Eh. It's a flawed gem, Star Wars. Lucas obviously sold out with the the licensing-whoring, the kiddie emphasis, and wrecked willing suspension of disbelief with illogical plotting, but there's still plenty for everyone to enjoy.
That there is any controversy proves Lucas has made his mark. He just happened to be the first geek in the pool, back in '77.
Of course, without lightsabres, Star Wars wouldn't be shit.
=^[.]^=
That there is any controversy proves Lucas has made his mark. He just happened to be the first geek in the pool, back in '77.
Of course, without lightsabres, Star Wars wouldn't be shit.
=^[.]^=
It often puzzles me as to why people are so surprised that George Lucas likes money. The merchandising of Star Wars has been going since before the orignal movie came out (The tie-in comic book and novel were released before the actual movie). Nothing wrong with that-it's the nature of the capitalist system and Lucas is good at it.
And Star Wars has always been targeted at a young/family audience-that's the nature of the beast. And,personally, I think the CLone Wars series is far better than the Droids series ever was (I could never bring myself to watch the Ewoks series..)
And all of George lucas's weaknesses as a writer have been pretty evident from the beginning. I've always seen him as someone whose great strength was in ideas and plot but not so much in dialogue.
Truthfully, I doubt Lucas could have pleased some of these people. They seem more angry that they didn't come out of the Phantom Menace twelve years old than anything else (and a little bit jealous of those who did...). There was nothing Lucas could have done about that.
The Star Wars movies(all the Star Wars movies. I will agree that The Phantom Menace is the weakest movie-mostly because of Jar Jar- but it has many good things about it) are great SF action movies and were never meant to be anything more. Lucas is not responsible for the fact that some people took them too seriously...
Best wishes,
Scott
And Star Wars has always been targeted at a young/family audience-that's the nature of the beast. And,personally, I think the CLone Wars series is far better than the Droids series ever was (I could never bring myself to watch the Ewoks series..)
And all of George lucas's weaknesses as a writer have been pretty evident from the beginning. I've always seen him as someone whose great strength was in ideas and plot but not so much in dialogue.
Truthfully, I doubt Lucas could have pleased some of these people. They seem more angry that they didn't come out of the Phantom Menace twelve years old than anything else (and a little bit jealous of those who did...). There was nothing Lucas could have done about that.
The Star Wars movies(all the Star Wars movies. I will agree that The Phantom Menace is the weakest movie-mostly because of Jar Jar- but it has many good things about it) are great SF action movies and were never meant to be anything more. Lucas is not responsible for the fact that some people took them too seriously...
Best wishes,
Scott
Way late to the discussion... I gotta say, DUH!!
Without the financial successes of Industrial light and magic... Star Wars lightsabers wouldn't be the only thing we'd be without.
One does not build the computers, design the systems, and maintain the ever blooming req's and capacity for CGI on a shoestring. Without big$$$$$$, Lucas would still be in a shed using a super8.
As a person out of theater as opposed to film, I must give huge props to painters and lighting techs... but so much of what is fantasy is brought to seamless life in the lab.
That marketing lead to play in the laboratory... and folk were dumb enough to get pulled in to buy it, so part of me says... you were not forced to purchase the entire collection. That was choice. I'm glad some could... and did. I do think research is going to take a bit of a hit... in the days to come, until we are all back to movie-goin' cash in our pockets.
Without the financial successes of Industrial light and magic... Star Wars lightsabers wouldn't be the only thing we'd be without.
One does not build the computers, design the systems, and maintain the ever blooming req's and capacity for CGI on a shoestring. Without big$$$$$$, Lucas would still be in a shed using a super8.
As a person out of theater as opposed to film, I must give huge props to painters and lighting techs... but so much of what is fantasy is brought to seamless life in the lab.
That marketing lead to play in the laboratory... and folk were dumb enough to get pulled in to buy it, so part of me says... you were not forced to purchase the entire collection. That was choice. I'm glad some could... and did. I do think research is going to take a bit of a hit... in the days to come, until we are all back to movie-goin' cash in our pockets.
QUOTE (herbsinger42 @ Apr 13 2009, 07:28 PM) 
Way late to the discussion... I gotta say, DUH!!
Without the financial successes of Industrial light and magic... Star Wars lightsabers wouldn't be the only thing we'd be without.
One does not build the computers, design the systems, and maintain the ever blooming req's and capacity for CGI on a shoestring. Without big$$$$$$, Lucas would still be in a shed using a super8.
As a person out of theater as opposed to film, I must give huge props to painters and lighting techs... but so much of what is fantasy is brought to seamless life in the lab.
That marketing lead to play in the laboratory... and folk were dumb enough to get pulled in to buy it, so part of me says... you were not forced to purchase the entire collection. That was choice. I'm glad some could... and did. I do think research is going to take a bit of a hit... in the days to come, until we are all back to movie-goin' cash in our pockets.
Without the financial successes of Industrial light and magic... Star Wars lightsabers wouldn't be the only thing we'd be without.
One does not build the computers, design the systems, and maintain the ever blooming req's and capacity for CGI on a shoestring. Without big$$$$$$, Lucas would still be in a shed using a super8.
