WITH NEW IMPROVED SOUND QUALITY! It’s that time of the week for The Audio Edition! This week Doug and I hit on one topic and one topic only… The Revenge of the Sith. To be more specific, we debate if it was a good or bad film. On the “Good” side is myself… and on the “Sucked” side is Doug. Listen to The Audio Edition and then put in the comments who you think was right. We’d like to know. (Here’s a hint: John is always right). You can download the latest Audio Edition here.
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I lean more towards Doug’s opinion. Doug – you never mentioned the higher ground ending to the ObiWan/Vader duel. That was the lamest moment for me. Terrible writing that diminished the Jedi’s. The two with Mace might have well been wearing red shirts. Jedi powers wax and wane to accomodate the storyline.
Most of the emotion generated comes from the 20+ years of memories we have been carrying from the OT.
To me the prequels do not exist – terrible movies. No even worse, mediocre movies.
I enjoyed the movie easily better than the last two first three episodes (yeah i think that makes sense)the charat breaks down like this though [empire strikes back, return of the jedi, episode III, episodeII, A new hope, and finaly Episode I]
I wish I could have loved this movie but slightly disapointing it was. why cant they use puppet yoda for non fight scenes and closeups the cgi still looks odd in those area’s and how come james earl jones couldnt do the vader voice did he die if so i retract that retarded coment and apologize for wasting your time. thier are so many things they could have done to make this movie better like how come obi wan can defeat anikan but yoda is schoold by the Emperor that scene should have been longer with more use of force that throwing shit and lightning yoda should have been harder to take down. the wookies should have had like a thirty minute scene that battle looked kickass what little they showed but even so i enjoyed the movie because “Good relations I have with wookies”
PS: thanks for elaborating on your bandwith problems guys its nive to know why your audio sucks i dont mind it its just talking not music so dont mind the distortion
i loooove star wars!
I dont care what anyone says, I love star wars. I used to watch the
movies continually night after night, until I could absorb no more starwars! Then the phantom menace came out… I watched it once, twice, and by the third time I was physically sick. It brought new meaning to the term sucking. Attack of the clones came out. I watched it a few times, mainly skipping the scenes of Anakins “torture” over Padme not loving him, and repeating the scene where jango lost his head (I love that scene. One fail swoop from windu and its gone! It almost looks poetic!). Anyways, to get to the point, that movie pretty much sucked too. The yoda lightsaber battle was ultra cool, but the force stuff was waaaaaaaay boring. So I was literally wetting my pants over anticipation of the new sw movie. Not. But after watching it, yeah there were a couple of cheesy bits, i.e. the noooo, and I totally agree with the zooming out 20 feet for the lightsaber battles. But overall it was pretty good, compared to the battle between obi-wan and vader in ANH, which consisted of them standing and practically waving the lightsabers back and forward. And come on, i would love to see some of the criticisers in here trying to direct. Lucas isnt that bad.
Got to say that I’m with Doug for the most part on this, though I didn’t hate it (remember Doug, anger leads to hate, hate leads to something or other…drinking Beer most likely)
There is much to enjoy in the film (the opening battle is great, the acting out of Order 66, the lightsaber battles were stunning) and there is much to “hate” (“NOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo”!) but what ruins the whole show for me is the fact that I don’t buy into Anakin’s turn to the Dark side.
This stems from the fact that I’ve never been convinced by the Anakin / Padme relationship. There’s seems to be no passion between them, and you get the impression that Padme has only ever loved Anakin out of pity – hardly the reason to die from a broken heart. Anakin still comes across as a whiney adolecsant, who seems to distrust Padme more than love her. I feel that we should have gotten from ATOC was how deeply in love they are so that when we arrive at ROTS we are willing to believe that Anakin will take the step to the dark side to save Padme’s life.
