Now let`s get to “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith,” released in 2005. I remember me and my siblings went to see this movie after I came back from high school when I was 15. The film got a great critical reaction, being the most popular of the 3 prequels, just as “Attack of the Clones” was considered better then “The Phantom Menace,” since it's the best in the trilogy. The film was also a huge box office hit and many fans liked it. This is the darkest chapter in the series, and people seem to be very accepting and not as nit-picking with this as they are with the first two. I really liked the story in this, but the movie still had quite a couple of vocal detractors. Redlettermedia analyses this and mentions that many people found it to be darker. He asks who cares how dark it is. You did when you negatively compared “Attack of the Clones” to “The Empire Strikes Back.” He basically tries to dismiss the popularity by making a quick mention of supposed movie critic payoffs or people sucking up to the Lucas film. He shows Roger Ebert, who did attack Episode II, and the great Kevin Smith. Really, this means he will use argumentum ad populum, except when people disagree with him. He later says these films failed to relate to people, where he again ignores films can be underrated. As he showed 80% of the people liked this film, two-thirds still liked “Attack of The Clones,” and three-fifths liked “The Phantom Menace.” Many people didn`t like “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” when they came out either. The same applies to Rocky, The Terminator, Alien, Predator, The Abyss, Blade Runner, etc.
This shows how dumb and hypocritical it is to use argumentum ad populum. It is just like Confused Matthew claiming that Lucas should take responsibility for most people not liking the Prequels, when many did. Many people disliked many of his reviews of more popular films. Either you need to always stick exactly with the popular consensus or never do so.
Confused Matthew starts off his review saying the film was worse than the last two Prequels, which completely contradicts his “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” review, where he claims they were all equally bad by generalizing them and where he again argues against the popular opinion.
Matthew says he was tired of the wooden acting…covered that. The underdeveloped characters…check that also. The lack of story…I’m not even going to comment. The bad and gratuitous effects being dumb on screen…ok, that is just borderline trolling. The under explained motivations, stakes, organizations actions and inactions…covered all that.
This again shows how biased people are against these films. People constantly suggest having them redone, but just come up with their own stories. Peoples expectations (like with many franchises after the second film) were too specific and high. Some people suggested creating a love triangle with Obi-Wan, Anakin and Padme. This would make Obi-Wan even more of a liar and hypocrite. People complain the Prequels lacked imagination, yet hated on there being too many different aliens and different planets. They complain about new characters, like Qui-Gon and Padme, but complain that it reuses characters and giving them more development.
People are so biased against the CGI in the film. Confused Matthew, once again, unjustly hates on the CGI. He says the CGI in the opening battle is bad, even though it shows the effects of the atmosphere, the sun, detailed smoke, reflections, painted ships, and beautiful skies. Redlettermedia says the opening wasn`t impressive, as films are done with CGI all the time. So were the big battles in “Lord of the Rings” and all of the superhero films. These films were very much responsible for making all these different films possible and formed the next step after “Jurassic Park.”
In the time the Originals were made, films were made using puppets and Muppets all the time. Does that make it unimpressive? I really want to stress the point that just as we don`t care how the music is recorded, it should just be good. The same applies to Special Effects. How they are done is not a big concern. Redlettermedia also calls the opening scene a mess. Matthew complains it is too hard to follow, which again makes me wonder if they have ever seen any modern action film. The Republic ships have defining red colors, and we know the Trade Federation ships by now. Yes, it is fast and complex, which again adds realism. The opening scene was great. Again, these films had magnificent action. Redlettermedia later backtracks by basically coinciding that. This opening shows Obi-Wan in real danger, Anakin saving him, the use of rockets, Buzz Droids, the roll of the Clones, entire cruisers collapsing, it builds up very subtly and has exciting and epic music. It really is a dumb complaint that the action in these films are like the ones in video games. There are real dangers, Clones die, and the effects and direction are great. The action in all 3 films always serves the story. In Episode I, the opening fight was to show that the Jedi couldn`t threaten the Trade Feds, the others fights with the Droids were to free the Queen and get a ship, the Pod Race got them off Tatooine and developed Anakin as a hero, the blockade running got them off the planet, the space battles destroyed the Droid Control Ship, and so on. In Episode II, there was the Speeder chase that made it important to learn about Jango and have a dart to investigate, the fight with Jango showed he was hostile, the meteor chase caused Obi-Wan to lose track of him, the Arena battle showed how outnumbered the Jedi were, the Clone battles showed how they came to rely on the Clones, the factory scene showed how Anakin still wanted to help Obi-Wan, and how Padme could to be too naive and both got captured. The same thing applies here, Matthew calls it a pretty meaningless opening. Even we had a similar thing in Jabba's palace, on Hoth and even the Death Star. This opening showed how Palpatine tried to separate Anakin from Obi-Wan, how Anakin won`t leave him behind, it showed Dooku getting killed, the role of the Clones, and how Palpatine was rescued. The action in the Prequels is often less repetitive then in the Originals with the constant tie fighter fights, running from Clones, and look at how long both Death Star battles were. People constantly complain about this, but many of the action scenes have great consequences. Jango got killed in the arena, Padme clawed, many Jedis died, Anakin had his hand cut off by Dooku, Qui-Gon was killed, Dooku gets killed, and the Pod Race got Anakin his freedom. The action is one of the best in this series. Every Light Saber duel, space battle, machine fire, all around dark, edgy feel is just magnificent. I think it was great, especially since we see Palpatine use the lightning fingers again, which we hadn't seen since “Return of the Jedi.” These films have many great action scenes, but they serve the story, and do have tension. They are simply very fast and complex, which again inspired many future films their action the way these films inspired effects, even though they are so horrible. Redlettermedia again complains about how they take out Droids with great consistency, indicating he is still yet to watch a Marvel movie and have fun. Look at the ease with which the Tie Fighters were destroyed. The Nitpick Guide complained there was a Light Saber fight at the beginning, even though it broke the formula and developed Anakin, Obi-Wan and Dooku. He complains their lines were clichéd, but I guess he hasn`t seen the conversations of the Light Saber fights in the Original Trilogy.
Matthew again complains he doesn`t know what a Sith is and what the war is about. He still hasn`t put everything together, I guess.
Redlettermedia complains the film has an exciting space battle, but also the violent part where Anakin kills Dooku. In “Empire Strikes Back,” Vader also jolted people, and Luke killed people in the opening of “Return of the Jedi” while there was also Light Saber fights. He complains there is also slapstick humor. Again, “Empire Strikes Back” had that with Yoda, R2-D2 and C-3PO. He complains it doesn`t have a consistent tone, but many films combine different tones. A film doesn`t have to be, well, monotone. This film shows Anakin turning evil, so it slowly transitions. It indeed serves as a last fun adventure, but it sows the seeds of Anakin turning evil. He tries to compare it to “Ghostbusters,” which was lighthearted, and “Citizen Kane.” It would be more fitting to just compare it to how” The Godfather” had both a description of a violation attempt, and humor in it`s opening. Or how about the humor in the opening of “The Fellowship of The Ring,” where we first get a death filled back-story, or even the complex tone of “The Avengers” opening.
Confused Matthew again treats Anakin as unlikeable, simply for killing Dooku while unarmed even though:
A. He is a crazy murderer that killed many Jedis, nearly killed Padme, chopped of his arm, and started an intergalactic war
B. Killing him helps bring this dangerous war to an end
C. Anakin was ordered to by Palpatine
D. Obi-Wan was knocked out and he has to protect Palpatine
E. They are still on an enemy ship and
F. He thought it was in no way bad of Peter to throw a pumpkin bomb at Harry, who was defenseless on the ground because he had try to kill Peter, even though Harry simply did it because he thought Peter killed his father. He doesn`t comment on how Peter tried to brutally murder the Sandman, claiming he did nothing bad at all.
Matthew also thinks Anakin should find this suspicious, even though Palpatine was simply being logical. He also complains Palpatine knows what a Sith is and that Dooku is one, but as the leader of the Republic, he should know. Dooku revealed he was a Sith at the end of Episode II, and the Jedi know what the Sith are. Palpatine is leading this war against him. Why would this be a secret? Was Roosevelt not allowed to know what a Nazi was or that Hitler was one? He also complains Palpatine acts there is a rush to get off the ship, claiming the Droids would not be a threat as Obi-Wan defeated them. We have seen that when there are enough of them, they are quite dangerous. This is why they get captured. It isn`t really that strange that he suggests leaving Obi-Wan behind. Military leaders sometimes make those calls. He complains they were backtracking when they showed Anakin wanted to help a Clone Trooper, claiming it would be a repeat of the last film entirely. That simply showed Anakin killed a tribe of animals that tortured and murdered his mom. As shown, Anakin often tried to save Obi-Wan, Padme and the Jedis in Episode II. He says they established Clones are like expandable people. If you see Clones as expandable, good, but you have to be a Neo Nazi for that. They have feelings and they’re friends. He says they would be used by now to see them getting killed, but many soldiers still care for their comrades after years of fighting. This opening is very important, as it shows Anakin again saves Obi-Wan by refusing to leave him behind, how he can admit his mistakes more, how he and Obi-Wan get along better, he is willing to die with him on the ship, and he does regret killing Dooku. Matthew says he merely pretended like he ate someone’s last snack, but he seemed in shock, and he saved Palpatine and the ship. It nicely combines character based humor of Anakin and Obi-Wan`s friendship with the action and tension. This is a lot like the Original Trilogy. Isn`t that what you wanted, that they showed their friendship onscreen?
He complains we don`t know who General Grievous (this means "serious, causing grief, pain or
anguish")
is? What? He is like Governor Tarkin, a high ranking Military guy from the Separatists. He is sadistic, cunning, and arrogant, hates Jedi, has an inferiority complex, is cruel, threatening, and manipulative and yes he acts a bit quirky, but many villains do. Redlettermedia actually complains Anakin is unlikeable because of his black clothes and un-campy hair, which is plain discrimination. He complains we get backtracking with them showing Anakin is a great pilot, even though the Speeder Chase and Pod Race showed that. He complains he gives simple commands, like opening all hatches on the cruises, which is like saying that someone is not a Master Chef because they also suggest adding salt. Luke also said to use harpoon cables. He also perfectly sets the coordinates and lands half a ship, and he complains about the spinning trick, which actually is hard to do, and was reused in “Marvel’s Agents of Shield” Episode 17. He lands his wing on Obi-Wan`s wing, while flying.
Redlettermedia questions whether Grievous kidnapped Palpatine on his own or whether they conspired together, complaining it is under explained. A film with a mystery plot doesn`t need to literally say everything. It is quite obvious Palpatine is controlling everything and his minions often are left out of certain detail. It is clear Grievous doesn`t know Sidious is Palpatine so Sidious just ordered him to kidnap Palpatine. To do so without killing him to stage this plan, and of course Dooku’s death was part the plan, for one Sith apprentice kills another. He complains whether Dooku had any say in the plan. If you look at Dooku`s face, do we need dialogue to know whether he had a say in it? The answer seems pretty obvious. Of course!
He complains Grievous took the Light Sabers with him. Well, that was dumb, but again villains always gloat too much. It is a cliché found in every movie ever made. He questions why he didn`t leave them in the ray-shields. Again, villains gloat too much. He questions why he didn`t kill Palpatine. Because Palpatine told him not to kill Palpatine, but to hold him hostage, that is what holding someone hostage means. Is it that hard? He asks if Sidious wanted to be kidnapped so the Jedi would rescue him and fight Dooku. That is what he wanted, and he shows Grievous questioning the loss of Dooku, but that is Grievous. Of course, he would want the Jedi to escape, but it cannot be too obviously manipulate. He doesn`t tell Grievous that the Jedi are skilled enough to escape. He questions where Palpatine told them to get help, where they were supposed to get help…maybe from an allied ship.
