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Episode II Gets Rave Review
Posted by
timothy
on Wed Jan 30, 2002 04:54 AM
from the at-least-if-that's-what-this-is dept.
from the at-least-if-that's-what-this-is dept.
Astin writes: "Dark Horizons has obtained a copy of what it believes is the script for Attack of the Clones, and has posted a review. Apparently they got this one right, with epic battles, lots of action, and that sense of adventure that was missing from Episode I. Canoe.ca is also carrying a synopsis from the site."
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So, maybe sucky title != sucky movie? (Score:1, Troll)
I bet the 'queuers' are happy right now.
"Hey bill, according to this, the film we're queuing for doesn't suck!"
Re:So, maybe sucky title != sucky movie? (Score:4, Insightful)
... like Star Wars?
I don't think so. (Score:2, Informative)
woof.
Re:I don't think so. (Score:4, Funny)
"Self, who am I fooling? I would go see it if it was titled `Episode II: Jar Jar's Revenge'"
Re:I don't think so. (Score:4, Funny)
Re:I don't think so. (Score:5, Funny)
I can see it now, by episode 3 a master in his own right, wielding a light sabre and slicing those from the dark side into pieces (To the cutting victory cries such as "yousa going to be twosa")
Michael
Epic Battles? (Score:2, Insightful)
(Star Wars) history repeating itself? (Score:3, Insightful)
I can see the headlines now... (Score:1)
Clones are IN!
Hollywood Loves Clones!
Clones Boom, Phantoms Bust!
Everyone loves a Clone!
then 50 movies come out with "clones" in the title, or some derivitave of the word (Clone-o-saur, Clone Stampede, The Clone I Loved). They will all flop. Then, in Variety...
Clones are DEAD!
Clones Bad, Non-Clones GOOD!
Remember kids, just because the title is a giant pile of fuck doesn't mean the movie will be (Just look at Cybercity... errr... wait, don't. that movie sucks donkey dong).
Jar Jar - Unfortunately Not Dead (Score:1)
"Jar Jar Binks represents the Gungans in the Senate. "
!Scoop (Score:4, Insightful)
A short, shallow review of something that might be the script for Episode II hardly qualifies stopping th presses.
A decent script is neither a guarantee of quality, nor necessary for it. The script for Episode IV looks like a fourth grader wrote it, and yet it produced a film that both children and adults loved. The magic happens in the casting, sets, costume, makeup, acting, lighting, camerawork, direction, FX and post production editing. Even if it's a genuine script (what reason have we to believe that? There must be dozens of fan scripts doing the rounds) then the final product might be almost unrecognisable.
It's an interesting bit of speculation, but I'm giving it no more credence nor weight than any other fan generated hype.
Its not the battles, it's not the action... (Score:5, Funny)
But the heart and soul of STAR WARS is undeniably the characters: rakish Han Solo the rogue with a heart of gold, trading insults with spunky Princess Leia, so beautiful and so brave; gung-ho Luke Skywalker, the hero right out of Joseph Campbell, who manages to be annoying and inspiring at the same time; even characters like R2-D2 and Chewbacca, who don't have a coherent line in the script, are developed as recognizable personalities! A cast straight out of Shakespeare or Dickens is what makes Lucas' film an immortal classic. [context.org]
Don't get me wrong, Space battles and lightsaber duels are great, but let's hope Lucas is able to inject some life into the two-dimensional caricatures who pranced around onscreen during Episode I (name three differences between Obi-Wan and Kwi-Gon-Jinn's personalities, or for that matter, between Obi-Wan and Queen Amidiala [epinions.com]), otherwise those of us for whom the STAR WARS flame burns bright in our hearts may be in for another ho-hum prequel.
Re:Its not the battles, it's not the action... (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm no Lucas lover, but the opening credit crawl is brilliant! And Lucas had to fight [imdb.com] the directors guild to get it in there:
Milalwi
Re:Its not the battles, it's not the action... (Score:4, Interesting)
You can continue hating Lucas then, because he borrowed it [jitterbug.com] from Flash Gordon.
Acting??? (Score:4, Insightful)
What made the original trilogy great was the "human" aspect of the characters. Han's scoundrel-turned-reluctant hero. Leia calling Han a "scruffy-looking nerfherder" and Chewy a "walking carpet." While the fate of the galaxy hung in the balance, the main characters were really just a bunch of crazy kids having a good time. It was light-hearted in the face of impending doom.
