Watched V2 before bingeing the series, and the edit was a massive improvement – it even made me like the Fortress infiltration. I initially had doubts about removing the flashback sequence, but it works really well to save Anakin for the end. I do have some quibbles:
- The scene where Haja sees Obi Wan’s bounty could replace the scene where Obi Wan sees the bounty. The substitution would ground the threat with a character we know & know to be untrustworthy, add tension because Obi Wan is unaware, explain how Haja appeared out of nowhere, and keep the pace up.
- Some scenes with Tala (hiding outside in in the village) should be reinstated, as the plan explaining the transport was less clear. Additionally, with less padding (e.g. the stormtrooper inspection) the time of day more noticeably shifts to night – would there be a way to play with the lighting?
- Roken feels dropped-in, especially given his later importance. His introductory scene is important to detailing The Path & who he is in it, and has some salvageable moments – maybe cut after Obi Wan’s plea, show Roken looking conflicted, and then immediately cut to them planning their break-in.
- If there is a way to cut around Reva parrying the speeder bolts, that would be great
- Qui-Gon disappears from the narrative before suddenly reappearing. Maybe reinstating some of Obi Wan talking to his lightsaber (e.g. somewhere by the evasive maneuvers) could smooth this out
- The location & music transition from the duel in the open to the duel among the rocks is fairly noticeable
- Maybe reinstate the establishing shot where Obi Wan’s ship flies to Tatooine
Either way, very impressed with this edit, especially the quick turnaround on it