Complaining Palpatine planned and many of his plans could have worked out differently can all be applied to The Dark Knight Trilogy. The Joker plans elaborate schemes all the time, Ra’s Al Ghul tells Bruce they will execute a man, but also we weren`t told if the Joker planned for his goons to try and betray him. Taking time to spell out every detail of a mystery is ruining it, and you really don`t become automatically suspicious due to everything. I mean, did the crews in The Abyss, Alien or Aliens automatically get suspicious of Burn, or Ash or Coffee over everything? Of course not! He complains that we would have no reason to care about the Clones, in more detail, in this one. As explained in the Episode II defense, it’s pure discrimination and he also says we wouldn`t at all feel the consequences of the war on Coruscant as there is active traffic and night clubs. They should show the effects by traffic disappearing and lack of food. This would apparently make the audience care. That would be manipulating the audience in the ways he criticized “Avatar,” for rich cities are often unaffected by most wars. Again, this is the case in “Gladiator.” If anyone watches any good dramatized historical documentary like “Rise and Fall of Rome,” you would see this. It is silly to suggest wars should just affect every aspect of life and destroy everything. Moreover, they are winning this war. Remember, this war isn`t the problem. What they are doing to Democracy is the problem. What they are doing to win the war, and he then comments the rise of the Empire wouldn`t affect the Average Joe, as we see in “Return of the Jedi,” that the city still looks the same. What?
The rise of the Empire isn`t the same as the effects of the Clone Wars, but also a repressive government does not lead to a city literally falling into ruins most of the time. Rome under Caligula, Moscow under the Soviets etc. Look at the cities in North Korea. A Dictatorship doesn`t make everything horrible on every level. To think that is childish. We see the effects of the Clone Wars, by them holding planets hostage, like Utapau. Yes, border regions are the most affected by war. The Empire was bad and overthrown because they did things, like blowing up Alderaan.
He suggests the Clones should be drafted soldiers to fight the Clones. They would become loyal soldiers over time, like how a real Dictatorship is formed. He then shows a picture of Hitler. Maybe he needs to read some history books. Hitler came to power before World War II, by being voted more and more power to help keep order. Nations were citizens and are drafted do not automatically have the soldiers pledge allegiance to a dictator. By the way, Lucas is paralleling Hitler, Caesar and Napoleon. This we will really come back to later.
We have some more horrible complaints on the film, which is for one that they sent Obi-Wan to deal with Grievous and not many other Jedis. He says that the fact it might be a dead end is no reason not to send more Jedis, as if it isn`t a wild Banta chase. It could end the war. Yes, and if it is, it would mean wasting a lot of valuable manpower. People don`t throw everything they have in a war on one thing. That is just gambling with people’s lives. He actually questions how important it is to keep the Wookie planet for one more day, as they are their citizens. It is very important you don`t leave millions to die just for a great cause. That is like sacrificing a whole army on a suicide mission, like killing the Jewish babies in Egypt to keep order. It is evil, Fascist, violates codes of war, and is like the Nazis killing the Jews for what they saw as a greater good. Remember, this is how Redlettermedia believes wars are conducted. Leaving millions to their fate by sending troops to where maybe the enemy leader might be. Wow, just wow. Man, oh man. We also have the complaint that it seems like they might have forgotten about the Droid attack on the Wookies because one guy asserted its importance. People do that during wars all the time. Watch many other Military types of Council. Matthew again complains that while Dooku (a traitor and war enemy with no proof) asserted that Palpatine was an evil usurper, with no proof, therefore the Jedi should be more than a little suspicious. Sure, Plinket complains they have Anakin spy on him, even though Anakin is closest to him. They could just check the cameras in his office, even though without a warrant would be a big crime in any nation. They probably don`t even have access to that.
He complains that Anakin doesn`t find it convenient that Palpatine knows the way to save people from death, when he is just losing Padme. Even though he starts about it just as a piece of history, and Anakin is very scared of losing Padme, as he had dreams of his mother dying and those came through. He is a scared young adult. Are people really supposed to catch that stuff? Really, especially when Palpatine is his long mentor, and when the Jedi have been excluding him, he only feels supported by the Chancellor? Does Redlettermedia get this character development? Anakin is slow in figuring this out as:
1. He knows Palpatine since he was a kid, and he was always nice to him.
2. Palpatine tells him what he wants to hear, so he secretly wants to believe him.
3. He is full of fear, anger, stress, and confusion. This makes him easy to manipulate.
4. He does it step by step, which is the way anyone is corrupted. That is what makes it realistic. Palpatine first just gives him a few mildly extreme orders, and then has some convenient knowledge. Yet he compliments Anakin and gives him hope while the Jedi are mistreating him. Logically, this clouds his judgment further. He questions Palpatine knowing about the Sith, saying it is like knowing Mein Kampf. Actually, some people read Mein Kampf. A fascination with evil doesn`t make one evil. Just look at Indiana Jones. He knows a lot of evil cults and the Nazis. Palpatine is a Chancellor who is even fighting the Sith. At first, he only shows he knows some stuff about the Dark Side. He complains that he clearly shows he despises the Jedi at this point, but so does Anakin, which blurs the line that is actually all very realistic and three-dimensional. Somerset knew the details of the seven deadly sins in “Se7en.”
If you are in the middle of the desert exhausted and there is a lemon shop, you don`t question why there is one in the middle of the desert. You just want a drink.
He then mentions they were already looking for a Sith Lord. You often don`t see what is right under your nose. Matthew complains it would be unlikeable of Anakin not to want to tell Obi-Wan of Padme's pregnancy, even though he will be expelled from the Order. He just had a vision of his wife`s death, cut him a break. Then, he finds out he is put on the Council, but not made a Master, the first person ever to not be made a Master. Apparently when people criticize you that badly, you may still not whine, and you may never disagree with your superiors. You must mindlessly obey orders, except for when they order you to kill a dangerous Dooku, who is on a ship on his side, when you are with just one man. Also, he would be wrong to whine about them, asking him to spy on a friend and mentor because having reservations in betraying a friend and mentor is wrong. Whining is weird when you are already emotional over your wife being very likely to die. In this situation, he meets Palpatine and he should have noticed the clues to him being evil. Note: he still defends the Jedi from Palpatine praising them. Again, Anakin never acts likeable, except for, of course, all that stuff in the pointless opening. On Coruscant, when he is worried about losing his wife, and comforts Padme on being pregnant and compliments her, but he is just a jerk. Anakin would be dumb for joining Palpatine when his promise was vague, even though he is desperate, and feels rejected by the Jedi, Palpatine is his mentor and as he knows the Dark Side, he at least has a solution. Anakin would not, in fear, when Palpatine is acting vulnerable, attack Master Windu, who always rejected him anyways. Of course, once he, in a rush, attacks them, there is no way back. He is full of guilt, so he has to trick himself into thinking it was the right thing, which is why he is so loyal to Palpatine after this and know he is on the other side. His hatred for Democracy and the Jedi grow stronger. By the way, he cut off Windus hand, as it was an intense moment and he acted on aggressive instincts. He would have been wrong to whine to Palpatine that they were excluding him, according to CM, even though they were excluding him. It is, by the way, at that moment that Palpatine makes it even more obvious that he is evil. Since it is obvious, he reported him after figuring it out. He, at first, is angry at Palpatine for being a Sith, but he is still unlikeable, even though he almost cries as he is torn between saving the woman he loves and doing what is right, and there is no whining. Even when he whines in the sense, he criticizes himself, saying he wants more while he should not. That is bad, so Anakin whining about Anakin is evil. Matthew whines about him and so does Plinket, and it would be stupid that Palpatine kept shooting lighting to have it reflected back. It actually would make sense if he defended himself from Windu, who wanted to kill him. Windu deciding that was sporadic, they earlier on mentioned why they would have to kill him, so them wanting to arrest him seemed like a big continuity error. Fine, that is a fair point.
Anakin should apparently find it weird Palpatine orders him to kill all the Jedi, but he has figured out Palpatine is evil. He knows this is wrong, but he is trying to tell himself otherwise. Also, he knows Palpatine is the Sith Lord who controlled the war. He knows this is why he knows where the Separatist Leaders are. He is just trying not to think this through, as to justify doing evil things. Grievous would be dumb for not finding it suspicious Palpatine wanted to have the Separatists Leaders all in one place, even though he earlier on supported betting it all on one horse. Guess what? Here, that is actually how it works. He says it would have made more sense to split them all up. No, governments don`t disperse. They don`t function as governments anymore. During the Great Migration Period, the Imperial Court, as a whole, fled to Ravenna, during the Fourth Crusade. The whole Byzantine government left for Nicaea during the Mongol Invasion. The Imperial Government, as a whole, fled from one place to another.
Then we have the complaint that the Jedi could have done a Midi-chlorian test. No, you need a warrant that they could question why Palpatine was supposed to lead them in the war because he is the Chancellor. You know, the same way Roosevelt got extended powers in case the Senate and the people wanted him to? He says to tell him his term is up, but it was extended by the Senate. They have that power, and he got it as he, as the Chancellor, is their leader during the war. Again, emergency power, which is how Hitler got his power to deal with the crisis years. He says Jimmy Smith got to cast a vote of no confidence, which wouldn`t work. The Senate is on his side, so no one would support. He wouldn`t even have to fight for his position. The Senate would let him keep it, and if they want him to, he can. Again, Hitler was allowed to stay in charge longer and alter the Constitution. Again, like how a real Dictatorship is formed. He complains they don`t sense his inner feelings. He can block them and that doesn`t prove he is a Sith Lord, just that he isn`t weak-minded. The Force only works on the weak-minded, not on all people that aren`t trained in the Force. Maybe you need to re-watch the Original Star Wars. He also suggests they confront him out in the open, even though Palpatine has security. They wouldn`t need to show he was a Sith. They would openly show that they were attacking a Democratically Elected Chancellor. Matthew complains they don`t inform the Senate. Because the Senate will support Palpatine and if Palpatine doesn`t resist them, you cannot arrest him, as you have no proof.
He complains Grievous himself is filler, as there is no reason for Palpatine to have a leader for the Separatists, allowing them to end the war. He wants them to end, so the Jedi will want to force him away, allowing him to rule permanently. The Jedi think the Senate won`t have him step down because he controls them through their corruption, and they want to strike first.
Matthew complains Obi-Wan sneaks up on Grievous, on a loud beast, even though it belongs to the Separatists, so they don`t think it is anything to be worried of. He went up to Grievous to challenge him, as he wanted to keep him and the Droids distracted for when the Clones show up. He didn`t sneak up on him because with all the guards around, that wouldn`t work. Plinket complains he didn`t see the advantage of a gun, even though it is a common Original Trilogy trade of Jedis to be prejudiced towards guns. He complains Yoda isn`t more concerned when Anakin comes in sweating and nervous saying it would show he was hiding big secrets and in love with Padme, or, just as he said, concerned someone was dying. You know that might be a reason to be stressed.
He complains Nute Gunray is dumb, as in the first film he and his partners would be used in an obvious ploy. No, they were invading a planet, seizing power and Sidious seemed very determined. Then he got arrested and Plinket says he somehow reappears in “Attack of the Clones.” Actually, that was explained he survived 4 trials due to the corruption, and he joined Dooku, not just because he would kill Padme, which is why he stays with them in III. When Padme is yet to be killed, he and all the Separatist leaders were going to be able to blackmail the Republic. Some warships are destroyed, but this applies to the General's ships in “A New Hope” as well, and then in I, II and III, he is trying to extend his Federations power.