That element was utterly missing from TPM. Qui-Gon was serious and dour. Obi-Wan was serious and dour. There was no sense of fun in the face of grave danger, but rather a sense of solemness in the face of bland political intrigue and trade embargoes. Jar-Jar was an attempt to inject the needed element into the movie, but it was forced and stale. If Jar-Jar had been a human, or at least a live actor, it might have worked.
I also have a great fear about AOTC: the trailers clearly are geared towards the "WB crowd." A cheezy romance story (unlike the childish and subdued Luke-Leia-Han triangle that was not the focus but rather a "fleshing out") isn't going to fit well into the arc of the Star Wars saga in general. I fear it's going to be forced, stale, and drag down a trilogy that already shows deep flaws.
Probably a hoax. (Score:4, Insightful)
I saw the trailer of Episode 2, and I can't believe how fucking cheesy the dialog is. "Anakin, you have grown."; "So have you, Princess. In more ways than one.", or "What if something you want is really here.", said while they're holding hands before Anakin has to go fight some aliens. fffUUUCCCKKK!!! In contrast, Dawson's Creek may not have realistic dialog, but at least it's better than watching a dialog that looks like it was stolen from a conversation between a Britney Spears-listening, boyband-loving bimbo teenager and his duh football-jock boyfriend.
Stupid Hollywood shit, I can't stand watching most films nowadays, goddamn unrealistic plot development and fucked-up acting of unrealistic dialogs...
Re:Probably a hoax. (Score:4, Insightful)
Then don't watch films from Hollywood! There are pleanty of films from Britain, France, India etc. etc.
Broaden your horizons - don't just eat what the commercials force feed you.
Re:Probably a hoax. (Score:4, Interesting)
1. No trailers or commercials to fast forward through. Just a few seconds of the FBI's you-better-not-copy-this-tape.
2. A storyline developed by someone over the age of 10.
3. Characters who act like human beings, instead of ludicrous puppets being jacked around by plot devices and ridiculous situations.
4. A soundtrack that supports the movie, instead of screaming "here's what you should be feeling".
5. Less makeup and other artifices to create the "perfect" visual image.
6. Characters who show good principles and morals, instead of "oh, well, I just felt like it" ethics.
I could go on. The point's been made.
Are there still good films being made? Sure. Are all older films better than today's? No. But the quality of the "average" film has IMO declined considerably.
-Thomas
Spoilers and Notes for Episodes 2, 3 and 7 (Score:1, Insightful)
What is interesting from looking around the supershadow site and reading reviews such as this one is that Lucas is, if nothing else, a very smart business man. EpI was designed to attract a new generation of fans and epII was designed to build on this base and reinvigorate the older generations. This is obviously contrary to the utopian desires of the older generation, but if this movie is as much of a success within that demographic as it could be, would you have done anything different?
While it is fair to give Lucas respect for being such a astute profiteer, it is a great disappointment that a man with such wealth would feel the need to have to use characters like JaJa to make more quick bucks. Surely there is a line to be drawn between a new ivory back-scratcher and a creative legacy?
SuperShadow's site is known to be fake (Score:5, Informative)
1. SuperShadow doesn't personally know Lucas.
2. SuperShadow doesn't work at LucasFilm.
3. The "script" for Episode II he says he got himself, was actually made by TheForce.net fans and others collecting spoilers/leaks from various sites and compiling them into a speculative "script".
N'sync in script. (Score:1)
Can we take this seriously when.... (Score:3, Informative)
They havent seen the movie, even if the script is fine, it dosent guarentee a good movie. This has to be a hoax, and even if its not, you should take it with a grain of salt. Its not a review of the movie, its a review of a questionably-authentic script, of unknown revision.
Post predictions for this story (Score:5, Funny)
14 posts about Natalie Portman (petrified or otherwise)
23 posts calling for the death of Jar Jar
18 posts wondering if CG was done on Linux boxen, and if not, why not
12 posts arguing whether or not Boba Fett is the coolest Star Wars character of all time
Written the way Yoda speaks, 9 posts there will be
6 links to fan fic that are remarkably similar to the plot in the affore-mentioned script
Not so fast (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Not so fast (Score:5, Insightful)
Perhaps you've heard of a little movie from 1977, called "Star Wars?" Later retitled "Star Wars - A New Hope?"
There's this little plot piece in there that goes soemthing like this:
Luke: "You fought with my father in the Clone Wars?!?"
Obi-Wan (Ben) Kenobi: "Yes, your father was one of the best fighter pilots in the Galaxy..."
