Dislike of Star Wars 1-3

[1Nivek1]

It seems that every person I know w/ scifi interest hated 1-3. Anakin's lethargic betrayal, Padme's death, Jar-Jar, etc.

Did you guys really hate it?

In a certain sense, I agree. The storylines were a bit overboard, but in a sense I thought Lucas kept it a simple good vs. evil kind of kid's movie (which I really thought was the basis of 4-6).

It's just that I hear everyone being very critical of 1-3, but adore 4-6, when I don't really see how 4-6 was that more "profound".

Shoot at will....

[ColonialMarine]

My biggest beef of 1-3 was visual overload. There was just TOO MUCH going on on the screen. It was like Lucas told his FX crew to come up with every possible ship they could, then throw it on the screen. The storylines were fine, but I just couldn't get into the characters. But I still cought the airings on SPIKE TV recently. The Star Wars Saga is still hands down some of the best Sci-Fi ever done.

[Leoben]

I didn't hate 1-3 at all. I actually think 3 was a pretty strong "ending" to the whole thing. It easily ranked up there with the first trilogy.

I think part of what it is, is that people forget what things were like when it came out. Now I wasn't alive, but I've heard my share of stories. First, everyone though it was going to be a really lame ass movie (R2 getting blasted by the Jawas and sounding like a trashcan falling over). Then people saw it, and it was like nothing the Sci-Fi genre had had before. The first movie was really groundbreaking, and I think the other 2 really capitalized on that. To top it all off, ever since "A New Hope" there was talk of Anakin Skywalker and you get this huge reveal in Empire.

I think 20 some odd years of build up is going to let most people down. There is no way those movies could live up to everyones expectations. Combined with the fact that the films simply aren't as profoundly new as the originals were is the reasons I think these movies get/got a ton of bad press.

That's not to say some people just didn't flat out not like them. I just think they have/had many factors working against them before George put pen to paper again.

[1Nivek1]

My biggest beef of 1-3 was visual overload. There was just TOO MUCH going on on the screen. It was like Lucas told his FX crew to come up with every possible ship they could, then throw it on the screen. The storylines were fine, but I just couldn't get into the characters. But I still cought the airings on SPIKE TV recently. The Star Wars Saga is still hands down some of the best Sci-Fi ever done.

So, if I'm getting you right here...

You missed the "character focus" of 4-6 (harrison ford et al) vs. the stoic acting of Portman & Hayden?


I think part of what it is, is that people forget what things were like when it came out. Now I wasn't alive

Well, that was sort of my reference to it remaining a kid's movie. Perhaps the kids got too old :).

[aylinn]

You wanna know what was bad about this movie? The plot. It was for 5 years old kids. Padme dies at birth? What kind of BS is that? I mean, ok women die giving birth but hello! It's Star Wars! She should die killed by Anakin or in some battle or whatever. But no, she dies giving birth and than Anakin goes "Nooooo! My wife is dead. She gave me two kids and she died. It's all Yoda's fault. I'm gonna kill him and the rest of Jedi!!! Buahahaha"
Patheitc.
I really liked special effects but as Maddox (http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=episode3) stated they cannot be called special effects anymore because there are too many of them. But it's ok, it's a fantasy world with different races and all.
This film wasn't bad, but wasn't good either. Thankfully, there is no more Jar Jar Binks. I can accept a lot in Star Wars but I will not accept Anakin's convertion on such basis. This is just stupid.
All in all, every part of SW is better than "Phantom Menace".

[ColonialMarine]

So, if I'm getting you right here...

You missed the "character focus" of 4-6 (harrison ford et al) vs. the stoic acting of Portman & Hayden?.


:D I've seen trees give a better performance than Natalie Portman did as Padmé. Granted, I suppose she was supposed to come off as "royal", but it more like she was sleepwalking.

[Leoben]

Natalie's performance is probably the most irritating. Simply because, she IS a good actress. Just look at say...Garden State as an example.

[aylinn]

Natalie's performance is probably the most irritating. Simply because, she IS a good actress. Just look at say...Garden State as an example.
Even if they gave it to Meryl Streep she wouldn't do better. Padme's role was so badly written that I feel sorry for Natalie. She's a great actress but this role was just bad.

[1Nivek1]

It was for 5 years old kids. Padme dies at birth? What kind of BS is that? I mean, ok women die giving birth but hello! It's Star Wars! She should die killed by Anakin or in some battle or whatever. But no, she dies giving birth and than Anakin goes "Nooooo! My wife is dead. She gave me two kids and she died. It's all Yoda's fault. I'm gonna kill him and the rest of Jedi!!!

