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LACK OF HUMANITY IN PREQUELS TAKE 2

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I think the real problem is the script writing. The acting doesn't bother me much, and I think it goes up and down with the dialogue.

That said, the direction and writing of the OT brought humanity even through aliens. C-3PO especially provided the human touch even though he was all robot. Chewie was fittingly more of a "dog touch", as he was based on a dog, but I think the OT showed facets of humanity through aliens, whereas in the PT aliens and humans alike are a channel for the plot.

So to answer the question, YES the PT needs more humanity, but NO it doesn't need less aliens.
If you're going to take forever, then I'm having a hotdog!
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Hey, whoever reads this, I'm a fan of starting on a clean slate as well. Let's just continue the same topic discussion over here?

Some comments were being made about characters we can identify with in the OT as opposed to the PT. This is one of the fundamentals of good Science Fiction/Fantasy: when you are creating an entirely new world you must have a point of reference for the viewer, someone who is more like the viewer and experiencing the fantastical in a similar way to the audience. It makes the universe more believeable, approachable, and ultimately draws the audience inside the universe. Lucas should know that by now. Actually, judging by his performance, he knows it very well and is trying to find a new way to accomplish it because he scorns formula. Which is a good thing, but to be used properly you must recognize what parts of formula are formula because they WORK, and which are formula because of tradition. Buck tradition, but don't compromise what you're trying to accomplish...

Anyway, Tolkien accomplishes it through Hobbits. The first Matrix has Neo who is an everyday earth dweller experiencing the Matrix. Luke is initially the regular guy thrown into the universe, but as he develops (we DO still identify with him because we have travelled along with his development; as he is absorbed into the universe the audience is as well, but still...) Han is sort of the down to earth guy who doesn't know about all these politics and jedi stuff while Threepio is the one who doesn't fit in the warfare/heroism, so we still have reference.

I bet (as I said) that Lucas figured he would draw the audience in in new ways because it was just too easy to do it the standard way. Jar Jar fills that role on paper, but surprisingly (cough) in execution we don't relate to him.

The result is like the later Matrices. The change from the end of I to the beginning of II was too drastic and we as the audience didn't have a new gateway to enter the new universe so it wasn't as real or involving (although I, as a small minority, loved the Matrix sequels)(not nearly as much as the original, though). Lucas has likewise completely changed the universe and not provided a door for us to follow, and the result is impersonal.
If you're going to take forever, then I'm having a hotdog!
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Funny, I thought about something else:
Another aspect (not mentioned here before) of the de-humanized Prequels is the kid-parent relationship.

Please, compare OT and PT:


Old Trilogy
My dad was a hero, I want to be just like him.
Gosh, my dad turned out to be a bad guy, but I still love him and want to save him somehow.
Dad, you are asking for trouble, but still, I don't want to kick your butt. Just leave my sister out of this.


Prequels
Goodbye mom, you can still be a slave, but I'm gonna be bad a55 Jedi mofo.
I should not miss my mom, Jedi should be free of emotions.
I promised to set my mom free, but I'm kinda busy playing the role of kewl Jedi mofo now.
I saw the original theatrical release of the Old Trilogy on the big screen and I'm proud of it...
How did I accomplish that (considering my age) is my secret...
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Yeah, I can almost identify w/ the first one, but the second....well, I can't say I've even had the opportunity to leave my slave mother to become a kewl jedi mofo. But if i did....lol.
I just hate stupid people.

GO JETS!!!!

Petition signer # 34,865
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One of the most uncompelling aspects of the PT, imo, is the love story between Anakin and Padme. It goes along with what most of you guys are saying - I guess GL is trying to be non-formulaic. As far as I can tell from watching (until the last 2 minutes) they have about as much chemistry as...well, two persons with no chemistry. The relationship that we see through Ep.II is so pitiful...
As far as the other characters are concerned, I dont find any of them to be as accesible as OT characters. In Ep.I the relationship between Obi-wan and Qui-Gonn was pretty good, and honestly I enjoyed many aspects of that movie(though overall I though it bland at best). In Ep.II - it all just seems so mechanical. The master-pupil relationship is nothing like Obi-wan and Luke, nor Yoda and Luke. The most "genuwine" emotion we get is from young Boba...*barf*

And I really must agree that in the OT even the droids and aliens were accesible. I think the C3-P0 dynamic that develops with the different characters is wonderful.
"You don't own space, so stop actin' like you do."
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You know what's missing on the PTs? Harrison Ford.
“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 really like him in the OT, so I will agree with you. He should get a cameo or something.
"You don't own space, so stop actin' like you do."
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
You know what's missing on the PTs? Harrison Ford.

Bingo, my man! We need a "space pirate". No more politicians, stiff Jedi, "CGI-made comic reliefs", Even Badder Villans(TM)...

If they want to make that TV series, please, give us our old Star Wars back! Where even droids had more flesh (ie: character) and human emotions than whole Jedi Order altogether.
I saw the original theatrical release of the Old Trilogy on the big screen and I'm proud of it...
How did I accomplish that (considering my age) is my secret...
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It would have been cool for him to get a little back story in ROTS at least. So far, only the droids, Ani, Obi, & Yoda are in both.
I just hate stupid people.

GO JETS!!!!

Petition signer # 34,865
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What we need is not ACTUALLY Harrisson Ford acting on the prequels, but a character with Han Solo's personality. The coolnes and the more serious-toned comedy Han Solo delivered. And we need some major character to relate to, pretty much like Luke Skywalker, there is none in the prequels.
“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 know a lot of less-than-intelligent people who might fit the role of Jar-Jar quite well actually.
I just hate stupid people.

GO JETS!!!!

Petition signer # 34,865