Is the Star Wars saga better with Episodes I to III or worse?

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I have less of a problem with podrace scene and more with the scenes leading up to it. I always saw the race as an update of the Ben Hur chariot race, and on the level of that kind of action spectacle, it worked.

But this was unexcuseable:

"He broke my pod in the last race."
"I have acquired another pod in the last race."
"You could make him think it was your pod...yadda yadda."
"These junk dealers must have a weakness."
"No pod is worth two slaves."
"I built a pod racer, the best ever."
and so on.

They should have had QuiGon wander in as the race was starting, sense that the human was talented with the force, and bet on him. Simple and easy.

 

[DWF]

I have less of a problem with podrace scene and more with the scenes leading up to it. I always saw the race as an update of the Ben Hur chariot race, and on the level of that kind of action spectacle, it worked.

But this was unexcuseable:

"He broke my pod in the last race."
"I have acquired another pod in the last race."
"You could make him think it was your pod...yadda yadda."
"These junk dealers must have a weakness."
"No pod is worth two slaves."
"I built a pod racer, the best ever."
and so on.

They should have had QuiGon wander in as the race was starting, sense that the human was talented with the force, and bet on him. Simple and easy.

That's just contrived and totality out of the blue, you've not established Anakin as a character and you're just putting together the charcaers for no reason. And why would it better your way instead of the way it was done?

 

[Admiral_Young]

Qui-Jon already sensed there was something special about Anakin and thus relied on the Force that it would guide him through the pod race successfully, he had an intuition about the boy that proved to be true. I too see no reason to alter the pod race sequence.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

The prequels were badly executed, suffered from bad acting, etc. However they provide a real good backstory. You can't deny that it is fascinating. And they were also spectacular and fun, depicting the life in the universe before the empire, and they do it pretty well. I'd say that some bad acting, some long and boring sequences, and some implausible sequence of events aren't enough to destroy what they brought to the saga. The only thing the prequels lacked was someone to review and improve Lucas' script and a better cast for Obi Wan and little Anakin.

 

[JoeZhang]

The pod racers are simply filler, Lucas said as much in an interview.

 

[JarodRussell]

3) Misguided apologism.

LOL, dude, it's just a friggin' movie.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I have less of a problem with podrace scene and more with the scenes leading up to it. I always saw the race as an update of the Ben Hur chariot race, and on the level of that kind of action spectacle, it worked.

But this was unexcuseable:

"He broke my pod in the last race."
"I have acquired another pod in the last race."
"You could make him think it was your pod...yadda yadda."
"These junk dealers must have a weakness."
"No pod is worth two slaves."
"I built a pod racer, the best ever."
and so on.

They should have had QuiGon wander in as the race was starting, sense that the human was talented with the force, and bet on him. Simple and easy.

That's just contrived and totality out of the blue, you've not established Anakin as a character and you're just putting together the charcaers for no reason. And why would it better your way instead of the way it was done?

Relax.

This was just how I would have done it if the story had to remain unchanged, basically. Notice all those things I quoted, and realize that this is only a fraction of the dialogue about pod-racing that takes place before the podrace, pages and pages of crap dialogue of betting and re-betting. A more interesting writer would strip it all down to its essence as this exposition wasn't necessary. How cool would it be for a shorter Montage of Qui-Gon looking about for people to take his credits, then sensing someone that might have the force. The montage might show this kid being put out to pasture in the betting pools because he is human and no human has ever won the race, so somehow, after walking into the arena, Qui Gon is able to place a hefty bet on the boy. A good editor can establish Anakin as a character quickly, and the story can move on.

 

[exodus]

I have less of a problem with podrace scene and more with the scenes leading up to it. I always saw the race as an update of the Ben Hur chariot race, and on the level of that kind of action spectacle, it worked.

But this was unexcuseable:

"He broke my pod in the last race."
"I have acquired another pod in the last race."
"You could make him think it was your pod...yadda yadda."
"These junk dealers must have a weakness."
"No pod is worth two slaves."
"I built a pod racer, the best ever."
and so on.

They should have had QuiGon wander in as the race was starting, sense that the human was talented with the force, and bet on him. Simple and easy.

That's just contrived and totality out of the blue, you've not established Anakin as a character and you're just putting together the charcaers for no reason. And why would it better your way instead of the way it was done?

Relax.

This was just how I would have done it if the story had to remain unchanged, basically. Notice all those things I quoted, and realize that this is only a fraction of the dialogue about pod-racing that takes place before the podrace, pages and pages of crap dialogue of betting and re-betting. A more interesting writer would strip it all down to its essence as this exposition wasn't necessary. How cool would it be for a shorter Montage of Qui-Gon looking about for people to take his credits, then sensing someone that might have the force. The montage might show this kid being put out to pasture in the betting pools because he is human and no human has ever won the race, so somehow, after walking into the arena, Qui Gon is able to place a hefty bet on the boy. A good editor can establish Anakin as a character quickly, and the story can move on.

Nope.
Sorry, IMO Watto was one of the best new CGI characters (.and best realistically animated in PT) and worth every minute of his screen time. Besides the exchange of banter between Qui-Gon & Watto is similar to Obi-Wan & Han Solo during New Hope. They were both battling wits.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

So I disagree. Watch PArt 5 of Plinkett's review. You can see why the bet was so convoluted.

