5 and 6 but they just don’t tie together. A lot of what they show in the first 3 films to explain what they talk about in 4 5 and 6 was too much of a stretch sometimes. Qui gon should never have been a character. How old Obi Wan gets after just a few years in between episode 3 and 4?
Why didn’t lucas use the first 3 films to develop other characters that he already made such as Biggs, Han Solo, (comon seeing young Han Solo would have ruled), Wedge Antilles….A shame.
There is so much I wish I remember at the top of my head, but they only all come out when I watch the films. Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be watching them anytime soon.
But good video dude. Looking forward to the new ones.
Ben
Well I totally agree with all the points he made here although I also think that Anakin’s fall happened a little too quickly and unbelievably. Also has anybody seen the phantom edits? apparently some guy edited episode one and two and took out all of jar jars antics, references to midoclorians, redundant dialogue, and other things people disliked about the first two movies and apparently salvaged two decent movies out of them.
James, I think at some point you nailed it: when you sell out to kids movies start getting shittier. Also, I think is very irresponsible to teach kids being stupid, I mean, if you are on a life and death situation, you better give the first shot…
It’s funny you should mention how to show future generations the series. I know I have thought long and hard on how I am going to present certain movie and video game series to my future children.
Simply based on the eventual dark nature and the “in joke” references to the original trilogy I would say I would show them how they were released. However just for the sheer desire to see someone’s reaction to first learning that Vader is Luke’s father and his eventual return to grace, so to speak, makes it imperative to show them as they were released.
A side note: my friends and I almost experiences this with a college friend from Hong Kong who had not seen the films. We had a day long marathon of the “good” Star Wars (IV, V, VI) and about 30 minutes into Empire some jerk came in and spoiled it. Funny part is that not only did it depress us but it seemed to depress our friend who had quickly gotten into the series and the anticipation it was building (even without knowing to what end).
I didn’t feel like Episode 3 redeemed the prequels. Anakin was still a lame character and his turning to the dark side was unbelievable.
I would only show the original movies to my kids if they ever get a proper DVD or Blu-Ray release. Until then, they will watch “The Lord of the Rings” movies.
I think you summed up the prequels perfectly. III was definitely the best of the 3, but…even though I liked it, especially the epic scale of the battle it opens with, it still had the problem of the characters just not being memorable and not seeming to work together like the original cast did.
That and I felt episode III tried to cram too many references to episode IV in your face. The way Yoda blurts out that he has to go into exile right after the battle with Palpatine felt…I dunno, too sudden? Too in my face? I think it would have been better if he’d saved that news till the end when they all went their separate ways. It felt forced and rushed.
I like how after defeating Anakin and leaving him to burn, Obi-wan takes the time to steal his lightsaber. “I’ll just take this, might come in handy if I ever have to train your son!”
You know, I remember liking the special edition. It’s true that the added scenes stuck out and some of them were unnecessary, but I felt like a few of them filled in some gaps. Definitely the Jabba scene. But I can’t think of any else off the top of my head so maybe I’m just remembering wrong.
One thing I did like was the original special edition’s change to the end of episode VI. The Ewok song was less corny and the added scenes showing peace spreading around the galaxy were good, in my opinion. Then the new special edition took it a step too far of course. It’s funny, in your clips the new spliced in Anakin seems to fit better — I remember him standing out like a sore thumb next to Obi-wan and Yoda when I saw it, like he was a totally different shade of blue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np6vAuS0KNs
This was the original ending to Return of the Jedi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfxdAvBxge8
This was the original remastering’s ending. Honestly, I feel like it added something. It felt more like the ending the series deserved. It was epic.
Of course, the latest version had to take it a step too far, adding Jar-jar and Hayden in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHX3mAbyrs
Just compare those 3 if you haven’t seen them all before.
III was without a doubt the best of the Prequels… although that is not saying much.
I think with my kids when they get old enough that is I will most likely show them the unaltered VHS versions that I own.
I will let them decide on their own if they want to see the sub par prequels.
Hey James, nice review! I should tell you my standpoint on the series, since you grew up in a different time than me.
I was about 7 years old when I saw the special edition Star Wars trilogy in theaters. No one told me it had been changed, and honestly, I wasn’t old enough to tell a difference between what was CGI and what was real. I still don’t get why they changed the scene where Han shoots first, though I can see the reasoning in that it makes it look like he did it in self-defense, thus making him a better role model than someone who shoots first and asks questions later (literally).
Then Episode 1 came out, I was probably 9. It was a movie that kept me entertained, and I was a dumb little kid so I barely cared about poor dialogue or plot (I thought Tom and Jerry: The Movie was good, that tells you something). The action was satisfying, and Jar Jar made me laugh. People rip on Jar Jar all the time, but I guess I was still a naive child when I first watched Episode 1, so I never understood the hate. I guess you could say Jar Jar is someone I got to like because he appealed to my age at the time.
Episode 2 felt very much like filler to me. It wasn’t as classic as the original trilogy and Episode 1 (again, dumb little kid back then), so this movie felt different. It was cool to see Boba Fett and the clones, and the stadium fight with all the jedi is still one of my favorites in the entire series. Plot-wise, though, it was just preparing for the Episode 3 where the Clone War picks up.
And I have a matched opinion with you on Episode 3. Very epic, and ties nicely into Episode 4.
So there you go, now everyone make fun of me for not jumping on the bandwagon and hating on Jar Jar. Come on, do it!
Ah, I forgot to mention CGI vs. real actors. I find it ironic that I’m an animation major and I agree with you. CGI doesn’t do it for me. It doesn’t feel as fluid or real, so I don’t think it should be used when it isn’t necessary. The original trilogy got by just fine, right? This is also why I don’t like our little 3-d movie revolution, like with the TMNT movie or Garfield, which originated in 2-D. So while you feel like CGI is unreal and doesn’t fit in where real acting belongs, as an animator I think my beloved 2-D is getting shoved aside as well.
One of the best reviews ive had the pleasure to see.
Wow, I am surprised you like Episode 3. The film guy you are, I was thinking (and hoping) you’d rip on that epic waste of time/insult to audiences intelligence, but you liked it. Seriously, the question has been asked before (most prominently by Maddox) but I’ll ask it again, if you don’t like the other two, why do you like the third one? It’s like those idiots who bitched about the other Matrix films, yet loved the first one. There’s no difference, so what the hell?
Whatever, I’m just going to have to wait for I-mockery to do a detailed rip of Episode 3.
Also, how wasn’t Episode 3 some tacky CGI acid fest? It basically took something titled special and made it boring, speaking of Special Effects of course.
I know I’m sure that a ton of people have brought this to your attention, or you’ve already seen it yourself, but did you ever watch the fan edits of Episode 1 and 2? I mean it’s still a crappy movie, but it’s at least watchable, and I think gives a little bit more power to the series as a whole.
And I actually totally agree about Episode 3. CGI doesn’t automatically make a movie terrible, despite that fact the I prefer practical effects. Atl east the flashy stuff that happened in Episode 3 happened for a reason.
Great review. I was worried about this one cause I thought you’de just totally hate on them the whole time. I enjoy all of the Star Wars saga(it’s my favorite series, go Jedi!) but I’m glad you didn’t pander and told it like you saw it. To each his own.
“and that volcano fight at the end of part 3 is just ridiculous, its like all CGI and they jump like grashoppers…
besides, that yoda fight in EP2 is pretty unrealistic too”
I can’t tell you how much statements like this piss me off. Not only doesnt this guy have any understanding of what it takes to make a sequence like that, he goes on to say that it’s all CGI!
Now James, if you read this, I will say we don’t see eye to eye on the use of CGI, but I think you of all people(you being a filmmaker who loves old school effects, trust me I love them too) should appreciate what it took to make Episode III(especially the duel between Vader and Kenobi). I suggest when you have the time, watch the “Within a Minute” documentary on the supplement disc on the Sith DVD. It’s a fascinating look at what it took to make just 49 seconds of the duel in the movie. There were so many miniatures and old school techniques used to make the lava, and the environment in general. Just amazing. Oh and fun fact here, the planet of Utapau(the sinkhole world where Kenobi goes to find Greivous) was the most complicated and massive miniature ever built. Oh and i know theres alot of digital effects, but it is interesting that there are more miniatures in Episode I than all three of the original trilogy movies combined(cause of the scale). Sorry to rant but my point is that I know that if you were an artist and you put your heart and soul into these amazing things you built for a movie and people just dismiss is as “all CGI” it would probably hurt.
PS to the guy I quoted:
Yes there is alot of bluescreen(ALOT) but that doesnt mean its gonna be all CGI in the background. They use sets(yes there were MANY sets), miniatures, Paintings, and Digital Effects. The Kamino facotry hallways when Kenobi is walking with Lama Su? A miniature.
