Why the pessimism for Star Wars Ep 2?

[SqueakyG]

On all the Star Wars boards and other communities I go to, everyone is very optimistic about Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. Most people thought the trailers (especially the exclusive DVD one that was all action) were very good, and made them feel quite positive about the movie.

It only seems to be THIS forum where I've ever heard people say. "The trailers looked crap, the film will be the worst of the year".

I know that you can't judge a film by its teaser trailers, and I know you're all wary after The Phantom Menace. But where's your enthusiasm? Why are you all so utterly sure it will be a crap film? I'd rather try to stay positive, then reluctantly admit it is crap if it turns out to be so.

As happens with many things, if everyone *assumes* it will be crap, a self-fulfilling prophecy occurs. Look at the Dreamcast -- a games console that died because everyone used the logic: "The Saturn was crap, so Sega's new console must automatically be crap too. I'll wait for PS2". And despite having great games, the Dreamcast died. Why did I make that reference? Well, it's kinda like SW Episode 2. Most people will think, "The Phantom Menace was crap, so Episode 2 will automatically be crap too. I'll stick with Lord of the Rings".

Open mind, people!

(Of course, in a few months time, if it turns out to be crap after all, you may bring this post to the top, and laugh heartily at me).

[tezmo]

squeaky - i remember the pessimism starting at the time that the title was announced, the genereal concensus being that it was a bit....well...daft, and I suppose the seed of doubt about the films quality only grew from there. However, I disagree about the comparison with a games console...the DC failed because not enough people bought it/software for it (the ridiculous ease of DC piracy couldnt have helped). However, the number of people going to see Ep2 will have no bearing upon its quality as a piece of cinema, and there will be a *lot* of people who go to see it....just my 2p....:)

[Yonathan Gal]

The only reason I assumed it would be terrible is because Episode 1 scored q whole 2/10 in my books, and I think maybe Lucas had a LOT of talent about 30 years ago, and I mean a LOT, but now, episode 1 was simply a 1 and a half hour toy advert for free miniture people you get free with McDonalds meals, it wasn't actually a movie... I don't see how ep2 could be any worst, but I doubt it'll be good, and from a 30 second trailer, the acting looked TERRIBLE from the guy playing Anakin, and the style still looked ugly and tacky... just my opinion, but I'll still go and see it, just to make sure! :)

[Just Call Me Wanda]

It only seems to be THIS forum where I've ever heard people say. "The trailers looked crap, the film will be the worst of the year".

This is an intelligent forum! :) Plus, largely void of Star Wars fan geeks... ;)

I know that you can't judge a film by its teaser trailers, and I know you're all wary after The Phantom Menace. But where's your enthusiasm? Why are you all so utterly sure it will be a crap film?

Why should we have enthusiasm for a sequel written and directed by the guy who wrote and directed 'The Phantom Menace'?

The trailer, especially the latest theatrical 2/3 min long trailer, didn't show anything to get our hopes up.

I'll go and see it, no matter what the reviews say - but I just don't think Lucas will give us anything near the quality of 'American Graffiti' or 'Empire Strikes Back'.

As happens with many things, if everyone *assumes* it will be crap, a self-fulfilling prophecy occurs.

I think everyone is weary about this one, at least on this forum. Episode 1 was so hyped, and maybe it failed because of the hype, but if you go into this one fearing the worst then you might come out a little more fulfilled; then again maybe you won't.

(Of course, in a few months time, if it turns out to be crap after all, you may bring this post to the top, and laugh heartily at me).

Don't worry about that, I certainly will! :)

[pjn]

Having (only) seen the trailer, the weakest thing for me seems to be the actor chosen to play anekin - he appears to be little more than a whiney american brat.

[JamesW]

I was quite excited by the first couple of teaser trailers as they mostly showed action sequences, but like quite a few people I was less than impressed by the snippets of acting shown in the longer trailer (called "Forbidden Love" or something like that). I think the final movie will probably have a few decent action sequences and a great score but sadly I'm not expecting anything more.