 

[exodus]

So I disagree. Watch PArt 5 of Plinkett's review. You can see why the bet was so convoluted.

If my opinion hasn't changed by now, watching a review isn't going to do it. Besides, the bet has nothing to do with Watto be a great CGI character.

 

[JarodRussell]

So I disagree. Watch PArt 5 of Plinkett's review. You can see why the bet was so convoluted.

Is your own opinion really influenced by reviews?

 

[davejames]

The podrace felt to me like exactly what it was-- just a thin excuse for Lucas to show off some flashy special effects.

It might be one of the better sequences in the movie, but considering how utterly lifeless most of that movie is, that's not really saying much.

 

[JarodRussell]

The podrace felt to me like exactly what it was-- just a thin excuse for Lucas to show off some flashy special effects.

Where's the difference to... the asteroid chase in TESB or the speederbike chase in ROTJ?

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

No, my opinion is not influenced by the reviews. However, Plinkett illustrates through clips from the film how convoluted the bet is. And Watto might be cool to look at, or he might be another piece of CGI crap, but that is irrelevant. I liked Sebulba much better, but that doesn't mean I wanted them to give him more crap to say.

I think the podrace is a homage to the the Ben Hur chariot race, and is a great sequence. All the convoluted, betting and exposition that precludes it could have been trimmed down.

 

[davejames]

The podrace felt to me like exactly what it was-- just a thin excuse for Lucas to show off some flashy special effects.

Where's the difference to... the asteroid chase in TESB or the speederbike chase in ROTJ?

Well for one thing, there was actually something real at stake in those scenes-- the villains were chasing down our heroes, or our heroes had to stop the villains from reporting back to base.

It wasn't people taking an entire afternoon to watch some kid participate in the local sporting event (while the Queen's people are supposedly suffering and dying back on Naboo, for that matter).

Plus they didn't involve a bunch of goofy and annoying cartoon characters.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

The podrace felt to me like exactly what it was-- just a thin excuse for Lucas to show off some flashy special effects.

Where's the difference to... the asteroid chase in TESB or the speederbike chase in ROTJ?

That is a dumb and obstinate point. By that rationale, there is no reason to put any obstacles for any heroes in any films. Let Indy walk up, take the idol and walk out.

The argument being made (not necessarily by me) is that the podrace feel superfluous to the actual story of the film (Naboo) and goes on to long as it is.

 

[exodus]

The podrace felt to me like exactly what it was-- just a thin excuse for Lucas to show off some flashy special effects.

Where's the difference to... the asteroid chase in TESB or the speederbike chase in ROTJ?

Well for one thing, there was actually something real at stake in those scenes-- the villains were chasing down our heroes, or our heroes had to stop the villains from reporting back to base.

It wasn't people taking an entire afternoon to watch some kid participate in the local sporting event (while the Queen's people are supposedly suffering and dying back on Naboo, for that matter).

Umm..... They were doing it to get money make it to the Senate to try and save a world full of people, it wasn't an afternoon off. How is an entire planet of people being enslaved not seen as something real at stake?

 

[davejames]

Umm..... They were doing it to get money make it to the Senate to try and save a world full of people, it wasn't an afternoon off. How is an entire planet of people being enslaved not seen as something real at stake?

Did that really seem like the most effecient way to get off planet? As busy and huge as that spaceport was (and considering the resources a Queen and a couple Jedi Knights should have) there are probably a dozen other ships they could have gotten passage on if they were really in a rush.

The fact they don't even appear to TRY to find other transport just makes the whole thing seem even more contrived.

 

[Greylock Crescent]

I don't think anyone can effectively defend the PT from criticisms that its concepts and execution were flawed; the films suffer from more than just misplaced fan expectations. But in terms of whether or not the saga is better or worse? It's better because the PT provides other avenues -- other points of entry, as it were -- for fans to get into the saga. Also:

4. Evil droids aren't mentioned in Zahn's Thrawn trilogy, which is as vital as the OT to my personal SW canon.

I think this quote (bold by me) sums up why Star Wars is better off with the PT and the subsequent Clone Wars 'toons (significant flaws and all): Given the way the Star Wars saga is presented, we can all construct a "personal SW canon."

Enjoy the PT & Clone Wars 'toons (warts included), but not the rest of the EU (my personal frame of reference)? No problem. The PT & CW 'toons add to my enjoyment of the OT.

Dislike the PT & 'toons, but like the OT and various facets of the EU? Still no problem.

Like just the unaltered OT? No problem there, either.

It's a bit like nuTrek. The presence of new material (however flawed it may be) shouldn't diminish one's appreciation and enjoyment of the original material -- leastwise not when it's so easy to sit back and enjoy the originals on home theater systems. Do I wish the PT had been better conceived and produced? Oh yeah. But am I glad it's around? Most definitely.

 

[JarodRussell]

The argument being made (not necessarily by me) is that the podrace feel superfluous to the actual story of the film (Naboo) and goes on to long as it is.

Which, of course, is just an opinion, like mine that the speeder bike chase is totally superfluous.