Matthew complains Anakin doesn`t mention feeling guilty of killing the sand people. He isn`t obsessing over animal rights, of course, but also Redlettermedia calls the Senate stupid, complaining that Palpatine's takeover was unrealistic, even though it almost takes step by step. Every element of real life takes over. The killing of the Jedi in order 66 is a reference to the night of the long knives, in which almost the whole top of the SA was murdered, which had Military power, kind of like the Jedi. They were associated to the Nazi party and Hitler, who had just gotten unconstitutional emergency powers, like Palpatine had them murdered without trial, and the German courts and cabinet quickly swept aside centuries of legal prohibition against extra-judicial killings to demonstrate their loyalty to the regime. Does this sound familiar? Yes! Palpatine had all the Jedi killed without trial and proving what he said was true. As the Chancellor with the power to maintain order cold, he uses his power to act quickly to prevent a coup and also the Jedi were planning to take control of the Senate to secure a peaceful transition. He could prove that easily by their assassination attempt of him. Moreover so, the Senate loves his rule and already gave him emergency powers. In this film, he’s given even more power and he already controlled hundreds of Senators and has been consolidating his power for years. Now with the Jedi dead, the Clones who are loyal to Palpatine, are the main security force. If they oppose him, he can kill them. Most of them are corrupt, as established, and he has the popular support. People will also support him because they like him, or because he indulgences their corruption. They know he will ensure their privileges and keep order, which they don`t know of the Jedi. Yes, he is starting a Galactic Empire, crowning himself Emperor, which Napoleon did after an assassination attempt on him, when he claimed the restoration of a more corrupt Monarchy would be prevented if he became an Emperor of a Dynasty. He comments how Palpatine looks like a monster and is wearing a dark cloak. His deformation comes from the assassination attempt. Napoleon, Augustus, and Hitler all wore casual clothing, right? I said, right?
In short, yes, the whole Senate is this stupid. That is the whole point. This is why Democracies fall: corruption,and willful stupidity. It is a classic piece of history that Lucas is one of the first to really analyze. This is commercial drama and fans of these films are idiots, who just like Light Sabers.
He complains why Palpatine didn`t blame the Jedi for taking over after prosecuting them before…because he needed to first have the power to be able to become Emperor after taking them out. Napoleon was also first to become a First Consul, and by the way, to stress how dumb governments can be, the majority of German governmental parties agreed to allow Hitler`s party to have basic dictatorial power, as well as the ability to stray away from the Constitution for 4 years. Even though with so much power they could make sure they could keep, and they had sabotaged previous voting efforts. Like with Palpatine, they blamed their enemies, the Communists, for that who were banned from voting. Hitler got unlimited power while blaming his enemies, while Hitler had more going against him then Palpatine. He mainly tried a coup a decade earlier and been arrested and imprisoned. He and his party had been a lot less casual in their violence. He didn`t hide his extremism nearly as much. Unlike Palpatine, he didn`t have the support of the whole army, yet he got to do the same stuff a lot more powerful than Palpatine did. This made complete and utter sense, like with how Bane takes over in “The Dark Knight Rises.” It says scary things about society, and by the way it is interesting how Redlettermedia in Honest Trailers complains Gordon sent all the cops into the sewer while he knew Bane was there. He suggests the Jedi do this with Grievous, while Grievous might be on Utapau.
He asks what if the Senate would have told Palpatine to resign. He knew they would not, and what if the Jedi hadn`t attacked them? He knew they would as he, through Anakin, had gotten a clear look at their suspicions. He knew the Senate would never tell him to resign, as he completely has got them under control. He asks what if Grievous escaped again. They will eventually capture him. He says now that the war is over, what motivation would the Jedi have to take over? Palpatine acts like they are power-hungry and Plinket says it is apparent by his actions he wants to take over, as he wants to remain Chancellor forever. He stayed Chancellor on the Senate`s request and only becomes Emperor to supposedly counter a Jedi take over, as well as to create order. Again, like Napoleon did, or Julius Caesar and Octavian, while opposing Pompey and Antony, get it?
Confused Matthew also complains that the Jedi couldn`t peacefully depose Palpatine like they did with Valorum. Because:
1. The Senate hated Valorum and loved Palpatine.
2. Palpatine is planning to take over and willing to fight for his powers, where Valorum isn`t.
3. Palpatine controls all the corrupt Senators, who were used against Valorum, but not him.
4. Palpatine has incredible excessive emergency powers that Valorum doesn`t.
5. Valorum wasn`t a Sith.
6. It is the difference between deposing Hitler and a democratic leader.
Matthew also comments they only discovered 3 dozen times that there was a conspiracy against them. No, Dooku, a traitor said it once.
Redlettermedia says they should have teamed up on one of the Sith, but that would have actually meant the other could contact the Clones.
Redlettermedia complains that in the ending, everything falls into place for the Originals. Yes, in the Original, Yoda and Obi-Wan were in exile, waiting for Luke to grow up, remember? They had been in exile, waiting, and this would go against their proactive thinking. No, it goes along with their patient thinking. They are a small handful of the remaining Jedi, so they hide so they can treat the only people who could defeat Vader and the Emperor. Vader continues to follow Sidious, after Padme`s death, as training in the Dark Side is all he has left to live for. Betraying him has little point now. The Dark Side is all he has. People on the Dark Side lie to each other all the time, and Palpatine got away with lying to the whole galaxy. That is what evil dictators do.
That is basically it for all the plot stuff. Matthew again complains we don`t know what a Sith is or how you become one because it isn`t literally said. Also, we don`t know what they want revenge for. Even though that is in the title, it isn`t their primary motivation. The title is just a nod to the expanded universe. Their main motivation is taken over and it is clearly hinted at in all 3 films. Anakin turns to the Dark Side after suffering through a lot with what is going on with him, Obi-Wan tries to save him from not turning, Padme is pregnant and doesn't know what to do with how Anakin is acting, Palpatine has finally gained all the power he needs, and Yoda has gone into banishment after his loss. I truly think this movie really did the saga justice and segwayed into A New Hope perfectly, which now we know why it's called “A New Hope.” This was a really sad and depressing story, as it showed, and I honestly was feeling sad when I was watching it. Since this is the climax of the story, it really shows and does a fantastic job setting up the Luke Trilogy and how he will be the one to help Anakin bring Balance to the Force. Like always, I was on the edge of my seat, really wanting to know what was going to happen next, and I felt so sad with how everything had turned out and how Palpatine had succeeded in turning the Democracy into a Dictatorship.
Redlettermedia says anything that isn`t new is borrowed or recycled. Of course everything that isn`t new, isn`t, well, new. The film does recycle stuff, as did “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” towards “A New Hope,” “Temple of Doom” and “The Last Crusade” to “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” T2 to T1, Spiderman 2, X2, Blade II, and Toy Story 2 all had recurring characters, setting, and vehicles. That is the point of making a franchise, and the Prequels have many new characters like Qui-Gon, Mace Windu, Dooku, and Grievous. Planets like Kamino, Mustafar, Corscant, new sorts of tanks, new armor for Clones, underwater cities, battle Droids, the Jedi Temple, seismic charges, rocket launching Droids, destroyers, Gungan technology, underwater monsters, Pod Racing, double bladed Light Sabers, jetpacks, and killer bugs. The Prequels nod to the previous films are such a crime that Iron Man 2, Back To The Future Parts II and III, Lethal Weapon 2, 3 and 4, Superman 2, Die Hard 2, 3 and 4, The Dark Knight, Lord Of The Rings 2 and 3, Shrek 2, any sequel out there may do this, but not the Prequels. You don`t like things that are different and they are too different from the Originals, right?
Redlettermedia complains that the lighting of Palpatine would be used in a video game gimmicky way here, like with Yoda and his Light Saber. This again requires very convoluted analyses of the Original Trilogy. He complains that Palpatine using force lighting would just be one of the many powerful things he could do. He could have just stopped Luke`s heart from beating, but that he wanted to torture Luke. This would make it pointless to use it in a fight. Here is the problem: Vader, Obi-Wan and Yoda all used the Force to do action-packed things, like move objects and they fought with Sabers. They didn`t just use the Force to break someone’s neck. This never happens in any action or fantasy movie. Doc Oc, for some reason, cannot use his tentacles to snap Peters neck, Zod cannot just shoot Superman. The Force in this one was utilized great with Anakin using the choke-hold, Palpatine and Yoda throwing those sets in the meeting room around, and the flying sequences where they leap in the air was just mind-blowing. About the Jedi robes, Luke specifically wore a cloak when appearing as a Jedi for the first time in Episode VI. Jedi wear very specific cloak like robes, you know. the kind Monks wear.
Now that we have covered the plot, as well as originality elements, more on Anakin`s character. Confused Matthew complains excessively in the end that Yoda is wrong, acting like Anakin changed and that Padme is surprised at him being evil. She is wrong saying he changed, as there would be nothing to twist, except for the part of him that risks his own life so he wouldn`t leave Obi-Wan behind, which worried Padme, and her dying complimented her, saving the Chancellor, fought against the Separatists that helped take down the assassin and so forth. He says that the awful things Anakin did were routine. He killed younglings after he turned evil and innocent children before, which he killed Dooku, an evil sadistic war maker, and sand people’s children, which were unintelligent, not self-aware, cruel vicious mindless monsters, so I see a difference. He then complains that Padme acts like he didn`t turn to the Dark Side in “Attack of the Clones,” where again he killed animals. Are you really telling me they seemed intelligent, have feeling or human in spite of Lars flat-out saying they aren`t? You know them growling and having acted animalistic without talking or showing emotion in every film. They were in there and living separate from humans. Then, he complains that Padme says he is a good person and then shows him killing Dooku, again a murderer, being whiney about being mistreated so standing up for himself, and killing animals and people. Standing up for yourself when you are being insulted and asked to commit treason equals being Darth Vader. Sure. Again, no commenting on all the good things he did at all. Then he gets angry when Padme says he changed, asking how, as he was always ranting people out. He is now threatening to kill people who disagree with him and chocking Padme. He helps commit Genocide. Threatening is different from complaining. Are you saying that if you were a dad and your kid complained that you told him to betray a friend, that you would call the police as he threatens to kill you? He would be blatantly traitorous, as he already supported a Dictatorship in Episode II. Again, there is a difference between violent, cruel and suppressive Dictatorships and enlightened Dictatorships. In fact, these used to be two different ideologies with supporters and people used to acknowledge these along with the fact that there is a difference between Nationalism and attempts at Genocide, and so forth. When people actually studied politics instead of having a super thin line between good and Nazi, when people actually thought on a three-dimensional adult level, and again there is apparently no difference between killing animals and people, so this whole rant fails as it relies on the earlier rebutted ideas. Anakin was never good in anyway because he never did nice things, which is a lie. He always did just evil thing, which only works if you don`t accept that there is something in between Jesus and Satan.
We have the complaint that Anakin chokes Padme, even though that is dramatic irony. He became evil because he loved her, but now that he is evil, he hurts her.
Redlettermedia says the tragic element from a character falling is getting to know them. We did establish that in the defenses of Episodes I and II. We really got to know Anakin well and here we see he is a very loving father, a supportive husband, very unapologetic about his marriage with Padme, loyal to his friends, like Obi-Wan, even in the face of death, he is courageous, and he is very principled, like when he doesn`t want to spy on Palpatine or kill Dooku. He is stubborn, rebellious and we even see he still is youthfully impatient, like when he cuts a hole in the elevator. He fights lovingly like a young warrior, he is polite, like to Bail Organa, very caring about the war, wanting to capture Grievous, and he is very scared about losing people. This is a human flaw that he has on the level of a child, as he lost his mother when he was still partially a child and he never had a good mentor to help him grow out of this. He has a sense of humor, like when he tries to out compliment Obi-Wan, so he has to go with the politicians.
We have one minute of dialogue about the screen adventure of Anakin and Obi-Wan after over 20 minutes of seeing one in detail, as fans say we didn`t see enough of. Yet Matthew complains that the opening shows their friendship and Anakin doing good things is pointless.
He complains the story of Anakin falling to the Dark Side wouldn`t be nearly as compelling as his redemption, which is a subjective complaint that can be aimed at any dark tragedy. You can say it in one line. In one line you can say Luke was confronted with his similarities to Vader, who turned out to be his father and then move from “A New Hope” to “Return of the Jedi” to skip the dark stuff. That is really thin. The reason it wouldn`t work with Anakin is because he wouldn`t feel real, as the script was rushed and not thought out, which he doesn`t clarify. You mean those points earlier? Oh, those, those were good.
