Merged Yet Again: Star Wars discussion thread

[Minstrel]

Incidentally, for those who want the "sequel trilogy" to the original three Star Wars movies, I'd highly recommend the trilogy written by Timothy Zahn. As I recall, it's officially sanctioned, so it is the follow-up in that universe.

They're incredibly well-written, extremely absorbing and the new characters introduced (including the new evil lord, Grand Admiral Thrawn) are fantastic.

Heir To The Empire
Dark Force Rising
The Last Command

Hmm. Having looked them up on Amazon, I see he's now written more Star Wars books, including a follow-up series, "The Hand Of Thrawn." I don't know whether that's a good thing or bad thing. But the above trilogy is great.

[ViciousFlogging]

Originally Posted by Minstrel

Wow. That seems pretty low for ESB and ROTJ.

I haven't seen ROTS, so ranking the other five:

1. Return Of The Jedi
2. The Empire Strikes Back
3. A New Hope
...
4. Attack Of The Clones
5. The Phantom Menace

If Revenge Of The Sith were superior to any of the first three movies, that would be great. So far, the most recent two don't even approach the original three, in my opinion.

That's funny...I just noticed my list is in inverse chronological order of the story sequence.

I had you pegged as an Empire Strikes Back fan, by which I thought you'd have it #1.

to me, it's easily the masterpiece of the series. Compelling plot, endearing acting and dialogue (except for some of Luke's tantrums), possibly the BEST musical score of all time, incredible climax in Cloud City, and a perfectly ambiguous ending. And some great Millenium Falcon chase sequences. ROTJ seemed a bit too straightforward for me. Rescue Han? Check. Keep promise to Yoda? Check. Get ready for final battle with Empire? Check. Resolve Luke v. Darth? Check. Introduce annoying stuffed animals to an otherwise cool battle? Done.

1. ESB
2. New Hope
3. ROTJ
4. AotC
5. TPM

Will see Sith this weekend, anticipate it being no worse than 4, probably 3, possibly 2...based on what I've heard/read about it.

[Tom]

It's not about being low on the list for me...its more of an if i had to choose. its more for personal reasons.

I love Obi-Wan's character for one, so that sheds some light on it.

TPM ,for me as well i guess with the Maul fight...but really when i'm having a bad day or something i really like the Swashbuckling feel of TPM. Nobody looked at those old sword fighting and pirate movies and really overanalyzed them. I just like TPM.

Empire...man i don't know. Maybe i have seen it too many times or i'm sick of the revisionist history. It wasn't that well loved by critics when it came out. I guess it symbolizes some hypocrisy IMO. Also, and again its a personal thing...i really don't get excited to watch it any more.

Han Solo and Ewoks...this is a travesty i can't forgive. The ending does save the movie for me but, goddamit Han's character deserved better. He made everyone of the OT watchable while we waited for vader to come back on screen.

Attack of the Clones wasn't as good for me because Obi got his *** kicked too much. I will say i get frustrated with all the dialogue talk. Some wasn't the greatest but, when anakin slaughters the sand people and gives his little speech to Padme...i love it and it carried with me to ROTS.

For me Star Wars is a living entity and in 5 years...heck even a year...it could change. I'm just happy i have 6 to choose from :biggrin:

[ViciousFlogging]

that Zahn trilogy is great. too bad, if Lucas or one of his minions tried to make that into a movie series, it would require about 12 movies to fit everything in. Each book is at least 2-3 movies worth of action.

Another decent trilogy is Kevin Anderson's Jedi Academy trilogy. It's not as good as Zahn, but still pretty entertaining.

[Tom]

thats cool i'm just now getting into stuff like that suprisingly.

I will say if you are going to wait to see ROTS or if your a fast reader, check out Labyrinth of Evil. It's the official prequal to the Movie and leads right up to the movie literally.

[Minstrel]

Originally Posted by ViciousFlogging

I had you pegged as an Empire Strikes Back fan, by which I thought you'd have it #1.

to me, it's easily the masterpiece of the series. Compelling plot, endearing acting and dialogue (except for some of Luke's tantrums), possibly the BEST musical score of all time, incredible climax in Cloud City, and a perfectly ambiguous ending. And some great Millenium Falcon chase sequences. ROTJ seemed a bit too straightforward for me. Rescue Han? Check. Keep promise to Yoda? Check. Get ready for final battle with Empire? Check. Resolve Luke v. Darth? Check. Introduce annoying stuffed animals to an otherwise cool battle? Done.

