Originally posted by Basstrap:
What exactly will it take for the new Star war movies to equal the old ones?
Acting? the oldies had pretty bad acting
*applauds
Thank you for posting this.
I'm an old fogey. I saw all of the original trilogy at theaters when they were released.
"Star Wars" (what is now called "Episode 4: The New Hope") came out in '77, the year I turned 13. I recall spending some weekday summer afternoons at the theater with my friend watching this film. We'd see it from way back in the theater. We'd see it in the first row. It was fantastic! For a 12-13 year old like me, this was the perfect film. While "Space Odyssey 2001" had some great effects, the story was very dark - not something a pre-teen/teen can really enjoy. But "Star Wars" had it all. We didn't care if the acting was bad. We didn't care if the effects weren't "perfect" - they were FAR superior than anything we had ever seen.
However, as I rewatch that film now, I do see the flaws. I can and do forgive all "effects" issues - Lucas used the best technology he could on the budget he had back then. However, it's easy to see how the timing was off on the acting or how the acting and the dialogue was just plain bad. It's easy to point out plot holes (that STILL remain) in the script. But the novelty of the original is what kept it a fan favorite.
However, by the time "Return of the Jedi" came around, suddenly the film didn't look so fresh. People talk about leaving the theater after viewing "Episode I" or "Episode II" with an empty feeling, thinking how these installments didn't live up to the original trilogy. If they truly feel this way, either they weren't old enough to have seen "Return of the Jedi" in the theater (as I did) or they have forgotten what it was like. When I left the theater after "Return of the Jedi", I thought, "worst Star Wars film ever!" My friends and I joked that it should have been called "Return of the Muppets."
I hated (and still do) all those silly creatures surrounding Jabba the Hut. It really seemed like I was watching a muppet movie, not a cherished sci-fi classic. And the Ewoks? AAH! Talk about sickeningly cute - I saw the toy shelves filled with those things immediately. The ending was overly sappy and unfulfilling. So the emporer is dead. Is that really it? The emporer died so now the entire empire has collapsed? There have been many empires in the past on earth - and they have survived changes in leadership. I'd find it hard to believe that this dark lord was unable to predict his own downfall (after correctly forseeing everything else) and not prepare for it. In other words, I left the movie disappointed with the effects and the story.
plot? EP II has a dark plot with the feeling of future doom. Very good, I thought
I agree. "Episode II" was a bit slow at times, but then, romance themes usually are slow. For example, take away the romance theme in "Titanic" and we'd probably have a movie that lasts 1.5 hours instead of 3.
I admit, EP I was not great, but it laid a very good foundation for it all.
When I saw "Episode I", I didn't hate Jar Jar Binks at all. Yes, he was a bit obnoxious, but on par for all of the other bizarre creatures Lucas had created in the past.
The only part I disliked was the child actor playing Anakin. Holey moley - what a miscast! This kid is easily the worst child actor I have ever seen. And no, I won't give him a "break" for only being a child. There have been numerous outstanding child actors throughout the years - Lucas just picked a bad one. That aside, I felt the movie was a great introduction to the film series.
But EP II was just as good as 4.
Or perhaps just a tad lower. I'd rate "A New Hope" first, then "The Empire Strikes Back" followed by "Attack of the Clones." "The Phantom Menace" and then "Return of the Jedi" complete my list. Yes, I put "Return..." last. If you don't agree, rewatch the film to see just how bad it is.
If the oldies were released today instead of then would they still be the huge classics they have become.
*agrees
I think if we only had the original "Star Wars" and Episode I, II, V and VI were all recently released (if you could imagine such a scenario), fans would tear apart episodes V and VI just as they are tearing apart I and II. Everyone has this vision of what the next installment of "Star Wars" should be - and when Lucas doesn't deliver this "dream", he has suddenly failed. They should keep in mind these are Lucas' dreams, not theirs. It would be like us being disappointed in a U2 album because it didn't live up to the dream we have of the album (and of course, there are numerous fans like that).
Anywho, Lord of the Rings will take the place of the classic trilogy for the 21st century.
This is the only part I disagree with. "Star Wars" was so powerful when it was released that it captured the imaginations of millions. In contrast, many people, including myself, were not overwhelmed by the "Fellowship of the Ring." Yes, it was a good first installment, and wonderfully filmed and acted. But when I left the theater, all I could say was, "Gee, that dragged on forever." I wasn't alone in this thought as my friend felt the same and I heard a few others in the theater feel the same way. "Fellowship..." made a fortune, but I have a feeling the second film will suffer a bit ("suffering" meaning perhaps $200M and not $300M) because people won't want to sit through another 3 hours of a somewhat slow story.
However, since parts 2 and 3 have yet to be released, I will give the film series the benefit of the doubt and see what happens. It's just that right now, I can actually see the "Harry Potter" series being the new famous film-set. Granted, the first film was light-hearted and fun, but it was meant to be. This was where the characters were introduced and we get to see what "magic" means in the "Harry Potter" world. However, those of you who have read the 4 books to date know that the last book is VERY dark - hardly a real children's tale. If the remaining books continue along this dark path, the film series (if all 7 films are indeed made) could be one of the best ever.
Side Note: I have an official button with the title "Revenge of the Jedi." That was what this film was originally called (instead of "Return"). I've heard these buttons are worth some $$. Maybe I should go to eBay and find out.
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*edited typos and added "side note"
[This message has been edited by doctorwho (edited 05-19-2002).]
