Star Wars episode 3 [Archive]

Kevin

02-06-2004, 10:02 PM

I think it amuesing but... I grew up on Star Wars, it was my thing... and then Babylon 5 hit the airwaves and I got rather into that... so when Episode 1 came out, it was not only a let down on the basis that it couldn't compare to the original trilogy, but a let down in that Babylon 5 had matured my tastes over the year, and I couldn't get past how remarkably... childish it was.

Episode 2 was a bit better, a bit more matured, but still had horrible writing and just, didn't fit well. Ewan McGregor's quality as an actor couldn't make up for Haden Christiansan as well as Natalie Portman's horrible performances.

So, as for Episode 3... keep in mind, everyone is going to die with few exceptions... so with that in mind, it can't be *that* bad of a movie ;)

I do think it'll be the best of the bunch... but that's not saying much. Where I'm standing right now, I don't even *know* what new B5 production is in work, and I'm about 5 times more excited about it.

Ranger1

02-07-2004, 02:52 AM

Well i grew up on Star Wars,when B5 went into gear (around season 3) i dare said "BABYLON 5 IS BETTER THEN STAR WARS" with such an excitement to all my friends (which all thought i was like sick or something),then came Phantom Menace and well...it was such a hype i was in the theater 5 times for that episode,the special effects blew me away,looking back now i can say with a full heart that episode 1 was childish like HELL.
Episode 2 was a bit more fun,no kids and annoying creatures.

You got to understand that until the late 80's i always thought that Star wars had episode 1,2 and 3 out there and they were like rare or something,heard few people saying (lying) that they saw them...HAHA i can never forget that.

I just don't understand why Lucas made 1 and 2 this way, i remember showing Phantom Menace to my dad,at the end i asked him how was it? he said: it was ok,but its not Star Wars,i happen to agree with him,nothing to do with the original trilogy beside few jokes and 2 droids.

That's why im waiting for episode 3,i don't think i ever saw a movie that its a part of a trilogy and the end chapter instead of a happy ending,everyone is going to die (well almost),the hero is turning to the bad (dark) side,but still don't expect it to be as brutal as i want it to be since it will be PG-13 :mad:

Ranger1

02-11-2004, 04:05 AM

Btw its now official: 21st Septemper,the original (SE's) trilogy will be availble on DVD,4 disks.

Dr Maturin

02-29-2004, 11:18 AM

Kinda late in posting on this thread, but I thought I'd add on. I am 28 years old. I have been a Star Wars "fan" since I was 2 years old. I still have the toys, the books all that stuff from back then. I have written novel-length stories based in that universe. I was hyped for The Phantom Menace. When I walked out, I was disgusted. Most of the people around me were, too. I just felt like I'd been ripped off. So I thought I'd give Episode II a chance. I went to Celebration II, I saw the sneak preview with Yoda fighting. I was disappointed after seeing the movie, though.

Among the obvious things such as bad writing, bad acting and cheesy comedy (along with downright inane comedy) I think one of the things the prequel trilogy is lacking in is a hero. Anakin isn't a hero...we know where his path leads. Qui-Gon was in the first film, but he died. Obi-Wan plays second fiddle in TPM and though his role picks up in Attack of the Clones, we know where his path leads. From what I've heard on Episode III, his status may change. Spoilers follow...

I hear he has a chase scene with the Confederacy's general ( to appear in the Clone Wars cartoon's second season) and then has a loooong duel with Anakin. I have scene footage of the duel and it does look quite extensive. But still...the idea that not knowing how we get somewhere lessens the negative point that we know the destination definitely did not pay off in the Star Wars prequels for me personally. Moneywise, Lucas made a good decision. He made a Star Wars for a whole new generation, and his commercial ventures no doubt appeal to these pre-teen and teen-aged kids. But what about us? I feel like I got robbed with the prequels. So this time, I won't have this big urge to see Episode III the first day or even the first week of its debut. To me, it's like "whatever." But, here is something interesting, supposedly from an inside source. I don't know where it came from as on online buddy sent it to me. Check the attached pic.

