Coinilius: In my efforts to cut time to hit my "Hour" target, I did cut a few things that I would now put back in:
- "This is my apprentice, Darth Maul" scene- Deleted search droid scene on Tatooine (possibly in between the two scenes you found jarring)
- Amidala adressing the Senate (between Anakin being tested and the councils decision scenes. Once again, to show the passage of time)
For the podrace, my intention was to show the 3 Lap Lights as overlays at the beginning. A collage of the first lap would play with a translucent overlay with only one light lit, a collage of the second with an overlay with two of the lights lit, and then start where my cut is right as the three lights are lit to show the third lap.
As for Padme... I agree that it does take away the obvious reveal. However, I feel the benefits of everything else outweigh the loss.
And with Midichlorians... I really don't know which way to go. It isn't canon in the OT, which is very important, especially because most edits aim to be in line with them.
On the other hand, it gives people a stronger understanding of "The Force" and makes it logical and gives it a sense of realism. Without this concept, the force can be viewed almost as magic...
I'll leave it up to whoever picks it up to decide.
Smaller detail shots were impossible for me to fix in the editing program I was using, so a lot of Jar Jars antics were more bareable than the rough cuts that would have replaced them.
Thanks for watching and letting me know what you thought. Kinda sad that this movie can have 2/3's removed and make MORE sense and have a smoother pace.
Feel free to post your idea over on that thread. I'll post mine now.