Probably not

MSNBC - Can 'Star Wars: Episode III' be saved? Among other suggestions, fire Lucas - "Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia in the original trilogy, has said that 'When George was directing, he'd only say two things: "faster" or "more intense."'"

Given Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, I'm suspicious that Lucas quit saying anything at all. It seemed like he was only ever consumed with how to digitally rework each scene.

The really sad thing is that, despite the universal critical disdain that will most likely accompany #3, I'll probably still see it in the theater and Lucas will add another huge mound of cash to his personal fortune.

May 20, 2004 02:06 PM
4 Comments

I am not surprised you share in “the universal critical disdain” for the pre-quals. I for one have not felt that level of disappointment with these new movies. It is difficult to expect the twenty plus years of history and nostalgia to be captured in these three movies. In a lot of ways they will never compare to the originals no matter who is or who isn’t writing them.

Perhaps if all six movies were written at the same time and not all were filmed because of the technological barriers, they would be more in-line with one another. In the end I believe it is unreasonable to expect Lucas to capture that exact same lightning in a bottle that he did with the originals. Watch, enjoy, critique if you must, but be fair. Something that I know you strive for in truth and love.

Pondered by Jeff Price at May 20, 2004 04:26 PM

DOH. you beat me to the punch. Oh well, if they didn't see it here, they can get the link on mine.

Pondered by crabby at May 20, 2004 05:43 PM

Point taken.

Still, even given 20 years of difference, I still think Lucas became more interested in his gadgets, which he does a great job with, than the story. The lure of the originals was more than just the cool effects; the only thing in the new ones is the cool effects.

Besides, what can be more loving than helping someone see the truth about what they need to do to make something better? :)

Pondered by maphet at May 21, 2004 02:29 PM

The fx were more prominent in the prequels, but I don't know that I'd even say the fx were better in the more recent films. The first 3 films felt very real because it actually was a real model and a real explosion, just miniaturized. But the prequels have a sterility that makes the whole movie seem like a cartoon or a video game. I'd say that's the overarching problem with the prequels: there was no lifeblood, just plastic characters and binary action.

Pondered by abe at May 21, 2004 03:25 PM