Well - I saw this movie this morning. I was stunned to share a 600 seat theater with only about 25 people. Beautiful theater, stadium seating, clean, good sound.

After seeing news footage of folks lined up to view this movie throughout America, I really expected more company.

I may have to go back and watch it again - I may have fallen asleep or maybe there just are big plot holes - I found it incredible for the "emperor" to have so easily seduced Anakin (who we know becomes Darth Vader) to follow him.

It's not clear either how the emperor is able to turn all the clone troopers against the Jedi (no big surprise here, either) when they had been so friendly seconds earlier.

All in all, every dollar is up on the screen and, thankfully, although he had scenes, Jar Jar had no lines. The battle scenes are dizzying and fantastic.

For the most part, the acting is low grade. Jimmy Smits could have phoned in his part between takes on West Wing. There was more angst from the actors in any episode of TV's Dawson's Creek than exhibited by the primary characters in this episode of Star Wars.

Trivia question: how many different hairstyles for Natalie Portman in this episode? Have you seen pictures of her latest real life hairdo?

The theme for this thread:
Without giving plot spoilers, did you like the movie or not? Do you expect to see it more than one time?

Wes,

No review on this one possible, I haven't seen the original S.W. other than bits and pieces while channel surfing. :drunk: Maybe I should start watching now that the first of the seven movies in the series is complete.

Talk about a linear thought process.

Al...

I haven't seen it yet, my son did last night. Plot? Don't we really know the plot? Which is the cool thing - everyone knows how the story ends, but can't wait to see it. My kids love the series, and are amazed how 'old' it is. We just watched the first one (Episode 4) the other day to get interested for the new release. My son is 'making' his girlfriend watch all 5 in order so they can go tomorrow because she hasn't seen any of them.

I think a large part of my sense of "loss" is that I expected to be in a theater full of folks in costumes and hearing lots of shouting and cheering from the audience,

( guess those folks all went to the midnight show )

Maybe I will watch DVD of Episodes I and II, then go see III again to get a better sense of Lukas' vision (at least with a DVD, I can mute Jar Jar!)

Interesting trivia tidbit: Stay for ALL the credits to see how many different countries they shot scenes in - everything is NOT CGI!

My son is 'making' his girlfriend watch all 5 in order so they can go tomorrow because she hasn't seen any of them.


So she sat for about 10 hours to watch 5 movies, just to go sit in a theater and watch the 6th one???

Well, not yet, only watched the first one last night. But yes - that is the plan.
At least I know where they are and what they are doing!

So she sat for about 10 hours to watch 5 movies, just to go sit in a theater and watch the 6th one???
"Greater love hath no woman . . ."

"Greater love hath no woman . . ."

Right - just an excuse to sit on the couch together for 10 hours....

Right - just an excuse to sit on the couch together for 10 hours....
As long as they're staying vertical, you're all good. :lmao:

Well - I saw this movie this morning. I was stunned to share a 600 seat theater with only about 25 people. Beautiful theater, stadium seating, clean, good sound.

After seeing news footage of folks lined up to view this movie throughout America, I really expected more company.

I may have to go back and watch it again - I may have fallen asleep or maybe there just are big plot holes - I found it incredible for the "emperor" to have so easily seduced Anakin (who we know becomes Darth Vader) to follow him.

It's not clear either how the emperor is able to turn all the clone troopers against the Jedi (no big surprise here, either) when they had been so friendly seconds earlier.

All in all, every dollar is up on the screen and, thankfully, although he had scenes, Jar Jar had no lines. The battle scenes are dizzying and fantastic.

For the most part, the acting is low grade. Jimmy Smits could have phoned in his part between takes on West Wing. There was more angst from the actors in any episode of TV's Dawson's Creek than exhibited by the primary characters in this episode of Star Wars.

Trivia question: how many different hairstyles for Natalie Portman in this episode? Have you seen pictures of her latest real life hairdo?

The theme for this thread:
Without giving plot spoilers, did you like the movie or not? Do you expect to see it more than one time?