Well, I definately agree that the whole Anakin turning/Padme dying (she's lost the will to live), was fairly lame. But I always thought it was just as ridiculous as the single shot of Luke trailed by Darth to blow up a Death Star run by guys with British accents.

I guess I always felt that 4-6 were special to me because I was 5 years old. In a sense (Jar-Jar was a bit extreme), I thought keeping it a children's film was a very "brave" move by Lucas -- when he must've known how many people were expecting a more adult movie.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with & see the faults you're getting at, but sometimes I think people are perhaps a bit too hypercritical with Star Wars vs. other things such as Lord of the Rings or whatever.

Aylinn, Do you think maybe you had too much invested? (I'm not trying to argue you to death BTW, ...just curious)

[aylinn]

Aylinn, Do you think maybe you had too much invested? (I'm not trying to argue you to death BTW, ...just curious)

Invested? I was just expecting sth more than this. I really like the scene where Anakin shouts to Obi Wan he hates him. It was awesome and if I was 7, I'd be scared. This movie wasn't "Golden Raspberry" movie but could be better.
And I didn't like the fact that Anakin changed sides so fast.

[Joe Beaudoin Jr.]

Episodes 1 and 2 were horrendous. Episode 3 ranked up there in the goodness scale, but well under Empire Strikes Back.

The thing about Star Wars is that anything written by Lucas (without help) should be (and is) considered mostly crapola. This could very well explain why "Empire Strikes Back" was so good... he didn't write it. :lol:

Anyway, I never liked "Return of the Jedi", because it was basically a regurgitation of the plot line in "A New Hope". So... I like two of the three of the original trilogy.

The things that killed the new trilogy for me were definitely Jar Jar, the wooden acting, the horrid dialogue, and the over reliance on special effects.

[NEXUX]

I think ORIGINAL TRILOGY is the best ever and PREQUEL TRILOGY is a big disappointing for me.
Acting from some characters and screenwriting really , uhm how to say ... BAD :frown-ani:

Samuel Jackson ,Natalie Portman ,Hayden Christensen and some more actors really low performance.

If you like to watch FX ok but if you expect the catch the original serial sprit or magic get ready to a huge disappoint.

[ShadowEnigma]

Now when you talk the original trilogy, are we talking original original, or original remastered?

[Joe Beaudoin Jr.]

Now when you talk the original trilogy, are we talking original original, or original remastered?

The original, untouched trilogy that has not been violated by the One Whose Name Cannot Be Spoken Without Vulgarity. :mad:

[NEXUX]

Now when you talk the original trilogy, are we talking original original, or original remastered?

Here is the universal definition of original by wikipedia :thumbsup:

Star Wars is an epic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_film) space opera (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_opera) franchise (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_franchise) initially conceived by George Lucas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Lucas) during the 1970s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970s_in_film) and significantly expanded since that time. The first film in the franchise was simply titled Star Wars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Episode_IV:_A_New_Hope), but later had the subtitle A New Hope added to distinguish it from its sequels and prequels. Star Wars was released on May 25 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_25), 1977 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977) by 20th Century Fox (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_Century_Fox), and became a worldwide pop culture (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_culture) phenomenon, initially spawning two sequels. Twenty-two years after Star Wars was released, Lucas began the release of a second trilogy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_prequel_trilogy) as a prequel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prequel) to the original trilogy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_original_trilogy).so for me original trilogy started 1970s and other but there is a big confusing here about this original you are totally right...

I wrote in the meaning of the original the movies started 1970.
I dont care other 3 prequel

[NEXUX]

Star Wars original trilogy

The original trilogy (often abbreviated OT by fans), also known as The Star Wars Trilogy, is a term used to describe the first three films released in the Star Wars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars) saga. It is also sometimes referred to as the Classic Trilogy. The original trilogy is also sometimes used to describe the original versions of the first three Star Wars films released as opposed to the versions released in theaters in 1997 or on DVD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD) in 2004 with some changes made (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_changes_in_Star_Wars_re-releases). In 2006, Lucasfilm released the original unaltered versions of the films, following the release of the 2004 remastered edition of the trilogy several months before. They are:


Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Episode_IV:_A_New_Hope) (1977)
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Episode_V:_The_Empire_Strikes_Back) (1980)
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Episode_VI:_Return_of_the_Jedi) (1983)


SOURCE :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_original_trilogy

[1Nivek1]

Episodes 1 and 2 were horrendous. Episode 3 ranked up there in the goodness scale, but well under Empire Strikes Back.

