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Topic: Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

William Leland III
Master Film Handler

Posts: 336
From: Charleston, SC,
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 06-08-2005 05:58 PM

despite what everyone says about Darth Plageus creating Anakin, i still hold to my theory. im glad that everyone else has an opinion or some fact to back their own idea.

most of the star wars books written are not of lucas's idea. they are written by other authors with their own ideas of how the story happend or what lead up to the events of 4,5,6 and after.

i never read any of them. the only one i read was by Alan Dean Foster, who wrote "Splinter of the Mind's Eye", which followed after "A New Hope". with that saying, foster had no idea what lucas wanted to do with the whole story, and this was the man (foster) who ghost wrote the first star wars.

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 06-08-2005 06:09 PM

Oh come on Brad... if we weren't nerds we wouldn't be messing around with movie projectors.

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 06-08-2005 08:13 PM

I didn't make fun of Dave's spelling, I just wanted to clarify that I understand what he means. There are a lot of unfamiliar names in these movies. If I wanted to make fun of somebody's spelling, you would be a far easier and more rewarding target, Kevin.
Nobody ever said that Lucas was stupid. He obviously is very intelligent and has achieved a lot in the film industry. We are just saying that he is not a very good writer and director. At one point, he agreed himself and hired people like Kasdan, Kershner etc. It is very unfortunate that he didn't do that this time. The success of the very first movie is his achievement, but the enormity of the success owes a lot to people like Ralph McQuarrie and his unparalleled producton design, Marcia Lucas who saved the movie in the editing room, and a lot of others, Frank Oz for instance who really brought Yoda alive, in contrast to the animation team for the prequels which didn't. This time around, lucas apparently is surrounded by a legion of yesmen, that is why the movies have so little substance - the problem is not so much with the story, but with the visuals - while the originals was an unbroken sequence of awesome shots.
But I am happy for those who like it anyway. I found the "Muppets in Space" movie far more convincing than any of the prequels.

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Jeremy Jorgenson
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1002
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 06-09-2005 12:53 PM

'cmon... Gonzo is an alien? ... who'd buy that? [Razz]

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-09-2005 01:37 PM

quote: Michael Schaffer
Frank Oz for instance who really brought Yoda alive, in contrast to the animation team for the prequels which didn't.

My wife is a certified NON Star Wars fan. But she watched this movie with me, twice, and actually enjoyed it. She said her favorite character was Yoda because you could really tell what he was thinking and feeling by watching his facial expressions, body movements, etc. So what does THAT tell you about the live actors? [Smile]

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 06-09-2005 01:48 PM

Did she see the original Yoda? I don't mean alive in the sense of "the character works and is fun to watch" - that works in many well done animation films - but I mean in the sense that he looked real.
In the context of this movie, I think you are right. Yoda is actually more interesting to watch than most of the actors. Hmm. Maybe that's what Lucas is trying to do..."look at live actors: they suck. Hayden, for instance. It is better if we animate all characters in all movies from now on." I can see a plot as sneaky and evil as Palpatine's.

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Kevin Wale
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 167
From: Guymon, OK USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 06-09-2005 08:21 PM

quote: Michael Schaffer
I didn't make fun of Dave's spelling, I just wanted to clarify that I understand what he means. There are a lot of unfamiliar names in these movies. If I wanted to make fun of somebody's spelling, you would be a far easier and more rewarding target, Kevin.

Sorry, but your post sounded rather condescending.... I mean, how many Dagobahs can there be of any spelling? We're talking about an e over an a here... lol.

You know, we are all master spellers here. lol. If I could type error free as fast as I can type, I'd be pretty darn good at it. lol

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 06-10-2005 05:55 AM

quote: Kevin Wale
I mean, how many Dagobahs can there be of any spelling?

I have no idea, because I never read the Star Wars novels or comic books, or whatever else is out there, so I have no idea what planet and character names and variations there are, I wanted to make sure I do not misunderstand Dave.

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Paul Mayer
Oh get out of it Melvin, before it pulls you under!

Posts: 3836
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Feb 2000

posted 06-11-2005 10:51 PM

Century Orleans
Screen #6 - 2K DLP
Saturday, 2:40pm; $6.25

No need to comment on the movie itself. Just the presentation, which was almost flawless.

