First screening of all Six Star Wars

[Mark T]

British Star Wars fans will be the first in the world to see all six films back-to-back, including the eagerly-awaited final instalment, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox are to show the entire saga in London's Leicester Square on May 16, a day after Episode III's world premiere in an out-of-competition screening at the Cannes film festival, but a full three days before it goes on general release in the UK.

As if that's not enough to set the hearts of Star Wars diehards racing, event organisers said series creator George Lucas and actors Hayden Christensen and Ian McDiarmid (who play Anakin Skywalker and Emperor Palpatine respectively) will fly in fresh from their Cannes appearance to attend the premiere.
In a unique day-long affair, the previous five episodes will be screened at the UCI Empire, the Odeon Leicester Square and Vue before culminating in the UK premiere of the sixth instalment at the Odeon Leicester Square, the UK's largest cinema.

Entry to the marathon screening session will be restricted to just 1,000 fans in possession of a special "Galactic Passport" ticket. The £50 tickets go on sale at 9am on April 25 at the UCI Empire box office and are expected to sell out in minutes.

Don't think I could manage a 18 hour Star Wars session, especially in a Cinema.

 

[Flerbizky]

Don't think I could manage a 18 hour Star Wars session, especially in a Cinema.

And of course they'll show them in the order they were made which fuxxors up the story line...

 

[Mark T]

And of course they'll show them in the order they were made which fuxxors up the story line...

Good point. You have to wait 15 hours just to see Episode III.

 

[Flerbizky]

Good point. You have to wait 15 hours just to see Episode III.

Well - The first 3 I can handle, but then JarJar Bling and Episode I and II fuxxors everything up

 

[Mark T]

Well - The first 3 I can handle, but then JarJar Bling and Episode I and II fuxxors everything up

Oh god. I forgot about Jar Jar.

 

[///M-Spec]

After 100+ viewings of The Phantom Menance (my kid and nephew loves Star Wars), Jar Jar Binks has finally ceased to be annoying to me.

The thing you have to realize with Binks is that he is the classic fool; the jester based on an archetype long established, from Shakespeare to more recent and modern versions of the age old character. In many ways, Binks is the C-3PO substitute for Episode I, the babbling idiot who is there solely to make the heros look good.

He is a foil to the very serious, very capable Qui-Gon Jinn and his main function is to contrast with the gravity projected by Liam Neeson in his role. Lucas is very methodical with his characters and Binks, however annyoing serves an important role in the mythology.

..doesn't mean I didn't wish he got taken out by an errant lightsaber or crushed under a falling X-Wing in 1999. But I've come to terms with his role and accept the character function serves the story properly.


M

 

[Anderton Prime]

But jesters and Shakespearian fools were funny, amusing, often hilarious. They were there to relieve tension. First problem: no real tension in The Phantom Menace. Second problem: Jar-Jar was about as funny as that Brown Recluse Spider Bite thread in The Rumble Strip. Third problem: Lucas has got some huge cojones to try and compare The Phantom Menace with any kind of classical literature or drama. It stunk in 1999, it stinks now, and I just got a message from 2010: it still stinks then.

 

[///M-Spec]

I've never, ever read an interview where Lucas compared himself with The Bard. Not even loyal fans would go as far as to make such an absurd comparison. What I said was he uses motifs that are taken from classical literature --Bill is just one of them.

And I never said I laughed or found Binks funny. I never even said he is a successful character. I said I accept the function that his character serves in the storyline and understand the importance of such a character.

As for the prequels stinking, well, we've been through this before. Episode I had some pacing issues, but I find it mostly enjoyable. Not much point in rehashing old material, unless you feel you have something new to add. (that's me speaking as a member, not a mod)


M

 

[Flerbizky]

But jesters and Shakespearian fools were funny, amusing, often hilarious. They were there to relieve tension. First problem: no real tension in The Phantom Menace. Second problem: Jar-Jar was about as funny as that Brown Recluse Spider Bite thread in The Rumble Strip. Third problem: Lucas has got some huge cojones to try and compare The Phantom Menace with any kind of classical literature or drama. It stunk in 1999, it stinks now, and I just got a message from 2010: it still stinks then.

Very well put Mr. Anderson 👍

 

[Anderton Prime]

I don't fee like going over the same debate again, don't worry. All I'm saying is that if in fact Jar-Jar was based on classical jester or fool figures, then he - and ultimately George Lucas - falls trmendously short.