Further on with Anakin chocking Padme, where he wasn`t deliberately killing her, as he remarked later, he felt she lived. He was torturing her, the person he loved he tortured, when she didn`t join him. Similarly to how he cut off Luke`s hand, even though when the evil Darth Vader still loved Luke, that is why he doesn`t want Obi-Wan to take her away from him. Similar to how someone who abuses a loved one can still want to possess this person. It is an abusive relationship. He assumes Padme took Obi-Wan with her to kill him, as she was already disagreeing with him, supporting Obi-Wan and Anakin as a Sith is rather paranoid. Matthew says Anakin proves he is just an insane person that needs to be locked away. After he became Darth Vader, but before that, he was just an angry teenager, while also a heroic Jedi, loving friend and father.
He says if he was, Obi-Wan wouldn`t have any memories of the good times. As demonstrated, they were there, so when he became insane is a reason not to do that, Vader was already insane in the Original Trilogy.
We have the complaint that Anakin`s big role is fabricated in the Prequels, where we didn`t see it in the Original Trilogy. He did dirty work for Governor Tarkin as well as being disrespected. If you really take a close look, his important role was undeniable in both “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” In “Empire Strikes Back,” Luke is the last hope of the galaxy because he is a Skywalker, with the exception of his sister. In “Return of the Jedi,” Luke mentions he is the only one who can defeat Vader. He and Leia are destined. “The Chosen One” idea was already present for both Luke and Leia in the Original Trilogy. Henceforth, as they inherited this from Anakin, he had to be a chosen one as well. In fact, in “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” Vader is feared by the commanders and is the personal favorite of the Emperor. “A New Hope” downplayed his role in a way that isn`t consistent with the Prequels, but not with either “Empire Strikes Back” or “Return of the Jedi.” In “A New Hope,” Vader still commands, many commanders leads the search for the Rebels, has his own special ship, and when he wants to fight Obi-Wan alone and lets the Rebels escape, the higher command was just disrespectful towards his religion, which is strange, seeing as how the Emperor is a Sith.
The relationship between them seemed oddly unstructured and the Prequels did not start this inconsistency. Anakin being immaculately conceived actually explains his force potential. The Emperor wanted to recruit him. Luke and Leia inherited this and had to stop him.
Luke and Leia weren`t small pawns in any way in “Empire Strikes Back” or “Return of the Jedi.” They were not even much pawns in “A New Hope,” where Vader`s role was more shrouded in mystery.
We have seen Anakin was likable and had a believable tragic turn to the Dark Side. This builds up well to the Original Trilogy. Now let`s look at the dialogue. We have defended the dialogue in the first two films, but the criticisms on the dialogue in this film are just strange. Because when Anakin meets Padme, apparently the dialogue would be wooden. Matthew just parodies it by sounding unconvincing. The criticism seems to be aimed at the pronunciation and performance with Hayden Christensen not sounding sincerely happy. Maybe because that was the point, he starts off being shocked, stuttering and repeating words. As he is shocked, their secret marriage might be revealed. He is young and is going to be a father. His reaction is supposed to be in between Homer's and a Catholic's finally. It gradually goes from shock to happiness. He immediately notices Padme is stressed, which is a nice touch of realism, as he knows her that well. It was actually a very realistic dialogue. The complaint that when Anakin tells Padme his dream she would die, that she starts to think about quitting being a Senator. That would be an underwhelmed reaction to Death. It’s also wrong, as Padme asserts later thinking it is just a dream. She obviously thinks Anakin is just scared of getting the child and tries to comfort him on it. Did they need to spell it out? The dialogue where Anakin tells Padme she is very beautiful would be wrong, as they would just be saying they love each other, even though they also share their joys of being parents. These were lighthearted moments, which we had already defended in our first review. If you remember, we said when they were on the balcony, Anakin comments on how beautiful Padme is and she says it's because she's in love and Anakin says that it's because he's in love with her. That's just cute flirting, which everyone has done with their girl/boyfriend and/or spouse. We see in other dialogue scenes, Padme worries about Anakin in the war. We see he comforts her on having a child, but characters also talking about their love, again like in any film, is on the nose. Even though Lord of the Rings, The Original Star Wars, Toy Story, Body Heat from Lawrence Kasdan or his The Accidental Tourist all have that text along subtext. The idea that real people would never honestly say what they felt, especially when in love, is just silly. Also, Padme says she is beautiful as she is so in love. With that, she means her loves makes her beautiful and Anakin says it is because of how he loves her, meaning his loves makes her beautiful. It is a typical “I love you, I love you more” conversation, and people have complained about this. Guess what? That is how real people, especially young ones, talk most. Don`t say “I know,” and then get the girl a therapist, which would tell you have a problem being open. Padme saying, “So love has blinded you” means that Anakin saying his love made her beautiful. This means that he would only see her as beautiful, as he is so in love, which is her finding it cured how overwhelmed he is by her. He is the more awkward one by saying that isn`t what he meant and she knows that, but says it is probably true.
Matthew complains that the talk between Anakin and Palpatine is slow, long and boring. Again, it isn`t much longer then a usual dialogue scene, and it is justified, as it reveals a lot of Palpatine`s character, his relationship with Anakin and builds up Anakins fall to the Dark Side. It shows the Sith`s view on the Jedi, so it is a longer dialogue scene that develops a lot of the characters. It is supposed to be dark and suspenseful, as we see Palpatines Dark Side. That is so horrible, and character development is boring now. So we need more action? No, that was also too long, and it is slow in spite of revealing a lot in a few minutes and…ok, next.
Then the scene where Palpatine reveals he is a Sith Lord, which is supposed to gradually reveal his full identity, is also too long, when being a few minutes, and being essential to both characters. Ok, I need a new word that is whatever times a million.
There were more really strong dialogue scenes in this film, like Anakin in the opening describing to Obi-Wan he is not leaving without him, calling him Master, and showing he still had a lot of the old reverence for a Master. What is really strong was Padme saying that it wasn`t a dream, but Anakin not accepting that, obviously. As with his mother, it became reality. Padme promises him she won`t die in childbirth and seeing he promises her subtly, showing he is already willing to do anything to save her, even when it is wrong. He is worried that Obi-Wan came by, as he is very suspicious of them not trusting him. What was really strong was him admitting he was arrogant after Palpatine told him of the power to prevent death. At that point, he was thinking about learning the Dark Side, as he mentions in the next scene. His principles still make him try to be a good Jedi, as he admits this is wrong in the next scene. It shows he was glad Obi-Wan trained him, Obi-Wan shows he was glad to train him and is happy with him. It is a nice light scene before they fight later, and this is believable, as we saw in the opening, the two have become very close.
Matthew again complains Padme had no reason to like Anakin because he was a jerk from the start and Padme had no reason to love him as he was evil from the start. All he did was rant everyone out, being whiney and complain about being meanly treated. As a teenager, or better yet a person, that he went off on Padme again, when she told him out, he stood up for himself, made blatantly traitorous remarks. No, he criticized Democracy in a very corrupt Democracy, and he killed a bunch of animals. Again, he says this is all he did. Basically, Matthew continues to repeat the criticisms of Anakin being a jerk for standing up for himself and not believing in mainstream political beliefs. He complains not being a tool and again he blatantly ignores all the kind, brave and selfless things he did. He stole Padme`s heart by comforting her, showing interest in her, saving her life twice, being a Jedi knight, and complimenting her. Get it?
Bourne had a lot of things similar to Anakin. He was being pushy, open, self-centered and an assassin, yet a woman loved him, same for Daniel in “The Karate Kid.”
The dialogue complaints are really thin. Also, we have the complaints of Redlettermedia that Lucas is notorious for not being an actor’s director, as he just treats actors by just seeing them as tools. Reviewreviewer1 has watched over a hundred hours of behind the scenes features just to rebut. Oh, he really needs to get a life.
The next complaint is another Lucas bashing complaint in a long list of complaints on Lucas that are contradictory, unfair, and biased. Let`s look at all the complaints while we`re at it, even though it is off the point:
1. People have complained Lucas doesn`t really direct his actors at all, which is based on the criticisms of his actors in “A New Hope,” “THX-1138” as well as “American Graffiti.” On “A New Hope,” his actors like Mark Hamil, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Anthony Daniels say he would just say faster, more intense and be critical and demanding. On “American Graffiti,” the actors say he would let them improvise lines, blocking and give no directions, and people have used this to say he is a bad director, as he doesn`t direct. They said that the actors saying this proves it, as they are a reliable source. This is really interesting, as this would mean he did give the actors a lot of freedom. Now that is a bad thing? Yet, if he, according to you, tells them what to do, he is too controlling. Really, he can never do it right.
2. He uses a clip where he tells Hayden Christensen he rewrote his dialogue, putting a thinking cloud above him which said, “I cannot stand this guy.” Again, interesting as directors and writers don`t have to consult their actors on everything and do quick rewrites all the time. Christensen is shown being open with Lucas, as well as McGregor with Lucas, even giving him the choice whether he wanted to do a stunt himself or not. Christensen constantly praised Lucas, but that praise and of the rest of the crew was all fake, right? However, all the criticisms are sincere.
3. Just wanting actors to act by your script and directions is what David Fincher does, who only directed great films, great acting and who called actors wonderful tools on the audio commentary of The Game. John McTiernan, James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Zemeckis, and on some films, Steven Spielberg did this, The Coen Brothers, Ridley Scott, and even Francis Ford Coppola all go a little beyond faster and slower by their own admission. In their case, it is great, right?
4. Lucas actually directed most actors tightly on his popular films. James Earl Jones, in some interviews you can find on YouTube, describes him directing him wanting a darker voice on IV and on V with a constant non seductive robot voice to convey he was really not human. On VI, he worked with Ian McDiarmid on the Emperors voice. We can see him in the documentary from “Star Wars to Jedi” telling Mark Hamil he specifically doesn`t take out his Light Saber and that he doesn`t want to fight. He was actively present on the set of both “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” working with the actors, on the Special Visual Effects and direction. He himself said he was on the set a lot and directed the second unit. This is meandering, but so he didn`t just hand over the acting to people who knew what they were doing. In another documentary, he even talks of how he likes the note acting, and wanted innocence in Mark Hamil and roughness for Harrison Ford.
5. Taking only the word of the people who criticize Lucas as fact is rather unfair. There have been a lot of arguments for credit, like between the writers and producers of Alien, as well as the actors of Aliens and The Social Network, saying these directors who are often cited to direct details left everything to them. Like with the actors on the OT, it gives them a higher status. What do we base on Gary Kurtz challenging Lucas? Gary Kurtz and Keshner being responsible for “Empire Strikes Back” we based on...well…Kershner.
6. Does anyone find it strange that Lucas would hire a newbie to work with little direction? I mean, Coppola, Scott and The Coen`s use veterans when they don`t want to direct. He would really allow a newbie to block the scenes?
7. When doing the Prequels, Lucas magically started to direct detailed actors, because we see him do it detailed on the behind the scenes. That is bad, but supposedly saying faster more intense is bad also.
Ok, let`s drop the nonsense of Lucas being a bad actors director. Again, a lot of people who didn`t like the film criticized Hayden Christensen and some criticized Natalie Portman, but really Ewan McGregor is just silly. That is just exaggerating. He is a friendly mentor, a jokey, and more self-confident, yet really shocked when Anakin turns evil. He can be worried and critical, but also comforting, and even angry. He got the sadness across, and he really had chemistry with Hayden Christensen, being very regretful and judgmental near the end, but also gets his sadness, caring and pride across in how he smiles with him, and how yells at him very intensely on Mustafar. Samuel L. Jackson would again be bland in these, even though he again acts very cold to Anakin with a mean voice. He can be worried, dark, and menacing like he was in “Unbreakable,” yet comforting when he tries to get Anakin to trust him and stay in the Jedi temple. He would be bland when he said that their worst fears had been realized. No, he would be depressed, just not horribly scared. He is a Jedi, and he is going to try and beat Palpatine before he can spring his trap. He is calm, yet worried.
Matthew compares this softer voice performance to him in “The Clone Wars,” but Obi-Wan in the Original Trilogy, and Gandalf, Mister Miyagi, most wise mentors talk like that.
