Why AOTC is perhaps the best Star Wars movie ever...

While I cannot "rate" the movies, because it would be like me saying that I like my feet more than my arms, my wife thought AOTC was the "best" Star Wars movie to date.

 

We now know how episode III will begin, (probably) since Episodes I and II both start the same way: one (or more) important central character(s) will be heading to an important meeting in a sleek silver ship. Once this ship lands it will be blown up, in an attempt to kill said important central character. As Geroge Lucas puts it on the Episode I DVD commentary, this is "visual jazz." These movies play the same "chords" over and over, with slight variation. They are dramatic partially because they reference themselves. Episode II is full of this. The end shot mirroring ESB, the Cantina/Nightclub, Anakin/Luke writhing under force lightning, Sidious saying "you have done well" to his apprentice, and on and on. I know there are more, and I'll probably be able to think of them at some point.

 

AFTER several viewings, MAYHEM now thinks that AOTC is the best STAR WARS film! ESB is great, but it's the VADER SCENES that really make it what it is... AOTC is just all around GREAT!!! Sure there are problems, but no more so than the ones in the OT... in fact, AOTC has far less problems than any of the films in the OT.

TEETH OUT

 

"AotC will never be my favorite. I'm in the club of about a dozen people who likes RotJ the best!"

I happen to like those dozen people! Is ROTJ my favorite? Actually, no, but in my 'perfect world,' an equal number/percentage of people would like each film the best. In other words, it would be like 20% AOTC, 20% TPM, 20% ESB, 20% ANH, 20% ROTJ. Now it's not a perfect world, so oh well. The reason I wish it looked like that is because I think all five films are equally great and therefore deserve equal appreciation.

In many ways, ROTJ is my favorite, yet somehow it ranks 4th out of the 5 movies on my favorites list. I think all of the films are of equal quality, it's just that for reasons of personal taste, I happen to be able to make a list from first to fifth, with fifth (ANH, actually) being still my absolute favorite movie of all time, along with the other four films

When someone says what I think of any SW film, no matter which one, I say I think it's the greatest movie ever made. *Brief pause*... along with the other Star Wars movies

I do not agree with this rubbish of Lucas not being involved in the script or directing though, as was said just after that, don't listen to the naysayers, George.

I would like to remind some people who are too young to remember or apparently forgot that GEORGE LUCAS was nominated for an OSCAR for his writing on ANH, and if you didn't already notice, the screenplay for ANH is exceptionally similar to every other SW film (uhh, no DUH). They are all Oscar-worthy, in my opinion, but sequels don't get nominated for Oscars very often (Godfather II is the exception that proves the rule).

Also, please don't make yourself look foolish. George Lucas is one of the greatest directors in the history of Hollywood. His genius was instantly recognized and if you will please remember, when the AFI Top 100 GREATEST MOVIES list was made, he had only directed THREE feature length movies that saw wide theatrical release, one of which was his STUDENT FILM THX 1138. The other two were STAR WARS (ANH) and AMERICAN GRAFITTI. BOTH films made the top 100 list, and Star Wars placed extremely high (#15). So of the two films he directed while he was out of film school, 100% of them made the AFI list.

Any director, I don't care which one, who has two films on the AFI top 100 list is a pretty damn awesome director. 'Nuff said.

I definitely look forward to his directing on Episode III. He's the best director for any SW film, I don't want to see another poser attempt to do what Lucas should be doing. We are all lucky that Lucas maintained tight control over ESB and ROTJ even though he wasn't directing, otherwise who knows what would have happened (yes, I realize that Lucas was mad about ESB at first and in fact had very little control at first, but his editing of the film allowed him to put together a great SW film, what many people think is the best).

As for AOTC being the best SW film yet, I do not use the word "best" for SW films. They are all, combined, the best movie ever made.

AOTC is my favorite so far, though, yes

My list:

AOTC
TPM
ESB
ROTJ
ANH

As far as I'm concerned, the prequels are rocking. I expect Episode III to replace AOTC at the top, though. I always thought, even before TPM came out, that the third film would be my new favorite SW movie. I still have that feeling.

