DarkFather

I like the idea of both Vader and Piett being the Imperials that come to their senses and try to put a stop to it all. Very ironic and touching.

We must use hypnosis to revert your mind back to when you watched the prequels, so we can erase those horrid memories!

Oh, sure. I'm by no means suggesting a Hayden Christensen Anakin... who was a sociopath when we first meet him in AOTC.

I see people who want Anakin to be Vader-esque in the PT, and that just doesn't work out if he's to go back to being Anakin at the end of ROTJ. There'd be nothing to redeem.

Like with the PT we have now. There's nothing to redeem about him, and there's no real character development. Anakin doesn't fall, he just goes sidewise the whole time.

I love that part where he jumps.

Up until that fight with Luke in ESB, a viewer gets the idea that Vader isn't capable of moving too fast or doing anything flashy. He really lets loose during that duel. Awesome stuff.

Let’s get it out of the way that I’m not trying to tell you how to write your stories. There is however something that I think gets overlooked by many who rewrite the prequels, and that is the characterization of Anakin Skywalker. This is worth taking into account, for those interested in making the character a multi-faceted human being.

A lot of fans look at the OT and see certain distinctive attributes to Darth Vader, that they believe should always apply to him throughout his life. They believe these attributes should apply to him in the PT, specifically. As Darth Vader, he’s a very rough-edged, no-nonsense type of person. He’s eloquent, strict on his subordinates, prideful, malicious to his core, and an extremely militant control freak. For some reason, a lot of prequel rewriters want him to carry a lot of those in his early days. My question is, where is the character development there?

If he always had Vader’s personality, then what we have on our hands is a relatively two-dimensional character, which I think undermines the villain in the OT. If a writer wants to really have Anakin as a person, then that writer must pay close attention to character development.

The way I see it, Anakin had to earn a lot of the personality characteristics he will have as Vader. Some will be inherent, and present from the very start, as with every individual unique being, but most will need to be earned.

Look at a person in your past or present that was/is a strict, hardass control freak. Were they always like that? Nine times out of ten the answer is a definate NO. Find out where the turning points were for them. If not from the person himself, then people who have known that person a great portion of his life.

However you decide to do that, good luck.

I've been inspired to also write a script. Admittedly, I'm torn between two mutually exclusive takes:

* Use only Star Wars '77... meaning Darth Vader and Anakin are two separate people.

* Use the whole OT.

I believe I'll go with the first, since I utterly reject ROTJ as canon. However, it's worth further meditation, since both hold so many creative possibilities, plus the fact I enjoy ESB.

Gaffer Tape said:

Sounds pretty great so far.  I have a question, though.  How do they pronounce Leia's name in the radio drama?  Is it Lee-uh like in the original movie or Lay-uh like in the sequels?  I know that's something that Anchorhead has brought up before.

 Everyone in it pronounces her name "Lay-uh."

Hey there Anchorhead. Yeah, I always enjoy C3PX's posts.

***

Episode 02 - Points of Origin: We are zapped to a planet called Ratir (rah-teer), where the Tantive IV has been escorted to a space port, due to suspicions that its presence may be related to the rebel uprising there. Leia is confronted by (or rather confronts) an Imperial officer named Tyon (Tion?), who has a huge romantic crush on Leia. And so do I.

The Tantive IV is loaded with military equipment, so Leia has to play it smooth and find a way to evade any cargo search. Luckily for her, the rebels on Ratir have made a diversion attack, which requires Tyon to leave.

The diversion was created so that this information could be relayed to Leia and Antilles by an injured rebel who can barely hold his guts in: apparently, the Imperials will soon activate a damn-near-omniscient surveillance system that will monitor all conversations made in the area.

Out of NOWHERE arrives stormtroopers, accompanied by Darth Vader. Vader cuts all bullshit and tells Leia to give up her possessions so they can be searched through. Leia reminds him that this situation is under the jurisdiction of Tyon, so Vader will have to take it up with him before she's under any obligation to follow the order.

When the aforementioned survelliance system activates, Leia let's herself be heard while using some clever reverse psychology to escape aboard the Tantive IV unsearched. What she "tells Antilles" boils down to: "Tyon is kinda cute, but is an asshole. If he searches my ship, my father will be very angry, and we could never date one another."

Later on Alderaan, there's a dinner between Bail Organa, Leia, and Tyon. The latter wants to be even cuter to Leia with his upcoming promotion once the "secret weapon" is complete. Leia accidentally slips the codename "Death Star", which she couldn't possibly know unless she was associated with rebel spies. Tyon freaks out, there's a physical struggle with a blaster, BANG, Tyon is dead.

I want to say that Leia's voice actress did a splendid job of conveying emotional shock from having maybe killed someone.

A little later, Bail informs Leia that the Death Star plans have been stolen! She demands that she be the one to lead the mission over the planet Prowa to have them beamed aboard the Tantive IV. Oh, but there's something more.

"There will be a second part to your mission, Leia. In this struggle we shall need more than arms and interceptive plans. It's time we summon the help of one of our wisest warriors, and leaders."

"Who father?"