To DrBathroomMD:
That was an excellent comment you made about all that, and yes, there was a ton of work put into those films. I think what bugs a lot of people, is the shift in they style of film making between the two sets of movies. Which I definitely agree with. Out there in youtube somewhere, there’s an awesome comparison video of Lucas in the 70’s and the audio commentary on Episode 2.
The main point of the video is this: Lucas states in the interview during the filming of A New Hope, that it’s important to put a lot of work into your sets, costume design, and special effects, but you shouldn’t take time from your story to show off how hard you worked. Then the audio commentary is about how they had a series of shots they used specifically to show off Jango Fett’s armor, because it turned out pretty cool.
It’s pretty much that whole thing that really bugs people I think. It doesn’t matter if it’s practical or not, it’s that he started taking away from the story to show off the cool stuff his crew could do. At least that’s my take on the whole thing.
As a final note, I’ll say that’s why I suggested checking out the fan edits, I mean specifically the ones done by the Phantom Editor. He did a great job of taking out all the parts where it’s just showing off stuff, and only left in stuff that’s important to the story, even adding in some deleted scenes that added to what was going on.
Anyways, I’ve said enough.
Berrypievision, I have to say that your logic is very, very flawed…. And that’s putting it lightly.
As you put it….
–quoting—”Seriously, the question has been asked before (most prominently by Maddox) but I’ll ask it again, if you don’t like the other two, why do you like the third one?”—endquote—-
Uh…..
….Because obviously James sees merits in the third film that he didn’t see in the others?
Is that a suitable answer enough for you to understand?
The answer really is that simple. It’s amazing that you seem incapable of understanding somethin that any given 5 year old could probably get.
I mean, you can’t possibly be that unintelligent… can you?
Oh wait… Then you say:
—quote—-”It’s like those idiots who bitched about the other Matrix films, yet loved the first one. There’s no difference, so what the hell?”—-endquote—
Ok, well, i’m sorry. After reading you say THAT, I guess I have to take that back, now. I suppose you ARE that unintelligent.
I know this simple logic has no doubt escaped you but…. Clearly, there is a difference.
If you’re going to say “there’s no difference” then you had better make sure that it is the exact same film with the same title, the exact same scenes and exact same dialogue.
I’m sorry but you are absolutely wrong to say this on even the smallest functioning level of basic logic.
There is a difference. They are different films. And besides.. James already just pointed out his reasons WHY there was, indeed, a difference.
Clearly you are just fishing for a response that you want to agree with, and ignoring anything that doesn’t fit with what you simply don’t agree with, and then feigning disappointment because someone sees something differently than your god almighty self.
Are you REALLY so unbelievably arrogant to be condescending to tell him that you’re disappointed in his opinion because it just isn’t yours?
Especially when yours is factually erroneous as you are actually suggestion different actual films to be the same film?
I’m sorry, but no.
Revenge Of the Sith is titled Revenge Of the Sith. It is not Phantom Menace, it is Revenge Of The Sith.
Hence… Two different films. Hence… Not the same film.
It does not matter if it was produced by the same people. It is not the same film, and it CAN improve and CAN be different and these obviously are.
Is Back To The Future III the same film as Back To The Future I? No. Many people think one film is better than the other.
Are Stanley Kubrick’s films “exactly the same”? No. Are Speilberg’s films “exactly the same”? No. Are the three Lord Of The Rings films “exactly the same?” No.
But here, by your broken logic, you are saying they are. You are basically saying that Jurassic Park and Jurassic park III are “exactly the same”.
And by the way, YES, the Matrix was Far BETTER than the sequels. And I’ll tell you why.
The first film had philosophical undertones to it’s underlying premise that were not simply questions said out loud that reversed upon themselves by the actors. The sequels did. Also, the first Matrix had a story.
The second and third were special effects compensating for NO story. Matrix 1 was a VERY different film, from the second and third films which WERE awful films by comparasion.
To say they were “all the same” just proves your own stupidity and ignorance. Clearly you cannot tell the difference between an apple and an orange.
Though from the sound of your “it’s the same film durr hurr hurrr” logic, I doubt you could tell the difference between an apple and a goddamn watermelon.
And you have the NERVE… the unmitigated NERVE to deride someone ELSE’S personal and well stated opinion on a film just because they didn’t “rip into it” as you ‘wanted them to?”.
….Really??? Am I seriously reading you right? Are you honestly being that much of a self-centered dick with a straight face and seemingly… pride?
And are you SERIOUSLY sitting here and trying to patronize James by giving him a backhanded compliment on his taste in films, and turning around in THE SAME SENTANCE expressing a lack of respect for him SIMPLY because he saw the merits in a movie which YOU can’t even logically back up a single good point to say why YOU didn’t?
…. while outright ignoring every word James said, as if you didn’t even hear him stae HIS personal views on THREE DIFFERENT FILMS, which you claim to be all the SAME film? …really???
I must ask, Mr. Berrypievision….
What kind of a belligerent, self-centered, hypocritical, self-righteous, pompous, ignorant, condescending, hateful, logicless person are you?
I’m not personally attacking you, you must understand. I am honestly asking where you find the nerve to fashion such an ignorant sense of completely broken logic into such an arrogant substitute for having a decently relevant point.
I just really need to understand what could possibly drive someone to actually act like you lost respect for someone because they actually gave LOGICAL reasons why they liked a film that YOU can’t even bother to explain why you didn’t.
And how you feel the need to find SOMEONE else that will bash a film the way you wanted James to, despite the fact that he’s every damn well bit entitled to his own thoughtful analysis.
I really have to understand how someone in a comment like you, Berrypievision, can be such a gloriously self-centered, belligerent asshat so obvlivious to your incredibly poor attitude, broken logic, and failure to make yourself seem like a reasonably intelligent human being.
I hoped that You will have a similar approach for newer films to the one for the older ones (showing us where and from did GL borrowed his ideas), but what we got was still entertaining. As for the episodes 1-3 they all suck. It’s like Lucas didn’t even bother to watch 4-6 before he wrote the script. They also feel very artificial. As you all know, CGI effect start to look dated very quick. Phantom Menace is already pretty unwatchable. And it’s still the only episode with at least some animatronics. Revenge of the Shit will look more dated than A New Hope. The only thing Lucas can do is to update newer films every few years. It’s not that bad idea, maybe finally he will get it right.
Wow, I didn’t expect a comment of mine to be answered, nor did I expect to get a fan boy baw at me for calling an objectively crappy film crappy.
However, user Karma-X, I couldn’t really understand much of your post, since it was structured poorly, but I’ll answer two things you say:
“”"….Because obviously James sees merits in the third film that he didn’t see in the others?
Is that a suitable answer enough for you to understand?
The answer really is that simple. It’s amazing that you seem incapable of understanding something that any given 5 year old could probably get.
I mean, you can’t possibly be that unintelligent… can you?”"”
I wasn’t expecting an answer, and it was sort of rhetorical. But I don’t really understand how the third film can be viewed differently. His big complaint about Episode One was that it had too much CGI, yet Episode thwee had ten times more CGI, and it was less seamless as well. It made “special” effects boring, and by the time you see robots doing surgery on a asteroid colony, you no longer raise your eyebrow and just thing, “meh.” What a lousy waste of millions of dollars.
I don’t get the intelligence comment, I mean, how can a simple question that was really just meant for a general audience, and was based on a simple observation connote a lack of intelligence?
“”"simple logic…level of basic logic…by your broken logic”"”
You sure throw around the word logic a lot, as if it somehow makes you seem more intelligent and that you “have the upper hand of me.”
You then go further and ask if two identical films are identical, it doesn’t get more humorous and ironic than that.
Well, I’ll just end this with words of wisdom from the great Protoclown:
(I think you misunderstand me. My issue with the prequels isn’t that they are different from the original trilogy. It’s that they are horrible, shitty movies. You can’t look at those movies objectively and come away thinking they are anything other than shit, I’m sorry. Just analyse the plot, characters, and acting on their own merit (taken out of context of the whole series) and they are just really, really bad all around.)
hello mr. rolfe
i agree with almost everything you said in in this review, i agree with the “which are you going to show your child first” bit, i’m going to start at 4 to 6, like I did, and i agree with the fact that the last one (episode 3) was the BEST of the new, but all i have to say is I remember the old yoda and you were talking about that being one of the best fight scenes, and yet you thought that was one of the best fight scenes. i thought it was good, but i didn’t like the fact that yoda was so CG, it was nice to see him kick some ass but at the same time i remember the old films and i thought it was a bit too much……..i don’t know…….i guess you could have expanded more on the attack of the clones….maybe it’s just me
dear mr rolfe
i’m sorry for the double post, BUT the light sabe battle between anikan and obi-wan IS the longest “swordfight” in video history, which comes into you samarai aspect of the whole video. i’m sure you already know this but i just thought i would bring it up if you didn’t
Oh dear, I did take the time to actually read your post, Karma_X, and I found you said this little gem:
“”"The first film had philosophical undertones”"”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Philosophical undertones? Not only is “Philosophy” one of the most overused words in relations to entertainment, what philosophical undertones were so interesting? The movie is pathetically dull and awful, yet geeks sing its praises while derailing the carbon copy sequels. Let me guess, films like The Ring have “deep” philosophical undertones as well? Bahahahahaha! You fan boys are a constant lulzcow.
