It's Time To Forgive George Lucas
- Thread starter MovieBob
- Start date
Yeah. Alright, fair enough. I'll forgive him for as long as he doesn't make any more shitty Indiana Jones movies about aliens.
Yeah, I always thought all the hate on Indy 4 was completely stupid. Mainly because 90% of it was due to the whole 'aliens' business. I'm pretty sure we'd left reality behind when we had the Ark of the Covenant/crazy melty faces, the cup of christ that made Indy temporarily immortal and VOODOO DOLLS! But this all gets overlooked because they were the originals and therefore superior (I thought Indy 4 was better than the Temple of Doom).Macgyvercas said:
As for Star Wars, episodes 3 and 6 are the best in my opinion and George Lucas isn't so bad really.
IMO, the original Star Wars trilogy was good, not incredible, but good. Episode I was alright, a bit kiddish. Episode II was horribly acted, but the storyline was incredible, both of those points are pushed to the extreme with Episode III.
Also, go to [link]www.asciimation.co.nz[/link] and enjoy the awesomest movie EVER...
Hey, Jar Jar was cool.Blade Chunk said:
Also, go to [link]www.asciimation.co.nz[/link] and enjoy the awesomest movie EVER...
Or d.Magic.Calatar said:
It's a mystical energy, with some vague will and destiny, that lets you levitate, control minds and shoot lightning. It's magic. I was fine with it being magic, magic needs no explanation. The original Star Wars was basically just a swords-and-sorcery romp in outerspace, it's never been science-fiction.
Just like many others have said before me, I never hated the prequels, actually liked them, Episode 1 being my favorite overall (podracers, naboo starfighters, darth maul, POD-FUCKING-RACERS! who gives a shit about jar jar) and Episode 2 being the least good of them all. Heck I even liked the story of Starkiller! nice touch linking the Republic era and the Empire era (in my opinion)
the only thing I actually disliked was the actor portraying Anakin in Ep. 2 and 3. I wouldn't call him terrible but he was meh ( again, imo of course.)
I never got into Indiana Jones so I have no way to judge "The crystal skull", though I did find it entertaining.
I don't have to forgive Lucas because I never hated him. Pure and simple. I loved what he made as movies and couldn't care less if he did it for the $$$. The fact being I enjoyed them and in the end, that's all that really matters to me.
the only thing I actually disliked was the actor portraying Anakin in Ep. 2 and 3. I wouldn't call him terrible but he was meh ( again, imo of course.)
I never got into Indiana Jones so I have no way to judge "The crystal skull", though I did find it entertaining.
I don't have to forgive Lucas because I never hated him. Pure and simple. I loved what he made as movies and couldn't care less if he did it for the $$$. The fact being I enjoyed them and in the end, that's all that really matters to me.
I believe I'm of the same generation as you, Bob (mid-30s? pretty much raised on Star Wars?), and I agree completely.
The whole "raped my childhood" thing needs to go away; it was never shocking or funny, even when South Park ran with it. That whole sentiment reeks of people who refuse to grow up in some way. That Lucas didn't grow up with his core audience (who I count myself as among) is a *little* disappointing, but that's it. I'll plug in the original trilogy when feeling nostalgic, and not even think of the prequels. Faux nerd-rage is obnoxious and mean-spirited, and real nerd-rage is a product of a mind that needs to see the outside of a basement. Find some other way to beat up your childhood bullies, or (!) put it in the past and do something you ENJOY.
I have to add that the people that whine about how "commercial" Star Wars is with all the toys and other merch need to chill out. Make a billion dollars off a bauble that celebrates something you created, and tell me you wouldn't do it again. (If for no other reason, if you don't, everyone else who profited the first time *will*, and you'd have no say in the matter.) And as a consumer, if you don't want to buy the junk, DON'T. No one's twisting your arm.
The whole "raped my childhood" thing needs to go away; it was never shocking or funny, even when South Park ran with it. That whole sentiment reeks of people who refuse to grow up in some way. That Lucas didn't grow up with his core audience (who I count myself as among) is a *little* disappointing, but that's it. I'll plug in the original trilogy when feeling nostalgic, and not even think of the prequels. Faux nerd-rage is obnoxious and mean-spirited, and real nerd-rage is a product of a mind that needs to see the outside of a basement. Find some other way to beat up your childhood bullies, or (!) put it in the past and do something you ENJOY.
I have to add that the people that whine about how "commercial" Star Wars is with all the toys and other merch need to chill out. Make a billion dollars off a bauble that celebrates something you created, and tell me you wouldn't do it again. (If for no other reason, if you don't, everyone else who profited the first time *will*, and you'd have no say in the matter.) And as a consumer, if you don't want to buy the junk, DON'T. No one's twisting your arm.
