Again, people were nitpicking the plot to death. Redlettermedia complained very few things were adequately explained. He says anyone can pose as a Senator, replace a Senator or even independently suggest legislation. Yeah, it is a faulty system. Representatives have too much power. He says that pretty much all we know about the Sith is that they are bad guys. Again, in the Original Trilogy, the Sith were also the leaders of the Empire, yet were never named. Here, their plan is to take over the Galaxy and form the Empire. They do this out of an obsession with power. They manipulate multiple parties, despise the corruption in the republic and how the Jedi are dogmatic and narrow. He asks if they are all ex-Jedis. I could ask that about the unnamed Dark Side users in the Original Trilogy. Again, the Sith are a hidden subtle threat. Voldemort’s back story is also more subtle in the Harry Potter books and movies. Can people no longer appreciate subtlety?
Matthew again complained that Padme’s vote carried so much weight, even though she was the leader of an opposition movement.
Confused Matthew says he is confused at the Opening Scroll, as it stated thousands of systems have been leaving the Republic and this has made it difficult for the Jedi to maintain peace and order. He doesn`t understand why an army is seen as a solution, as he claims they just want to leave. No, the scroll says this Separatist Group is not a solution. The situation is making it difficult for the Jedi to maintain peace. It is not oppression and subjugation, as Matthew called it, it is a self-defense method to gather an army. You can`t just leave a nation. He acknowledges that the US Government wouldn`t want people to leave it. Right, this is why the Civil War was fought. He backtracks in his “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” review, saying that leaving the Republic is not like leaving a nation, but more like leaving the UN or the EU. Then why is it called the Republic? Does it have a chancellor, a senate that debates tax laws and a national peacekeeping force?
Mathew also complains the Jedi support the formation of an army. He questions whether that is what peace and justice is to them: stay in the republic or die. No, it is “don`t leave and then start making transgression or we will fight back.” Also, the Jedi follow the government of the Republic. He says it is great they don`t lift a finger to help the slaves on Tatooine. Precisely, because that planet was never a part of the Republic to begin with. Are you again suggesting they invade and subjugate it? If so, you should be happy they are forcing these systems to stay, because if they left, they could abolish anti-slavery laws. Many Middle Eastern and African countries temporarily reintroduced slavery when the Europeans left. We see they are rather barbaric as they hold Gladiator style games, which Lucas was probably inspired by "Gladiator" to include that part in the movie. In fact, the Trade Federation supports them, who invaded a peaceful planet in the first film. In fact, they are trying to assassinate Senator Padme because Nute Gunray wanted revenge, which is certainly provoking war. The Republic is corrupt and a mess. That is part of the themes of these mindless action films where a Democracy destroys itself from the inside. Just look at the Weimar Republic in Germany, the late Roman Republic, or various Democracies in the thirties. The Jedi make the mistake of being too pragmatic to keep peace and order. They act out of the fear; they condemn and not focus on the here and now, as Qui-Gon said. The troll Garamonde also complained it is never explained why they are trying to kill Padme. Yes, they did. Nute Gunray wanted revenge, which nicely ties into the first film. Matthew complained Obi-Wan and Anakin dealt with a border dispute instead of helping slaves on Tatooine. Again Tatooine is not a part of the Republic. They are the guardians of truth and justice in the Old Republic. By the way, border disputes can result in wars where people die. This clearly shows the Separatists are causing trouble. He complains Palpatine asks whether it will really come to war, saying they just want to leave. No, they are being aggressive. Aside from Czechoslovakia, what separation ever happened peacefully? We will see later on they are building an army of Droids. They even capture Obi-Wan, then Padme and Anakin when they try to rescue him. By the way, this made for a fun growing escalation.
Confused Matthew later on complains it is never stated what the demands of the Separatists are. Considering the Trade Federation was joined by the banking clan, obviously it is money and power. It is plain extortion, just as they did in the first film, when they wanted control of a planet and rebelled against tax laws. People often complain this was too vague. Again, Sauron just wanted to conquer, Voldemort wants power, the dark elves wanted to spread darkness, and Hydra wanted to take out all political opponents they disagreed with. Hitler wanted power, money and conquests, as did Stalin. They later have Obi-Wan tell them they are preparing an Army to attack. He questions why? Money, chicks, power and chicks…you get it. In “The Godfather” films, the gang wars are also just about a vaguely defined objective of taking over businesses. Magneto just wants Mutant rule. The Empire in the Original Trilogy just wanted power and to kill Rebels. In the “Family Guy” parody, Luke asks why they are fighting the Empire, needing more reason then it isn`t a democracy. Then the battle rages on, he again questions why they are fighting.
Redlettermedia also claims that about the Sith. All we know is that they are bad guys. Again, what more did we know about the unnamed Dark Side users in the Original Trilogy or the Imperial Officers? We know they are secretly using corruption to take over the Republic, clouding the Jedi’s judgment with the Dark Side, they work in secret, follow a strict master-teacher relationship, and that they think their belief in the Dark Side makes them stronger. He asks if they are all ex-Jedi, a question that could once again also be asked about the unnamed Dark Side users in the original trilogy.
What did we really know of the Nazgul, the Frost Giants, the Death Eaters, or the Hell Fire Club? Also, he complains the prophecy is unexplained, asking who wrote it and when. Who and when predicted Luke was the last hope who had to stop Darth Vader? When in the Harry Potter books and movies is it explained who and when prophesized Harry’s destiny. He complains it is unclear what bringing balance to the Force means. The movie allows us to interpret it philosophically, but as we later discover, it is also destroying the Sith. It is clearly putting an end to the Dark Side, which shrouds the Jedi. As Anakin’s bond with the force is so strong, he made the Dark Side stronger by joining it. However, when he left it and found the light in himself, he brought balance. Redlettermedia complains it is basically the same plot from the last film, where Palpatine is creating a crisis to get something that he wants. The trilogy is one larger story that shows a democracy becoming a dictatorship. All 3 original films are about Luke and his friends fighting the Empire.
He also complains we need to know who our enemies are and why. Obviously the Sith for trying to take over and killing people. The Separatists, who kill the Jedis by the truckload near the end. Again, the Sith are creating the Galactic Empire that Luke was fighting. Why was the empire our enemies? Because they blew up a planet! The Trade Federation invaded one, they are building armies, and they tried to have someone assassinated.
He also says it is never explained why the Jedi are not allowed to love. Because they are Monks! Celibacy is a tradition practiced by Monks from the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Buddhist religions. It is because possession is forbidden and nearly all love is possessive. He argues Obi-Wan acts like a regular guy, so do Catholic Priests, but they avoid the burden of the responsibility of sharing your life with someone. He complains Obi-Wan does get angry. Yes, he experienced rational anger, not a fear of loss. We see with Anakin that he has negative consequences. Superman, Spiderman and Batman all tried to avoid relationships as well, and again, they are Monks. In the Original Trilogy, none of the Jedi were married either.
He claims that parents would give children to the Jedi to be trained in a creepy cult like environment. No, they are given to a loving responsible environment. His claim you would lose your free will makes no sense. Jedi clearly think independently. Those parents do love their children and want them to develop their full force potential. In Tibet, children actually were given to Monasteries at a young age. Priests often instructed their nephews to also become Priests. This is starting to sound anti-Catholic. People actually said the Catholic teaching was creepy as well. That is a difference of religious views, but one cannot claim a films portrayal of a Religion is weird, when it is based on the teachings of the largest World Religion. He complains none of the kids chose to follow this lifestyle. But they are raised with spirituality and discipline.
He also says Padme should be able to date a guy. Yes, a guy, not a Celibate Knight. If Obama dated a Nun, this would certainly be bad publicity. He complains Mace is unmarried when Obi-Wan, Yoda and the Emperor were unmarried in the Original Trilogy, as is Palpatine in this trilogy. The people don`t act like creepy Space Aliens, but just like 1700 years worth of Catholics, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox bishops, and Buddhist monks. Aside from Han and Leia, what romances were there in the Original Trilogy? Is the idea the characters making love off screen that important? Maybe you need to see a love therapist, Plinket.
He asks why the Galactic Republic can`t create a volunteer army. The same reason many nations have used mercenaries: sparing your own citizens from death, decadence, corruption, etc. He complains Dexter Jettster, voiced by Ron Falk, knows of Kamino, but he is a very street smart guy. The bit character who knows a lot is a reference to many classic cop films. The diner is in fact a reference to “American Graffiti.” Matthew also complains the Senate circumvented itself by giving Palpatine emergency powers to approve a Clone Army they wouldn`t accept. The Senate didn`t know Palpatine would do that. It is like how Hitler betrayed the German government, which gave him the power to dismantle the Presidency they wanted kept intact.
Confused Matthew and Redlettermedia both think the Jedi should have known something was wrong with the Clone Army. Confused Matthew claims the order was placed by traitors. No, it was placed by Sifo-Dyas, who was ordered to do so by the Senate. This was simply kept hidden from the Jedi Council (I believe, as always, was a joy to watch and I think that everything in this movie was played out well) and done without their approval. This is suspicious, but Government Organizations go behind each other’s backs all the time. Redlettermedia and Confused Matthew note that Jango was used to create the Clones and he tries to kill Padme, who is against the Military Creation Act. They were put on the wrong track, as it seems to be just because Nute Gunray wants revenge. Obi-Wan spies on the Separatist leaders, but they don`t say anything of a Clone Army. Confused Matthew says they can link Jango directly to the Separatists Movement, but he is just a Bounty Hunter who seems to be multitasking. The Jedi don`t immediately see a connection. The Clone mystery is very well done, as they are kept on the wrong track as Jango seems to just work for different factions. He claims to have worked for Lord Tyranus, which seems to be a lie towards Obi-Wan. It is revealed, at the end, it was Dooku who was behind the army. However, the Jedi just see an army made by the Kaminoers for the Senate, ordered by the Senate that they were kept out of. In politics, this happens all the time. Redlettermedia also says the order was placed around the same time Palpatine became Chancellor. Roosevelt was elected the same year Hitler was, yet no one claims the two were allies. In fact, 9/11 happened in the same year Bush came to power. Now many people claim it was an inside job, but the FBI didn`t arrest Bush. He suggests they do blood tests to find out whether someone is a Sith. They deny the fact that, within a Democracy, you need more than a hunch to violate people’s privacy like that. Also, Matthew says Dooku told Obi-Wan the whole thing, but he didn`t. He told him a Sith led the Senate, not that he was working for this Sith, or the Sith ordered the creation of the Clone Army. Matthew complains they only become a little suspicious of Palpatine. Maybe because Dooku is a traitor, a Sith, who has no evidence and Palpatine has been their ally for decades. If I now told you “Stand in Stan” conspirers were against me, would you just flat out believe me?
Redlettermedia also remarks someone is trying to kill Amidala for no reason. No, it is Nute Gunray who wants revenge, which Palpatine uses to get Padme replaced with Jar Jar. Matthew complains Obi-Wan had coordinates to the planet. No, they were towards the area where it was located because they weren`t precise. That is why he went to the library.
Redlettermedia complains they sent Anakin with Padme, even though he is in love with her. I guess he doesn`t get the difference between resisting and avoiding temptation. He complains she is under threat of assassination, yet they sent Anakin, who would be prophesized to cause grave danger. They trained him anyways, so he needs his first assignment. He complains Padme is against them falling in love, yet she would dress up pretty. Just because girls just want to be friends doesn`t mean they are purposely going to look ugly. He complains Padme would want to have some action on the side, as she is a Senator. She is more responsible, a workaholic and doesn`t want to hurt Anakin, as she isn`t selfish. Again, dating a Monk is bad publicity. He says Anakin would try to stick to his teachings, but he is in conflict with the Jedi, remember? He also complains they wouldn`t know each other. Ok, have you ever heard of love at first sight? He likes “Titanic” and “Avatar,” right? Even “The Lord of the Rings” and “Lethal Weapon” had this. “Terminator” and “The Matrix” had all that. In fact, they spent many scenes on them bonding, which is why many people call the film boring. Once again, this shows how inconsistent their criticisms are. He is right the film has parallels with Romeo and Juliet. “Star Wars” retells old stories. I thought people complained the Prequels didn`t do this enough? People complaining the love story is clichéd is especially silly when you realize Han and Leia were the Thief and the Princess. They fell in love quickly in “Empire Strikes Back.” People argue they knew each other from the time in between “A New Hope” and “The Empire Strikes Back.” Later on, Redlettermedia complains we are told Anakin and Obi-Wan are friends, based on stuff that happened off-screen. Now they show Anakin and Padme together onscreen, and they are still not happy. Some people called the romance pointless, but the mother of Luke and Leia would seem rather essential.
