Originally posted by: CO
I think we way overanalyze the faults of the PT sometimes, and it is real simple: Lucas was past his prime when he filmed the PT, and like many directors, his best work was done in his 20's/30's as a struggling director before he had kids and becomes financial successful. Now sure there exceptions like Spielberg, but there are exceptions to every rule.
When was the last time Brian Depalma made a great movie? Did anyone see Eyes Wide Shut by Kubrick before he died in 1999? Has Coppola done anything near the quality of his 1970's work with Godfather I & II, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now? These guys did their best work when they were hungry, and their careers were on the line: Spielberg with Jaws, Coppola with Godfather, Lucas with Star Wars.
I think a director gets soft through the years, and loses that edge, and in this genre of fantasy, is out of touch with what is cool to the public. You have to remember Lucas was in his late 20's when he made the OT, and invented the lightsaber, the millenium falcon, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Carbonite, AT-AT's, The Emperor, these are all cool things that appeal to the geeks in this genre. What is cool in the PT other then maybe Darth Maul?
I do agree that if Lucas would have hired writer A, and had more collaboration, etc, the PT would have been better, but the heart of soul of the OT came from Lucas, and I just think a 50 year old guy writing about a teenage kid who turns the darkside is a recipe for disaster, compared to a 25 year old guy writing about this huge war going on in space between good vs evil.
I think we way overanalyze the faults of the PT sometimes, and it is real simple: Lucas was past his prime when he filmed the PT, and like many directors, his best work was done in his 20's/30's as a struggling director before he had kids and becomes financial successful. Now sure there exceptions like Spielberg, but there are exceptions to every rule.
When was the last time Brian Depalma made a great movie? Did anyone see Eyes Wide Shut by Kubrick before he died in 1999? Has Coppola done anything near the quality of his 1970's work with Godfather I & II, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now? These guys did their best work when they were hungry, and their careers were on the line: Spielberg with Jaws, Coppola with Godfather, Lucas with Star Wars.
I think a director gets soft through the years, and loses that edge, and in this genre of fantasy, is out of touch with what is cool to the public. You have to remember Lucas was in his late 20's when he made the OT, and invented the lightsaber, the millenium falcon, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Carbonite, AT-AT's, The Emperor, these are all cool things that appeal to the geeks in this genre. What is cool in the PT other then maybe Darth Maul?
I do agree that if Lucas would have hired writer A, and had more collaboration, etc, the PT would have been better, but the heart of soul of the OT came from Lucas, and I just think a 50 year old guy writing about a teenage kid who turns the darkside is a recipe for disaster, compared to a 25 year old guy writing about this huge war going on in space between good vs evil.
Bah, anyone who becomes lazy in their old age has no excuse. Someone who lives their life to attain comfort should not be considered normal in my mind. It's a socially acceptable kind of gluttony but it's disgusting. People should always try their best to create the best, no matter what their age. To the degree I compromise things which should not be compromised (like art) I can understand Lucas, but I will not excuse him and I would not want others to excuse me.
That said, we all have blind spots where, even when trying to do our best, we will still make big mistakes. In such situations we should never be afraid of criticism. Receiving input from people who have a different approach to life is invaluable. (At the very least, if someone is convinced of their viewpoint then they shouldn't be afraid to test it.) Thankfully the original Star Wars had a whole team of people creating it. While George Lucas was the primary impetus behind the final result, he had enormously talented people working in conjunction with him. (When he made crap they told him and it was fixed.) In the end we have a great film that can still be enjoyed years later.