I did think Phantom Menace was stomachable when I saw it in theatres. After all, it was the first movie of a six-part series, and I expected it to be a bit slow, confusing, and boring. Despite all this, though, it managed to introduce Darth Maul, and contained one of the better lightsaber fights of the entire series. So I gave Lucas the benefit of the doubt, hoping the movies would improve as they progressed. But when he followed it up with Attack of the Clones, he lost every last remaining ounce of respect I had for him. It's quite possibly the most disappointing sequel-to-a-prequel of all time.

 

[///M-Spec]

I'll never understand why you make it a personal issue with Lucas over his movies...

But okay, I'll bite: aside from 10 minutes of poorly written and directed romance, what's wrong with Episode II?


M

 

[Anderton Prime]

I'll never understand why you make it a personal issue with Lucas over his movies...

But okay, I'll bite: aside from 10 minutes of poorly written and directed romance, what's wrong with Episode II?


M

HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN.

And it's not just the romance scenes which suffer from bad dialogue. The entire script was absolute CRAP. It came across as though a first-year film student wrote it. Which is why Lucas made sure to hire professional dialogue writers to avoid this pratfall in Episode III. Of course, these writers are uncredited so far, another sign of Lucas' uncontrollable, Jabba-like greed.

 

[///M-Spec]

HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN.

And it's not just the romance scenes which suffer from bad dialogue. The entire script was absolute CRAP. It came across as though a first-year film student wrote it. Which is why Lucas made sure to hire professional dialogue writers to avoid this pratfall in Episode III. Of course, these writers are uncredited so far, another sign of Lucas' uncontrollable, Jabba-like greed.

Jonathan Hales co-wrote the Episode II screenplay. His name appears directly after George's in the credits after the iris winks out. Look and see. Or search IMBD and you'll see he is also properly credited there as well. Ep II did have several script doctors polish the story-- in fact, Carrie Fisher was one of them--, as they are used all the time in the film industry and it is regular practice for them not to receive formal credits.

And I disagree the script was CRAP. I've watched many, many first year film school projects as an old girlfriend of mine attended a highly ranked film school (in fact, I've been IN a couple of film school thesis projects) and the comparision holds no water with me.

I thought Hayden did an acceptable job, given what he had to work with. It was not exactly an easy assignment, bridging the gap between young Anakin and mechanical Vader. If a lot of the lines that he delivers seems odd, it is because he was trying to stay true to the type of delivery JEJ* used for the classic trilogy. I thought he had some genuinely GOOD moments, such as the scene with his mother.


M

 

[DQuaN]

ELJ or JEL???

 

[///M-Spec]

Whoops. ne James Earl Jones.


M

 

[Swift]

Hmmm...interesting. 6 movies in a row is a lot. And since the first three have a completely different feel then the last three, it will seem really strange(even with Lucas medling with the originals).

Something I wouldn't mind spreading out over a long weekend though. WITHOUT episode I of course.

 

[THE GAME]

Oh give me a break here. Hayden bashing has apparently become normal now. Hayden is not a bad actor, and anyone who has seen Life As a House or Shattered Glass will know what i am talking about. It just that he was given really cheesy and bad lines to work with, lines that even the most experienced actor would have trouble making believeable. And i know i am going to get flamed for this as well, but the original trilogy has lines that were just as cheesy as the lines in he prologue trilogy. As a matter of fact, the OT had bad reviews when it first came out. Cheesy lines have become normal in Star Wars people.


Ok i will admit i am a Star Wars fanboy, and i have tickets for the midnight premire.Another thing, anyone who thought that Attack of the clones was a bad film should read this review/analysis on the movie here: http://www.lardbiscuit.com/lard/shroud.html

There is also one for the phantom menace here:http://www.lardbiscuit.com/lard/ilovetpm.html
(end rant)
Any feedback on those reviews/analysis's would be appreciated.
I also heard George Lucas has hired a acting coach for episode 3, so expect the acting to be much better.

 

[Omnis]

why is this so important? if you're that much of a hardcore star wars fan to sit though all that, then you more than likely own all of the dvds.

just watch em at home before you go see the final one. i would, but i don't really need to. seen them multiple times.