[Nimak]

Well judging from certain Trailers - there seems to be a lot of scenes with Anakin and Amedala (or whatever her name is) i.e boring lovey dovey scenes - the type of film i detest..
Hopefully there will be tons of action to make up for it - but the trailers do look well boring..

My honest opinion..

Don't get me wrong i love Star Wars (well 4-6) and think Ep1 is good (apart from Jar Jar and Anakin (like that little kid could put together a POD and grow up into Darth Vader- LOL)

[Chief Brody]

Anyone else read the interview with Ewan Mcgregor in this month's Arena magazine? He claims to have seen around 60-70% of AOTC and says it's 'very good. Actually VERY good' as if he himself was surprised. The interviewer asks Mcgregor if it's better than TPM and he replies 'Yeah - because we've done the groundwork and now we can get on with it'. Good news. As for the last trailer - i think the romance angle will work well as we already have the foreknowledge that it ends unhappily. It certainly doesn't seem any cornier than Titanic and, love it or not, that went into the stratosphere. Hayden Christensen is supposed to be a really good actor (and may actually be Oscar-nominated this year for a film i've forgotten the name of) - as long as he doesn't go around saying 'Yippee!' as far as i'm concerned that's an improvement. Oh, and Jar-Jar is apparently hardly in the movie. Also remember that when Indy and The Temple of Doom took a lot of flak, Lucas and Spielberg made a special effort to bring back the magic with Last Crusade which was far more successful with critics and audiences - there's every reason to think the same thing will happen with AOTC. See - plenty of reasons to be optimistic after all. 131 days and counting.............:D

[jasonshead]

With regards to episode one, i think the majority of us were expecting the tension that Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker bought too episodes 4,5 and 6. Unfortunatley this was not the case in episode 1.
I did enjoy Episode 1 however and look forward too seeing how all 6 films work as a whole entire storyline.

[PaulaB]

Originally posted by Yonathan Gal
The only reason I assumed it would be terrible is because Episode 1 scored q whole 2/10 in my books, and I think maybe Lucas had a LOT of talent about 30 years ago, and I mean a LOT, but now, episode 1 was simply a 1 and a half hour toy advert for free miniture people you get free with McDonalds meals, it wasn't actually a movie... I don't see how ep2 could be any worst, but I doubt it'll be good, and from a 30 second trailer, the acting looked TERRIBLE from the guy playing Anakin, and the style still looked ugly and tacky... just my opinion, but I'll still go and see it, just to make sure! :)

You where more generous than I was I gave it 0/10 and my sisters three children thought it was boring.

[Yonathan Gal]

the 2 marks were awared for... umm, that's difficult actually! for Yoda sitting in a chair for about 2 seconds, coz he's just so cool! and for the pod race, which is over-rated by miles, but still is pretty entertaining, and the score at the end with that fight between darth whatshisname and the two jedi's, the music in that scene is phenomenal!!!

[cervaro]

I must be one of those few people who bought the EP1 DVD then? ;)

Seriously, it seems to be everyones favorite pastime to make their bitch about EP1. It was a kids movie; the kid playing Anakin was no good and Jar Jar Binks was really annoying. The same old moans. FFS, give it a rest. Lucas gave us the original trilogy and we're grateful for that. You had to start the prequels somewhere and I believe EP1 was no worse from a dialogue point of view than EP4. There are parts of EP4 that were really corny, and believe me, thanks to the recent number of repeats on Sky, I've sat though the movie many, many times. Oh, and I believe for EP2 Lucas has written the movie with another writer having been brought in to help before/during filming. That's common knowledge on the web.

If anyone can seriously judge a movie from a couple of 2 minute trailers, then you're opinion ain't worth squat (something I've repeatedly said when Michael Brooke states he only watched 15-20 minutes of EP1). In four months time the final cut of EP2 will be released to the general public. Then, and only then after seeing the movie will anyone's opinion count. Until then, wait and see.