Dr Maturin

02-29-2004, 11:23 AM

<<Btw its now official: 21st Septemper,the original (SE's) trilogy will be availble on DVD,4 disks.>>

Here are the three types of packaging from a French website:

http://www.kamuiweb.com/sitev3/html/modules/news/article.php?storyid=808

Dr Maturin

02-29-2004, 11:50 AM

As in all stories derived from myth, Star Wars and Babylon 5 have a lot in common. Think of Kosh and Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan spoke to Luke in half-truths, as does Kosh to Sheridan. Kosh told Sheridan he would not be there to help him if he went to Z'ha'dum. Obi-Wan told Luke in spirit form he could not interfere if Luke faced Vader. Sheridan jumps down the chasm in Z'ha'dum to escape a former loved on. Luke takes a leap from his own father in Empire Strikes Back.

Not exact analogies, but then if they were, all stories would be identical. Anyone else see any striking similarities between SW and B5?

Ranger1

02-29-2004, 03:43 PM

I think episode 3 gonna rule (in fact if episode 1 was 3 this new trilogy would have been good),i have to agree with you about Phantom Menace,although i think that Attack of the Clones was much better and i really enjoyed it (until this day,and of course nothing to compare to the original trilogy).

Everyone is going to die!! and the bad guys win,whats there not to love?? :p

colonyearth

03-01-2004, 11:36 AM

Getting me onto the SW problem is like getting me onto the Trek problem...I start ranting and raving, furious at the how such imaginative and wondrous universes have been ruined and wasted by bad writing and lack of imagination.

I don't blame Portman or Christianson for their performances since I've seen them in other films where they blew me away. I blame the man who should be blamed..GL.

He alone has ruined his own creation. Stupid jokes and campy humor. For GODSAKE let 3PO be 3PO, quit making him slapstick pun machine!

"My heart aches for the kiss you should never have given me." or whatever that HORRID line was.

I have very low expectations for EPIII, very low. Even the characters we know from the original trilogy aren't acting like themselves, and GL keeps trying to bring in characters from the original trilogy to fix the problem but it won't work. If he wanted to fix the problem he would fire himself!

I saw such potential in the pre-quels and none of it has been reached buy a long shot! We could've had a hero...Anakin should have been the hero, the fallen hero...we should've loved him from the start and ached as we watched him fall victim to the forces surrounding him. We should've wanted to see Luke redeem him later, for that matter we should've seen something in him to redeem later, which we don't...what good does Luke see in him? I didn't see it...all I see is a bratty spoiled arrogant ass.

GL has royally screwed SW. The only good news I've heard about EPIII, is that GL got his hands on the extended edition of RoTK before it was released to theatres and showed it to his people and angrily told them "we have to do better." Well, before he said that to anyone, he should've been yelling it to himself.

'Nough said.

CE

OmahaStar

03-01-2004, 11:44 AM

^ What he said. :cool:

Kevin

03-01-2004, 12:41 PM

^ I'll second that sentiment ;)

Dr Maturin

03-01-2004, 06:41 PM

Something else interesting. I am going off of memory here, and since I am a moron, I don't know how well you should trust this, but someone once told me that GL came up to JMS and said that he really liked The Gathering. Well...that must have been 1995 at the latest, let's say.

Then on The Phantom Menace, the whole Jedi taken as babies thing is strikingly similar to Psi Corps policy. Perhaps GL took a look at B5 before writing TPM. Also...and this is very coincidental: check out that chase scene in the metropolis (forget which ep) in Crusade...it is very close to the speeder chase scene in Attack of the Clones. They even go through a tunnel embedded in a building. There are probably other analogies, but none that come to mind off hand. Is GL being inspired by B5?

colonyearth

03-02-2004, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by Z'ha'dumDweller
Something else interesting. I am going off of memory here, and since I am a moron, I don't know how well you should trust this, but someone once told me that GL came up to JMS and said that he really liked The Gathering. Well...that must have been 1995 at the latest, let's say.

Then on The Phantom Menace, the whole Jedi taken as babies thing is strikingly similar to Psi Corps policy. Perhaps GL took a look at B5 before writing TPM. Also...and this is very coincidental: check out that chase scene in the metropolis (forget which ep) in Crusade...it is very close to the speeder chase scene in Attack of the Clones. They even go through a tunnel embedded in a building. There are probably other analogies, but none that come to mind off hand. Is GL being inspired by B5?

No I don't think GL is necessarily being inspired by B5, I simply think GL isn't a good writer or director. He's a great idea man. Hell, if he'd had JMS write the SW pre-guels they would've rocked.

Those are similarities, and who's to say that on some subconscious level, given that GL even saw any of B5 or Crusade, those images might not have carried into GL's scripts. But it's a stretch, and would clearly have happened on a subliminal level. Personally, I think GL is too busy blantantly borrowing from himself and ruining what he borrows.

