X'an's Cheers and Jeers

[X'an Shin]

First off, wanted to say that I loved the film. Had a great time at it. As far as its ranking, I think it ties with 6 for me (In order: 5, 4, 3/6, 2, 1).

I'll start with the Jeers, since that's what everyone wants to typically read, anyway:

Fight Technique: Just weirdness this time. Loved the energy (see below), but the technique left me baffled. There were some great moments throughout, but too much stage-combat blade beating (instead of attacking the body) for my tastes. At one point I laughed out loud during the Anakin/Obi-Wan showdown because it looked like the two of them were just standing in front of each other showing off. They were spinning their blades over their hands and behind their backs, and it wasn't in a transition phase (like passing each other back to back). It just looked silly. There's another "tennis raquet" technique that they did like 5 times throughout the film that just baffled me. I'd have to show it in person, because the move makes no sense, and is impossible to describe. It just makes no sense.

I think what it comes down to is that I'd rather see Clone Wars lightsaber battles than the ones in the films. The film fights just lack a certain something to me (as in could be just a touch better). I don't know if it's technique or framing or direction or what.

Vader's NOooooooo: At the end, after he's learned of Padme's death. It was pure Dinner Theater caliber, and actually had me shaking my head at the lack of physical acting. We really needed to see him lose it here, drop to his knees, punch the table, ANYTHING but what he did. I wanted to see Vader fully lose control over his emotions, as Vader is known to do.

The Death Star in the last shot: Too much fast forwarding guys. We KNOW they're going to build it. You didn't need to show it. So we can assume it took 20 years to build the first one, but like, 8 months to build the second? Zuh?

Jedi dying like chumps: C'mon, the Jedi should have all gone into hiding, not be taken down by Clone Troopers. What, they can take on 800 unthinking unfeeling droids singlehandedly, but 3 clones sneak up behind them and they can't sense that with the force? Especially whatshisface penis-head dude. He takes on Greivous and lives, but can't handle a handful of Clones? Please. They should have ran from the troopers and then a montage of Vader hunting them all down, AS IT WAS TOLD IN THE PREVIOUS FILMS (at least I think it was). I'm just pissed that EVERY Jedi bites it and it only takes like 3 clones to do it. That was just dissappointing.

3PO: Why was he even in this movie? I mean, we know why, but, seriously? If your shots can be cut and it doesn't change the outcome of the film, you're an extra.



Cheers:

R2: He's my boy, and I love to see him being all smart 'n shit hiding behind barrels and making chumps out of other robots.

Fight Energy: The passion seems to have returned a bit to the fights. Something that was missing horribly from Ep II, and was only in Ep I. in the last fight.

Space Battle: Awesomeocity. While wish they had showed more, there's been some complaints that they didn't focus on it enough, but honestly, do you really care about seeing a Clone Commander issue an order to a bunch of Clones? This isn't Mon Mothma and Ackbar commanding Solo, Skywalker, and Calrissian. It's the same guy in every shot. We HAD to focus on the Jedi and their role in it. Everyone else is too boring.

Anakin's Fall: As believeable as I could have imagined it, at least. Seeing him being subtly manipulated and pulled between two forces was a great catalyst for his demise.

Sidius: Great backhistory. I like that we heard a bit about how he became a Sith Lord. I also enjoyed the confusion as to whether or not he orchestrated the endgame with Windu. I LIKE that I'm confused about it.

Greivous: I liked him, even the wheezing (especially since I know WHY he's wheezing: Hint: Clone Wars). I thought I'd really hate him. However, I think he's characterized differently in the 2 series.

General Kenobi: I really got a sense that he's a "smarter" fighter rather than the "better" fighter. He really earned his General rank here. Maybe the Higher Ground does or doesn't matter to Sith/Jedi, but regardless, it was what he used (either for the physical height or for the emotional bait) to beat Anakin, the stronger of the two. A true chess-player of a warrior. His characterizations (flying is for droids, blasters are uncivilized) were priceless and lead right into "Old Ben" in Ep IV.

Yoda: I love that guy with a lightsaber. I wish the combat between him and Sidius was a bit cleaner to see, but they don't do Slow-Mo Matrix stuff in Lucas's battles, so we got what we got, which was damn entertaining. I like that he's nearly an even match for Teh Imperator.

I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting, but gotta get back to work. More later?

[Skorixor]

First off, wanted to say that I loved the film.

all right, who borrowed x'ans login?

x'an would never say such a thing about any movie

[Jotun]

well put X'an...

I really liked how the movie started with Obi-Wan & Anakin flying in formation, hot dogging it a bit, you see some explosions up close and then they roll over that ship and expose the huge battle thats going on...gave me chills!