I'd hardly think that coming up with a premise twenty-five years ago qualifies as "jumping on the cloning bandwagon" of today.
:P
JarJar binks. Groan. (Score:4, Funny)
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Suckered again! (Score:2)
Tinseltown has shown remarkable ability in playing with people's brains, and this is yet another example of it.
Still might hurt.... (Score:3, Insightful)
I saw Life As A House [imdb.com] with Hayden Christensen. He can act. Here's to hoping Lucas remembered how to direct on this one.
Woz
"Mystery" Trailer (Score:3, Interesting)
Even if this script isn't the real one, pretty much everyone involved in Episode II has remarked that this one has the potential for greatness. Ewan McGregor, not exactly silent on how bad Episode I was, remarked early on that this script was great. In fact, last week on the Today show, while promoting Black Hawk Down, Ewan again remarked how good he thought Episode II was going to be. There was genuine sincerity in his voice, not the usual Hollywood bullshit.
If you really want to see the promise in Episode II, you'll need to view the "Mystery" trailer. Yeah yeah, I know, only available to Phantom Menace DVD owners, only available to Windows users, whatever. It's a good trailer, and shows the sense of adventure much better than the "Forbidden Love" trailer.
But...but...but... (Score:1, Flamebait)
eeeeeuuuuuwwwww......
Stupid assassins (Score:3, Funny)
Anakin and Obi Wan are called upon to act as bodyguards for Amidala after she is the subject of a foiled assassination.""
Stupid Assassins, they never aim for the right one.
Rave review? (Score:1)
Humph...Doesn't sound like the ad I saw (Score:1)
I Still Think (Score:1)
Big deal (Score:3, Insightful)
Whatever (Score:1)
I felt ripped off at Episode I, and I'm certainly not paying anything to see the next one.
repeat of history? I hope not (long) (Score:3, Interesting)
back around the time when Episode I was about to be released, was still the time when another 'Epic' (touted by the creators) entertainment event was unfolding. That event was the conclusion of the Ultima series. For just under 6 years, fans and even new initiates to the series had eagerly awaited not just the release but any snippet of news, screenshots, story, etc. The excitement built up this mere game both amazed and scared some who did not understand the game (hey, what do THEY know). Literally hundreds of sites devoted themselves to this next epic conclusion known as Ultima IX, and then Ascension later. Many fan sites had a ton of fiction and story lines, many a serious (and often very nasty) discussion on forums was held about what the origin of blackrock, the guardian and this whole mess really was. There where even rumors of published books. (I for one never saw them) In a stated attempt by Origin|EA to not scare off potential new customers they would stealthily release tidbits of information to select organizations (usually in other countries than most of the fan sites, but that is merely a demographic issue). It was touted as just another action adventure game, and the title changed to reflect that no player had to have any existing experience with the series.
However, things began to go sour. Long time devoted fans (made obvious by their volunteer time and effort given so generously to the community) found that they where THE ONLY source of information about the upcoming game. Questions about why they, the fans, must volunteer their time (as in free) to promote and advocate the game, ask questions that never where answered, be put off by EA|Origin staff, yet not get paid or compensated for it. (In case you don't know, free is not accurate. The fans in fact take a loss from the costs to bandwidth and hardware, not to mention loss of real life productivity) EA|Origin obviously did not care about this issue, and could not seem to spend the money to either help out some sites, through direct assistance or just providing a few hours here and there for knowledgable employees to act as liasons. Soon, many web sites began to disappear, feeling dejected that they would not only be denied any information, but where often lied to. (as evidenced by answers from staff that where directly contradicting a press release that would be released a day later to a gaming magazine, usually in a foreign language) It soon became apparent that EA|Origin either where taking the existing fan base for granted (in a VERY extreme case), or simply did not wish to make a game that appealed to them and thus felt some sort of guilt or shame, leading to the alienation treatment of the fans.
