I knew all that hype about Episode 3 being Lucas’ redemption, and considered by fans to be “the best of them all” was utter bullshit, and I was right. However, it is the best of the prequels and I think has alot of potential in the capable hands of people like MagnoliaFan, who know how to construct a better film using all available resources. This thread should serve as a compilation of all the ideas and criticisms I have read in various posts on the board. Also, if anyone with editing experience could give insight on how, in your estimation, some of this stuff could be accomplished, post as well. This is my list, of what needs to be fixed.
#1. Flat deliveries, Anakin’s angst, Yoda’s inexplicable grammar, Palpatine’s over the topness, Vader’s dialog and pansy scream, clone trooper screams, midichlorians, etc. all this stuff has to be addressed in some way. Be it through deletion, creative editing, or adding alternative dialogue.
#2. General Grievious needs to be a threatening villian, the jedi killing machine seen in clone wars, not a coward who runs from a fight. So the first thing cut should be Mace calling him cowardly. He doesn’t have a mouth, so in theory you could make him say anything you wanted at any time. Give him a cooler metallic sounding voice speaking english, or an alien language. This applies to the annoying battle droids and nemodians as well. Get rid of the coughing, cut out all the running away from a lizard, and if there are any deleted scenes with his backstory, put that in.
#3. The opening space battle doesn’t strike the appropiate tone. It feels like a screwball comedy, not a tense rescue mission. The pacing and transitions are particularly bad here as well.
#4. Anakin’s turn to the darkside has to somehow be made more drawn out and believable. When he does turn, I think Padme should more concretely reject the evil bastard, and then have Anakin force choke her a bit longer.