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[Godzilla's Left Toe]

Plinkett doesn't know jack shit about Star Wars. The obsession with him baffles me to no end. It's fine if you hate the prequels but Plinkett doesn't get Star Wars at all, he doesn't understand the saga.

Is he trying to be funny or something? I can understand people not liking the prequels they have their flaws but doing a stupid voice and cursing 500 times in the first 5 minutes (to the point I just X out) really doesn't help his point whatever it was.

 

[Davey Cakes]

Is he trying to be funny or something? I can understand people not liking the prequels they have their flaws but doing a stupid voice and cursing 500 times in the first 5 minutes (to the point I just X out) really doesn't help his point whatever it was.

Plinkett is a character.

 

[Randam]

Plinkett doesn't know jack shit about Star Wars. The obsession with him baffles me to no end. It's fine if you hate the prequels but Plinkett doesn't get Star Wars at all, he doesn't understand the saga.

Seems like he understands the ot pretty good.

 

[Godzilla's Left Toe]

Plinkett is a character.

Ok so he was trying to be funny good thanks.

 

[jambo]

Ok so he was trying to be funny good thanks.

There was a woman tied up in his basement, did you really think it wasn't a fucking character?

 

[inm8num2]

There was a woman tied up in his basement, did you really think it wasn't a fucking character?

It was pretty convincing to me, grainy VHS recording and all.

 

[One-Shot]

It shows that Han plays his role as fast shooting space cowboy incompetently, and
Greedo has a magic blaster that shoots in a completely different direction than the direction he points.

All of this however is moot. The fundamental problem is that the film was fine as it was. It was the film we saw and wanted to see again and Lucas ruined that.

I got to watch the OT in theaters when I was a kid thanks to the SE. The changes ruined 0% of it.

 

[MrChom]

Is he trying to be funny or something? I can understand people not liking the prequels they have their flaws but doing a stupid voice and cursing 500 times in the first 5 minutes (to the point I just X out) really doesn't help his point whatever it was.

I think I lasted about 5 minutes of his voice before closing and walking away. I've been told "No, watch the rest" but there are some voices that just bore into your skull at times.

 

[mariachi507]

The Plinkett reviews actually reignited my love for the franchise. I was all but done with Star Wars but then his reviews reminded me why the franchise was such a big part of my early life. There is a part at the end of the Attack of the Clones review where he is comparing both trilogies depiction of the force using one of Yoda's dialogues from Empire. After watching that particular part of the review I was reminded of how much the franchise meant to me and how there is a type of magic that only Star Wars can give me. It's why I damn near teared up at the end of the last trailer. The Plinkett reviews are good for some laughs and a little entertainment, but they also contain a very nice analysis and are a great companion to the saga.

Also, I'm sorry but despite how good the TV show may be it does not reflect on the quality of the prequels. I'm sure that many of the films characters are fleshed out in the TV show but in the films the problems with their depictions still stand. I still find that there are many things to enjoy about the prequels but there is a reason why they are so easy to pick on, and one does not need to have a vast knowledge of the Star Wars EU to be able to criticize them.

 

[Exterminieren]

In terms of digging into the minutae of the movies, and highlighting exactly why and when they fail, the Plinkett reviews are excellent, and they have been rightfully influential as a result.

However, these nuggets of insight are buried with a terrible and off-putting framework of stupid sketch comedy and an irrelevant storyline about how much of a degenerate the reviewer is. These add absolutely nothing to the review or the points made within it, and are apparently just an indulgence that does nothing but get in the way of the meat of the review.

Stupid, irrelevant, unfunny comedy is the bane of the internet reviewer, and I don't know of any reviewer that it effects worse than it does Plinkett.

 

[zma1013]

He does the comedy bit because he knows a movie length critique of a film could get boring, so he injects some dark humor throughout to keep you going. I understand though that his sort of humor might not be to everyone's liking.

 

[KingGondo]

I didn't realize people were down on the Plinkett reviews.

Maybe they aren't the best from a critical standpoint but they do their job exceptionally well as pure entertainment pieces.

By "people" you mean "defensive Star Wars fanboys who can't stand an opinion contrary to theirs."

The prequels are a failure on many basic storytelling and filmmaking levels. The Plinkett reviews do a great job of highlighting exactly how they fail.

If you like the prequels that's fine. Different strokes. But the Plinkett reviews aren't a hatchet job and can't be dismissed with "just turn your brain off and enjoy the lightsaber sounds!" In fact, they're much better thought-out than the prequels themselves.

