The hugely divided opinions of Mark Hamill's acting in the OT

This is something I find fascinating. There are a lot of people that seem to think Mark Hamill was a bad actor as Luke Skywalker, constantly citing him as an example if someone brings up questionable acting in the PT. Then, there are those who think Mark was quite good, actually, very underrated. I'm one of them. But the real interesting aspect is, those who generally like his performances usually either think that A: he was great in ROTJ, but not very good in ANH and ESB, or B: he was great in ANH and ESB, but not very good in ROTJ.

I fall into the B category. I think he's completely natural in ANH, totally underrated, and maybe even better in ESB. ROTJ is his weakest performance to me. I think the problem was with Richard Marquand's directing for the most part. It's fine that Luke's serious and more mature, just some of his line deliveries, in crucial scenes like revealing to Leia tha he's his sister, and Vader's their father, seeemd off. But I've noticed there are many around here who like this performance the best, and don't care much hor his preceding Luke performances.

So, what's your opinion? And why is it so varied with Hamill?

 

I actually find his whole trilogy performance to be perfectly good. Not blowaway because ROTJ is a hair weaker than the other two, but it's good enough to not be able to imagine any other Luke even if you try. That, to me, is a great performance.

 

I never really critiqued him as an actor. The first time I saw each episode, I enjoyed it completely, and I always try to watch films for enjoyment without judging the script and the acting unless it really stands out. I picture Mark Hamill as the perfect symbol for Luke and I think he did an excellent job in all three movies.

The reason the opinions are so varied is because there are so many people who post their opinions. There's bound to be a variety of thoughts. People interpret things differently.

 

Yeah, but you'll notice that opinions are not that varied when it comes to Ford's and Fisher's performances.

 

Hmm.. that's true. Point taken.

Harrison Ford was an established actor and Carrie Fisher... well.. opinions might vary about her. On the otherhand, Mark Hamill was a completely unknown actor and his lines were without comedy and it sometimes seems like Luke didn't have a very strong personality, especially in ROTJ. You could argue that the plot of ROTJ didn't allow enough time for Luke's character to develop or you could say that Mark Hamill just didn't fit the role. That's purely based on your opinion of how you wanted Luke to be.

 

I've always thought that Mark Hamill did an excellent job as Luke Skywalker throughout all of the movies. He IS Luke Skywalker; plain and simple. As for Luke's character development in Return of the Jedi, his character's basically as developed as it will be by that time. It's the end, and everyone's pretty much fully developed. Also, I may be going out on a limb here, but I don't think that Luke Skywalker is even the main character of Return of the Jedi. I think Anakin Skywalker is.

 

I think what urked me about Hamill in ROTJ is that he came across as almost too serious for the character he represents.

I guess I just have trouble accepting the drastic change in tone. That maddening serenity.

 

That maddening serenity... nice description, Darth_Digital. I like that.

 

That "maddening serenity" seemed logical to me given what he'd gone through. What Darth Vader has revealed is not only life-changing, but it also shakes the foundation of what his core belief system and forces him to find a new source of strength in order to handle his burden - himself. The people he believed in as mentors have been proven liars, manipulating him down a certain path that Darth Vader's honesty no longer allows to appear to easily. Unsurprising that Luke would would spend that year in reflection, finding the strength and confidance to go on in his own person, no longer relying on the teachings of Ben Kenobi and Yoda. And it makes sense - the Jedi outside must come from the Jedi within. And the only reason I say this is because I went through a change very similar to Luke's (er, forced maturation, I mean, not involving catwalks and lost limbs), and I did notice that following my "growing up" period, I am a bit quieter and more personally confidant and serene.

Mark Hamill...hmmm...I think he did a great job with the character of Luke Skywalker. I don't think he's the greatest actor to ever hit the silver screen - in fact, I think in watching the OT, we see him *develop* as an actor over the course of the movies - but I don't think he was at all awful. He has his good moments, his bad moments, and he had his great moments. He brings the character to life and makes him memorable, which is the goal of acting to begin with. (Ironically, most people poke at him in ROTJ the most, but, pish, he practically carries that movie for me.)

 

I guess to some, Luke's drastic turnabout took them by surprise, and not necessarily in a good way.

As Hamill said in himself in a SW Saga narration, "Through three films we'd follow Luke Skywalker through his adventures in search of manhood and wisdom..." (or words to that effect)

Granted his character certainly branched from film to film, there were a few that Luke fell back on.

He went from whiney and awestruck to sullen and angry, then when he had a taste of real accomplishment he went a more professional direction;

To this day whenever I see Yoda chastize Luke for not keeping in mind on 'where he was, what he was doing' I'd like to argue in Luke's defence that 'blondy' here just left a military campagin where he lead legions of troops in a fall back skirmish that saved thousands of Rebel lives.

Yeah Luke lost his temper once and a while but he also had that boyish humour about him.

