The Vat finally sees Ep II Attack of the Clones (some spoilerish stuff)

[vat_man]

Finally saw this thing tonight.

To summarise:
- the scenes between Anakin and Amadalia were just excrutiating, and the writing for these sequences was fearfully bad. Okay, I'm not expecting Oscar winning performances, but at least Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford looked like they were enjoying themselves, not the flat lifeless things we saw up there.
- much of the city planet sequences seemed a real visual tribute to Blade Runner
- much of the sequences on the droid army planet seemed a visual tribute to Dune
- visually, just stunning. The opening sequence with the chrome ship, the thing looked like it was there, like I could reach out and touch it. The asteroid sequence (and the most excellent weapon) was just jaw-dropping
- I like how the 'big picture' plot is forming, the conspiracies within conspiracies. Not to give anything away, there is a great little moment where Christopher Lee (who does lend some degree of 'Lord of the Rings' dignity to the final sequences) actually tells a very revealing big picture truth to Obi-Wan (which no-one believes) to conceal the truth on another more fundamental matter
- the battle sequences towards the end are fantastic, especially with the clones and droids battling through the sand storm raised by the crash of the starship.

I'd definitely recommend seeing it. Send some SMS's or something during the Annakin/Padme stuff, but pay attention when people are trying to hurt other people.

Oh yeah - coolest creature? Definitely the cat-like thing that attacks Amadalia. Whoever created that definitely based it on a cat - why?
- extreme difficulty focussing on assigned task (eats handling, needs constant discipline to remain focussed)
- rather than moving directly towards prey, prefers to play, scratch and bat it
- after taking a fall, although not seriously injured, the creature continues to lie on its side pretending to be hurt, whilst actually having a bit of a sook - just like my two cats.

 

[Tom M]

Originally posted by vat_man
Finally saw this thing tonight.

To summarise:
- the scenes between Anakin and Amadalia were just excrutiating, and the writing for these sequences was fearfully bad. Okay, I'm not expecting Oscar winning performances, but at least Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford looked like they were enjoying themselves, not the flat lifeless things we saw up there.
- much of the city planet sequences seemed a real visual tribute to Blade Runner
- much of the sequences on the droid army planet seemed a visual tribute to Dune
- visually, just stunning. The opening sequence with the chrome ship, the thing looked like it was there, like I could reach out and touch it. The asteroid sequence (and the most excellent weapon) was just jaw-dropping
- I like how the 'big picture' plot is forming, the conspiracies within conspiracies. Not to give anything away, there is a great little moment where Christopher Lee (who does lend some degree of 'Lord of the Rings' dignity to the final sequences) actually tells a very revealing big picture truth to Obi-Wan (which no-one believes) to conceal the truth on another more fundamental matter
- the battle sequences towards the end are fantastic, especially with the clones and droids battling through the sand storm raised by the crash of the starship.

I'd definitely recommend seeing it. Send some SMS's or something during the Annakin/Padme stuff, but pay attention when people are trying to hurt other people.

Oh yeah - coolest creature? Definitely the cat-like thing that attacks Amadalia. Whoever created that definitely based it on a cat - why?
- extreme difficulty focussing on assigned task (eats handling, needs constant discipline to remain focussed)
- rather than moving directly towards prey, prefers to play, scratch and bat it
- after taking a fall, although not seriously injured, the creature continues to lie on its side pretending to be hurt, whilst actually having a bit of a sook - just like my two cats.

Glad to hear you liked it. No thoughts on Yoda though?

btw, I totally agree with you on the dialogue between Portman and Baby Vader, utterly horrid. I think it could have passed if either of them - especially him - had an inkling of talent or at least seemed to be having fun with it. Portman is gorgeous, but she lacks the personal flair and magnetism that Fisher had. And Baby Vader (I refuse to learn his real name) is lacking in every category imaginable.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by Tom McDonnell


Glad to hear you liked it. No thoughts on Yoda though?

btw, I totally agree with you on the dialogue between Portman and Baby Vader, utterly horrid. I think it could have passed if either of them - especially him - had an inkling of talent or at least seemed to be having fun with it. Portman is gorgeous, but she lacks the personal flair and magnetism that Fisher had. And Baby Vader (I refuse to learn his real name) is lacking in every category imaginable.

I think the role's too soft for Portman. She was much better in the first one, and then when you look at her in Leon and Heat - she's just better at roles that require more than simply looking beautiful and having everyone lick her feet.

 

[vat_man]

Yoda did kick major arse - reminded me of the Simpsons episode with the Yakuza fighting the Mafia in the front yard - Homer waiting for the little guy to start fighting because he knew it was going to be good. They put some good thought into his fighting style - he had to use his mobility to overcome his height disadvantage.

One thing I did like - we can now say 'it's all Jar Jar's fault' because now it is!

Giles - I would be inclined to agree on the Portman front. The character had virtually no meat in this one - apart from the initial sequences at Corsican it was pretty much 'run and hide, and fall in love', and that was pretty well it.

The sequence when Shmi died in Anakin's arms - who the hell wrote that?!? The moment they sat down and heard what had happened I thought 'here we go - Anakin will track her down, and she'll probably die in his arms and he'll kill everyone because he's turning evil...' and lo and behold that's what happened.

Still - Ep 3 does look to be shaping up nicely!

 

[Dudebusta]

love the title "the vat".

havent seen it yet, dont know if ill bother. GO DVD!

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by Dudebusta
love the title "the vat".

havent seen it yet, dont know if ill bother. GO DVD!

Go see it in the cinema - it's the only way to do the effects justice.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by vat_man


Go see it in the cinema - it's the only way to do the effects justice.

That depends upon your home system!

And, what is it with the cinema these days? Why can't people just sit still and quiet for two hours? I really hate it when people are getting up to get more snacks/go for a pee etc, or talking through the film.

 

[CloneHead]

Originally posted by vat_man


Go see it in the cinema - it's the only way to do the effects justice.

Yes!! The resolution of a tv screen cannot match the cinema screen, no matter what system you have, so I would definately recommend Giles to go see it too.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by CloneHead
Yes!! The resolution of a tv screen cannot match the cinema screen, no matter what system you have, so I would definately recommend Giles to go see it too.

I have seen it in the cinema.