 

[ersocaster]

There is no method to "get into" Star Wars. I watched the movies in the most ass backwards way possible (1, 4, 5, 6, 2, 3) and I love all of them. Do not let the hatred here for the prequels dissuade you from enjoying them. The people who dislike them are merely louder then the people who enjoy them, and it had become a bit of pop-culture to shit on the prequels whenever possible.

Also, Plinkett is a worthless review. It is made for entertainment. And do not even consider machete order - it skips an entire episode, and one of the most important character building points of Anakin and Obi-Wan.

 

[thecouncil]

Nope. One day I wanna fight with everyone over Star Wars just like everyone else.

Kidding of course, but these 10 pages really make me want to watch it even more.

I think that your introduction to the series as an adult is really going to temper your ability to care enough to "fight". You may like or dislike the PT but you'll likely not hate them with a passion. The people who would die for the OT somehow think they're defending their childhood. I don't really know how they get there, but I definitely don't know how you will get there. One way or the other.

 

[ActuallyHulk]

I wonder if OP has watched any of them yet.

 

[Acerac]

I'm a fan of machete order, I'm surprised it seems unpopular. Cuts out the crap.

 

[Ishida]

By "people" you mean "defensive Star Wars fanboys who can't stand an opinion contrary to theirs."

The prequels are a failure on many basic storytelling and filmmaking levels. The Plinkett reviews do a great job of highlighting exactly how they fail.

If you like the prequels that's fine. Different strokes. But the Plinkett reviews aren't a hatchet job and can't be dismissed with "just turn your brain off and enjoy the lightsaber sounds!" In fact, they're much better thought-out than the prequels themselves.

That actually sounds a lot like the prequel haters.

 

[One-Shot]

That actually sounds a lot like the prequel haters.

lol true. Don't think any prequel hater in this topic has had their opinion attacked or intelligence insulted.

 

[KingGondo]

That actually sounds a lot like the prequel haters.

I'm simply looking for someone to defend the movies with an argument other than "they aren't THAT bad" or "turn your brain off and just enjoy the lightsaber fights!"

It doesn't affect me one bit if you enjoy the prequels. I just have yet to hear a convincing argument that addresses the points Plinkett makes in his reviews.

 

[Exterminieren]

He does the comedy bit because he knows a movie length critique of a film could get boring, so he injects some dark humor throughout to keep you going. I understand though that his sort of humor might not be to everyone's liking.

I wish he had the courage of his convictions, then, because his insights are very interesting, and his comedy is very poor indeed.

 

[zoukka]

lol true. Don't think any prequel hater in this topic has had their opinion attacked or intelligence insulted.

How could one attack the opinion of a prequel-hater? They are some of the worst pieces of cinema ever produced.

 

[MilkyJoe]

I wish he had the courage of his convictions, then, because his insights are very interesting, and his comedy is very poor indeed.

Made me laugh...

"George Lucas didn't ruin my childhood... Fuckin' Polio did..."

Narf...

 

[AxeMan]

Am I the only one that thinks all the Star Wars movies are just run of the mill? Mediocre?

I suppose I can see why people like them, but I just don't think there is anything special about them at all

 

[MilkyJoe]

Am I the only one that thinks all the Star Wars movies are just run of the mill? Mediocre?

I suppose I can see why people like them, but I just don't think there is anything special about them at all

Horses for courses, I don't like the Marvel movies much and some of them are just terrible, but I understand why people like them.

 

[AxeMan]

Horses for courses, I don't like the Marvel movies much and some of them are just terrible, but I understand why people like them.

To me it seems that Star Wars has gone beyond the debate about whether they are good or not, it seems that they just are and anyone who thinks differently is just wrong

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

Am I the only one that thinks all the Star Wars movies are just run of the mill? Mediocre?

I suppose I can see why people like them, but I just don't think there is anything special about them at all

I have no childhood ties to Star Wars, and I didn't see any of them in their entirety until right before Episode 1 came out. I still had zero interest in watching the prequels after running through the originals(enjoyed them, mostly), but eventually got around to it before Sith came out, and let's just say my expectations were real low for Sith after doing that. (which was an alright theater experience, and a bummer of a rewatch at home)

(and I think calling the originals run of the mill is a bit silly, especially when you consider that it was the mid-late 70's when all this started and there wasn't really anything else like it, Well, maybe by the time Return came out, such a descriptor wouldn't be too far off base)

 

[AxeMan]

(and I think calling the originals run of the mill is a bit silly, especially when you consider that it was the mid-late 70's when all this started and there wasn't really anything else like it, Well, maybe by the time Return came out, such a descriptor wouldn't be too far off base)

Ok, I see that point. At the time they were probably pretty special technology wise but that alone doesn't make a good movie.
There is probably an argument that the use of technology has no impact on the quality of a movie (see Avatar which I believe is one of the most tedious movies I've ever seen)

 

[Cheebo]

Am I the only one that thinks all the Star Wars movies are just run of the mill? Mediocre?