What we do get is the feeling that its almost a throw away decision by Anakin to go psycho, with it ending up being not much more than a Maguffin (to use two Hitchcock terms in one sentence). Maybe For the scene to work, as it stood, there needed to be more previous scenes displaying Anakin’s real confusion and anguish, with perhaps a hint that Palps was more directly manipulating Anakins feelings than just merely suggesting things to him. I may have missed it, but it might have been great to imply that Palps was planting Anakin’s force dreams to start with. Just a thought…
However, when the film ends all I was really left with the feeling (which was a fear I had after seeing ATOC) that Darth Vader is really just a whiney kid who didn’t get his own way enough! Not quite the impression I had in 1977! “NOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo”!
Good parts: 1.the music when the clones gun down the jedi.
2. Obi-Wan and Vader’s dialogue on Mustafar.
Both of these, excellent, but that’s about it. And since the most moving parts are right at the end you leave with a sense that the movie was good. And it was as far as normal movies, however . . .
It is a travesty on the opportunity wasted to show Vader/Anakin totally dominating. In the original it was said Vader killed most of the Jedi and Obi-Wan and Yoda had to hide and run from him. Turns out it was the storm troopers who killed most of the Jedi, and Obi & Yoda were running from the Emperor. What did Vader do? Why did the Emperor need him? All he did was kill a bunch of kids, and then got his ass kicked by Obi-Wan. I don’t get it, he’s supposed to be the greatest ever and I thought we would see that. Turns out it’s the emperor who is the all time great and Vader is along for the ride. How could Lucas not show us Vader kick everybody’s ass!? Did he accidently forget? Wasn’t that the whole fucking point! So in the history of all the movies I’ve seen Vader loose to Dooku, then beat him, loose to Obi-Wan, then beat him b/c Obi doesn’t try, Let’s luke escape, and then is beat by Luke. So the only true victory of the chosen one is against Dooku in III. Un fucking believable.
I guess I’ll wait for the DVD to make any final judgments, because Episode I & II upon many, many viewings, have now gotten to the point where me and my brother make fun of every single line. Last time we sat down to watch Phantom Menace, we laughed every time Anikan says something. He’s the defining bit of stupidity even over Jar Jar for us.
Yes, I guess…..
To start my jedi training, I hope…
Are you an angel!?
Gag.
I’m kind of worried that ‘Not if anything to say about it, I have’ will succeed it.
Agree with Doug. I watched it twice (once digitally). And I thought it was a crappy movie. Maybe its because I expected at least 8th grade english to come out of their mouths, or because the whole point of the movie (Vader turning) was sort of glossed over, but I thought it was awful. Maybe its because I’m not a die hard star wars fan.
I’m somewhere between the two of you, but leaning more towards doug. I thought it was a very good movie, and it made for a great setup to the next series. But all of the little things that sucked about it made it terrible for me. I liked seeing all of the ships that looked kind of like ships in the original trilogy, but can someone explain to me A.) The X-wing ships were used by the clone troopers, who become the empire, how do they become the standard rebel ships? and B.) How do you replace an entire fleet of star destroyers with the new versions in the 20(?) years between this one and ANH? Not only were they replaced, but they all looked worn in as well. And not to wave my nerd flag even higher, but the cruisers used by the rebellion in the originals were Mon Calimari (maybe the worst species name Lucas ever used), and we see ships that look very similar, but I didn’t see a single mon calimari in the entire movie. (this one is really jsut nitpicking, but still).
On top of that, the dialogue was abyssmal. Yoda, in the original series, had many lines that were not inverted, and the ones that were didn’t sound ridiculous. I can’t remember what the exact line was, but whatever he said before fighting the emperor had me laughing, and his line about having good relations with the wookies was a definite “what the fuck?” moment. Then you have Obi-Wan, who was the best of them all up until the end, when he says “I saw a holographic security video of Anakin killing younglings” in what is supposed to be an emotional scene, and that ridiculous “I have the high ground” exchange.
