Disturbance
We have a new poll up for the rest of the week. Who would win in a fight between Luke (ROTJ) and Anakin (ROTS)?
The results of our previous poll are a little frustrating as many people failed to read the question before voting. The question was “Which is your LEAST favorite Star Wars film?” Yes, the emphasis is LEAST. This skewed things a bit by giving TESB a lot of votes from people voting for traditionally the most popular entry in the saga.
Other than this, the results are clear. The Prequel Trilogy are, in chronological order, the least liked. Interestingly, Clone Wars being less maligned than episodes 1 and 2, although some readers noted that they did not consider Clone Wars part of the saga and therefore ignored it. The only real competition between the Prequels and the Originals seems to be between Revenge of the Sith and Return of the Jedi. Thankfully, even the Ewoks couldn’t outweigh the negatives that Revenge of the Sith had to offer. We should stress that the results are based upon the Blue Milk Special readership, which is not a traditional sampling of Star Wars fans. BMS readers are much more likely to be critical of the films, particularly the more recent entries in the series.
Doesn’t señor Palpatine know that Vader is Anakin? I would think he might say something like, “we can’t let your whiny bitch brat become a Jedi”. ;=
He used to not know. Before the dark times… before the prequels….
Love it!
Didn’t he know by Return of the Jedi? “…and take your father’s place by my side.” “Son of Skywalker” makes absolutely no sense in universe except as a cheap trick to keep the audience in the dark a while longer.
It was okay, until the Prequels came along. I definitely think the Original Trilogy has to be viewed first. But yeah, it doesn’t make much sense that the Emperor is all formal and third-persony about Vader’s son.
I think not only Lucas was trying to dodge “The Truth”, Palpatine acted like Vader had no affiliation with the name Skywalker, simply because he had shed that persona years ago and conditioned Vader to believe he was someone else entirely.
But I’m not discrediting logistics either; I’m just trying to relate, successfully or otherwise.
Agreed.
When the Blurays came out my older sister and I made my little sister watch the Ot before the others. She had never seen the movies before, and didn’t understand the bits of scenes she had seen. She obviously knew Luke was Vader’s son, because my older sis and I are huge fans of SW.
I don’t think a jar of Queso is going to make up for him flubbing this one.
Excellent. Love BMS Vader more and more.
Does BMS-Vader have the attention span of a Guppy?
I mean… not listening to your boss is one thing… but with an Empperor… especially if your boss is the EVIL RULER OF A GALACTIC EMPIRE!
…my last guess is : Vader has accidentally taken decaf without noticing -> completely derailed from lack of brainfuel he is addicted to.
I agree with most people that the OT should be watched first, and i can admit thet ep. I doesn’t keep me as tangled as the other, but I still think it’s a very nessecary part of the saga. the PT, is suposed to be watched after the OT, so that the viewers can get the “oh, so THAT’S what he meant…” expierence/feeling/understanding. but too many simply feels negative about TPM as something that is unsessecary and should’t be part of SW. Would you rather jump straight into AOTC? no film lover would’ve wanted the very origin of the saga’s background as a small filler with the characters talking about it for two minuetes. And i can’t really understand why most people here would pick TCW film over AOTC? the film was pretty mediocre, but the series are great, and even those who prefer the OT should watch it, since they tend to fill it up with cameos and nudges to OT characters and/or events. I can understand people prefering the OT over the PT sicne they grew up with it or such, but i just never can help but to feel that all those who does so only with the statement that the PT shouldn’t exist or something like that, are jackasses. SW isn’t immune to the fact that most sequels/prequels done for famous films are rarely viewd as as good as (or even better) than the original. I will always believe that if the PT was made first, people would spew jsut as much hating on the OT. I can’t help to feel that this poll is pretty much biased by people who refuses to expand their – or open up to new – views. People will probably hate me for this, but it’s plain, common human behaviour. but that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable or justifiable (in my opinion).
