I am seeing it again tomorrow. Must see the Falcon. I have this to say about my view on the movies.
Empire >Star Wars > Jedi = Sith> Clones > Menace.
With Jedi, there are many good aspects, and Ewoks. Jabba and the Emperor are a plus. Now with Menace and Clones I am in a dillema. Menace had better acting, a damn good fight, and Gui Gon, but the plot sucked and it had Jar Jar (mind you midget Ewoks are better then CG Gungans) but in Clones the acting was bad, Dooku was basically the same as Saruman, too much CG, and Anakin, but it had so much action, Boba Fett, asteroid field, kick ass Yoda, less Jar Jar and showing how he killed the universe, and the first look at the Empire to be. Which is better?
At first I did not like the way Vader broke free from the table either, but you must remember he was taking his first steps with mechanical legs. It would be awkward and clunky at first. When he is on board the Star Destroyer with Sidious and Tarkin, he is walking fine by then. The Noooo seemed fitting considering his anguish over realizing he had not stopped the very event he tried so hard to prevent.
I love all the Star Wars movies. I grew up watching the original Trilogy and I equally like this newer trilogy. Now I have many responses and comments to make.
First is the matter of technology. What looks more sleak and modern to us now? The rounded smooth toasters, refridgerators, cars and trucks of the 1930's or the more box like design of stuff in the 1970's and such? I mean really? The stuff in the 70's was the worst for american automotive history Cars rusted out and were junk FAST no matter how good you took care of them. The stuff in the 1930's was older but looked cooler.
George Lucas even says he was influenced by that time period when creating the prequel Trilogy. Like 20 years takes place between Episode III and Episode IV, and tean years went by between Episode II and Episode III. So a total of THIRTY years between Episode II and Episode IV. It makes perfect sense that the Storm Troopers are wearing newer uniforms, the ships they are using look different, and things are darker. Episode I and II took place in peaceful times of the Republic, it is showing you a contrast between the good times and the Dark times of the Republic and Empire.
I can aceept the Computer Generated stuff versus live action argument. That, to me is the only Valid Argument. If you don't like it , you just don't and that I understand because I feel the same to a degree.
Now, look at the end of Episode II What are those Storm Troopers loading up into? Looked like first Generation Star Destroyers to me. VERY similar to the ones seen in the 4,5,6 Trilogy. Look at the Pictures of Anakin's Fighter for Episode III, it looks like a very early Tie-Fighter Model. Look at Jango Fett's Ship, Slave I, same ship his son Boba has in Episode V. The emperors shuttle is very close to the one seen in Jedi.
To be honest I am amazed how a trilogy well over 20 years old can have a prequel tirlogy tie in and be so close and tie the story together so well. What other mvoie maker goes to such lengths to tell a great story?
You don't like Episode I and II because it isn't the same as Episode 4-6? 4-6 covers a period of a few years, all three movies together. Episode 1-3 covers a period of 20 years or so. I means seriously, look at it in those terms and it should make easy sense why things look different to such an extent in those movies. Look at Anakin's lightsaber in Episode III, it matches the one Goven to Luke in Episode 4. "You father's Lightsaber". I mean Lucas goes to that level of detail to make it all match up. All anyone does is complain and say the newer Trilogy sucks. I honestly don't know what you were expecting, but I enjoyed and am amazed how much more there is to learn about that Fictional Universe in the 20 year history of the Prequel Trilogy then there is to be learned in the few years covered in the Original Trilogy.
Lucas always tries to include different locations and places in each Star Wars Movie. But look at the places visited more than once, do they match up to the Original Trilogy versions of the Same locations? Tatooine, looks very similar in both Trilogies. Heck, they even went back to the same set where they filmed Episode 4 home farm and shot the scenes for Episode II and III there. I mean is that dedication for the fans or not? I am by no means a George Lucas or Star Wars fanatic, but I wish those who gripe and whine actually had something to base thier argument on. No one looks at how much detail and continuity correctness there is in the films.
Anakin had bat acting since he was a teenager in Episode II, he was supposed to be unsure of his feelings and such. You want the arrogant and all power Vader Anakin, look to Episode III, ten years later when he is an adult. I mean seriously, That actor played him in character well for what time period of Anakin's life it was.
Rewatch the movies before you go see Episode III, in the context of all three of them together I am sure you will begin to see what I am talking about. I'd say almost EVERYONE here, unless you are much older than me at 24 years, saw the original Trilogy back to back as a kid or later.
I asked my dad about all this. As he and my mother saw Episode IV in theaters when they were dating in the 1970's. I asked him if anyone at that time was jumping Lucas and saying any of the movies sucked. He said yes, that Everyone griped and complained about Episode V. Everyone said it sucked, that the ending sucked because the good guys lost in that one, and that it wasn't as exciting as Episode IV.
This is nothing new, really. People picked apart Empire back in the early 1980's and acted as if it was junk until Return of the Jedi came out and completed the Story. Then it was a holy trilogy that everyone loved. So say I, save your heckling and comments until you rewatch Episode I and II, then go see III at the Theater, and come back with your conclusions then. I for one, watched I and II the two nights before Episode III comes out, then I will be watching Episodes 4-6 the three nights after III to get the full effect. See what connections and story elements you missed the first time around.
Wow long post!
Edit- Got an argument for Anakin.
I agree with the fact that the dialog seems somewhat forced and that Lucas is not the best dialog writer, that is true. I disagree with the approach taken for Anakin though. I think it is a true reflection of villians. We all saw Anakin first as Darth Vader and expect this badassness of him in the earlier movies. However, it was the fact that he was headstrong, insecure, and resentful of authority that allowed him to be swayed to the Dark Side. He is fighting an internal battle all throughout Episodes 4-6.
In Episode V he has his major confrontation with Luke, his long lost son, who manages to escape him when he had him cornered. He returns to his ship and makes certain that his men disabled the Hyperdrive on the Falcon. He tries to call out to Luke with the Force. R2-D2 enables the hyperdrive again and the heroes escape. Who can't say the first time they saw that scene they thought Vader was two seconds from ending Admiral Piett's life? I know I thought that. Yet Vader takes a second glance out the window and leaves the bridge for his personal quarters, leaving Piett with his windpipe intact.
He was feeling joy and happiness at the realization he has a son. Yet the evil in him was questioning such feelings, they were not of the Dark Side. Internal conflict, he was still trying to supress Anakin Skywalker, the man he had been. It is a great scene that makes for an even more dramatic feeling when you understand Anakin's background.
That's my opinion of course, but most people who seek power and leverage over others are insecure and fear-filled people to begin with. Most of the worst dictators and just plain evil people in reality are like that. Insecure, filled with fear so they harm others and try to take control of everything around them.
Based on that, I think the portrayal of Anakin is dead on.