Wes, I plann on seeing the movie this weekend, but until then check ths spoof of Star Wars III, http://www.newgrounds.com/video/SWE3_med.mov

I think a large part of my sense of "loss" is that I expected to be in a theater full of folks in costumes and hearing lots of shouting and cheering from the audience,

( guess those folks all went to the midnight show )

Maybe I will watch DVD of Episodes I and II, then go see III again to get a better sense of Lukas' vision (at least with a DVD, I can mute Jar Jar!)

How can I not participate in a Star Wars thread...

You must be right Wes, most of the costumes and Lightsabers come out for the midnight showings. I had my Lightsaber in hand (proud to be a Star Wars geek).

As far as dialogue goes, I haven't been too impressed with the first three episodes. IMHO, it lacks the emotionally intense dialogue seen in IV – VI. As an example, Vader’s tempting of Luke to the Darkside by threatening to turn his sister during their saber fight on the Death Star in episode VI has not been matched in any of the first three episodes. All spoken dialogue, minimal choreographed action sequences.

Regardless, III is worth a few more visits.
Rob

Alas, I cannot pass up a Star Wars thread either... (Just got my Kelloggs cereal with light saber spoon.......) I know, no hope.

Anyway, I plan on seeing it this weekend hopefully. I was a wide eyed 10 year old kid in 1977 when IV came out, and I was hooked. Now, the last two are great CGI masterpieces but the acting...well it was nonexistent. Anakin is just a pi**ed off little punk. They focused on grand masive shots of planets and scenery sometimes just because they could.

I will get the 4 DVD set of the originals for my b-day next month (haven't gotten around to it yet), and probably the other two as well.

Even with the 3rd rate acting, I wouldn't pass this up for anything, I admit!

Jerry
PS- Does Natalie Portman have another see-thru shirt this time around, like the arena battle scene in II? :agree1:

I'm curious to see if the true Star Wars fan also find the humor in Spaceballs - I see that its now available on DVD - and I always thought that was one of the funniest Mel Brooks movies.

I'm not a big SW fan, but I enjoy the special effects, so I don't know if I qualify or not Little_Cee.

Spaceballs ranks as one of my all time favorite films. I think it started with the flying Winnebago and the "combing the desert" scene put me on the floor!!! It is one of those films that you have to watch 2 or more times just to catch all the one liners. :lol:

Is that the one with Pizza the Hut?

Episode III was OK. The special effects were good. I do agree that the actors' performance in the non-physical scenes was mediocre at best. However, weren't we all just there to see the transformation to Darth Vader and if they could top the fight scenes from Attack of the Clones?

I heard that George now says the next realm for Star Wars is TV. Perhaps the cartoon that I"ve seen pop up now and again on cable/satellite?

My wife is the star wars geek having bought tickets a month in advance and forcing me to sit in line at 7:00 for a midnight showing. Yes all the geeks from the St Louis area were in house with thier costumes on (Two dressed as storm troopers were cool).

The book was much better than the movie as most books are. The big plot holes are corrected in the book (plus probably on the extended versions DVD that will come out a year after the original DVD)

The clone troopers were easily turned because Lord Sidious actually was their owner (Phantom Menace) and preprogramed code 66 at birth.

Ive always been more of a Star Trekkie.

I just watched Attack of the Clones on Sunday. I have to say I wasn't impressed, I felt a little ripped off at paying $3.99 for the rental.

One of the local radio stations had a guy dress up like Darth and walk into a bar. He was throwing out real cheesie pick up lines and it was funny. Stuff like "I may not be the best looking guy in here, but I am the only one with his own death star", and "I'm your daddy".

It sure has set records, so it must appeal to a lot of people.

My wife is the star wars geek having bought tickets a month in advance and forcing me to sit in line at 7:00 for a midnight showing. Yes all the geeks from the St Louis area were in house with thier costumes on (Two dressed as storm troopers were cool).

The book was much better than the movie as most books are. The big plot holes are corrected in the book (plus probably on the extended versions DVD that will come out a year after the original DVD)

The clone troopers were easily turned because Lord Sidious actually was their owner (Phantom Menace) and preprogramed code 66 at birth.

Ive always been more of a Star Trekkie.
Book? Which one of dozens? This one?