I agree with some of what you say, specifically the viewing order. But I do not think the that PT would hold up to the same level of loyalty and enthusiasm as the Original Trilogy had it come first. There are reasons for that. Being objective here, the PT’s characters are much more cardboard and less appealing than the journeys that the three main characters went through in the OT. That’s a fundamental weakness of the PT.
Obi Wan doesn’t really change in the narrative of the PT. He’s essentially the same from beginning to end. A guy who takes his work a little too seriously. While you have Anakin and Padme fall in love, the way that relationship develops, the way we’re expected to believe Padme just shrugs off Anakin’s single-handed genocidal assault on a Tusken Raider village, and the weak dialogue of an angst ridden romance, has none of the charm and believability of a much more naturalistic romance in the OT.
Part of this can be attributed to the fact that George Lucas was only a contributor to the script of TESB and ROTJ. Other writers were involved, including the actors and directors. With the PT we get Lucas’ vision pretty much without a filter and the result is something with less character and credibility. Another weakness, for me, in the PT is that it ATTEMPTS to paint Anakin as a sympathetic character, though his actions, like the aforementioned genocide and later actions in fact make him a less than compelling “anti hero” when coupled with Hayden’s “performance?”. The onscreen apathy of Padme towards his disturbing and violently criminal behavior do little to endear either of the characters. This leaves me with no one compelling to root for.
I also think that calling those who would prefer the PT did not exist “jackassess” is a little aggressive for this site. I realize it is frustrating to feel and bare the critcism of others towards something you enjoy, but the best thing to do would be to put some distance between yourself and opinions that upset you. As far as some of us being “jackasses”, this is an assumption that fails to acknowledge many such people have well constructed reasons for feeling the way they do about the PT. People often go too far on either side of the argument, but let’s not start generalizing and labeling one side as jackasses here on BMS. Blue Milk Special tries not to take an extreme view of either argument as we think all Star Wars fans should be able to enjoy the sort of humor we convey. I do not want this site to become another forum for stirring the flames between those two extremes. I appreciate the rest of the thoughts though and I’m glad you made them.
Re: what I said about the lack of compelling characters in the PT, that is why I like ROTS best of the three (if I’m pushed to even pick one), because its the one where the Emperor gets the most to do. I had fun rooting for the Emperor to kill various characters, I even wanted to see him kick PT Yoda’s ass. That’s not my Yoda. But the Emperor was one of the few things in the PT that actually matched up to the OT in my view.
Ian McDiarmuid: bloody good actor.
Personally, I believe that the prequels should be watched before the OT, in chronological order – DON’T KILL ME YET! – because that way, you get a crescendo of awesome, instead of being forced to watch the gradual decline of Star Wars into a plotless special-effects-fest. I mean, really. Plot of RotS?
Anakin kills Dooku. Obi-Wan kills Grievous. Clones kill Jedi. Anakin kills Separatists. Yoda fails to kill Emperor. Obi-Wan fails to kill Anakin. Luke and Leia kill Padmé.
And that is RotS!
Also, whoever thinks that the Sith are the bad guys of Star Wars are ignoring the original Jedi Order:
They steal kids from their families from a very young age, train them to use a lethal (elegant and refined, and also able to easily and effortlessly cut someone in half!) weapon, teach them to have no emotion… And Lucas claims BATTLE DROIDS are bad!
Seriously: two examples of Prequel Jedi love? Anakin loves Padmé romantically: he turns to the Dark Side and kills her. Obi-Wan loves Anakin platonically: he cuts off most of his limbs and leaves him to burn and die.
JEDI are the antagonists of the prequels! George Lucas, that is why you fail…
See I don’t get why BMS fans would be more critical. If you don’t like the prequel trilogy because you think it’s not as solemn and serious as the originals, than why would you like Blue Milk Special?!?!? BMS is NOT AT ALL serious. It’s all fun, funny, and clever adult humor. So if you want serious Star Wars, then what is appealing about BMS? I’m not trying to come across as an asshat, but what’s wrong with having a little fun in the Star Wars universe? I hope somebody can see my point.