Redlettermedia also complained Anakin is there to protect her, but that they don`t conceal themselves. Every President has bodyguards with him. That doesn`t mean you are in a bunker the whole time. He complains they create obstacles for the romance, claiming that is what is supposed to make us care. No, it just adds dilemma and drama. Matthew says the dialogue is like “I love you, me too, but I can`t love you, me too, I am in agony, oh Gosh me too.” This doesn`t make any sense. Padme never says “Me too.” Anakin is more open about his feelings, while Padme says they can`t be together. Their outlooks are very different. Padme being more mature and having more control of her emotions, and she is also more distant. It is ironic that they don`t go far in their romance and spend a lot of time on it, yet it is still called superficial.
Redlettermedia also complains Anakin and Obi-Wan recount things that happened in the past in the elevator, claiming we are told they are friends. They simply give a quick account of their back stories. That is done all the time in films. You also show relationships, but you also refer to off-screen events to make it feel like your universe is real and people have real pasts. James Cameron explained on the making of featurette of “Terminator 2” that you need characters with complete pasts and lives that come together in a two hour film. It is just one scene and a lot of time past since the first film.
“The Avengers,” “The Dark Knight Trilogy” and even “Lord of The Rings” have back stories establishing scenes also. In fact, references are made to past events between Han and Lando, R2-D2 and C-3PO, and Obi-Wan and Anakin in the Original Trilogy.
Matthew remarks Anakin and Padme had ten seconds of screen time together in the last film. I guess he didn`t actually watch it. Redlettermedia also says they just kind of met each other, even though a lot of time was spent on a strong friendship that formed when they were kids. He also complains there are now two main characters, even though, again, a film doesn`t have to be formulaic. “Terminator 2,” “The Avengers,” “Jaws,” Lucas’s “THX-1138” and “American Graffiti” and even “Black Hawk Down” all had multiple main characters. He also says you could have started the entire Prequel Saga here as Qui-Gon died, even though he had a lot of impact on both Anakin and Obi-Wan. Anakin would be a whole different character, which is also the case with Bruce Wayne in “The Dark Knight.” We saw the basis of his frustration with the Jedi, his idealism, his fears, his relationship with his mother and so forth. He also complains Obi-Wan didn`t do anything in the first film, which is a strong overstatement. Confused Matthew called Anakin unlikeable for criticizing Obi-Wan, even though he saves his life many times and Obi-Wan still treats him as a mere Padawan. Anakin is just frustrated by that. Main characters are frustrated by their mentors all the time, from John Connor, to Thor, to Marty McFly, to Harry Potter, Frodo, and also Luke Skywalker. Anakin is rebellious towards Obi-Wan, so what? He is a rebellious teenager. Think back to when you were a teenager. Weren't you rebellious as well? All teenagers act like this because they are in the adolescent age, which is the transition from childhood to adulthood. We all were teenagers once in our lives so we can relate to why he may talk back to Obi-Wan and doesn't understand his motives and teachings. Remember, he is not a complete Jedi just yet, he is still a Padawan learner. As a Padawan learner, we can see that he is still inexperienced and has a lot to learn, which is what Obi-Wan is trying to do. You can't blame the boy for saying certain things when he is still technically a kid and is still in the learning process. Cut him some slack, people! Many people have called Anakin unlikeable and tried to claim he is more whiney and selfish then other main characters, which is just silly. He's an unstable youth, like Daniel in "The Karate Kid." Luke also whined in his first scene. “But I was gonna go to Toschi Station to pick up some Power Converters.” He whined to C-3PO that it just wasn`t fair, argued with both Owen and Beru, he even called the Millennium Falcon a piece of junk and hated on Han for not believing in the Force. Look at John Connor`s “She is not my mother, Todd,” stealing cash and even criticizing his mom. Anakin just wants Obi-Wan to appreciate him. People complain it is unclear how he changed so much between the first and the second film. The Jedi were clearly cold to him and Obi-Wan is too inexperienced of a mentor. Anakin is continuing his path to the Dark Side in this movie. We see Palpatine plays on this and feeds his ego. Also, he is the chosen one, like with Harry Potter and Frodo. This leads to some arrogance. Matthew said that Simba was a jerk also. Then in his “The Incredibles” review, he claims the difference with Jack was that it was circumstantial, although he later on backtracks and claims the reasons Simba is a jerk doesn`t change anything. It is also circumstantial with Anakin. People said Luke was stuck on Tatooine, but Anakin is stuck in his training, while he tries to help people. He has to be celibate and also can`t be with the woman he loves. He has dreams of his mother dying. Redlettermedia even uses a clip where Anakin yells at an assassin. Really, yelling at a murderer makes you a jerk? Matthew complains Anakin whines towards Obi-Wan, that they should investigate who is trying to kill Padme. That is because he cares about her and being proactive is actually smarter. Matthew and Redlettermedia claims Anakin never does anything nice or selfless. Matthew already ignored him getting them off Tatooine by risking his life in the first film (and people ironically complain he was too nice there, even though children are often nicer than adults. Lucas could show him becoming darker with age in this way. This shows they contradict themselves), but also he saves Padme from those bugs, catches falling Obi-Wan, and helps crash the assassins ship. He clearly still loves his mother, he also defends Palpatine loyally when Obi-Wan criticizes him, he later on tries to save Obi-Wan with Padme, saves Padme from that rattier, helps fight in the arena, and saves Obi-Wan from Dooku. He devotes his life to being a guardian of truth and justice after all.
In fact, he gets hated on by Matthew and Plinket for being annoyed at Padme when she was marginalizing him and trying to usurp his authority. He was in charge and he pointed that out. He is not even allowed to stand up for himself? Han and Leia argued all the time. People complain about his ranting on Obi-Wan, but who hasn`t sometimes expressed anger at their father figure? Look at how much Obi-Wan pesters him. He is very nice to Padme, tries to comfort her when she is afraid and shows interest in her. He also tells Obi-Wan he is like a father to him, calmly expresses his worries to him and held a heartfelt speech at his mother`s funeral. Luke was still whining throughout most of “The Empire Strikes Back.” He also disobeys Yoda and Obi-Wan, and he also shot those poor Storm Troopers. People complain he supported a Dictatorship, but he supported an Enlightened Dictatorship, where people wouldn`t be suppressed, but where there was simply one ruler. People can argue that is naïve, but look at how corrupt their Democracy is. I don`t see how that is evil. Not everybody believes Democracy is the best system. There is nothing principally wrong about a Dictatorship. You believe one individual should rule everything. It is a less group centered thinking, which makes it ironic that Redlettermedia called it Fascist, when not all Dictatorships are automatically Fascist. Most aren`t. Absolute Monarch’s aren`t parses Fascists. Fascism is group thinking, violent and suppressive. Anakin just supported an Enlightened Monarchy. Can someone not hold to different political beliefs without being branded a Fascist? Many opponents of the Nazis, in fact, believed in Monarchism, like Konrad Von Preysing and Micheal Faulhaber. Anakin just holds different beliefs. Plenty of Monarchies in Ancient Times were good for the people, like the Chinese Han Emperors, who established many of the first social services, or the Persian kings. Spain did better under Franco then as a Republic. Hating on someone for being an individual is actually very Fascist.
People claim Anakin killed women and children, but he simply killed Sand People, who were established in the Original film as not sentient. They don`t talk, they are scared by loud noises. Lars even says they walk like men, but they are vicious mindless monsters. All they ever do is endanger people. They are not intelligent. They are like the Borg, or Aliens. He slaughtered them. Matthew complained that his mother was still on Tatooine, but she wanted to stay there as she had a home there. She was a slave, but Watto treated her ok. Slavery still exists in African countries, but when a slave from Mauretania comes to America, we don`t send a rescue mission for their family either. The Jedi don`t interfere with Non-Republican worlds. They are not invaders. Anakin only recently started having dreams that she would die, so Qui-Gon wanted to rescue her, but the other Jedi didn`t.
Redlettermedia complains Obi-Wan jumped out of the window and not Anakin. This is because Anakin is still stronger with the Force, Obi-Wan acts more on instinct. Again, it makes sense when you look at the characters three dimensionally.
Redlettermedia complains Jango hired another assassin, but he simply outsources the job. He also complains Padme is sleeping in a room with windows, but people who are under threat of assassination often still sleep in rooms with secured windows. This room even had a Force Field around the windows. He suggests Jango or the assassin could have just shot her. Again, Force Field, and he wanted something the Jedi couldn`t sense. He then again makes the dumb remark they discuss things in broad daylight. Again, just because someone tries to kill you doesn`t mean you hide in a bunker. He also asks what makes them sure the assassin would strike tonight. They were just trying to be safe in case. He then makes a list of 3 things Obi-Wan didn`t know when jumping after the Droid: He wouldn`t know if he could catch it in time, whether it could support him, or if it wasn`t a bomb. That is called taking risks. Plinket would be a horrible cop if he played things this safe. He makes childish remarks that Padme still has bodyguards, though people are trying to kill her. Again, that is part of being a bodyguard. He also claims the Droid could have been bated. That is why Padme had more security. He also complains Anakin couldn`t be sure whether the assassin was in the plane he jumped on. Anakin is very strong with the force. Matthew complains the Jedi would be defined in the Prequels by their skills, not their spirituality. That isn`t at all true, as he also complains about the council scenes for being boring as the Jedi discuss the Senate, the balance of the Force and the Sith. Yoda teaches the younglings to feel the Force, Obi-Wan bases his investigation on his bond with the Force and we even heard of the different philosophical emphasis between Qui-Gon and Yoda. They also simply value talent, as they are Knights and need their skills to fight evil. He also complains they all do the same jumping around stuff and Light Saber moves. Yes, they are all a combination of Knights and Samurai. However, his comment Anakin or Yoda did nothing to stand out is just silly. Anakin could find the assassin, save Obi-Wan`s life, and hold his own against Dooku longer. He defeated more Droids in the arena, he is much faster, could tame the monster sent at him, is a better pilot, and Yoda…I will get to later.
Redlettermedia complained about Obi-Wan`s line, “This weapon is your life,” saying the Jedi wouldn`t believe war was important. They didn`t believe in war for the sake of war. War in defense of the innocent, they certainly did support. Isn`t that what Luke’s training was about? He would defeat his father and The Emperor, and didn`t he even use the Force to cause two of Jabba's guards to drop dead. Didn`t Luke use the Force to blow up the Death Star? Didn`t Luke use his Light Saber to fight Jabba? Then he goes on to question how important the Light Saber would be compared to the force, saying Yoda never even trained Luke in it. Where to begin:
1. If we accept the fact that the Jedi are trained in both physical and superpower combat, and Light Saber fighting is their main form of physical combat, it is automatically important.
2. They certainly do more than paying lip service to the physical part, as Obi-Wan used his Light Saber against Vader. Vader uses it in each Original Film, Luke uses it against Jabba. Like Yoda, he undervalues the importance of the physical parts, as the Jedi simply aren`t that powerful. They are still humans with limitations, and that is good as if not there`d be very little tension. I mean, it would be like the Benders from “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (The show, not the movie) vs. the Empire. There`d be no context. Luke also still uses his X-Wing, he didn`t use the Force to bring down a Star Destroyer. Stuff like this happens in the 2D Animated “Star Wars: Clone Wars” series. The same people complain it is inconsistent with the weaker powers in the Original Trilogy and tensionless. They even say this about the Prequels.