Then in ROTJ its like he really grew up. (Facing Vader and getting messes up has that effect I understand)

But still;

Its like everytime someone threatens him he has this 'Shakesperian sarcasm' to him.

Someone threatens his life-

"You don't want to do that..."

or

"I can understand why you feel that way..."

No!

I want Luke Skywalker in SW, not some theraputic analyist!

Shakespearian Sarcasm I say!

 

I thought he was excellent in all three!

 

I thought he was excellent in all three!

Same here. I feel he especially "hand"-led the hand severing scene in ESB very, very well. It looked as if he was in incredible pain to be sure.

 

I too thought Hamill was great in all three.

(and unlike some others i thought ford and fisher were all over the place)

 

I can't imagine anyone but Mark Hamill as Luke skywalker in all three movies. I can't even imagine Mark Hamill being Mark Hamill. HE IS LUKE SKYWALKER. So... I guess I liked his whole performance..

 

I too thought Hamill was great in all three.

He was excellent in all three, though some of his scenes make me cringe a little. Puts a bit too much effort in some of his expressions and delivery.

As for Harrison and Fisher, I'm of the opinion that they totally phoned in their performance in ROTJ. Especially Harrison.

 

As for Harrison and Fisher, I'm of the opinion that they totally phoned in their performance in ROTJ. Especially Harrison.

Harrison Ford didn't want to be in the film and Carrie Fisher looked equally cheesed off with her part.

 

I love Hamill's acting in the movie. It just fits exactly how Luke Skywalker is, especially in ANH and ESB. In ROTJ, there are a few good scenes with him, but he does seem a little too bland.

 

Mark Hamill was a very well-known face on television before Star Wars. He, Guiness, and Peter Cushing were the only three actors I recognized when I first saw it as a kid.

I always thought he did a great job on SW. In all three films, he was able to draw me in and make me feel the same emotions that his character was experiencing.

 

Harrison Ford was an established actor

Not when ANH came out he wasn't.

Unless you count his role in American Graffiti.

 

Actually, when he did ANH, Harrison was about ready to give up on being an actor and do something else.

 

Yesh. He was into carpentry at the time, wasn't he...? Amazing how things work out.

DarthDigital - I suppose I can reconcile that. Personally, I always saw it as the next step in Luke's maturation process. He *had* to grow up from ANH to ESB. He wouldn't have been a commander if not, and we see that in some of the more visual displays of patience here and there. He's stubborn and hot-tempered, sure, but he's nowhere near as bad as his father, and I think Yoda sees this and thus tries to channel it properly. During the intertrilogy of ESB to ROTJ, he's basically been forced to humble himself with the facts of his failure and has to, well, grow up and deal with it. Obi Wan isn't there to hold his hand anymore, nor is Yoda, or the ghost of the great father he once existed. More than ever, he has to take control of his life. And once he did, that personal confidance that came led to an internal harmony. He knows what he has to do - he may be afraid, but it's the path he'll take.

As for the boyish humor...okay, that I missed a bit, yes, but I think we can both agree that it's understandable that he's a little less humorous with what's hanging over his head. But it does show up here and there - talking with Han on Jabba's skiff, rolling his eyes at Han's antics at Endor, chuckling at their situation with Threepio and the Ewoks. It's there, more muted than it was before, but the Luke we knew from before isn't totally gone.

I do agree that the actor's direction could have been a bit better, but I think that mostly falls on the director's shoulders more than Hamill. Out of the main cast, I think he, more than Fisher and Harrison, is really the only one that "shows up" and really puts his heart into it in ROTJ.

 

What I mean by opinions are not that varied when it comes to Ford and Fisher's performances is that the vast majority opinion seems to be that their weakest performances are in ROTJ. But that's where the big divide is, concerning Hamill.

 

I think Hamill was equally great in all 3 movies.

 

I think Mark did a very good job, portraying Luke's drastic change from naive farmboy to confident Jedi.

By the way, he too was an "established actor" -- he'd made over a hundred TV appearances. He just hadn't appeared in a big-screen movie before he was cast as Luke Skywalker.

I fall into the B category. I think he's completely natural in ANH, totally underrated, and maybe even better in ESB. ROTJ is his weakest performance to me.

I disagree. I think ROTJ is his best performance. It's not that he's bad in ANH or ESB, but I think he comes into his own as an actor with ROTJ.

 

I think what urked me about Hamill in ROTJ is that he came across as almost too serious for the character he represents.

I liked Mark in all the films especially TESB. But I agree with you to some extent Darth Digital

Luke became ultra serious is ROTJ and I felt this meant he could no longer relate to the other characters. Han was always his "older brother" in many ways but the way Luke acted made their scenes uncomfortable.

But I think most of the performances are weak in ROTJ. Harrison is sleepwalking until Endor. Fisher is good at the start but then becomes an emotional wreck - totally unlike her sarcastic former self.