Star Wars Revenge of the Sith
Written by Matthew Woodring Stover
Fiction - Science Fiction | Del Rey | Hardcover | April 2005 | $25.95 | 0-345-42883-8
About This Book
The turning point for the entire Star Wars saga is at hand
After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggressively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic. Yoda, Mace Windu, and their fellow Masters grapple with the Chancellor’s disturbing move to assume control of the Jedi Council. And Anakin Skywalker, the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force, is increasingly consumed by his fear that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die.

As the combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame: Obi-Wan undertakes a perilous mission to destroy the dreaded Separatist military leader General Grievous. Palpatine, eager to secure even greater control, subtly influences public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin–tormented by unspeakable visions–edges dangerously closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision. It remains only for Darth Sidious, whose shadow looms ever larger, to strike the final staggering blow against the Republic . . . and to ordain a fearsome new Sith Lord: Darth Vader.
Based on the screenplay of the eagerly anticipated final film in George Lucas’s epic saga, bestselling Star Wars author Matthew Stover’s novel crackles with action, captures the iconic characters in all their complexity, and brings a space opera masterpiece full circle in stunning style.
Author Biography
Matthew Stover is the New York Times bestselling author of five previous novels, including Star Wars: Shatterpoint; Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Traitor; Heroes Die; and The Blade of Tyshalle. He is an expert in several martial arts. Stover lives outside Chicago.

We went to the movie Sunday. My son pulled four free movie tickets and four free large popcorn and pop coupons out of his pocket and said let's go see Star Wars. It was free, so we went. Thanks to Auntie Sue for the birthday present.

It was hard to sit through. i only found satisfaction that the circle was completed.

Lucas said in an interview "I'm glad it is over", my sentiments also.

I saw Star Wars 10 times between 1977 and 1978, and I don't know how many times since then.

My 13 year old son and I went to see III yesterday. I am blessed to have had a chance with each of my kids to share something important with each of them. (I took my daughter to see Phantom in Boston when she was 8; it was a blast!) My son, now 13, and I have seen every Lord of the Rings movie (he's quite the expert now) and now, the Star Wars story has been high on our list. For us, it's more about the story than the acting and/or special effects. Revenge of the Sith wrapped up the loose ends very nicely. And it was a great movie!

So today, of course, after school we had to sit down and watch the long-ago fav all over again. Now that we know why Darth Vader wears all that getup and all the other details, it is extra enjoyable. Tomorrow we have decided we must watch Empire Strikes Back.

:topic: Now that I have seen the preview I know we shall be making a date for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe this winter. I saw Lemony Snicket's Series Of Unfortunate Events with the 7th grade class, and liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I like to go to the movies! I'd go more often if I could justify it.

Book? Which one of dozens? This one?

My kids are big readers. They didn't read the books that the movies were based on but there is a series called the young jedi - from what I remember its basically The adventures of Luke and Leah when they were kids. They read the whole Lord of the Rings series long before the movie was being advertised. Same with Potter, unfortunate events. - even Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Wille Wonka is one of my FAVORITE movies of all time). I hate to say it, but they are better readers than me. :topic: But if the little ones like Star Wars and like to read, I'd check out the young jedi series.

Book? Which one of dozens? This one?

Revenge of the Sith that's the one. I encourage my children to read the books before we go and see the movies.

Lord of the Rings was a very difficult read. I struggled through the first part with all the information about the hobbits.

:topic: Now the Lemony Sticket and Harry Potter books have become some of my favorites. I have enjoyed reading them with my children and discusing them at the dinner table. Its amazing what they pick up.

from what I remember its basically The adventures of Luke and Leah when they were kids

Actually, the "Young Jedi" series is about Leah and Han's kids (Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin) and I think a young Wookie named Lowbacca. Remember, Luke and Leah never knew each other as kids. I've never read them, but have read all of the other books.

As to Ep III, I enjoyed it, the special effects were awesome, but would also have liked to have seen better acting / better lines. Most loose ends were tied up, but not all, e.g. in Ep IV Obiwan says to Luke, "I haven't been called Obiwan since, oh, before you were born" with no evidence of that in Ep III (I know, rather trivial).