 

[THE GAME]

Well, that is what i had planned on doing, watching episodes 1 and 2, then going to the theater to see 3, then go back home and see episodes 4,5, and 6

 

[Rue]

I have a friend who worked on the set of EPII and in direct contact with both the actors and Lucas himself. He told me that the 'romantic' scenes between Christensen and Portman had to be shot a number of times, because Lucas actually said there was too much passion and chemistry between them (the actors). How ridiculous is that? He was basically asking them to act like pieces of wood. I fully blame everything that is bad about EPI and II on Lucas himself, but in a perverse way I still cna't wait for EPIII. I guess the script and dialogue are a write-off already, but at least it looks promising in that the action and SFX should be jaw-dropping.

 

[Joey D]

I'm a Star Wars geek but there is no way I have time or energy to sit in a theater to watch 6 movies. The kind of people who do that sort of thing have no job and are 30 living in their parents basement. Sorta like Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons. I just can't even imagine watching something for 18 hours, I can't even watch TV that long.

 

[Anderton Prime]

I just heard a large piece of the Revenge of the Sith score (a track called The Heroes' Battle or something like that), and even it's a ripoff. It mimics tracks from The Thin Red Line, as well as an abvious segment where Neodammerung from The Matrix Revolutions is basically stolen and lightly camouflaged. Before you say that a lot of movie music sounds the same, remember that this is Star Wars, and the music is supposed to be as unique as the movie series itself...

Doesn't look too good for the movie...hard-core fans who've heard bits of the score are already condemning it and losing hope for the movie to not stink.

 

[///M-Spec]

I find it hard to believe someone who is so ready to hate the next movie would consider himself a "hardcore fan".


M

 

[Anderton Prime]

I AM a hardcore fan, of the ORIGINAL MOVIES. You know, the good ones?

I am actually looking forward to this movie, despite the warning signs and the proof given by the last two that Lucas and his magic are all but dead and buried. I'm the kind of guy who liked The Matrix Revolutions even when the rest of the world hated it, so you can't say I go with the flow either. If this Star Wars is genuinely good, if it has more good bits than bad ones, I will give credit where it's due. Otherwise, I will rant until I am blue in the face.

 

[///M-Spec]

^ The new ones are good too, you've just gotten cynical in your old age Or, more precisely the new ones are just as "bad" as the old ones in the same way. You just have a harder time accepting it because you're not a little kid anymore. Ask anyone who was 30 something back in '77 about Star Wars and they'll most likely tell you they thought it was cheesy and not very good ... but the little kids (you and me) loved it.

I think older fans have wholly unrealistic expectations of how Star Wars movies should be and set themselves up for disspointment because they don't realize their tastes have moved up and on, but Lucas is still making movies for kids and (very) young adults.

Eh. :shrugs: I'm pretty sure I've made this argument before. But no one seems to believe me.


M

 

[Swift]

^ The new ones are good too, you've just gotten cynical in your old age Or, more precisely the new ones are just as "bad" as the old ones in the same way. You just have a harder time accepting it because you're not a little kid anymore. Ask anyone who was 30 something back in '77 about Star Wars and they'll most likely tell you they thought it was cheesy and not very good ... but the little kids (you and me) loved it.

I think older fans have wholly unrealistic expectations of how Star Wars movies should be and set themselves up for disspointment because they don't realize their tastes have moved up and on, but Lucas is still making movies for kids and (very) young adults.

Eh. :shrugs: I'm pretty sure I've made this argument before. But no one seems to believe me.


M

After watching episodes IV- VI again recently. I partly agree. There are some parts that are radically cheesy. However, the sheer storytelling was so much better and nonpatronistic then the new ones. For instance, attack of the clones and the Empire strikes back were very similar movies as far as plotlines go. Especially when you look at the romantic aspects of it. In Empire, there was a definite feeling of urgency when they were running from darth vader. But in Attack of the clones(man that's just a dumb name ) they chillin on her home planet running through fields and drinking infront of a fire place. Yeah, that's pressure!

All I'm saying is that Episode I & II have been made for children 100%. While the first three may have been meant for children, they at least told the story in an adult way.

 

[///M-Spec]

However, the sheer storytelling was so much better and nonpatronistic then the new ones.

What do you mean by nonpatronistic?

For instance, attack of the clones and the Empire strikes back were very similar movies as far as plotlines go. Especially when you look at the romantic aspects of it. In Empire, there was a definite feeling of urgency when they were running from darth vader. But in Attack of the clones(man that's just a dumb name ) they chillin on her home planet running through fields and drinking infront of a fire place. Yeah, that's pressure!

Well, Empire IS the best one. And you are comparing Empire's greatest strengths against Clones' greatest weakness. Is Empire a better love story? Absolutely. And frankly Kershner did a superior job there.

