Who Doesn't Hate Jar Jar anymore?

[BreakmanX]

I found this topic on theforce.net forums, and thought it be interesting to see what you guys think.

Jar Jar was never was a character I hated, and I thought that the performance was excellent.

In talking with Star Wars fans I've come to find that those that don't like TPM or any of the prequels don't like it for one reason. They've grown up with Star Wars and always had an idea of the universe. They made it their universe. When they went to see TPM, they wanted to see their movie, not George's vision. When they got something that didn't perfectly fit with what they thought, they immediately hated it. Many times they'd move the blame to Jar Jar or Jake.

I always felt Jake was chosen because of his innocence. He wasn't a great actor, and therefore came off more childlike. Establishing Anakin's innocence (and non-Darth Vader like qualities) seemed like one the main points of TPM for me. Ep 1 was supposed to establish a light-hearted nature to contrast with the darkness of 3. I believe that people were expecting 3 when they went in to see it.

Jar Jar's really amatter of opinion, but I think he helps establish the lighter setting. For me it's all about contrast.

See what other fans thought here: http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp? ... t=18721642

[Realm]

I never really hated Jar Jar, I just thought he was a little "too much." I thought he made the whole movie a little too "kid-friendly." Maybe it was, or maybe I'm just a twisted bastard who likes his entertainment dark and violent. I didn't mind most of Jar Jar, but he kind of ruined the final battle for me. He was just a little too much. I like your idea of peoples' perspectives on Star Wars, and it's seems pretty accurate. I think it's applicable to the Matrix sequels as well. With both movies I have some very strong opinions, (it's REAL, dammit!) but mostly I enjoy sitting back and enjoying their creative-ness. And honestly, Episode III is going to make all the difference in whether the three prequels are to be taken seriously or not. If the first two have just been setting the stage for a kick-ass finale, it will all be forgivable. I really do have my hopes up for Ep. 3, I think it'll be good.

[AIDS]

I think bad acting is just bad acting. I felt Jake Llyod was too young for his role. He should've either looked older or should've been a better actor. There are more child actors that could've conveyed an innocent Anakin but also been believable.

I really don't understand the use for Jar Jar. Jar Jar is supposed to be the comedy relief, but that's supposed to be C-3PO's role. Jar Jar's comedy felt too over the top. I don't really understand why C-3PO and R2-D2 were even in the TPM. Also, making Anakin the creator of C-3PO was not needed.

I felt that acting was pretty stale with almost everyone. Liam Neeson was good though. I think it was probably hard for most of the actors to do their parts because they were surrounded by blue/green screen all the time. Also, I heard they did not get their full scripts because they didn't want it to leak out on the internet. I can imagine that it was hard for the actors to understand what exactly was always going on, and what their motivation was. I doubt there was much input and revisions or ad-libbing from the actors. Also, Natalie Portman had the fake british accent that would disapear sometimes (so did Carrie Fisher).

Did I have a vision for TPM? Of course I did. Every Star Wars fan did. Did I immediately hate TPM? No. I was torn when I saw it though. It had the most incredible lightsaber battles seen at that time. Why does everyone attack Jake and Jar Jar? Because it's easy. They are the 2 biggest and main reasons why people were disapointed with TPM.

I like or hate TPM depending on who I'm watching it with. If I'm watching it with someone who loves it, I will love it. If I'm watching it with someone who hates it and points out annoying things, I will hate it. If I watch it by myself, I think it's ok. Not the worst thing ever, but definately not the best. It's easy to criticize Lucas. It's been almost 30 years since A New Hope was released. There's been alot of changes since then with Lucas. He hadn't officially directed a film since A New Hope. He used all his profits from Star Wars to create the Lucas empire: Lucas Film, THX, Skywalker Sound, ILM, Lucas Arts, and etc. Who was once a skinny nerdy looking independent film maker had now become a larger, and older looking business man. It's hard for people to see if it's the same George or not. It also ticked off fans that he would not allow fans access to the original versions of ANH, ESB, and ROTJ. It doesn't make any sense why we can't be allowed to have the option to watch the Special Edition version or the original version.

Ok I'll shut up now. This is all just my opinion and it doesn't matter cause in the end, who am I? I'm nobody. I'm just one, but even thousands of Star Wars fans amount to nobody.

At least there's great hope. Episode III looks incredible. I think it'll restore alot of faith in alot of fans. I cannot wait.

[BreakmanX]

In the end, it's George's vision not ours. That is why we don't have the OT original version on DVD. It would take him several hundred million to restore them, and they would sell only to the hardest of the hardcore. It isn't a sure thing. He doesn't owe us anything, we just like a movie he made, and now he's releasing it in his final vision. If we don't like it, we can get laserdisc

As Realm said about setting the stage, there is a much bigger picture then just one person's performance. It is meant to contrast with the latter performances. I think it's amazing how intricate the casting and such was to weave a story such as he's done. It's like a poem, certain things rhyme with other things. If you just read one line, it doesn't make much sense and doesn't seem very appealing, bit when you take it as a whole it is quite beautiful.

But, you can't please everyone. I've learned that first hand with this site. You just make what is your vision, and then let people love and hate it.

And I do agree Jar Jar might have been a bit much.. I think he was really trying to make it light and friendly to contrast with the third. Which. many don't like. I like dark stuff, but I think the third will be so much better because of 1 and 2.

Since he has his own money to do it with, it's not watered down by studios. It's really interesting to see a big budget indi film.

