Hi Spence,
So I have to confess I’m not all the way through this yet so, I should perhaps hold off on any my overall thoughts until i can offer a full ‘review’
Anyhow, I’d just like to say that technically this is flawless and so please know that Im aware any/most/all critique’s on your work are most likely you doing the best job you can whilst trying to work within the limits and flaws of the source material.
Im also very aware that I’m mostly bringing up ‘problems’ but not offering much in the way of solutions, so it’s not like I’m suggesting I could do better?!?
This is merely me querying whether there might be more ways to skin the cat??
Iv tried to view this as a standalone movie, bringing as little of my fandom and franchise knowledge to this as possible, as if I was a first time uninitiated viewer.
Anyhow, as far as I’ve watched here are some thoughts.
The opening and the arrival of the inquisitors?
Im not sure this is the ‘way in’ to the story.
Without an opening crawl or the ‘previously on star wars’ montage, the inquisitors immediate arrival on tatooine, and hunting a nameless seems a strange/unengaging jumping off point for the story?
As i watched a bit more, I wondered if starting on Alderaan might be a better way in. Meet/introduce Leia until she gets kidnapped.
The way into this story is the abduction of a young girl… which that is what leads us to introducing our hero, Obi-wan, who after we see his down on his luck existence, receives his call to action?
Once Bail has given him the call asking for help, perhaps that prompts the arrival of the inquisitors?
Hey! Thanks for the feedback. The short answer to this is that I’m very much happy with how I have this structurally already. I think it’s important to introduce the villains, and especially that Reva is obsessed with finding Obi-Wan, right at the very beginning. The scene introduces us to the inquisitors and the role each will play going forward. So I believe it needs to be at the beginning. Opening with Leia doesn’t solve anything there, and actually makes the kidnappers appear to be the main villains, which could be an interesting twist but is unneeded in a first act with a lot going on already.
Again, this is all my opinion. I know that other edits are doing the opening differently. I feel really strongly about structure, pace, and flow when I do a fanedit. Personally, I think it’s one of the things that makes my projects stand out, even if it’s a subconscious thing for the viewer. The way I have it now is the way that makes the most sense to me.