"The Jedi Knight... Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Great episode! Leia's feminine, crystal-clear, emotive voice is so very deeply enchanting. Visually, my imagination automatically created a different woman altogether from film Leia (saw her attire as that in the award ceremony from the film for whatever reason), but let me assure you, their personalities are exact replicas so far.

I like Vader's voice. It isn't too drastically different.

When Bail started talking about Obi-Wan, I got that same feeling I did at the end of Batman Begins. I'm anticipating something great... that while being familiar, excites me with the prospect of being encountered in a new light.

Ever since reading Anchorhead's high praises of the Star Wars NPR radio show, I have been determined to find it. To experience a more comprehensive take on Star Wars hooks the curiosity of any die-hard fan.

So now I finally have my hands on all three installments (ANH,ESB,ROTJ). I'll naturally start with ANH in sharing my thoughts on each episode.

Do share your thoughts also, if you have any questions, or have listened/are listening to it.

Episode 01 - A Wind to Shake the Stars: The narrator tells us there are millions of different systems in this galaxy. The way he speaks, really sets the tone for just how much potential there is for this story. The first setting is Tatooine, and we find out that Luke's "friends" are really a bunch of assholes that push him around, save for Wendy (a guy).

Luke has his sights set on the Imperial Academy. He wants to become a galactic-reknown pilot. His friends, being the pessimistic ultra-conservatives they are, have a serious problem with that. Anyway, Luke challenges Fixer, Alpha Male asshole, to a race with their Skyhoppers. While his co-pilot Wendy freaks out, Luke takes a dangerous short-cut that could very well cost them their lives. Fortunately, our hero not only survives, but wins the race.

We then go to the Moisture Farm. It's evident that most everyone on Tatooine hates people with pie-in-the-sky dreams. Uncle Owen berates Luke for having his head in the clouds, and Aunt Beru is always having to come to her nephew's defense. I imagine Aunt Beru being a lot younger in this version of the story, given her voice.

Luke goes to work on some ancient moisture vaporators, with the assistance of an equally ancient droid that seems to be malfunctioning. I don't blame Luke for bitching the droid out. Randomly spotting something in the sky, Luke uses his (what is the equivalent of) high-powered binoculars to get a closer look. There are two space ships firing at one another! Presumably he's seeing a Star Destroyer subduing the Tantive IV. If I remember right, this scene with Luke working and spotting the space battle was actually shot for the film, but of course later deleted. Luke races off to Fixer & Co. to tell them about his discovery, only to find that his (one and only) true friend, Biggs Darklighter, has briefly visited home from the Imperial Academy.

Biggs and Luke hop into a speeder and zoom away for a canyon where they can catch up on old times. To be honest, I almost was sure that Luke was coming onto Biggs during their subsequent conversation. His inflection when speaking to his friend was pretty sensual.

Biggs reveals to Luke that he has plans to jump ship and join the Rebellian against the Empire. He tries to convince Luke to get off of Tatooine, basically telling him that Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru are dead weights, and on Tatooine he has no real future. Luke rebuffs Biggs, and there's a little argument. He then drops Biggs off at the power station, but not before they make out up. Luke promises that he will join the Academy the next season.

The narrator then gives this epilogue to episode 1:

With the abruptness he will find difficult to believe, Luke Skywalker's life is about to change beyond his wildest dreams... as he's swept up in the bitter war between Rebel Alliance and Empire. And soon, a captive princess' desperate plea for help, a final quest of a legendary hero, and the key to the empire's most awesome weapon, will be decided by the actions of a young farmer boy from Tatooine.

So far I really like it. The story as we know it from the film has yet to even begin. The foreshadowing, complemented greatly by the John William's score, is among the best I've come across. The voice acting is superb. When Luke and Biggs are talking, it doesn't seem acted at all, but is like listening to two close friends interacting. That adds a realistic and relatable quality to the story.

LordVader said:

DarkFather said:

Avatar was the best thing to happen to animation in a long, loooong time.

 

After Dragonball series of course, I'm talking japanese version, not that Funimation toned down kiddy shit, I'm talking Gohan dripping blood everywhere fighting Cell, and Goku curiously grabbing Grandpa Gohan in the nuts as he writhes in pain, man those were good times, theres too many crap cartoons that take stuff from eachother these days. They insult the intelligence of the viewer by too much.

Dragonball has been out for quite a long while, though. I'm talking toons from the past decade or so.

And yes, the Japanese culture has what westerners consider to be a very warped sense of humor. Although a little boy noticing a little girl has "nothing there" and finding that odd is a universal joke.

I once saw this picture of a naked boy and girl standing side-by-side (seeing them from the back) and the boy says something like: "No, I'm not letting you touch mine, since you broke yours off."

Avatar was the best thing to happen to animation in a long, loooong time.

Not surprised it is the highest in Cartoon Network history, as it is kind of a niche station, Star Wars is a popular franchise, so I am sure it has pulled a lot of non Cartoon Network viewers in.

I wouldn't say that. It's the only (primarily) animated-based channel that has given Nickelodeon a run for its money.

Anyone watch the new South Park? Apparently Stone and Parker hated Crystal Skull.