I have to laugh at the fanboys who are angry for the prequels. Jar-jar was not an unexpected failure or departure for Lucas for anyone paying attention. Jar-jar was no worse than when ewoks showed up in RofJ. I guess if you were 8 though when that came out you might not have noticed how much that sucked.
Well don't go into extremes of someone enjoyed it are idiots cause that's a cheap way out of a good argument. I disliked a lot of things about Phantom, but they come to Lucas sneaking things in. Howw wude. Yeah George we get it your daughters liked Full House and the snotty kid who spouted that line 18 times a episode. The having to draw attention to Jar Jar with stepping in poo or making him the bumbling idiot flailing on a saddle by amazingly he's taking out enemy troops...yeah.JeanLuc761 said:
One a whole the movie left me, well without that star wars feeling, when I was little and saw the other three. As the adult I did get to see a lot of Katana style jedi ass kicking which I liked... and I think snipers should be added to all races, Nothing would make Nascar more fun than letting the rednecks on top of the Rv get five shots at which ever car they like.
But there are times you leave the brain in the car, and just see a movie and take it for what it is worth. But even then, a certain detatchment has rules and boundries. And I' not kidding when I say those movies pressed even my patience with Lucas. Honestly, the man can make a few good movie series and that's it...everything else just, well, falls short.
I still hated him, not the man (good father and what out), but as a director.
Maybe if the people around him had the balls to go to Lusac "hey, um Mr Lusac Sir, I now you created Star Wars and all, but Ja ja is the worst idea for a character in the history of the world, and will destroy anything good it comes in touch with"
Then things will be better, and all will be right in the world.
Maybe if the people around him had the balls to go to Lusac "hey, um Mr Lusac Sir, I now you created Star Wars and all, but Ja ja is the worst idea for a character in the history of the world, and will destroy anything good it comes in touch with"
Then things will be better, and all will be right in the world.
Sorry, I disagree.
Lucas is the epitome of everything that's awful about Hollywood. The CGI-stained, unlikeable character, bums-on-seats, mindless, soulless drivel that's churned out every summer like those hotdogs that sit rotating on their grill. You know that they're awful, mince-filled, dirt-trodden, dry pieces of polystyrene but you also know that someone is going to be paying for them, and that someone could be you.
Lucas may not be the EVIL that he is meant to be, but he believes himself to be above those petty ideas like integrity, and sheer leaving the hell alone that has spawned every last vile "re-definition" of shows that forget the very reason they existed.
Lucas had one good idea (that he stole) and made something wonderful. Then he milked it and squeezed every last drop out of that cow until it was left with nothing more than a shell. Then he packed the shell with tripe and kept milking.
Forgive Lucas? Never. Purely because he keeps asking for forgiveness and then releasing something awful, while hiding something beautiful.
Phantom Menace
Opening Scene: Yoda lays beaten on the floor as Darth Maul approaches.
"You were foolish to attempt to rescue the boy from me."
He ignites the dual lightsaber and draws back.
"Fool I am? You are one forgetting to disarm me!"
Yoda leaps into the air and strikes hard at Maul. Maul blocks unsteadily and swings at the tumbling Jedi while a small boy looks on in fear and wonder.
THAT's how you win over old and young alike. Not with a pair of bored Jedi and a protocol droid.
That's what he's afraid of, and what he helped to create. He's gone back on his younger self, betrayed to the Dark Side of Cinematography, and as such, he must be struck down before he grows more powerful than we can possibly imagine.
From
That simply isn't on.
Lucas is the epitome of everything that's awful about Hollywood. The CGI-stained, unlikeable character, bums-on-seats, mindless, soulless drivel that's churned out every summer like those hotdogs that sit rotating on their grill. You know that they're awful, mince-filled, dirt-trodden, dry pieces of polystyrene but you also know that someone is going to be paying for them, and that someone could be you.
Lucas may not be the EVIL that he is meant to be, but he believes himself to be above those petty ideas like integrity, and sheer leaving the hell alone that has spawned every last vile "re-definition" of shows that forget the very reason they existed.
Lucas had one good idea (that he stole) and made something wonderful. Then he milked it and squeezed every last drop out of that cow until it was left with nothing more than a shell. Then he packed the shell with tripe and kept milking.
Some of the great Star Wars moments have been from people other than Lucas, who he then seeks to destroy to save "HIS GREAT WORK".
Forgive Lucas? Never. Purely because he keeps asking for forgiveness and then releasing something awful, while hiding something beautiful.
Yeah, maybe I'm old and cynical and probably laying it on a bit thick, but think about it for a second.
Phantom Menace
Opening Scene: Yoda lays beaten on the floor as Darth Maul approaches.
"You were foolish to attempt to rescue the boy from me."
He ignites the dual lightsaber and draws back.
"Fool I am? You are one forgetting to disarm me!"
Yoda leaps into the air and strikes hard at Maul. Maul blocks unsteadily and swings at the tumbling Jedi while a small boy looks on in fear and wonder.
