Honestly, I feel Hal9000’s version of RotS where Padme lives is the way to go. It removes the needless continuity error about Leia ‘remembering’ her mother at only 2 minutes old. But hey, everything sounds really great!
I love the idea of changing any of the dialogue throughout this battle as almost all of it is garbage. (I also heavily agree with you on having them jump at almost the same time.) I’m not too sure that particular line fits but I do love how you spliced it in with the video near perfectly.
EDIT: Oh lol I didn’t see there were two videos posted. As for the opening one, I like the idea of some of it, I just think it needs some reordering. I’d remove Anakin telling Obi-Wan not to ‘turn against me’ as that line doesn’t really make any sense. Also, I’m not sure Obi’s ‘Come back to the light!’ line works either, (not once in the entire prequel trilogy does anybody actually mention the light side as an actual thing) however, I’d keep Anakin’s ‘It’s too late. You’re too late.’ line and just have him say it while the shot is on him as his back is turned. Then you can cut to Obi-Wan when he gets his saber out.
Honestly, even with Hayden’s very different voice, NFB’s edit makes ROTS Anakin feel so much more like Lanter’s Anakin. While a redub would be cool, this edit gets like 80% of the way there without redubbing at all.
Agreed. Placing my post here, will edit for a full review soon, but I wanted to say that I 100% feel this statement. Just in the way it’s all rearranged, I actually LIKED Hayden’s Anakin and he felt a lot more believable and closer to how TCW portrayed him.
EDIT: Okay, so, I do have several strong opinions on certain scenes and what I believe can and don’t really work. I haven’t read through the entire thread so if the same points were raised by others, just consider them moot. I will try to be as detailed as possible. This is where the fun begins…
(00:00:28-00:01:45 - The crawl has a couple of typos and capitalizations that are just off. I’m sure a lot of them were pointed out before but for the sake of completion: Sith is probably supposed to be capitalized, Separatist is spelled wrong, the line ‘Republic capital Coruscant’ should probably be changed to ‘Republic capital of Coruscant’, and I’m sure there are several things that need all-caps (like Anakin and Obi-Wan’s names, for example) but overall, it’s a fine crawl that could just use some tweaking.
(00:03:08-00:04:20 - Just a minor thing but I love every instance where ‘Master’ is changed to ‘Obi-Wan’ in this edit. It flows so well together, I hardly even notice when it’s changed! As well as this, most of this entire opening sequence is beautifully edited and most of the cuts are integrated extremely well for the most part. I’m not really sure how I feel about Anakin’s added excited yell after missing the missiles as it makes him seem like he hasn’t done this a billion times before, but I can’t deny that any added enthusiasm to Hayden’s performance is extremely welcome. 😃
(00:04:20-00:04:30 - While I understand the desire to make Obi-Wan appear as less of a stick in the mud, I feel like his added 'No, no, no, no’s flow better with the scene instead of a direct cut between his line, ‘Alright, R4…’ to ‘Nothing too fancy!’ If you can make it work better in future, that’d be great. Otherwise, I’d suggest just leaving it in as it gets across Obi’s lack of thrill from extreme flying without having to include his ‘Flying is for droids’ line which I hate.
(00:05:26-00:06:00 - Following up on the above, the ‘Hold your fire’ and ‘I agree, bad idea’ exchange plays off more like banter than Obi-Wan acting the mentor and criticizing Anakin. As well, the ‘You’re going to get us both killed!’ line comes off more as a fearful remark rather than him treating him like a child. I do agree about cutting Obi-Wan telling Anakin to leave without him as that whole exchange is pointless and we get another scene later where Palpatine tells Anakin to leave him behind, which just makes this feel redundant.
(00:06:48-00:07:10 - I’ve never had too much of an issue with Obi-Wan’s CGI jump from the cockpit or a lot of the antics with the talking and whining battle droids. (After all, they are a staple in the TCW cartoon) However, I do get why you felt the need to trim the scene. The only thing I’d say is make the cut between Anakin taking off his seat belt and them getting to the actual fight should be a little less jarring audio-wise. The SFX kind of cuts abruptly for a split second.
(00:07:23 - Not sure the reasoning behind cutting the scene where they leave R2 behind. It provides a reason for his having a comlink, especially since you left in the comedic sequence with the B2 droids noticing R2 and the subsequent ‘fight’ scene. I suppose it’s not essential, I just fail to see why it was cut.