For the avid fans who are not afraid of some gore, check out an interesting group of books in the Star Wars series. These are from the New Jedi Order, and cover the period approximately 25-30 years after Episode VI. Han and Leia's kids are almost adults, and the Republic is threatened again by a force outside of the galaxy. The Yuzhaan Vong put Darth Vader to shame.

Many of these books are written by the premier younger sci fi writers. All of there names escape me, but an example is Kevin Anderson. I am amazed that they have kept George's vision alive. These books were a fun read last summer.

--QG

Never seen any of them, or read any of the books - and have no desire to.
Same goes for Harry Potter.

However, I am quite big on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - and I don't think the new one coming out is going to be anywhere near as good as the original. We shall have to see.

Thanks Rob - like I said, I just hear their discussions, never really tuned in, but that makes sense now. :thanks:

OK - finally saw it. I thought Obi Wan and 'the Emperor' did a good job.
Yoda writers seemed forced. Like they gave him more lines so they could reverse the sentence struction which is Yoda's mode - but more obvious and less natural like a part of the character as in Episode 4.

The rest may have plot implications so if you want to see first, don't read...

Did anyone else take away that Anakin was 'created' by 'the Chancellor' when his indicated the apprentice learned how to control <migelorians> (purely phonetic, I have no idea what that word is for the thing that Anakin has lots of in his blood.) Anyway - he said he learned how to control life, so did he create Anakin as part of his devious plan to get a Jedi to betray the Jedi and therefore win the war? It wasn't obviously stated in the movie, but we were trying to figure if it was even implied.

Um, one more thing - how did Chewy end up with Han or was that not worth explaining. I thought a random 10 year old boy was going to be saved by Chewy in that war scene.

One more thing - anyone think the line "its against the Jedi code to strike an 'unarmed man'" was intentional after he cut off, Drooku's arms (spelling again - I think it was him, I can't keep all the goofy names straight) or were they only referring to lack of a weapon?

The Chewy-Han thing bothered me, too. Why does "General" Chewbacca end up with a smuggler on an out-of-the-way planet at the instant a Jedi needed him? It is just way too much of a coincidence, even in a storyline full of coincidences.

While we're at is, the handling of Aniken's mother bothered me. The jedi recognized that seperating young Ani from his mother might be a big problem, yet they could never find a few minutes to go back and purchase/rescue/steal her from a nobody on a nowhere planet!

Tim F

The Chewy-Han thing is easy. Chewbaca is a leader of a planet that was supportive of the "old" Republic so therefore and outlaw and most likely had to stay on the run...so to speak.

Annikan's mother was property belonging to another and the Jedi respected the laws and rights of the citizens of the "Republic" on their respective planets. If this wasn't true Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) would have just taken what he needed from Watto (Annikan's owner) at the point of his light-sabre.

Annikan's mother was property belonging to another and the Jedi respected the laws and rights of the citizens of the "Republic" on their respective planets. If this wasn't true Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) would have just taken what he needed from Watto (Annikan's owner) at the point of his light-sabre.

But why not fly back the next week with a stack of gold (or a new speeder, or a couple of droids...) and buy her? Given the resourses available to the Jedi and the apparent ease of flying around the universe, a padawan could have been sent in his spare time to arrange the deal! Think of all the trouble it would have saved!

Tim F

I thought I saw the Millenium Falcom in Ep 3. So minor connection - or I was seeing things.

Re: Anikan's mother - Ani did try to save - but she lost the will to live as did Pad Me' - so is there some connection there.

Did Anikan really not have a father and was conceived by Darth Sediuous or was that just implied that he manipulated the birth - I mean did Anikan's mother wonder why she was pregnant with him?

I thought I saw the Millenium Falcom in Ep 3. So minor connection - or I was seeing things.

So did I Laura!! I thought that might be the tie-in to Han and Chewie, but realized than Han was still in short pants then.

I just saw it this weekend. Nothing like a college town after all the kids have left for the summer! No lines anywhere!

This was the first of the three prequels where I actually had some sympathy for Anakin. To date I've found him highly unlikeable, but this time I found him to be a pretty tortured person. Makes me wonder how someone so wounded could possibly be so strong with the force.