Redlettermedias questioning of the Light Saber Padawan training scene was really strange. Again, he complains we don`t have a slow meditation scene. Remember in Episode I, he preferred the action orientated approach of the Original Trilogy? He says this again because it is just a kid’s film. No, it is also an adult film with romance, political intrigue and drama that simply has action and some slapstick. He complains it isn`t a Force Orientated Scene. Neither are many scenes in the Original Trilogy. Jedi are Knights and Samurai. They have a scene in “The Phantom Menace” where they sense Anakin`s feelings. Plinket ignores a scene where they discuss arrogance in “Return of the Jedi.” He says Anakin discussing their love doctrine, which was too boring, strict, and not conventional enough, and they should instead have been regular love obsessed people. I am sorry, but when you think of Eastern Culture Monks and Christian Monks, what do they condemn more: love and attachments, or training in the arts of fighting and discipline to defend the weak? He questions if Lucas understands “Star Wars.” Does he? I mean, he seems to know little about the philosophies it is based on or he wants them to water down the teaching to be more conventional for teenagers and modern people that buy new contraceptives every day. I guess, as he says we, with who I assume he means, modern Atheist, premarital love, kid hating people, couldn`t relate to boring Space Aliens, which Reviewreviewer1, as a Catholic, wanted to say is horribly offensive. This is offensive, but also argumentum ad populum and judging films by what a mainstream audience likes, which contradict him criticizing Lucas for supposedly selling out. Lucas is doing this by trying to appeal to a lot of people, and taking out the spirituality and replacing it with video game stuff. So he doesn`t want a scene with Light Sabers, which are props where people are doing things, and instead wants a scene with people sitting around talking. Remember that for the Episode III rebuttal, because there Plinket criticizes all the scenes where the Jedi are sitting and talking, and wishes instead for (I kid you not) a scene with things where you can make the scene visually interesting. He uses a scene where Luke uses a Light Saber as example. Yet another bland contradiction, and believe me there will be more. He constantly criticizes Lucas for trying to appeal to a mass audience, yet judges the films constantly as entertainment for a mass audience.
He complains he found it hard to believe it would be a conventional Jedi training technique. As he assumed the laser shooting ball was just part of the games they were playing in IV. What? Since the Jedi have Light Sabers, where one of the main purposes is reflecting laser bullets and other forms of projectiles, they would obviously train in that. He questioned whether Obi-Wan would constantly keep such a floating ball in his pocket, and what for? Well, to keep his training of his defensive maneuvers up. He can even use it to reflect his attacks on his enemies. The floating balls allow for training and how to reflect and dodge attacks. You are suggesting the Jedi couldn`t use these. Then how do they train in reflecting lasers? By deflecting bullets from a giant laser gun that is attached to the ground, like the kind that dodges tennis balls? Why use that when the balls are small and floats around, creating a more unpredictable attack pattern (THEREBY BEING MORE REALISTIC)?
He says he thought the helmet was just a space helmet. Yes, the Jedi in the training scene used different ones, logically. It is still logical they would use helmets, as learning to fight blindfolded is a common practice for Ninjas and Samurais. Again, just watch “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” I know you are yelling right now, “Then why not use blindfolds?” As they are trying to train not only in not using their eyes but not their ears either which the helmets also cover. They must use the Force.
By the way, anyone remember Harvey Dent in “The Dark Knight” when before he fell to evil, threatened a criminal, strongly entertained the idea of a Roman Dictatorship and complains about Bruce and Gordon.
People complain Anakin and Obi-Wan don`t act like true friends because they argue a lot, and have problems with each other. Again, fighting is normal for friends, especially for partners/master and apprentice, who both have a lot of shortcoming. Siblings, parents and kids, loved ones and even friends fight when they both have emotional and psychological problems, especially when one is a teenager.
What matters is that they care about each other a lot. We see that Obi-Wan comforts Anakin about his worries over Padme and his mom. He tries to really advise him, and Anakin saves Obi-Wan’s life many times, like from Dooku. They also discuss their political opinions. They had a witty banter during the speeder chase, indicating they also can have fun together. Obi-Wan talks about him being arrogant, not in a hateful but a concerned parent/brother figure way, and he tries to make Anakin a better Jedi. He also compliments him, although a bit backhanded, when he gave the Clones a smart order. Anakin also tries to be a good Apprentice by staying with Padme to protect her till he is sure his mother is in danger, trying to be respectful and even remarks Obi-Wan is as wise as Yoda and powerful as Windu. All of this, neither Matthew or Plinket comments on. Anakin is just frustrated by Obi-Wan being too strict and critical, as he is very arrogant and needing for praise. Obi-Wan needs control and wasn`t really ready to train him, but both try to be nice to the other and grow warmer towards each other and both save, and care, and talk about personal things with the other. He even uses the clip where Anakin says Obi-Wan would very grumpy if he saw him using the Force for a trick to show off. That was a very cute joke. He shows them arguing, but Han still argued with Leia in “Return of the Jedi” and told Leia, “I know” when she said she “loved him.” Look at all the arguing between Frodo and Sam in “Lord of the Rings.
Oh, and Anakin’s, “It`s all Obi-Wan`s fault” line: his mom just died and he is barely an adult, has little family, and is extremely scared of death. You really shouldn`t take what he says in such a situation to seriously.
To further comment on Plinket`s complaint, Anakin and Obi-Wan talk in the opening about their relationship instead of showing it. They also show their relationship a lot, as just mentioned. They simply also established what happened off-screen. Again, that is called establishing back story, which is normal in films, as it gives context to what happened before. There are so many films that establish things that happened off-screen like: The Godfather, Silverado, The Big Chill, (both coming from Lawrence Kasdan) Raiders of the Lost Ark, Fargo, No Country For Old Men, Carlito’s Way and… no, that speaks too much for itself. Establishing back story is as normal in films as music. Just like in the Original Trilogy, Obi-Wan`s and Vader’s, Lando’s and Han’s etc. past relationships are also discussed.
We wouldn`t get to know Anakin as a person in the Prequels. As established in the Episode I defense, we certainly got to know him there. He was really well established in that film, and in this film we certainly get to know him a lot better. We saw him as a kid in the first film, which also was a great thing in that we saw his true purity, and also the basis of his fear and need for love. This was smart, unlike with Luke, he wasn`t just frustrated or rebellious or emotional, but very childishly, un-accepting of death and change. He was a lot more vulnerable. That, as well as true altruism, starts a lot younger. It helped develop him differently from Luke. People say it was lazy that Lucas wanted to make him innocent by just making him a kid, and not through clever writing or characterization. As established, beyond being a kid, he was really made innocent. Being a kid just added to that.
In this film, we see that the rejecting of the Jedi, and criticisms of Obi-Wan have made him very depressed. He is even more worried about losing the people around him, and he has grown from being idealistic to being strictly principled, but also skeptical about the system. We see he loves nature and purity. Like Padme, he’s very insecure, a bit quickly offended, is very poetic often, deeply talking about his feelings, he is also a bit stressed about standing on his own and passionate about doing what he thinks is right, like standing up for Padme’s right to an investigation. He wouldn`t be relatable like Luke, putting aside that using relatable is argumentum ad the masses. Characters that are unique are often endearing. He is rebellious like Luke, worried about his friends like Luke, and also hot-tempered, but also scared about losing his loved ones, only having his mother, which any person with little family could relate to. He’s insecure about his love yet very needy for it, which many teenagers in relationships to whom it is the world, can relate to and is very earnest and likes purity. Any emotional person could relate to him. He just isn`t a rebel, not every film needs to be the same. You wanted originality, right? He is very sad about losing the ones he loved. He can be very vengeful. He is also loyal, trying to be a good apprentice. We did get to know him very well. In the first film, he needed to learn to step into a larger world. Unlike Luke, he had to adapt to new relationships in this film. Anakin has to learn to be more patient, wise and stand on his own. He wants to help find the assassin and does so, but then is afraid of going off with her alone. He is happy to be around her, he learns to argue less with Padme, and be more relaxed. He goes after his mother, sees it only has negative results and he wants, in his anger, to leave Obi-Wan to his fate. Padme convinces him they are his friends. He calms down, and does act too rash still. Then, during the Clone battle, he acts calmer and acts more objective, leaving Padme behind, although he does rush into Dooku. He then saves Obi-Wan and becomes more humble. This greatly sets up his growth to be a Knight, so we really saw him maturing.
During the first two films, we see him grow up, yet he also slowly loses his innocence and gains more inner hatred, vengefulness, and obsession and loses his relaxedness and purity. He becomes calmer, and more self-confident, but also hollow. He grows to be a strong Jedi, but has to confront his growing Dark Side more and more. As in the first film, we saw he felt hurt by the Jedi and became very fearful of losing Padme. In this film, he grows more and more arrogant and rebellious due to his powers, which is very subtle. He becomes a victim to Palpatine’s over the top praise, and he gains more and more longing for power due to this. This is aggravated by the death of his mother and makes him angrier, as well as the lack of trust from the Jedi. He takes revenge on the Sand People and starts to question the system. By the way, Palpatine takes the place of Obi-Wan as a father figure, being too nice instead of not enough, and is through advice and comforting, gaining a lot of Anakin’s trust, who dismissed criticisms of Obi-Wan on him. Palpatine represents the change he wants in the system and is nice to him. This makes his trust very naive, especially as Palpatine started comforting him since he was a child. He is very sure he is a kind person and wants to trust him. Remember this for when we defend Episode III. Really, remember this because there is something called “not wanting to admit someone is evil.” When they say what you want to hear, you don`t have anyone else who does so, and the people who criticize him and are prejudice towards you are also prejudice towards you, “Syndrome.”
Matthew, Anakin wanted to stay on Tatooine out of anger to Obi-Wan and fear of losing Padme.
Anakin was a really deep character since he tried to do the right thing, has such a hard life and did care so much about everything he did, even when it caused him to act stupid. He was a really deep character and what set him apart from Luke is how much more vulnerable he is. He is mainly just really childish, in a very sad way. He simply has problems accepting of change and he lacks a proper mentor to help him grow. This is again why he wanted to start a relationship with Padme. He wasn`t even properly trained as a Jedi since he started too late and trained under a really flawed mentor.
He calls the Jedi creepy (for having self-discipline) and boring. He calls Padme boring and called all the characters in the Prequel Trilogy boring. They are well-developed, there are many scenes dedicated to developing them. Plinket says there are no genuine human moments and they have all been replaced with slapstick comedy. We had the scene where Anakin holds a heartfelt speech for his dead mom, where Yoda shows happiness, Padme is alive and she acts cold, as a decoy just died for her, the scene where Mace Windu shows concern over their loss of power and the shattering of his prejudices, where he looks like he feels guilty for killing Jango in front of his son, when not necessary. Look at a scene where Yoda tries to advise Obi-Wan on the flaws in Anakin and shows concern over the Jedis arrogance. Look at a scene where Obi-Wan fold his hands and try to look supportive to comfort Anakin on the fact his mom might be in danger. Anakin shows to Padme that he feels guilty about leaving her, but he has to save his mom. Even Jettster hugs Obi-Wan and jokes at the Orthodox Jedi not telling knowledge and wisdom, apart from showing how honest and street smart he is. Watto, who wasn`t totally cold, is actually happy to see Anakin again. Also, Anakin tries to comfort Padme, Owen and Beru are good people, Obi-Wan tells Anakin he shouldn`t focus on his negative emotions, Anakin is underwhelmed by Padme`s response to seeing him again, and he then ties in to his apprentice adolescent needs, as he jokes that she also was happy to see them.
The only thing is the Jedi are very serious, somber characters. So are the politicians. This is a more serious drama, like Saving Private Ryan, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, The Color Purple, The Blade Films, The Spiderman Films, The X-Men Films, The Dark Knight Films, Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Carrie, Taxi Driver, or Raging Bull. Not every film is Die Hard or Ghostbusters. This again shows Plinket is actually criticizing these films for being different and deep. He calls them dumb action films, but complains about political subtext and more serious characters. He wants more exposition, but complains about the slow opening of Episode I. He wants to see a relationship start onscreen, but complains when this happens between Anakin and Obi-Wan. He wants more spiritual Jedis, but whines they are Celibate. Many people do this, by the way. They complain too many characters of the Original Trilogy are reused, although people praise “The Last Crusade” over “Temple Of Doom” for reusing characters. They also claim characters like Padme, Shmi, Mace Windu, Count Dooku, Nute Gunray, and General Grievous are pointless.
