So, I just finished up the ROTS commentary and Ryan said some things regarding TPM that I feel the same way about ATOC and I think it helps clarify at least my feelings.

First of all, I get that people hate these movies and it is fun to mock them, rip them to shreds and basically eviscerate them

I have a lot of fun hearing the cries of the fan boys as well as the potential that was wasted in these films. Simply put, it was a lot of possibility and it was lost. I get that, I really do. But, like Ryan said about TPM, I can kind of divorce AOTC from the PT and the PT from the OT. Its like the Old Republic video games. Those are really cool and amazing and take place in the same galaxy far far away, but its kind of separate from the movies.

Same thing here, for me. AOTC really is kind of an odd duck to me, in that, as the middle act, it is setting up for ROTS and the Clone Wars. But, it does so in a fun way, that really is why I enjoy it. I don't need TPM or ROTS in order to enjoy AOTC. It has an interesting story, with a good hook at the beginning. Like Bathilda said, Obi-Wan has the detective plot, and a very much a building up on it self, where it's an assassination, no it's a secret army, no it's war.

It has some of my favorite Star Wars scenes in it. The final battle between the Clone Army and the Droid Army, Obi-Wan and Jango fight and chase scene and the Arena are all fun and interesting moments. Sam Jackson has his one moment of almost being Sam Jackson.

In addition, I get a sense of what George was trying to do because he doesn't regard the OT as "completed or finished." I get the sense that he was always frustrated by lack of resources, lack of time, lack of what-have-you. When I first watched the Behind the Scenes of the Special Editions, he talked about that and how he always (maybe) wanted to go back and do to it what he envisioned.
I think one of the commentators noted that George isn't happy with the Empire, the one fans loved, and really wants to show the audience his vision. We know that it was the fact that there were so many limitations that made the OT the success that it was and is now.

The PT is that experiment to do what he always wanted to do. Unfortunately, it loses itself in those details. It becomes a pale imitation of George's past success. It lacks the limits of the OT and loses its punch. Again, missed opportunities and I get that. But, I see what George is trying to do and while I think he was wrong to try the PT, I don't begrude him for wanting to try. (Heck, if I could go back and remake my first fan film, I would in a heart beat).

No, this isn't a perfect movie or even a good movie. It is a fun movie, it feels closer to Star Wars than TPM or ROTS ever did (to me) and its one that I can watch and have fun with, then mock later.

Speaking of mocking, let it begin...

Last edited by fireproof78 (2013-06-23 23:43:37)

There's no eye-candy in this one for me. Ewan McGregor has nice eyes, but that beard really is awful. I clearly remember disliking Hayden Christensen's performance in Life as a House, so when I heard he was playing Anakin, I gave up at that point. I know he got all sorts of awards for his role in that movie, but I thought he was pretty unbearable. As mentioned in the commentary, he gets tasked to play the same kid over and over again in every movie, and I really hate that kid.

I'd be with you on this if there was ever a point where we get a clear sense of what's at stake for Padme or where Padme acknowledges Anakin's failings and accepts them. But we never get those scenes because  Anakin's failings as a character are unintentional; they're the result of a poor script and bad acting. I imagine in Lucas's head, Anakin is a much better character than the one we actually got. Also, at this point in her career, Natalie Portman still needed the backing of a strong director in order to make good on-screen choices. Lucas has never been that director, so Padme's motivations are unclear.

In The Phantom Menace, Padme's role was much clearer, and Portman did a good job with it. But in AotC, as Lucas introduces his half-baked notions of the romance, Portman has to kind of muddle her way through. The reasons why her character falls for Anakin and why she feels that they cannot be together just aren't there, so there's no consistency. It's almost as if Portman is playing a different character in every scene.

Portman's not really at fault here, 'cause I can't think of another actress of the appropriate age who could've done a better job under the circumstances. However, I can't invest in the romance based solely on what Padme brings to the story.

Well, like I said, I never thought it was a good movie. I'm with Trey when he says that it isn't the worst of the prequels. It's just a fun movie for me

But, I'll not argue with you about it, for sake of your blood pressure

Anakin Skywalker did nothing wrong.

The Tusken Raiders are savage subhumans. Give me one good reason why they shouldn't be wiped out. There isn't a single redeeming quality about them. The only action any of them has ever expressed is "relentlessly try to murder anyone who isn't one of them".

They're constantly attacking people, even when those people are minding their own business. Their coming of age tradition involves capturing a living being and torturing it to death. Anakin's mother lived in the same desert ranch for years until one day when they showed up and gangraped her to death. They also randomly shoot at podracers. Imagine if every NASCAR race some Taliban member showed up and started taking potshots at Tony Stewart. We would be rightfully outraged and demand their eradication.

They live in easily identifiable campsites and within small enough tribes that a a small group of people with blasters could wipe out a whole village with relative ease. Why aren't they all dead? No one one would be sad if they all died. Anakin took the initiative when no one else would. Sure, it wasn't for the best reason, but his actions were completely justified in his actions.

The only thing Anakin did incorrectly was comparing them to animals. Animals are useful; they can be tamed or harvested. Tusken Raiders are more like a virus. As in everyone else's lives will be measurably improved once a concerted effort is actually made to get rid of them.

Now, now. He's just saying we have to wipe out those damned natives who keep trying to drive us out of their homeland. Nothing wrong with that.

Well, continuing this discussion (because, why not?) are his actions more justified or less justified because he is a Jedi? For example, in the movie "Con Air" Nic Cage's character pleads guilty, only to have the judge hold him to a higher standard because of his military training and he still gets jail time. So, I can understand the conceit if the moisture farmers were to band together and attempt to push the Tuskens back, or if the Jawas attempted to purchase mercenaries to defend themselves.

But, a Jedi is more powerful and far more capable than even the local Tatooine governments. Should a different standard be applied?

So many ways to answer this, but the idea that you're just trolling is too great. Not worth it.

Typical elitist New Republic response. You people have gotten to the point where it's only a matter of time until you stand up for the Borg's right to exist too.

I'm not saying things were better under the Empire but at least they knew how to handle obvious threats to their prosperity.

THE ANSWER TO 28 ABY IS 0 BBY!

Oh hey, what's going on...in...here...

I'm just...gonna leave now...

I don't pay attention to the psychotic adventures and ramblings that come from the Voyager mission. Remember that time they said traveling faster than light would turn you into a salamander? You might as well reference stories from The Onion.

Tatooine is a part of the New Republic in the sense that the New Republic is now the dominant regime in the galaxy.

No, a different standard shouldn't be applied when it comes to dealing with rapists who literally fuck people to death. Treating them with mercy would be vastly more immoral than swiftly ending their parasitic existence.

Last edited by Ewing (2014-07-18 06:11:27)

So, Jedi do not attack, unless dealing with rapists. Interesting standard.