[Jazzatola]

I have to admit being a Star Wars 'fan geek' ;) but here are my thoughts anyway:

I was very excited about the new trilogy when it was announced in the mid nineties and couldn't have been more pumped by the time The Phantom Menace was released. But for me there was definitely something missing from the film. There were certainly Star Wars elements to it but in total it just wasn't Star Wars as I remembered it. But then again, being set 30 years before parts 4-6 didn't help with continuity and the more childish direction the storyline took was never going to be a winner with the now grown-up fan base. That said, on subsequent viewings, there is much to love about TPM and many shadows of what’s to come in the later trilogy.

But now with Episode II the future looks a lot brighter for the franchise. For a start, the storyline has moved forward 10 years and in the footage I've seen in the trailers and on the official site you can definitely see a blending of the styles from TPM and A New Hope. And with the exposition out of the way, hopefully we will be firmly focussed on Anakin's story, the Clone Wars and the development of the Empire. As for the love story, well there was a strong romantic aspect to The Empire Strikes Back without turning the overall film into a 'boring lovey dovey' mess. And as far as Hayden Christensen's acting is concerned, we'll just have to wait and see. He did look a little wooden in the early part of the third trailer but on the other hand he has just received a Golden Globe nomination for Life As A House so he can't be that bad. Maybe he can only do the best with the material he's given! ;)

However, it is certainly 'do or die' for Lucas this time. I think most of us will be willing to give Attack Of The Clones a chance but if it fails to live up to precedent set by episodes 4-6 then most will abandon the prequel trilogy altogether.

But I'm hugely optimistic. Everything looks good at this stage. The first two trailers were very cool and I have to admit when I watched the third Forbidden Love trailer for the first time I let out a few yelps of excitement just like I was a kid again. Roll on May 16th!

[robbiejm]

I've just seen an Episode II promotion pic of Natalie Portman in a white catsuit, things are looking up. :D

[sticker]

We can all dance around this pole for months, the truth of the matter is that this film will be delivered by the same 'mind/minds' behind Episode 1 - Which I think the majority of people feel was a BAD movie at worst, and a mediocre one at best....

Allowing also, the weak trailer for EP2 (in my opinion) - and as already stated the poor casting/**** poor Lucas directing of the new Anakin just adds more sileage to this already cruddy-looking slack heap of a movie...

BOTTOM LINE - Beyond some nice cgi, EP2 is destined to be a dull lifeless affair....

I'd like to be objective regarding Lucas, but after his 'trail of suits' lawyer carry-on to sites which hint or reveal the slightest spoiler and his 'buy Quicktime' to see the full screen trailers - He's obviously been corrupted in the material sence. Long gone is the 'one of us' filmmaker.

Besides - All ********** aside, Peter Jackson HAS brought back the 'nice-guy/articulate/genuine good film-maker' persona back to the world of fantasy cinema.... I know this point sparks a lot of aggression from the star wars camp - nonetheless, THIS IS FACT.

From a lover of all forms of film, theres simply TOO much else good cinema on the way...

Episode 2 falls WAY BEHIND in a year comming filled with great flics.

http://homepage.eircom.net/~garryleavycomedian/DemonBreedBrotherhood.jpg
DA DEMON BROTHERHOOD
:argue:

[Nimak]

LoL just ordered STARBALLZ and total **** take out of Star Wars and many many other movies.. I'ved heard it's extremely funny..
Being Sued of course - ah Lucas why bother directing anymore you just don't care about your fans - just money..

StarballZ (http://www.starballz.com)

[spe@rmint]

ol' Georgey actually got someone else to help him write ep2 (Jonathan Hales). I think he recognises his own shortcomings. So it can't possibly be as dodgy.

[Squirtle]

Anyone wanna know which two major characters get killed in EP2?

[Steve1977]

Unfortunatly, a lot of people on the net, particulary late 20's early 30's. Look back on their childhood with very large rose tinted glasses and "nothing will ever be better than the films out then"

"CGI is crap and these digital characters are only things to sell meals at McDonalds"

what a load of rubbish. I gurantee the people who spout the above would be the first to complain if Lucas didnt use new technology. He would have been attacked for not having faith in the technology that he helped produce. TPM had models, cgi and other special effects techniques, but we get people brandishing the word "cgi" around as if everything was created using this.

