That’s a good question. The only scene that could possibly go there is Obi-wan and Padme, and that wouldn’t work for numerous reasons.
Intercutting the fight with him forming the Empire might be cool since both scenes cut away to events that are no longer shown, but again that may be weird.
I think for such an edit any indication of another Sith would create problems, since we have no reason to believe that Sidious has yet another apprentice hanging around, and there’s no indication (yet) that Anakin was betrayed by one of Obi-wan’s students. If I thought there was a way to suggest such betrayal in this edit the scene would probably work with a blue saber, but as it is there’s just not enough to sell that idea.
Also, I don’t think it’s worth it to establish a new location just to show the Separatist leaders being destroyed on screen, since the Jedi state that the war will end with the death of Grievous. It’s cleaner if the Separatists don’t get off Utapau.
Count me as someone who enjoyed the Vader pun. Especially for an hour-long movie, I think it’s perfectly fine.
Also, maybe we could point out the irony of Lucasfilm and Disney making entire shows based on Ralph McQuarrie’s concept art but continuing to have the actual matte paintings from Star Wars missing in action.
GOTG 2 is such a funny movie, helped by the fact that it has arguably the best villain in an MCU movie to date.
Just got back from seeing GOTG 2. My recommendation? Whatever you rated the first one, this gets the same rating. Personally, I quite liked the first one.
As well you should be. Shame! Shame!
This is a good letter. Maybe even a great letter. But it is written from the perspective of someone who was alive back in the 70’s. There are some of us on the forum who haven’t been around that long (yours truly) and have only recently gained an appreciation for the originals as fundamentally distinct from the SE’s rather than just having a few different effects here and there.
Before I saw the photos of the Technicolor film projected at the Senator theater, I never imagined Star Wars could look genuinely beautiful. Before I saw the dozens of matte paintings so lovingly restored by Mike Verta which had been discarded for SE changes, I never really considered that Star Wars was art. But it is, and there are generations of people who haven’t had a chance to experience this artistry firsthand. It is not a case of rose-colored glasses by an old-timer wishing things were like they were back then, since I wasn’t around back then. This is someone who grew up with the VHS tapes and 2004 DVDs and 2011 Blu-rays. There was a point at which I thought the HD broadcast looked GOOD, where I showed it to my friends with excitement because I had never before seen the films in such detail. But that is a pale shadow of what they could be, from someone who never saw the originals or SE’s in theaters.
This is what a lot of people are missing in this discussion, that they think Star Wars is Star Wars no matter the presentation, they see OOT purists as ungrateful curmudgeons, but they simply haven’t taken that first step into a larger world. So including something from this perspective in the letter would speak to more people, I think.
I’m becoming more and more attached to the idea the more I think about it.
Consider: With the new crawl and omissions listed above, it would be possible for someone to watch the prequels in chronological order and still retain the slow point-of-view shift towards Vader that audiences felt in the 80’s.
Since it is now established that Vader began as merely a “pupil” of Obi-wan who betrayed and murdered Anakin, one can construct a compelling narrative in their mind with the help of the prequels. In this narrative, Anakin was briefly tempted by Palpatine with the power to save his wife, but remained in the Jedi Temple and held it against thousands of clone troops, protecting the children. But then! One young Jedi, wishing to save his own skin, turns on Anakin and stabs him in the back. He quickly surrenders to the clones and becomes an Agent of Evil. Obi-wan sees this in the security recordings, and blames himself for his failure as a teacher.
ANH reinforces this narrative, referring to this Jedi as merely a pupil (notably, not an apprentice or padawan!), and Vader himself saying that he was but a learner.
Then comes ESB, where Yoda says that Vader was Obi-wan’s apprentice. Did Yoda misspeak? Was he using imprecise language? And Obi-wan hints at a more personal connection to Vader than merely student-teacher.
What an idea, that the prequels could turn the OT into a more compelling story through this omission.
I’ve listened to “The Starkiller” cue in the soundtrack enough that any change sounds off to me, so the musical splice between the first planet being destroyed and the shot of Sella is quite jarring in that context. Something that Danny Boyle said on the Sunshine commentaries has always stuck with me, and that is that sound is 70% of a movie. That’s why it’s so hard to get right, any wrong note is more unforgivable than even a wonky visual effect. In general, I think the best option is always to present the soundtrack as completely as possible.