Well, I think everyone loves Empire the best. In a way, though, I think 4-6 got lucky with Harrison Ford. If it wasn't for him, those "empty spaces" between shootouts & lightsabers may very well have been like 1-3. Not to mention the character itself. In 1-3, I think Padme & Anakin's "love" was supposed to keep us interested, and it just didn't.

Ep1 I though was okay, but as far as I'm concerned, the whole Tatooine plotline was awful. I thought Liam Neeson(sp) was awesome, and Ewan McGregor did a good job in filling big shoes. Jar Jar was around way too long, but I thought the end was well done.

Ep2 While I'll admit it was a bit boring...I did think the idea of creating an enemy to later gang up against was a clever idea though.

Ep3 Anakin's turn was just bloody awful, could have been done in a thousand better ways -- I don't anyone can argue with that one.


Anyway, I never liked "Return of the Jedi", because it was basically a regurgitation of the plot line in "A New Hope". So... I like two of the three of the original trilogy.


Ep4 really had the advantage of a honeymoon period. The whole "world", not to mention Vader.


The things that killed the new trilogy for me were definitely Jar Jar, the wooden acting, the horrid dialogue, and the over reliance on special effects.

Well, like I said, I'm not sure it was wooden acting or flat dialogue as much of just a bad idea as a centerpiece/love story. Han/Lea back& forth in the original was much more interesting. As far as CG goes, that really didn't bother me. I thought that was another allure of the first series with the model ships, ray guns, x-wing, etc.

Personally, while we're pointing out specifics, I thought Samuel L. was idiotic.

But I don't see the hate. I think both trilogy's are watchable, and both need a little "fast-forward" treatment every now and again. I am more critical of 1-3, but I was entirely older when i saw them. I mean the reveal the Darth was Luke's father was predictable in 4-6, but I was so young that I was floored. I've always felt that perhaps the reason people gravitate to 4-6 as untouchable perfections is because they were young.

[Osprey]

unlike some of my fellow posters apparently i WAS alive when ep. iv first came out, and saw it at a drive-in [ask your parents]. v and vi i saw in theaters. years later i got them on vhs [parents] and later dvd [i'll skip the orig. vs. special edition debate -- flukas made the choice to do so, it's his i.p., end of story, now matter how much people wanna bitch].

sooo, the late 90s roll around and my young adult self notices there's going to be episode i. my excitement completely trumps my good sense, and i let expectations get too high. yeah, ep. i blows, no way around it. but the planet-wide, troposhphere-high expectations surely didn't help. i liked ep. ii, esp. from the arena battle on, tho i'm sure that's precisely why others don't. ep. iii is DARK, but surely the best of the prequels. for the entire series, i rank them as follows: v, iv, iii, [small gap] ii, [small gap] vi, [large gap] i.

[1Nivek1]

for the entire series, i rank them as follows: v, iv, iii, [small gap] ii, [small gap] vi, [large gap] i.

that seems fair...just hear a lot of people say the hated 1-3....


saw it at a drive-in [ask your parents].


Hey, I've been to a drive-in in my lifetime! Crappy little speakers and all. (Though I was never old enough to make-out):D

[ShadowEnigma]

They still have drive-ins btw :p

[Osprey]

where?! not on this island ...

[ShadowEnigma]

New Jersey, I think Pennsylvania too.

[1Nivek1]

New Jersey, I think Pennsylvania too.

You tell me where they still have drive ins.....

I live in Ohio, and they tore the last one down probably 15 yrs ago...

[ShadowEnigma]

http://www.delseadrive-in.com/

[Jonathan]

I see a topic on SW and must chime in. I was not alive with Star Wars came out. I was not alive with ESB came out. I was a small child when RoTJ appeared in theatres, just a toddler of two.

I didn't start watching the films until I was 7 when I saw them on TV and VHS. I really got into them in my teens. My friends and I, being the geeks we are, often debate the merits of the films.

I've come up with a ranking from best to worst, that they basically agree with, of all six films.

ESB
ANH
RoTJ
RoTS (sometimes this swaps with RoTJ)
AoTC
TPM

ESB is the heart of SW's "good vs. evil" message. The visual symbolism runs deep throughout the film. ANH is one of the best examples of Campbell's Hero of a Thousand Faces. RoTJ has an interesting plot, the usage of Jabba greatly fleshes out the SW universe, and the Battle of Endor is simply amazing!

RoTS has some of the best and worst acting in the prequels. Nothing is worse than "No I love you more. NO! I love YOU more. No. I LOVE YOU more. No, I love you MORE." Hayden is, without a doubt, far worse an actor in the films than Portman. Portman was quite incredible in them, all things considered.