In two words: Very nice. Very nice indeed. Excellent picture size, geometry correction, and focus. Excellent focus flatness, both the lens and the lamp. The approx 60' slightly curved screen did have some minor blemishes, but other than that, things looked pretty good.

Did notice that the picture blacks looked a bit crushed (too low) to me, especially on some close-ups and tight two-shots of Anakin and Padme. Their faces ended up looking like they were almost in silhouette in those shots. Makes me wonder if the DP really wanted those shots to look like that.

Sound was at a comfortable level, perhaps a tad too low (!). Not the best EQ or stage channel matching I've ever heard during the dialog pans, but still quite good.

The only operational mar in this presentation was the switch to non-sync at the end came a little early, cutting off the last trailing off of the soundtrack music. I assume this could be fixed by editing a timecode entry for that cue?

Other than that I was quite impressed.

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Will Kutler
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1506
From: Tucson, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 06-12-2005 02:58 PM

I finally saw this film last night at the Harkins Theatres Superstition Springs 25.

How many weeks has this film been out, and Lucas still has a pass-restriction in place!

Rather than a "traditional" advertisment slid show, the audience was bombarded with a Kodak Digital Cinema that was sooo out of focus as to make me nausious! Also annoying was that it was not at the correct aspect ratio and there was no side curtain masking!

Then, the audience was bombarded with the usual trailer pack!

While the print was not scratched, it was very dirty, and in definate need of Film-Guard! The last few seconds of the closing credits were badly scratched! Bulb focus was ok, no shadows, but the usual overshoots.

The sound mix in this picture stunk! Not sure if it was the auditorium or the actual sound-mix.

I have always enjoyed the Fox Fanfare, and was quite disappointed with the muted, sounded like mono, front center speaker Fox Fanfare! And there were several areas throughout the movie where the "background" musical score overpowered the dialogue!

A great artist knows the balance between what is too little, and what is too much! And Lucas definately goes overboard on that opening battle sequence! Personally, I would have liked a little less so that I could take in and enjoy the special-effects details. Instead, everything is sooo bombarded and sooo fast, that it makes it impossible to enjoy such things!

Anyone familiar with both naval and aerial combat would laugh at Lucas's "combat" sequences.

That scene where the two huge battle-wagons are literally on top of one another is something out of the pre-Ironclad period! Totally unrealistic for this sequence! A battleship like Bismark could fire a nearly 1 ton shell a distance of about 24 miles! And in reality, aerial combat is not soooo congested, and usually takes place over distances of miles!

As others have pointed out, Lucas also needs to learn a little about the "basic" laws of physics!

A few things I don't understand about the film. Jedi's are supposed to be All-Powerful and "in tune" with their natural surroundings! So how could they have all been "picked-off" sooo easily by non-Jedi, and sooo easily have been off-guard?

More info could have been given about Leah's transformation into a princess, and the events leading up the the opening sequence of EP IV!

Time sequence between the end of this film, and the opening of EP IV does not seem to be correct. Look at how much Ben-Kanobi has aged between the two! And it took them 20 years to build the Death Star?

Cont Later.

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Brian Michael Weidemann
Expert cat molester

Posts: 944
From: Costa Mesa, CA United States
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 06-13-2005 02:47 AM

quote: Joe Redifer
Ya know that sound R2-D2 makes ... that "wwaaaaaaooooooo!!!!!" sound? ... he made that exact same sound 7 or 8 times in a row within about a 20 minute timespan in the beginning of the movie.

Yep, that's not even an exaggeration! I counted today. The opening rescue sequence up to the crash land contains seven of those R2 screams. And most of them were out of place. I was thinking, if they just kept one in, which one would be the most appropriate? And then I thought, WHAT!? This is stupid! Just turn the volume off!

And then I went back to building up Batman Begins: The IMAX Experience. [Big Grin]

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Demetris Thoupis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1240
From: Aradippou, Larnaca, Cyprus
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 06-13-2005 10:12 AM

Here we go and I know everyone is going to criticise what I will say (you did that to everyone else!!)

Ok. Based on the techical aspect. Sound mixing was amazing. I watched it in all 3 formats (SR, SRD, DTS) and I have to say that each one had something unique. The secret of the success in sound mixing of this film is that Projectionists need to play the sound on 7.0 and nothing less otherwise the whole surround mixing issue flies away. Picture here in Cyprus was crap. We got prints with Greek titles at the beginning and greek scroll up text about what is going on which really f***ed up the whole presentation issue.