(00:07:48-00:07:50 - I’m sure people have commented on the ‘Never an elevator when you need one’ line additions. I’m not going to reiterate it but yeah, a lot of them don’t work that well and they’re sprinkled throughout the entire edit.
(00:08:06-00:08:07 - I like the addition of the ‘Roger roger’ deleted scene, even though it’s got an obvious decrease in video quality. Not sure what you could really do to improve that though, so whatever.
(00:08:18-00:08:48 - The ‘No, did you?’ line cut wasn’t really necessary as it adds to the flow of the scene. Along with that, Obi-Wan’s ‘Always on the move’ line is kind of essential for the flow of the story if you’re going to show his face after Anakin jumps up to the top of the elevator. I’d recommend either cutting his reaction or re-adding the line back in, personally.
(00:09:20-00:09:29 - I do like the deepening of the B2 droid voices, as it’s in keeping with TCW’s design choices. Plus, it’s slightly less annoying. lol However, the quick cut of the droids picking R2 up is a little jarring on its own. I do think the droids’ ‘You stupid little astro-droid’ line is kind of dumb so you could either remove it entirely but keep the longer sequence of them picking R2 up or leave it in but deepen the voices. Either would work for me. (or don’t listen to my suggestions. That’s also an option. lol)
(00:09:45 - While the cuts back and forth from R2 to Ani/Obi are kind of jarring, I do like the removal of Anakin’s ‘No loose wire jokes’ line. Number one, I could barely register what he was saying during this scene anyway and two, the comedic effect of Anakin immediately telling Obi-Wan that R2 is ‘trying’ and Obi’s immediate reaction is funny enough on its own. Well done there.
(00:10:23-00:10:24 - The echo of the two saying ‘Chancellor’ at the same time is unnecessary. The original version, I think, was fine. Having Obi be formal towards Palpatine and Anakin acting concerned and informal lets us know what their individual relationships are like.
(00:10:36-00:10:43 - While Palpatine’s line of, ‘Get help, you’re no match for him’ is kind of stupid in context with TCW since he knows they’ve fought Dooku several times throughout the series, (at least once directly in front of him, as well) I do like Obi-Wan’s ‘Sith Lords are our speciality.’ line, despite how goofy it is. Plus, having that quick exchange makes the scene flow a little better than immediately cutting from the two silently staring at Dooku and then just taking off their coats and getting to the next scene. Not to mention, it further emphasizes how used to this entire war Anakin and Obi-Wan have become that they can make jokes even about fighting the Count, who in the last movie, they got seriously screwed by.
(00:10:58-00:10:59 - Cutting the ridiculous chit-chat between Anakin and Dooku during this battle was smart. Too much of it implied that they hadn’t faced each other since Episode II, which is just patently untrue now thanks to TCW. Plus, it’s just more cringey dialogue from Hayden, anyway. :p
(00:11:20-00:11:21 - It’s not listed in your list of changes, but I noticed you cut out Palpatine’s reaction to Obi slicing up the super battle droids. Any reason why? It’s a strange addition, I’ll admit, but it fits a lot better than just cutting from him slicing the droids to then attacking Dooku again. Unless you can smooth that transition a little better, that is.
(00:11:46-00:11:52 - I love, love, LOVE your idea to alter Dooku’s dialogue to him saying, ‘You have hate, you have anger. Use them.’ instead of him telling Anakin that he DOESN’T use them for whatever reason. However, I feel like this change actually requires for him to say that he senses great fear in him first. That way he’s saying ‘I sense great fear in you, you’re holding back from using that anger and hate inside of you.’
(00:12:13-00:12:17 - This was part of Hal’s edit, too and I see no problem with it here, either. Anakin beheading Dooku of his own accord just makes more sense for his character and gives him more initiative instead of having to be pushed by Palpatine on everything.
(00:12:29-00:12:42 - Cutting Anakin’s, ‘Yes, but he was an unarmed prisoner…’ line and cutting directly to him freeing Palpatine is another jarring edit. As well, omitting Palpatine’s mention of the Sand People slaughter is also very jarring and I can’t see a reason for it’s removal, either.
(00:13:00-00:13:01 - The line, ‘His fate will be the same as ours.’ is a nice closure to the entire scene, not only from an editing perspective, but a character one. Anakin went so far as to give into his emotions and murder Dooku, but he refuses to leave Obi-Wan behind even if it jeopardizes their escape from the ship. His resolute response to Palpatine makes him seem much more confident.