Matthew says the performances would be wooden and lifeless in this film. As mentioned, Samuel L. Jackson and Ewan McGregor were great. Natalie Portman is really underrated. She really gets across the sadness, worry and confliction in her character, as well as the doubt, but also love, comforting and somberness. Hayden Christensen is also actually really good. He really could show the anger when he turned evil, the guilt, that scene where he kills Windu is fantastic, but also the frustration, rebelliousness, as well as his love for Padme. He did seem to really like her and acted comforting to her and really love struck. His and Portman`s performance, like in the last film, are really underrated.
To focus more on the tone, Redlettermedia complains the film is too dark. After II, it would be too light. “Empire Strikes Back” was great for being dark, which again also had comic relief and action. He comments this would supposedly be a series for all ages, so was Harry Potter. Do I have to comment on the earlier films vs. the later films?
Again, he, like many people, complain the comedy would be awkward and out of place, but the comedy in the opening was Anakin and Obi-Wan still being friends and was actually mostly more subtle and character driven. Anakin immediately cuts his way out of the elevator, showing he still has a young mind, he and Obi-Wan really work together as a team during the crash landing, and R2 being able to destroy bigger Droids is a fun contrast and classic Star Wars. There is little humor in the middle and final act, because those are really dark parts. The comedy helped show Anakin and Obi-Wan had become better friends.
Now the CGI would again be bad. No, it isn`t bad. The explosions in the opening, as well as the ships, look three-dimensional. The Droids look harsh, it all has detail and mass, and they even have moving shadows and the ships being affected by the sun conditions. In the opening shot, the sun comes from the left. We see the ship being dark on the right side and very light on the left side. The CGI in the Opera House was to represent moving light, like in an art house and it looked three-dimensional. Coruscant looks three-dimensional and it`s environment is also affected by the light. The plants on fantasy like planet looked organic, Utapau had depth, and the temple had detail, and was affected by nightfall. The visuals are detailed and vast, and there is nothing wrong with it being CGI, as it is done on a 110 million dollar budget by ILM. The result is fantastic.
Redlettermedias complaint about the blue screens restricting people is really weak. He mentions that there isn`t any exciting action when they discover Palpatine is a Sith Lord. Because Palpatine isn`t going to attack them any second. It isn`t supposed to create suspense, this was a character moment. Palpatine has to be killed and Anakin now has to choice between saving Padme and being a loyal Jedi. There is no action here, as it wouldn`t further the story, because action should further the story. Didn`t Plinket make a case for this in his review of “Star Trek: Nemesis?” He praised people walking down a hallway as exciting. Why, because it was about what the conclusion was going to be, what was going to happen? The stakes were important, similarly here, Anakin cries in the Council looking at Padme's building, which he can see, but he cannot see her. She looks at him as she senses something is wrong, he has to cry as he feels as though he has to become evil not too lose the woman he loves. This actually is a more subtle use of visuals, and Plinket criticizes the Prequels for being big video games, yet when they don`t have pointless actions, they are boring. If they try something new, it is too different, but borrowing elements is self plagiarism. When Anakin and Obi-Wan have an established friendship, it is show don`t tell. When he and Padme meet for the first time, they wouldn`t know each other, therefore not justifying a deeper connection. II is too light; III too dark, the Originals had a deeper meaning to them with the Force, yet when this film tries that with politics, it is boring and you need to keep it nice and simple, plot wise. Just being spiritually deep would be self plagiarism. Anyway, so now the actors weren`t restricted if they wanted to, they could have complex action, like in the opening where they fight Droids, Dooku or Grievous, but that would be visually tiring and too fast. Actually, they could film an action-packed scene with complex camera movement. Yoda and Palpatines fight, Anakin vs. Obi-Wan, there was fast music, stunts, explosions, they even had a whole pool set for a scene where they were swimming on Grievous’ ship. They didn`t even use that, but showing this in your review would not allow you to make Lucas seem lazy while he isn`t. You know what they call that…dishonest.
Just having the actors say the lines as well as they can and having the best lines is sometimes the job of a director. David Fincher, the director of Se7en, The Game, Fight Club, Panic Room, Zodiac, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, and The Social Network, on his audio commentary of The Game, said that visuals are meant to help tell a story and that sometimes you shouldn`t even use close-ups. The job of a director is sometimes to just get the best lines and have them said as well as possible. He also says actors are tools. They help tell his story, and that he even filmed scenes having actors sitting down, telling them they couldn`t improvise to get up. He is a director that puts attention into direction, cinematography, editing, lighting, set design, music and even sound design, while he makes some films largely without action.
Complaining Obi-Wan didn`t flinch at Grievous taking out all of his swords is really silly. He is supposed to be a trained Knight, yet he would be intimidated just by someone making a show of moves. Do the experienced heroes in movies ever do that?
The actors usually react a lot to their environments. Anakin and Obi-Wan run from destroying, and act stressed and overwhelmed when Obi-Wan is attacked by the buzz Droids. Obi-Wan feels the effect of his lizard making a large jump, and Yoda dodges laser blasts on Kashyyyk. Matthew again makes the ridiculous remark they would not look interested on Mustafar, even though they are grunting and look worried. When Anakin nearly breaks his arm in pain, and both look determined, you saying they look bored doesn`t make it so.
Redlettermedia then says the action is neat. He guesses we just don`t know or care about what is happening. Ok, so that means you take back all the hating on the action that was all untrue. How does the “New Star Trek” get praised for having all the exciting camera movement when apparently the action in these films would be visually exhausting? You agree that having action be more complex, and have rich backgrounds is good, because as established, action being fast, of course, makes it more exciting, fluent movement, and fast paced to put you in the real life fear. Complexities add realism and re-watch value, yet these films get criticized for that. The “New Star Trek” was a great action film because the action was all action-packed and fast, yet too much too fast would disconnect the audience. These films wouldn`t be exciting, yet they also have tons of action scenes. At the same time, this makes them mindless video games. Trying to add political subtext makes it boring, and the films should have even more action like when Palpatine is revealed to be a Sith, even when this would not further the story. This is more self-contradicting then Protestantism.
Then we have the complaint about the dialogue scenes. They just sit down or walk around and talk. Yes, as there are quiet scenes that are not about the action or visuals, but about the story and characters. That is why dialogue scenes are dialogue scenes. Many action films have plenty of scenes where people just talk, sit down and watch TV, have dinner, or take a walk. From the films of Lawrence Kasdan you love so much, like The Big Chill, Gran Canyon, Silverado, or even Body Heat and The Accidental Tourist, to every film from David Fincher, to Forrest Gump, where Forrest just sits next to Jenny as well as his mother, who are in bed and just chats with them, or when he just talks with his new army friend in a bus while they are sitting. Even M. Night Shyamalan films, where in “Signs,” the family just sits on a couch and at a dinner table, and a girl just does a confession sitting down. In “The Accidental Tourist,” we just have our main character walking with his girlfriends’ son to school. Remember your analysis in “Star Trek: Nemesis” when people walking down a hallway fits the story that is exciting. Even “Die Hard” had a scene where John McClane just talks with his wife, plenty of scenes actually. “Predator” has them just talk in a helicopter, “Gladiator” has Maximus just talk with Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, and Commodus just talking with his sister. In “Alien,” Ripley just argues with Ash while they are standing in a room. “The Abyss” from visual innovator Cameron, the war movie “Black Hawk Down,” from the visual artist Ridley Scott, “The Godfather Parts I and II” from Coppola, even “Apocalypse Now” has them tell Willard of the mission where they are just sitting at a table. Schindler`s List, Jaws, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, the original Indiana Jones films, even Toy Story, Shrek, Megamind, Pulp Fiction, Blade Runner, there are so many films where there is just people talking. He complains it isn`t just that they sit down, but the camera doesn`t move and they use shot reverse shots. If you look at any of “The Bourne Films,” you will see many political scenes with people just talking with a shot reverse shot. Harry Potter has this, every film does this. Every film has scenes that are just a drama on film. That is drama expect not every scene is visually exciting. The same way films don`t have music in every scene, only when it is fitting for the story and emotion. I thought that the dialogue in “Revenge of the Sith” was pretty heavy and emotional, especially with the dialogue between Obi-Wan, Anakin and Padme. This is the darkest chapter in the series. Yoda had some emotional lines, and the lines from the Emperor and Grievous were just so dastardly and cold. However, I liked the romantic dialogue between Anakin and Padme. I liked how reviewreviewer1 defended it when we first reviewed this series. I've never been in a relationship, but I am familiar with how they talk.
Redlettermedia says they just put people in front of a Green Screen to later make the background interesting. David Fincher just puts people in front of a set. Using A and B cameras are how most filmmakers should film a lot of scenes. He says there is a very basic language to cinema that is ignored. Language is to use visuals, like sound, when it furthers the story, not whenever possible, just to make every piece of silent drama exciting.
There are plenty of scenes in “The Original Star Wars trilogy” where they just talk. Luke tells Leia that Vader is his father, and they are sitting down with a shot reverse shot. Han comes in, they stand up and hug, and that`s it. Luke just has breakfast with Owen and Beru sitting down and stands up angry. He just sits and talks with C-3PO. He just talks with Obi-Wan in his house with a shot reverse shot until he, of course, gets the Light Saber. Vader just talks with the Emperor in his throne room. Lando just takes them through Cloud City and they talk. Han and Leia just talk in a room. He then shows clips of “Aliens” that would be visually exciting. USE AN ACTION SCENE. In “Aliens,” Ripley also just talks with Newt as she is lying in bed after just having breakfast with the soldiers. When they discover Newt, she just talks with her. When she hears her daughter died she is just sitting on a bench and there are some holograms to make it look exciting, added in post production. In “The Shining,” he shows a scene that was a horror moment. Again, you cannot compare that to a drama scene. Visually exciting scenes that also contain music and creative cinematography are usually comedy, action, suspense, or adventure, not drama scenes. Those are often very slow and quiet, so the emotion and personal feelings sink in.
He then tries to show how this was different in “The Original Trilogy.” Repeat one scene that was dialogue based, but not completely static. They had Vader being separated from a Commander by his Pod, showing he was less human. In the Original Trilogy, Han just talks with Leia in a hall about why she doesn`t want him to leave. When they kiss, they are just standing up talking. When Luke has just healed up and Leia kisses Luke, they are sitting down with over the shoulder angles. In the throne room scene where Luke talks with Vader in “Return of the Jedi,” they are just walking up to an elevator, they stop, Luke looks away, and it only gets visually exciting when Vader uses the Light Saber that is added in post production. They use Light Sabers to make the scene interesting. Yoda is just lying while dying and Luke talks to him. In “A New Hope,” he just talks with Han Solo in front of the Falcon. After Obi-Wan saves him, they talk with a shot reverse shot. He talks with Han, who leaves after getting his reward, with a shot reverse shot. Do I need to go on?
He then proceeds to compare it to a complex scene with a lot of different camera angles, comparing it to the battle of Hoth, AN ACTION SCENE. If you compare action scenes to drama scenes, the drama scenes look slow in comparison that…never mind.
When Vader reconciles with Luke, he is lying down and he is sitting above him with a shot reverse shot. When Luke tells Obi-Wan he cannot face Vader, Obi-Wan's ghost is sitting down and their talking with a shot reverse shot, or a Master shot.
They don`t use a visually exciting visual way to inform us Anakin`s mom had died. That would distract from the story. Bringing someone a drink and having them sit down when you bring bad news is a common way of bringing bad news. Everyone does that.
Then he comments on how if you have a set and actors, plenty of which were built for The Prequels, CGI was used to extend them. Things, props obviously, can make the scene exciting. He then again shows action scenes from “The Original Trilogy.” If you are going to use the Luke vs. Vader fight from “Empire Strikes Back,” then we can just reference the sword fight in Episode II with rocks thrown around, force lighting, and Yoda fighting. Wasn`t that a video game doppelganger? He shows the scene where Vader reveals himself, where they shoot, which is a surprising reveal, semi-action scene. A scene where Han punches Lando, other than that, that was a simple dialogue scene. Again, it is fighting that made the scene exciting. He mentions on the set lighting. The Prequels also used lighting, as we will discuss, but for now, David Fincher also said on his “The Game” commentary that in some scenes, they kept the lighting simple, as it wouldn`t further the emotion or story.