R2-D2 and C-3P0 were just fucking irritating. They did not need to be used as such excessive comic relief. When Padme’s obviously upset about anakin, and there’s some degree of emotion being shown, it’s shattered every time when C-3P0 walks into the scene for no reason at all (this could have just been a mistake. I don’t think anyone actually watched this movie after it was done), or when he says some retarded line like “I’m beginning to get used to this space travel thing.” (which I know is supposed to counter-point his thought on space travel in later movies, but it didn’t need to be said then). C-3P0 was always kind of oblivious to real problems, but this was just over the top. R2-D2 sucked as well. I echo everything doug said about that. The other droid voices sucked, but they have through all the movies. I though Grevious was ridiculous with the coughing, until I realized that he’s not completely a droid, but some kind of creature with a mostly droid body. With all of the other blatant expsoition in the movie, you’d think they would have made that more obvious.
Vader in the end was just wrong. The whole putting the suit on scene was pretty cool, but I would’ve liked a little less hustle-bustle in it. If it was more like what Batman Begins looks like it’s doing, by showing the suit actually being designed and made rather than just brought out of nowhere. That, and they should have just put someone else in the suit. Hayden Christensen looked too scrawny in it. I’ve seen pictures of fans in Vader suits that were better.
The movie did have strong points though, and, what it accomplished was pretty good. It showed a transition to the “old” trilogy, and tied up most of the loose ends. The movie just falls apart when you analyze it. If I was capable of just sitting back and watching it without thinking about it at all, I probably would have liked it a lot more. I’d give it a 5/10.
And the new sound quality is much better. Glad to hear that this thing’s coming along. Keep up the good work.
I agree what is Doug smoking. I hate TPM & thought AOTC was ok. But Sith is right behind ANH & Empire.
Simone:
I saw it twice digitally and once on film. The key to seeing a movie digitally is seeing a movie that was actually created digitally, like a Pixar flick or Sin City. So that film never touches the process.
I brought my 7 year nephew to the Zegfield but we went on Friday instead of opening day and missed the stormtroopers and chubby jedi that look like they could use a bath. Oh well.
Kenn: A New Yorker! So people still go mad for Star Wars where you are? How was the mood like?
I just loved the way it sounded on digital, it was like actually flying with the boys! I’ve seen it 4 times now, only the one time was on digital and it was the best experience! I must go to future screenings at a digital cinema, I just have to!
As for your comment about The Movie Blog contributors to oversee the tv project, heck, be careful what you wish for! LOL
Have you seen it again since Kenn? ;-)
Simone: Yes, I saw it at the Zegfield in NYC in Digital and what a difference. Not just the picture but the sound too.
Richard: Definitely agree on the Separatist switch. How dramatic would it have been if Obi-Wan gets to him at the Temple only to see him standing over those Youngling bodies. Much, much better than watching a security camera. Maybe Obi-Wan actually gets there in time to let one youngling run away (perfect for the upcoming TV show)!
Prophecy: Great idea making so Obi-Wan has to take advantage of an unforseen circumstance.
I’ve now come to the conclusion that Lucas should hire The Movie Blog Blog people to oversee his TV series.
Kenn
Watch my film at:
http://www.mymoviefest.com/movies/740.html
Great suggestion above from Richard! Killing the Seperatists first, then the Jedi Temple slaughter is easier to digest, but GL wanted the final showdown to be on Mustafar…so it’s easier on the script the way he did it – less travel time for Anakin.
My thoughts on the lava battle are on line with Doug’s thoughts. The hover boards and the “high ground” final move was lame.
IMO the scene with Anakin & Obi Wan climbing the chunk of structure just before it went over the falls was excellent. However, from there the 2 combatants should have used the cables on the structure to swing to the neighbouring cliffs on the one side of the falls. The duel continues and moves closer to the lava flow…then another large piece of the mining operation splashes in to the lava causing an amount of it to land on Anakin’s raised arm melting it off. In that brief moment of pain Obi Wan sees his opening and does a low spin maneuver slicing off Anakin’s legs. Then we have the “You were the Chosen One/I Hate You” lines followed by the body burn (where’s the SPF 5,000,000 when you need it?) and the picking up of Anakin’s lightsaber. That would have done it for me….and would have shown that Obi Wan was powerful enough to hold off Anakin for a while, but it was an act of God (or luck) that helped him be victorious….not some simple “I’ve got the high ground” bs.