(00:14:19 - Cutting Anakin’s ‘Oops’ is smart. The ‘Easy…’ line was fine, though. Why was that removed?
(00:15:53-00:15:54 - I like the addition of Grievous calling Anakin ‘General Skywalker’. I’m also not sure if Grievous called Obi-Wan the Negotiator in the original movie, but if he didn’t and you added it, I like that also. 😃
For the most part, the Grievous battle scene on the bridge works pretty well overall. No complaints there. lol I really do hope I’m not coming off as a purist for suggesting so many things stay in, it’s just simply how I feel.
(00:17:24-00:17:26 - Moving Grievous’s, ‘Time to abandon ship.’ line was also smart. Much better placement for it over ‘YOU LOSE, JEDI SCUM’ which is just…blegh. Plus, cutting to Grievous earlier in the fight saying, ‘Time to abandon ship’ to HIMSELF and then having them catch up with him by the window anyway is just really weird editing so I like this change.
(00:17:54-00:17-58 - Removing Grievous’s scene where he launches all the escape pods just makes the escape pods appear like they’re launching randomly. We can assume Grievous launched them, but it’s a wild guess on the audience’s part and never brought up by the characters. I’m okay with it being cut, but it makes sense to leave it in, as well.
(00:18:32-00:18:34 - Cutting Obi-Wan’s, ‘Not to worry…’ is pointless and defeats the purpose of the joke, imo. Removing Anakin’s, ‘Now we’re really picking up speed!’ line is fine, though, as it’s just too cringey for me. lol
(00:19:19-00:19:21 - I like the change of the firefighter clone’s line and it’s nice to hear Dee Bradley Baker’s clone voice in this edit. However, I do have to wonder how they knew it was Skywalker crashing down, though I suppose it adds to it that the clones would know that if anybody was going to land half of a Separatist capital ship down on the planet, it would have to be Anakin. 😉
(00:19:25-00:19:27 - Now, here’s something I’d actually advocate the removal of! Anakin’s, ‘We’re coming in too HOT!’ line is just poorly acted by Hayden and honestly, kind of dumb, especially after the ship was literally just blasted with water by the firefighter ships earlier.
(00:20:26-00:20:27 - I like the change to the more informal line by Anakin when addressing Obi-Wan. It sounds a little confrontational (probably because it was taken from another source.) but I like anything that makes Anakin appear less rigid around Obi and any removal of him calling Obi-Wan ‘Master’ in everyday conversation is welcome in my book. Anakin’s usage of the title Master at this stage in their relationship should be used only as an affectionate name he gives out during touching moments. (Like their last conversation before Utapau.)
(00:20:39 - I actually don’t mind Obi-Wan’s retelling of what just transpired to impress upon Anakin his value during the mission over his own. Plus, the cut to him with his hand already outstretched is a bit jarring. Very minor, but worth pointing out in the interest of keeping a consistent flow to the film.
(00:20:47-00:20:48 - I wasn’t sure if I would, but I love how seamlessly you integrated Obi-Wan’s cutting Anakin off to say ‘Ninth time.’ Really well done!
(00:20:59 - I know Jar Jar is Jar Jar but he has no lines and his presence is expected at this point. Cutting any scene with him kind of there ruins the flow from the Obi/Anakin scene to the Palpatine/Mace/senators scene. He’s just a background character in this movie, guys. I get limiting him in episodes 1 and 2 but here, it’s a little excessive. 😕
(00:21:29 - Love the addition of Bail’s, ‘General Skywalker!’ line. In the original movie, his interaction with Bail was kind of sudden. I forget everytime that he’s actually talking with him while they’re walking because they don’t really give a good indication and it immediately cuts to 3P0 and R2. Good job!
(00:22:00-00:23:15 - Anakin and Padme’s scene is in such an awkward place. They’re literally feet from the other senators in a very, VERY public place. This isn’t nitpicking the edit, just the movie itself. lol Aside from that, I love everything you did with this reunion scene. Anakin is no longer creepy and the scene has just the right tone to indicate the complicated mix of feelings going on. Love it love it love it.