The characters have clear personality arcs and back stories, which he ignores, just as the film has deep themes.
He complains the characters are bland and uninteresting. No, they are serious. Again, they were developed, they just aren`t exciting and rebellious like Han and Leia.
Obi-Wan is a really complex character. Redlettermedia just calls him distant and says he has no personality and Matthew just ignores his characterization. His back story with Qui-Gon did really shape him. He tries to feel in the moment, he is a lot warmer and tries to be comforting, but is also too worried, yet calm, stealthy, sarcastic, hot-tempered, and still a bit too dogmatic. He is nagging, a biased towards politicians, he is also still a bit inexperienced, but more self-confident. He also has a complex arc in this film.
Obi-Wan grows to trust him more throughout this film and be a more understanding and supportive mentor. He is also still too pessimistic. He is also very serious and loyal to the rules, but he is too logical in responding to Anakin`s worries of his mom and simply forbidding him from being with Padme. He also has assumptions, which he got from Qui-Gon, thinking his senses are better than Anakin`s, although he is proven wrong when they sense the bugs at the same time. He starts off being very critical of Anakin, not acknowledging his skills, not listening to him, and being too orthodox. He doesn’t hunt down the assassin, but when he jumps after the Droid and Anakin saves him, he decides to go along with Anakin`s plan. He allows Anakin more freedom, although he stays critical of him. He is somewhat hypocritical and keeps nagging Anakin, and is too cold to him, but Anakin indicates he is like a father to him. He thinks Anakin is too arrogant, but Mace Windu advises him to trust him more. He lets Anakin go on his own on his first mission, and when he gets captured, he sends Anakin his message. When Anakin is captured, he works together with him more, and is more optimistic, but also works together with him and gives him more constructive advice. When Anakin fights well, he also compliments him when he orders the Clones to aim above the fuel cells. Now that Anakin has protected Padme well, he trusts him to help him fight Dooku. He then tries to really explain to Anakin, when threatening doesn`t work, why they need to stop Dooku. He cannot save Padme by playing on his admiration of him. He acts more openly emotional and acknowledges he needs him. Then, when Dooku defeats him, he throws his Light Saber to Anakin, trusting in him. Anakin fights Dooku well for a while and afterwards, Obi-Wan is a lot more relaxed about Anakin going off with Padme, unlike in the beginning of the film. In the next film, Anakin has really become a Knight, Obi-Wan trusts him and they are more relaxed around each other, having grown to understand the other. However, Matthew and Plinket will ignore all of those scenes that also contain subtle banter based humor, like the Originals, and will just call it pointless, aside from showing their stronger friendship. Palpatine fails to have Anakin leave Obi-Wan behind, wanting to die with his friend, who neither comments on, although it shows the death of Dooku, establishes Grievious, etc.
Although there was tension between Anakin and Obi-Wan in the elevator, they could also laugh about the past. This we see. Obi-Wan comforts Anakin about being scared to see Padme again.
Padme would be bland and uninteresting, but she is similar to Leia, while also having her own unique traits. She is still stubborn, and also rebellious, like Anakin, but more polite, reserved, responsible, serious, she is caring for her people, selfless, still rather pacifistic, bossy, idealistic, she loves nature, is an intellectual, and she continues her arc from the first film. She is against the Military Creation Act, which passes while she is gone, and she tries to prevent war and be diplomatic. When they are about to be executed, she becomes more proactive and violent. She wants to capture Dooku to prevent the war. Also, she grows to be more honest about her feelings for Anakin and decides to act on her feelings.
People also hated on her romance with Anakin. Both Matthew and Plinket did, and I am going to start off with noting the fact that she met him when she was a teenager and he was a little kid. He was really sweet, risked his life to help them get off Tatooine, and then again to save her planet.
Confused Matthew says Lucas would just string together a bunch of clichés instead of telling a story. No, they share feelings in a logical fashion. Anakin loves Padme as she is so sweet, supportive, he compliments her and she appreciates how much he cares for her. He saves her life from the bugs. They share their fears of standing on their own and interest in discussing the meaning of love. Anakin shows interest and support in Padme`s political life. They discuss their shared love for beauty and them sharing things. Anakin really cares for her, supports her, flatters her, confuses her and makes her react distanced. When she sees Anakin truly loves her when he told her that he dreamed of her, she starts to think about him. When he really shows he is in love with her world and her life, she kisses him. Although she holds back, they can still really relate to discussing their love feelings. Anakin is a bit insecure, wanting to know about her past relationships, but Anakin is more free minded and really acts like himself. Padme, who always has to act official, feels comfortable around him, and is glad he loves her for who she is and also comforts him about his stress over Obi-Wan and makes him feel more relaxed. She also shows interest in his life as a Jedi, and can really discuss her personal problems. Anakin really feels guilty leaving her behind so she goes with him, and she comforts him about the loss of his mother because she feels really sad for him. She is also still a bit childish and bossy, and Anakin learns to be more flexible, although a bit annoyingly. She, in turn, comes to appreciate his more aggressive way of doing things. Plinket says there is no substance to any of this and Matthew says Lucas can`t tell a story here. Aside from establishing in at least a dozen scenes how they comfort each other over problems, learn to listen more to the other, show interest in each other and are nice to each other. Yeah, sure!
He says we are basically told they are in love through the visuals, but those just add to it. Most romance film couples are beautiful and the settings are used to add to the emotions. He later claims the Prequels lack visual storytelling, but when they make references to Venice and have pretty locations, those aren’t good either. Han and Leia were good looking as well, and were contrasted by dark settings, icy environments and meteors.
We aren`t told we should like them. They are just two serious characters with a more serious and awkward romance, as they aren`t used to being in love. They’re more insecure people, and they are real. Just more serious, exciting cowboys isn`t the only form of real people.
Anakin and Padme had a lot to bond over and Matthew says all Anakin even did was call her out in front of the Queen. When she called him out, are you saying that in a relationship, the man must allow the woman to walk over him, interrupting, and getting angry? Bickering is normal when in a relationship. Plinket complains this would be a minus. Again, bickering is a regular part of a relationship. I mean, look at how Han argued with Leia and vice versa. A lot more hate on all his peers? No, Anakin complained about Obi-Wan, his master, who mistreated him. He complained about problems in his life that related to those of Padme, he had already comforted her, which part of being in a relationship is also asking attention for your own problems. Plinket complains about this. Also, he does the whole plus-minus thing, and says women would have all these unreasonable demands, which like the Eve thing, I hope is a joke, even though most of his fans treat these points like actual opinions. Well, it is extremely offensive. Women are just regular, Plinket. Someone like Padme, who is nice, caring and understanding, would not hate Anakin for not allowing himself to be walked over and asking some attention for himself. Matthew says he supported a Dictatorship, which as discussed isn`t evil to condemn someone simply for supporting one ruler, that is actually Fascism. He says he killed women and children. Well, monster ones. Padme doesn`t value animals, and both Matthew and Plinket complain about the robot hand. In the names of all of those with physical and mental handicaps, which include reviewreviewer1 with OCD and Tourette syndrome, forget you, because the mean-spirited way they said it made it not seem like a joke. Matthew says that is all he ever did. Aside from saving her from the bugs and the monster, which both Matthew and CM ignore, Anakin captures the assassin that tried to kill her, protects her in the arena and helps fight the evil enemy. He also is being a brave hero, comforting her about being afraid to go off on her own, telling her she is beautiful and showing great remorse when having to leave her to save his mom. First, commenting on her problems when she complains about her superiors, he, in fact, gives a lot more attention then he takes. He listens to her stories of nature, which Matthew flat out ignores, as does Plinket. Ok, sure.
Plinket calls it a minus he gives Padme personal compliments and acts very intimate right off the bat. One, they were already close friends from in the first film, with a lot more than ten seconds of screen time. Even as an exaggeration, that is just trolling. Also, being very honest isn`t evil, it is just awkward. Many teenagers make that mistake. To suggest someone wouldn`t love you over this is horribly offensive. If someone truly loves you and you are nice to them and care for them, they won`t hate on you. Sometimes arguing with them, also needing your own attention or being too straightforward, especially when the feelings they admit to having you share, honesty is a virtue. Not all people act casual and manipulate someone into being comfortable. Love isn`t a game, and Plinket mentions he brings a corpse home. Yes, his dead mom whom he wanted to bury. How sick that he should have left her to rot, and that he holds an insane rant over his dead mother. He is a 17-year-old who just lost his only family. If someone wouldn`t be able to take that in them, well they`d never get a good relationship. Didn`t Han complain a lot and say things like, “Are you afraid I will leave without giving you a kiss?” He comments Anakin argues with Obi-Wan to make sure she was treated decently. He preferred his lover over his boss. I think girls will like that. If you really think in terms of a desperate attempt to impress, like you would view actions like that manipulative, then you wouldn`t be in love.
Anakin would say stupid things to Padme, like the sand part. He is a teenager in love. For the first time, people often say stupid things when in love. That is no reason not to love someone.
Matthew and Redlettermedia complain it is a cliché, a criticism used about as consistently as “show, don`t tell.” When something is great, it can be reused in a work. Not everything in a film needs to be original. These films introduced new themes about Unorthodoxies and stubbornness being good, attachment, pragmatism, the fall of Democracy, and fresh characters like a free minded wise master, and a master who has to learn to be more understanding, and the use of clones as mercenaries and internal take over. Also, was the romance between the scoundrel and the princess, the two goofy sidekicks that tag along, original? I mean, didn`t AVGN himself comment on how the “Star Wars” films use old elements as well, and also things like bonding over shared non-confidence, a shared sense for poetry, learning to see someone is really sincere and just wants to be with you, comforting someone on their political lives, bonding over shared suppression by mentors, a love for nature, and also over sharing political views that was all fresh? It has a lot of original elements.
Matthew parodies it with the “I love you, me too” part, but they talk about a lot more than just love. You can make anything look simple by oversimplifying it. You could have also done this with “Spiderman 2.” Padme was the one who comforted Anakin more, where he was flattering and a lot more hesitant about being together. That “me too” part was just trolling.
Matthew said Dooku would also be sent to the never developed character graveyard and calls him underdeveloped, like Darth Maul. Wait, what? Darth Maul had no back story, little lines and screen time, but Dooku is given a lot of dialogue, giving him a back story and complex personality. Like Darth Vader, we see he used to be a good Jedi, but he became disillusioned with the corruption in the Republic and became manipulative and violent to achieve a new world. He has become very suppressive and cruel as he kills anyone that opposes him. He betrays his allies, he acts like they must separate, but in actuality, wants to help start a suppressive Empire. Unlike Darth Vader, he is a lot more understanding and caring. He wants Obi-Wan to join him as he cares about him, as he is the apprentice of Qui-Gon, who was Dooku's apprentice. He is merciful, wanting to offer the Jedi to surrender, yet he is also determined and harsh in that he immediately goes back to killing if they refuse to join him. He isn`t cold either. He is regretful over it, as he apologizes to Windu, his old friend, for having to kill them. He is a tragic villain who retained some of his humanity. He simply believes the ends justify the means, like Qui-Gon, who probably got that from him. He goes too far, and is in that sense similar to Ra’s Al Ghul, who Matthew praises as a great villain. Matthew likes “The Lord of the Rings” films. Christopher Lee, as Saruman, is very similar, but has less of a selfless goal nor retains his humanity as much.
Also, he is loyal. Jango, his follower, dies and he feels sincere sadness, which makes the scene where Windu kills Jango even deeper. Yet, we see by joining the Dark Side, he has been corrupted by it, being very arrogant, thinking he is even more powerful then Yoda, and he can get sadistic, like to Obi-Wan when he won`t join him. He is even very obsessive about defeating Yoda, and he is also sometimes dishonest.
