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danj

In Reply to: STAR WARS---WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW MOVIES? posted by croft on July 08, 2003 at 13:22:52:

fx is better on the newer films but sometimes there is way too much going on. Call it overkill.
the older films were better paced and more exciting. Lucas, directing Episode IV (the first made) was a much better director than he is now. This is the man who directed and wrote the classic "American Graffiti" and "THX-1138." Has he forgotten that sometimes less-is-more?
The writing in the older films was much better. Where is Lawrence Kasden when we need him?
The chemistry between the lead actors was much better in the older films.
The leads in the newer films are wooden! I blame the director as the actors (at least those with other credits) are more than adequately skilled. At least "Attack of the Clones" had Yoda and Christopher Lee to liven things up. And it had very little Jar-Jar, which is a big plus.
Still, with all their problems, I do like the new films. Are they as good as the older ones? No. Are they good enough? Certainly. Could they be better? Much more so.
My ratings of the movies thus far:
* a total waste of time
** mediocre but worth watching if nothing better comes around
*** good
**** excellent. fine entertainment
***** outstanding. nearly perfect entertainment.
1. Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace ***
2. Episode 2 - Attack of the Clones **
3. Episode 4 - A New Hope *****
4. Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back *****
5. Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi ****

Follow Ups:

Re: PERFECT REPLY - SUPERB DESCRIPTION. - croft 09:18:18 07/09/03 (0)
Hi,
Thanks for the post Danj.
A very good dscription.
I also think that Lucas held a different perspective on movie making in the early days and "LESS IS MORE" is absolutely true.
I think a lot of the first films success was that they left you yo use your own imagination,much like reading a book-your own perspective was used.Whearas in the recent films this has been filled in with special effects and computer graphics.
The new films i think are enjoyable but i dont seem to get engrosed with them like the first ones.Also people say that its beacuse times have changed and so has the audience---This i totally disagree with.
I think the latest film did have some key majik moments including the aliens on the water planet and fight in the desert pit.Then again the use of cji was evident almost everywhere.With cji dijital animation i think it looks unatural and moves smoother than in real life.
Also the humour element in the phantom menace was a bad move.
The title "phantom menace"--what does it relate to?There was hardly a menace at all untill the films climax,Shurely Darth maul could have been shown displaying his fighting abiltys in the mos eisley canteen or something.All we were treated to was a quick battle on the desert untill the end?
I think that"the less is more" perspective should have been used and a more intimate explanation of how the force came about in the first place.The p menace looks like it ocured after Jedi,Instead of before it.?
The martial arts aspect was one area that i did think was good,It could have been pushed further still.
I think Lucas has changed his movie making perspective and has let the marketplace dictate the outcome instead of "simple craetivity".
"THE FORCE WILL BE WITH YOU"(almost)ALWAYS.
IAN.
THX1138 is Lucas' best film (IMO, of course) nt - mvwine 07:26:47 07/09/03 (3)
nt

"I've been accused of vulgarity. I say that's bullshit."
- Also Lucas's first film - gware 20:20:09 07/10/03 (2)
  and one of the best SF films to come out of the USA, it owes a lot to Fritz Langs Metropolis, but is different enough to be interesting and was ahead of its time when released
  I've always thought the simple, effective ending really made this
  film
  Eric
  - There is apparently a TV Miniseries planned based on THX 1138
  - Re: Also Lucas's first film---Also amazing - croft 20:52:31 07/10/03 (1)
    Hi Eric,
    I also have this film on Good old Laserdisk.
    The concept,Like you say is way ahead of the rubbish today.
    Would make a great terminator 4 script????
    Thanks,
    Ian.
    - THX1138 is too thought provoking and philosophical - gware 21:15:35 07/10/03 (0)
      as the basis for a T-4 script, not a high enough body count or quite enough explosions to keep an audience awake(!)
      Soylent Green, Logans Run or Westworld remakes might fit the bill
      Or the UK classic "the Space Vampires" aka "Life Force" based on a Colin Wilson yarn... same era, all very very "B"
      Love 'em
      Eric
      Tokyo

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