AoTC is a fun link between the first and last prequel but when compared to the other SW link film, ESB, it pales in comparison. Where it has strength is the reveal of the clone army's origins.

TPM is quite horrendous. However, nothing would ever be good enough as the first new SW film. That said it goes above and beyond in its horror and inadequacy. The usage of Christian mythology with Anakin as a Christ figure "no he didn't have a daddy, I just gave birth to the lad because of some space aliens, I think, but I'm not sure. No, I may not be a virgin cause I'm a slave but I didn't have relations with no man to create that boy." Either she's lying or Lucas wants Anakin to be SW's Christ. Either way I have a serious problem with that.

There are some truths in life. We will all die. We will all pay taxes. We will all suffer George Lucas' inability to write romance. We will all be subjected to George Lucas' childlike wonder of technology "ooh look at that whizbang, put it in the film 50 times."

Despite this, each of the films have their high points. Qui-Gon's death, the creation of the clone army, Battle on Mustafar/Battle of Coruscant, Luke in the Mos Eisley Cantina, Battle of Hoth/Han Solo's "I know", Jabba's demise/Vader's redemption.

And now I lost my thread. Hmm, it'll come back to me later.

[1Nivek1]

The usage of Christian mythology with Anakin as a Christ figure "no he didn't have a daddy, I just gave birth to the lad because of some space aliens, I think, but I'm not sure. No, I may not be a virgin cause I'm a slave but I didn't have relations with no man to create that boy." Either she's lying or Lucas wants Anakin to be SW's Christ.

Huh, I never saw it that way. I always assumed he was just sorta playing with the idea of this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miraculous_birth

which is fairly common in a lot of stories/myths. And is different from the idea of a purely virgin birth in the case of Mary.

Anyway, I think the Darth Maul fight in 1 and the Anakin/ObiWan~Emp./Yoda fight in 3 were some of the best parts of all 6.

I really thought 2 had some of the worst "fight" scenes. Samuel L's killing of Fet was bad. The whole "who's my b*tch, no look, side-swipe, then stare-down" makes me groan everytime. And the whole scene when they first come down in the arena, and all the Jedis are panned over doing Yoga with their lightsabers makes me laugh. The battle between Dooku and ObiWan, then Ani is also bad (not on the part of Dooku though).

Considering the choreography efforts they went through in 3 with ObiWan and Anakin, they could've done better in 2. Perhaps Lukas was "saving himself" for the finale.

[1Nivek1]

http://www.delseadrive-in.com/

Sweet, SE....but, It is marked as "NJ ONLY drive-in". They are fun though, I truly miss them....

Anywho, I was watching ESB yesterday (on spike or something), and then there was the whole Luke wants to go back and save his friends (Han & Leia).....

Yoda tells him: no way, ruin what all was fought for, etc. BUT, as Luke's pulling away, Yoda says "there is another"..


BUT, isn't Leia the other ?!?! ....WTF?

[Gort]

I'm new here, but from this point on, I think I'm going to become a bit unpopular. ;)

I've never been a great fan of Star Wars, although I do consider ESB is well worth watching. I remember going as a child of twelve to watch the original Star Wars movie and leaving the cinema feeling as if I had been patronised; looked like Sesame Street had created a sci-fi film. OK, some things were great, the special effects being one, but the story just seemed too childish to me and didn't really pose any questions, like good sci-fi does. As for the so-called prequels, I found them all to be pointless, tiring and dull.

As a poster said above, if Lucas has a hand in the writing of something, then it's best to avoid. IMO, that includes American Graffiti, too, which is way overrated. As previously said, ESB is the only one that's any good and has substance, simply because Lucas had nothing to do with the scripting.

Today's number is four. Four...

[Leroy Morte]

"You tell me where they still have drive ins.....

I live in Ohio, and they tore the last one down probably 15 yrs ago..."

One in Lucasville, Oh, southern end of the state. There is also one in Bourbon Co., Ky and another in Lyons Co, Ky

[ShadowEnigma]

Well if everyone wants to come to New Jersey for a Drive in, I'll do a party in the back yard. I even have a pool ^_^

[Dwyn2435]

I prefer the original trilogy.

[Shane]

Since me and Jon talk about this all the time @ College whatever he said here, I agree with him.

ANH
RoTJ
ESB
RoTS
AoTC
<Life>
TPM

[matronik]

I think all of you summed what I thought. The scripted really sucked. Still I paid the tickets to see the 3 prequels...