The parallel between when the Emperor tells Luke to kill Vader in Episode VI and when he tells Anakin to kill Count Dooku in Episode III to be interesting. Anakin barely hesitates...no moment of angst at all, whereas you can see the struggle Luke is going through.

I never caught the son of Darth Sideous thing...need to go think about that for awhile! I guess the one surprise was when Padme dies right after giving birth. In Episode VI Luke asks Leia if she remembers her mother, and Leia remembers her as beautiful, but sad and then said, "She died when I was very young". Must be she was remembering her adoptive mother.

All in all, this was the best of the prequels, but no where near as powerful as IV, V and VI. Padme had possibilities, but Anakin was just too unlikeable and everyone else was wooden. I am still confused about what the heck was happening in the clone wars. I figured that Sideous used the force to manipulate the Storm Troopers into changing their allegiance. You know how suggestible they are! "These are not the Droids you're looking for".

I need to see it again and pick up the rest of the stuff you guys have mentioned.

So did I Laura!! I thought that might be the tie-in to Han and Chewie, but realized than Han was still in short pants then.


I guess the one surprise was when Padme dies right after giving birth. In Episode VI Luke asks Leia if she remembers her mother, and Leia remembers her as beautiful, but sad and then said, "She died when I was very young". Must be she was remembering her adoptive mother.


Three comments:

1. there is a good book trilogy about Han Solo and how he hooks up with Chewie. It takes place between episode II and episode IV, best I can figure. Han is an orphan on a freighter. A Wookie cook takes him in, he saves her, etc. Han develops a 'love' for his Wookie friends. When he saves Chewie on the planet Kissel (I believe), the life debt hooks them up forever. I think Chewie got captured by the Empire in some raid on Kashyyk and then sent to the spice mines.

2. the whole death of Padme thing bugs me. In later stories, Luke is absolutely convinced that his mother is alive, and is part of a 'good witch tribe' from Dathomar (or something like that). He spends a couple of the books wandering about the galaxy looking for her. He should have been back on Yavin 4 training more Jedi. Why in the world didn't someone tell him about Padme? Obi Wan could have after Episode IV when he attained immortality.

3. except for a few of these inaccuracies, I am still amazed that Lucas' vision has been captured by so many other Sci-fi writers, and that these people have remained true to this vision. If I had 1/10th of their creativity, I bet my lectures on TQM and SS would be much more exciting!

I read the first three Star Wars books that go through what happens immediately after Return of the Jedi, including the birth of Leia and Han's twins, but I got overwhelmed by the number of books that came after that and stopped reading. I guess a bunch of our questions are answered in them!

Do you think there's a rough script these books have to adhere to? Seems like Lucas would want to control his story in some fashion

I'm not really sure we saw Padme die in Episode III. We heard the medical droids say she'd lost her will to live, and we heard Sideous tell Anakin that he killed her, but did she really die? Can't go by looks...I looked worse than her after I gave birth!

It was nice of Leia's adoptive parents not to change her name to Helga or Hildegard.

Sitting around a camp fire this weekend, my 13 year old, husband and I tried to think of 'unanswered' questions.

Mine was - why was Leia called Princess? Her real mother was a queen, but her adoptive mother was the wife of a senator, right? Of course he was a senator too, so potential a king or prince on his home planet? Her background was not to be known, so why "Princess Leia." (Unless Padme really didn't die- good call on that one.)

Also in the DVD version - 'old Anakin' was replaced with 'Young Anakin' when Darth dies. In the original - Obiwan, Yoda and 'old anakin' or what he would have looked like if not disfigured were assumed to be the aparitions, right?

My son also pointed out that ObiWan was to continue his training while in exile watching over Luke's upbringing, under the direction of Qui Gon - implication that he can hear instruction from the dead - yet without training Luke 'hears' "use the force Luke" in Ep IV - or was that 'remembering' not 'hearing' Obiwan. His point was that Obi wan needed alot of 'training' based on Yoda's implication, yet Luke just 'got it.'

Yes - my son is deep into it.

So are my two, Laura, and they're 27 and 20! It isn't something you outgrow! One time when my oldest was in third grade, he and I played hookey and spent the day watching Episodes IV and V. I've been a bad role model!

