TavorX

I’m still not convinced making this movie was smart either way.

However, I have some respect for them not going full CGI Harrison Ford. When recasting a certain character, while it would be ideal that such actor/actress looks like a doppelganger, it’s a rarely the case, and even if you found someone that looked spot on, their acting ability could be shit. I’d rather have good acting than have something pretty to look at. They really lucked out on Mon Mothma in Rogue One.

Overall, my interest in this film is rather low, though not zero. Given the fact that this will come out, I believe the better mindset is to worry how well the actor “acts” Han Solo and not so much looks alone.

I like TFA despite its flaws.

It’s dead, Jim.

Possessed said:

MalàStrana said:

NeverarGreat said:

I’m happy that they seem to be going for practical racing rather than just green-screen stuff.

Not very surprising since Lucasfilm is using the same production approach that was used for I to VII and Rogue One.

I-III used practical effects? Okay.

http://makezine.com/2015/10/07/the-surprising-practical-effects-of-the-star-wars-prequels/

That speeder or whatever doesn’t look bad to me tbh. Those Imperial “Zamboni’s” remind me of Rey’s speeder though.

I’ve got a weekend holiday ahead of me; my little brother and I are going to make an X-Wing model from 14 pages worth of templates to cut out/fold/glue. Excited because I did that kind of papercraft thing when I was younger and genuinely enjoy the process of slowing building something, where the parts little by little start to take form. My little brother hopes to the model X-Wing to imitate the film techniques done in A New Hope where the camera moves/pans around the ship to give the illusion of movement on screen. Yay!

Darth Id said:

TavorX said:

Such an odd thing to judge. I didn’t quite hate it, yet I don’t quite want to watch this again, and yet I sorta like it.

That is some desperate Stockholm Syndrome shit right there.
It’s okay, just say it’s punishingly unwatchable garbage. You know damn well it is.

I’m just acknowledging there’s some things to praise it for. The film set out to make the viewer feel tense and disturbed, and I’d say it did its job well. However, yeah, it’s overall not quite my kind of movie; just enjoyed the experience of viewing something wholly different of what I’m used to.

For Twitter, I’ll add Chris Stuckmann and Jeremy Jahns to the list of people to Tweet at. I know Jahns pretty much endorsed Harmy’s editions in one of his videos. Chris I believe received a copy from one of his fans, and not to mention, he’s a Star Wars fan.

JEDIT: I spelled “Jahns” wrong initially; thanks to Ryan below for making me realize my error.

I saw a David Lynch movie for the first time; Eraserhead. I thought I’ve seen some weird things, but none so far have managed to create such a tense atmosphere that genuinely disturbed me. The ominous sounds, the odd quirks in how people acted and interacted with each other, the weird tangents, and overall mood of anxiety. Comedy and drama often can blend together into “Dramedy” but in this film, it’s like exotic blend of comedy, drama, and horror. Horamadey…?
Such an odd thing to judge. I didn’t quite hate it, yet I don’t quite want to watch this again, and yet I sorta like it.

I should note that this viewing this film actually gave me a headache, which is funny because Lynch has said that he got a migraine from visiting George Lucas from all the talk about Star Wars.

I’m sort of caught up to speed on “Star Wars” in 4K. I came across Mike Vetra’s vimeo videos where he showed off his cleanup work/commentary. Sadly, I read that Mike would face serious legal action for ever releasing his “Legacy Edition”.

But then there’s Project 4K77, which I assume to be separate from Mike’s work. Even still, it’s such a shame that we may never get to see a cleaned up/restored 35mm scan, at least to the degree and clarity shown in some of the clips from Mike or Project 4K77. This is what comes down to right? If the quality is consistent and crisp, then that’s a threat, but so long as it’s inconsistent, like Harmy’s Despecialized version (note: I’m not knocking on his work at all and really appreciate it), then it gets to fly under the radar.

Am I understanding that correctly? For a brief while, when I read this topic, I kept thinking, “There’s nothing to worry; if Disney won’t give us what we want, the fans will”. Seems like that won’t be the case after all.