But it is also a different story and it's a little like comparing apples and oranges. Empire is a better love story. Clones had far superior action elements. Put the Empire's attack on Echo Base against the Battle of Geonosis and it's no contest. Geonosis is far more exciting and offers way more depth. In fact, Geonosis is by far the most impressive and immersive action sequence of them all to date.

Personally, I think Sith will offer the emotional content that will be on the same level as Empire and (parts of ) Jedi.

All I'm saying is that Episode I & II have been made for children 100%. While the first three may have been meant for children, they at least told the story in an adult way.

I dunno. Parts of New Hope are ridiculously sophomoric and trite. As an adult looking back with a critical eye, some of it is just plain ridiculous. Jedi has its share of weak spots as well ("It's you Leia").


M

 

[Swift]

What do you mean by nonpatronistic?



Well, Empire IS the best one. And you are comparing Empire's greatest strengths against Clones' greatest weakness. Is Empire a better love story? Absolutely. And frankly Kershner did a superior job there.

But it is also a different story and it's a little like comparing apples and oranges. Empire is a better love story. Clones had far superior action elements. Put the Empire's attack on Echo Base against the Battle of Geonosis and it's no contest. Geonosis is far more exciting and offers way more depth. In fact, Geonosis is by far the most impressive and immersive action sequence of them all to date.

Personally, I think Sith will offer the emotional content that will be on the same level as Empire and (parts of ) Jedi.



I dunno. Parts of New Hope are ridiculously sophomoric and trite. As an adult looking back with a critical eye, some of it is just plain ridiculous. Jedi has its share of weak spots as well ("It's you Leia").


M

I totally understand what you're saying. But let's take away the love. It still had the suspense feel to it. Where attack of the clones was like, ok, when are they going to fight already? It just seemed that EMpire(yes the best out of them all) had a much more suspensful and slighty dark feel to it. While Attack of the clones was just as suspensful as your everyday romantic comedy.

I agree with you about the battles so far. Geonosis was great. No argument here. But man, the Jedi seemed really really weak...

Oh yeah, nonpatronistic...I really couldn't stand it when Anakin was flying in that battle. That was just so stupid. "let's do a roll, that's a good move" That was just so kiddie. Or when they scientifically analyzed the force! What was with that crap! The force "surrounds us and binds us" It's not in these little "metaclorians" in our blood. Man, that just killed the whole movie for me. And a good part of the star wars experience. I mean, could you imagine if we could take a blood test of all newborns and tell what they were good at? Man, just so, bleh....

 

[Anderton Prime]

Well, I remember going to see Return of the Jedi with my dad, who wanted to see it even more than I did (I was about 6 at the time). And I bet most adult males around 50 years old today that I ask about the Star Wars Trilogy would say they loved it. Star Wars was way more than just three sci-fi movies when they were released, as I'm sure you already know. To suggest that they appealed to children only, to suggest that they did not have a tremendously lasting impression on the adults of the era, is to miss the phenomenon that was Star Wars completely.

This crap we have today feels like "same old, same old" because that's exactly what it is. There's nothing in the way of special effects or technological innovations in either The Phantom Menace or Attack of the Clones that audiences haven't seen countless times before in arguably better movies. Therefore, viewers try to latch on to the characters in search of something "good" about the movies. And aside from Ewan McGregor, I don't see any characters with any depth at all. Natalie Portman is about as stone-faced as they come, as is the now completely-CG Yoda. Even Samuel Jackson's performance feels restrained ("No, he will not be trained." UGH).

And Hayden Christensen was, is, and will always be a SAPPY actor, and his pouty, boyish looks and wooden make-believe turmoil style of acting did not convince me that he had the acting chops to play Anakin Skywalker. Hell, even the kid from Phantom Menace did a better job; at least with him, you could dismiss his awful acting with the excuse "he's just a kid." Honestly, when Hayden tried to express anger, I actually laughed at him. Out loud. When he tried to express deeper emotions such as love, I groaned. Out loud. Anyone who tries to tell me that this guy is a suitable choice for Anakin Skywalker has no clue what they are talking about. In my opinion, he was hired for his looks and to attract more female viewers to the series.

Personally, I think Sith will offer the emotional content that will be on the same level as Empire and (parts of ) Jedi.

Man, I hope so.

 

[Rue]

The new ones are good too

Wrong in so many ways you are!