Having seen the most recent version for the edit all the way through, here are my thoughts:
Opening battle
- some of the extra banter gets to be too much. Specific lines would be “that’s why we’re here” when he shoots the shields, “I agree” after Obi-Wan’s “never an elevator…” line, and Anakin’s “no!” When Obi-Wan gets knocked out are the ones that stick out for me. I think Anakin’s “who-ho-hooo!” should be heard with the comm distortion in it, otherwise I love the line. The rest is great and does a lot for their friendship, though
- The scene where Palpatine says “leave him or we’ll never make it” should have a pause on Anakin’s face for the last shot before the transition in my opinion
- When the fire ships say their line to Anakin, I don’t know if this line exists but he should reply with “copy” instead of “alright will do”, the “will do” seems redundant. Maybe “alright” would work well by itself, since he’d still be acknowledging it.
- The “General Skywalker” from Padmé followed by the laughter is very nice and works perfectly, along with the new music you added
Kashyyyk - Anakin’s dream
- the subtitles for the Wookiees feels out of place with the rest of the saga, I don’t think that shot is needed. Since there’s already a Republic presence, we can assume the Jedi have been contacted for reinforcements
- I still think the “and not be pushed around” should be removed, the line works with just “well he’s gotta learn to stand up for himself somehow” by itself
- The line where Palpatine says “you fought many battles…you saved my life” should to be just a tad louder to fight with the rest of his dialogue in the scene
- Anakin’s “something’s happening” during his induction into the council seems a little awkward. The scene works without it for me
- The addition of the “loyalist” scene is great, I always liked it, and it gives Padmé reason to actually acknowledge that to Anakin in her next scene with him
- I really like the new order of the “spy on the Chancellor” scene between Anakin and Obi-Wan. Great job!
- Can’t tell if you added the Emperor’s theme to Yoda, Obi-Wan and Mace’s convo on the gunship or if it was already there. Nevertheless, it’s better now with their previous scene in the temple together with new context
- Your version of Padmé and Anakin talking about politics is much better than the theatrical, again great job!
- The cut between Sidious’ hologram and Anakin’s first dream is great
Anakin’s dream - Delegation 2000
- I feel like replaying the dream just after seeing a quick shot of Palpatine feels a tad repetitive, I think you could cut straight to him waking up after seeing Palpatine’s face again
- New cut of the “Plagueis” scene is great! Only thing I’d change is Anakin’s “we’ll be able to end this war” and Palpatine’s response could both be reverted to their original versions, it’s easy to tell that those lines are the second half of each line, and their mouths don’t quite sync up. If you can make it work I’m all for it though
- I think the fade into black from the previously mentioned scene should be more gradual. I do prefer it to the original as it gives us (and Anakin) more time to process this
- I think the conversation should stop between Anakin and Padmé should end after she says “you expect too much of yourself”
- The incorporation of Anakin’s “aye” is a great one. Makes Anakin feel more included
- Anakin’s theme is great in his farewell to Obi-Wan. My only comment is that the volume be turned down a hair so as not to undercut their conversation
- Loved the incorporation of a little of Vader’s theme when we see Anakin in the darkness
- Love seeing the conflict in Anakin in the “delegation of 2000” scene. Palpatine planting this seed of doubt in Anakin is great and Anakin refusing it makes it all the more powerful at the end of the movie
Anakin tells Padmé about his dream - Anakin’s Turn
- new cut of Anakin and Padmé talking about the dream works great. I must say you’ve done an excellent job making their relationship more believable
- I don’t know if you adjusted the audio on Grievous’ “Not Skywalker?” line, but it sounds much closer to ROTS Grievous and doesn’t stick out as much as I thought it would. A great addition nonetheless
- Audio on “he’s more of a man than most” should be a little louder, it’s hard to make out what he’s saying
- I like that you kept the hologram conversation in the war room to be that awesome TCW Easter egg that it was
- As for the beginning of the Palpatine reveal scene, I don’t know where to cut, but I think Palpatine should do more of the talking there
- Because of changes you’ve made earlier, Palpatine’s line about “being a pawn of the council” actually has context now. Great job with that! This scene if much better as a whole now as you’ve cut it
- I’ve gotta say as much as the scene flows better, I do miss the “I AM the senate!” line lol
- I like the way you cut together the rest of the duel! Works great!
Vader’s christening - Obi-Wan confronts Padmé
- I love the way you cut this together, I like where you went with Anakin’s regret coming later. I do miss “What have I done?!” I think it could work honestly, almost as a “omg I just did that” but not a regret. It also works as an internal thought like you’ve displayed though
- The only thing that gets me is Palpatine’s “is now an enemy of the republic”, the audio doesn’t quite line up with the mouth, idk if there’s any way you can alter that though. I do like the idea of cutting that line down, it just looks awkward
- I think if you’re going with the TCW tie-ins, instead of Obi-Wan calling Cody “Commander”, is there a way you could have him say “Cody” to better tie in with their relationship in TCW?
- I like the added dialogue for Plo Koon you added in Order 66. Idk if it was there before but I can hear it much better now
- The new order of the Obi-Wan confronting Padmé scene is DAMN good. Great job!
Padmé confronts Anakin - Ending
- I like most of the re-ordering of this scene, the scene is absolutely fantastic now, the deeper JAT line is much better than before, but I think instead of Anakin saying “don’t ask me to do that” I liked your original line better with the “if you’re not with me,”. And personally (not everybody might think this), but I don’t think Obi-Wan should say “I’m so sorry”, it conflicts with his stance here. He’s accepted that Anakin’s going to fight him, and him apologizing doesn’t really fit with that for me
- I like that you cut Yoda and Palpatine’s duel down, keeps the focus more on Anakin vs Obi-Wan. Cutting out Yoda getting so obviously blindsided by the lightning was a great choice, always felt awkward in the original.
- I actually preferred that previous cut you had of Obi-Wan wanting to help Anakin as opposed to this one. I liked in that other cut that Anakin only said “I HATE YOU!” after Obi-Wan went back up the slope
- I do also feel like it would be fine if Obi-Wan just said “It’s over, Anakin!” and just that part of the line, and adding Anakin’s “don’t make me kill you!” Followed by Obi-Wan’s “don’t try it!” to keep that musical progression intact. I think it would work great if you could make it fit. That’s just my opinion though
- I don’t know if I just had a problem downloading, but from Anakin being worked on through the mask coming on, the audio was waving up and down. Like I said, don’t know if that’s a problem on your end or mine, just what I heard when watching
- The cut between “yes, master” and the following scene feels a bit awkward. Maybe a swipe would work better?
- I LOVE that you added Yoda’s arrival to Dagobah back into the movie. I’ve always been a sucker for Yoda’s theme, and there’s not enough of that in this trilogy. That inclusion was great, ties up the movie a lot more nicely
- I’m grateful you kept the original ending intact. It finishes the movie a lot more nicely than having it end with Vader’s breathing
All things considered, absolutely GREAT job in accomplishing what you have so far! I loved this edit so damn much. My nitpicks were all small things, but you really tied up the story a lot tighter/neater so you hit that nail right on the head, fantastic job on that, I’m very, very impressed. As I said, small, technical nitpicks with dialogue and such, but even as it is, this is my preferred version of the movie, I definitely want the link to the 1080p version when you are finished with the project! Cannot stress enough that you’ve done a phenomenal job, love what you’ve done so far and I hope my input gave you some ideas and/or help on certain decision.
I’m so excited for the end product! Thank you for making this edit! It’s the best ROTS I’ve ever seen