Also, I wonder - is the score when Han dies the beginning of “The Starkiller”? They sound so similar, it might just be a case of sliding the cues around to match. This also makes me wonder if there was an edit of the film where the firing sequence happens here just like we’re trying to do.
As it is in Restructured right now, there’s an odd key shift in two places where the ‘Starkiller’ track has been inserted. As well, there’s no reaction from the Resistance, so here I’ve tried to remedy both issues:
https://vimeo.com/215916349
Password: leia
There’s still a discordant sound when Han falls into the pit, but it could be further tweaked.
Thoughts?Just watched this. I would say it all looks good, minus the fade out from Leia to the firing of SKB. I think you should either cut before we see her or hard cut after she reacts.
The reason for the fade was to de-emphasise the fact that Admiral Statura changes position so quickly between shots. I feel like the shot of Leia is essential to the cutaway, so it can’t be cut.
It might be worth it to remove the background characters from her ‘massive disturbance’ shot since they don’t look at all affected by the destruction of the Hosnian system.
Nice colors. I especially like the dark green in the Falcon cockpit.
Ingredient Purist, Structure Neutral.
Found this video on Rey’s food:
I used to make a non-green variant of that recipe for a while, it’s actually pretty good!
Please. That would be ridiculous.
Yuckers!
Some amount of the romance plot is necessary, but it’s very minimal.
The other thing I wanted to ask about was the music restructure video of the end SKB destruction scene. I noticed in one version that you see the falcon and remaining X wings flying away after it finishes imploding and then it just does a swipe transition back to the Resistance base. Is there any reason why the falcon and X wings jumping to hyperspace before the transition was removed? I feel this is an unnecessary change and quite liked watching and hearing them all jump away.
.Val
The reason for this was musical - in the original, the crescendo happens as Poe says ‘let’s go home’, but after that was cut the logical placement was right when the planet exploded into the star. But for that to work, there wasn’t quite enough time in the music to allow for the jump to hyperspace before cutting back to the resistance. Since the score continues uninterrupted long into that sequence, I didn’t want to change that.
Yes, I very much like the interpretation of the duo as pure heroes. I know that a lot of people (myself included) would have liked to see the Shakespearean tragedy of Darth Vader, but since that was so horribly bungled the next best thing would be to see the two of them before the fall, as brothers-in-arms.
Episode 1 establishes Anakin as a selfless hero, and Episode 2 shows enough of his adolescent drama and growing pains even without him murdering a tribe of Sandpeople. Episode 3 would be Anakin emerging out of this awkward phase as the hero hinted at in Episode 1, who despite his fears and forebodings manages to remain loyal to the Jedi until the end, having a tragic death in the Jedi temple. His true legacy, and the last task of Obi-wan, are Anakin’s children. I could even edit out the birth of Leia, but that might be a revelation worth ruining for its dramatic irony.
I actually think that the edit could work as a 1 hour movie. I can think of one shot that would absolutely need effects work - Anakin leading the Clone troopers into the Jedi temple - but everything else could be solved through omission:
Battle to save the Chancellor
(remove Palpatine’s insinuations - Anakin and Palpatine are acquaintances, nothing more)
Padme’s Pregnancy
Grievous on Utapau
(remove Palpatine’s directive to go to Mustafar, as well as rumblings about a new apprentice)
Anakin’s Dream
(remove Palpatine’s council request scene)
Anakin on the Council
(remove Anakin’s disappointment at not attaining the rank of Master)
(remove scene of council’s plan for Anakin to spy on the Chancellor)
(remove Squid Lake scene. This is the most grievous omission, but it must go.)
Yoda on Kashyyyk
Anakin informs the Jedi of Grievous’s whereabouts
(remove references to Palpatine - Anakin asks to go of his own volition)
Anakin and Obi-wan part ways as friends
Obi-wan confronts Grievous
(remove Grievous sending Separatists to Mustafar - the war ends here)
Anakin informs Palpatine of Grievous
(remove dialogue suggesting Palpatine knows about Anakin’s plight. He lets on just enough for Anakin to suspect that he is a Sith, then confirms it)
Obi-wan defeats Grievous
Anakin informs Mace about Palpatine
Anakin and Padme at sunset - this is the last we see of Anakin in this edit
Mace arrests Palpatine
(remove Anakin’s return to the Chancellor’s office - Mace is destroyed purely by Palpatine’s Force Lightning)
Order 66
(remove/replace shots of Anakin leading the clones into the temple)
(remove Anakin’s return to Padme)
Palpatine forms the Empire
Obi-wan and Yoda return to the Temple
(remove Yoda’s mention of lightsaber wounds, and all dialogue referring to Anakin.)