He comments framing, blocking and camera movement are ways to create an emotional connection with your audience. That is true, as are lighting, sets and props. You are right and these are used in varying scenes, just not in all. They are used a lot in varying scenes. Let`s look at a whole handful of examples:
In Episode I, Redlettermedia complains about one scene where they walk to a room at a flat angle. When the ship flew in, the camera moved with it and slowly settled down while the Droids appeared on screen. In the conference room, it moved with the Jedi fluently. This used camera movement, as it helped build suspense as well as complex framing. The camera zooms in on the Trade Feds as to build up the suspense of them being scared of the Jedi. The sets are very cold and metal like “Alien” style, conveying a very cold distant feeling, fitting the Trade Federation manipulative attitude. The lighting is shady and cold, adding to the build up to the influence of the Dark Side. The camera moves with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan when they are sneaking in the bay of the ship to reveal the Droid Army, again to have a suspenseful reveal. The camera moves from character to character in the political meeting on Naboo to indicate worry. It uses overall shots of many different characters and has warm marble sets, fitting the more natural beauty of Naboo. In the water, they have close ups to show the other-worldliness of the environment, and there was also a lot of intense zooming in and turning around the characters. In the Senate scene where Padme makes a vote of no confidence, as that was a very crucial scene, they had the camera move with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon and show them with the sunlight falling on them. While the sun is going down, it symbolizes their Master-student relationship coming to an end. They use props, showing Anakin guessed everything right when being tested.
There you have Episode I. It had very dramatic and suspenseful direction.
Episode II also had a lot direction. People say they could have used the camera moving and closeups to make a talk scene interesting. They do this in many scenes. In the scene where Obi-Wan and Anakin argue over protecting Padmé, the camera moves with Obi-Wan when he walks away, focusing on his character and how he is irritated. Then, when Anakin talks about his worries over his mother, the camera movies with Obi-Wan and becomes a close-up, focusing on how Obi-Wan is becoming more personal. Then, it moves with both Anakin and Obi-Wan inside, as the window closes behind them, showing Obi-Wan is trying to give Anakin closure as he gets him back inside, after he distanced himself. Also, it uses somber darker lighting to add to a very brooding feeling. We have a panning shot to Padme's window, seeing the reflection of the Droid to build up suspense, and the bugs slowly crawling onto Padme.
They did use complex camera angles and loads of extras and sets to shoot Anakin running after the assassin, moving with the characters, and being very fast. They didn`t just have them talk in front of a blue screen. He then walks into the Cantina and follows the assassin while the camera moves with him and shows the assassin sneaking up on him, building suspense. They used CGI to add to the set and show what games they are planning and what shows. They are watching, integrating the two and making the CGI a part of the framing.
There is a scene where Palpatine tells Anakin he is proud, saying his patience has paid off. It’s actually shot from a distance. You see a little of Palpatine at first. We see shadowy reflections of them and then the camera moves with Palpatine as Anakin follows him. This is also a visual way of indicating that Palpatine is already leading Anakin the same way the Emperor lead Darth Vader.
There is a scene a where Obi-Wan walks into Yoda training younglings. The camera moves with Obi-Wan and gives a large fast moving shot, focusing on the younglings. It gives a feeling of the size of Yoda's training reach. They take out a star map and the camera moves up, showing how endless the galaxy is. They move through the stars, we see the kids training with the laser ball props. Here they use props, camera movement, and framing and they make it dark. The background of Coruscant can still be vaguely seen, adding a mystical feeling. This is boring and a scene where Vader is sitting in his pod was visually exciting, ok?
When Obi-Wan enters Kamino, the light is intense, the aliens are large, it's shot from lower angles and have the shot quickly focusing on them, showing how overwhelmed Obi-Wan is meeting with the aliens he knows nothing of, who are expecting him.
On Naboo, the camera moves with Anakin and Padme through the environment, showing how at home they feel. They shoot them as part of the beautiful environment. When Obi-Wan is shown on Kamino, not only does the camera show from his perspective how overwhelming the environment is, but it shows kids wearing electric helmets for all sorts of training. Clones are all sitting and mindlessly cutting non-existing food. It shows how small Obi-Wan is in this large environment and even when he is just talking with them. In the background, you can see the Clones being vigorously trained. This used very detailed framing, even having the Clone fetuses in the background. Apparently this doesn`t count as it is CGI that is edited in later. So a part of the environment that is framed complexly is a part of the environment that is framed in a complex way. It doesn`t matter whether it is real or not. CGI is made to look real and sometimes elements in post production are full parts of the films, like the cartoon stuff in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” If it adds to complex framing and interesting visuals, how does it not count? You show “Citizen Kane” having stuff happen in the background, making the framing interesting. That was real, but CGI is made to look real and edited in to become a part of the scene. That is the point of integrating effects in post production. The sight of a whole army of Clones marching in exact formation while not immediately being used as part of an action scene was great.
Anakin rides around on a Dinosaur and the camera moves with him and Padme rolling around, showing how happy they are. The camera moves with Obi-Wan and turns back to reveal Jango Fett, it uses the storm in the background to build up the tension and has the camera zoom in on the two. The camera moves with Jango, and also Boba showing him hide Jango’s suit that Obi-Wan just walked by. In this scene, they use framing, direction, props and lighting to build tension in a stylish matter because this is supposed to be an important scene. It also uses dramatic music.
Anakin also uses the Force to make a pier move, showing how he plays around with his powers while the camera circles around the two. What did Plinket say? The direction is static and boring and there is no style to any of it.
On Geonosis, Obi-Wan sneaks into the base and the camera slowly revealed the overwhelming environment. We see the meeting with Dooku from a hidden perspective.
When Anakin breaks into the Sand People's camp, he has to cut his way into a tent and hide from vicious dogs. Later, he kills two sand people before cutting away after killing the third. Again, they have people do more than talking when it furthers the story.
Episode III uses its direction very well. When Anakin goes into the Opera House, he runs and the camera moves with him. They use framing and lighting well because Palpatine is again subtly shown to be the Emperor, telling 3 people to leave and they all immediately stand up. The environment is dark and the lighting from the Opera shines on both Palpatine and Anakin, which gives a very dark and brooding feeling. This fits the dark tone of this scene. They also don`t use over the shoulder angles, both instead focus on Anakin and Palpatine as a duo. Again, like the Emperor and Vader, they gave dramatic facial close-ups on both, and they shoot scenes from their backs, adding a mysterious feeling, and have close-up focus subtly on both.
In the scene where Anakin is frustrated about not being a Master, the camera moves very quickly with them and has shots filmed from very high, which is done in a lot of tragedies to convey loneliness and depression. They use very detailed shadows and when Anakin tells Palpatine about Obi-Wan facing Grievous, it moves with Anakin pacing back and forth, indicating stress. It is shown from Palpatine's perspective, showing how Palpatine is manipulating. Again, Anakin walks with Palpatine, but when Palpatine reveals he knows the Dark Side, Anakin walks away from him. Then, they are vertically opposed and the camera moves with both men turning, showing how Anakin is suspicious of him and Palpatine is trying to control him. Anakin draws his Light Saber and almost wants to stab him, reminiscent of how he holds up Luke`s Saber next to him.
There is another scene with Palpatine where he says he wants Anakin as a Master, where it is like they do a lot of shots from a distance. Scenes in Palpatine`s office sets up Anakin and the Republics fall. That is why they are always shot in a cold and uncomfortable manner.
The scene where Palpatine announces the beginning of the Empire has close-ups on Palpatine, frames him as elevated above his staff in the center of the Senate, which focuses on how large the Senate is and all applaud him.
We see the Jedi temple destroyed with the camera moving across all the destruction and the dead, showing the horrors of the founding of the Empire.
He complains the scene where Vader was born was cheesy, criticizing him talking about Padme, even though the point of this series is to show Vader is tragic and him having problems walking. This is a reference to “Frankenstein.” The monster-like appearance and he breaking everything after slowly rising was very dramatic and intense. It is used camerawork to slowly show him rise, and him using his force pull to take things down, showed his violent abusive side.
We have the complaint the final fight was too long, which is rather ridiculous, as it was built up for 6 films. That requires some payoff. He said in his Episode I review that it could have been 3 minutes. Was the trench scene at the end of Episode IV not over 15 minutes? Doesn`t the action at the end of “Return of the Jedi” have 3 different battles going on at once? “Terminator 2” had like 30 minutes of action at the end, “The Lord Of the Rings: The Two Towers” and “Return of The King,” “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2,” for the so manifest time. Redlettermedia criticizes the Prequels for things every film out there has.
There is a lot going in this fight. Obi-Wan is determined to take out Anakin to make up for his mistakes. Anakin unleashes all his old frustrations on this mentor, and we see how well they know each other by them constantly being exactly even in power. Anakin gives in more and more into the Dark Side. The difference between this and the fight in Episode IV and why this is longer and more epic is that this is between the two main characters of the Prequels, where that was between two supporting characters of one film. The drama in this film was so relatable. When Obi-Wan tries to make Anakin not turn evil and fail and Padme noticing how Anakin is acting and fears for him, it’s very realistic.
Especially at the end, when Obi-Wan breaks down and tells Anakin: "You were the chosen one! You were my brother, Anakin! I loved you!"
Anakin burns up and says "I hate you!" showing that he is completely turned into Vader, and now wears the slick black suit that we all know him for.
Matthew also says they look bored, when they again actually look determined, stressed and worried.
The complaint is it doesn`t feel real because it is CGI. It isn`t like both are in pain, get tired, barely hold on to the crane, get hit and the whole room really explodes. They don`t get bloody like in James Bond because it has Light Sabers. Star Wars characters rarely get hurt and bloody during sword fights because one cut is deadly. It is fantasy action. “Lord of the Rings” or superhero action is never that bloody either. It is yet another false comparison.
It would be too over the top. Again, any modern action film, like the first Matrix and Pirates of the Caribbean (not counting the over the top sequels), Inception, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and, again, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. He says the fight would be pointless. Then why did he ask for pointless action when Anakin`s mom was kidnapped or when Palpatine turned out to be a Sith? Don`t you dare say he wants the action to come in bits in a balanced way with the dialogue. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” did that as a safe action movie, yet they made “Temple of Doom,” using loads of blue screen, rear projection and models to make an endless third act, which he praises for taking risks and being dark. What, and “Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull” was too safe, but this is too dark? What?
Redlettermedia complained about the Light Saber duels, in general, saying they wouldn`t further the characters, like in the Original Films, citing the remark of Lucas saying that effects without a story are boring.
1. The average shootout or plane fight in the Original Trilogy didn`t always further the characters either. It is a bit arbitrary to only apply this rule to Light Saber fights.
2. The fight in Episode I was very important, as it showed the Sith reappearing, their desire for vengeance, Obi-Wan losing Qui-Gon and having to stand on his own. Now Plinket complains the fight is too choreographed, even though they are supposed to be well-trained, force sensitive Jedi. He also complains the Jedi couldn`t be this experienced, as the Sith had been gone for so long. It is called training and fencing. He complains that Obi-Wan still fights well when being angry. That is what it means to be a Jedi, to control your emotions, even in emotional moments and when losing important people. If every Jedi who lost a friend in battle would give into the Dark Side, then the Jedi order would do a bad job at training people.
3. It is true there wasn`t that much dynamic between Darth Maul, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, but there was with Dooku, Obi-Wan and Anakin. It was very similar to “Empire Strikes Back” as Dooku wanted to turn Obi-Wan. He’s frustrated by him not joining his side, he is taunting him, as he is Qui-Gon`s Master from an older age, and he shares his critical outlook on the order. Anakin has to save Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan learns to trust him. Anakin is talented but inexperienced, and Yoda is the wisest and oldest of them all. Yoda trained Dooku and shows him that in his arrogance, he falsely assumed that he was more powerful than any Jedi. Similarly, there was a lot going in the second fight between them, where Anakin has become more experienced and calm, gives in to his dark emotions to save Obi-Wan and Palpatine, and Palpatine gets him to kill Dooku. Or, when Palpatine finally unleashed his hatred against all the Jedi. Matthew also complained that the other Jedi didn`t fight back, but Palpatine did a surprise attack, and was supposed to be really fast. It is also interesting how Mace Windu shows his Darker Side and Anakin takes revenge on him. It is true that Windu flip-flopped and suddenly wanted to kill Palpatine. That was a continuity error. The fight with Grievous was important, as Obi-Wan showed his talents as a war hero and got a chance to end the war.