[AIDS]

I wouldn't exactly call Star Wars an indie film. Star Wars actually invented the blockbuster. Star Wars was really one of the first films to take advantage of licensing...action figures, video games, cereals, pajamas, etc.

The laserdisc versions are actually the Special Edition versions. What's several hundred million to a guy like George Lucas? I really don't understand why Han can't shoot first. It's like what Spielberg did to ET. Changing guns to walkie talkies.

I think after Episode III, as much as I would love to see more Star Wars films, I think it's definately time for George to move on. I think George has talent, but he really hasn't been able to or been allowed to really release that talent for over 20 years. I long to see the day when George is awarded an Academy Award for best director and his film is awarded best film. Other directors and friends of his from his time in the 70s have had great careers...Coppola, Spielberg, Cameron, and Scorsese. It's time for George to shine. For too long all his life has been Star Wars. Don't get me wrong, I love George and I love Star Wars, I just don't feel his passion in Star Wars films. He may say otherwise, but it doesn't show.

Again, please do not take this the wrong way. I'm not doggin on Star Wars or George Lucas. This is just the way I feel, it is an opinion.

[BreakmanX]

Star Wars is payed for in full by George, and is therefore an independent film. It has a humongous budget and is distributed widely, but is still made independently.

I completely disagree with you, but we're all entitled to our own opinion.

I too hope George wins an academy award, and I know he is going on to do other things after StarWars. I do believe he has passion for StarWars, though. I mean waking up at 4 AM and spending all day and sometimes night on a film for much of the three year process per film would be hard to do if you didn't have the passion for it. If he didn't have the passion, he could easily of had Spielberg direct as he had begged.

Of the bunch in the 60's at USC and UCLA, (Coppola, Spielberg, Scorsese) George was always considered the best. I've heard Spielberg say thay in several interviews that him and all the others were blown away at how much better his student films were then the rest. Star Wars was a labor of love, and it will finally be finished.

After that, he'll go on to all the other films he's wanted to make, and he'll have the money to do it himself.

Weezer, I still love ya man. Don't take this argument personally, Im just stating my opinion.

[AIDS]

Yes, technically Star Wars is independent. But it's different. It's kind of like Creed. Creed is a huge rock band, but they are technically independent. Hmm...sorry, that was a bad example.

Here's my vision...hopefully in the next 5 years, George uses his profits and starts making the films he's always wanted to make. I hope it's something that nobody expects, a vast departure from anything he's done before. I hope it makes people think. It'll meet critical acclaim and it sweeps the Oscars with a record breaking 20+ oscars (I don't know if that's possible, I don't think so). His best directing award is met with a standing ovation with all his friends and peers admiring him or being jealous. He becomes the hot new director that everyone wants to work with. He can get any actor or actress to be in his films. He has free reign and complete control to do absolutely anything he wants in any of his films. He creates films the likes that no one has seen before, better and greater than Orson Welles and Stanley Kubrick. Films about life, death, love, hate, etc. He becomes the greatest director of all time and in the end, he comes back to Star Wars. 3 more movies than becomes Episode VII, VIII, and IX. IX is his last film, and believe it or not, it is the greatest movie ever made.

Well, it's a long shot, but I wouldn't be suprised if some of these things became true. Basically I won't be suprised when he wins his Academy Awards. As for, greatest director of all time? Time will tell...time will tell.

[BreakmanX]

Creed!!! lol

That vision of George would be wonderful. I could definately go for that. Except for his age... He might die too soon.

I bet he will do VII VIII and IX, though. He said he'd never do the prequels before, and he already has his 9 part outline. If it transpired as you have shown, I couldn't imagine it being any better.

George has always been really into Imperialistic oppression, and the human nature to get out of their small surrounding and do something great. It's happened in all of his films. It's going to be exciting to see what he does post-Star Wars.

[Richie]

Sorry guys, but I think doing VII, VIII, and XI is a horrible idea. As much as I want the Expanded Universe brought to the eyes of the casual Star Wars fans, I can't see it working out. Mark is too old to do his part, and so is Harrison, so is Carrie.

Besides, who among human kind can possibly pretend to act the part of Grand Admiral Thrawn?

[BreakmanX]

It could happen, that's all I know and can say.

[mecha]

Weezer is the man. Love the Creed reference.

[BreakmanX]

Sorry guys, but I think doing VII, VIII, and XI is a horrible idea. As much as I want the Expanded Universe brought to the eyes of the casual Star Wars fans, I can't see it working out. Mark is too old to do his part, and so is Harrison, so is Carrie.

Besides, who among human kind can possibly pretend to act the part of Grand Admiral Thrawn?

Since all that stuff has been written about in great detail with all the story of George's original VII, VIII, and IX it would be very conceivable that he would move in a different direction than originally planned. Same theme and basic plot points, but with different characters. From George's explanation Star Wars works like poetry, each movie should rhyme with the others. Especially OT to Prequels. The same could be true with another trilogy.

[Richie]

Yeah, that would make more sense, and might actually turn out alright.

But being the Expanded Universe purist that I am, it will never be the same.

[Yankee]

Jar Jar ruined the movie for me and basically fucked the Galaxy when he offered to give the Chancellor supreme emergency powers in EPII. The guy is a dumbfuck idiot and I scream when I see his likeness anywhere.

I still play Galaxies and slaughter Gungans daily. I'm -5000 Gungan faction. I live on Naboo.. next to a Gungan spawnpoint. Oh yes... they burn under the Acid of my DXR6 Carbine. I dream in Gungan screams...