 

George Lucas might not make the best movies. and the star wars saga might not be the best movies ever. But it sure hell is my favorite and most fun to watch. And when episode 3 comes out. This whole saga is going ot count as 1 in 6 parts. I mean its like watching an old saturday matinee. Not every episode is grander than the other, some have its slow parts. Once we see EPisode 3, thats when all the parts come together. George is doing this for pure fun. And in 3 years everyone is going to watch the star wars saga for decades to come! It's going to be great. I just cant wait when i can show it to my kids and say, Hey kids, this is called Star Wars. Daddy loves th is movie, i used to stay overnight to watch these movies. IT's going to be great! IT's a great story for all ages. And george lucas can write for all ages. Like i said he might not write or have the best movies. But they are the funnest to watch. And I may be the minority, heres my list
TPM
AOTC
ESB
ANH
ROTJ

I REALLY DO LOVE THEM ALL THOUGH, BUT FOR WATCHING OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I DONT KNOW WHY, TPM IS JUST GREAT. Dont bash me, its just a great film!

 

"Spider-Man had excellent CG, actually"

You guys crack me up

But as for the topic at hand, I don't think AOTC is the best Star Wars film. But it may well be the most fun.

 

I went to see it for the third time today
and I´m really starting to know it
very well now.
I love the arena battle!
Especially when Obi-Wan kills the Acklay,
when the Jedis appear and when
the Clonetroopers arrive!
Some of the greatest moments in
movie history I would say!
The three final lightsaberfights
are also great even though
they go by extremely fast!
There will be many repeat
viewings on those when
the DVD comes out
that´s for sure!
Anakin is tortured, Padme is stunning,
Obi-Wan is excellent and Yoda is
just not any little green
fellow!
Amazing movie!

 

Why AOTC is perhaps the best Star Wars movie ever...

because everythings just super after my massive stroke!

 

Why AOTC is perhaps the best Star Wars movie ever...

because everythings just super after my massive stroke!

I'm sorry dahveed72, I hope you recover fully.

 

I am glad that the whole lot of you think AOTC is the best SW movie to date. I loved it too and its definately leaps and bounds better than any other movie released this summer.

However, I am at the point where I am having trouble actually wanting to go back and see this film. It grabbed me the first time. When I saw it again, I didnt find myself bored, but it just didnt grab me the way the others did and still do (including TPM). While I feel that the FX was absolutely the best in any SW movie, I am just too overwhelmed by it and it doesnt seem magical to me. Now I am not talking about "happy go lucky" feelings here...the movie is darker and that is my fav aspect to this film as that is what I was craving (ESB is my fav of the saga thus far). There is just something missing in this film that just doesnt click for me.

If I look at this movie alone...it is amazing and I love it. No matter what, I love this movie and it sets up EpIII very nicely...which essentially is the most important thing for this movie to do. But when I compare it to the others (including TPM), I find it lacking. I dont know why (especially comparing it to TPM) because the action scenes (aside from the lightsabre fight) are much grander than the ones in TPM...but there is something that I cannot put my finger on that makes me not sit in the same amazement and fun that I have had with the others. It just didnt grab me the same way all the other movies did.

If I have to put it in words, the action, story, and visuals are just there. They pop out at me more than me popping out at it is the best way I can sum up at what I am saying. Even the music doesnt grab me in the same way as the other movies music did.

Has anyone else felt this way?

 

"What it boils down to is the fact that AOTC was a "fun" movie. "

"in fact, AOTC has far less problems than any of the films in the OT."

these are NOT FACTS they are OPINIONS, and there are plenty of moviegoers who dissagree with them.

please prove to us that the films in the OT have more problems than AOTC. otherwise stop trying to pass that statement off as fact.

 

"I'm sorry dahveed72, I hope you recover fully."

Yeah, let's send him a get well card.
DrEvazan, you may find the truths you cling to depend greatly on your point of view.

 

Damn, some of you people are depressing.

 

Firstly, facts are facts, TPM was ok but not good. AOTC was Excellent. I love democracy.... i love all star wars film. But this is how it is.
Secondly, a film can be bad and yet people go and see that film twice, third, four times and still have critique of the film because of reason number 1 above. Bust this is an amazing film. Because of the real fans love for it they will go and see the movie so many times to get out alllllll the little nuances from it. The thing is, most other films have very very clear points to make. GL never really does, and if he does they are subtle. Thats why we can see the films again and again and not get bored of the same messages, because we look more and more into STAR WARS and never quite decide what it is GL is saying. Because of this, either by design or accident GL makes these films very compelling to see. It was only shame that EPISODE 1 was edited so badly. But AOTC rocks and makes a fine addition to the Star Wars Saga.