I guess I really SHOULD have responded to your post, even if all it would do is feed your pseudo-intellect ego and prompt some long ass boring response, but I just have to address one last thing:
“”"Revenge Of the Sith is titled Revenge Of the Sith. It is not Phantom Menace, it is Revenge Of The Sith.”"”
Oh yes, the name is different. Silly me, I always thought it was the substance of the film, not the label, that signified what it was. Stupid me. Now I realise Tomorrow Never Dies and Die Another Day are different films because of the titles! Oh wait…
berrypievision
Saying that something is objectively bad does not mean it is objectively bad. You have opinions just like everyone else. Yours are not more valid than those of anyone else.
It’s only objectively bad from a common quality standpoint. Of course, if you enjoy the sort of things that make the prequel trilogy what it is, then it is good to you. I was simply speaking generally and from a broad consensus base. And I happen to agree with the common consensus that these films stink to high heaven.
loved the reviews as always, i’m sure someone mentioned it, but it would have been good to hear your take on the whole midichlorian fiasco. i mean, i know i think it’s ridiculous, but we’d all like to know what the cinemassacre thinks
Y’know what I love about books? They arn’t CGI, Puppets, or Actors. They’re words. And words don’t change. Maybe that’s why I can just shrug my shoulders and live under the belief that were too far and gone to be a focus for George Lucas and the SW Franchise. It’s the kid’s show now, not ours. And they will be as upset as the pissed off fans in the future, no matter how long between each installment.
i agree, the cartoon is just ridiculous, i saw the prequels before i say the originals, i’m 24, but even as i wasn’t around when the originals were made, i can still see the magic, the charm of the movies. where episodes one and two tried so hard and failed, it seems like they aren’t even trying to make anything that you’ll remember as one of your all time favorites anymore.
Hey James,
keep up the good work, I’ll be waiting for some more AVGN episodes and other stuff.
Great review of the Star Wars movies.
I’m a big fan of you and your movies (especially AVGN), and I’m also a big fan of Star Wars.
But other then you, I liked The Phantom Menace the most.
I loved the characters, I thought Jar Jar was pretty funny, I loved the action and special effects and it was an exciting story line.
I do realise you are more of a classic movie fan, and mostly I agree with that. But there is nothing wrong with a remake, a sequal, or a prequal (well, not always).
But hey, that’s just my opinion
Greetings from the Netherlands
That head movement of Han’s when he is “dodging” the laser blast is just hilarious to look at.
Cut it, have it repeat, and add “What is love” to it and you’ll have a hilarious spoof.
Great review! I always enjoy how you’re able to express your thoughts, whether in your normal civil tone or as the Nerd.
I have to admit that the Special Editions were my first exposure to Star Wars, and back then I never noticed just how laughable the effects for the bar shoot-out were. The rest of the added-in stuff was very hit-and-miss; sometimes it was okay, it didn’t hurt the films, but in no way did any of it enhance the films.
I’ve never actually seen Episode 2 to this day; I was so bummed-out by Episode 1 (damn, that Jake Lloyd cannot act at all) that I skipped it. I did see Episode 3 though, which I felt was a film of two halves; terrible and sappy whenever there was no action, but the action was actually good. While the acting from just about everyone except Ewan McGregor and Ian McDermid was abysmal, the closing scenes of the film and how they set things up for the original trilogy were simply beautiful.
What many people failed to realized is that Jar Jar was necessary in the films. First off, he is the token comic relief where C3PO and Artoo were the main ones in the original trilogy.
Also, if not for Jar Jar getting to the position he was in (Senator) then no one would have been gullible enough to push through the request to give emergency powers to Palpatine thus allowing him to take control of the galaxy.
See? Jar Jar was to blame for the Empire!!
I still say they could have gotten someone better as Anakin in all 3 films. Maybe even hired a better dialogue writer.
Well, I totally agree with most of the things said in the review, except for one thing:
The pod-race was ok? I think it’s the most unnecessary thing in the whole six films. I mean, it has no point. And it goes on for like half an hour. Some other scenes may be boring, but at least they tell the story.
The pod-race is just completely useless. And WAY too long.
Another thing that always bothered me, are the spaceships. In Ep I-III they all look shiny and hi-tech. But it’s supposed to be the PAST. Then, in the future (IV-VI) they all have that dirty, handcrafted charme. It makes no sense. It’s like in the new movies they just wanted to show us “hey, look what cool computer effects we can make on them” – yeah, but it just sucks.
Btw, every time I see the replacement of Anakins ghost in Return of the Jedi, I feel like it’s a punch in the face for the old actor. Just think of it, he played fucking Darth Vader in one of the biggest films in movie-history, and gets replaced after his death. Now that’s just sad.
Oh my god. I’ve only seen the -97 Edition of the original trilogy, so I haven’t been able to compare it with the other ones… But you really nailed the one with the cantina scene. That thing is pretty close to butchering.
And for the one with the ending with Anakin, I don’t care that much for I understand why they put Hayden there. BUT I also agree that it could’ve been kept the way it was.
And for the new prequel trilogy, well, I also think pretty much the same. Episode 1, so-so.
2? -Better.
And how about ep 3? -Kickass.
But anyhow, keep up the good work James. Can’t wait for more videos.
@Korahn
Jar Jar may have his place in the storyline, but that’s no excuse to make him so goddamn annoying
“Another thing that always bothered me, are the spaceships. In Ep I-III they all look shiny and hi-tech. But it’s supposed to be the PAST. Then, in the future (IV-VI) they all have that dirty, handcrafted charme. It makes no sense.”
Oh no, Picotto. You will find that it is you who are mistaken, about a great many things. The ships of the rebells look old and dirty because they ARE old and dirty. They don’t have money for new or fancy ships, or someone cleaning everything, they are an “underground” rebel alliance. The empire ships are still shiny in the future like they wore in the past when it was a republic because they have money, they are the galactic empire/republic.
WOOT! I’ve been waiting for this!
James, you summed up Star Wars in the best way I have ever heard. What will the new generation think of Star Wars? I came into it during the 90s with both the original and special edition versions of the original trilogy, I didn’t feel the hype so much with the new trilogy (But I did see ep 1 the day it came out!). The issue of new versions left me a little bitter to be honest, I felt as if something sacred had been f’d with. You’ve got me thinking; how the hell will I show these films to my potential offspring? They will no doubt enjoy Jar Jat Binks, but will they just view the original trilogy as camp b-grade sci-fi?
I just wish I could remember the pre-special edition Star Wars, I feel as if I have been brainwashed!
The Gennedy Tartakovsky “Clone Wars” microseries and the CGI Clone Wars movie/series further complicate matters. The CGI movie/series almost does away with the animated series completely, but the animated series ends precisely where Episode III begins. So which one do you show? And if you show both, in what order?
The major problem with that is that in the microseries and Episode III, Anakin was never a Jedi master…and yet in the CGI stuff, he has a Padawan and is referred to as Master Skywalker! Which is it? Is he a Master or isn’t he?
Part two at last!
Now for the most part, let me give my say.
1. As a Star Wars buff rather than a movie buff, I really don’t give a cod about the new special effects in the original trilogy. I felt that they were pretty good add ins, they really make it even more science-fiction-y and it makes me more accepting to the movies.
2. Han Shot first? Who gives a crap? OK I know a lot of people do, but I don’t.
3. I personally was 10 years old when I saw the Phantom Menace. At the time I thought it was the best thing in the world, but when I look back on it now, I’m inclined to agree with you. Aside from the Podrace and the duel with Darth Maul, Phantom Menace is definitely the weakest out of the prequel and the weakest Star Wars movie overall.
4. Jar Jar Binks would and always will be, a stain on cinema and a menace to society.
5. Attack of the Clones was pretty awesome, I really liked the story of that one, setting up everything for the Empire. Everyone in the theater was whooping, laughing and cheering when Yoda became Kermit the Frog. I couldn’t care less about the dialog, it was all the story for me.
6. Revenge of the Sith… is the number one movie experience of my life! Watching it in the theaters was just the best. Though I was pretty pissed off when people were laughing when Darth Vader NOOOOOOD. I mean, come on, he just got in the suit for crying out loud. In time, he would become the badass we all love.