John, can’t believe you took my line about the droids and their voices! You plagarist! Thanks for the agreement Doug…
Have to say I’m in the middle of you both.
You know something I’ve thought of since watching the movie and thinking about the move to the dark side of Anakin, and there seems to be a mismatch of the two big moves. Why does he go and kill all the Jedi straight away, even the children, then go off to kill the no good Sepratists and it’s there that he gets taken over by the dark side.
If they’d switched those moments round and he killed the Sepratists first, that would have been an easier action for him to carry out and brought him to the level of killing the Jedi’s…Just a thought.
Hope you don’t get pelted Doug!
People still not liking the movie? Does Doug have some sort of evil dark side grip on you (kidding)? I think indeed during the next audio edition Doug will reveal himself to be the true ‘Emporer of TheMovieBlog’!
Watch out for the force lightning during your next recording of the Audio Edition, John….
I want to comment on the quality of the podcast too. It sounded great to me. Don’t bother with a bigger file version. This worked just fine. Great work, guys!
What were you watching Ross? Definitely not Episode III. It doesn’t seem like it was what the rest of us are seeing, or did you already have your conclusion decided before you even watched the film?
Hi Kenn, I also found it so much better on second viewing, I think it also helped that I watched it in a digital theater. BIG DIFFERENCE that is!
I’m listening to the PodCast. Great quality! Keep up the good work.
/Al-x
spot on Doug, glad you saw the same movie as i.
(what movie are all these other people seeing?)
a shit movie, this one is. Yes?
I’ve seen the film three times and unlike the first two this one gets better and, believe it or not, deeper on further viewings. I didn’t like the first two and on further viewings they got worse.
As for the end, he didn’t and shouldn’t of, had Vader in costume fighting. Storywise, it is a tragedy and it had to end like it did. Technically, does anybody remember how Vader fought in the first three movies. He pretty much stood there because of the outfit. The Costumed Vader would have looked ridiculous fighting so slow in the context of these new movies where everyone “jumps”. And if they sped him up in wouldn’t work within the context of the original trilogy.
What should have happend at the end, and they did film it, was Qui-Gon coming back as a ghost to tell Obi-Wan and Yoda want to do. That would of satisfied the fanboys and been a magical surprise ending. Ah well, maybe on the DVD.
And for the hundredth time, check out my ten minute comedy short, HEADTRIP, at:
http://www.mymoviefest.com/movies/740.html
Hey Dave! How you doin’?
I wasnt sure after first viewing whether it was better than Empire or at least as good as Empire. But then, on second viewing, when I have settled in, “let go and stretched out with my feelings”, (ala Obi Wan) I felt it was a notch better than Empire.
This was the Star Wars movie I have always wanted to see. And boy did it deliver.
Peter says, “You are not alone Simone”.
Ehr, I know Peter. *winks*
Yeah, how come Doug is getting all the love for spreading all the hate LOL? The only person I know who hated it thought that Revenge of the Sith was a sequel to Return of the Jedi (which completly dumbfounded me).
To me, ROTS ties Empire for ‘Best Star Wars Film’!
Great audio edition BTW.
I lean towards Doug’s comments more than John’s especially after viewing ROTS for the second time. The movie should have:
1) Slowed down
2) Had less dialogue by showing more visual shots to explain the story
3) Way less CGI – where did Obi get his mount from? – Rent a Beast?
4) Backed up the cameras 20 feet when showing lightsaber battles cause you couldn’t see squat with the close up **it!
If Lucas had…….
1) Showed more Wookie ass kicking
2) Showed Vader fighting in his leather outfit (JUST ONCE)
3) Scratched the NOOOOO! and just had the room implode
4) Showed Yoda (AS A PUPPET – tip of the cap to Frank Oz) settling in on Deguba
5) Changed the voices on the battle droids
6) Someone else write all the dialogue in the script
7) Showed Padme dying when Leia was 3 years old (saves continuity with ROTJ comments)
8) Had clones and red guards along with the powers of the Emperor beat up on Yoda causing him to retreat
….then he would have had 10 out of 10’s from all the critics. It’s too bad that Lucas screens his movies for all his croneys that won’t tell him that some of it is crap or doesn’t make sense. Showing it to a group like us that would give him an honest opinion (hopefully in time to change the final cut) would prove more valuable.
