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Do you think that Lucas' directing style has changed since 1977?

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While watching the Behind the Scenes documentaries on episdoe III it occurred to me that Lucas seems to give much more direction to his actors now than what the OT actors said he did.

Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher have all been quoted saying George's directorial advice was simply "Faster and more intense."

In the Making of Episode III though, George can be seen actually taking the time to discuss exactly what Hayden's character is feeling at a particular moment. He seems very involved with the characters now; not just shouting "faster, more intense."

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't George directed all three of the prequels instead of just the first one like the OT?


It seems that he has become a better director over the years even if his movies have gotten worse.

What do you think?
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Doesn't the saying go, "there are no bad actors, only bad directors" ?

I read Lucas hired a dialogue coach for EpIII.
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Who was it? Carrie Fisher, I think... on the ANH DVD commentary she said that Lucas doesn't have a very verbal imagination, which is pretty obvious from the dialgogue in AoTC...

A dialogue coach sounds good.
The thing is, Christiensen, Portman, McGregor-- thse people are some of the best actors of this era but their performances were unmistakeable subpar in AotC. I think it has everything to do with Lucas' direction.

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George is a GREAT storyteller but a bad Director..

I really wish these latest films were under Irvin Kershner direction - I think they would have been a bit darker and better directed. George should stay in the production end of film biz.

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

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Rikter nailed it. 'Nuff said.
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Originally posted by: Rebel11_38

It seems that he has become a better director over the years even if his movies have gotten worse.

If his movies have gotten worse,(and they have) can you really say he has become a better director? I don't think so.
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He may be providing more direction, but is that really better?

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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It's weird how the less George is involved in his own movies the better they seem to be. I think that generally speaking we could say that George is probably a better director for how gets more involved with the actors now. You all have a point though; if his movies aren't getting any better, does that really make him a better director? There is no good way to answer that.

I guess it was just one of those things that I noticed and started wondering about his directorial style has changed over the years...

I don't know. I guess it was a stupid question. Lock thread.
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I didnt mean to say it was stupid question. You need not end this thread.
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Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab
The thing is, Christiensen, Portman, McGregor-- thse people are some of the best actors of this era...
Strange...I never heard of any of them until I heard about them being cast in Star Wars.
Seems to me that there are far better actors among their contemporaries...
darn, I was hoping IMDB had some kind of age-based search.
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Maybe when Episode 1 came out they were no names, but they've proven they can indeed act in other films, which is why I think it is mostly the fault of Lucas's inability to detect crappy dialogue.

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Originally posted by: starkiller
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Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab
The thing is, Christiensen, Portman, McGregor-- thse people are some of the best actors of this era...
Strange...I never heard of any of them until I heard about them being cast in Star Wars.
Seems to me that there are far better actors among their contemporaries...
darn, I was hoping IMDB had some kind of age-based search.


I knew who Ewan McGregor was before, and I've seen one or two movies with him on it before I've seen episode 1. I knew who Natalie Portman was. I don't remember knowing who Hayden was before episode 2. But that dosen't mean they are good or bad actors. McGregor is a good actor, real good, one of the best around nowadays. Natalie Portman is ok. Hayden Christiensen looks like a mediocre actor... The fact that you didn't know about them dosen't mean they are bad actors. The best actors around are mostly unknown.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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I've not seen Shattered Glass, but IGN said Hayden Christiensen's performance in it was good.

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well imho, their performances in Ep I and II were flat and boring.
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Isn't that sort of what we've been discussing for the past few days?

And y'all think I'm the slow one?

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After the hardtime you've been givng me over my lack of (your) culture, I couldn't resist that.

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Lucas had attempted to "recreate" the feeling of the original trilogy by casting "largely unknown" actors alongside veterans......atleast that was how it was perceived in the US...

as a young Scottish actor, McGregor's name was made with the indie hit "Shallow Grave", he was then catapulted to stardom (in the UK) when "Trainspotting" was released.

Portman was noticed when the movie "Leon" was released (I think it's called the Professional in the US) & critics raved about her performance & the greatness that was before her........if memory serves me correctly all of these movies were released around 1995 (give or take a couple of years). So.....from a certain point of view....these 2 actors were unknown...& it would appear from other comments only in the US. Come on guys catch up

anyhoo.....GL directing getting better or worse??????

I ask all of you to go and watch THX-1138 (either again or for the first time), GL's debut is rich, thought-provoking & beautifully shot....

i recently rewatched it after a period of about 15 years & the first thought that sprung to mind was "jeepers....how the heck did he go from this amazing film to SW1????"

Evil dude: "You do not no pain, you do not know fear. You will taste MAN FLESH"

Evil ugly dudes: "YIPPEEEEEEEEE!!!!"
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die-jarjar-die I'd love to watch THX1138, but GL has ruined it, so I can't watch the original version anymore...
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
die-jarjar-die I'd love to watch THX1138, but GL has ruined it, so I can't watch the original version anymore...


I second that motion. I was stoked about the release until I heard he couldn't keep his grubby little revisionist hands off of it!