I suppose I can see why people like them, but I just don't think there is anything special about them at all

How old are you when you saw them? Those who we kids during the insane worldwide phenomena that dominated all of pop culture and toys during 1977-1983 would have a good reason to see them as special.

As do those who were kids in the summer of 1999 when the entire world was hyped out of their mind for Episode I with merchandise literally everywhere and on everything. Those times, especially 77-83, were big cultural events and would have a very significant impact on someone young experiencing it first hand.

The reason you see so many grown men talk about crying when seeing this teaser is very related to how much this franchise dominated their childhoods. Nearly every boy during that time of 1977-1983 had Star Wars bedspreads, Star Wars action figures, Star Wars pajamas, etc and looked up to Luke and Han as their childhood heroes.

 

[AxeMan]

How old are you when you saw them? Those who we kids during the insane worldwide phenomena that dominated all of pop culture during 1977-1983 would have a good reason to see them as special.

As do those who were kids in the summer of 1999 when the entire world was hyped out of their mind for Episode I with merchandise literally everywhere and on everything. Those times, especially 77-83, were big cultural events and would have a very significant impact on someone young experiencing it first hand.

I can't remember when I first saw them, would have been in the 80's before I was a teenager.
My view of them has tainted over time. A long time ago (probably 90's) I would say that I didn't mind the movies, but now, I've become jaded to them.

I recently sat down and watched episode 4. I didn't see it through, was very bored

 

[Cheebo]

I can't remember when I first saw them, would have been in the 80's before I was a teenager.
My view of them has tainted over time. A long time ago (probably 90's) I would say that I didn't mind the movies, but now, I've become jaded to them.

I recently sat down and watched episode 4. I didn't see it through, was very bored

If it was post 1983 that might explain things, the time of 1984-1995 is typically known as the Dark Times to Star Wars fans. The era where no one was talking about the films, there was no toys on shelves, and no hope for any future films. There wasn't that worldwide excitement where every single kid you went to school with was buying Star Wars toys, wanting to play nothing but Star Wars at recess, etc which was the case in the years prior.

 

[AxeMan]

If it was post 1983 that might explain things, the time of 1984-1995 is typically known as the Dark Times to Star Wars fans. The era where no one was talking about the films, there was no toys on shelves, and no hope for any future films. There wasn't that worldwide excitement where every single kid you went to school with was buying Star Wars toys, wanting to play nothing but Star Wars at recess, etc which was the case in the years prior.

Ok, I didn't know that. But why the sudden surge of interest mid 90's? Was it talk of doing the prequels?
Regardless, even with all of that and whatever reason, I still don't understand how they hold the position they do in movie history and why it's held in such high opinion

 

[munchie64]

Ok, I didn't know that. But why the sudden surge of interest mid 90's? Was it talk of doing the prequels?
Regardless, even with all of that and whatever reason, I still don't understand how they hold the position they do in movie history and why it's held in such high opinion

They started release a whole bunch of licensed material like books and stuff to gauge interest for more movies. It was a huge success and prequel production began. The Special Editions of the original films were made to build up hype even more.

I don't really understand your questioning of their popularity though. Obviously most people just don't get "bored" watching them.

 

[AxeMan]

They started release a whole bunch of licensed material like books and stuff to gauge interest for more movies. It was a huge success and prequel production began. The Special Editions of the original films were made to build up hype even more.

I don't really understand your questioning of their popularity though. Obviously most people just don't get "bored" watching them.

Without wanting to get into what makes something popular, I don't particular like the movies

 

[Cheebo]

Ok, I didn't know that. But why the sudden surge of interest mid 90's? Was it talk of doing the prequels?
Regardless, even with all of that and whatever reason, I still don't understand how they hold the position they do in movie history and why it's held in such high opinion

Lucasfilm announced the prequels in 1995. And to prep the new generation of kids who didn't grow up with Star Wars they started up the whole machine again.

1995 marked the start of the huge launch of new Star Wars merchandise with a brand new action figure line from Hasbro, and the Special Edition theatrical releases in 1997 leading to Episode I in 1999. The 1995-1999 period acted as one big ramp up to Episode I to get kids introduced to the franchise.


I remember being so hyped when Hasbro relaunched the Star War action figure line back in 95.

Memories...

 

[Discotheque]

Am I the only one that thinks all the Star Wars movies are just run of the mill? Mediocre?