Dr Maturin

03-02-2004, 06:08 PM

<<Hell, if he'd had JMS write the SW pre-guels they would've rocked.>>

I thought it would have been cool to have Aaron Allston write the scripts. If you don't know, he is an author of several SW novels and a great one at that.

colonyearth

03-03-2004, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by Z'ha'dumDweller
<<Hell, if he'd had JMS write the SW pre-guels they would've rocked.>>

I thought it would have been cool to have Aaron Allston write the scripts. If you don't know, he is an author of several SW novels and a great one at that.

Novelists do not always make good screenwriters. They are a completely different beast. I would rather see a proven screenwriter run with an idea than someone who has written but never for the big screen.

ShaiAlyt

03-03-2004, 11:30 AM

I just don't see why Lucas didn't have some people help review/revise his screenplays from the get-go. Then again, I guess it doesn't matter too much to him, anymore. He makes money on the things regardless and the shallowness of the last two (esp Episode 2) gives me the impression he doesn't really care anymore. Gets hard for the fans to care if the creator doesn't.

colonyearth

03-03-2004, 12:57 PM

Originally posted by ShaiAlyt
I just don't see why Lucas didn't have some people help review/revise his screenplays from the get-go. Then again, I guess it doesn't matter too much to him, anymore. He makes money on the things regardless and the shallowness of the last two (esp Episode 2) gives me the impression he doesn't really care anymore. Gets hard for the fans to care if the creator doesn't.

I don't know that he doesn't care...he's just no longer in touch. When he did SW:ANH, he was a young, brash filmmaker with something to prove. Now, he's made it and does what amuses him...regardless of whether or not it appeals to the fans his original vision garnered, you know who they are, us, the ones who made him rich? Yeah, he's out of touch, and he's forgotten who made him. Does he owe me his first born? No. But some genuine creative effort to live up to the original trilogy would be nice.

CE

Dr Maturin

03-03-2004, 03:33 PM

<<Yeah, he's out of touch, and he's forgotten who made him. >>

I said as much a few years ago on the AOL SW MB's and this one guy said if I don't like the prequels, then I am not a SW fan. Not not a true SW fan...not a SW fan at all. As I said earlier in the thread, he may be just setting it all up for a new generation of kids to market products to. But is it a coincidence that AOTC's number's were lower than TPM's? Let's see how much lower Ep. III's are. The only saving grace, for me, about the next movie is that Matt Stover is doing the novelization. He rocks.

ShaiAlyt

03-03-2004, 07:55 PM

Originally posted by colonyearth
IBut some genuine creative effort to live up to the original trilogy would be nice.

Yeah, that's really all I want. I grew up loving the original three(as many here probably did) and simply would have appreciated it if he had put more thought into the newer ones. You stated my feelings in a better way than I did. :D

colonyearth

03-04-2004, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by ShaiAlyt
Yeah, that's really all I want. I grew up loving the original three(as many here probably did) and simply would have appreciated it if he had put more thought into the newer ones. You stated my feelings in a better way than I did. :D

Always happy to help:D

I know what you mean ZHDD, I am a SW fan, but I'm not happy with what GL has done with these films. As a filmmaker myself, I've seen every flaw and every place where he turned left instead of right and it's very frustrating. I would say that it makes me a bigger SW fan that these films have pissed me off so badly; thus showing how much I care for a great creation that unfortunately has almost been ruined now.

It's just like Trek..I love Trek, but I hate what's happened to it. I can see so much potential still there...so many great stories to tell, if only Paramount would kick Berman and Co. to the proverbial curb and get someone like JMS (not meaning JMS exactly but someone like him) who has vision, passion, and oh talent would be nice.

No the only hope I have for SW is that GL is relegating himself to EP only after EpIII. SW: EU (Expanded Universe) will be overseen by GL but not ruled by him.

The hope for the next trilogy (and before you say what you're thinking, yes, there is another trilogy on the way with the original trilogy cast set in the time of the New Jedi Order after the Yuuzhan Vong have been repelled) is that GL isn't writing it, he isn't directing it, he's only EP. All of the original cast has signed on. Spielberg was working out the deal to direct, but my insider says that's fallen through due to a pet project of Spielberg's having finally come through which would coinside with shooting on SW. The plan is to shoot them a la LOTR, all at once. I know that Jackson and Lucas met in New Zealand while LOTR was shooting and that they supposedly hit it off. Now whether that friendship will lead to Jackson taking on another massive project like a SW trilogy I couldn't say, but I must admit it would renew my hope to no end if Jackson were signed on to take the helm of any new trilogy.