While the term 'understand' can be used to describe how the vast majority of fans felt in relation to the game appealing to a larger market, many where worried that if the development/producing team did not have the integrity necessary to first produce a game that answers the call of the fan base (regardless of whether they dress it up later a bit to appeal to others) then it would manifest as a bad game that appeals to none (neither the new crowd or the existing fans). This was warrented not only because of this situation happening so many times in other games and even non entertainment and/or computer industries... but more importantly, was the fact that when it had been tried with Ultima 8, it only ended in disaster. No one liked the game (by no one and none used earlier I mean a significant enough sized group to justify expenses, much less keep people interested in later releases). Like a restaruant that serves fecal matter and wonders why no one ever comes back and why negative word of mouth travels faster than positive word, EA|Origin proved that they refused to comprehend this basic lesson of life and business (on any level) by releasing Ascension as a... well... it didn't seem like an "Ultima" at all to me and many others. Some will argue pro or con of its merits as a stand alone game, that is not my concern here. The fact was, it not only continued a series and a story line, but was a very eagerly anticipated final wrap up of the entire series. Just looking back at that time period, you see how eagerly people where to once again travel to Britania and face its perils. Fan art, fan fiction, fan news sites, fan organizations of real life events and sub-press conferences... all of this translated to a very easy market for Origin and EA. They could have layed off their marketers for this. Or in efficiency and logical terms, they could have better applied their resources to the tasks that most made sense. Put that marketing (including marketing management, oversite, corporate interaction, overhead, etc) into development of code, art and story. (not to mention QA) Not to go into a rant on the futility of and inefficiency of corporate/bureaucratic mentality and processes... they simply did not prioritize correctly. End result was yet another game and public relation status that angered many and alienated many more.
But wait, theres more... if you order now we include this guide, "How to take your one saving grace and flush it down the toilet". One of the most devestating (now seen in hindsite and admited by many ex employees including Garriot himself) was the mistake that trully relates to the Star Wars issue here. First, the comparison. Obviously many had awaited a long and often frustrating yet exciting time for Episode I to come out. Any news was lapped up like a marooned man in the Saharra laps up the dew off of a blade of grass if he finds it. Fans dressed up in silly costumes and acted out there favorite scenes from books and movies alike. Like with Ultima, fans devoted huge amounts of time, bandwidth, hardware and good ol fashion brain power to present news, art, rumors, facts and even fan based fiction. Even more than Ultima, Star Wars spawned an entire (and sometimes frightening) sub-culture of its own.
However, some began to see signs of impending doom in the commercials, trailers, interviews and art. I for one remember a particular ad on TV that scared the bones from my body... it was narrated by this woman who's inflections, voice tenor and choice and timing of words where obviously of the sort used by advertising agencies to appeal to small children. Complete with the choicest tidbits of scenes that all featured everyone's favorite CGI loon, Jar Jar. If no one had ever hear of Star Wars, then they would have been left with the impression that this 'new movie' was merely a fun and cute childrens flick, much like a Disney animated film (well, not just animated, and no that is not necesarilly a bad thing on its own). This seemed to contrast the existing movies, books, story, etc that made up the fantasy universe of Star Wars.
Now back to Ultima... the biggest single issue that destroyed the game and its effect on fans and newbies alike was the botched PR of the leak of the original game plot/script. (no, it is not ironic, at least not from a historical and 'Big Picture' perspective) Due to most likely a lack of consistent (or I should really say, just a sheer lack of PR in the first place) PR policy, growing tensions within the Origin camp and against its 'overlords', EA... a very large mistake happened. Besides the first mistake of leaking the script, the real issue was how they handled it. First they denied it, in an attempt to (as a prankster would perform if his joke was beginning to be suspected) turn the tide away from the discovery of the plot, Origin (whether directed or not) decided to redo the story. The result was a simplistic story with no real substance, much less any tie in with past releases and 'unanswered questions'. Very much less than any 'Epic' feel to the grand conclusion of one of the most popular and succesful (by various definitions) game series of all times.
Now fast forward to the present... now we hear of a release/leak of the plot. Should we be concerned at all that they would change it, not really. I doubt any film studio would ever throw away its existing film already recorded, not to mention the CGI already in place in most parts. Even though it has happened in the past (like when an actor/actress dies before completion), I doubt personally anything major COULD be changed. However, I just hope (as in 'New Hope'?) that this next movie will break the 'cycle'. I look forward to it, and hope that it returns to the Episode 5 look and feel.
Note that this was meant to really be silly to a large degree, so this does not necessarily reflect the internal ramblings of my rational mind... I know it is around here somewhere.
Face it LOTR is an order of magnitude better... (Score:2, Insightful)
Watch Star Wars again and youll see that even it was cheesy and sucky--it just sucked less that most Hollywood drivel.
Me, I'll wait for the DVD on Netflix like I do for most dogs. LOTR was worth a trip to the theater.
Eyes *%&#$ killing you? (Score:1)
Couldn't finish it.