7. Jar Jar was NOT in Return of the Jedi. That has already been confirmed as a regular gungan.
8. Overall, I say the Prequel trilogy was OK. Not as good as the original of course, but it doesn’t deserve the bad rap it is constantly getting by fans and critics.
9. I recently only got the 2004 DVD versions, and I like the changes to them. It really does tie the 2 trilogies together.
If I were to rank the 6 in order it would be:
1. The Empire Strikes Back
2. Revenge of the Sith
3. A New Hope
4. Return of the Jedi
5. Attack of the Clones
6. The Phantom Menace
Again, I’m not a movie buff. I’m not one for CGI bashing unless it’s really that bad.
I think it is said somewhere that you are only a true Star Wars fan if you HATE George Lucas, and I find that hard to believe.
Now as for watching them in the proper order, I’m all for watching them chronologically.
Awesome review nonetheless. What’s next? A Planet of the Apes-a-thon?
@darksoldier712
No doubt they will explain that. The CGI Clone Wars could take place sometime before the last few chapters of the Genndy Clone Wars series.
Don’t forget that there is still a tone of comics, graphic novels and whatnot telling other stories of the Clone Wars.
That’s what I love about Star Wars. The movies launched me into the Expanded Universe, where most of my love for Star Wars is focused on right now.
Wookiepedia: Best Star Wars side EVAR.
Well, I am one of the younger generation that grew up with the (over-)hyped prequel trilogy, so I think I should tell you about my experiences with Star Wars.
At first, I have to say that I’m from Germany, so sorry for any mistakes.
I remember that even here people were more than excited to see a new Star Wars movie. The movie was discussed on TV and on radio shows and there were figures in cereal packages, and all that weeks before the movie even was in theatres.
I think that proves the power the old movies have all around the world.
The first Star Wars movie I saw was Episode 1 when I was about 8-9 years old.
The video says exactly what I thought about it even back then.
I knew there were other Star Wars movies, but I hadn’t seen them back then, so I thought they were as bad as Ep.1. So I was not interested when Ep.2 came out.
But when Ep.3 came out, I went to see it just because I was bored and for some reason I can’t tell, I wanted to see how Anakin becomes Darth Vader.
And it was absolutely worth it. I saw it three times in theatre and I always found some details I haven’t noticed before. The plot was just awesome, even though I could hardly remember anything from the first one and I didn’t know the second one.
Well, some of the dialogues are really REALLY stupid. The one shown in the video is the best example. And trust me, in German it’s even worse…
Last year I could finally watch Ep.2 and the classic trilogy, but only the redone versions, so I can’t compare them to the original versions.
But what I can say is that the new scenes which are shown in the video were bullshit. I even thought that when I was watching them.
Ep.2 is, I think, a pretty good movie, but I don’t feel that I have to watch it again. It’s entertaining, but nothing special, just as James said.
And I watched Ep.1 again, just because I wanted to “love it”, but it’s still bullshit and I just hate it.
When I first saw it, it just sucked.
Today it feels like one of these “Let’s make some new money out of some old shit!”-movies.
I hope that I get the chance to see the original classics without all that digital stuff some day, just to make my opinion which ones I like better.
Well, this is a pretty long comment. I just wanted to share my experiences with the older generation of SW-fans.
I hope I didn’t make too many mistakes.
“There will be AVGN announcement shortly.”
Can’t… wait… anymore… gah… why do you torture us :<
Quantum Wolf: If that’s the case, that doesn’t leave much to the imagination about Ahsoka’s fate. Either a) she dies some time before the Battle of Coruscant or b) she gets promoted to Jedi Knight before Episode III, which means she gets killed by Order 66 or by Darth Vader sometime before Episode IV.
@darksoldier712
Or C. She escapes, and dies in obscurity. That’s the case for a few.
God! i hate when peoples dislike ep1-3.
im a die hard fan, and for me, the newer ones just had the same pressure as the original series. too good that i like them all.
take a bash at indiana jones 4 and the maniac aliens from outaspace. jus horrible.
so, ep1-3 might be full of computer shit, and imo the whole “clone war” is quit uninteresting, but i felt unlimited love when i saw them, especially with “anakins” actor performance.
@avgn announcement
do it!!! dont have fear! pls!
Quantum Wolf: I have a feeling death is much more likely. It’d screw up Anakin even more.
Okay, firstly, there have been speculation about Jar Jar in ep 6 for a long time, but now the Forcecast has uncovered the truth.
It is in fact Matthew Wood that’s doing the Gungan voice(Wood did the voice of Greivous), he said so himself in an interview, and he also stated that IT IS NOT JAR JAR BINKS, but a random Gungan.
The proof?
http://www.theforce.net/podcast/story/ForceCast_March_6_2009_121607.asp
At the 3 minute mark.
all the jarjar discussions proofs there are many ppls with much time on their hands. jarjar is a random character made for the younger audience, thats all.
be more focused on the POWER!!!! ;F
I don’t think its up to Matthew Wood to decice if that is Binks or not. Lucas is the only one that can prove anything. !Lucas = star wars! And Binks was the only Gungan in episode 1 with that kind of high pitched voice. So logic say that it is Binks who yell “weesa free!”
Well, it’s actually the writers of the books(among other things) that decide that kind of stuff, George doesn’t care about such trivial matters (as have been evident before).
And no, I don’t think it’s logical, why did Wood do the voice when Ahmed Best could have if it was Jar Jar? He has done everything else up to the gungan general (the clone wars episode) and you have evidentely not listened to the podcast, Wood says that the full sentence is “Weesa free now”.
And Wood hasn’t “decided” anything, he just said how it was. Fact, cold hard fact. Until the EU canges it, it stands.
sorry james but i really disagree with you and i have my reasons. by the time ep1 came out, you had to accept all the special effects. the 80s were long over and computers were taking over. you shouldnt of let that ruin that for you. and Jar Jar was for the kids, accept that too ok? i love ep1 and i say it proudly.
as for what order and versions ill show my future kids, well first off ill DEFINITELY show them in the order that they were made. that just seems proper and the right thing to do. and im propably going to be showing the lastest versions of the original, trilogy. i do have the very first versions, on Lazer Disk (remember those things? lol)
Just wait, Lucas will release a complete box set of all six, super remastered mega collection on BluRay next
Rofl Nothing brings out the Fanboys like Star Wars. I love all the films, but 4-6 is still tons better then the newer three, and there is nothing anybody can do or so to change my mind on that. Thanks for the vid James.
“And I happen to agree with the common consensus that these films stink to high heaven.”
It’s not a common consensus! God! What do people say that! It’s not a thing!
The prequels were generally well recieved by both audiances and critics, especially Revenge of the Sith, which was the third most critically acclaimed entry in the series.
On intitial release(yes this is true), The Empire Strike Back recieved mixed reviews and was considered a “dissapointment” to the first one by critics. The third one(meaning Jedi, my fav!), had even worse reviews. Over time, people appreciated the films more and updated thier reviews, and with the advent of the internet, you can hardly see that the OT was never anything BUT highly praised. I’m not demoting thier quality, but come on. You just can’t get away with a statement like that. It’s not a fact by any stretch of the imagination. I constantly hear this kind of shit on the internet, and it always just smacks me across the face. At what point does your personal opinion account for every person’s opinion? Never! And another thing, to sum things up, the general consensus of Indy IV was pretty good, not great. The internet will make you believe EVERYONE hates the movie you just clamied to enjoy. Believe me I know. But it stems from the concept called the “vocal minority”. Seriously guys. Everyone didnt hate Indy IV, people enjoyed it in general, same goes for the prequels. People in Hollywood even say this kind of shit, and think they’re so cool and they’re so smug about it. It’s an outright lie. And you can’t refute it because the evidence is on my side. Sorry guys. As much as you hate the prequels, everyone else didn’t as you seem to believe.
I have to say this one thing though, when you were a kid, you loved Star Wars, is was the. Then you were 30, and you saw the prequels, and you know what, you didn’t like them, and you wanna know one of the reasons? You wanted Star Wars to grow up with you, and it didn’t. This is backed up with the fact that kids today who grew up with the prequels, LOVE them, just as you loved the originals, back in 77, 80 and 83. This is not an attack on the movies, and I do think some of the films are better made than others. But all those parents who refuse to show thier kids the prequels at all, and not let them make thier own decision, that’s fucked up. Seriously.
One more thing, the Matrix trilogy was awesome, but that’s another argument on another day.
I would show Episode 4 – 6 to my children, while they are not permitted to watch Episode 1 – 3. If they do secretly and I catch them they get punished.