“If into the security holograms you go, only pain will you find”
“Master Yoda, I must know the truth”
“It can’t be…it can’t be” (remove images of Anakin doing the killing) “I can’t watch any more”
“Destroy the Sith, we must.”
“Send me to kill the Emperor”
“To fight this Lord Sidious, strong enough, you are not"
Obi-wan and Padme
"When was the last time you saw him?”
“Yesterday”
“Padme, Anakin has…”
“Not Anakin!”
“I have seen a security hologram…”
“I don’t believe you. I…can’t.”
“He was deceived by a lie. We all were. It appears that the Chancellor is behind everything, including the war. Palpatine is the Sith Lord we’ve been looking for.”
“You’re going to kill him, aren’t you?”
“He has become a very great threat.”
“I can’t”
“Anakin is the father, isn’t he? I’m so sorry.”
(remove all Mustafar scenes)
Palpatine vs Yoda
(remove references to Palpatine’s new apprentice)
Yoda Meditates
Arrival of Obi-wan and Padme
(remove lines about there being good in him, but all else can stay. This way Anakin’s fears become prophetic)
Denouement scenes
(remove construction of Death Star. All other scenes can stay)
Great!
I understand about the Resistance reaction, I’m not 100% on that either. I will keep working on it, if not for this edit then for my own, where all of the almost-ideas go. 😉
I haven’t seen much of Clone Wars, or any LEGO Star wars save some short videos, but I have watched every season of Rebels so far, and there is definitely a lot of darkness going on like you said. But I think there’s a difference between violence in a CGI show and in a (partly) live-action movie. The trilogy would still feature at least 3 violent ‘disarmaments’ and at least one beheading, as well as the political dialogue necessary to keep the story coherent. It just stops short of showing our hero maimed and tortuously burned beside a river of lava.
I also remember reading a parent’s reaction to showing their child Episode 3. In short, it was traumatic, since kids have a very binary sense of ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’. Anakin is a ‘good guy’, and to consider that he could become evil can be a very challenging concept at a young age. Furthermore, Luke’s attitude in ANH and ESB is very childish in this sense, since he sees everything in this same binary light. His father was a good guy, Obi-wan was a good guy, and Vader is a bad guy. The revelation is much more powerful when seen in this light, and this edit of the prequels would reinforce that interpretation.
Thanks. I can export them each as stereo as well, if it would be easier.
I’m thinking it would be for very young children whose parents want to show them something Star Wars but don’t think they’re ready for the OT (I had to leave the room when I first watched Empire at age 5 or so). It’s designed to fit with the general tone of The Clone Wars and Rebels.
I’m pretty sure that exactly zero people on these forums would want to see this version of the prequels - that’s what the other fanedits on this forum are for. But it might be very useful thing to have for new generations just being introduced to the franchise. It’s a light, abridged version of what is already cartoonish fare, and could potentially make for a fascinating revelation after seeing the OT. Imagine that you were 4 and saw these edits, then saw the OT a year later. Then you could see the real prequels or more complete fanedits, and uncover this whole new darker side of the films, rather like a perfected Machete Order.
Great minds think alike. 😉
Inspired by Episode 1: Jar-Jar’s Big Adventure, I thought, what would the other two prequels look like with the kid-friendly treatment?
Episode 2 seems easy enough - have it focus on Obi-wan and the discovery of the clones, and end much as the original ended with the big battle, Anakin losing his arm, and the wedding. Cut most of the love plot and political meandering and it’s a decent hour-long detective story with a battle at the end.
Episode 3 would be much more tricky. Since these films would be meant to be seen by very young audiences, they would naturally be seen before the OT and thus Anakin’s fall is a poor fit because of how it ruins the reveal in Empire, besides being too dark. So however it happens, it will need to address the perennially problematic ‘other student’ issue.
Here’s a rough idea of how I’d go about it:
Episode III
Revenge of the Sith
As the Clone Wars ravage the galaxy, Anakin has returned home from his long campaign to Coruscant to become a Jedi Master.
Now without an apprentice, Master Obi-wan has become a teacher at the Jedi Temple, but he is eager to return to battle and end the war.
