TPM Chapter 14: Watto's Shop DISCUSSION

Until the release of ROTS on 5/19/05, I would like to discuss TPM chapter by chapter on the DVD. There are 47 chapters to discuss over the next 8 months, excluding Chapter 1: Opening Logos, Chapter 2: The Phantom Menace and Chapter 50: End Credits.

Each discussion will last 5 days. At the end of 5 days, the following chapter will be posted.

Chapter 14: Watto's Shop
DISCUSSION: October 23, 2004 - October 27, 2004
DVD TIME INDEX: 31:39 - 35:48

Synopsis
Watto, a blue Toydarian, is punching a few strokes on his keypad behind the counter. He welcomes a group of outlanders, stranded on Tatooine. Qui-Gon tells Watto that he needs parts for his Nubian ship. Watoo summons a boy, Anakin Skywalker to watch the shop. Watto show Qui-Gon to the back. Before Qui-Gon heads out back, he stops Jar Jar from goofing off. Anakin asks Padme if she's a angel. They get into a conversation about space pirates and angels. Anakin talks about his past and his dreams. After a while, Anakin reveals that he's a slave, but considers himself a person. Jar Jar plays around with the pit droids. Watto shows Qui-Gon his junkyard. He tells the Jedi that he's the only one with a T-14 Hyperdrive Generator. A Jedi Mind Trick performed by Qui-Gon fails when he wants to use Republic credits. Toydarians are immune to Jedi Mind Tricks. Qui-Gon tells Padme and Jar Jar that they're leaving. Padme says goodbye to Anakin. Watto and Anakin discuss the attitudes of outlanders. In an alcove, Qui-Gon communicates with Obi-Wan, who is onboard the ship and talk about bartering with the Queen's wardrobe. Qui-Gon believes a solution will show itself. They continue through the city. END OF CHAPTER

Opinion
We see one of my favorites, Watto for the first time. We're also introduced to Anakin Skywalker and his surroundings. Shows that he works as a shop, doesn?t seem like slave work. There's no whip and yet he's a slave to Watto. What I wanted to see with Luke at Toshi Station and Anchorhead without the slavery issues.

I felt that Anakin's introduction was well. He's gets pushed around by Watto and he seems to be very poor as compared to Luke who was on a little higher than destitute. The interaction between Anakin and Padme shows there is already a connection. However, the cliche love at first sight does bother me to a degree. I like tension like there was between Han and Leia.

I like how Watto thinks the Republic looks down on the Outer Rim. How he is immune to the mind tricks shows that Jedi are good, but they're not that good. Being that we go from lush Naboo to poor dirty Tatooine shows how different cultures think even in our own society. Watto plays the perfect businessman. He knows how to sweettalk and manipulate. He's a fun character.

I was skeptical about introducing Anakin so late, but I guess it works as it follows the ANH pattern. Interesting chapter. Some parts better than others, but works out in the end.

 

This is a pretty good chapter. It flows well and all, but it does introduce my least favorite aspect of this movie.

Jake Lloyd as Anakin.

Every part of his performance bothers me tremendously. From his bratty looks, to the horrible delivery of his lines, everything. I've heard the arguments of, "But he was nine years old when he made that movie. Cut him some slack." but they just don't hold water. I've seen plenty of child actors turn in brilliant performances in all types of movies, but this... ugh!

I can't remember his name, but there was another kid that auditioned for the part (It's in the DVD extras) and just by looking at him deliver a couple of lines, you can tell he would have made a much, Much, MUCH better Anakin than Lloyd. I honestly can't see why in the blue hell Lucas went with Jake Lloyd.

But, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

 

I always thought Jake did well. He does a good job of getting across Anakin's earnestness, honesty, innocence and intelligence - I must say, I never, ever had a problem with him, and was very surprised when I found out there was such a backlash against him.

I know the one you're talking about on the TPM DVD - the one with blond hair? I think he'd have been terrible, personally - as one person on the DVD points out, his performance is very studied, he just hits the beats - it's not really as natural as Jake's. With Jake, it actually doesn't feel like he's acting, it feels like it's real - that other kid, it was obvious he was acting.

Also, I have to say, Watto is my favourite entirely-CD character in the movies (Yoda doesn't count) - I think he's a fantastic character, and the animation on him is wonderful, as well as some great voice-acting. Good job.

 

I cannot for the life of me understand the Jake hatred.

I think that kid perfectly nailed Anakins impulsiveness, ignorance and sadness.

Tell me he didn't ace that scene where he leaves his mother, or the dinner scene when he talks about Jedis with Gui-Gon.

And no way that you could've watched the same audtioning kids as i did on TPM's extras. They were HORRIBLE.

I loved this scene because Anakins ignorance towards Padme creates a very honest relationship between them, from the moment he met her he's been very blunt with her - and a anomaly in her life where she gets threatened by politicians etc etc.

And the Watto scenes were pure gold.

 

Two great intros, for Anakin and Watto

 

Watto is my favorite computer animated character. No doubts there. The look, the voice, the overall character is enjoyable to watch. I like how the Jedi Mind Trick fails miserably. I also agree with how the Republic is frowned upon on such backwater worlds. They're basically ignored because they mean nothing.


The introduction of Anakin. Anakin being a slave is a wonderful theme throughout his life. Good intro.

Jake Lloyd... At this point in the movie I was dealing with Jar Jar Binks. Then Lloyd opened his mouth. While I agree that he did well in a couple of scenes in the movie, the rest were just nails on a chalkboard to me.