Just kidding. Actually Episode 1 was such a big letdown, I didn’t even bother to go watch the others. Anyway, it’s been interesting to hear James’ opinion on it.
I really don’t get your hate of CGI, personally. I don’t really see how the new special effects are inferior to puppets and stuff. Often it looks much better, and can be improved upon later. Also, it adds much for what can actually be done. In Star Wars, I loved the CGI, and the fact that you can say if it’s CGI or not… does that really make it bad? It’s just a different style.
But then again, I’m not a classic film fan, hate horror flicks, and I have no interest in film making or how it works. I guess the only thing I have in common with you is the likeness of Nintendo games
Hey there…
well I thinkt that Episode III was by far the worst Star Wars movie! I think it is not nitpicking when it comes to the dialogue! It is essential!
Then I must admit that I liked the special effects but on the other hand the scenes where untypical short for star wars movies. Most of them were also absolutely redundant.
Then again it is just my opinion!
Anyways I liked both parts of the review! Thumbs up! It makes me buy the DVDs with – both – the original and the special editions!
keep up the good work!
Awesome review James, really nice job and I have to agree with you with the episode one and two for the star wars trilogy, these movies just weren’t all there for me and i was greatly disappointing because my father is the person that opened me to the first trilogy films, and i still enjoy looking at the first trilogy box everyday i wake up lol, and i am fortunate that even though I’m still a teenager i still enjoy knowing that the characters in this movie were all movable created figures that were made by hand which is more than impressive. Well i’ve explained myself quite enough great review and looking forward to more movie reviews.
Hello James,
you did a great job on the review,nothing to add!
To answer your question,well im 19 years old by now,which means i wasnt able to see IV-VI in the cinema.
I started with IV because my parents showed it to me before Episode 1 was released so it was my first contact with Star Wars.
Even though the older ones seem old fashioned,they were so amazing and yet charming like nothing else.
I totally agree on your opinion about the new cutscenes and animated characters.It just looks synthetic and just stick out compared to the original
stuff.
The episodes 1-3 werent that good because of the epic loads of eye candies and the lack of story.I have to say that Episode 3 really comes close to the old movies because in this movie we’ve come full circle.
I will definitely show the older ones to my children first,so they dont start with eye candy and might get bored because the older ones dont have that much CGI.This way i wanna make sure they start with the story first.
Thanks for the review!
Overall I enjoyed the review, one thing that bothered me about the new movies is Yoda was a puppet in the Phantom Menace, then digitalized in the next two, then went back to being a puppet. They had to use a computer for the fights with Yoda, but that just means I wish he would have been done be computer in the Phantom Menace.
maybe if you have time for a part III you can review the star wars games
especially star wars battle front and the knights of the old republic
looking forward for more of your videos and reviews
…. the one thing that really pissed me off was way they tried to force a lot of extra connections to the original triligy in the second triligy. I mean, Yoda knows chewbacca? And Obi Wan fights with Boba Fetts dad? Its overly forced. Two great chances to introduce new interesting characters, but they tried to force these preexisting relationships, it was too far fetched to suspend disbelief.
By the way, is james really dating Megan Fox?
Why does it seem like the haters always quote Maddox, Yahtzee, or Random Internet Troll #47 to justify their biased views? (Just finished reading Berrypievision’s post, who apparently needs to look up the word ‘objective,’ since it’s probably not what he thinks it means.)
(You see what I did there? I quoted Yahtzee poorly. Hurr hurr.)
ANYWAYS, I liked all six of the movies (didn’t see Clone Wars, wasn’t interested), honestly.
Jar Jar was mostly just a bit of comic relief to me, kind of like Gimli in the Lord of the Rings movies, and, hell, the book itself. A little immature, yes, but so is competing to see how many Uruk-tai you can kill in a battle of life and death for hundreds of innocent people. I’m okay with it because I watch movies to be entertained, not depressed at the apparent hopelessness of life. (I’ve yet to understand you people who watch all those doom and gloom type movies.)
As for the effects, my only real problem is that when using both, they don’t always seem together properly. Either one can look great on its own, but when you combine something from the miniature method with CGI, it doesn’t always look right. The Special Edition of the original trilogy shows that pretty well.
Midichlorians, well. They’re mentioned twice as a mere plot device. I don’t even know why people get so angry about them. If you really want to cut apart the explanation, all they really do is make people Force-sensitive. It keeps that mystic feel of the Force itself, but there’s none of that arbitrary bullshit for Force-sensitivity. You know the kind.
“Of these two brothers, one of them is an amazing spellcaster that could command the very skies.”
“Why can’t the other?”
“Because he can’t.”
“But they have the same blood.”
“Doesn’t matter. He can’t cast spells. That’s how it is.”
“Right…”
Then again, I got annoyed with the ‘Greedo shoots first’ part. Mostly because I don’t see a good reason for it. Okay, so Lucas didn’t want Han Solo to seem like such a bad guy to shoot Greedo while he’s talking, but the smuggling, thievery, lying, and sweet-talking of Princess Leia, not to mention rescuing her purely for the monetary reward are A-OK? It just seems like a contradiction.
Otherwise, for me, it really just boils down to accepting the movies for what they are as opposed to cutting them apart like a teacher grading a quiz. The new Ewok celebration music I like, Hayden Christensen being the Force ghost is okay, Jar Jar in Return of the Jedi (as odd as it was) was something that I only noticed when someone else told me, and, well, that’s it. It’s all I can really say.
Well, except that Yoda is a complete and total badass and totally my #1 pick in Soul Calibur 4.
(Also, I can’t believe I remember that Tom and Jerry movie. The fact that they talked was strange enough, but their voices were worse.)
So… what might the AVGN announcement be?
Great Review, I really enjoyed them.
It’s very disappointing to see so many movies today use CGI which is leading to the art of animatronics and makeup to fade away little by little.
Maybe the overuse of CGI could be your next “You Know what’s Bullshit.”
I almost cried at the ending. The music is beautiful when Luke stares up at the double suns of Tatooine!! (What is the name of it??)
Anyways, I’ve always enjoyed the original trilogy more than the prequels even though, considering my age, you would think I would’ve enjoyed the prequels more because they released during my time.
My major gripe with TPM specifically is Padme. Her hairstyles in I are ridiculous. But Anakin and Padme are both pretty dumb in II-III. Anakin is tragic in I. There’s a poster for I where young Anakin is walking away and you see the shadow of Vader behind him.
Also, I don’t mind the changes too much, seeing as I never saw the ORIGINAL originals. But I still think making Greedo shoot first was a stupid idea. I don’t actually mind him shooting a split second first (you wouldn’t even know unless you did a frame-by-frame) but the way Han moves his head is… unnatural. He could almost be an alien with a huge neck. Why didn’t they just make Greedo shot farther to the right?
Thats a good point, I never really thought of it like that.
You know, maybe decades down the road, some guy on wikipedia is reading about the star wars phenomenon, and maybe it’ll make sense to start with episode 1, although you’d clearly want to watch 4-6 then 1-3.
Honestly I couldnt imagine seeing the new ones first,but as time goes by and new people learn about the series, I could happen.
“And I like Jar-Jar Binks. Can’t understand why it is so popular to hate him.”
Meesa jar jar binks, meesa your friend, meeesa this, meesa that.
Couldn’t have been said better, you rock James!
The response to me are getting pretty lulzy, I have to admit. What is really funny is that some people are attacking my post for mentioning a famous writer. I mean, yeah, that’s a real good way to start a “rebuttal.”
Why do the most one-dimensional, brain-dead, mind rot bullshit in the universe attract all the pseudo-intellectual thirteen year olds and armchair philosophers? Oh wait.
Oh, and of course saying I’m citing a board game as a source (…what the fuck?) is def. making my day. I guess trolls come in all shapes and sizes.
Two of my favorite things….The Nerd and O&A!
Good stuff James….thanks for posting.
You know what’s bullshit!?!? Danny not keeping his fucking yapper shut! No one cares to hear his douchey banter about whether or not we have to hear an intro every time he plays a track. Go back in your hole, produce something…like some follicles for that receding hairline and let James do his show for fuck’s sake.
Lets clear something up once and for all.
Midichlorians are NOT the Force. They just aren’t. Qui-Gon never said they were. They are a microscopic life form that acts as a gateway almost between the physical and biological world and th spiritual world of the Force. The more Midichlorians you have(Anakin’s count was above 20,000 per cell, more than Master Yoda’s), the more you can be connected with the Force. And while theier existance take away some of the mysticism from the Froce, they provide one very compelling answer that ate away at alot of people: Why can some people be Jedi and some can’t? Now I know this fact bums some people out that everyone can’t be a Jedi(you can still be a Jedi at hear though!), but it wouldn’t be that special if ANYONE could do it.
Anyway, I thought I’d say something.