Your argument makes little sense. The PT trilogy stars and is about a “hero” who ends up killing people, and you’re telling me the OT was more serious? I never made an argument about “seriousness”, I was talking about characters and storytelling. As far as BMS readers are concerned, there are a number who certainly enjoy the OT more. That’s what BMS is all about.
Often times in stories featuring “heroes”, because there are such extremes of good and evil, the “hero” may make some big mistakes (ie. Killing). Two heroes who have killed but are still viewed as heroes are Wolverine and Spider-man (ACCIDENTAL killing of Gwen Stacy by webbing her to break a fall and resulting in her snapped neck). Anyway, you’re obviously not seeing the point of the tusken genocide and death of Dooku if you think that Anakin killing people is a way to show his heroic side. The whole reason for the PT is to show how Darth Vader got to be the way he is, evil included as well as appearance. It is not “about a hero who ends up killing people”. He doesn’t just accidentally kill, it’s to show a transformation. Please note that I had not had time to read the comments above before posting my argument. I never said that you made a stand on seriousness, simply that the fun and more kid friendly aspects of PT for example Jar Jar Binks are considered “too silly for Star Wars” thereby making them topics of hatred for PT.
I take your point, but we’re getting away from the actual cause for my initial reply (a response to Mr. Al strong views and near accusations). And no, you totally misunderstand. I was absolutely NOT saying Anakin’s muderlust made him heroic, the opposite. Why would you jump to that conclusion? Maybe somehow my post has a typo somewhere, or maybe you just misread. Anakin is the closest thing the PT has to a central protagonist. Rather blatantly the protagonist in fact. Lucas treats him in the narrative as a hero and as Obi Wan is about as interesting as a bar of soap, we are starved of anyone compelling to attach ourselves to emotionally, at least when compared to the journey of Luke, Han, or even Leia.
In that respect, I am saying that, FOR ME, he (Anakin) does not constitute a good central character, something Christensen compounds by awful acting. Compare Mark Hamill’s solid performance, particularly in Empires Strikes Back. I can only speak for my POV, but these are some of the reasons that I dislike the PT, but I don’t think that calls for me or any of my fellow readers being labeled as Jackasses. We’re getting away from the point that I was defending: not all people who would happily see the PT erased from existence are militant PT haters. I strongly dislike the PT and in fact, I dislike most of the EU. But I don’t campaign or bash PT lovers. I take pains to make BMS as friendly of forum for all Star Wars fans as I can, given my own leanings. So I am just defending those fellow BMSers who are basically being name-called in this thread.
My basic argument about the PT vs the OT is that the OT was better written and executed. That’s my basic argument. And I never made that argument for the sake of it. I was just defending the point of view that one reader was generalizing a certain type of fan. Let’s move on.
It’s tough to have a clear, even friendly debate in writing. Sometimes meanings are lost in the translation of thoughts to script. I wholefully apologize if I made this discussion hostile in any way. I, for one appreciate the Prequel Trilogy, and maybe not in it’s entirety, and feel it is necessary. Could Lucas have done better? Sure. He could have done better with his Original Trilogy. I have no hard feelings or anger upwards any PT haters or just “dislikers” for lack of a better word. And while I strongly agree with most of mr. Al’s clearly worded points I most certainly do not think that you, Leanne, or anyone else on this site is a jackass.
It’s okay. It’s not fair that you ended up getting some of the brunt of my response which was primarily intended for Mr. Al’s points. I am only giving my opinion on why I think the OT is, in fact, not a case of nostalgic favoritism but genuinely superior to its successor in storytelling. I’m not going to give my opinion as fact or get extreme about it.. I’m not militant about my views and I’m not going to go on a bashing spree. I want the same moderation and tolerance from our readers as I don’t want this to be another forum for fighting within Star Wars fandom.