CE

Dr Maturin

03-04-2004, 06:06 PM

<< Now whether that friendship will lead to Jackson taking on another massive project like a SW trilogy I couldn't say, but I must admit it would renew my hope to no end if Jackson were signed on to take the helm of any new trilogy.>>

Are you certain your insider isn't mistaken? I know Lucas is less than honest and a revisionist when it comes to stuff he's said on record, but would they do this trilogy? If there's money in it, they sure would. Maybe he feels he must win us back what with the cartoons we've been given the last 5 years.

ShaiAlyt

03-04-2004, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by colonyearth
yes, there is another trilogy on the way with the original trilogy cast set in the time of the New Jedi Order after the Yuuzhan Vong have been repelled

Really? Interesting...any idea on a target release date for the first?

And I long ago got sick of the SW novel rubbish. Is this to be based on a storyline that has been presented in novels and, if so, which ones?

Dr Maturin

03-05-2004, 03:49 PM

<< Is this to be based on a storyline that has been presented in novels and, if so, which ones?>>

There are three Troy Denning novels scheduled to come out this time next year, so I guess it could be a chance that they could be based on them. They are set a few months after the NJO.

Capt.Montoya

03-05-2004, 04:20 PM

Lucas is indeed a revisionist.
One of the examples I remember most vividly is that I watched a documentary about the original Star War sequels, where they said that the simple costumes in SW I (or Ep. IV if you will) were because of the short budget, since Fox didn't have that much faith in the project, but that had changed.

And did you ever hear what Lucas said about the complicated and colorful costumes of Ep. I vs. Ep. IV? Something on the lines of "we did that simple on the first movie so that people wouldn't get distracted by the costumes away from the story or the special effects."
Yeah, right!

Speaking of Lucas statements: he also went on record saying that the novels weren't cannon and that any contradiction of any future movie (or other official project) with the novels could supersede them.

So I really don't think he cares about incorporating any plots from the novels. Maybe they will, maybe not, either way, expecting consistency between the movies and novels seems a lost cause.

Last I heard about sequels he had said they wouldn't happen, then said that they might happen but he wouldn't write nor direct them, as you've said.
And that makes me as happy as it makes others here.

But back to how he screwed up the prequels: he simply isn't a good screenwriter, nor a good director.

Anyone here ever saw the exposition of "Star Wars: The Magic of Myth" that was traveling around Museums in the US by the time of Ep. I (the fandom menace)?
It was really cool, many original models and props, and photos, etc... as well as very interesting information of how Lucas came up with the plot for Star Wars (ep. IV), illuminating and disappointing info for me.
Lucas read a book that detailed the typical structures of myth, and he built the movie around it, the usual archetypes, the common situations, the exposition also revealed how several moments in the movie corresponded with the outline for epic myths given by that book.
No wonder he screwed up in the sequels and prequels... Empire Strikes Back may have been saved by Leigh Brackett's co-writing it (she was an actual SF writer and screenwriter too).
It's simple, Lucas couldn't use the same outline again, so he has no way to repeat his success.
At the end of that exposition there was something showing where Lucas genius really lies, something I called "Star Wars: The Magic of Marketing" a gift shop for that exposition alone, with lots of merchandise and memorabilia.

Dr Maturin

03-06-2004, 08:05 AM

The actual plot of A New Hope is based on a Japanese movie called "The Hidden Fortress."

Capt.Montoya

03-06-2004, 02:02 PM

I stand by my opinion, the website below contrasts the stages in Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" with the events on the original Star Wars, very similar to what I remember from the museum exhibition.
http://www.jitterbug.com/origins/myth.html

Lucas says about the book on another page ( http://pup.princeton.edu/titles/7803.html )
"In the three decades since I discovered The Hero with a Thousand Faces, it has continued to fascinate and inspire me. Joseph Campbell peers through centuries and shows us that we are all connected by a basic need to hear stories and understand ourselves. As a book, it is wonderful to read; as illumination into the human condition, it is a revelation."--George Lucas, filmmaker, creator of the movie 'Star Wars'

You made me doubt whether the exhibition actually had said that Lucas acknowledged the book, I remember it did but anyway here's proof:

http://www.online.pacifica.edu/cgl/lucas
Lucas had read "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" while working on the script of the first of the Star Wars movies, and had gone on to read the "Masks of God" and other writings. When Star Wars debuted in 1977, it followed the Hero very closely. Lucas said at an award ceremony in 1985, "It is possible that if I hadn't run across him I'd still be writing Star Wars today."

