| mZuzek said:
Wait... I was sure I had replied to this I don't really know how to reply to this, actually. I think in the end it just comes down to opinions and our own personal experiences with the movies. Before I get started, I want to thank you for making this thread and engaging in discussion, because you got me interested in watching the movies again, which I have done (well haven't watched Return of the Jedi yet, but whatever) - last time I watched them was around 2-3 years ago I believe, so I didn't remember everything as clearly. So, yeah... I don't know. I agree that Qui-Gon's death felt a bit artificial, but honestly, I didn't think it was any less powerful than Obi-Wan's sacrifice. They were both somewhat artificial to me. Honestly, the difference I did notice between the trilogies is that, while the originals have these very unique and iconic characters, the characters in the prequels feel more like average human beings - and that's not a good or bad thing for either, it's just different approaches. I think most people, myself included, prefer the original approach, but they're both acceptable. As for acting, I wouldn't be so fast to say the prequels are worse either. Honestly, watching the prequels, I thought the acting was fine - that is, whenever Hayden wasn't on screen. I didn't remember his acting was so atrocious. That said, while the originals don't have one standout bad performance, I'm not very fond of Mark Hamill on them, and he does deliver some bad lines sometimes too. His "Noooooo" was just as bad as Vader's on the third episode. Anyways, as I said before, it really does come down to opinion. Though it had been a while since I had watched the Star Wars movies, I'm glad to be reassured now that I can stand by my ranking. |
oh well.I understand people have differing opinions. I like that in discussions, main reason engaged in this is consensus of prequels being garbage to people liking or preferring them over originals. How did this happen and why do people think this way?
Star Wars: A New Hope is not a complex film. It knows throwing aliens and space at people is a lot to swallow so it stuck with archetypes as short cuts for the audience. Empire was the film that added depth. On that note Obi-Wan in A New Hope comes across as kind and measured in his advice and understanding of the world they inhabit. He sees the futility of his struggle when he is mocked by smugglers (Solo) about his beliefs and the fact his physical strength has largely left him when he fights Vader. He has no chance to win against his younger and stronger ex-pupil. His time has passed him by, so he willingly dies in sacrificial gesture to spark Luke on. It is sad to see someone decent be seen as a relic and only value is in wisdom he could pass along before death.
Qui-Gon in A Phantom Menace never showed himself to be particularly wise or endearing. His fight with Maul has no weight because we know nothing about Maul and he has no relationship to Qui-Gon or Obi-Wan. He is the equivalent of fighting a beast. You can argue the fight was well choreographed, but it also lacked any emotion, which matters more to me.
Acting is part of a performance, direction and script play a major role as well. Actors do multiple takes of about any scene based off the script they are given and the suggestions of the director. In Empire Han was supposed to say "I love you too" to Leia, but Ford changed it to "I know" because it fit the character better. What would have been an average line of dialogue instantly became pretty iconic. So, in the prequels Lucas shows he doesn't really get dialogue in terms of characters and natural flow. People feel wooden in part because the dialogue is not natural. I don't think Portman, McGregor, Jackson, Neeson or others are bad at acting, I think they were put in a green or blue room and told to give exposition in monotone. Christensen wasn't great, but he didn't write that line about sand and I bet if he objected Lucas wouldn't listen. People were so wrapped up in "Ooooh, Star Wars!" they forgot that it is still a film made by people and Lucas is not some cinematic genius beyond criticism.
You referring to Luke on Cloud City saying "No" in response to Vader? I always found that raw and showing how Luke was beaten and weak in that moment. Vader's "No" at end of Revenge of the Sith came across as melodrama that lacked real emotion because never bought his love story with Padme. I've seen people reference that seen for comedic effect, never seen same for Luke done.
Goal is not to change opinions, I loved Star Wars so I do enjoy discussing it given a new film is coming soon. Hopefully it will be enjoyable.