And yes, I get that it’s about Anakin’s transformation. I’m saying that Anakin is a failure as a central character as executed because of a combination of bad writing and especially bad acting. If Mr. Al wants to suggest that people would hate the OT if the PT had been made first, I’m saying that misses the point. The PT are genuinely inferior films.
I agree for the most part that they are inferior and that’s what happens when one person tries to do everything themselves.
Taking just one example of prequel weirdness, Anakin creating C3PO, I googled “Darth Vader and C3PO,” to see if there are scenes of them together in the OT. It came up with a comic book page from somewhere, of Vader running across 3PO’s dismembered body in Cloud City, with a flashback to Tatooine and his mother as she comforts him over his troubles making the droid. It broke his little Vader heart.
Sorry I am coming a bit late to this discussion, but I just wanted to point out that one can somewhat enjoy watching parts of the PT even if they don’t like the trilogy as the whole. I personally do not like the PT. But I saw occasional flashes of the ol’ Lucas brilliance in it. Examples include the title of Grievous’s ship, the portrayal of the Emperor in ROTS, Darth Maul’s double-bladed saber (though I hate that the EU has made those entirely too common, so it has lost its novelty), the idea of droids vs organics, Obi-Wan’s dry humour, and the character of Grievous (though I thought darthsanddroids.net had an improved Grievous).
The PT isn’t ALL bad, but I think that overall, it doesn’t hold a candle to the OT. But I still will watch the PT occasionally. Occasionally.
@milordrevan Grevious’ ship? You mean Malevolence? Cool name, sure. But how is this an example of Lucas Brilliance? Also, Darths and Droids=”The Sex” (clean version of “the s**t” to keep BMS semi kid-friendly) Anyway, Darths and Droids is the 3rd best webcomic in my opine. BMS is no doubt the best, probably with the seemingly discontinued awesomeness that is Alien Loves Predator as number 2.
♪Geeks might seem nice, but they’re really quite ruthless♫
♫All that they want is the head of George Lucas♪
R.I.P. Biggs of SW Age 9 today. 🙁
http://starwarsage9.com/index.php/ptx/biggs-13
Couldn’t Lucas have killed Jar Jar Binks instead, the last names are not entirely dissimilar.
I think without Blue Milk Special, we would care about Biggs just about as much as Zev Senesca. Or Dak Ralter. And then there’s that Porkins guy. Or whatever his name is.
I thought Jar Jar and Biggs were brothers from another mother?
Holy Touch a Nerve Batman! You’ve poked some people in the Untini, Rod! :lol Look at all the opinions!
I think BMS:ESB needs more smoking Jawas! Or since it’s ESB a hookah carrying Ugnaught! I actually can’t wait to see what you do in Cloud City!
I only ask that you make some sort of reference to the fact that trained Stormtroopers can’t hit the broad side of a barn, yet a farm boy running through the halls flailing his weapon around shoots everyone perfectly!!!
And I can’t wait to see what Vader is eating in the dining hall with Boba Fett!
Can’t wait, can’t wait!!! ahahahaah
Well if you go with what PC Gamer was saying about troopers in The Old Republic, they level up based on how often they MISS.
That actually makes some sense. You level faster at low levels which is also when you would be missing more b/c you are still learning your craft… or so most games treat the game mechanics portion in an RPG. Since you miss less as you level up, the levels take longer to achieve.
Do you think perhaps Vader will shower Luke with an aggressive leaflet campaign? After all, it doesn’t pay to be a Jedi; look where it got Mace Windu among others.
BLOODY HELL. WHEN WILL I EVER BE ABLE TO READ ALL THESE comments?
You know, there was one BMS strip that had I don’t know…67 or so comments? I may be subconciously exaggerating, but I know it was more than 33–now 34. but if you go back to the site more than once a day, then you will be able to read the comments every time there is an update. AND YES, I DO HAVE A LIFE!
Reading now Zayne… entertaining stuff today!
haha yeah…
Apparently, November 17th is Wookiee life day.
It’s funny how nobody mentions the holiday special as being the worst piece of Star Wars ever.
