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Master Sifo-Dyas

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17-Mar-2003
Last activity
6-Nov-2018
Posts
564

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Post
#106541
Topic
Star Wars - Episode III - The Revenge of the Sith; my thoughts on it...
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/106541/action/topic#106541
Time
Well, motti_soL and RRS-1980 my olde friends, I have to agree with both of you. All in all, I love that film because the most important scenes I was looking forward to were to my liking.

--- spoilers ahead ---

My main gripes with the film:

a) The first deciding fifteen minutes of the film, were full of silly practical jokes revolving around R2 and the oh so silly trade federation droid army. Not only did they go back to "Episode I - Style" battle droids - no, they let them talk much much more than they did in Episode I and what they talk is just plain, annoying silly. Having almost non-talking battledroids in AotC made the movie so much darker that it is really mind boggling to me how they could decide not to do that for RotS. Especially because the place where all this happens is supposed to be Grievous' command ship, the new 'cunning' cyborg commander of the battle droid armies. Well these first fifteen minutes will make you believe Jar-Jar Binks is now in command of the droid forces.

b) Grievous is a meaningless character that was merely needed as a plothook and then further abused by futile attempts to turn him into an uber-cool action oriented character. This character had much potential. He would have been awesome if the droid army would actually have been efficient under his command, but instead it is much less efficient than in Episode I. He would have been cool if he just had a shield generator and a combination of a laser-sword resistant melee weapon and blaster. Not using the lightsabers he collected (because of his deep hatred for the jedi) would have had him appear as a much much stronger character. Alas, all he really is, is a dull (and putting his overall inefficiency into account - rather unnecessary) replacement for Dooku (who had to be "killed off" to establish an important moment between Palpatine and Anakin).

c) Palpatine's makeup - at times it looks very good (almost still not as good as in RotJ) but at other times it looks really like he's overly fat. It's not very consistent. This would not have bothered on a side character - but failing to deliver a consistent look on palpatine is a goofup that distracts from the things happening at times.

d) You don't see wookies fight the way chewbacca did in the old movies, the only 'serious' fighting in a closeup scene is the scene I already saw in several teaser trailers. And that scene is ruined with another attempt at humor at an inadequate time - the return of the wookie tarzan call.

e) Violence dumbed down (you already can see this in the teaser trailer) when Anakin strikes down Nute Gunray, you merely see a superficial scratch like the sword had hit a metal wall, although anakins motion rather suggests slashing him in half. This method was first used in the Jedi Knight computer game series to reduce graphical violence and is rather inadequate at that point in the movie.

f) Vader's "Sith Eye" design merely resembles that of Darth Maul, which takes something away from the uniqueness of both characters Vader and Maul. I would have expected a deep pitch black in black for Vader.

g) Vader learning of the death of his love - too much b-movie drama, yet I expect to learn to love this because I love b-movies. I really had expected a direct confrontation between Vader and Sidious at that moment. Would have been a great way to establish the reason for Vader's fear of Palpatine.


What I really really liked:

a) How the core plot is handled by the main actors. Kudos to Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Yoda (Frank Oz and Rob Coleman and his fantastic team of character modelers and animators) and last but not least Ian McDiarmid. These guys really deserve the main credit for me loving this film.

b) The final showdowns are some of the most intense ones in the entire prequel trilogy - not necessarily choreography-wise, it's hard to explain - the climactic nature really gets across because they really present a 'duel of the fates'. And yes the musical score may add a lot to that. *takes a deep bow before John Williams*. I agree with RRS that the Maul showdown remains the prequel fight with the best choreography.

Edit: I thought of it a bit and I think one of the reasons I like these showdowns so much is the places where they occur. Two former friends attempting to kill each other in the hellish environment of Mustafaar and two arch enemies fighting each other in a place that basically represents the heart of the galactic republic. Both very powerful images. Just overwhelming.

c) The execution of "order sixtysix" really got under my skin. I hadn't expected that to happen in that special way. Kudos to George Lucas, I liked that one a lot - really gave me the creeps to see such a thing happen in such a radical way.

Edit: What would really have been great and would have added a lot of importance to the wookies appearing in the film, would have been if the wookies would have played a major part in the protection of yoda from the execution of order sixtysix. Throwing troopers around growling and getting into an escape battle against the imperials to ensure yoda's escape from kashyyyk.

d) Cameo of Jett Lucas was awesome, usually I do not like that kind of stuff. A great last stand he fights there, he must have felt very honored to be allowed to do this scene.

e) The architecture of the Mustafaar base interior slightly resembling the area where Luke fought Vader on Bespin.

f) That it was unknown that there were twins and the fact that Vader kept the possible existence of a child secret from the emperor.






--- spoilers end ---


There were a lot more little things that I liked in this last prequel episode, it is really a good film. But because of the things I did not like as stated above, AotC probably remains the film that manages to convey a sense of threat and seriousness (with a few rare exceptions of course) that the other two did not manage to convey, although they had the potential to do so. What really stole RotS it's pole position among the prequels, is the time wasted on meaningless slapstick and purely decorative action sequences that could have been put to good use for the dramatic climactic scenes in the film that occasionally suffer from a lack of time to fully deliver their potential impact. At the moment AotC and RotS are head to head in my book.