Matthew complains we wouldn`t care about the Jedi getting killed. Other people said that of the arena battle in Episode II. Aside from that, it’s tragic backstabbing and shows a culture of kindness being whipped out. Just how much did we know of the average rebel pilot that got killed? People complained only a few Jedi talked during the Council scenes. Again, this is also true for the rebel meeting scenes. Again, it is ironic how they are too boring when they show the Jedi`s their philosophies, expand the world and explain the political situation, injecting substance into the film.
Redlettermedia comments that the opening wouldn`t be impressive, as it was done using CGI, which most films nowadays use. Most films in the seventies used models. It doesn`t matter whether the technique is conventional. What matters is the final product.
This film brings back the dirty and broken down look from the Original Trilogy. The Clones’ uniforms are dirty, the Jedi temple is ravaged, Utapau is rough, Mustafar is totally grimy. It shows the cleaner look in the first two Prequels was indeed intentional to build up from a peaceful paradise to a war-torn Dictatorship. Every planet that we see is just in complete ruin. After all of the Siths have rid of almost all of the Jedis, Coruscant looks just like how Hogwarts looked in “The Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2.” It was in despair and desolate, which is a realm that looked like it went through absolute Purgatory, which shows since this is where the movie takes place mostly. Mustafar, the volcanic planet where Anakin and Obi-Wan have their last fight looks like it will erupt at any moment with those two on it. Of course, they wouldn't do that or else this would be the end of the series and wouldn't explain how the Luke Trilogy happened.
Redlettermedia calls the fight with Grievous consequence-less, even though it helps end the war, dull, even though he later admits it is well shot and complex, tensionless. Well, Obi-Wan almost falls twice, Grievous beats him up badly, and he even loses his Light Saber. It’s visually exhausting. Wait, you liked “Avatar” and the new Star Trek, right? Lame, that is more a childish term then a real criticism. He says it is unexciting, even though later he admits it is exciting. It has a Droid with four Light Sabers, a race, and loads of Clones and Droids shooting. How is it sterile? Both Obi-Wan and Grievous get tired and hurt. He calls it pointless, which is the same as consequence-less, so check that.
Speaking of General Grevious, I think he is done just great. Matthew Wood does a spontaneous job playing a robotic Sith, which we had never seen, and we had got something new in the series that was just fascinating. He's obnoxious, cruel, evil, sadistic, cold, and overall was one of the great villains in this saga, especially since Palpatine and Vader are the only Darths left in the Sith.
Matthew says the action would be repetitive. The action in the Prequels is repetitive, with an opening with rockets, buzz Droids, battle Droids, destroyers, laser stick wielding Droids, crash-landing a ship, a fight with Grievous who has four Light Sabers, racing, the use of laser guns, hand to hand fighting, the battle on Mustafar had lava raining, force pushes, the fight with Windu and Palpatine had windows shattering, Yoda and Palpatine use lightning, jumping, throwing Senate platforms. How is any of this repetitive and lacking tension? Obi-Wan nearly dies three times. He almost falls off with Grievous, he and Anakin both almost burn, just…whatever.
Lastly, Redlettermedia complains the film is edited too slowly, comparing it to the original cut of “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.” However, as said, a slowed paced and edited move was normal. Episode IV was revolutionary in its speed, as it brought energy and life into a dark and bleak genre and made it humorous and fun. However, the same way “Empire Strikes Back” went into dark territory, these films are very dramatic, tragic and political-based. That is why they are a whole lot slower. Also, they use slower editing in very atmospheric scenes. They also have energetic and tension filled editing, like in the scene in Episode II were Obi-Wan questions Jango Fett. It edits very fast during close-ups, building the tension of Obi-Wan being on to Jango. They use very energetic editing in the scene when they’re looking for the assassin in the bar. There is a very sudden editing in the scene where Palpatine takes over, and it crosscuts Palpatine taking over as a seemingly wise ruler, with Anakin his Apprentice, murdering all his enemies, Padme’s perspective and the editing in the scene where Obi-Wan discovers Anakin turns to the Dark Side is dramatic and fast, adding to the shock it is for Obi-Wan. The scene where Anakin tells Yoda his dream, they use shadows, the light coming in, and a very stressful editing with it dictating the rhythm of the scene. The camera zooms in on Anakin when he gets the news, he has to let go everything. He is afraid to lose. All around, the characters' arcs were successfully completed. Anakin has now completely changed, Padme loses the will to live and dies after giving birth to Leia and Luke, Obi-Wan hides away in Tatooine to meditate and learn more about being a Jedi, and Yoda goes into banishment, which is why he was the way he was in “Empire Strikes Back.” It was sad to see these characters turn out the way they did, but since this is the darkest chapter in the series, it shows.
In short, there are no plot inconsistencies and the dialogue is actually realistic, being appropriately serious and awkward for a teenage romance. The technicals of the film are great as well. Plinket says the biggest problem is these films failed to relate to people, which:
1. Is argumentum ad populum, which means his review of “Star Trek: First Contact,” a film loved by almost all critics, Star Trek fans, and even a large general audience is wrong. It related to people. Using argumentum ad populum basically means you condemn individual thinking, as well as self-expression, taking risks and creativity, all crucial aspects of art.
2. You criticize this for not being art. You say this is commercial diarrhea, but the reason this would not be art is because it just has mindless action. At the same time, it doesn`t have enough action, meaning it’s not just big video games. The films tackle many different subject matters of politics, spirituality, and love. They are full of political allegory. Redlettermedia doesn`t even get, as he never read any books. He doesn`t even get spiritual allegory, as he doesn`t get the idea behind celibacy. They are full of scenes of characters just talking. He calls these movies sellout films, but he criticizes them for not doing basic commercially sound things, like having Episode I have a teenager exciting, make the protagonist the teenage crowd likes. The first film didn`t have a teenager as the star and didn`t follow a conventional structure. It wanted to introduce Anakin as a secondary character, slowly making him more important, and made II and III about him and Obi-Wan. Similar to how “The Prince of Egypt” is about two brothers. The films aren`t structure just as commercial films, they do have a reason for being made. They are about something. About how Democracy dies because we willingly give it up, as we see with Palpatine being applauded when he starts the Empire, the way Hitler was applauded. We see most tyrannical governments are based around false promises, as Anakin kills people while Palpatine declares The Galactic Empire. We see the system fails as the Senate acts out of their own selfish interests as they support Palpatine out of fear for instability. We see often wars are a symbol of unwillingness to stand for how hard it is to protect morals. Padme says the war represents an unwillingness to listen. It comments on Pragmatism, the same way the Jedi betrayed the people in the last film, lying about the Clones to the Senate along with Palpatine. Here, they want to take over and even kill, which violates Jedi rules. They mistreat Anakin, forcing him to spy on a friend. This backfires, ending in their prosecution. Also, this ties into the theme of fear. Anakin gives into fear even more in this film. This film really brings all the themes of the series to fruition. Anakin is told he should distance himself from what he is afraid. To lose as a death is a natural part of life, and rejoicing with the Force is nice. His fear leads to jealousy and greed of losing Padme to the point he is interested in joining the Dark Side. Then he kills Windu and out of fear for the guilt, it causes him to permanently fall. He also is afraid of being excluded. As a result, he only gets more into conflict with the Jedi. It is what they call a self-fulfilling prophecy, which is in fact made literal by Anakin having premonitions of Padme dying. He joins the Dark Side for this, and as a result chokes her, which along with a broken heart, kills her. The Jedi, like in the last film, act out of fear with how they mistreat Anakin. These aren`t meant to just be mainstream films. They analyze many deep themes, like corruption, fear, pain, and pragmatism, which actually inspired “The Dark Knight Trilogy” very strongly. Judging them on mainstream appeal is wrong.
3. The idea that these films would be commercial films, as they have a lot of action, is wrong. It is a deep tragedy, merging elements with fun blockbuster action. Again, like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, all of these films also have politics, hardcore violence, slow talk scenes and love stories for the women. Love serfs the personal and political tragedy, the same way the action does. Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter also had kiddie humor, before you say the humor was more subtle and adult.
1. Jar Jar and the kid stuff are only in the optimistic Episode I.
2. Check the Nostalgia Critic's comments on Gimli and Legolas in his “Top 11 Dumbest LOTR Moments,” or just watch any scene from Harry Potter. Now the humor there also was very childish. I mean, “Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone” had a theme centered on death and starred a little kid who even dealt with his parents death, burns a guy’s face off, at the same time visits a bank with trolls, vomits a Snitch and deals with talking letters. They got a lot of action and eventually a romance in the later films in there too. The later films, in which there is more murder, still have fun fantasy slapstick.
4. He opens up his review pointing out this film got great reviews and Episodes I and II still were giant box office hits. If we are judging this as entertainment, it’s the most important. If we are judging it based on its appeal to fans, this related to a whole new generation of supposed mindless action fans. Both films have ok-to-good ratings on IMDB and with critics and audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. They aren`t universally hated, just a big group old school fans hate them.
5. Just because people didn`t get the themes in these films don`t make them bad.
6. The complaint is the films don`t have a 1 character formula. This only means the films are all the more unconventional and original. The romance would be too clichéd, right? Appreciate something more complex. The characters would be dull, like Padme and Obi-Wan in this. Like in the last two films, they are serious and dramatic, but they do have a lot of development. Obi-Wan is even witty and cocky in this, but that would just make him dumb. Really, make up your mind. Let`s look at the romance, supporting characters and character driven themes in this:
Obi-Wan is a happier mentor, more supportive, jokes, and fairly gives Anakin the credit he deserves. He is courageous and protective, yet still critical of Anakin and not outspoken against the Council’s harshness enough. Anakin turns evil and, at the end, he is honest, admitting he failed Anakin. He’s also sad, disappointed, angry, and confronting, yet he becomes the old Ben we knew, realizing his mistakes and becoming more hopeful and calm. He will be trained by Qui-Gon, whose teachings are a lot like old Obi-Wan's. He will become more free-minded. Matthew and Redlettermedia don`t appreciate that twist, which only shows how they never got the characterization in these films. Qui-Gon thought in the moment and focused on love. This is how he became a force ghost and he taught this to Yoda and Obi-Wan, who would be wiser in the Original Trilogy. There is nothing wrong with this being a last minute reveal. “The Sixth Sense” ended with Bruce Willis being a ghost, and Deathly Hallows Part 2, only at the end, reveals the Elder Wand belonged to Harry. Redlettermedia complains murdering men learned this tactic…isn`t that more of a strike at “Return of the Jedi?”
That is a theme from this film carrying on from the first film. You should think for yourself and stand up for what is right, as Obi-Wan doesn`t do with Anakin. He only listens to the Council and their pressure. He blames Anakin for being close to Palpatine, defending the Council's position, even though he admits to the Jedi that Anakin has never let him down. He also saw Anakin was a great friend in the opening, yet he tells Anakin that if, asking in name of the Council, he can spy on a friend. He accepts Anakin not being sent with him to Utapau, leaving him to feel rejected and be more manipulated. In the end, he has to admit he failed as a Master. Sometimes we have to accept advice. The flip side of the coin is Anakin should have listened to Yoda and Windu telling him to not give into fear and Padme telling him to remain good because this way, he loses his friends.