 

It is the best SW movie. I've never seen any other SW movie 7+ times in the theaters, bought a bootleg, plan on recording it off of pay-par-view, and still am going to buy the DVD for all the cut scenes. I hate the CGI clones, but Lucas can fix that with extras & make ep3 even better.

 

Funny, I thought TPM had marvelous editing and was actually better edited than AOTC.

BTW, I knew the clones were cgi for some of the battle scenes and the wide shots, but were they cgi the entire time? There were plenty of shots where I swear I thought they were people in costumes. The clones were all cgi the entire movie? Damn, tricked me...

 

I agree Rowland. Not to say AOTC's editing was bad; just that TPM's was better.

 

In my opinion, it's about time we FINALLY got a Star Wars movie.

What do I mean?

Well, sure the other movies had massive battles, such as the Battle of Hoth, Endor, Yavin...but in those same movies, we didn't get everything ELSE. A New Hope had the war against the Death Star. But, it lacked pure Jedi action. Is this bad? Absolutely not. Empire Strikes Back. Battle of Hoth. Love story, kinda. A saber duel. But again, no serious Jedi action. Return of the Jedi. Battle of Endor. Luke smacking things around with his saber. A saber duel. But again, no serious Jedi action. The Phantom Menace. Pretty big ground battle. Fairly sized space battle. Two Jedi and one Sith. Okay, now, we are starting to heat up.

Attack of the Clones. MASSIVE ground battle. Pure love story. HUNDREDS of Jedi. Sith. Now...THAT'S what I've been waiting for. The other films had a bit of each in them, but never had a Star Wars film until Episode II carry EVERYTHING. We didn't get a space battle but that is coming next.

Episode II was, for me, the first Star Wars movie with everything I wanted in it. Not only that, but we got a pretty good mystery/romance. Sure, the acting and dialogue was itchy here and there, but I think I was marveling at Lucas' visions and what was going on plot wise to even consider bashing the scripting aspects.

I just wish more people would agree.

 

Too bad you didn't die...did I just say that outloud?

Um I was talking to Jar Jar...yeah Jar Jar.

 

Upping this ancient, ancient thread, just to see if we can get some more discussion on the long, long post that began it.


Rick McCallum loves you!

 

Thanks for the unlock, Adam!

I completely agree with everything in the first post of this thread. AOTC was awesome. Admittedly, it may not be my FAVORITE Star Wars film...but its kinda hard to pick a favorite anyway. Its like being asked to pick if you like your arm better than your leg, or trying to pick a favorite child (for adults).

AOTC was excellent. It was a wonderful film. And I know a lot of people agree with me.

Oh, and I especially loved the part about the love scenes. It was a great explanation, and a new perspective that I enjoy.

 

AOTC is a great film! It had some minor flaws, but who cares...
My list; ESB, AOTC, ANH, TPM, ROTJ.
What I like about AOTC is that it combines the design of the PT with the design of the OT, which makes AOTC (and later Episode III) flow into the OT.
I also love to see more things we've seen in the OT. People say the Galaxy seems so small this way, but I like it. It's good to see the homestead again, Owen and Beru when they were younger and the early designs of the Death Star. Everything starts falling into place.

 

I read an article somewhere, where it mentioned that AOTC is "the glue that holds the SW Saga together".

 

I heartily agree. I love the way it bridges Phantom Menace to Episode III. As always, it introduced new characters (Dex, Dooku, Lama Su), it did what a middle act should do, which is it complicated the story, it showed us the budding romance of Luke and Leia's parents, we got a glimpse of Anakin and Palpatine's growing partership, and we saw Yoda kicks some Sith butt, as well as the birth of the Empire.

What more could anyone want?

 

I agree that it is a very good film (Christopher Lee, Ian and Ewan are excellent), I just don't get the same 'feeling' as when I watch ESB. Sorry to make comparisons, but I have to go with my heart (ESB is my favorite film of all time).