(00:23:30-00:24:11 - Not sure if it’s just me, but Anakin’s ‘Hey.’ could be upped a little higher audio-wise. Good addition, though. Removing Anakin’s ‘I have no excuse.’ is also good. He shouldn’t have to explain himself to Obi-Wan like he’s still his apprentice. I’m ambivalent on removing Anakin’s ‘Is that bad?’ line. I believe it’s harmless enough on its own but I do get why it’s been cut. Cutting his next, ‘That’s unusual, ISN’T IT?’ line was smart, though. He’s been a Jedi long enough to know how things work.
(00:24:22-00:24:28 - LOVE the addition of Anakin’s line right before the main conversation between him and Palpatine. Before, they both seemed like they were just walking silently in his office for no reason before they suddenly realized the camera was one and needed to say their lines. lol
(00:24:56-00:24:57 - Hayden’s acting is terribad during his, ‘Me? A master?’ constipated face ‘I am overwhelmed, sir.’ Really, for being told such a huge thing like that, he takes it like someone just told him his Zoloft medicine came in from the pharmacy, which just makes his petulant outburst in the Council chambers later seem all the more dissonant with his overall view on everything. So, I think cutting his ‘I’m overwhelmed, sir.’ line is good as it’s just awful execution. I could stand to have him say, ‘Me? A master?’ just to lengthen the shot focusing on his face a little longer so that the cut to him walking down the stairs isn’t so abrupt.
(00:25:04-00:25:10 - Replacing Palpatine’s dialogue at the end was smart and his last words, ‘And you saved my life.’ really go with the more powerful orchestral music leading into the next scene. I just think it should be a little better timed so that last line, ‘you saved my life.’ has more impact and isn’t overshadowed by the score transition.
(00:25:53-00:25:54 - Obi-Wan’s surprised reaction ‘Arrested?’ at Mace I think is not completely necessary, but I see nothing wrong with it. Mace has made a pretty important statement that could bear repeating. I’m not too attached to the line, though.
(00:26:18-00:26:33 - I like Obi-Wan shaking his head at the first thing Anakin says as a way to let him know up front that he needs to stop. The next cut, however, showing the two other masters beside him creates a continuity error where Obi-Wan is facing AWAY from Anakin and turning his head back around. Cutting Anakin’s whining, ‘IT’S OUTRAGEOUS! ITS UNFAIR!’ is good and even though I know him saying master again after asking, ‘How can you be on the council and not be a master?’ when addressing Mace is redundant but cutting his line off at just, ‘Forgive me.’ is a little jarring. That could be fixed with more editing though, who knows.
(00:28:39-00:28:51 - I love the way you started with Obi-Wan speaking after the Council scene instead of Anakin, though I could actually stand to hear him complain even a little bit. Not really that important, though. The problems mostly come through in the rough cuts. Flowing Obi-Wan’s conversation points into a speech is a great idea, it just gets ruined a little bit when you have one shot of Obi-Wan and Anakin stopped and facing each other and the very next cut, with no break in Obi-Wan’s voice, they’re in the middle of walking through the hallway. It’s quite an abrupt change of pace.
(00:28:56-00:28:57 - I’m also not sure why you cut Obi-Wan’s line, ‘Anakin I am on your side I didn’t want to put you into this situation’ and Anakin’s, ‘What situation?’ exchange. I thought it worked well enough, even if a bit redundant. Cutting it just causes an awkward pause that doesn’t really fit the scene, it’s just kind of there. Everything else is great imo though, just could use some tweaking.
(00:30:06-00:30:09 - I’m not against cutting Mace’s ‘I don’t think the boy can handle it.’ line, even though I don’t hate it, either. There is a slight editing hiccup after the shot of Yoda rubbing his head though before going back to the shot of Mace saying, ‘I don’t trust him.’
EDIT #3 Still a WIP
So can I get an answer to my question or at least an acknowledgement or are you guys just gonna leave me hanging here?
Because I can do that.
Sorry this is the wrong thread, idk where else to put this question. For your Prequel edits, are you going to have Anakin come with the Jedi to Naboo towards the end of TPM? I always thought it was really dumb how they brought him into a warzone.
I am really looking forward to seeing this fan edit. It sounds absolutely amazing. Is there anywhere else where it might be available? I am not a member of myspleen and dont know how to obtain an invitation. I understand there’s no link sharing or anything, but can anyone point me in a direction?
Well, the Episode I V4 edit was uploaded to kat, so I’m sure once Episodes II and III release, someone will upload them there.