Now to the review.
I LOVED IT. That is because I am a Star Wars geek. The best of the 3 prequels and comparison with the originals can not be made because of the advancement of technology during the years. Imagine Return Of The Jedi using today's technology what could have been. I believe is wrong to compare them with the originals. Now. I found Natalie Portman to be to much of a chick rather than the self-relying strong e.t.c political leader of Naboo she supposedly was. Too much CGI in each scene leaving nothing blank in the background. I liked the humour in the film unlike most others in here. I especially loved the scene where Palpatine talks to Anakin during that concert or what ever it supposed to be. I was expecting a bit more Christopher Lee like most people in here and still there are some questions unanswered.
Here are some issues:
1. In the original series the Jedi's transformed into Ghosts when dying. Why when Qui Gon dies in Ep I he does not transform into a ghost but rather get's burned (don't tell me that Anakin also gets burned in Ep VI but still transforms into a ghost because in Ep IV and VI Obi Wan and Yoda respectively transform into ghosts or rather vanish). And why do Jedi's transform into ghosts and communicate through the all powerful force?
2. Obi Wan "speaks" to Luke in Ep V that he should be trained by Jedi Master Yoda, the jedi master who trained him. We know though that it was Qui Gon who trained Obi Wan in the all powerfull secrets of the mysterious force!
3. I do not support the idea that Darth Plageus the WISE was the creator of Anakin because the prophecy suggests that the ONE was created ONLY by midiclorians and not created by someone who could influence the midiclorians but then again this is not made clear. It seems that although he was a sith, Palpatines' description suggests him of being a good Sith! strangely (I love the small pause before Palpatine says .... LIFE).
4. The blending of the 3 prequels was good but still leaves some blank spots.
5. How long do Wookies live? It seems that Chewbaka has not aged a day from the prequels to the sequels (neither has Yoda but then again he is an almighty Jedi.... but..... so is Obi Wan!!).
6. How the heck did Anakin get that scar on his eye. I always wondered and still that was left unanswered.
7. Will there be an Episode 3.5 which will answer all fan questions and last for 12 long hours due to all the issues being left unanswered?
8. HOW Is a bloody lightsaber constructed? How do they get that colour mixing? (red, blue, green, purple)?
9. It takes almost 20 years from Ep III to EP IV but then again it takes almost 20 years from EP I to EP II. Still one question. Padme does not age a day. Anakin grows up. So we are talking about Anakin (20 years old) having an affair with at least a 40 year old woman who looks no older than 19. But then again the ALMIGHTY FORCE!!
D

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Jeremy Fuentes
Mmmm, Dr. Pepper!

Posts: 1168
From: Corpus Christi, TX United States
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 06-13-2005 10:41 AM

quote:
Here we go and I know everyone is going to criticise what I will say (you did that to everyone else!!)

Nobody criticized my review, but its probably because they know better! [Razz]

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 06-13-2005 12:09 PM

quote: Demetris Thoupis
Picture here in Cyprus was crap. We got prints with Greek titles at the beginning and greek scroll up text about what is going on which really f***ed up the whole presentation issue.

Why does that make the picture as such crap? Is the actual movie title in Greek too? Does it say "Star Wars" and "Revenge of the Sith" or "O Polemos ton Astron" and "I Ekdikisi ton Sithon" or something like that? In the German version, the title in the original movies was "Krieg der Sterne" and it was done in the original font, but for the prequels (and, if I remember correctly, the originals when they were rereleased as Special Edition) it said "Star Wars", probably because that is now a "brand".
Is "Return of the Jedi" in the Greek title translation given as singular or plural? The German title was "Rückkehr der Jedi-Ritter" which means "Return of the Jedi knights", but it was always my opinion that that is wrong, and the word "Jedi" in the original is in the singular. After all, there is only one Jedi which returns. But it is hard to say since the word "Jedi" is the same in singular and plural.

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Demetris Thoupis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1240
From: Aradippou, Larnaca, Cyprus
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 06-13-2005 12:46 PM

Yes Michael.
O POLEMOS TON ASTRON 3
I EKDIKISI TON SITH
Long Live translation.
The prints all seem blury for some reason
d

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