In the episode, Indiana is depicted getting raped Deliverance style by Speilberg and Lucas. hilarious stuff.

Asteroid-Man said:

CS said:

You're not alone. Even Speilberg does not care for it. 

But I have to admit that the opening 20 minutes of the movie was great. The movie picks up again when Indy breaks out of his spell and starts kicking some ass.

How is the film racist? I don't see anything racist about.

Are you really that ignorant? Seriously... the "tribesmen" from Raiders, the Indians from Doom, and the South Americans in Skull? What about the Chinese people in Doom and the middle easterns in Raiders? Man, go do some research on the people's actual cultures and get back to me.

 

 Someone really flew into the defensive.

lordjedi said:

DarkFather said:

Aside from the fact that the Jedi were deeply flawed and hypocritical by nature, Obi-Wan and Yoda the only seeming exceptions, attracted is not a choice.

Of course it is.  Or rather, ones reactions to that attraction are the choice.  I could be a sick disgusting pervert that's attracted to 8 year olds (I'm 33 btw and not attracted to 8 year olds, just using an example), but I don't have to react on that at all.  Similarly, Anakin does not have to react to his "attraction" to a 13 year old, especially when he's married.

You disagree, then pretty much agree with me. Attraction isn't a choice. The sort of reactions are. Reactions, of some sort, are bound to happen because of tension that builds up.

I've explained how they do this without breaking conventions, creating guilt, and making unwise choices.

I don't know where this idea comes from that the Jedi were flawed and hypocritical.  It's new as of the PT as far as I know.  The Jedi had their rules and traditions for 5000 years, then some snot nosed brat comes along and f's it all up, and they're suddenly flawed and hyprocritical?  No, more likely they just got stupid for constantly giving Anakin these "missions" to test him that he kept failing.  Anyone else would've stopped giving him shit to do and kicked him out of the order.

Stupid = Flawed.

Putting on a front of peace-keepers, and then going to war = hypocrisy.

The cloners were probably black-mailed or payed to keep their mouths shut. I'm sure the Order 66 subconscious implant took place in the facility while the clones were forming.

First episode: 7.1/10 <<<   Interesting story. The Sith and Yoda compete for alliance with a neutral moon, and Yoda shows Dooku and Ventress up.

Second episode: 7.0/10 <<< I liked the part where they shut down their ship and try to evade the Separatist vessel with the Ion cannon. And then it turns out they picked up a signal on them because the medical droid was still on. That was suspense VERY well executed.

Aside from the fact that the Jedi were deeply flawed and hypocritical by nature, Obi-Wan and Yoda the only seeming exceptions, attracted is not a choice.

And the flirting is disgusting Ahsoka is not even 18 years old and akakin is married. If he went that route not only against the jedi code and cheating on his wife but also a pedophile. But then again he is a mass murderer of children in revenge of the sith so i guess it sort of fits his character.

I said "quasi-flirtatious." I've seen it in all men with teenaged daughters. The mentality is this: on some level, you are attracted to one another, but there's the factors of conventions, morals, and in some cases, incest-resistant brain mechanisms to take into account, so it usually won't allow anything intimate. You tease playfully just for fun, and to relieve some of the tension. It's sexual tension. Ahsoka (close enough to a human) is good for child rearing, Anakin's instincts recognize this, and he has no choice but to react to it in some way during their interactions. Human nature. Disturbing? Maybe.

But this is indeed a disturbing universe.

Mielr said:

DarkFather said:

 

I mean seriously. What the hell would you have them saying? Completely humorless, inane technological Star Trek dialogue?

Acually, I think I would prefer that. I think it would be more palatable if they didn't try to be funny at all, than attempting to be funny and failing. 

 

 

Count me out from Star Trek dialogue in this series.

Anyway. I sorta like their quasi-flirtatious relationship. It's cute, and funny to me.

Puppet Yoda from the OT.

When watching Yoda in the PT, I always knew I was watching CG. I was pulled out of the movie.

When watching Yoda in the OT, my mind starts to think him a real creature that could exist in some galaxy somewhere. Somehow... it was more realistic.

I'm not sure what everyone's problem with Anakin and Ashoka's interactions is.

The writing therein is much better than most animated series these days. Especially those found on Cartoon Network. It wasn't awful, it was tolerable, and even acceptable, because it seemed like fun little conversations two people such as them in that situation would actually be having. Anakin's padawan isn't sophisticated. She's a teenage girl. And a very believable one at that.

I mean seriously. What the hell would you have them saying? Completely humorless, inane technological Star Trek dialogue?

It was definitely a step up from the dialogue of the PT. And this is coming from a traditional Star Wars fan.

Anyway, series is off to a good start. Nothing too exceptional yet, but still good enough for me to catch the next episode.

I saw a cutscene from the Dark side ending for PSP, and it used much different shots. Same dialogue, though, IIRC.

There's significant differences in all the console versions. They're pretty much separate games as far as gameplay goes, but they all stick to the same story.

The only voice acting worth criticising was the Emperor, and even that wasn't all that bad (voiced by the same guy that voices Starkiller).