Darth Solo said:

TavorX said:

I saw the Alien franchise for the first time about a couple months ago. I have not seen Resurrection (more like a few scenes to know I don’t care to see it) nor the AvP one’s. Prometheus, I saw parts of this film before seeing Alien/s/3 but it has been awhile so I don’t really know how to judge Prometheus until I actually watch it from beginning to end.
That said:

1. Alien 9/10
   This film really surprised me. Prior to viewing, I had this mindset and expectation that Alien was only liked because it had a cool looking alien and had the appeal of a horror story set in space with cheesiness and bad so-so characters. Instead, I was blown away how timeless it looked for a film in 1979. Other than the dated computers, everything looks really nice and believable. So on visual terms, it works. Character and story wise, it is done justice. How the characters interact just flows so well and sets up tension through their little disputes. The story is a nice thriller with bits of mystery and imagination left to the viewer. It never bores me. Instant and well-deserved classic.

2. Alien³ 6.5/10
   After coming off Aliens, which I’ll get into later, I was glad it was closer to Alien in terms of tone and atmosphere. The crazy thing is that I was more interested in these characters, especially Charles Dance’s character, but damn, I don’t think they gave him the justice he deserved. While Aliens was excessive in bringing in new characters, not that Alien³ didn’t too, this film was too excessive in respect to killing off characters. Like okay, you’re going to off a couple of characters from Aliens so that you can work off a ‘clean slate’, but then you’re going to add insult to injury and kill off one of your own interesting new character. I get thematically, this film has that theme about “Death”, but it doesn’t work well if it’s used in excess, in respect to what I described earlier. There’s list of other issues, obviously the horrible puppet work on the alien comes to mind, but overall, I liked most the dialogue and most of the characters here. If I had to watch a sequel in this franchise, this would be it.

3. Aliens 5/10
   Very underwhelmed with the product given here. As soon as the space Marines are on-camera, that’s when I started to think… something’s off here. Unlike Alien, this film looks and feels dated in all the bad ways. One-liner comedy and guns a blazing. Some say the effects really hold up, and while Alien had a few minor effects that didn’t age well, Aliens overall look and feel doesn’t hold up for me. One scene that comes to mind is when one of the drop ships crashes, and it’s like, I can tell it’s a background projected behind the actors.

Way to go noob.

Thanks.

I saw the Alien franchise for the first time about a couple months ago. I have not seen Resurrection (more like a few scenes to know I don’t care to see it) nor the AvP one’s. Prometheus, I saw parts of this film before seeing Alien/s/3 but it has been awhile so I don’t really know how to judge Prometheus until I actually watch it from beginning to end.
That said:

1. Alien 9/10
   This film really surprised me. Prior to viewing, I had this mindset and expectation that Alien was only liked because it had a cool looking alien and had the appeal of a horror story set in space with cheesiness and bad so-so characters. Instead, I was blown away how timeless it looked for a film in 1979. Other than the dated computers, everything looks really nice and believable. So on visual terms, it works. Character and story wise, it is done justice. How the characters interact just flows so well and sets up tension through their little disputes. The story is a nice thriller with bits of mystery and imagination left to the viewer. It never bores me. Instant and well-deserved classic.

2. Alien³ 6.5/10
   After coming off Aliens, which I’ll get into later, I was glad it was closer to Alien in terms of tone and atmosphere. The crazy thing is that I was more interested in these characters, especially Charles Dance’s character, but damn, I don’t think they gave him the justice he deserved. While Aliens was excessive in bringing in new characters, not that Alien³ didn’t too, this film was too excessive in respect to killing off characters. Like okay, you’re going to off a couple of characters from Aliens so that you can work off a ‘clean slate’, but then you’re going to add insult to injury and kill off one of your own interesting new character. I get thematically, this film has that theme about “Death”, but it doesn’t work well if it’s used in excess, in respect to what I described earlier. There’s list of other issues, obviously the horrible puppet work on the alien comes to mind, but overall, I liked most the dialogue and most of the characters here. If I had to watch a sequel in this franchise, this would be it.

3. Aliens 5/10
   Very underwhelmed with the product given here. As soon as the space Marines are on-camera, that’s when I started to think… something’s off here. Unlike Alien, this film looks and feels dated in all the bad ways. One-liner comedy and guns a blazing. Some say the effects really hold up, and while Alien had a few minor effects that didn’t age well, Aliens overall look and feel doesn’t hold up for me. One scene that comes to mind is when one of the drop ships crashes, and it’s like, I can tell it’s a background projected behind the actors. It’s not horrendous, and definitely not on the levels of Alien³ puppetry, but considering how well crafted and solid the first film was, this was a let down. Aliens is also a huge disappointment to me because it really feels like a blatant remake or retread of the previous film. Alien³ is not innocent either, but I’ll give it props for being a lot more creative than the shoot everything that moves route as well as how bland the story unfolds beat for beat from the first film. If a sequel to Alien had to be done, which inherently, I didn’t really think Alien needed a sequel, but if it had to happen, I think it should ideally flesh out and explore Weyland’s motive behind wanting the “Perfect Organism” so bad. Obviously, they want to use it as a weapon, but against who or what? How did they hope to use it? Alongside this narrative would have Ripley trying to sabotage and taking the fight to Weyland. Sadly, Aliens and Alien³ aren’t that impressive to me since each sequel more or less copies the story of Alien and less so of expanding the story.