Maybe I saw that quote on the exhibition, not sure, it's been a while.
Other webpages say that it's the whole of the original trilogy that follows Campbell's book and that may also hold true. But I do see a lot of evidence for SW: ANH following the outline.

Thanks for the tip about the Japanese Movie, found a reference that compares it to The Phantom Menace and basically says that the plot of Ep. I follows that of "The Hidden Fortress" closely.
I suspect it may be just another case of Lucas's revisionism, or maybe he did get inspiration from Kurosawa's movie and Campbell's book focused it.

In any event it all shows that Lucas is not original enough.

All of it just strengthens my impression that Lucas is a mediocre screenwriter.

colonyearth

03-08-2004, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by Capt.Montoya

Speaking of Lucas statements: he also went on record saying that the novels weren't cannon and that any contradiction of any future movie (or other official project) with the novels could supersede them.

So I really don't think he cares about incorporating any plots from the novels. Maybe they will, maybe not, either way, expecting consistency between the movies and novels seems a lost cause.

Last I heard about sequels he had said they wouldn't happen, then said that they might happen but he wouldn't write nor direct them, as you've said.
And that makes me as happy as it makes others here.

But back to how he screwed up the prequels: he simply isn't a good screenwriter, nor a good director.

I love responding to you Capt., we usually see eye to eye. Lucas, while saying that the novels are cannon, has been known to "fudge" the cannon when it suited him, much like what he's done with events in the original trilogy. Sometimes things don't quite match or follow, but we're just supposed to accept it -- at least until he releases the newer Special Special Editions of the original trilogy with new scenes and re-worked moments to make it all fit with what he screwed up in the pre-quels....which I hate to say he is planning and has already shot additional scenes to put into the original trilogy for yet another release of what? Extreme Editions? of the original trilogy one can only assume will come out after Ep III and bilk us out of yet more cashola for yet another set of DVDs. Boy that was a mouthful.:D And you're right, his truest mastery is in marketing.

As for the next trilogy...the original cast has signed on. I've actually seen one interview with Fisher on the Today show where she was asked outright if she was excited to be playing Leia again, to which she said...yes we all are. There was a british interview she did as well where it came up, but I can't recall where it was.

Also, I do have a source, which I can't reveal because, well, it could cost this person their job. Suffice it to say, there is another trilogy, but Lucas is only Exec. Producer (THANK GOD!) The scripts are written already, but someone new this time, they are in talks with someone big to direct (though the source couldn't say), and the film will take place either just after the Yuuzhan Vong storyline in NJO, or right near the end of it. My source has indicated that concept drawings for the Vong make-up are being looked over, but that the story will also involve Thrawn. This is not completely impossible...that is one great thing about SF, if you're creative enough and a good enough writer, you can make almost anything possible. However, this is, in my opinion, one example of what Capt. was talking about in GL's willingness to tamper with cannon to make something work.

At least he hasn't screwed up cannon nearly as badly as Berman and Co. have F*@ked up Trek's timeline.

We look for the silver in the clouds, and when finding none, we wish it into being.

As for me...I can only wish it into being so many times before my wisher is worn out.:D

CE

Radhil

03-08-2004, 05:03 PM

As for the next trilogy...the original cast has signed on. I've actually seen one interview with Fisher on the Today show where she was asked outright if she was excited to be playing Leia again, to which she said...yes we all are. There was a british interview she did as well where it came up, but I can't recall where it was.

Also, I do have a source, which I can't reveal because, well, it could cost this person their job. Suffice it to say, there is another trilogy, but Lucas is only Exec. Producer (THANK GOD!)

Dios mio.... will the pain ever end? Just suffering through Ep III will be bad enough, now another trilogy. Even if he's not the writer/director.

And how can there be this one trilogy with the original gang and this other one with extended canon and what not (not a reader of the Extended Universe, obviously)....

colonyearth

03-08-2004, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by Radhil
Dios mio.... will the pain ever end? Just suffering through Ep III will be bad enough, now another trilogy. Even if he's not the writer/director.

And how can there be this one trilogy with the original gang and this other one with extended canon and what not (not a reader of the Extended Universe, obviously)....