Matthew calls Palpatine bland in his “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” review. Once again, what? He was already the villain in “Return of the Jedi” and has the same personality here. We see, in fact, more of his personality. In the first Prequel, we see he is really dishonest, using the Separatists for his own ends, spiteful about Democracy, and very manipulative, presenting himself as a hero. We see he is great and acting very complimentary, and also at acting concerned, while he is actually very cold, not caring about the people involved in his schemes. Expanding on the Emperor was just perfect. I liked how he is still showing how two-faced of a person he is, clearly showing that he is trying to be helpful, but cleverly hides that his plan is to do harm to the Federation. He is very self-confident, knowing his schemes will work, and in this film, we see he is great at telling people what they want to hear. He can see the darker sides in people and use those to his advantage, and he is very secretively pro-war. How is he bland here? We see, like in “Return of the Jedi,” that he is authentic, harsh, determined, and arrogant. How is he bland?
Also, Redlettermedia complains Samuel L. Jackson is in the films, claiming he is just there to attract black teenagers. He makes many racist jokes while making this point, while he criticizes the films for supposedly being racist. His claim is weakened by the fact that Lucas didn`t cast Leonardo DiCaprio as older Anakin and he didn`t use Haley Joel Osment as a younger Anakin. He claims Samuel L. Jackson is not fit for serious roles, but that is supporting typecasting. Bruce Willis was also used for serious roles. A year after Episode I, Jackson played a very serious role in “Unbreakable.” He had started with a more serious role in “The Long Kiss Goodnight.” He claims he didn`t do anything, but he fought in the arena, got to say this party is over, and he subdued Palpatine. He claims his line delivery was awkward, but he is simply serious, dark and brooding, like Danny Glover. The fact he was made so serious showed it wasn`t a marketing ploy. If that were the case, Lucas would have just wanted to make money. He would have ignored the seriousness of the Jedi and created an out of character over the top Jedi. He calls him another creepy boring jerk, showing he again thinks people are jerks, just because they are serious and celibate. This again shows he doesn`t really want the Jedi to be spiritual, he just wants mindless stereotypes. Mace Windu actually was a very interesting character, being very authentic, harsh, somber, threatening, uncompromising, a real leader, but also more peaceful, dishonest, yet wise. Samuel L. Jackson really gave the character a dark, tough, and intimidating feel.
Luckily, a lot of people who didn`t want to be biased and hate on the whole film did praise his role.
A lot of the hating on the acting is very biased anyways. Christopher Lee is really sophisticated, smooth, arrogant, violent, taunting, smug-like, warm, mysterious and tough. It was great to see Christopher Lee in here as Count Dooku aka Darth Tyranus (this name means you like to work at your own speed without any pressure because you love to work at your own pace step by step. It also derives from tyranny, which means a place that is ruled under a cruel government (Awkward!).). We all know Christopher Lee from the Hammer Dracula Movies playing Dracula and also as the king of horror movies, so to see him in here was great. You can easily make the connection of Darth Vader's cape being similar to Dracula's. He does know how to play a villain, and in this film, he plays it great. We all think that he was one of the good guys before he reveals himself, which was just perfect. Ian McDiarmid is still very manipulative, comforting, charismatic, subtle and ambiguous. Many people praised both their performances but such balance or fairness isn`t give by Matthew or Redlettermedia. Ewan McGregor is also a lot better in this then in the first film. He’s very father-like, brave, witty, friendly and intense. Hayden Christensen gets far too much hatred. He is a lot better than Jake Lloyd, being more natural. People call him wooden, but he is simply conflicted, rebellious, dark, yet also caring, awkward, sad, depressed, and he has real chemistry with Ewan McGregor. The part when he talks about killing the Sand People was great. Hayden Christensen does a great job as grown up Anakin. He's a great follow up to Jake Lloyd, and I don't see why people hate him. Jake Lloyd really got the fear part down when he starts his path to the Dark Side, and Christensen continued that by showing anger and hate, especially when his mother dies in his arms. Anthony Daniels is still great in this. People again complain, like with Episode I, that he would suddenly be annoying and I don`t get why. C-3PO was always over the top, obnoxious and quirky. Thankfully many appreciated that he mainly replaced Jar Jar Binks. Natalie Portman thankfully received praise from some. She is sweet, sensitive, yet tough, worried, yet has more presence and maturity then in the first film. Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse did a great job as Beru and Owen, which was great for the short period of time they were on screen. Jack Thompson was fine as Cliegg Lars, the man who married Shmi after buying her from Watto, and freeing her from being a slave. Finally, I have to mention Temura Morrison and Daniel Logan as Jango and Boba Fett. These two were just mind-blowingly great. I loved the fight scenes between Obi-Wan and these two. Being father and son, they would help out one another, but I thought these two were really great, not pointless, and really did a great job in the movie.
It was nice to see all our familiar faces return in the movie, which should have happened.
Jango Fett is also a great character. He cares about his son and we get a glimpse that he had a tough life. He is smooth, calculating, violent, mysterious, ambitious, and very loyal to Dooku.
Plinket says, at the end battle, we wouldn`t care about the Clones and many people have said so, even when they are helping the Jedi. The reasons are very offensive. They are humans, they have feelings and self-awareness. Redlettermedia and people say they aren`t worth caring about. That is offensive. They weren`t conceived naturally. Neither are people with parents who can`t get children naturally and conceive them in a lab. If they die, is that ok? People say there are many of them and people say they can just be replaced. Ok, so if two kids of triplets die, that is ok? Lastly, they lack free will. Reviewreviewer1 has OCD and it forces him to do things against his will. Does he deserve to die?
The Clones also added to a real theme. They showed the Clones were created like Droids, and that they were endlessly suppliable, but they had their free will taken and were totally obedient. This badly made them Droids, which was being pragmatic with your choices for soldiers. The Jedi, in need to fight Dooku, used them and decided they needed them, while there were some suspicion about their origin and ignored the fact the Senate had kept them out, allowing themselves to be manipulated just to be safe. With Boba Fett, we see that even when raised in the wrong hands, a human with free will can feel compassion and be kind. This is what makes for loyal warriors. This ties well into the theme of pragmatism because it delves into what causes military suppression. What's really smart is that it showed that the Jedi were overly prejudiced, thinking no Jedi could have manipulated the clones. There is also a theme against prejudice with Obi-Wan assuming, like the Jedi, that no Jedi could be murdered, and assuming Dooku is just a political idealist. They can control the Republic and they allow the shattering of their prejudices to only make them even more Orthodox, keeping things a secret from Anakin. This makes them very suspicious of Palpatine and spy on him, causing them to be framed. They lie to the Senate and get Palpatine his power and army. They didn`t properly follow Qui-Gon's advice to train Anakin well, due to their prejudices always keeping him down, making him frustrated. This only caused them to be meaner to him, driving him away further. They focus too much on the future and not enough on the here and now, being principled and training all their Padawans with care. These plotlines really conveyed very deep and multilayered themes. The film clearly has a lot of substance Plinket ignores, it isn`t just an assembly line production.
The film did deal with the issue of trustworthiness of Mercenaries, which added thematic depth. They showed how even when they act human and friendly. They can be manipulated to lack all free will, and can be very secretive, while having all the skills of a human. They show with Boba, it makes the difference between a friend and a soldier or a son.
They delve deep into the themes of the film and shows it isn`t a mindless action film. They already discussed themes of prejudice and Military suppression was really deep and wise. By showing the Clones were basically Droids and the Jedi used them anyways, it caused them to be vulnerable, as the Clones could betray them and be manipulated. Yes, using them anyways, it showed that true soldiers need to have humanity and free will because then they won`t betray you as quickly. It is loyalty that is the most important. Otherwise you have no safety. You can`t trust anyone. This humanity comes from being able to act on your love for someone and makes wise choice. Without that, you cannot really count on someone. The tragic thing is the Clones do differ from Droids. They were warm and caring, which added some ambiguity. This theme was really multilayered, smart, and wise. Indeed, when you can`t trust those that support you, you can be all on your own at any point. Valuing strength over loyalty and humanity is forsaking the differences between knowledge and wisdom, which Jettster pointed out, is important. Also, this shows being too focused on defeating your enemies makes you not chose your friends wisely and that the creation of Assembly Armies simply escalates. This shows the dangers of formatting Armies and how people can manipulate nations into it. Palpatine manipulates Jar Jar into betraying the opposition to the Military Creation Act.
Another deep multilayered theme in this film, which is in all 3 films, is the theme of how freedom is destroyed. This tied into the Original Trilogy, where the theme was all about how freedom could be restored.
In the first film, they showed that when a lot of people in a democracy are corrupt, like the Senate, people, like the Trade Federation, can take advantage of this, by using money to slow down the system. Innocent people, like those on Naboo, will become desperate. Even good people, like Padme, will value a more autocratic system, just to secure the safety of their people. We see that if no corrupt person will actively fight corruption, which Valorum refuses to do, eventually someone can achieve unquestioned power, just by offering a solution. If no one looks at the moral picture as a whole, as everyone is trying to achieve their own gain, someone like Palpatine can play them as chess pieces. Now in this film, Palpatine threatens the Republic with war, causing the Senate, who are still corrupt, to not be able to decide on how to deal with the crisis, and make Palpatine a dictator. Jar Jar even helps with this, as even he assumes that if they can`t agree to fight the Separatists, they need to manipulate the business. This time, the Jedi act corrupt as well, when they discover the Army is distrustful. Their powers diminished. They decide to lie to the Senate and even help Palpatine become dictator, just to keep order by sacrificing their principles. This is a very smart theme, as it is very historically relevant. Corrupt slow systems and desperate people, for example, caused the fall of the Roman Republic, for one.
Anakin perfectly summed it up. People weren`t agreeing enough, so it seemed someone needed to make them.
Another deep theme that is continued from the first film is the theme of pragmatism. As they show in this film, even the Jedi are pragmatic, using the Clone Army when it is suspicious and they like the Senate, giving Palpatine most of his power. Jar Jar even betrays Padme, as he feels obligated to do what most people make him think is right. As a result, no one can really be trusted and everyone is manipulated. The Senate gives up its power just to be saved, and the Jedi force Padme to leave the Capital, as protecting her is very difficult.
Another deep theme introduced in this film is the theme about of how to deal with hostility. We see that the Separatists are harassing the Republic and the Chancellor supports the popular notion they can negotiate them to stay. With the Chancellor saying his negotiations will not fail, and Padme assuming that if they are threatened they will become violent. Even when the Trade Federation is a part of them and they were already unreasonable in the first film, and the Jedi want to have the support to defeat them. It turns out Clones are already being created, showing that often trying to negotiate is naïve. Even those on your side will want to defend themselves because those that profit from the war, like Dooku, are simply doing anything they can to get their demands accepted. In fact, Dooku tries to get Obi-Wan on his side, but when he refuses, he immediately has him executed. It turns out Nute Gunray wants Padme dead. They were even repairing armies and Padme wants to desperately save Obi-Wan. When they are attacked, it turns out they have to fight the enemy, as it is the only way they can protect their friends. This is the most important. It is, in fact, how Anakin protects Padme, by hunting down the assassin.
The film continues many deep themes from the first film, as well as introducing new ones, and deepening the ones from the first film. It connects themes from the Prequels with the Originals. The Prequels aren`t just mindless action pictures at all. What is funny is that later on Redlettermedia actually shows Yoda being disappointed over Lucas, but also praising the film for having a lot of action. Didn`t he praise the Original Trilogy for starting off with an action scene and keeping it nice and simple? Doesn`t he, in his Episode III review, state that he wanted even more unique visual ways? Now it is bad for a film to also have action? By the way, action that furthers the story and characters, as the opening chase scene established Anakin stubbornness, his aggressiveness towards people that hurt his loved ones, how he was more skilled then Obi-Wan as well as showing how the two are also a team and can joke together. It also shows how they get the clue to start Obi-Wan’s investigation, and the fight with Jango established how Obi-Wan knew for sure he was hostile. The meteor chase caused him to lose track of Jango and not find out about Dooku's connections to the Clone Army. The arena battle established how the Jedi were being weakened and was more dependent on help. The Clone battle showed the Clones skills and the start of the war. In Episode I, the fight with the Droids in the beginning revealed the Trade Feds hostile intentions and how Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon couldn`t force a deal. The next fight showed how they saved the Queen, the Gungan battle showed the distraction of the Trade Feds, and the shooting in the throne room showed how Padme had become less pacifistic and how they captured Jango. So no, these underrated Prequel films aren`t just big video games.