All in all it is a very good prequel movie and you should all go watch it in a big theater, for I am sure you will enjoy it a lot (set aside from the disturbing things I mentioned). May the force (and the soundsystem of your theater) be with you. ^_^
Post
#101856
Topic
I have to write a Letter to George Lucas...
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/101856/action/topic#101856
Time
Quote
Originally posted by: Jedikev
Dear LucASS,

Why did you ruin star wars?


PS F***k U


ROTFL, thank you for making me laugh in sympathy of your straightforward words.

Jedikev, I'm currently going through hell because my girlfriend cheated on me. I just want to say that this burst of pure simple honesty is more noble than a thousand nice words that basicly try to say the same hidden in between the lines.
Post
#97030
Topic
A fan-project called StarWars: Revelation
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97030/action/topic#97030
Time
It seems that they temporarily locked down their website, to fend off "slashdotting" (i.e. the high amount of traffic directed at websites that are mentioned on slashdot). I just checked it this morning and the site is up again.

I agree that the acting is corny, but they could still do voiceovers for the dialogues using better voice acting. I still love the visuals, though. ^_^

Edit: Heh, can't believe that two years have already passed since I registered here on the forums.
It's really a shame that the old posts are gone, so many great articles lost in time (well also a lot of junk - but it was junk I'm emotionally attached to).
Oh, and rebel scumb. Should you still read the forums, please post here from time to time (even if it's just a "hello" on the off topic forums).
Post
#96724
Topic
A fan-project called StarWars: Revelation
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/96724/action/topic#96724
Time
Heya, just snagged this from slashdot:
Quote
"For all you Star Wars fans out there, if you've been less than satisfied with the last two episodes of Star Wars, fear not. There is a new episode coming out soon -- but I'm not talking about Revenge of the Sith. On April 16th, 2005 the world will be blessed with a brand new episode, Star Wars Revelations. This is an independent film, completely put together by volunteers and organized by Panic Struck Productions, but don't let that fool you into thinking it is sub-par. Visit their website to view a trailer."
Looks pretty impressive, imho. Sorry if this has already been posted, since I'm not a regular reader as of late I may have overlooked it (search didn't bring up any of the key words though).
Post
#92639
Topic
What would you like to see in a scifi/fantasy web site? The time has come for a change...
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/92639/action/topic#92639
Time
What I would really like to see is a restoration of the archived forum threads, once that should be financially viable. Another thing that would make sense in my book is to use some of the great discussion threads from the forums (especially older ones that won't see any activity on the forums anymore), and use them as a basis for beginning content, or some sort of nostalgia corner (some threads would even qualify for a jokes/humor corner. Lord Peeler anyone?).

On the contribution part of things, I can offer a few humble donations from time to time and bigger versions of my notorious custom ot.com banners (I think RRS won't mind if we inlcude his "bring my shuttle" one as well) as desktop background (if you guys would be interested in that). When it comes down to mugs and t-shirts and stuff like that, we'd have to be very careful not to use any images or logos that basically belong LFL (if you intend to sell them that is).

I could also provide an article or two, but probably not at a very rapid rate, since I don't have as much freetime to dedicate to hobbies as I would like to.
Post
#90520
Topic
MGM's DVD Class Action Settlement
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/90520/action/topic#90520
Time
Just picked this up from Slashdot:
Quote
"Apparently all of MGM's 'theatrical wide screen' DVD releases for the last few years have been the pan-scanned versions with the top and bottoms cut off. I checked this against my copy of CQ, and it's true. The list (PDF) of butchered movies includes almost every Woody Allen film, Silence of the Lambs, and Ghost World, just to name a few. If you own any of the eligible movies, you have until March 31 to either opt to exchange your copy for $7.10, or a new DVD from MGM, presumably in its proper aspect ratio."
Post
#82264
Topic
Letter to LFL about DVD Defects (No OT vs SE discussion)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/82264/action/topic#82264
Time
Actually the german soundtrack is 5.1 and it suffers from the same problems as the english language track (flipped musical score on rear speakers and buried musical score during assault on the deathstar in anh). In fact there are even more problems, since the entire german voicetrack was not restored and cleaned up the slightest bit in the process. So german fans kinda got the worst of both worlds (soundmix-wise). And don't get me started on the redubbing of the new dialogue that was cast so awfully, you might think it's an april fool's karaoke-version.
Post
#81589
Topic
Half Life 2
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/81589/action/topic#81589
Time
RRS, I'd say HL2 has clearly won the match against D3. Simply because of the sheer variety of scenarios and situations. Although in defense of Doom3, I'd have to say I rather wanted it to be a remake of the old Doom games - so basically that's what I got in a technically brilliant fashion. My gripes with D3 are more along the likes of "does not look as good as HL2 on old computers".