Well, at least I can say that with someone hopefully visionary at the helm we might get from the new trilogy what we had hoped to get from the pre-quels, not to mention I'd love to see that cast back in action, they had a great chemistry. Actually, Spielberg was in secret talks with Lucas about taking on the new trilogy, but something he'd been wanting to do for a long time apparently finally came through so he backed away. But reportedly he was pretty excited about doing them. All I know is that my source has said he will not say who they're in early talks with right now about it, so that makes me think it could be someone pretty cool.

As for the parts you've missed in the books (which are really good by the way, most of them -- especially Timothy Zahn's novels), supposedly this new script does a really good job of bringing fans who haven't followed that Vong/NJO story, et all, up to speed. Word has it that the trilogy scripts are written and that everyone is really impressed with them. No word on who this mystery writer is, it is reportedly someone new who's come up through the ranks at Lucasfilm and pitched the scripts to George who loved them. So we'll see.

I'm not expecting much from Ep III, but I will give any new SW trilogy a chance, just like I'll give most any new SF a chance to wow and inspire me. Especially if GL isn't writing or directing.

CE

ShaiAlyt

03-08-2004, 07:54 PM

I've read (and enjoyed) Zahn's SW books only because I am a fan of his other stuff. I've tried a few of the others, but didn't like any of them in particular. I have read other works by a few of the other authors who have written other SW books (such as Vonda McIntyre and Barbra Hambly) and learned enough from those little foreys to stear completely clear of them in the future. :rolleyes:

Besides the Zahn books, which ones do you think the best SW books? (though perhaps this would be better as another thread, but oh well ;))

Kevin

03-08-2004, 10:27 PM

I stopped reading SW books a little while before the NJO books hit the stands (although I did read the first one, which was alright but not spectacular imho).

While I enjoyed all of the Zahn books the most... I dunno, it's hard to keep each novel straight in my head. I do remember enjoying "I, Jedi" quite a great deal though.

colonyearth

03-09-2004, 10:12 AM

Originally posted by ShaiAlyt
I've read (and enjoyed) Zahn's SW books only because I am a fan of his other stuff. I've tried a few of the others, but didn't like any of them in particular. I have read other works by a few of the other authors who have written other SW books (such as Vonda McIntyre and Barbra Hambly) and learned enough from those little foreys to stear completely clear of them in the future. :rolleyes:

Besides the Zahn books, which ones do you think the best SW books? (though perhaps this would be better as another thread, but oh well ;))

I may not be the best to say which ones are my favs, because, I admit it, with my current film project and my "real job" taking up sooo much of my time, I haven't been able to finish all of the NJO books...I think I stopped about halfway through. But my roommate read them all and said over all they were good but not spectacular. I think the problem was that there was no clearly laid down arc to the Vong story, so each author would come in and go where they needed to go, accounting for the previous novels in cannon etc. It's hard to build something with so many hands (and styles) in the cookie jar...makes the cookies all grimy and god only knows where some of those hands have been.:D

Anyway...my favorites by far were the Zahn books. There have been some others that I enjoyed and thought were very well written...some of the Kevin Anderson stuff for example. I agree that not all of the writers are that impressive IMHO. But their books are important to the cannon and story so I get through them so I don't miss anything.

Word has it, that the new film trilogy idea is written more in the Zahn style, which again, IMHO, would be cool.

Dr Maturin

03-11-2004, 01:40 AM

<<Besides the Zahn books, which ones do you think the best SW books? (though perhaps this would be better as another thread, but oh well )>>

You will love the entire X-wing series. Books 1-4 go together, and then 5-7 go together and then 8 and 9 are stand alones, but they all follow the same arc, pretty much. Stackpole and Allston are the best writers SW has ever had, and they really deliver in these books. Zahn's books were good, too, of course. But as for excellent books, that's pretty much it for Classic and New Republic era. I didn't really find any of the NJO to be "excellent."

The Jedi Academy Trilogy, the Black Fleet Crisis, The Corellian Trilogy, Hambly's books, McIntyre's book (which has been univerally and unanimously declared the worst SW book), the Bounty Hunter Wars, Shadows of the Empire...all of these are mediocre to terrible.

Prequel books...the Han Solo Trilogy (by AC Crispin, good female writer, like Cavelos) is wonderful. You really get an insight as to why Han is Han. The last SW book I read was Shatterpoint and I loved it, but it was by Matt Stover, who is a very dark and sometimes gruesome writer. But that's my style. Stover is also penning the Episode III novelization. And Cloak of Deception was a great political intrigue. The rest of the prequel books didn't do anything for me, though, just like the movies.