Just before Anakin was introduced, the movie was very alienating. I mean, there was no Anakin up until then. Obi-Wan was just a sidekick to Liams Qui-Gon and was left on the ship. The mother of the twins was not clearly defined at this point. So it was difficult to see where everything was going in regards to the OT. So this scene was somewhat refreshing to me in the sense that Anakin was finally introduced and the plot was really now going to begin.

 

I love Qui-Gon's angry/polite/impatient smile after the mind trick don't work.

 

Watto is a cool character indeed. He shows what living on Tatooine is all about.

I think the scene between Anakin and Padme is very sweet. Both are still very young, so there is no "sexual interest" between the two of them; you don't expect them to kiss or anything. They are both really interested in each other, and you can really see something happening between the two of them.
I really liked the "Are you an angel?" line, I think it's very sweet of Anakin to say, since it comes straight from his heart. I also like Padme's "What..?" reaction; she doesn't fully understand, but when she steps towards him with that look on her face, you can see she's really curious about this boy.

I never had a problem with Jake as Anakin. There are scenes where I like him, and there are scenes where I like him a little less. Just as with every other actor.

 

I too love how we go from Naboo royalty to the dregs of Tatooine. For someone introduced to the saga through TPM I feel this change will be seen as even more drastic. Lucas doesn't even really have to slam the idea that this is a bad place down on your head for someone to put it together.
I feel it works better in TPM (viewing it through new eyes for the first time last night) than in ANH. In ANH you first get plopped down onto Tatooine so there's nothing to contrast it to. In TPM you go from slick starships, underwater havens, and paradise to... blah. It really works
We also get a lot of good information in very little time. Slavery exists where the Republic doesn't look, and outer rimers view the supposedly kind republic with a cynical sneer.
It also shows even these amazing Jedi who can toss droids around with magic and who weild laser swords have limitations.

 

Easily the best chapter so far (for me). Although the movie started out with lots to see and do, the Tatooine segment begins to feel like it has slowed the movie down to a crawl - but then we meet Anakin and everything falls into place.

Watto is close to being my favorite character in the movie. I do love Anakin, and Qui-Gon too, but Watto just steals every scene he's in.

(Let's give it up for Liam Neeson, though, who never makes it seem like he's acting to thin air - and manages to give a subtle and interesting performance throughout.)

Love how Anakin is first introduced. "Are you an angel?" Sets up the future love plot (of course) but more importantly it immediately tells us about his innocence, his ignorance, but also his interest in things larger than the world he is stuck in.

And I think Jake Lloyd's Huttese is the most natural-sounding of anyone's. (So there.)

 

watto is perfect; ccg wonderworks. reminds me of when disney had his animators watch actual deer, etc before tackling bambi. wonder where lucas looked for inspiration? watto is the practical, shrewd real world (now that's funny) entity in the fantasy. and the lack of regard for jedi is an interesting component - a preview of things to come. jake's anakin has highs and lows for me-there's some real false moments where his lack of delivery breaks the suspension of disbelief in a real slam dunk manner. but there are many times where he is believable - his farewell to his mother and his scene with padme returning to coruscant most particularly. i love all things lucas but jake's performance would have benefited from a heavier hand from the director.

 

Just watched the movie again, and I have to echo the appreciation of Watto. One of the better CGI charcters out there.

Also, as they enter Mos Espa, we see proof that it's a tough town: there's a protocol droid with a limp. All sorts of ideas on how that happened.

 

ATTENTION all CBC posters:

Starting on Thursday, October 28, 2004, I will be adding an additonal CBC to the postings. Over on Classic Trilogy, the ANH Chapter Discussion will start. The dates will coincide with the prequel posting dates and it will be the same format as now.

Check my sig for further details. Feel free to PM me your questions or concerns about this unexpected turn of events.

-Moleman1138
Host of CBC for TPM, AOTC and Classic Trilogy forums.

Don't forget that there is so much to discuss in this chapter.

 

Just rewatched this movie last night and...

Y'know, something I'm surprised nobody's brought up in this argument is that this scenes establishes what could rightly be a superiority/inferiority complex has about being a slave. Look at how vitriol his reaction is to Padme calling him one, a powerful statement of, "I'm not a slave. I'm a person!" Considering some of the behavior we see from Anakin later on, I think we could very likely pinpoint a loss of personal esteem Anakin feels as being a slave at one point in his life.

If nothing else, this is definitely why I think we see some of the arrogance that appears in his character later on. It's Anakin's way of defining the individual in himself and his struggle to escape that nothing slave boy past he has by making a mark. He seems ashamed of his position as a slave and does anything emotionally and physically to escape it. In fact, we see moments of it here and there too - the immense pride he takes in his skills as a pod race candidate, his piloting skills, his kindness and helpfullness, his unwillingness to let people go without making an imprint, his desire to generally escape. Anakin wants to be MORE than what is seen on the outside. He shows a firm determination to leave enslavement someday, and I think later, after he does escape it, I think that develops into a control issue where he dislikes others have any sort of affect on the issues regarding his own life.

But overall...great scene. I love Watto. Even as he's a lousy guy here, he has enough character that you feel bad for him when he reappears in AOTC as a guy down on his luck.

 

Thank you for all your participation in CBC (Chapter by Chapter). TPM Chapter 15: Fateful Meetings DISCUSSION will be made available 12:00 AM EST. Although the discussion timeframe has passed, you may still discuss this chapter at your convienience. However, we will be moving on to the next chapter.

-Moleman1138

ANH DISCUSSION STARTS AT MIDNIGHT OVER ON CLASSIC TRILOGY.