I suppose I can see why people like them, but I just don't think there is anything special about them at all

the first two are undeniably great adventure films. whether you like them or not is relative to your own opinion, but i think in no sense can they be called mediocre films (much like you can't really call godfather a bad film either)

everything else is certainly debatable though (but I liked most of return of the jedi as well)

 

[MilkyJoe]

the first two are undeniably great adventure films. whether you like them or not is relative to your own opinion, but i think in no sense can they be called mediocre films (much like you can't really call godfather a bad film either)

everything else is certainly debatable though (but I liked most of return of the jedi as well)

All of Return of the Jedi was good except the Ewoks. If they had Rebels v Stormtroopers on Endor it would have been epic. Nothing else was wrong with it. Although people say that the Deathstar 2 battle, throne room dual and battle of Endor all running concurrently was a bit much, personally, i think... how else was that story line going to go down?

 

[HariKari]

Ok, I see that point. At the time they were probably pretty special technology wise but that alone doesn't make a good movie.
There is probably an argument that the use of technology has no impact on the quality of a movie (see Avatar which I believe is one of the most tedious movies I've ever seen)

They are fantastic movies even without the awe of what they were when first released. Your opinion isn't wrong, just rare. It's hard to meet someone that isn't sucked in by the first two especially.

 

[jon bones]

so i'm also getting into Star Wars really - i stopped caring after watching Episode II in theaters a million years ago:

Episode III - finally saw this, it was better than expected.

Episode IV rewatch - still soooo good, but made me want to find the de-specialized versions of V and VI

Darth Vader & The Ghost Prison - fucking awesome, really makes me want to dig into more comics

Clone Wars TV show - only saw one episode (S3E01, start of the Clone Cadets trilogy) and enjoyed it far more than i thought i would. great art direction, and looks way more cohesive than the prequel trilogy / specialized original trilogy

i'm going to to read the KOTOR comics & re-download KOTOR on my phone, as well as hunt down the Harmy version of V & VI. i'll probably check out more Clone Wars episodes too.

Episode 7 hype, here we come

 

[Mr.Pig]

I got to watch the OT in theaters when I was a kid thanks to the SE. The changes ruined 0% of it.

If I can have a restored non-special edition bluray, then you can have all the special editions in the theatre as you like.

 

[Cheebo]

If I can have a restored non-special edition bluray, then you can have all the special editions in the theatre as you like.

It doesn't work that way. The SE and on version is the version we get officially, bluray, the new digital release earlier this month, and it has been stated by multiple trustworthys news sources that the upcoming 4K restore is also the updated edition of the film NOT the theatrical cuts.

The theatrical cuts will not get an official release anytime soon. Accept that and move on. If you want the theatrical cuts then the Harmy fan-edits are your best options if for the foreseeable future.

 

[MrChom]

There is no method to "get into" Star Wars. I watched the movies in the most ass backwards way possible (1, 4, 5, 6, 2, 3) and I love all of them. Do not let the hatred here for the prequels dissuade you from enjoying them. The people who dislike them are merely louder then the people who enjoy them, and it had become a bit of pop-culture to shit on the prequels whenever possible.

In people like us Star Wars just hits you....and you love it....some bits are good, some bits are bad....but all bits are part of that world.

I love the series, and all six movies in particular. Removing any one of them is like cutting off a limb, you can't ignore the prequels....they exist. I still say the best way to watch remains 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6 though. It just makes a lot of sense to have that flashback there.

 

[denx]

I'm a fan of machete order, I'm surprised it seems unpopular. Cuts out the crap.

Yeah, I'm surprised at this too. However, if you don't know anything about Star Wars and want to watch all the movies, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6 seems like the best way to go.

 

[lastplayed]

Memories...

Ah.. Luke "He-Man" Skywalker. Those were the days.

 

[sphagnum]

so i'm also getting into Star Wars really - i stopped caring after watching Episode II in theaters a million years ago:

Episode III - finally saw this, it was better than expected.

Episode IV rewatch - still soooo good, but made me want to find the de-specialized versions of V and VI

Darth Vader & The Ghost Prison - fucking awesome, really makes me want to dig into more comics

Clone Wars TV show - only saw one episode (S3E01, start of the Clone Cadets trilogy) and enjoyed it far more than i thought i would. great art direction, and looks way more cohesive than the prequel trilogy / specialized original trilogy

i'm going to to read the KOTOR comics & re-download KOTOR on my phone, as well as hunt down the Harmy version of V & VI. i'll probably check out more Clone Wars episodes too.

Episode 7 hype, here we come

Just remember that the vast majority of books and comics are non-canon now.

 

[KurtFehl]

Will anyone be rewatching the movies before watching the new one?