Half-Life 2 looks a lot better on older computers than Doom3 and HL2DM > D3DM, imho.
Post
#77540
Topic
It's Friday
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/77540/action/topic#77540
Time
I'll be anxiously awaiting the release of Half-Life 2 while getting some overdue housework done in the process (plus visting my mother who is still in hospital), luckily I was able to get monday and tuesday off work. Half-Life 2 will be unlocked on November 16th at 9:00am german time.

"Welcome - to City 17. It is safer here."
Post
#69247
Topic
It's official...
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/69247/action/topic#69247
Time
Off topic: "RRS!!!! It is you, it is you!!!", Good to see you're still alive!
*ordes a huge amount of clone troopers to hold a military parade for the 'supreme chancellor's hand'*

On topic: Admittedly I have only seen a few outtakes of 'the duel' so far, but it really seems that Bush is just not a good free speaker. I think the elections will have a very close outcome... again. I just hope this time the voters will be able to decide who'll be president -- not the courts.
Post
#67483
Topic
Info: OT Bootleg DVDs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/67483/action/topic#67483
Time
If you use Nero to burn a DVD-R or DVD+R for standalone DVD-players, make sure to use "DVD-ROM (UDF/ISO)", click the UDF tab and tick the box "Force DVD compatibility mode". That way you can be sure that it works on the widest variety of standalone players (of course you still require file-types that the player is able to decode).
Post
#67479
Topic
I love the DVDs!
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/67479/action/topic#67479
Time
Lord Peeler, didn't we have that 'conversation' with you already? With your immature behaviour you displayed at your last visit, you really lost all credibility and your boring 'fanboy-accusation' game is just another display of your narrow-mindedness. If you want to discuss in a civilized manner, then please do. If you just want to drop off more flamebait, then -- by all means -- take it somewhere else.

Darth AL, welcome to the boards! I'm happy you like everything about the DVDs. Although I'm not unhappy about owning them, I still have quite a few issues about the quality of presentation (my disagreements about some of the changes applied to the film put aside). All we purists would like to have is the 'peaceful coexistence' of both the original theatrical cuts on DVD, alongside the 'most current vision' George Lucas has envisioned for these days. Wouldn't it be of interest - even for someone who loves these new versions?
Post
#67476
Topic
Star Wars DVD Music Mix Botched!!
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/67476/action/topic#67476
Time
The reason your threads on sw.com got locked was redundancy of topics, not censorship to your opinion. You could have posted a thread like "Whoooo! The switched musical score on the rear channels is really great!!!" and it'd still got locked. Just post inside the thread the moderators directed you to.

Another thing I'd like to get off my chest, is that I can't really understand the hatred towards individuals who also like the prequels or actually like some of the changes applied to the classical films. I really don't see how the same narrow mindedness we accuse Lucas and 'his' so-called 'fanboys' of, is going to help us in any kind of argument with people who disagree with our views.

I am posting on starwars.com from time to time and there are quite a lot reasonable people to be met there as well. In the end we're all StarWars fans who feel equally passionate about those films and I don't see how my disagreement with the lacking quality standards of the 'o4 DVDs or the changes therein, weigh any heavier than the opinion of someone who can live with these things or someone who even likes it.

I'm really alienated how much some people get caught up in their bitterness about the whole situation. Of course I am sad and disappointed as well about how a few key decision makers at LFL think merely in terms of putting 'just enough effort into the product to make it sellable' instead of making all the effort to make this the greatest DVD release possible (For this really shows how much this turned out to be "just a job" for them), but I won't let myself getting all caught up in negativity because of this. All I'm trying to say is "Let's keep a little optimism here."

And Luke, please cut the pointless 'jimbo-bashing'. He didn't even post in this thread, so this doesn't even qualify as 'return fire'. I would really be grateful if this childish feud would be put to a -- permanent -- rest.
Post
#67208
Topic
A German thread / Krieg der Sterne auf deutsch
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/67208/action/topic#67208
Time
Quote
Originally posted by: soundtrackmaster
Wie würdest Du das ganze denn capturen, wie ist Deine technische Ausstattung??
Hehe, gute Frage. Da meine technische Ausstattung eher bescheiden bzw. noch garnicht vorhanden ist. Ich habe die Anschaffung von technischer Ausrüstung, die mir das Ganze in guter Qualität transferieren hilft, wohl noch vor mir.

Momentan hab ich so'ne billig TV-Karte von Aldi als einzige Möglichkeit für's Video-Grabbing. Naja, und für den Ton halt den Soundeingang der Soundkarte. Laserdisc Player hab ich auch noch keinen, aber damit werde ich auch warten bis ich die StarWars Laserdiscs habe (ohne die brauch ich ja keinen LD Player).

Mein Traum wäre ja nicht nur ein perfektes Backup der OOT in deutscher und englischer Sprache, sondern darüber hinaus auch noch eine 'Best of both wolds' Fassung der 'o4 DVDs, in der lediglich die Sachen durch die Originalszenen ersetzt werden, die mir nicht gefallen haben.