So yeah, if you want to read a good series that feels like a serialized TV show, snag the X-wing books, which begins with Rogue Squadron. You won't be sorry.

Kevin

03-11-2004, 10:20 PM

The Black Fleet Crisis trilogy is for all intents and purposes considered completely uncanon at this point and stage, considering 1/3 of it is about Luke's mother... which is far different from the view we've now been presented with in Episodes 1 and 2.

But that's of no surprise (nor is it a big deal considering the triology was only medicore)

Ranger1

03-12-2004, 07:54 AM

Ok back to the original thread..here is the new bad guy of ep 3,General Grievous...looks good.

Ranger1

03-12-2004, 07:59 AM

Another interesting pic..The birth of Darth Vader..WARNING may contain spoiler,do not open if you dont want to be spoiled :rolleyes:

Note: I have no idea if this is legit or not.

Ranger1

03-12-2004, 08:03 AM

Since im on a roll ... :D

The new Clone Trooper (looks more like the original Storm Trooper).

Note: Not all the new Clone Troopers will have this visor.

Dr Maturin

03-13-2004, 08:10 PM

<<The Black Fleet Crisis trilogy is for all intents and purposes considered completely uncanon at this point and stage, considering 1/3 of it is about Luke's mother... which is far different from the view we've now been presented with in Episodes 1 and 2.

But that's of no surprise (nor is it a big deal considering the triology was only medicore)>>

Neither that trilogy nor any other novels were ever canon, anyways. The system is roughly:

Canon: The films, the novelizations, the radio dramas, with the movies overwriting the others (like Yoda's blue color in the book).

Official: Novels and most comics, some RPG data, the Ewok made-for-tv movies, etc.

Apocrypha: "Infinities" stories, some of the Marvel comics run, anything that is contradicted by material higher in the pecking order (such as Black Fleet Crisis stuff with Luke's mother.)

Dr Maturin

03-13-2004, 08:11 PM

Oops, I posetd that crispy Anakin pic in this very thread several weeks back. :)

Ranger1

03-14-2004, 06:15 AM

Originally posted by Z'ha'dumDweller
Oops, I posetd that crispy Anakin pic in this very thread several weeks back. :)

Sorry didnt noticed :p

Dr Maturin

03-14-2004, 09:52 AM

<<Sorry didnt noticed>>

We ain't mad atcha.

Ranger1

03-22-2004, 05:11 PM

Finally...the OT's dvd cover (widescreen version)

Dr Maturin

03-22-2004, 05:46 PM

Well, that's one of the covers.

Dr Maturin

03-22-2004, 05:47 PM

BTW, I won't be buying the trilogy on DVD. They're only releasing the Special Edition, so I plan on taking my widescreen classic trilogy and tranferring them to DVD-R.

Ranger1

03-22-2004, 06:13 PM

Yes thats the widescreen edition,the full screen is the same cover just in gold,i will buy the widescreen version of course,been waiting years for it to be on DVD.

Oh and yes i do love the SE's (i just hope they had fixed some stuff like the CG parts).

colonyearth

03-23-2004, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by Ranger1
Yes thats the widescreen edition,the full screen is the same cover just in gold,i will buy the widescreen version of course,been waiting years for it to be on DVD.

Oh and yes i do love the SE's (i just hope they had fixed some stuff like the CG parts).

No, nothing has been done to them...simply because GL has shot still more additional scenes to further "enhance" the OT in order to make them better fit into his disastrous pre-quels and explain away continuity errors instead of using his imagination to avoid them in the first place. IE: Some additional scenes with Vader...the still missing Biggs scene will finally be seen...etc, etc., plus supposedly there will be a "pod race" like scene with Luke where you see him in Beggar's Cannon on the speeder using the force and not realizing it just like Anakin did in EPI. Word is that the scene was shot on a blue screen when NH was originally filmed, but GL could never make the sequence work back then. Now with CGI he can use the original elements filmed in the 70's with Hamill and add CG versions of him and make the sequence work. Who knows...I personally agree with Scotty, " The more you overtake the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the works."

I guess they'll be called the Ultimate Editions when they're done. They will reportedly be released on DVD after EPIII has come out and we get the full backstory...or as I put it..GL's way of bilking his fans for even more money..."look buy the OT on DVD...but wait...once you've spent that money, we're gonna release ANOTHER version you'll want to own..."