Now we move on to the love dialogue. People complain it is awkward and unrealistic. Well awkwardness is often realistic when people are in love because they are nervous. In the case of Anakin and Padme, they haven`t ever really expected true love before. It is totally normal, and people call it corny. When people openly share raw emotions with each other, again, it is really normal. It indeed isn`t witty and it doesn`t sound really smart and funny, but not all people, in fact most people are always witty, especially when emotional. Some people are sarcastic and self-confident, but this isn`t the only form of dialogue that is real. What matters is the dialogue fits the characters and really conveys their emotions in a deep way.
For example, Padme saying: “Ani? My goodness, you`ve grown.”
Anakin responding, “So have you, grown more beautiful...for a senator, I mean.”
This fitted the characters. Padme is happy to see Anakin again, but at first also still sees the innocence in him he had as a kid. Anakin, who was demonstrated to even be sweating, wants to return the compliment saying she also grew, although she was already almost fully grown in Episode I, because he doesn`t think through his compliment. Then he quickly tries to turn it into saying she became more beautiful and gets very personal. Then he says for a Senator, as Jedi have prejudices against them, downplaying the compliment, sounding unintentionally insulting, and she just laughs as she sees the innocence in him he had as a kid. She finds it nice he is obviously trying to be warm to her. Anakin sounded really stupid, yes, that was the point, but he was trying to be really nice. You could see Padme appreciated that, as she is understanding and appreciates niceness and honesty a lot. She at first doesn`t take his advances that seriously yet. This awkwardness is like having a character stutter. It is on purpose to add realism. It actually is really believable someone would not immediately know just what compliment to give after they say the person they thought about for 10 years. It is also normal Padme loves him, because if you love someone, you look at the intent behind their actions and words. You accept flaws, especially awkwardness. You don`t judge someone for insecurity, suggesting that not being witty means you don`t deserve to fall in love, is flat out mean-spirited. In fact, reviewreviewer1 says that when he was in love with a girl in sixth grade, he spoke French to her saying “Madam” and “Oui,” while he could barely speak French. She laughed and found it cute. Girls like honesty, sentimentally and innocence. That is also why they make for the less judgmental parent, especially someone as understanding as Padme appreciates this from Anakin.
To reference some other films, in “Forest Gump,” the dialogue was awkward and so was the dialogue in Spiderman 1 and 2, and X-Men and X2. David Koepps writing in Spiderman 1 has been criticized. People complain about the dialogue in that and Film Brain complained about the sentimentality when an adult was comforting a little kid. In The Happening and Spiderman 3, Matthew complained an old woman went in a lot of detail. Really, adults don`t act sentimental towards children when comforting them? We all know old folks are to the point, right? People are always completely not redundant, know what they are going to say, like it was purposely written on for weeks by Hollywood writers, and are always inwards, unsentimental and cool, right? Not every person talks like “Iron Man” or a Tarantino character. That was great, but not everyone talks like that. Awkwardness is normal. The fact so many writers write like that in and of itself shows it isn`t just a few people that are detached from the world. I mean, the E.T dialogue, Taxi Driver, Gladiator, it is all dramatic and sentimental, and in all of those films it is even praised. The dialogue isn`t boring, as it reflects the characters, really conveys them and adds to the film's themes.
Another example: “I wish that I could just wish away my feelings.” Remember in Spiderman, “Let`s get some lunch some evening,” and that also had the angel line? People complain about that in Episode I, when it involved children! The Nostalgia Critic commented on how not cool it was, because normal people aren`t always cool. Even some Lawrence Kasdan films have sentimental dialogue, like Grand Canyon and The Big Chill. “Jackie Brown” was the Tarantino film with some more awkward dialogue. He considers that a more mature effort and it was. I mean, some scenes in “Empire Strikes Back” were awkward, with Han making the comments about Leia wanting to stay because of the way she felt about him. That added realism.
When Anakin said he didn`t like sand, he was conveying how he shared her love for beauty, water and nature. This symbolized how he liked her world more than his desert sand world, Tatooine. It’s reminiscent of how Padme said his world was too warm for her, and yes, Padme is commenting about a love for the water. That is talking about something more beautiful and personal, like women do more often. Complaining about something minor is normal when you are in love. Remember the LOTR films and their talk about the warmth in the sun, Finding Nemo and the sea turtles and Rocky calling birds flying candy? It is sentimental and personal. That is real. Remember in “Empire Strikes Back:”
Leia: “Stop that. My hands are dirty.
Han: My hands are dirty, too. What are you afraid of?”
Remember that? The script is just great. I liked how familiar the lines are in this movie, but I think people do not understand the romantic lines. When Anakin tells Padme that he doesn't like touching sand because it's hard but everything on Naboo is soft and smooth, they need to understand the meaning behind that. He's saying that he doesn't like touching anything that doesn't give him a loving feeling, but she does give him that feeling.
It would be clichéd. Ok, covered that already, but Anakin`s joking about his attitude towards senators, a love for softness and the sharing of political beliefs, with one saying he might prefer a dictatorship, and comforting someone on their struggles with their mentors, as well as the talk of growing more beautiful, and Padme being able to be so. She is open with him and feeling comfortable under that. She accidentally turns a compliment into an insult. Anakin honestly admitting he has the same fears, yet being somewhat comforting, and Anakin trying to constantly say she is in the right, not doubting her, yet giving justified reasons, like supporting why she became a Senator, were all fresh and original. It was mainly the love confession and fire place parts that used more old dialogue. Peter Parker in “Spiderman 2,” also known as the universally loved film, even quoted love books. We often adopt well known ways to share our feelings. Plinket praised “Titanic,” and Matthew “Moulin Rouge,” so both can just shut it.
The exposition on the Clones, which was about 2 minutes and set up many vital plot points would be too long. Really, 2 minutes of Exposition is too long? Even when it sets up many vital plot points? Yet you want films to clearly convey things and not be visual, vague and wished for even more exposition on the Sith. It isn`t like many other films...oh, you know the drill. This again isn’t different from “The Dark Knight” or the “Lord of the Rings” films. Also, this sort of exposition you have in any Kurosawa film, Blade Runner, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, True Grit, Jurassic Park, The Sixth Sense, just any film with a complex story.
By the way, Anakin was mostly just arrogant and angry at people that insulted him though he was trying to be nice too, so he isn`t a jerk. Obi-Wan was right when he said Anakin's abilities have made him arrogant. He just got angry when Obi-Wan was distorting the facts of who saved who and refused to treat the woman he loved fairly. He was frustrated despite of working hard, doing many good things, and being kept down. Again, remember Luke? Reviewreviewer1 said this comment on Matthew's channel: “You complain all the time and are a lot more mean-spirited, but that would be ok since the films you spent 2 hours on are horrible, right?” Matthew said there is a difference between a film critic and a movie character, that if Anakin isn`t sympathetic, we can`t care for him. Ok, so he admits he is also a jerk, yet he can be a film critic who can judge the morality of others. If a critic isn`t sympathetic, he cannot be a good judge on people too. Matthew should just say “Yes” and “Amen” to everything. John Blake is a jerk because he argued with his superiors. I guess so, because we will delve deeper into this. When Matthew reviews Episode III, Anakin is a jerk for being upset by having to spy and commits treason towards his mentor and the leader of the Republic. Being loyal to your friends and being upset on being asked to commit treason is bad. What, so he should just take any orders? Well, he did by killing Dooku, who he knew was evil, had cut off his arm, murdered many of his peers, and who had strong Force Powers, making him a dangerous prisoner, while they were on an enemy ship. Anakin needed to carry Obi-Wan unconscious and was the only able warrior, yet after being ordered to kill an unarmed warrior. Therefore, killing an enemy without trial to know you protect those that are actually evil, is fine. That was such an absolute statement. Anakin should have continued to say no, and should have not sounded understated because he was shocked after doing so, ok? Sorry for talking about Episode III. Remember how Batman killed a defeated Ra’s Al Gul...oh wait, let him die, even though he only let him die because he wanted him to die? Batman could have easily saved Ra’s Al Gul and was responsible for the crashing of the train he was on. Remember that?
Matthew complains that Anakin being the chosen one had to do with him not being ready for the assignment. It meant he should trust him, as he is so important.
The dialogue wasn`t unconvincing, it discussed the things that were important between Anakin and Padme, and them growing comfortable around each other.
Anakin indeed discussed he was frustrated by his mentor who was mean to him. Teenagers never discuss that with each other. Again, he supported an Enlightened Dictatorship. On another note, he didn`t beg Padme for love, but to be with him. Teenagers never come off desperate when love struck, right?
The landing scene on Tatooine was a long montage? What, like 10 seconds or something? A ten second flying sequence is so rare in Sci-Fi movies. Again, remember LOTR and Batman? Never mind.
How were the Kamino aliens unreal? They had saturated skin colors, moist eyes, moved fluently, though a bit restrained due to their lack of muscles and rough skins. Jettster moved clumsily due to his fatness and rough skin and Obi-Wan actually looks right at where he is. How are these bad Special Visual Effects?
Now let’s get back to the love dialogue. Anakin saying they sometimes had to let go of their pride showed he was trying to be more mature, which made Padme really see him as more mature. Padme asking him not to grow up too fast showed she was still a bit hesitant about being with him. Don`t you see how that is unnatural? Anakin saying he was grown up showed he was more consistent. Anakin somewhat annoyingly saying when they entered the Droid Factory he had given up trying to argue with her showed he was still arrogant and quickly offended, but was trying to be a good friend. She didn`t just say “I can`t love you,” she explained she couldn`t live with a lie and asked Anakin if he could, trying to be rational. She was trying to not be honest about her feelings, dodging his questions about the way she felt about him, and Anakin also discussed he was haunted by the kiss she gave him. This made him realize how much he loved her and said she was in his soul, tormenting him, as he was the more honest person about his pain. Anakin described her as being in his heart and his heart being beaten because he is more sentimental. He was actively trying to make her admit her feelings, so they didn`t just flat out say they loved each other but couldn`t and weren`t in agony. They had different ways of conveying their emotions. Anakin also explained he loved her by describing how he loved her world. Anakin is more complimentary, where she is more curious and worried. We aren`t just supposed to care about their love because it is forbidden. They deeply develop why they love each other. An obstacle just creates more tension and shows how much they care about each other. All of this stuff we would again see 2 years later in “Spiderman 2.” This sort of thing was in “Titanic,” so NEXT!
The conversation about Anakin being grown up fits the characters and expanded their relationship. That wasn`t bad dialogue, neither was the sand talk or the fire place scene and the part he comforts her about standing on their own, admitting he felt scared too, yet they had R2, was natural. People often feel better when they share worried thoughts and joke about it. It showed Anakin understood Padme. The part he says they were encouraged to love was great, as it reflected how he had retained his altruistic beliefs, yet had become more spiritual and philosophical. By saying Padme was the way she was in his dreams, he was really honest about his feelings and caused her to really consider her feelings for him.
Matthew complains Padme seems the same age as in the first movie, but she was an almost fully young adult, looking 14-years-old in the first film. She looked like a younger teenager and is a young adult here. There is no real difference between the two. She wouldn`t grow tall, get pimples, or her chest wouldn’t get bigger. Just compare pictures of 17-year-olds with 27-year-olds. No difference.
Matthew complained we never saw other Jedis being arrogant, we just saw them sitting in chairs. Because it is an off-screen issue, and is just a minor issue. They can`t also develop all individual Jedis. We never saw the individual Rebels getting a lot of development. Dooku was arrogant, and Mace Windu became arrogant. Remember Qui-Gon? We did see that quite a bit.
Some last points on the dialogue. Matthew calls the dialogue between Jango and Obi-Wan tedious and pointless:
Well, it starts off with Obi-Wan just praising Jango on the Clones, as he is trying to be unassuming. When Jango said he is trying to make his way in the universe, Obi-Wan immediately asks if he ever got as far as Coruscant. He is casually questioning him on whether he might be the assassin. Jango stays vague and cryptic. This builds tension and it shows the two characters are both self-confident and calm. It is also witty, with Obi-Wan asking if he ever got to Coruscant and being very official, talking about the interior. Jango stays very cryptic, saying once or twice he did. Obi-Wan asked if it was recent, then he says possibly. It shows how both are very sharply paying attention and that the two are secretive, while being very quick. This was actually a witty conversation, but apparently you can`t have them talk about it in a way that shows the characters being manipulative, making the dialogue fit the characters. You need to condense it to just a few lines. Just flat out say stuff, weren`t you criticizing the film for that?
