Like many I hate the prequels, and haven't watched any of them for years. However with the new films coming out, I thought rather than sulk it would be better to try and 'condition' myself to watching new Star Wars films again in preparation. I also bet the new films make reference to things in the prequels, we're kidding ourselves if we think these new movies are just for our generation, so I should really know them better. Maybe they're not as bad as I remembered? So yesterday evening I watched The Phantom Menace.
I must admit, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It does feel like a Star Wars film, especially the opening 15 minutes or so. The opening crawl, spaceships, lightsabres, droids, can't really complain so far. However, it wasn't all enjoyable. Jar Jar is fully deserving of his hatred, he is even more slapstick than I remember. The originals were funny in places, Jar Jar is like watching Tellytubbies. Doesn't suit the film at all and ruins certain scenes. Also, the CGI is terrible. They made this film 5-10 years too early, it's far too ambitious and it looks really dated already. However overall, it was certainly watchable. The story isn't terrible, most of the acting isn't terrible, I didn't even hate Anakin (although he is annoying in a couple of places.) Here's a quick summary:
The good
- The story is OK
- The music is great, John Williams never fails
- Natalie Portman
The bad
- Jar Jar, nuff said
- The CGI looks terribly dated already
- Ewan McGregor is a good actor but doesn't suit this role
I think they should 'reboot' the prequels like they are with every other old film these days, remake them with better CGI and without some of the crap. It has the potential to be a good film, it's just let down by a few things.
I'll update again when I've watched Attack of the Clones, which from memory is the worst one.
I must admit, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It does feel like a Star Wars film, especially the opening 15 minutes or so. The opening crawl, spaceships, lightsabres, droids, can't really complain so far. However, it wasn't all enjoyable. Jar Jar is fully deserving of his hatred, he is even more slapstick than I remember. The originals were funny in places, Jar Jar is like watching Tellytubbies. Doesn't suit the film at all and ruins certain scenes. Also, the CGI is terrible. They made this film 5-10 years too early, it's far too ambitious and it looks really dated already. However overall, it was certainly watchable. The story isn't terrible, most of the acting isn't terrible, I didn't even hate Anakin (although he is annoying in a couple of places.) Here's a quick summary:
The good
- The story is OK
- The music is great, John Williams never fails
- Natalie Portman
The bad
- Jar Jar, nuff said
- The CGI looks terribly dated already
- Ewan McGregor is a good actor but doesn't suit this role
I think they should 'reboot' the prequels like they are with every other old film these days, remake them with better CGI and without some of the crap. It has the potential to be a good film, it's just let down by a few things.
I'll update again when I've watched Attack of the Clones, which from memory is the worst one.