Star Wars: (I,II,...) vs. old (IV,V,Vi)

[Pupik]

Does anyne else think the symbolism has disappeared from the most recent films? Lucas consulted a great deal with professors, used historical examples, used the basis of great stories and tales to make the first three movies (1977-1983). Now it seems he's consulting ad agencies, corporations, and soap-opera producers for his latest movies.

I feel the latest movies arent even necessary, they were brought about by a lot of hankering from hard-core fans who demanded a story behind the original story. But when I've seen each of these newest movies again, if seems like there's no meaning behind the plot...it's playing "catch-up" to the original story.

 

[Gil]

I was actually under the impression that George Lucas wrote the story from the beginning, and then decided that Episode 4 was the best place to start telling the story.
I believe that Episode 1 and 2 are roughly following in the footsteps of the first three.
If you will remember, the second movie "The Empire Strikes Back" got alot of criticism. It didn't have a happy ending, the bad guy was winning, and the good guys were either in serious problems or running off to lick their wounds and regroup.
The new series is following a similar path. Granted, the love story in the first three movies was much simpler and less syrupy.
I personally, don't think the new Episodes are anywhere near as bad as the critics/pundits are making them out to be.

 

[Pupik]

I just think a lot of the symbolism and meaning is missing form the latest two. They're still very good movies...I'm not starting up the "kill jar-jar!" campaign again, I just think there's an element missing from them. I don't have a great desire to watch them the same way the "first 3" did.

Maybe it's because I'm older, or because it's not completed (and will therefore make more sense when completed?)...but something is definately missing.

* (As a kid, I loved the Empire Strikes Back (and still do)! The tension was far greater, even to a 6-year-old...lots going on, even if it wasn't a happy ending.)

 

[Bam]

i guess since i was so impressed by the first three star wars movies that these new episodes seem like absolute rubbish. if you watch the making so much of the movie is just computer graphics and blue screen. the first three were a ground breaking idea, they were milestones in the sci-fi/fantasy movie business. these new episodes are just a few more hollywood movies. they seem to fit the formula for the thousands of mildly interesting and typically BORING movies america has started to churn out nowadays...let's face it though...the quality of movies has been declining for quite a while. and stories seem to get cheezier by the day...maybe it wasn't lucas' fault but who knows...they don't even halfway live up to the standards of A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi.

 

[importfan1]

I'm a really big fan of the older trilogy. the reason why is because of the fact that it has a better plot line. But, I'm also a fan of the newer series, becasue of the fact that that the newer ones fill a lot of plot holes, I like the both of them.

 

[focus117]

I like the older trilogy much better! The fighters were much cooler in them. I also I agree that it has a better plot line.

I don't like the new ones, but at the same time, it's interesting just seeing the young Anakin and Obi-Wan.
It's also interesting to know who Anakin married to!

 

[milefile]

I don't mind the new ones. I had long since forgotten about Star Wars and the new ones got me back into it and filled out the story a lot. I also thought the story was all conceived from the beginning and released in the order it was released on purpose.

That is one aspect of the great Sagas and Epics that Lucas has remained true to: the value of already knowing what is going to happen. When you watch Anakin slowly give in to evil and suffering, you already know he will be Darth Vader, and what that means. But He doesn't know, nor does Obiwan, or Amidala (sp?). You, the viewer have the inside scoop. I think this enhances one's emotional engagement with the story. And I think Lucas knew that from the beginning.

And technology is replacing substance not only in movies.

The Star Wars story is like a defining event in my generation's life. I guess that's sappy, but I really do feel glad to have been six years old when the first came out, and to be finishing it my thirties. How many other generations can claim such a long standing event? Kids who are just getting into it now can never fully grasp what Star Wars is.

 

[Red Eye Racer]

Originally posted by pupik
if seems like there's no meaning behind the plot...it's playing "catch-up" to the original story.

It's because we've always watched them as "Luke's story",. when in actuallity,... the 6 part series is the life story of Aniken - aka Darth Vader.

I see nothing wrong with finishing what he started. It's a great story, that will be the ultimate classic series to watch back-to-back-ect, ect, since Rockey.

 

[CrackHoor]

Originally posted by milefile
That is one aspect of the great Sagas and Epics that Lucas has remained true to: the value of already knowing what is going to happen.

I think you're giving Lucas too much credit. Before 'Star Wars' was made, he had a nine part story and no money. He was surprised to be given a modest chunk of cash to make his 'space-opera', whatever the hell that means. He had no idea that he'd even be able to do a second movie in the series, so he chose part 4 because it's fairly self-contained.

When it did real good, he did two more to wrap up the 'redemption of Vader' story and that was it for twenty years. After the success of those and all the merchandising and marketing bling, and the theatrical re-release of the trilogy he had the cash to do another trilogy, so away he goes.

It's probably because I have such fond memories of growing up watching the original trilogy, but the new ones just don't do it for me. The focus is on effects and visuals rather than story.

 

[Pupik]

Well, I watched Episode II again, and looking at the backgrounds and effects, there is that little bit of symbolism here and there. It still seems to have taken a back seat; maybe I'm just seeing the newest movies with a more jaundiced eye than before.

In any case, maybe it's tougher watching them when you have a nearly fully-formed opinion about "what's going to happen in the end".

I'm thinking back to a time back in '99 (after Episode I). One fella said to me: "Well, for people our age, our first exposure to great action movies was probably the Star Wars trillogy. Now, over a decade later, we've seen tons of action movies here, explosions there, lots of stuff that's watered down the experience of seeing such a movie. We've grown up, and the magic has worn off, we're more skeptical now..."

I'm thinking he's more right than before.