Okay, just saw the reviews. Interesting.
I’ve never seen Ep. 1, don’t really plan to. I’ve seen parts of Ep. 2 on television, and don’t really feel like seeing the rest. Ep. 3, well, I might see it later, but there are others on my to-see list with a higher priority.
If I do ever have kids, 4-6 will be shown in their original trilogy order, hopefully by then the unedited versions will be out, or I’ll be e-baying the original VHS release from someone. The first three won’t need to be shown, because, by then Lucas will have the uber-special edition with the gold-plated Darth Vader outfit pimping the Death Star.
And, in response to the potential sequel trilogy, it’s been rumored ever since Lucas asked Hamill if he wouldn’t mind sticking around to hand off the lightsaber to his (Luke’s) nephew. Various books have Han & Leia’s kids (Jaina and Jacen, I believe) training to be Jedi under their uncle Luke, or some such thing.
By the way, James, is this all some tie-in to the next AVGN video of Star Wars: Master of Teras-Kasi ?
Well on a totally different note, I finally got my hands on His Name Was Jason. I have to say that being edited into the documentary was badass in an of itself, but having the Nerd featurette on the second disc is just incredible, and is worth the money I paid of the DVD by itself. Congratulations, I hope they do the same thing whenever the Nightmare on Elm Street remake rolls around.
Bravo. Couldn’t have summarized it better myself. An amazing man you are Sir James =)
Berrypie, why are you wasting time and energy thinking up well-thought out responses, when the most stand-out post against you was nothing but a ton of insults criticizing you for lacking content, while ironically lacking content, itself.
Making one post to rip that guy apart was amusing, but you’re coming off like 20% funny, 80% butthurt now. Just let the fanboys be fanboys and go do something worthwhile is my humble suggestion. It’s your life though, so in the end I guess it is up to you.
Anyway, where’s this announcement, James? I don’t consider “soon” to be ~2 days…
Wow! So many replies already! James, you’re doing it right! I loved your review!
Although I agree with the fact that most people think ep3 is the best of the prequels, I still got annoyed by the (sometimes) very childish presentation of it. I mean, is it me or are the droids in de beginning of this movie acting real stupid?
I further noticed that the actors didn’t act wooden in ep3. Ep1 in particular is in that aspect the opposite of ep3.
How about ep2? I really liked this movie! Maybe I’m just superficual, but I really enjoyed the acting in that moivie. And it’s full of it! Lucas said he wanted to look this movie like ep5 with a lot of action.
Well, he failed.
But seeing for the first time Curoscant up close was refreshing. It was refreshing because the action and development occured, for the first time, on the streets of a city, outside, between the cars.
Also, as a 15 year old back then, I remember ep2 (which i saw a lot of times!) as si-fi movie with nice colours. Yeah, sounds weird, but look at the planets: Kamino is blue, Geonosis is red/brown, Curoscant is dark, Naboo is light green.
Ep2 could have been better if the actors were doing their job better, like in ep3. Curoscant could have been DARKER like that city in BLADE RUNNER. And it could have been more political, which I found interesting. (so I disagree with the critics about the ‘history lesson’ Lucas seems to give)
The main reason I didn’t like ep3 as much as others, is what pinkfloyd2000 already pointed out: the implausible social/psychological developmnent of Anakin. Me and my sister stould with open mouths watching ep3 when Anakin suddenly desides to turn over to the dark side! I still don’t really understand it! Is he really that selfish to trow so many lives away?
That’s what I have to say about the prequels. Maybe you should know that I was 12 when Ep1 came out, and that I didn’t think JarJar was a pain in the ass…
My biggest problem with the last batch of revisions:
At the end of Return of the Jedi, when Luke sees Yoda, Obi-Wan and Annakin, we see Annakin in his younger form.
Luke has only seen his father once without his mask on. If he saw young Annakin for the first time I’m sure he would be thinking “who the fuck is that guy?”. Instead he just leans against a tree and grins away. It just didn’t sit right with me.
Oh, I forgot,
I also agree with Bussani. He wrote about Yoda sudden desertion. Me and my friends were also stunned to see this…
And it feld, indeed, like Lucas had to fill in a plot hole for Ep4.
@Gidi
Dude, I’m dutch to! That’s so cooool! But it’s NOT cool that you like ep1 because of jarjar….
[...] Star Wars: La Reseña hecha por el AVGN Por DaBear. Comentar » Angry Video Game Nerd, es un cuate que se ha gando popularidad por hacer criticas bastante directas, graciosas y a veces ofensivas hacia distintos videojuegos. Ahora no solo critica Videojuegos sino tambien peliculas, y que mejor que oir una critica desde su punto de vista para Star Wars, no solo una critica sino tambien diversos comentarios acerca de donde proviene la filosofia de estas peliculas. Sin duda en las 2 partes del review creo que dice la verdad, Jar Jar Binks jamás debio haber existido. Parte 1 y Parte 2 [...]
I agree with you up to the point were you said episode 3 was redeeming.
To me, the Anakin/Darth Vader transformation was insipid, I didn’t feel there was really a motive there, yeah, yeah, I know there is one, but it is just not believable.
As has been hammered over and over, and you even say it, the dialogs were quite bland and uninspired, to me Ian McDiarmid as the emperor came off as cartoonish, of course you being a movie buff could relate that to old monster movies.
Finally, did you see the deleted scenes from episode 3? they’re ALL boring pseudo political bable involving Amidala, except for one involving the part at the beginning were they crash into the big cruiser.
Anyway, just expressing my opinion, I would be very interested to know what your reply to it would be, but I know you can’t address every single comment.
I really like your work, so keep it up!
ROTJ
ROTS
TESB
ANH
AOTC
PM
That’s my personal order.
Being 28 and never really having watched the first 3, the old 3? Whatever, the original movies! I never was into star wars as a kid. I saw bits and pieces of them but had never sat and watched from title to credits. It was all he-man, turtles and Rambo action figures for me.
I went and saw the prequals when they were released and as most, thought the first one was the gayest thing since Richard Simmons sweated to oldies. Jar-Jar is my ass! However, they do set the story well for the old 3. After that I felt I needed to watch 4,5, and 6. Great movies I admit. Especially given that they were made in such a primative tech era compared to these days. But being one who’s actually watched them in the order they follow, it’s hard to except 4-6 visually. I know thats not what it’s supposed to be about. But when visual trumps story in 1-3, then vise versa in 4-6…. it’s just hard to take them in as one overall story. I mean, it’s like if they filmed the last 3 Harry Potter movies in 1985, then made the first 4 in 2009. Nobody could ever except that. Future generations will probably not give a shit, cause all 6 will pale in comparison to whateve the future holds for visual movie effects. We will leave it to them to decide I guess. So I guess that’s my opinion, somewhere in that mess up there? uh, this got alittle wordy…. sorry ’bout that.
When I was a kid growing up I saw them in partial chronilogic order, when I heard or Star Wars one I bought it on VHS, then when 2 came out I bought that. But then I checked out the originals, then the 3rd. I didn’t like the first one, but I didn’t think the second one was half bad, but the originals in my opinion, always superlative to the prequels.
When i watched the DVD version of episode 6 a while back, i was a tad bit confused when i saw the ghosts of Anakin and Obi-Wan, especially Anakin, lol. It looked…different. It was quite a few years before that that i saw the original VHS version (Which kicked an enormous amount of ass)
I enjoyed the prequels, actually. Recently, just rewatched them all and I got to say they are okay together but nothing close to the original trilogy, obviously. Episode 1 is okay, but not great. Episode 2 is a vast improvement. Episode 3 is clearly the best and the most fun to watch of the 3. Definitively looking forward to a Bluray release.
Which, btw, even though Lucasarts have completely denined HD Star Wars, you know it’s going to happen. They talked throughout the behind-the-scenes how they are using completely digital cameras and effects. It’s already set to go on HD!! With SW: The Clone Wars on Bluray, you can expect that down the road, Lucas will put all 6 films on the format.
Well, I’m disabling the kernel attached to this site that tells me when I get a response (or at least, when my name and such is mentioned), so if someone else wants to respond to me, I’m not going to read it. After seeing people use butthurt as a serious word, I realised I was just contributing to a clusterfuck of trolls and geeks with hurt feelings. C’ya
“ROTJ
ROTS
TESB
ANH
AOTC
PM
That’s my personal order.”
Almost the same as mine actually.
RotJ
RotS
ANH
TESB
AotC
PM
A few things I would like to point out…
Each movie is a unique entity that deserves to be judged based on it’s individual merits. If you group Episode III in with the other sequels as the same, you’re just an original Trilogy humping, anti-Lucas fan boy. Everyone is entitled to like/dislike the movies for their own reasons but calling them all “The Same” is absurd.