As a person out of theater as opposed to film, I must give huge props to painters and lighting techs... but so much of what is fantasy is brought to seamless life in the lab.
That marketing lead to play in the laboratory... and folk were dumb enough to get pulled in to buy it, so part of me says... you were not forced to purchase the entire collection. That was choice. I'm glad some could... and did. I do think research is going to take a bit of a hit... in the days to come, until we are all back to movie-goin' cash in our pockets.
Lucas definitely redefined what a successful film could be, then a franchise, at the same time revitalizing a genre dormant since the old B&W serials (on which Star Wars is based).
As for the research end of it, I think that the opposite may happen: More will be put into polishing the product to attract a perhaps pickier audience. I'm just afraid that gimmicks like 3-D will be what gets marketed, instead of real innovations. As it is, the products being released to the big screen are about as visually sophisticated as they are likely to be, except, perhaps, making them seamless enough, by whatever means, to stand up to new HD and other viewing technologies.
Rhio and I haven't felt motivated to go see a movie at the theater since last year, not even Twilight or Watchmen. And it's not even so much the money, though the price of a ticket, even without a trip to the concession stand, has become ridiculous. We just don't find the trip to the theater, finding parking, standing in line, sitting in a dark chamber with a variety of people (and their ill-behaved kids) whom we wouldn't allow into our home, plus the limited viewing schedule, worth the effort.
=^[.]^=
Well, you're not entirely wrong... I went to Knowing with friends...
Most of our theaters in Las Vegas are connected to casinos. If you think YOU don't like the "trip"-- making one's way through the casino first is annoying on many counts. Primarily, smokers... when you are not one. I come out smelling like an ashtray.
However, I do love seeing some special effects on the big screen. I don't think the impact would be the same of Independence day, Iron Man... Dark Knight, any of the Matrix trilogy... Knowing used a "mother ship" and little ships that break off... I don't have a "movie room... I don't have a large screen (27" felt big when I'd just had a 20"... ) I lose so much detail to light, and the size of the screen. Even watching Firefly eps... seein' 'em on m y son's 52" made all the difference in the world. It was astonishing.
I admit, we try to do weekday matinees. Perhaps, tho, being an educator... I have a thicker skin regarding other people's kids... I have not committed a felony yet.
I've fantasized about it. But I have remained calm. I can't wait till my son gets his 'media room' together... he wants a projection system, surround sound, and a drop-down screen... at least a 50"... but it depends on what he can afford. Once that is functional... it might be worth while to wait for everything to go to DVD... until then, I'll brave the brats for things I think are worth the screen. Not the acting... good acting doesn't require big.
Most of our theaters in Las Vegas are connected to casinos. If you think YOU don't like the "trip"-- making one's way through the casino first is annoying on many counts. Primarily, smokers... when you are not one. I come out smelling like an ashtray.
However, I do love seeing some special effects on the big screen. I don't think the impact would be the same of Independence day, Iron Man... Dark Knight, any of the Matrix trilogy... Knowing used a "mother ship" and little ships that break off... I don't have a "movie room... I don't have a large screen (27" felt big when I'd just had a 20"... ) I lose so much detail to light, and the size of the screen. Even watching Firefly eps... seein' 'em on m y son's 52" made all the difference in the world. It was astonishing.
I admit, we try to do weekday matinees. Perhaps, tho, being an educator... I have a thicker skin regarding other people's kids... I have not committed a felony yet.
I've fantasized about it. But I have remained calm. I can't wait till my son gets his 'media room' together... he wants a projection system, surround sound, and a drop-down screen... at least a 50"... but it depends on what he can afford. Once that is functional... it might be worth while to wait for everything to go to DVD... until then, I'll brave the brats for things I think are worth the screen. Not the acting... good acting doesn't require big.
Oh, there are some films that merit a "big screen premiere" for us... But not all that long ago, Watchmen would have qualified. Now, we're just becoming old and apathetic, I guess. =0[.]o=
Yeah... some days, really-- I'd rather stay home and read a good book.
I won't go to concerts anymore... too loud!
I am selective about what I'm willing to drop the $8.50 for a matinee...
And I can't stay up late for TV, so, thank the stars for DVR.
I won't go to concerts anymore... too loud!
I am selective about what I'm willing to drop the $8.50 for a matinee...
And I can't stay up late for TV, so, thank the stars for DVR.
QUOTE (Raycheetah @ Apr 15 2009, 01:21 AM)
Oh, there are some films that merit a "big screen premiere" for us... But not all that long ago, Watchmen would have qualified. Now, we're just becoming old and apathetic, I guess. =0[.]o=
I don't go to the cinema much these days, as I prefer to watch movies at home where I can pause the film and make myself a cup of tea or whatever.
QUOTE (RaiderDave2112 @ Apr 17 2009, 07:39 PM)
I don't go to the cinema much these days, as I prefer to watch movies at home where I can pause the film and make myself a cup of tea or whatever.
No more hard decisions between seeing the whole film or saving your bursting bladder, either.
=@[.]@=
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