My take on the back from the dead thing: I think that Yoda instructing Obi Wan to learn the "how to come back from the dead" schtick from Qui Gon was a way to explain why they kill off Obi Wan in episode IV. I don't think seeing and hearing dead Master's was Luke's skill as much as it was Obi Wan and Yoda's skill.

Never saw the DVD, so I didn't realize they'd changed the apparition to young Anakin. Are we talking Episode I Anakin or Episode II and III Anakin?

But do you have Star War trivial pursuit in the closet? We get that out when they need to win. They can't beat me at scrabble, so every once in awhile I have to relent....

I bow to your superior SW Nerdhood! I didn't even know there was a SW Trivial Pursuit game. but now that I know I will get it!

But I indicated I 'LOSE' when I play the game. They continue to teach me, but roll their eyes when I 'don't get it.' My kids - yes - major SW nerds.

I hate being a thread killer. Either everyone realized Rosie and I were amatuers...or out of their league. Here's a question from SW trivial pursuit - selected at random: How many engines on a Tie fighter?

Twin Ion Engine

See, Laura, that was a BOY question. Aren't there any GIRL questions in the pack? Like, "Why does Leia like scoundrals?" We could analyze the boogers out of THAT question! :lol:

Many of the questions that have been asked were above my head so I went to the wisest jedi I know, my wife for answers. Here they are:

Jedi aren't supposed to keep relationships with loved ones. The Jedi
expected Anakin to follow Obi Wan's teachings and learn to ignore the
feelings of missing his mother, etc.

Padme did die.....let it go! LOL. Leia was called "Princess" because Bail
Organa was the ruler of Aldoran, maybe not a "King" in title, but a ruler
none the less.

Of course there's a connection between Anakin's mother & Padme....they both
lost Anakin, someone they loved deeply, therefore they felt there was no
reason to go on living.

REMEMBER THIS: It HAD to happen! Anakin was supposed to become Darth Vader
to bring balance to the force. Yoda KNEW it and allowed it to happen. It's
tragic, but necessary. If Yoda had tried to prevent any of those things from
happening, the there wouldn't have been a Darth Vader (most likely) and
balance wouldn't be brought to the force, which is what The Chosen One was
supposed to do. Obi Wan misunderstood the meaning of The Chosen One....he
assumed that Anakin was supposed to destroy the Dark Side, but in actuality,
Anakin had to SUBMIT to the Dark Side to truly bring balance.

Just my Star Wars Geekish take on things......LOL!

I saw a SW Trivial Pursuit recently that had at least one DVD and covered all 6 movies! It was about $50 at Best Buy...

Jerry

WES your first sentence make me laugh that says" theater with 600 seats...."
:)

Another question:

"Who was Luke Skywalker's best friend on Tatooine?"

Biggs Darklighter. One of the revised versions of the movie (digital?) adds a scene on Yaven 4 where they meet again. He dies in the battle.

Another question:

"Who was Luke Skywalker's best friend on Tatooine?"

OO OO, I know!! It was Wedge! Engines: who cares! Relationships: I rule.

Ahh, Rosie, good try. :lol:

But Wedge Antilles was from Corellia - same as Han Solo. Wedge features greatly in the many books written on the years following ep. VI.

"Laugh it up, fuzzball"

I surrender. :truce:

What have I wrought!?

As I read through this thread and note the trivia skill of some of the contributors, I am reminded of the great W. C. Fields quote (I remember seeing him say it in a film, but I can't find a citation to verify he created the quote),
"Proficiency at pool is a sign of a misspent youth!"

Some of you folks are awfully proficient!;)

What have I wrought!?

As I read through this thread and note the trivia skill of some of the contributors, I am reminded of the great W. C. Fields quote (I remember seeing him say it in a film, but I can't find a citation to verify he created the quote),
"Proficiency at pool is a sign of a misspent youth!"

Some of you folks are awfully proficient!;)Ha, my mother used to also tell me my interest in pinball would come to no good.

Now that my son also likes pinball he plays the little gumball pinball at the discount store and usually wins an extra gumball or two for his quarter...one or more for him, and one for me. So you see, that part of our misspent youth is profitable, heh.