It isn`t pointless since Obi-Wan tries to find out if he indeed worked for Sifo-Dyas. Jango acts like he worked for someone else, which he did. Obi-Wan disregards this, as he thinks Jango is trying to cover up that. He is secretly working for multiple people. Jango assures him the Clones will do their job, trying to act like the army is legit. Jango doesn`t seem to reveal any manipulative purpose of them and seems to have created a genuine army. It develops the characters and conveys plot information. It also builds tension, as the two guys are really suspicious of each other. I guess taking at least 2 minutes for that is too long.
Anakin telling they got into aggressive negotiations was believable, as he has a more military way of talking, as he is a Jedi. It was funny. He was so enchanted with Padmé, he didn`t even expect she wouldn`t get that at first. Padme finds his honesty cute, as she likes honesty and she finds Anakin being more of a warrior to also be interesting. It is funny Anakin says Obi-Wan would be grumpy if he saw Anakin using the Force to move that pier, as he is very orthodox and would be against showing off the Force. It shows Anakin can laugh and be relaxed about Obi-Wan`s strictness. He can be very relaxed around Padme and he has more joyful memories of his contact with Obi-Wan, also finding his strictness fun. He has a sense of humor and can really joke with Padme. Joking about more strict family members having a problem with something is really normal and natural.
The conversation between Anakin and Obi-Wan where Anakin defends Palpatine and Obi-Wan criticizes him, thinking he manipulates the Senate, was very natural, as Anakin would naturally stand up for Palpatine, as he is a loyal friend. Obi-Wan would be prejudice about him as Jedis are quickly prejudice and he is very watchful of manipulation. Although he’s very assuming, he’s less altruistic then Anakin.
How was the dialogue in the scene where Anakin and Padme are in the field dull, boring and sluggish? Anakin asks Padme when her first kiss was. She is being secretive about it and acts like she doesn`t know which. People often think when they feel uncomfortable about personal information. Anakin figures out she probably just doesn`t want to tell him. Then, she decides because he is persistent to tell who it was, and how great he looked, which naturally got Anakin jealous. He is an emotional teenager, who actually reacts quite mad. He also says it might have been smart to not become a politician. This shows he has some of Obi-Wan’s prejudices, but he admits he does like a few. Like someone in love, he tries to create excitement by not telling who he wasn`t truly sure about. Anakin shows he is skeptical about the corruption in the system and is also frustrated with many politicians. It was very well written. He sums up how the system should work, and Padme notes the problem in a Democracy. People don`t always agree and Anakin is a more extreme person who jumps to the logical extreme conclusion. They should be made to.
Another conversation that wasn`t badly written was when Yoda meets Dooku. Dooku immediately says he interfered with their affairs for the last time, showing he is very violent when he needs to. Yoda says he became powerful and senses the Dark Side, which shows Yoda being spiritual. Immediately, Yoda sees he is indeed truly evil. Dooku shows his arrogance and obsession with power by saying he became more powerful than any Jedi, even Yoda. When he fails, Yoda proves his spitefulness of the Dark Side, saying he still had much to learn. We can see Dooku isn`t capable of admitting defeat, saying they can`t solve the fight with the Force, but needs to use the Light Saber. That fails. Yoda says his old Padawan fought well, showing he does still feel connected to his old Padawan. Dooku stating it was just the beginning truly showed his arrogance.
Time to rebute the 64 reasons to hate Episode II article now:
The article criticized the line of Padme at the beginning. “I shouldn`t have come back,” asking how she could stay away from Coruscant while being a Senator. Maybe she could have sent a Representative.
He called Padme asking who was behind the attack when Yoda says he is glad to see her alive, cold. Instead of saying thank you, she would react inhuman. Someone jut died due to an attack. Being more focused on finding who was responsible then being nice and polite is inhuman. I guess that is true, it is like if someone says they are being chased and will inevitably die a horrible death. Ask “so, how was your day,” you say “fine, thank you.” Oh yes, Ask That Guy With The Glasses, he talks so much like a real human being.
It criticizes the Jedis for sounding like know-it-alls about the security. Maybe because it is their authority department, any cops or soldier in a movie acts like that.
It wouldn`t be subtle enough when Anakin makes it clear he loves Padme, as we would already know what was going to happen. It is our character arcs that isn`t supposed to be a mystery. Where the development surprises us, character development is supposed to be comprehensible. Since when is teenage love subtle?
It is wrong of the Jedi to be strict and talking about betrayal when someone shows emotions. Jedis aren`t allowed to show and instead just make someone feel relaxed, instead of worried about their romantic feelings. Apparently Jedis shouldn`t be strict, in spite of Yoda being really strict in “Empire Strikes Back,” and that coming with the department of being a monk.
Apparently there was something wrong with Anakin saying he couldn`t find a speeder he really liked and talking about how he wanted one with an open cockpit and right speed capabilities. Even though it conveyed his arrogance, his being a very experienced and picky pilot and how unserious he took the danger, saying it during the chase. It wasn`t badly delivered. He said it while heavily breathing, due to him putting energy into the flying and said it in a really arrogant, cocky way.
Every flight sequence in this movie was intense and awesome. I loved the light-saber duels, as always, and the laser fights, the hand-to-hand combat, and every action in this movie really got me into the movie even more. Of course, the best part of the movie, which everyone agrees with, is the Clone Wars. That part was just amazing. I loved how detailed the clones look and how every Jedi came together to fight the Clones. Each one of them did their part, like in Days of Future Past, no one was pointless, and it was just mind-blowing.
The article criticizes Mace Windu saying this party is over, even though that is funny, as it is downplaying a giant attack. Taglines shouldn`t belong in Star Wars, remember? “This bucket of bolts is never going to make it past the Blockade.” “Would it help if I got out and pushed? It might!” Remember that?
The conversation between Obi-Wan, Mace Windu and Yoda was great. He is more naive and confused as to whether the Jedi ordered a Clone Army and Windu being very depressed about it, honestly admitting they had no authorization. Obi-Wan’s assumptions, where he is immediately thinking there would be no motive behind the Clones helping assassinate Padme, not realizing she is opposing the Military Creation Act. Yoda as the wise Master, tells Obi-Wan to keep his mind clear. Windu is very somber, wanting to admit to the Senate there powers were fading, but Yoda is more cautious and realizes they would get more enemies when informed. Yoda shows his pragmatic side, which fits how he himself acts too much on fear of the future.
Now let`s discuss the fact that Yoda used a Light Saber. It was nice seeing Yoda in action. Confused Matthew says it is like giving Superman an airplane. That is totally fan-boyish and overpowering Yoda. Obi-Wan was very powerful, yet used a Light Saber, and so did Darth Vader. If Yoda was so strong, he didn`t need a Light Saber, even though it was said to be the weapon of a Jedi. Yoda was at least twice as strong as Darth Vader and should have just taken him out himself. In fact, Luke still used a Light Saber in “Return of the Jedi” when he was very strong with the Force. Yoda was never established as that far in a league above Obi-Wan. Redlettermedia complains he uses a Light Saber. He says this shows size does matter, as he needs to use it differently by jumping around. This is a very weak point. However, in the end, he is one of the strongest sword fighters and very strong with the Force. The way he uses the Light Saber is different, but what matters is that he gets better results. By this logic, you are saying he shouldn`t fight with a Light Saber, as that shows his size is a handicap. If he then needed to rely solely on the Force and he couldn`t fight with a Light Saber like Obi-Wan, that makes his size a lot more of a handicap. He didn`t physically lift the ship in Episode V. Does that mean size mattered as a giant would have just grabbed the ship by the arms? Matthew also complains about the final fight with Dooku. He says Anakin and Obi-Wan are laying there like dummies, but they had their limbs cut and couldn`t move due to shock. He says Yoda would just be jumping around, even though he fights while jumping, and is faster and more agile than any other Jedi. He also questions how Dooku shooting lightning made him better then Obi-Wan, but it is clearly a rare ability. He complains Dooku decides to use the Light Saber when the Force doesn`t work, but that is how any fight goes. If one attack doesn`t work, you try another. You don`t just give up. Plinket asks why Dooku wasn`t jumping around if they were equal with the Force. Dooku couldn`t redirect or absorb lighting. His powers were clearly weaker. He was trying to save face. Jumping is easier when you are light and short. Yoda shouldn`t be above fighting when he asks others to do this as well. Plinket also complains that Anakin acted like a Cop in the Diner. That is what you do when you try to keep peace. He claimed that the assassin might have had reinforcements, but she didn`t know she would end up there. He also complains Obi-Wan said to be extra careful, but again, Jedis take risks. He also asks why a shape shifter would need a disguise, but that is called overkill. He complains that the use of the Light Saber by various aliens is impractical, but Obi-Wan said it was THE weapon of a Jedi Knight. You can specifically train and use the Force as Yoda did to compensate. Jedis are Knights. They are also Monks. Again, why complain they are doing celibate? Do you want them to be spiritual or not?
Redlettermedia also says they are overused, which is again a very one-sided remark. He says they were cooler when used sparingly in the Original Trilogy, but there weren`t many Jedis in their prime in those movies. Luke still had to train himself with it. Often when films use a cool thing limitedly, it is used more in the sequels. “Aliens” had more aliens, “X2” had more mutants, and “The Two Towers” had more Legolas. This is payoff to the buildup. Using something a lot can also just mean for a very full action film. Look at how much Captain America’s action we had in “The Winter Soldier,” look at the overkill in “The Avengers.” He compares it to dangling shining objects in front of a baby, but again in his Episode III review, he wants more exciting Visuals, and the Light Saber makes for more creative action then blasters or tie fighters, which were used a lot in the Original trilogy. Is overusing something cool and worse than overusing something mundane?
Plinket makes the remark Lucas didn`t know how to create exciting action scenes without having someone whip out the Light Saber. If you don`t count the Pod Race, the Gungan Droid battle, the speeder chase, the asteroid chase, the space battle of Coruscant, the chase after Grievous, the Clones vs. the Droids, the sea monster chase, and the running of the blockade, then yeah.
Matthew complains the opening was too long, even though it was not longer then the opening of “Empire Strikes Back.” It built suspense and visually showed how guarded Padme was. He also says “weak Special Effects” all the time, but we also see action and comedy all the time, and hear music all the time. It is still part of the movie. He also says it would look like a bad cartoon, but the clouds are detailed and the three-dimensional ship is a great effect.
Another complaint is that Anakin and Obi-Wan would look bored during the speeder chase, but Obi-Wan was focusing his eyes and contracting all his facial muscles due to sheer force of the wind. Anakin simply looked focused. Obi-Wan looked back and forth constantly, indicating stress.
Another complaint was the assembly line sequence that any real person would get killed. The machines weren`t moving that fast. A human with fast reflexes could move through it. Remember that meteor chase in “Empire Strikes Back” where they went into an instable meteor field? What were the odds, according to C-3PO? It isn`t impossible! It wasn`t pointless, as it showed how Anakin still had things to learn, and how Padme was being too arrogant, not thinking through the situation, how she got in the middle of the factory, was taken off guard and captured, as a result.
About the meteor chase, the reason Jango can`t hit Obi-Wan's ship is because he is dodging him at a very fast speed, the same way that in “300,” they hid from all the arrows under their shields. Jango was close on Obi-Wan, but was barely missing him. That happens a lot in real life shootouts. You see that constantly in the new Zorro films, Predator, or Lethal Weapon.
We again get the complaint there is a lot of stuff in one shot. Again, that makes it more realistic and complex. It clearly focuses on one thing, with the rest being in the background. In the Pod Race, for example, Anakin was always clearly followed by the camera. In the Speeder Chase, the camera always focuses on one ship and he complains it is fast. Well, these are MODERN ACTION SCENES!!!!!!! He really couldn’t follow Obi-Wan flying through rocks and dodging lasers. Remember the chases in the new Batman films, the siege in “Return of The King,” the jumping on the jellyfish in “Finding Nemo,” any chase scene in “Aliens,” “The Abyss,” the “Mission: Impossible” films, Men In Black, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Thelma And Louise, The Original Star Wars Trilogy, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2, or Die Hard…yeah that will do. No, seriously the camera follows it clearly each shot, lasting numerous seconds. We can clearly see what is going on.