From the little I know of Prometheus, and knowing how Ridley Scott wants to create five or six damn prequel movies, I can’t say I’m thrilled about that either. Alien itself was a solid film and everything else feels derivative.

Interesting. I’m in that camp too where I never got that “shock” moment when Vader said he was Luke’s father; it’s akin to asking me when I learned what the color red was and how I felt. I don’t remember, I just know. Where we differ though in respect to OP is that I don’t quite remember feeling like it was a documentary. I knew it was a fantasy. What made me concious that these films were movies was probably due to seeing some specials on TV (I think one was called Empire of Dreams…?) and those programs would show some behind the scene stuff. That really sparked the imagination in me and even now, I dream of becoming a film director of sorts, and it’s all because of Star Wars, knowing how it was made was really exciting to me just as much as watching the films.

Side note, though I’ve mentioned it before, it’s funny to me how I must be in the minority that really found TPM super boring despite seeing it at age 4.

My “Star Wars” was me as a kid constantly watching the '97 SE VHS set; I probably played A New Hope the least cause I thought, “ah, desert stuff and boring space battle.” Return of the Jedi got played the most because I really enjoyed the space battle and the duel between Luke and Vader. Empire Strikes Back got played the second most (“Hoth? HELL YEAH! Yoda stuff? Borringgg skip Luke vs Vader? Weeeee!”)
I did get the Prequel Theater experience, but I barely remember TPM, and even when my parents got it on VHS at the time, I hardly watched it and instead went back to all my time favorite, Return of the Jedi. By the time AotC came out, that was my first Star Wars DVD and watched it a fair amount, but still rather dull. Then my parents get the 2004 DVD set, and oh boy, I still remember how pissed my dad was when Hayden’s ghost appeared, but hey, at least I get to watch Star Wars again since the VHS tapes are worn out and essentially trash (we still have those 2004 DVD’s and in pretty decent shape aside from the box). Alongside the films, I drew countless drawings that were Star Wars related and even made a homemade X-Wing, Falcon, Star Destroyer, AT-AT, and an AT-ST head (was meant to be a full walker, but never finished ha).

To be honest, those 2004 DVD’s have been the definitive Star Wars Trilogy for me, as for years, and even now, I have no memory of actually hearing Boba Fett’s original voice nor can I remember Shaw’s Force Ghost in Jedi, nor Yub Nub. Due to how much longer the 2004 version lasted throughout my childhood, Yub Nub can be a little jarring to me and still prefer Victory Celebration.

Expanded universe wise, Knights of the Old Republic is my “extra” Star Wars experience. Star Wars Clone Wars remains my all time favorite Star Wars cartoon, the one from 2003-2004. I felt “George Lucas’d” when they stopped that cartoon in favor of that blocky CGI “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” version, which still makes me scratch my head why so many like it despite adding weird continuity between AotC and RotS (how the hell does Anakin have an apprentice and still count as canon, when no hints of this are evident in RotS??).

Now though, I’ve grown more appreciation for A New Hope or “Star Wars” for most of you all. Empire Strikes Back remains my all time favorite Star Wars film, and Return of the Jedi, I believe it’s only redeeming aspects are the space battles and the conflict between Luke/Vader/Emperor. Not even Rogue One’s space battle compares; it’s really boring to me actually and feels like someone having too much fun throwing a ton of ships together in one scene for the sake of explosions and lasers.

I’m still quite content with TFA, and it’s mainly due to me really liking the new characters and interested in how their stories will develop. Plot stuff is lacking, sure, but if both the characters and the plot fell, I wouldn’t like it as much as I do currently.

Star Wars is really a cultural art piece puzzle. It becomes this rabbit-hole of changes based off what a fan wishes to see; if you change one thing, do you change everything else? I recently saw Adywan’s scene with the Emperor’s hologram from ESB:R and it hit me that’s seriously the only scene I would want in say, Harmy’s Despecialized version. The 2004 scene is beyond awful, but the concept makes total sense. The original 1980 just suffers from Lucas not sure how to do the Emperor until Jedi came out, so it’s this rather bizarre artifact that remains. But seriously, that’s the only scene in ESB that would make the Despecialized version that much more sweeter for me.