So when the Droid Leader General Grievous attacks Coruscant and captures the Chancellor, the two Jedi gladly embark on one last mission…
The opening battle is much the same, but with Palpatine’s machinations cut. Most of Palpatine’s interest in Anakin has been cut, and perhaps the only scene they share is when Anakin is tasked to inform him that Obi-wan has encountered Grievous. He immediately informs Mace, and then obeys him and stays in the council chamber. This is the last we see of Anakin in this edit. He is cut from the Mace/Palpatine duel, so Palpatine alone defeats the Jedi and enacts his sinister plan. Obi-wan returns from killing Grievous and Order 66 to find that Anakin has apparently been killed in the Jedi Temple, and has confimation of this when he views the (selectively edited) security holograms.
Mustafar doesn’t factor into this edit, as the Separatists are all defeated on Utapau and the war ends. Padme gives birth to the twins without incident. The film ends like the original, with Luke going to Tatooine.
So what do you think?
For me Star Wars was always about the Rebellion vs. the Empire.
True dat!
Unlurking for this very special 5/4, here’s one old SW fan’s ranking:
- Star Wars
If G-Lu had a heart attack and died in '77 and no sequels were ever made after the first film, I think SW would still be considered a classic today. A fun crowd pleasing popcorn film with some actual ideas percolating just underneath the surface.
- The Empire Strikes Back
Essential viewing. A very, VERY close second edged out only by being a darker, more mature sequel to the original. Best puppet acting in history.
- Return of the Jedi
Almost as good as the first two but just not quite there due to some shaky, half baked concepts (Death Star II, return to Tatooine, Lando and Han both get to live?!). I’m ok with the Ewoks but I think this one really misses the wisdom and insghtfulness of Gary Kurtz.
Big space here…
- Rogue One
From here on out none of the following movies are in the same league as the OT. RO is more how I sort of imagined the prequels could have gone–a return to the used, run down SW universe featuring brand new characters, albeit in stories not necessarily so tied to OT continuity. I don’t love it like I do the OT but I don’t actively loathe it either.
- The Phantom Menace
Ouch, you can’t go home again. The beginning of undead zombie Star Wars or SWINO as far as I’m concerned. Really should have only been bankrolled with a story by Lucas and directed by someone else with a little more piss and vinegar. The “best” of the three prequels but still all unnecessary back story better left untold. An absolute waste of Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan and CPY shits on real Yoda, but still the least offensive to OT characters/plot–except for demystifying the Force of course.
- The Force Awakens
Arguably a better made reboot/sequel than all three prequels but still not really for me or my post 18-35 year old age demographic. Still nice seeing some old familiar faces again though probably should have been made 30 years ago. New characters mildly interesting, though plot a bit of a reheated souffle. Basically, meh…fair to middling entry IMO, though in light of recent political events in the US, posesses the timely theme that old evils never truly disappear, they just change their brand name.
- Revenge of the Sith
The whole damn point of the entire prequel trilogy but after the first two I couldn’t really find the energy to give a shit anymore. Could have been brilliant but due to the shaky foundations of TPM, the tragedy of 'lil orphan Ani ended up wasted potential. Again the whole turn to the dark side and lava fight was probably better left untold. And again shits on Yoda.
- Attack of the Clones
The worst. Unnecessary filler to pad out an unnecessary trilogy that actually makes me hate OT characters Obi-Wan, Boba Fett, C-3PO, R2-D2, the Emperor, and myself for wasting my life watching and obsessing over this shit. Once again, Yoda is shat upon–he really never should have appeared in these films at all.
Still after all the CGI disappointment and greenscreen abuse, like a battered and bruised junkie spouse I remain a SW fan and look forward with (a new) hope to The Last Jedi.
Hovercraft out. May the Fourth be with you all!
Good list. I would only switch TFA and RO. I feel like TFA has the potential to climb (or fall) in people’s rankings quite precipitously with the release of TLJ, just as TPM fell in my estimation after the release of AOTC. And we won’t even mention Episode IX…
Trevorrow: “It’s just us now. Rian Johnson can’t save you.”
I used to have tremendous respect for Bill Nye. Then I watched this and this.
It’s amazing how one can take credibility built up over decades and flush it all down the crapper in the blink of an eye.
Poor Rachael Bloom. I actually enjoyed her in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Ever since this I’ve considered Bill Nye to be a rather pretentious ass.