As it happens, I first put Empire on top of the list and then edited the post to switch Return and Empire.

Empire is a fabulous movie, but I thought the entire sequence with Jabba the Hut and the execution at the sarlaac pit on Tatooine was awesome, and the light saber battle between Luke and Vader was the finest battle scene of the trilogy. The climactic feel of it and the music was just perfect.

It's actually pretty hard for me to pick between them, as evidenced by my flip-flop. The ewoks certainly hurt Return. Replace the ewoks with a tribe of wookies and the movie becomes so much better.

[Tom]

i had to put Star Wars as my second best because that death star blowing up will always be one of the great moments of my youth. I was screaming and jumping all over the place.

I will say that is what makes me liking ROTS this much that much more impressive. I will ad that this part of the story Vaders turn has burned in my being for 30 years...and i wasn't dissapointed. That says alot IMO.

Its not everyday that your vision (while different) doesn't outweigh what you actually see.

possibly the BEST musical score of all time

Yes!

I also like Across the Stars at the end of AOTC. It stops me in my tracks everytime i hear it.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Tom

i had to put Star Wars as my second best because that death star blowing up will always be one of the great moments of my youth. I was screaming and jumping all over the place.

I will say that is what makes me liking ROTS this much that much more impressive. I will ad that this part of the story Vaders turn has burned in my being for 30 years...and i wasn't dissapointed. That says alot IMO.

Its not everyday that your vision (while different) doesn't outweigh what you actually see.

the thing I liked most was how going into the movie, I was skeptical of how they'd turn Anakin into the Anakin we all knew from ROTJ. I was getting ready to be dissapointed, but when he changed (I won't say how) I was like "yah! sweet!"

The fight scenes are much better than anything from the first 3, but what can you expect? Darth was a walking robot, and Luke was a git. And Obi was an old man..

I also like the subtle change from the super advanced techno stuff from the first 2, into how it looked for the "first 3" movies.

[Tom]

I mean this was a movie that has alot of expectations for alot of people. while everyone won't be happy and thats understandable. Most will be satisfied.

I did tell some guy to shut up in line. He obviously saw it alot and was just blaring out scenes. I said dude, "Zip it" Austin Powers style. He started to talk again and about 20 others said it too. :biggrin: :biggrin:

[Krstic All-Star]

Originally Posted by ViciousFlogging

that Zahn trilogy is great. too bad, if Lucas or one of his minions tried to make that into a movie series, it would require about 12 movies to fit everything in. Each book is at least 2-3 movies worth of action.

Another decent trilogy is Kevin Anderson's Jedi Academy trilogy. It's not as good as Zahn, but still pretty entertaining.

I agree fully. It was Zahn's trilogy back in the 90's that got me back into Star Wars full-force. Anderson's trilogy was enough to continue it. I'd love to see movies of the Zahn trilogy, it'd be interesting to see who'd be able to play Thrawn... probably never know though

[bbAlvin]

Wow! I just finished watching it for the first time and I dont think I can handle another dose for a few days. Pretty intense with scenes(one in particular) so emotionally gripping you come away feeling you were slugged in the gut. It got enough positive reviews to build my expectations and it didnt disappoint.

I'll have to chew on this one for a few months before I can settle on an order of entertaining value. But by initial impressions, it cant best Empire simply because there are no characters in the story who can top Han, Lando or Boba Fett, although Obi Wan (thanks to McGregor) certainly matches their coolness by the end. I think most hardcore fanatics will eventually slate this number 2 in the series. It showcases more light saber scenes than any other movie, the scenery and backdrops are more incredible than in any other, and I think it adds more to the Star Wars lore than any of the other films. It's just not as nicely packaged as Empire. There's little I would change about Empire or think could have been told better. With this film, there are many, but it's still very good.

[BG7]

I'm gonna try to see this movie tonight since most people will be at prom tonight it shouldn't be another sell out.

[Tom]

Star Wars fans in 1983

Interesting how they are similar to today.

[Dan]

Does anyone else consider Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan, more than Alec Guiness?

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Tom

Star Wars fans in 1983

Interesting how they are similar to today.

I clicked the link, and forgot about it. So I check it out, and start reading it not remembering how i got there..and I was SO close to responding to one of the posts, saying how much of an idiot the guy was..

HAH. good link.