In my opinion everything in TPM was entirely photo-realistic. Although Jar Jar may not be everyones favourite please realise that there is a line between, some character you dont like and how he was created. He was annoying in places but he looked realistic.

Story wise TPM had a lot of things in it...and I mean a lot. Kinda sad (for my generation) that children could get captivated by it, whereas an adult couldnt even though the things going on in the film were more suited to adults but presented through the eyes of a child. (and anakins a child hence why it was like that)

All in all, TPM was a cracking story if a little slow in parts but had bits been missed out then people would have wanted more. Its the ultimate epilogue. Now its out of the way the real star wars epsiode can begin.

Once we see Attack of the Clones, this hatred for tpm will subside because things in it will make more sense.

[Just Call Me Wanda]

You had to start the prequels somewhere and I believe EP1 was no worse from a dialogue point of view than EP4.

Yeah cheesy; but looking back this comes across as nostalgic, we accept it. Now, cheese comes across as cheap and tacky, and it doesn't work so well.

[Jazzatola]

Originally posted by Squirtle
edited :D

If you're gonna post this then please use spoiler tags. You've let slip that two main characters get killed but, then again, I suppose you might be making it up. It's hard enough remaining unspoiled as it is without having to avoid these forums too. :mad: :mad:

[threadkiller]

cmon geezrs, as Jazz says if its a serious plot line lets have some spoiler tags please

[Jazzatola]

Originally posted by threadkiller
cmon geezrs, as Jazz says if its a serious plot line lets have some spoiler tags please

Thanks for that. Bit dim of me to quote the spoilers though :rolleyes: :D

[Squirtle]

Originally posted by Jazzatola

I suppose you might be making it up.

ooops! - anyway no i am not making it up...

anakins mum and a certain queen dont make it to ep 3

[SOUNDSTYLE]

It's going to be crap because the characters are not believable.

Ewan Mcgreggor :mad: :mad: Give me a break. Are we supposed to take him seriously.

Those CGI aliens are awful.

At least with the storm troopers they had presence on screen.

[Squirtle]

Originally posted by SOUNDSTYLE

At least with the storm troopers they had presence on screen.

There will be Storm Troopers in Ep3 - the will replace the clones from Ep2

[Spangled]

Why am I pessimistic about SW2 being any good ?

Three words. Jar Jar Binks.

Mind you, Jango Fett looks cool as a big cool thing, so maybe Lucas `will` redeem himself.

Place your bets, you've got until May I guess.

[hookbeak]

I'm not in the least bit pessimistic about it - i think it'll probably be very good. If it was 1977 and i was still 6 i would be feverish with excitement (like i was with star wars).

People who have decided it's crap already without actually seeing it ( and even worse - dismissing it because the last one didn't meet thier unrealistic expectations ) should maybe go work for the Daily Mail, where they would fit right in.

[martinb]

SW2 gave me no empathy with the characters on screen, i wanted to gag the brat whose every other line was 'yippee' and jar jar binks i could quite happliy disembowel with a rusty spoon.
i don't really care what adventures they go through in the next episode. And i'll be sure to stay out of mcdonalds when it's out, i have seen enough 6ft cardboard cut-outs to last me a lifetime.

[toneeb]

Originally posted by SOUNDSTYLE


At least with the storm troopers they had presence on screen.

especially that one who hit his head on the door in A New Hope ;)

[mikegray]

As a non-Star Wars fan in general, I must say that I'm optimistic about Episode II. I just watched Ep. I again on DVD a couple of weeks ago, and it's better than I remember it being...

The trailers for Episode II are far better than the annoying "You say people gonna die" and "Wipe them out, all of them..." ones for Episode I... I think with a bit of luck it might be a cracking film.

Heck, there are people already queueing up for it in the US. (!)