Padme isn`t bland either. She loves to become a mother, is optimistic and comforting to Anakin, wants to be honest in their relationship, but is worried of when people find out she is married to Anakin, she is very sad when she thinks Anakin is feeling bad. She also grows to see sometimes war is unnecessary and that people use violence and propaganda to seize powers. She discovers Palpatine, her old mentor, is corrupt. Also, she is overwhelmed and shocked by the fact Anakin has turned evil. She, at first, goes into denial, then becomes angry and is stern, like Luke refusing to turn evil, but she isn`t as strong as Luke. She becomes so sad that she loses the will to live. Matthew says this is unlikeable of her, as she had two kids, but she did love them and gave them up to good people. As sad as she was, living for them wouldn`t have meant she could have been a good mother. You can die from depression. This actually happened to Philip V from Macedon. Also, she had been chocked and was giving birth. She didn`t die from a broken heart when Anakin killed the Sand People, as they are not sentient. For possibly the only time, we see Leia's adoptive father.
This film really completes the theme of love. It shows following your feelings can be good, but that becoming too attached can make you possessive, like Anakin, or just totally depressed, like Padme. Honesty is important. Anakin doesn`t share his plan of turning evil with her. It turns out that is what kills her. It shows that with Padme, failing to persuade Anakin, that listening to our loved ones is important, as they truly know us.
Matthew, in his “The Clone Wars” review, says the characters were empty in III, showing Palpatine. How is Palpatine an empty character? How more than the Emperor in the original trilogy? He is seductive, manipulative, methodical, sadistic, power-hungry, cruel, oppressive, hypocritical, and vengeful. We subtly learn, based on how important the story of Sifo-Dyas is to him, that he was trained by a powerful Sith Master, who could save people from dying. He murdered him to keep the secret for himself. We very subtly get to know the back-story of the man who could cheat death.
Mace Windu is deepened in this further as well, being shown to be distrustful, pragmatic, cruel, and harsh, and also worried and authentic.
The film really had a complex smart story, deep themes, and characterization. It`s characters weren`t bland, and it was about something.
7. It is ironic that “The Dark Knight Rises” as well tried to show it is people’s willingness to side with corruption that causes society to fall. That really is shown in these films. In the realm of sophisticated cinema, people didn`t get it in that film either. Yes, the people in Gotham were stupid, willfully stupid, greedy, vengeful and pragmatic. That is the whole point of that film and this one. That is how Hitler came to power. He was elected. That is how many people supported Communist revolutions.
8. He complains that Star Wars was about the people and the characters. So are these films, as well as about complex stories and deep subject matter.
9. He said we liked those characters. Again, that is subjective. The characters in these films are deep as well. They are just serious and dramatic, not witty and exciting. If that isn`t your taste, that is your problem. It shows that actually it is hypocritical to accuse Prequels fans of not being sophisticated enough. Not liking serious characters is unsophisticated. It is similar to how people don`t like the James Bond or Batman reboots because the characters are dark and brooding. Those are great films that also have complex stories, political themes, and at the same time, action, comedy and romance.
10. He complains Lucas sucked all the excitement out of Star Wars. It is still action-packed and fantasy-filled. It is just dark and dramatic, like more modern films are. As you showed in your review of the Star Trek reboot, that isn`t the approach of a sellout.
11. He says the original films had richness to them, as they felt more real. Ok, so the romances being awkward, teenagers whiny, spiritual monks serious, and a Republic becoming a Dictatorship through inside corruption isn`t real?
12. Then he does more argumentum ad populum saying no one, with the exception of all the fans that do like the Prequels, most of the new generation you call unsophisticated for liking serious characters. Remember anything in the Prequels? I think they have plenty of memorable moments, as Anakin was very deep. Seeing him lose his mother when he is alone and stressed as a young teenager, when his biggest fear was death and he dreamed to see her again since he was a kid. For the first time, he’s vengeful, killing all the sand people while he has a Jedi code, then confessing this to Padme and her understanding it because she is a motherly figure. All of this was memorable. Also, he still defended Obi-Wan from Dooku. Then in III, he is willing to die with him on Grievous’ ship. He later admits to Obi-Wan he was arrogant, as he is trying to be a good student, but later smiles awkwardly as he learned that the Dark Side can help. He almost cries when he discovers Palpatine is a Sith Lord because his father figure, while he never had a real father, turns out to be evil. While the Jedi don`t except him, and he needs help, yet is angry at him, but almost kills him because he is loyal to the Jedi. Anakin hesitates to kill Dooku, even when Dooku almost killed Padme and Obi-Wan, and chopped his arm off. Obi-Wan is worried about Anakin going off on his own, as he is too stern and protective. In the first film, opposite from how he is in “A New Hope,” he's very orthodox and strictly follows the Council and doesn`t want Qui-Gon to go against the Council. Qui-Gon simply says he will do what must be done. It is the right thing. Or in Episode II, Obi-Wan tries hard to be a good mentor and comforts Anakin on the nightmares of his mother. Anakin, as a cocky male teenager, just nods, as he is clearly afraid to be vulnerable. Or, the part where Obi-Wan decides to stand up against Yoda, as he is loyal to Qui-Gon, and wants to fulfill his last wish. Or, the scene where Anakin’s mom sees how talented he is and realizes she has to let him go. Or, the scene where Palpatine takes over under thunderous applause, shattering all of Padme's belief in Democracy, or the part where Palpatine becomes Chancellor by using the innocent Padme, using her responsibility for her people to have her turn against Valorum. Also, C-3PO flying around in the Droid factory is no different from his slapstick in the Original Trilogy. There were many memorable moments as they had emotional or philosophical death.
13. He says in the end, all the computers in the world can`t create the most important thing in the world, an emotional connection with the audience. Well these films used a lot of CGI, but as there were less action or effects centered scenes, as compared to dialogue scenes, then in the Original Trilogy, as you pointed out, it is a deep character study. It just isn`t formulaic or general audience pandering, meaning it clearly isn`t just made to make money and your arguments cancel themselves out.
14. Lastly, the idea that these films were just made by Lucas to make money has to be committed on some more. The reason would be because they are bad. Yes, failure always comes from lack of trying, because they clearly pander to audiences, even though they don`t follow a mainstream formula, contain politics and many dialogue scenes. Because they contain a lot of stuff that can be made into toys, well it is a rich fantasy world. This can also again be said of Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, because they merge many different tones. Some films merge many genres. It adds to the complexity and these films are supposed to show how an innocent kid becomes an evil adult. Again, Harry Potter! Because Lucas didn`t work hard on them, even though he wanted complete creative control, and wrote and directed them himself. If he just wanted money, why didn`t he do what Warner Brothers did on “Batman and Robin,” which was to hire directors and writers, have them do the work, just to have them make it kid friendly and add a lot of product placement? Why put in all of the politics and serious adult characters, and stuff like celibacy? Lucas often relies on merchandise sales, as he has always wanted to make very ambitious films with innovative effects, which cost a lot of money. Yet he, unlike people like Peter Jackson or Steven Spielberg, wanted to be an independent filmmaker, meaning he funds his expensive films himself. People say he can just rely on the profit of his films. Then he as artists who couldn`t take risks as one failure and you’re out. In fact, Francis Ford Coppola, who wanted to be independent, didn`t rely on merchandise sales even though he made The Godfathers Parts I and II, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now. After the failure of one ambitious film “One from the Heart,” he was in debt, bankrupt, had to sell his studio, and make mainstream Hollywood films like “Peggy Sue Got Married.” He had to make a sequel he didn`t want to make, The Godfather Part III, an awful third film that ruined a trilogy, just so he could not have to go to court anymore. Lucas relying on merchandise can simply mean he doesn`t want to go bankrupt and stay independent from the system. Wanting to be an independent filmmaker with all of the risks involved, only using your company for your own films, becoming the system to freely tell your own stories, which sounds like someone who is an artist first, not a businessman. The attempt to make him both a bad artist and businessman, and not even human, shows a very immature desire to hate on someone who simply made films that disappointed you. It is mean-spirited and self-contradicting.
By the way, your assumption on Vader's red Light Saber was unique. It’s just that it’s an assumption. There were going to be more people on the Dark Side. Unless Yoda was wrong and the Dark Side is stronger, that would mean they would need to use Light Sabers. They probably wouldn`t want blue or green ones.
Overall, all the Prequels were great, as all the Star Wars films are. For a quick overview on them:
“Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” was a great start, but objectively still the weakest. Although it had great action, innovative CGI, a great score and it laid the basis for the story and had deep themes, there were some plot holes. Like as Plinket said, if the order is to wipe them all out, why take prisoners and why cast a vote of no confidence if you are going to go back? Qui-Gon was a really deep character, as were Anakin and Padme who had deep arcs and back stories, and Palpatine was well developed. The dialogue was actually really good, but Obi-Wan was a bit overplayed as unlikeable. The criticism where he didn`t like Anakin enough and he, like as he said in “Return of the Jedi,” should have helped Qui-Gon in making Anakin a Jedi, is true. However, it had great direction, was original, and Ian McDiarmid, Liam Neeson and Natalie Portman were great. Although the Midi-chlorians, as said, do indeed destroy the idea behind the Force, it is an excellent film, although a bit flawed and reviewreviewer1 gives it a 9 out of 10. I still think that it was unnecessarily nitpicked at and I would give it a 10+. I honestly think it's not the worst in the series, since I don't like one Star Wars film over the other. I think all of them are equally good as one giant epic movie.
“Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” was an outstanding masterpiece and actually a perfect film. It`s plot was the most complex and it set up so much of the series. The origins of the Death Star, the Clones, Owen and Beru’s role, Palpatine's political rise, and it had a great mystery plot, and it was a great intellectual action film that bridged the period of peace to war in the Prequels. It still had a lot of great action, the best CGI ever, a great score, Mace Windu was deeper developed, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Padme all were deepened further and had complex arcs and relationships. It had a subtle villain in Palpatine and menacing, deep human villains in Jango Fett and Count Dooku. The film had deep themes about arrogance, pragmatism, love, fear, political take over, military corruption, and good mentorship. It had a really deep love story, great realistic dialogue, strong serious acting, and dramatic and fluent direction. Also, it combined a dark tone with lightheartedness well, and combines many genres. It gets a 10+ as it is truly one of the best films of all time and the best of the Prequels, in the respected opinion of my partner, reviewreviewer1.
This film, “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of the Sith,” is also great and one of the best films ever. It was even darker, had great atmosphere, fantastic action, and deep characters and continued the deep themes of the last two films. It had a complex plot and tied all the films together. Also, it has great music and acting. However, it didn`t build up to the Originals as well as Episode II did, cutting out the scenes where we see Bail Organa, played by Jimmy Smits, start the Rebel Alliance with Padme and seeing how Palpatine is appointing Governors was a big mistake. It removed scenes that tied up many loose ends and connected the two trilogies tighter. Matthew is right that Obi-Wan was cruel to leave Anakin to slowly burn and you know he might live and terrorize the Galaxy. However, it was still smart as well as exciting and reviewreviewer1 gives it a 10. It is a fantastic film. I personally think that this movie is the best of the all the Prequels, since I enjoyed the dark tone of it and I would give it a 10+. I didn’t mind all the flaws, since this one doesn’t get attacked at as much as the other two do. In the end, I personally give this film credit for taking risks and really setting up the climax to the saga just perfect. It set up the Luke Trilogy great, and now we can make sense of the Original Trilogy in places that we felt lost. Of course that wouldn't be complete if George Lucas decided to leave everyone thinking in their heads what happened with Anakin. Hands down, amazing movie, and I really look forward to watching these films again when I get the chance because I would like to refresh my memory on what happened before they release 7.
Thank you everyone for joining in on our defensive and praised reviews of the entire “Star Wars saga.” I know that the Prequels were long reviews, but reviewreviewer1 did a lot of research, and I highly recommend you go check out his reviews on his YouTube channel.
Stay tuned tomorrow when I review the third in the “Shaft series.”
Time for the finale of “Shaft Month” with the last sequel in this series, “Shaft,” released in 2000. Let’s see…JohnR. McEwen said in his review, “Nope — there's nothing in Isaac Hayes's song about a believable plot, so I guess Shaft does its job.” Samuel L. Jackson is as fascinating as anyone would want, John Singleton’s directing is action-packed and full of New York atmosphere, and the music is extremely street-cool. Also the people, even those other than the famous title character, are interesting and varied, featuring excellent performances by co-villains Christian Bale and Jeffrey Wright.