Now my eyes are fucked up for days.
Dammit, there should be laws about this.
Aint it Cool News' Review (Score:1)
I HAVE READ THE SCRIPT AND CONCUR (Score:1)
If you want a copy of the script email, mmanor@optonline.net
Amazing (Score:4, Funny)
Color me amazed.
Now it makes sense (Score:1)
Sounds like a cool flick - especially Ewan McGregor's role in it.
Concept: wish they had JarJar fight with a Dark Clone of himself - think of the fight scene! Man, you'd be rolling in the aisles and weeping at the same time. And they could Matrix it even, with the ears used to attack like bullets
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What I am looking for (Score:2)
Oh well maybe it is just time to go back to alt.ensign.crusher.die.die.die and read about the klingon rape fantasies...
The most amazing thing I saw in the plot synopsis (Score:3, Funny)
I thought Jar Jar was fine for comic relief, but I can't buy him as an Imperial Senator. But then, I've found Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to be a succession of entertaining US Presidents, so anything's possible.
how did they get a copy of the script? (Score:2)
They wouldn't have seen the script if their opinion hadn't been determined before seeing it.
/. stories getting bad (Score:1)
This story is bad [sentence simplified for
How about this opinion. You are all participating in the destruction of the Star Wars stories. Way ta go Slashdot. [sarcastic remarks left in]
Just get rid of Jar Jar! (Score:2, Funny)
Jar-Jar is a senator? (Score:2)
I heard similar talk before Epi 1 (Score:1)
Obviously a fake script (Score:1)
Re:Script - director... (Score:2)
One: The director of Attack of the Clones is the same person who directed The Phantom Meanace, so we can assume that the directing style and quality will not change much.
Two: We should compare both scripts, and see if this script is actually better.
If the Attack of the Clones script is better than the Phantom Meanace script, then I think we have cause for exitement. If it turns out that the Phantom Meanace scrip is just as good or, God forbid, better, then we should all just form a good ol' fashioned mob and storm Lucas's ranch. I'm sure my wiffle bat could beat some sense into him...
TIMMMMMAY!!!!!
You Might Think... (Score:3)
Re:I believe we made our point (Score:2)
Oh, that's an easy one... just don't go to see the film... wait until it runs for the nth time on TV. That way, Jar-Jar dies.
Re:How about? (Score:3, Offtopic)
Re:Rave Reviews? (Score:1)
Re:All I have to say... (Score:1, Funny)
Who knows... maybe at the end of the trilogy, she'll be naked and petrif^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H frozen in carbonite.
Re:Sadly, it's a hoax. (Score:2, Insightful)
And anyway, if it is a hoax, how are the editors supposed to know? The synopsis is perfectly plausible, and Dark Horizons is a well-respected site, which reviews many scripts ahead of release. It's not (AFAIK) normally given to perpetrating hoaxes or excessive credulity. In the absence of any "official" material, this is about as convincing it's going to get until the thing's released.
If you start blasting Slashdot for running reports like this then where does it end? Olaf Christ running TCP/IP on Mindstorms? Uncorroborated. Linux for the PS2? We only have Sony's word for it. Judge grants request to bar the media from the MS trial? That's what he says. Etc. etc.
Re:Hypocrisy (Score:2)
Re:The preview... (Score:2)
Re:you have ewan Mc gregor, you have liam neeson, (Score:1)
Bad trailer != bad film (Score:2, Interesting)
[rant]
Besides, I'm _very_ glad that the trailer doesn't reveal everything - The Ep 1 trailer showed far too much. Like Darth Maul and his double bladed lightsaber. Go back in your mind to the first time you saw the film. Now replay the scene where Maul lights the second blade - as if you _didn't_ know he had one from the trailer. That could have been a "holy f*cking sh*t!!!" moment that would have made the entire film. Who cares about Jar Jar when you've got a scene like that? But no. They had to go and spoil it...
[/rant]
IIRC, Lucas said that Ep 1 was an introduction to the characters and time period. 2 is _mostly_ a love story, while 3 is much darker. I for one can tollerate a little glucose content in 2, as long as it doesn't detract from the story (or get in the way of some bad-guy ass-kicking Jedi style).
And as for the title, I am still holding out hope that it's a ploy to screw all the fake merchandise that's bound to appear. I'm not sure, but I don't recall the trailer explicitly calling it "Attack of the Clones" - it was just "Episode 2". Am I right?
Maran
Re:The preview... (Score:3, Funny)