PT Why Do Anakin and Obi-Wan Do The Spin Move In ROTS? (Reboot)

With the mods permission, I'd like a serious discussion on this topic.

There's 2 theories. The Visual Dictionary says it's because they can predict each other so well that it's a way to create unpredictability.

But if that's the case, wouldn't they predict that spin move? Therefore, why wouldn't one of them predict that and then counter it right away?

The other theory is because they can't find holes in the defense, so they're creating momentum for a heavy attack to break a defense but both of them attack one another with the same momentum, cancelling each other out.

The latter is more credible but the ROTS VD states otherwise.

Anyone else know why?

This isn't a "I LIKE THAT. I HATE THIS" type thread. It happened so what's the best explanation for it.

Also, this time, NO LOOSE WIRE JOKES!

 

what's the spin move ?

 

because Nick Gillard thought it looked cool.

For an IU explanation I will go with the visual dictionary...I like the Visual Dictionaries, I spent money on the VD's so for all the explanations in them to be utter crap, I'd be mightly peeved off

 

Maybe one of them predicts that the other will do an attack of some kind, so decides to counter with a spin.

Then the other also predicts the same move and goes to counter with his own spin.

 

Eh, because they can, they want to, and they have no fear.

How is that for an explanation?

 

I guess it's because if only one does it, the other has the disadvantage of not knowing the next strike, so they'll be left to defense, and both want the offense.

 

The same reason why Maul turns his blade or Dooku turns his blade.

 

I get that some people do genuinely think this moment is goofy, but I honestly think the reason it's become as notorious as it is is because a lot of people's memory of it comes primarily from this gif, which makes it look way more ridiculous, since it's on an infinite loop.

If you watch it within its proper context, it looks a lot more reasonable:



It also becomes more clear what's going on. Neither of them can find an opening in the other's defenses (because they know each other so well and are so perfectly matched), so they simultaneously try to build up momentum for a powerful strike that will break right through. But they end up perfectly matched there, too. So then they both try to brute force their way with telekinesis...only to end up perfectly matched there as well!

 

Because they are show-offs.

 

BECAUSE ITS A GOOD TRIC--

**Banned**

 

I don't know why but there's far too much spinning & twirling & pointless flourishes to the Jedi lightsaber technique throughout the PT. They all look like show-offs.

TBH that's worse than I remember. They really do just pointlessly spin opposite of each other for a good second. Looks very silly. Gillard's work in the PT was very hit & miss.

 

Matter of taste i guess.
When i watched this scene in the theatre, with the proper build up, that moment impressed me and gave me goosebumps.
During their duel you felt the intensity growth, and that moment was the climax of their fight, when two fighters reached the peak, the point where they realized they cant defeat each other on instinctive, mental and The Force levels. It was very beautiful and powerfull moment.
And it wasnt the show off, because the music and the whole scene beat the right notes and made an emphasis on this scene as the peak of their fight.
I never understood people bringing this moment as the goofy, stupid show off. Out of context maybe, but in the context of the movie it looks badass, logical and dramatic.

 

Not sure how twirling your weapon around in circles is logical when your objective is to strike your opponent. Watch fencing or Kendo & you'll see very little close-quarter twirling.

 

It's simply a showbiz move. The kinds of things that Vegas magic acts and martial arts demonstration troupes do to impress and entertain tourists.

 

they want to be Majorettes .

 

They are 'in the zone'. Why this is a topic of discussion (and mockery) is beyond me.

 

Damn. Sorry bro....

 

Wasn't directed at you in particular.

 

Obi wan trained Anakin, so he would have taught him some tricks and strategies to confuse the enemy and regain some advantage in combat. Because the fight in that moment was a dead end, Obi Wan probably thought that it was a good moment to use the spin to confuse Anakin, but because Anakin was trained by Obi Wan, Anakin thought the same and tried to use the same strategy.

 

What brought them out of the zone? Why not keep spinning until someone breaks? Like a no-blinking contest.

I thought spinning was Anakin's trick? You make a good point though. Grievous also seemed to spin his sabers to confuse Obi-Wan. Perhaps that's where Obi got the idea from. Who would've guessed he'd learn anything from a robot riding a unicycle. Guess he was just unaware of Anakin's own spinning prowess, so it was a spinning stalemate. Time to get on with the fight.

This has given me an idea within another thread
http://boards.theforce.net/threads/rewriting-the-ot-to-suit-the-prequels-humor

 

Depends on the martial art. Chinese swordplay for example does involve plenty of these sorts of circular flourishing movements in the context of various up-close slashing attacks. It's not the type of movements that are unrealistic but the fact that the participants are not actually attempting to strike their opponent. It's a little silly, yes, but I think it plays well enough in context as the immediate precursor to that interesting moment between them where their opposing force pushes somehow seem to create a sort of force singularity that then detonates and sends them both flying. That is, it's silly in the context of a mundane swordfight, but as part of a supernatural, operatic, larger-than-life duel, I think it feels appropriate.

 

Is that you Nick Gillard?

 

The only movements that are not intended to strike or block a blow from your opponent in martial arts are ones intended to distract the opponent. A lot of Kung Fu was developed for this express purpose. Nothing like the twirling thing, except in a solo demonstration which is all about show, and not about combat.

Jackie Chan has mostly been wary of the unmotivated action. He incorporated non striking movies to evade or dodge blows and objects


The Maul stuff in TPM was ok as he was goading Obi Wan and Qui Gon. But even that is all a little bit too overtly circusy.

 

Reposting my answer from the locked thread:

I've always seen it as boastful posturing. In the Episode I duel with Maul Obi-Wan is briefly seen giving his saber a cocky, arrogant, and entirely needless twirl. Anakin does something similar when the droids have the Jedi surrounded in AOTC, exhibiting a cocky little moment of youthful dissent in the face of possible death. The Battle of the Heroes is even more personal. Anakin is exhibiting his youthful superiority as well as the very recklessness Obi-Wan has chided him about in the past. Obi-Wan is matching him blow for blow, channeling his own youthful self and the last time he took down a Sith.