A few general points I thought I would bring up in regard to the films, starting at I working through VI:
I: Nothing to really say here that hasn’t been said already.
II: Yoda should not have used a Light Saber. It is Star Wars Lore that once you become as powerful a Jedi as Yoda/The Emperor, the Light Saber is only a tradition oriented object, much like a sword is in today’s society. Sure, you can still kill someone with one, but if you’re the king, you can do a lot more through other channels rather than relying on a sword. Yoda and The Emperor were so in tune with the force, a Light Saber would be like throwing away your Assault Rifle, Grenades, Rocket Launcher, Pistol, and everything else for a Combat Knife. I suppose some people enjoy playing Knife only MGS though. >.> Only good part of the movie was the last half hour or so.
III: Loved this movie. It is far from flawless. Generally agree with James on this one, but Would like to point back to the Yoda/Emperor Light Saber thing. Only other complaint is the movie was too rushed. Why not start Episode I somewhere in the middle of Episode II, and give Episode III two movies? That would have worked better.
IV: Every time I watch it, I can’t help but feel that a sequel was never planned despite a few loose threads left unfinished. Sort of going along with the “episodic” tone that James brought up. I may not be a movie buff like others that have far more experience, but weren’t sequels a rare beauty during this time? Either way, brilliant self-contained movie.
V: Everyone loves this because it’s “Dark.” Jedi was just as Dark (with the exception of Ewoks), and brought everything to a nice finish. Still a great movie. I think it gained in popularity because of it’s “Dark” ending that correct me if I’m wrong, but was probably also rare for it’s time within the epic genre. I know movies and spectacles before had dark endings, but the early 80’s aren’t something I’m an expert on, seeing as how I was born in ‘86. :p
VI: Nothing to say except for one of my two pet peeves in Star Wars, (The other being Yoda/Emperor Light Sabers) Anakin at the end. There is no place for the old Anakin, he never existed. Complain all you want, if they were going to go with a middle aged Anakin, he should have looked more like Darth Vader without the helmet. The other option was Anakin as he was before he became Darth Vader. I think the choice makes sense, and I would have been very upset had they kept the older gentleman in the shot. When the trilogy was first made, it was assumed Anakin was thrown into the lava by Obi-Wan while he was middle aged, not in his early twenties as Episode III ret-conned. The choice makes sense, and I would like to find one person who could clearly and consciously explain how that middle aged Anakin could exist without spewing “Trilogy humping fan-boyese”.
I would also like to say it was an over all good review, I give it a 97/100, extremely informative, and I learned a lot I had not known before. It is always good to hear some one else’s opinion on something whether it is in line with my own or not.
“Well, I’m disabling the kernel attached to this site that tells me when I get a response (or at least, when my name and such is mentioned), so if someone else wants to respond to me, I’m not going to read it. After seeing people use butthurt as a serious word, I realised I was just contributing to a clusterfuck of trolls and geeks with hurt feelings. C’ya
”
LOL you got offended by my innocently inane comment, and admit to essentially stalking this thread? Now THAT is funny!
I´m 13 years old, and I toght that I would anwsner your question, about the younger generation. I think the orginal movies of the star wars is the best ones. Becuse the dosen´t have so much computre stuff in them. And you wanted to know wich order the younger generation watched the starwars movies, I can tell you that every friend I have, have seen episode 4,5,6 before 1,2,3. Hope I anwsnerd your question. =)
Btw. Love your videos!
It’s subjective. Every kid I’ve talked under the age of 10 loves “Attack of the Clones” or “Revenge of the Sith” and the new Clone Wars series. That’s what Star Wars is to them. Boys wanna be Anakin Skywalker and Yoda and Darth Maul and Jango Fett. When the older generation grew up with the OT, they wanted to be Luke Skywalker and Han Solo and Darth Vader and Boba Fett. It’s cute. To the new generation, all you need to know is one thing: Clonetroopers are the SHIT.
I grew up between the trilogies mostly(The Phantom Menace came out when I was 11, good times), so I have a less biased view and appreciate all of them, flaws and all. If I really had to choose, Return of the Jedi is my favorite and has a special place in my heart, but I feel Revenge of the Sith is a better made movie.(The movies you love most you make fun of the most. I make fun of Jedi all the time, hehe).
Anyway, there are no absolute facts when it comes to this stuff. You like em, you don’t, you like some or all of them.(Although I don’t consider someone a Star Wars fan overall if the only like 1 or 2 of the films and hate the rest). So ya, my two cents.
posabal death star inspiration
http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/Stitchfan_82/?action=view¤t=Movie-3.flv
I didn’t enjoy The Phantom Menace either it just bored me. Attack of The Clones is a film I am meaning to see but I have the experience of seeing Revenge Of The Sith on the big screen and it just blew me away. But what is true is that Han did shoot first!
The correct order for series newcomers is 4-5-1-2-3-6.
The Vader twist is a perfect segue into “how it happened”, and Vader’s fall and redemption back-to-back represent a great finale.
I made e terrible mistake above: i wrote that i liked the acting of ep2. what i meant is ACTION! lol
I never watched a full Star Wars movie until the Special Edition trilogy set in 1997. By then the Vader/Luke thing was such a pop culture thing that it had been long since spoiled for me. But I really liked the original trilogy.
I guess maybe because I hadn’t been such a long-time fan of the movies that I enjoyed the prequels a lot more than most people seem. I would even place Episode 1 above Episode 4, if only because of Darth Maul.
I’ve read some complaints about Palpatine being too obvious of a villain in the prequels. I guess that the characters should have caught on. But I think that’s because we know who he becomes, so we look more for his evil scheming. The characters don’t have much reason to think he’s evil, so they aren’t looking for that stuff.
I would place Episodes 5, 3, and 6 in my top three (in that order from first to third) Star Wars movies. The bottom three would probably be 2, 1, and 4. Comparing it to everything else in the series, Episode 4, to me, doesn’t match the action and excitement found in the other episodes.
Definitely an agreement. 3rd episode was absolutely awesome in terms of connecting, or creating a bridge inbetween, the episodes and adding that strong nostalgia feeling when you see all things fall together. Absolutely epic.
Which order you say? 4-5-6, then 1-2-3. It’s more awesome to see the first movies and have the shock factors that they’ve had to offer back when they came out while the latest prequels made a fill-up for the backstory.
Nicely done, but I can’t believe you actually liked episode 3. EP 3 was better then 1 & 2, but it’s still a horrible movie. I don’t understand the hype over episode 3. I think you should go back and watch it again.
I grew up with the special editions, so I can watch most of the altered scenes without nerd rage. I do agree that the addition of Greedo firing and the extended dance sequence are pretty fucking stupid.
Well if you must know a younger perspective.I love all the movies equally i cannot remember which i saw first but i think it was ep 1.I think me loving all of them is they grew up with me (im 12 now and im very mature for my age).I actually love CG.When you use it well if makes amazing effects,but i still like classic effects well too.I liked jarjar…well he was like a comic relief so i didnt admire him though.
Now with the Clone wars series i think they are stupid,but some not mature for their age classmates love the movie and the new TV series of it on Cartoon Network.
So i guess u like wat u watch when u grow up and become mature for your age.
Hey James! I’d really like to hear some review of Bladerunner by you man! that movie kicks ass to outer space!
uber nice review makes me wanna se starwars again!!! to bad i remember to see them in order when i get kids that wil not happen they must see it on ther real way… super fan of you James!!! XD
PS: what is youre cats name anyway so cute like mine but yours is cutter!!!
I remember when I first saw a A New hope when I was 5 in 1999 on my T.V. it was the orginal so I didn’t ever see the shoot first thing and I haven’t seen any of the remakes so yeah I refuse to watch them ever nothing beats the orignal I am a huge Star Wars fan so don’t say I am not one because my mom saved some of the first released toys and I haven’t opened them and never will I was hooked after a New Hope then a week or so after I saw it I found the other two movies I agree with you on many levels James Episode 1 and 2 didn’t have the feel of Star Wars and never do I want to see Jar Jar until I have to show my kids these movies in the future and may the force be with you.
You are sp right, about Episode 3. It is the only one, which is alot more Star Wars, then Episode 1 and 2. It’s just start with the action, just like in Episode 4. There is alot more action in it. And the Story is more of a Star Wars story.
I never really enjoyed the Star Wars trilogy. I sort of had this good feeling about it, but never watched it over and over because I never owned copies. At the time when I wanted to actually buy the series, it wasn’t out on DVD. And who knows how long it will take for the series to come out on BD – and are they going to redo the CG scenes?!
Today, the Star Wars series is to me a bunch of mediocre movies that tell a good story together. So while separately, they don’t shine, they do have an interesting experience to present together.
