PT Favorite Shots From The Prequels

I was recently rewatching the prequels and was once again struck by just how amazing the camerawork is for the trilogy, and how it illustrates George Lucas's genius as a visual storyteller. This one below is one of my favorites:



I love the idea of what this shot tells us: Yoda and Darth Sidious are fighting for the fate of the galaxy, and yet it doesn't truly matter who wins the fight because the empty Senate Chamber tells us that the Republic is already gone.

Additionally, this shot of Mace Windu and Darth Sidious fighting shows us the hidden symbolism - Sidious is poised to strike like a snake, and the shattered glass is illustrative of the many illusions that have just become shattered in the last few moments for Mace and the Jedi Council as they stand as the last hope for the Republic.



What are some of your favorite visual moments in the trilogy?

 

I saw the prequels last at 2022. It was at January, I guess. My favorite shot from the prequels is the attack of the clones on the planet Genosis against the droids with Jedi leading and clones rescuing Jedi. This proved to play an important in the classics.



I got the feeling that it was important to the fall of The Republic and the main plan of Sidious. With this, the face of the republic changes by recruiting clones for war, piloting etc. Then, mainly according to Sidious, the fall of The Republic and the rise of the Empire.

 

Tough question, as the prequels have many amazing visuals. I'm not posting images though, just in writing:

- approach to Gungan underwater city
- Maul first landing on Tatooine at dusk, scanning for his targets
- first shots of Jedi Temple, Senate building, Coruscant in general, naturally
- any shot from the final lightsaber duel
- droid army approaching over green hills on Naboo
- Naboo cruiser and fighters landing on Coruscant in the mist
- Kamino and stormy ocean shots in the rain
- Anakin and Padmé arrive at Lake Retreat, plus Anakin looking at lake at sunrise after nightmare
- dining table scene at Lars farm (colors and lighting especially well done here)
- Anakin leaves Padmé at Lars farm, especially shadows shot when they hug
- Anakin's search and Jawa sand crawler at dusk
- Tusken camp from cliffs in moonlight
- any shot of Geonosis ground battle, especially after arena
- Anakin and Dooku lightsaber duel, especially because of lighting and editing
- Republican ships and troops taking off for battle at dusk at Coruscant, AND following wedding finale at sunset by the lake
- opening view of Republic star destroyer above Coruscant and then 2 Jedi fighters, camera following them right into the actual battle
- second balcony scene with Ani and Padmé at night with view over city lights, after his nightmare
- any Order 66 shot
- Anakin and Padmé "looking at each other" at dusk on Coruscant
- Sidious putting on his hood and monolog, with night skyline in background
- Anakin and troops approach Jedi Temple
- Anakin looking at lava and eclipse after massacre on Mustafar
- Sidious' ship's shadow over rocks when rescuing Anakin, plus same ship flying through rain on Coruscant
- Tantive IV arrives on Alderaan
- twin sunset closing shot

The list is probably already too long as it is, though I could name a few more.

 

My friend the image is bad, I can't see it

 

Yes! Great shot.

 

Obi Wan vs Jango

 

A bunch of TPM shots that spring to mind.

- Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan’s sabers igniting on the TF ship.
- Amidala watching out the window at the invasion of Theed. The big shots of Theed are also good.
(I additionally generally love the serene Naboo waterfalls shots in TPM, AOTC and at the end of ROTS.)
- Otah Gungah.
- Anakin’s dinner table first shot.
- The podrace sequence where Anakin uses the good engine to restart the failing one.
- Sebulba’s power-couplings coming apart.
- Anakin turning back to say goodbye to Shmi.
- Anakin’s life in Qui-Gon’s hands - Qui-Gon telling Anakin to drop as Anakin is almost mowed down by his “future echo” (in Darth Maul), Maul’s flip off the bike to clash with Jinn, and as noted above Maul watching them escape.
- Arrival on Coruscant.
- Anakin Skywalker in front of the Jedi Council.
- Many shots in the Theed generator rooms dueling with Maul.
- The Nubian fighters taking fire/losses while attacking the droid control ship.
- Obi-Wan knighted by Yoda.
- Ending shots with Padme and Anakin.

edit - Oh someone above said Maul arriving on Tattooine, that’s a good one.

 

Really every shot inside the Jedi Temple (and outside!) is standout for me.
There's a reason I've gone out of my way to replicate it in Minecraft, twice.

 

The fact that I can "hear" all of these GIFs helps a lot, too. Sorry for going overboard.

Also, pretty much any planetary landscape shot is worthy of being championed by somebody, somewhere. They're all works of art.

 

I like them, very iconic... no need to be sorry

 

I’ve always wondered how those ships stay ‘on the road’ on Coruscant. It is somehow marked with their tracking? It’s like intense freeways. Why not just fly around that? -careens down to destination- Freaking Coruscant popo probably waiting to pounce. Lol!

My first thought was Maul on Tatooine! It looks awesome. You can almost sense the anger. Haha!

 

Great nonverbal acting from Hayden in that one - he's so good at that

 

I completely agree. Hayden does a great job selling the immense pain Anakin is feeling internally.

 

I am SO happy that Hayden FINALLY gets the reconition and appreciation he has deserved sor years. His appearance in Ahsoka and the fans celebrating him at celebration really made feel good. Ive defended the guy since 2002 and I am glad to see him beeing happy with his SW role nowadays!

 

oh my god i thought i was like the only one who absolutely loved this shot. The way the music lowers as his lightsaber turns off is also really cool

 

This shot does so well in inducing the fear of being in the presence of a sith lord especially after knowing that they have been in hiding for a thousand years. On top of that this shot became the staple for one of the best Scores in cinema history. DUEL OF THE FRICKIN FATES!!!.



Honorable Mention:

 

Just noticed the anamorphic lens distortion and chromatic aberration they added to the side edges of the frame (see distant background columns). Great attention to detail to make everything feel like it was shot in-camera.

Also, a well-maintained carpet.

 

I like the overhead shot of Anakin and his troops heading into the jedi temple.

 

Anakin and Padme’s wedding on Naboo. Love the shot at the end right before the end credits!

 

Overlooking The edge with the waterfalls is amazing.
The Geonosis arena (an actual set piece) is crazy good.
The Kashyyk battle with the set piece trees is so great, wished we seen more of this.

My favorite shot in all is seeing the Tantive IV again. And opening ROTS space battle.