He'll probably put the original cuts of the OT on the Ultimate Cuts so people will definately want to spend their money on yet another boxed set. Or he'll make it so that that's the only way you can get EPIII on DVD or something ludicrous such as that.

CE

Ranger1

03-23-2004, 02:33 PM

Kick a** marketing plot :p

colonyearth

03-23-2004, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Ranger1
Kick a** marketing plot :p

Not when you see what you're beginning to see which is more and more people getting pissed off by such things and refusing to buy...you can only take people to the bank so many times before they start to get wise and get even.

I know...I'm getting there myself. I'm tired of buying a DVD and as soon as I do they've come out with a bigger, better release of it. It's getting old and sooner or later the public will demand the milking of their meager incomes be put a stop to...or they will.:D

Ranger1

03-23-2004, 09:46 PM

Funny that no one complained about it when they released Lord of the Rings special edition,platinum edition and what the hell editions.
And not to mention that the original star wars was never on DVD unlike LOTR.

Radhil

03-23-2004, 10:28 PM

No one complains about LOTR because it has almost all of it been up front - both original theatrical and the extended editions were planned and announced from the start. The choice has always been for who's buying.

colonyearth

03-24-2004, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by Radhil
No one complains about LOTR because it has almost all of it been up front - both original theatrical and the extended editions were planned and announced from the start. The choice has always been for who's buying.

Exactly, and it appears we will never have the choice to buy the original theatrical release cuts of the OT.

Ranger1

03-24-2004, 08:48 PM

Originally posted by colonyearth
Exactly, and it appears we will never have the choice to buy the original theatrical release cuts of the OT.

Well i love Star wars since i was a little kid,even if they will release the OT's on dvd i will not buy them...too boring (after you hit the 2000 mark you got to have some changes/addons,i think its cool).

Dr Maturin

03-28-2004, 01:01 PM

Oh no...I hope this rumor is not true. If it is, then it is the nail in the coffin on the case that Lucas has lost it.

There is a rumor that the title shall be...get ready...

Star Wars Episode III: The Creeping Fear

I can just hear Lucas: "It fits in our pattern of using old Flash Gordon-like titles. It makes it sound like an old serial."

The idea I personally came up with about 18 months ago was this:

Star Wars Episode III: Shroud of Darkness

Great meaning, there. The obvious "shroud" that Yoda mentions near the end of AOTC, and the shroud of both evil and a literal armor suit that Anakin will don. Sounds cool. I think.

Lucas needs to at least recruit JMS as a title maker, if not a script adviser or full blown writer.

Ranger1

03-29-2004, 04:46 AM

All just rumors,patient my friend.

CRONAN

04-01-2004, 03:39 AM

So Ranger One does that mean you live for yourself and die for yourself?

Ranger1

04-09-2004, 03:21 AM

Of course..well didn't get to the dying part yet :D

Ranger1

04-14-2004, 08:29 AM

Although the much-anticipated Star Wars DVD won't hit stores for almost six months, retailers are already experiencing vast consumer demand for the set, with preorders reaching record levels amid reports of extensive extras on the DVDs.
After opening preorders on March 30, Amazon.com last week reported that the Star Wars DVD set, which is scheduled for retail on Sept. 21, had already outsold expectations.

"Based on an undisclosed number of sales, the Star Wars DVD set is so far the most requested DVD by our customers of all time," said a spokeswoman for the online retailer.

Dr Maturin

04-21-2004, 07:09 PM

Last I checked, the SW DVD set was #5 in DVD sales.

I am drooling over the special features, so I must renege on my statement that I won't buy the set. The 4th disc alone is worth $50.

I. Can. Not. Wait.

Dr Maturin

04-21-2004, 07:13 PM

SW DVD SET NOW #3! EXACTLY FIVE MONTHS OUT! AMAZING!

Dr Maturin

06-14-2004, 11:50 AM

From the B5 boards...

<<(though I absolutely draw the line at the immaculate conception of Anakin Skywalker.)>>

That would be Virgin Birth, but you're right. I am still hoping that will be explained in the last installment of the prequel trilogy, which is unfortunately sure to suck as bad as I and II.

Even if the movie sucks, I believe the novelization will be good, as it's being written by Matt Stover, who also wrote Star Wars books Traitor and Shatterpoint. Both are dark, great reads, and the latter is about Mace Windu (Sam Jackson's character) and he could finish off what he started in Shatterpoint in the novelization. That's what I'm hoping for. But that droid general guy looks pretty lame. I hate CG.