While I hand it to Lucas that the idea for the film, as a bare bones structure (i.e. the general story plan) was interesting, the movie falls apart in the details. The writing was awful, and as a result the acting suffered. One could pick apart this element for quite some time, but just to mention a few issues: (A) Padme and Anikan were awful on screen together. As a result there was no chemistry, which makes it hard to care about them or their relationship. You have to work hard to believe that Anikan really does care about her life in order to buy that he is willing to jump to the dark side because of it. Since this is a central element of this story, well, thats bad (B)So this is what the Darth Vader I revered as a kid was like as a youth. A Whiny, moody, stupid, gullible punk. Like father like son I guess. (C) So the introduction to Vader in the big black suit culminates with a painful to watch “NOOOOOO!!”. This movie did a better job satirzing itself then any Family Guy episode could. (D) The Jedi are powerful, force sensitive warriors yet (1) they couldn’t tell that Palpatine was that Sith Lord guy they had been looking for all those years. (2) that dumb troopers were going to turn on them. (except Yoda).
I think I was interested in what was going on for about 10 minutes altogether, and now I can’t even remember those 10 minutes. This was a little better than 1 and 2, but even a step below return of the Jedi.
Actually, it is FAR better than Empire (which is worse than ANH, by the way). A second, a third, or a (n) view won´t change that.
At least, I have an opinion on MY own, and I don´t mind what others think about it.
You are not alone, Simone *winks*
All of you should go see Willy Wonka LOL
Actually, it is FAR better than Empire (which is worse than ANH, by the way). A second, a third, or a (n) view won´t change that.
At least, I have an opinion on MY own, and I don´t mind what others think about it.
Am I the only one that agrees with John? *winks*
Sith is the best episode of the saga since Empire Strikes Back, and IMO, the best of the 6. :-)
I just want to point something out also, in an interview I saw don’t know wich one, Lucas states that special effects without a story isn’t anything at all. Is it just me or did he make the prequels the exact same way he stated you should not do when making a movie.Somebody help me out here cause I don’t get it.
Agree with Doug…All the way…There were waaaay more ‘bad’ moments in Sith than ‘great’ moments…
I believe that when people go see it for a second time (many, many will..(i personally will not)) they will see the glaring flaws on full display and not be hailing this as the second-best after EMPIRE…
Nope the movie fails far more than it succeeds, and the pacing is BAD, BAD, BAD… Lucas may be a genius technical director and businessman, but is is probably the worst ‘major’ American director working today.
Doug, I agree more with you. I didn’t hate it as much as you did, but it was still a very weak movie. Lucas is a terrible writer, director, and storyteller. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK is the best movie because Lucas had the brains to get script help from Lawrence Kasdan and let Irvin Kershner direct.
I agree with Doug.
Sound quality is much better, kudos. Nooooooo!
I would say I am in the middle of you two, the worst scene for me that ruined the hole movie wasn’t the frankenvader and the NOOOO!! scene although its a close second, it was when we first hear Vader speak, the first thing he says is “where is Padme is she alright? is she safe?” I though that just the word Padme coming out of Vader’s mouth sounded awfull, its just not something Vader would say it seems.As for the Nooooo! I didn’t like it at first and thought it was very cheesy but then I watched Spider-man 2 and Doc Oc does the same thing in the hospital with hands in the air and all and nobody complained, so I guess I am being to harsh.
Oh ya the droid voices, awfull, awfull, awfull.Why have kiddy voices for the kids when the movie in PG13 makes no sence and thats when I say to myself George had lost it, I really think he has.
Currently listening to your audio edition and listening to you complain about bandwidth. Put up a torrent and you have near as much of a problem.
I personally lean more towards Doug’s view of the movie. I tried not to grt too hyped up for this moie and even then I thought it wasn’t that good. better than the first two but not that good.