Anyway, what I’m getting at is that over the decades, there’s been additional Star Wars “puzzle pieces” materialized and all of them can get mixed and matched to create your own version of Star Wars. If by some off chance Disney released the OUT, I imagine it would still be met with criticism. Say it’s a restored and cleaned up release through and through; it still may leave a sour taste for today’s fans of Star Wars.
“Why didn’t you fix [lightsaber rotoscopping/color corrections/continuity errors]?”

The longer fans have waited for a ‘proper’ release of the Star Wars trilogy, the more headache inducing it becomes given how Star Wars has been seen differently from person to person, generation after generation, and each expect something different when viewing these films.

If anything, this period where Disney is quiet about OUT is probably actually for the best because we, the fans, have more control over how we release Star Wars. What I fear is that if a OUT gets officially released, it will kill the kind of communities we have here, where there’s more freedom and creativity to mix and match how we see Star Wars.

Colson said:

TavorX said:

First off, thank you Harmy and everyone involved on this outstanding project!

Second off, I recently got the AVCHD version, and was curious about the audio. I stumbled upon some YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/WTuj61vsJcA?t=6m22s and the guy is highlighting how Luke says, "This is it!"
Is that audio mix only in the bigger MKV version? I’ve cycled through all the audio tracks in VLC and Luke’s line in question never is heard except in one of the commentary tracks. It’s a very, very minor point, I know, but what exactly is the story behind that piece of dialogue from Luke? Was that always in the theatrical version, or in some other version? From comparing the audio tracks available in the AVCHD vs MKV, I can only guess that line is probably found in the 1993 laser disc audio track, which the MKV file has and the AVCHD doesn’t?

Just curious!

The version he shows in which Luke says “This is it!” is the Blu-ray. He then shows the GOUT and Despecialized, both of which are missing the line.

Oh wow my bad, I totally see I wasn’t paying attention now. Thank you for pointing it out to me!

First off, thank you Harmy and everyone involved on this outstanding project!

Second off, I recently got the AVCHD version, and was curious about the audio. I stumbled upon some YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/WTuj61vsJcA?t=6m22s and the guy is highlighting how Luke says, "This is it!"
Is that audio mix only in the bigger MKV version? I’ve cycled through all the audio tracks in VLC and Luke’s line in question never is heard except in one of the commentary tracks. It’s a very, very minor point, I know, but what exactly is the story behind that piece of dialogue from Luke? Was that always in the theatrical version, or in some other version? From comparing the audio tracks available in the AVCHD vs MKV, I can only guess that line is probably found in the 1993 laser disc audio track, which the MKV file has and the AVCHD doesn’t?

Just curious!

Being a real fan is for chumps. You need to go all the way and become a devout follower of the Jedi Church.

Yeah, I guess the Jedi thought that the Force couldn’t surround and penetrate all living things if one of those living things happened to die off. Cute.

It was a boring disturbing conversation anyway.

For #3, there’s Leia obviously.

1. No.

Raddus looked pretty CGI to me.

When you’re on a forum like this, can you blame them? I mean, the motto of this place is, “PRESERVE ALL THE STAR WARS!!!” unless I’m mistaken?

Alderaan said:

This video is absolutely hilarious:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odj6NHsWe00

Really feels like people’s reaction to this movie in a microcosm. Of course some of this video is hyperbole, so don’t take it too seriously, but I did find quite a bit of truth in what was going on.

As someone that has seen both original videos immediately after seeing the film, that was icing on the cake for me lmao.

I’m pretty sure there was enough time for R2D2 and C-3PO to be chaperoned aboard the Tantive IV between that scene and by the time the Rebel fleet makes it to Scarif.

If there had to be a noticeable difference between the Prequels and Rogue One, it’s that I was actually interested in knowing more about the characters in Rogue One than in the Prequels. I know I’ve expressed that I didn’t feel that connected to the characters and deem this element of the film to be the weakest, but comparatively, I still got the sense that these characters were truly a part of that lived-in universe with some (though not observable) history to go along. Prequel characters… those truly give the vibe of “yeah, we’re just here and not really a part of the Star Wars universe” and not much else. I should also say that those deaths in Rogue One were far more effective than some Order 66 montage, so I’ll give them that.