R2-D2 flying did makes sense, as in “Empire Strikes Back,” he was also floating in the water, being patrolled by a certain force, and R2 often has secret weapons he keeps a secret as long as possible. Remember his electric stick in “Return of the Jedi?” He always has secret resources, since he was a very uniquely made Droid for one Battle Cruiser.
In the Episode III space battle, the camera centers on the ships of Obi-Wan and Anakin. The backgrounds in large battles are normal. The only difference with most other films is that stuff actually happens in the background, which is realism and attention to detail. This is artistic perfection and kids who want toys don`t even care about that. He says too much too fast will cancel out the excitement, as it disconnects us from reality. Real life battles are even faster and more overwhelming action scenes add to the realism. The action isn`t much faster than most modern action films, and has backgrounds like most action films with big battles. That simply has stuff happening, which again is in the background. It doesn`t distract, adds to realism and re-watch value, and this isn`t any different from the action in the Pirates Of The Caribbean, Indiana Jones, or Lord Of The Rings films, all which have complex backgrounds. In the background of “The Lord of the Rings” films, the soldiers just keep wrestling with each other and arrows just disappear without anyone falling sometimes. Really, you would prefer that?
Ok, and the arena fight would be too long. What there needs to be is less dialogue, plot, action and visuals. The battle wasn`t long then the Trench fight or the Walker battle, Helms deep, or the final battle in The Avengers, Terminator 2, Lethal Weapon, or the final fights in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, or the train scene in Spiderman 2.
The Droid Factory scene would be a video game we didn`t get to play, because it looked similar to video game action scenes? Sorry, but the video game argument is weak, as:
1. Film uses elements from many other art forms. Video Games aren`t necessarily bad when adapted into other media, the films based on games are, but some elements of them translate well to film, like with musicals, nooks etc.
2. Video games nowadays are so advanced. They are similar to films.
3. You can also say stuff like that about Jurassic Park or Lord of the Rings, or even the Bourne .ilms are similar to action films, or Spiderman, or Harry Potter.
4. How is the action bad? We see Anakin fight enemies and dodge obstacles. It is fast with lots of danger, and the use of the Force and Light Saber, as well as a handful of different machinery. That is a danger. The Special Visual Effects are detailed, rough, and three-dimensional. Again, people complain about the CGI in this, though it comes from ILM, the best company who also did the effects for films people praise them for like T2, The Abyss, Jurassic Park, Death Becomes Her, Forest Gump, etc. They took their time on this and had one of their highest budgets out there. Come on, really. The ships have shadows, the buildings are rough and three-dimensional, there are all kinds of rubble on the arena stones and the machinery in the factory, there is smoke during the fights, the sea water is moist, the Droids are harsh, the Geonosis wings move faster than their less flexible arms. Watto has rough skin, the lighting reflects on the rainy window and on Kamino, and in the Temple. The metal was cleaner, as the Temple just had a more clean design, as it is a Temple. The background looked shinier, where the lighting reflected and it had more attention grabbing lights shining in, due to the contrast with the dark. It still looked three-dimensional, and the Senate Pods look rough and have depths. The pillars in the Temple had dirt on them, Coruscant really has just as much detail as Blade Runner, and the arena was as detailed as the arena in Gladiator. Palpatines office reacts to the light from the outside and has saturated wall colors. The elevator had glass with mass and size, the grass had real lightness, Anakin actually had trouble riding on the rhino, and that really supports on it. The waterfalls had saturated colors. On Geonosis, the caves did have grip. They actually shook when the ship got hit by laser. On Kamino, the Clones all move fluently and have thick hard suits. The scene on Geonosis in the desert didn`t look as rough as the scene in the cave of Episode IV. Indeed, because it was sand not rocks!!!!!!! The CGI looks amazing. These films have some of the best Special Visual Effects of all time. The CGI really made the worlds look alive. I know that we live in a different time and that everything is CGI, especially when it's unnecessary, but here, I thought the CGI made the film look more alive. Coruscant, as always, looks mind-blowing, Kamino reminded you of the Gungan city under the sea, Geonosis was just amazing, and everything about this movie made you want to be in it, although we are reaching a point where everything will be controlled by technology.
Let`s see…the film would look too pretty. Well, this is paradise and still has to be hurt by war. The effect of that, you will see in the looks of the battle fields of Utapau and the destroyed Jedi Temple in the third movie. The beauty adds to the more optimistic feel of the first two films.
Redlettermedia says the line between paying homage and ripping off blurs, when Lucas takes shots and environmental aspects from Blade Runner and Gladiator, even though as AVGN points out, the Original Trilogy does this in the same detail, as do many Brian De Palma, Martin Scorsese, Sergio Leone, Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielberg, Bryan Singer, Matthew Vaughn, and James Cameron films. Basically, just all of the New Hollywood Filmmaker films, Lucas didn`t take the stories or characters or themes from those films. His films are far more original, showing Democracy fall from the inside, paralleled to a fall from grace, and the main source of evil being basic fear. He adds many new aspects to the environments and direction, with more phalanxes shaped and larger ships, more colorful, round and pointy buildings, aliens living in the ships and building, and the bars having fun TV screens. Matthew says we had already seen a flying traffic chase before. About “The Dark Knight,” we never saw motorcycle chases before, right? Because if you take the basis of another action scene, your scene sucks, even when you have them dodge flames, fly through power couplings, hit by lasers, Obi-Wan hanging on to a Droid and getting hit against a building. Even adding all that, it is still bad, right? The scene has Anakin fly down with his ship to make Obi-Wan`s landing easier, Anakin almost glides off the speeder, and makes a quick dive down with the speeder. Even though it added all these original elements, this makes it bad. Even though it added all the original elements to the environment, some homage to “Blade Runner,” it’s now ripping them off, while many films did the same on both counts. Yes, an arena where you slowly reveal the whole environment from the prisoner’s perspective was invented by Ridley Scott, not history, sure. A coliseum is a trademark of Ridley Scott’s and now the Romans. Whatever! It is apparently wrong for these films to pay homage the previous films, even though these films are also about historical patterns and Anakin experiences similar things to Luke. Temple Of Doom, T2, The Dark Knight, The Last Crusade, and (let`s see) Back To The Future Parts II and III all did the same. It is part of the themes and characterization here, so sure.
This just shows how biased people are towards these films. Some people complain they don`t homage older things the ways the Originals did, when it turns out they do. It is suddenly ripping off, where the original Indiana Jones films did this. It wasn`t ripping off. People complain Anakin`s celibate birth was cheesy, even though it tied into him being the Chosen One and explained his powers. People want Padme to be like Eve. References to the Old Testament, where a woman brings sin into the world, are better than references to a woman bringing life and salvation. That is so extreme. In fact, many of Plinket`s points are extreme. He made so many jokes about how unreasonable women are in relationships and claimed Anakin couldn`t have won Padme`s love, as he sometimes argued with her. Anakin also talked about himself and was naturally uncomfortable. This is again very hypocritical, just as he makes racist jokes while criticizing the films for it. He makes extreme jokes and he totally overused the creepy jokes from his Episode I review in his Episode II review, showing that apparently he does like Lucas. He wanted to give fans more of what they liked the first time. People complain the Pod Race was a rip-off, even though it combines Ancient Races with modern Sports Announcers, and many creative ways of flying. This film, as Mike J pointed out, references Cop and Detective films. The Speeder Chase and the Bar Scene were a perfect part of that. The film references Civil War, the Nazi take over, and Lucas’s own “American Graffiti.” Redlettermedia says the Original films borrowed from earlier iconic imagery. What does that mean, anything that came before it? He says that Clones borrowed from anything it could find. Earlier imagery, and he calls it unrelated, but how strong was the connection between The Good the Bad and The Ugly, The Wizard of Oz, and Flash Gordon? Tarantino combined Westerns, with heist films, samurai films, anime, horror films, etc.
The story did a great job telling the next step in how the Democracy turned into a Dictatorship, which was just great. We find out Yoda taught Dooku, Dooku taught Qui-Gon, Qui-Gon taught Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan taught Anakin, and Anakin tried to teach Luke to come to the Dark Side.
The pacing has again been criticized. Yes, the film is slow in the middle, but this allows for the building of tension to when the Star Wars series enters its first big war and the deepening of plot, characters and themes. The length of the film adds to this. It allows the film to develop all the back-story it needs to. This really is a commercial picture being over 140 minutes. Plinket complains that, unlike “Empire Strikes Back,” this fails to tell a love story in the darkest of times. If you think being aggressive in love is ok, as Han constantly criticizes Leia, and claim she wants to kiss him, but that being whiny in tough times means no one will love. You need to be baddies to make a romance genuine, then sure. He also says that this film fails to be the darkest in the Prequel Trilogy. Again, acting like films need to conform to specific formulas while complaining these films are already borrowing too much, even though III has to be the darkest, as IV is called “A New Hope,” remember? He actually criticizes that film for being too dark. He also criticized “Star Trek: Nemesis” for this. A lot of dark stuff did happen: Anakin lost his mom, he struggled with Obi-Wan, and worried about not being able to be with Padme. The Galaxy erupts into a Civil war, and he claims not much would happen at all except for them getting the Clones. Yes, and the war with the Separatists starting and a first big battle being won. Anakin’s mom dying, him marrying Padme, Obi-Wan learning to trust him more, Palpatine becoming a dictator, is that enough?
The editing has been criticized for being too fast in crosscutting between the two storylines, but this adds to the feeling of approaching danger.
People again complained the music was a lesser John Williams work. It had a very dark, brooding and mysterious music on Kamino and sometimes Naboo, building tension, the feeling of coming evil and subtle dark music when Palpatine is manipulating Anakin, which is subtly dreadful yet also harmonious. The speeder chase music was epic and rhythmic, and the love theme is emotional, sensitive and deep, yet foreshadows the tragedy of Anakin and Padme. The music on Coruscant at the end is really gothic and foreboding. The music on Geonosis is really unsettling, worrisome, and exotic, and the music over Anakin's dead mother is so intense and depressing. Now the music is fantastic and the silence in the meteor chase worked very well to create real sharpness.
Redlettermedia says that you can compare “Attack of the Clones” negatively to “Empire Strikes Back,” as that film would have real sets and this film just CGI. Again, that is just being overly old-fashioned. Mike J thankfully pointed out the CGI is far better and its excessive use allowed it to greatly advance the industry. Later, this was used very much by Harry Potter, The Avenger films, and Pirates of the Caribbean. He says we now have a fake looking Yoda. Matthew also calls him fake, even though the CGI is again very detailed and natural. He says he is now doing video game stuff, which I guess means Yoda is above video game stuff, while Darth Vader, Luke and Obi-Wan were not, as he felt about the fighting, while teaching Luke how to do so. He claims Han and Leia are real people. So are Anakin and Padme. They’re sophisticated characters and are still real. He again says we are told we should like them, even though Anakin is much more honest about his feelings and more selfless. Not every word they share is witty banter. He also compares Padme failing to capture Dooku to Leia failing to rescue Han, saying she is there to stop some guy called Dooku from doing something. No, she was there to capture Dooku, prevent war and fails to keep peace even though she really wanted to.
Remember, this is supposed to be about one of the Clone Wars in the series, which it did portray nicely. I personally think that this movie did an awesome job portraying it and it made it realistic and action packed. I love this movie, and I think it really did an important chapter in the saga justice.
Overall, “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” is an outstanding masterpiece. It was a lot better than “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.” It is great, it was such a box office success, and still got a lot of positive reaction and many fans, but it is still really underrated. I think it was a great addition to the series. It didn't need the hate that it deserved, since this was an important chapter to the series. It is on par with the Original Trilogy and one of the best films ever made, it gets a 10+.
I hope that you enjoyed this long review that reviewreviewer1 and I made together. Stay tuned tomorrow for the finale of "Star Wars Week."
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