 

[mrkgoo]

Will anyone be rewatching the movies before watching the new one?

Pretty sure no one will.

 

[OraleeWey]

Bumping this thread to give an update as some of you have requested. I have finished watching all the Star Wars films in order of release. I watched one a day where I could. With that being said, the movies that are most fresh in my mind are the prequels.

Star Wars episodes 4-6 are definitely outdated by today's standards. That's not to say they aren't great titles and I have definitely enjoyed watching them from start to finish. Sometimes I felt completely weirded out by the techniques they used to give life to some of their characters like Yoda. But it was completely fine and didn't distract me much from my experience. There's not much I have to say about the original trilogy. I enjoyed the galaxy and the star systems. I haven't seen any other movies that try to replicate that. Seeing a new star system definitely kept the movies interesting throughout.

Only thing I would say that quite bothered me was the God-awful-entire-screen-gun-flashes on episode 4. Every time a gun went off the entire screen would turn green or red. What was Lucas trying to do? Give me an epileptic seizure?

On to the prequels. I should point out that I saw Mr. Plinketts review of the prequels before typing this, but I disregarded his opinions because he mostly disliked how similar they were to the originals. It's not something that I noticed and that seems to be extreme criticism.

As I was watching episodes 4-6, I was hoping that the prequels would give me more insight as to how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. I didn't finish watching the prequels disappointed because they gave me just that. I cannot say that I hated the prequels. Quite the opposite is true. I enjoyed them and I would dare say that I might have enjoyed them just as much as the originals because of the cinematography. The light saber battles were much better than the sequels.

Unfortunately the prequels were complete CGI and that's not something I look forward to when I watch a movie. Some CGI is okay but not 90% of the movie. I cried when R2D2 was 100% CGI on episode 3. I have decided to look past the CGI because there is nothing I could do to change that, so I decided to focus on Anakin and his path to the dark side. Sure, the acting wasn't as good as other movies, but come on, neither did the originals had amazing acting. I was just happy I got some back story from the prequels for the originals.

I can't say I blame Anakin Skywalker for turning to the dark side. It seems like the Jedi didn't really trust him at all. Ever since he was a child. He was obviously talented and really strong. After all he was said to be the chosen one. It's too bad the council didn't put much trust in him. They even requested him to do something that's against the Jedi code. Something he DIDN'T want to do. I can totally understand and ultimately would have encouraged Anakin to join the dark side. Too bad his power wasn't better harnessed.

Darth Vader is a character I'd like to know more about. To me it seems as though his path was chosen for him.

A couple of notes
- "The force" makes no sense. I'm not entirely sure what the force is. Seems to me like it is their version of a God.

- "The good side" sucks and makes no sense. You're encouraged to not be attached to friends or family. You're encouraged to "let go" (of loved ones) in order to be a Jedi Master. You're very limited in what you can do. The only one who I can consider a true Jedi Master is Joda.

- Apart from being ugly, "The dark side" is much, much better. You pretty much have the freedom to do whatever you want. #TeamDarkside
(Was this ever an internet war? Dark side vs good side?)

- Princess Leia was beautiful.

- I played Star Wars Battlefront, Battlefront II, and Star Wars Bounty Hunter as a young'one. It was the only form of interactive media I consumed as far as Star Wars goes. Seeing some of the scenery from the prequels that was the same as the Battlefront series was AMAZING. It brought me back to a time when I was a young'one who enjoyed playing those games. The memories.

I will have to re-watch them for sure in the future to fill in some gaps I'm still possibly missing. The whole politics side of the movies were boring and kind of ignored them. So a re-watch is much needed.

When Luke Skywalker chopped off Darth Vaders right hand, he looked at his own. What connection did he make there?

I'm am now even more pumped for The Force Awakens. The Star Wars hype is real.

 

[Forkball]

I will have to re-watch them for sure in the future to fill in some gaps I'm still possibly missing. The whole politics side of the movies were boring and kind of ignored them. So a re-watch is much needed.

When Luke Skywalker chopped off Darth Vaders right hand, he looked at his own. What connection did he make there?

I'm am now even more pumped for The Force Awakens. The Star Wars hype is real.

Luke's hand was also robotic as Vader had cut it off. He realized that the path he was taking was no better than the one Vader took.

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

That's like the crux of Luke's arc. He realizes he's becoming like Vader and stops.

 

[OraleeWey]

Luke's hand was also robotic as Vader had cut it off. He realized that the path he was taking was no better than the one Vader took.

That's like the crux of Luke's arc. He realizes he's becoming like Vader and stops.

Sorry for theate reply. Thanks guys, I didn't catch that at first. Makes sense.