THAT's how you win over old and young alike. Not with a pair of bored Jedi and a protocol droid.
That's what he's afraid of, and what he helped to create. He's gone back on his younger self, betrayed to the Dark Side of Cinematography, and as such, he must be struck down before he grows more powerful than we can possibly imagine.
It's not just that the prequels were bad, but that he ruined the sequels as well. And then prevented people from making the choice between them.
I'm sorry. Lucas has it coming and more.
From
to
Lastly, besides the atrocity of Jar-Jar, the ear-rending Anakin/Padme, the removal of Alec Guinness - he made Samuel L Jackson and James Earl Jones seem laughable.
That simply isn't on.
Pff... Hmm.
Yes, I agree with the central thesis. The original Star Wars movies were as remarkable for creating a sort of mythology that held its young audience in a state of wonder as they were for their groundbreaking special effects, legendary musical score, and iconic characters. The big problem with the prequels was, I think, that in many eyes they weren't made with the same kind of love and consideration that many of the "real fans" would have given them, something that is easily recongizable in any number of scenes (and at least one character) that have become nearly legendary for their awfulness: Midichlorians. Jar-Jar. Sand. R2-D2 on jets. And so on.
But with jaded eyes, you can find a fair number of flaws in the "original" trilogy, if you care to look. Little as ham-handed as the prequels, but there are certainly some grimace-worthy moments. Their epic stature often causes us to overlook that.
So I'm not inclined to accuse Lucas of "raping my childhood". He made some bad movies; there are plenty of people guilty of that.
However, he didn't stop with Star Wars, nor does his influence end with those three bad movies. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was delayed because it was waiting for script approval from Lucas- which means he gets a significant share of the blame for that one, as well. But beyond that, the "prequel trilogy" sent a message ringing up the ranks to the suits in Hollywood that story and character weren't the building blocks of blockbuster box-office; what you needed, rather, was state-of-the-art special effects and a recognizable franchise, preferably one that elicited feelings of nostalgia from the target audience and its parents.
So we get Transformers. And Alvin and the Chipmunks. And Scooby-Do... No, I'm certainly no putting all of the blame for that at Lucas' feet; ultimately, it comes down to stupidity and greed. But I do think he helped pave the way. And while LucasArts has done more than it's share of good stuff, I wouldn't lay all the thanks for that at Lucas' feet either.
I don't damn Lucas, but you might say I'm not ready to release him on his own recognizance, either. It seems like the kindest thing the man could do for cinema right now is stay out of the way and let the hungry young creative types- people like he was when he made the original trilogy- do their thing. Or write books; I understand the book he wrote on cinema isn't half bad. But when it comes to popular media today, one feels that he has gotten to the point where his wealth and power vastly outstrips his patience and sense.
Yes, I agree with the central thesis. The original Star Wars movies were as remarkable for creating a sort of mythology that held its young audience in a state of wonder as they were for their groundbreaking special effects, legendary musical score, and iconic characters. The big problem with the prequels was, I think, that in many eyes they weren't made with the same kind of love and consideration that many of the "real fans" would have given them, something that is easily recongizable in any number of scenes (and at least one character) that have become nearly legendary for their awfulness: Midichlorians. Jar-Jar. Sand. R2-D2 on jets. And so on.
But with jaded eyes, you can find a fair number of flaws in the "original" trilogy, if you care to look. Little as ham-handed as the prequels, but there are certainly some grimace-worthy moments. Their epic stature often causes us to overlook that.
So I'm not inclined to accuse Lucas of "raping my childhood". He made some bad movies; there are plenty of people guilty of that.
However, he didn't stop with Star Wars, nor does his influence end with those three bad movies. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was delayed because it was waiting for script approval from Lucas- which means he gets a significant share of the blame for that one, as well. But beyond that, the "prequel trilogy" sent a message ringing up the ranks to the suits in Hollywood that story and character weren't the building blocks of blockbuster box-office; what you needed, rather, was state-of-the-art special effects and a recognizable franchise, preferably one that elicited feelings of nostalgia from the target audience and its parents.
So we get Transformers. And Alvin and the Chipmunks. And Scooby-Do... No, I'm certainly no putting all of the blame for that at Lucas' feet; ultimately, it comes down to stupidity and greed. But I do think he helped pave the way. And while LucasArts has done more than it's share of good stuff, I wouldn't lay all the thanks for that at Lucas' feet either.
I don't damn Lucas, but you might say I'm not ready to release him on his own recognizance, either. It seems like the kindest thing the man could do for cinema right now is stay out of the way and let the hungry young creative types- people like he was when he made the original trilogy- do their thing. Or write books; I understand the book he wrote on cinema isn't half bad. But when it comes to popular media today, one feels that he has gotten to the point where his wealth and power vastly outstrips his patience and sense.