I’ve recently watched the entire series at once for the first time and I think I enjoy the prequels more than the original trilogy. The original trilogy is slow paced with Harrison Ford providing the only real entertainment. And some of the dialog is just terrible. Also, some of the added special effects in the original trilogy, especially in the who shot first scene, are just ridiculous. However, not all the special effects are useless. I feel that the added CG sections introducing towns and such are to keep consistency in the architecture throughout the films.
But I think the biggest reason why I enjoy the prequels more is because I’ve played Knights of the Old Republic I & II. Those two games really immersed me in the Star Wars universe, so it feels great when I see it fleshed out in film. Those games are that good!
To comment on whether we should show kids 4,5,6 then 1,2,3.
I think everyone knows the phrase, “Luke, I am your father.” When I recently watched Empire Strikes back, it wasn’t as powerful as James said it was back when it was released. I really didn’t care much for the character of Luke anyway – he’s annoying.
But the prequels do make me care about Darth Vadar’s character. His tragedy, as James puts it, creates much more of an emotional response because you can understand why Darth made those choices.
So while the twist isn’t there anymore if you show 1, 2,3 first, I think there will be a stronger connection between the viewer and Darth Vader, which will draw a better emotional response throughout the movies and especially the end.
I am frome the jounger generation and I think EP II is the worst of them all and EP I a better one but that is my opinion
keep up the good work
The first time I saw star wars was when I was six, I saw the new hope, and it was the classic star wars too, and I have loved it ever since, though when I watched it I saw 4, 6 then 5 they had the death star on the side and at that age I though it went from the fully complete death star to no death star and then 1 came out, I kinda hated it, it was OK to watch the only good bit was the pod racing.
Then because I was a huge fan of star wars when 2 and 3 came out, and they came out two days before my birthday here in Australia, my dad and I went to see it.
And to answer your question about how the future generations, I’ll be showing them all the right way
which was how they came out
For starters, I liked your first review better than this one, not because of the movies, but because of your opinion. I don’t want to put you down, but, well, here I go. I didn’t like your opinion of Episode 1. It seems that everyone hates this movie for it’s effects, and Jar Jar. I just don’t understand why nobody seems to like it. The effects are of no reason to hate a film and Jar Jar, …
I’ll give you that. You said the characters were boring, and had nothing to do with the story. Darth Maul wasn’t exactly pointless, he was a symbol that the Sith had returned, and that the galaxy isn’t all the galaxy isn’t all that peaceful anymore. In my opinion, Star Wars Episode I is extremely under-rated. My overall thoughts on your review (Prequel) were that you thought that it didn’t really owe much to the original. It did, and I thought that you treated Star Wars separately, rather than the story as a whole. And that’s how I think of it. Star Wars as a whole is one of the best stories of all time.
I agree with Garetex. Jar Jar wasn’t ALL that bad, and I’m 12 and mature for my age, too. I think I can understand what George Lucas was going for when he decided to not do episodes 7, 8, and 9, and instead do 1, 2, and 3.I think he felt as that Episode 4 picked up from where some other movie started. And, as a whole, I think of Star Wars not as an entire expanded universe, 6 films, or any of that. I think of Star Wars as one epic 12 hour film.
I don’t comment often on any website, but there are little things about the new star wars movies that need to be mentioned. I liked the new special effects and especially the scene with yoda fighting, but the story was horrible in my opinion. There were too many flaws and contradictions and shit that just ruined the mood the old movies gave. The part where Qui gon gives a biological explanation for the force was mentioned in his other video. I completely agree.
There are many things I hate about the new star wars movies, but I guess only two points are worth mentioning.
First of all, the way Anakin becomes Darth Vader is just weak. It should have been much more dramatic, and gave much more reason for Anakin to go dark. Anakin comes off as a total douche, when he becomes evil and chokes his lover because she disagrees with him. That is simply an opinion though.
The 2nd thing that really pisses me off is the huge contradiction. In the old movies, Obi Wan says to Luke that Yoda was the one who trained him. Then why the hell does Qui Jon train him in the new movies? It may be a tedious thing to complain about, but I can’t get over it when I watch it. Did Obi Wan just lie to Luke? I dont know, this is a pointless rant, i guess im just bored, the new movies were very entertaining and i loved the action, but the story of the new movies sucked.
I just wanted to say, without reading everything that everyone else posted, that I really appreciate your insight on these movies. As a fan or the original trilogy, I was just as excited for The Phantom Menace as anyone. And I got caught up in the visuals enough to walk out satisfied. Granted, I then walked into The Matrix, without knowing anything about it, so that overshadowed Episode I. Going back I realize how disappointing Phantom Menace was when compared the the originals, and I am glad that they got progressively better.
Your comment about how future generations will view things struck me as interesting. I have a younger sister who wasn’t born until the end of the 80s, and despite our having the original VHS tapes, she never really saw the original trilogy until after Episodes I and II came out. We have a lot in common when it comes to interests, like fantasy novels, comics, and video games, so I was pretty disappointed when she kind of fell off from finishing the original trilogy. The tragedy is that the glitzy effects of the prequels build up expectations of lightsaber duels that, visually, are not matched by the original trilogy. And that was one of the things that caught my sister. This is something that may be unavoidable, at least until kids are old enough to really get a lot of the deeper levels of the films that you talk about. Which I suppose isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But I’m not sure if it bodes well for a younger generation, who may have to be convinced to watch the original trilogy, when it’s clearly superior.
All in all, I just wanted to say thanks again. Your review of the original trilogy mirrored a lot of what I thought, but never quite put into words. And it was very interesting learning about all the history and technique that was inspired by other sources I had never really known about. Bravo
Awesome reviews, James!
I HAVE thought about what order I will show them to my kids! Definitely in the order they were released. They can always enjoy the sequential order in the future, but like you said, seeing Anakin’s story first robs you of the dramatic tension of Darth Vader’s arc.
Star wars rules my world. Im just a boy and i still saw the original trilogy first, only because a friend recommend it and i was excited. Star wars the original trilogy also happens to be one of my all time favorite movies. I love star wars, so wanted to know what happen to Darth vader and why he’s wearing that suit, and why he cant live without it, and he told meh the stupidest story ever. He told me that Darth vader was attacked by a GIANT BEE LOL ROFL.
Anyways like the movies the newer ones are’nt that good but are worth watching
I do not fully agree with the first movie. Qui Gon was AWESOME!
In my opinion, they should add an option whenever Episodes IV-VI come out on Blu-Ray. When you select “Play” from the main menu, there should be an option screen that pops up that lets you choose if you want to watch the remastered original version of the films(by which, I mean that it is in a better video quality but not changing details like Han shooting first.), or the digitally re-edited and newer version of the films with the added scenes. Please let me know if any of you agree, even if you don’t, I’d like to hear your opinion. My email address is oshea.eric@yahoo.com
If I had kids I would prefer to show the Star Wars Movies in the order they were released because lets put it this way, if you showed them the Prequels first then the part where Vader tells Luke “No, I am your father” in Empire Strikes Back would ruin what is one of the greatest plot twists of all time and the surprise would be gone so it’s important you show them in the order we all grew up to see them. =)
how i saw the movies was
the first one (episode one) was the only one out that i knew of
so i watched that at least 20 to 30 times
no joke
the second one came out and it totally destroys the first in my opinion
then i heard of the originals
and my family got them all
and i was amazed
the stories in the originals are just so much better
the 3 one was very good
You asked about what order that you would let your child watch these movies in. My six year old watched Episode 4, 5, and 6 then 1, 2, and we waited a while for him to watch 6. When he finally watched it, he screamed when he realized that Anakin was really going to turn bad, he knew that he was Darth Vader but it did not change the fact that he was still upset. I saw the A New Hope when I was 6 and it took me right back to when I cheared when they blew up he Death Star. Thanks for the reviews!!!
My kids watched 4, 5, and 6 on LaserDisc! The best way to see it IMO. Widescreen, unedited, and without the issues of VHS. The three in good condition, an LD player, and Roger Rabbit for $9 at a yard sale? Oh yeah!
Have yet to show them the prequels as the first one put me off so much that I completely ignored the other two and still to this day haven’t seen them from start to end. In addition to hype my friends and I skipped school to see it on opening day, drove 40 miles to a decent theater, and it was my first date with then gf/now wife! Shared hatred for this movie has kept us together? Hmm…
Anyhoo, it’s time to take them on and I used your review to prepare. Going in, wish me luck.
i totaly agree with u james i am only 15 but i saw the first movies (4-6) and i surly like those best and not the computer made the acthual original cus it has such a sharm to watch real schenes and sets and not just a green or blue screen i like that a lot more and its so good made the first so its clerly my favorites and yes im a huge star wars fan
they r aculy r making episodes 7 through 9 that will and even more views of the serious