What are your views on the ewok movies?
I found them a little slow when I saw them as a kid. I lamented the absence of characters like Luke, Han or Leia. The Ewoks weren’t enough, on their own, to really satisfy me. I was, however, less critical of the two Ewok movies when I was young. I did get really sad and upset over what happens at the beginning of the Battle for Endor. That was twisted of Lucas…
What do I think of them now? It’s been a while since I last watched them in my adulthood. Not films I’m in a hurry to revisit. They’re light fluff for the most part. There’s not much there for an adult. But no, I’m not passionate in any negative or positive way towards the films. As they don’t impact the larger Star Wars universe, they are easy enough to dismiss and forget. 🙂
I knew about The Battle of Endor, but what are the other ones? Or is there just one other?
Caravan of Courage is the first one, which established Sindel (sp?) and her whole family as they befriend the Ewoks and go on an epic journey. It’s not very gripping. But there is one badass Ewok who is a woodsman or something. I remember liking him. I’m sure he probably dies though.
I love EWOKS. Why did autocorrect capitalize that? Do any have chief chirpa? He’s my favorite.
I think I had Chief Chirpa and eventually Wicket, but that was it. 🙁 My toy collection was focused more on G.I. Joe, as Star Wars was winding down by the time I was getting influential enough to pick which toys I wanted.
It’s a guilty secret (though not so secret now), that I like the 1980s Ewoks cartoon. It was script edited (I think) by Paul Dini. I liked the fantasy and imagination in the series. Lots of adventure and surprisingly better than you would expect for something with such an awful theme tune. Catchy in the wrong kind of way.
Oh wow, really? Paul Dini is amazing. He wrote the script for both Arkham Asylum and Arkham City video games (which are amazing by the way) and he does a lot of comic book writing which is mostly Batman stuff. I’ll have to watch that whole ewok series now. I’m sure it’s on YouTube.
It’s very kiddy, but I like to escape back to my childhood every now and then. I haven’t watched Ewoks in a looooooong while.
Eh, ewoks are always kind of silly and kiddy. But that’s sort of their character.
You should all see Ricky Gervais’ latest (cringemaking but brilliant) comedy series starring Warwick Davis: ‘Short Story’. Davis is brilliant in it. The guy is seriously funny and entertaining. Very talented. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15699735
I followed the link and did not find the “Short Story” part. I do think it is very cool that Warwick played Wickett Warrick. Similar last name to his real first name. Kind of interesting.
Wicket’s full name was inspired by Warwick Davis who the cast came to love during filming. They even made a spin off film while on set starring Warwick Davis. Its really good and you can find it on YouTube. Very rare.
Right. It’s called “Return of the Ewok” if we’re talking about the same thing. I read about it online. If shows him switching in and out of character. Sounds funny.
It’s awesome because the rest of the cast, including the main stars, take part. And Carrie is in her best costume. 😉
I’m kinda hoping that the results of the poll weren’t actually scewed at all.
Return of the Jedi was my favourite of the films… then a New Hope… with the Empire Strikes Back in third.
My original reason for not much liking TESB when I first watched it (about the point where the original trilogy was last released on Video Cassette, before the remake) was due to the lack of epic space-battle, minor scuffle in the asteroid field aside. The Hoth section was short, low-visibility and somewhat uninteresting. The Dagobah section was kinda gross and Yoda always struck me as a bit of a dick throughout. Then of course there was the whole Cloud City bit, which consisted of a really silly betrayal with no build-up (thanks Lando), then a short fight and Luke pretty much overreacting like the whiny girly girl he was. TESB just struck me as a the weak point in the original trilogy.
On the flipside, Return of the Jedi started with Luke manning up and finally acting competent for once, Leia returning to the sort of badass form she had in Episode IV, sexy Twi’lek dancer girl (important), Boba Fett, Epic Space Battle, Epic Forest, the frickin Emperor, Yoda being less of a dick (also dying), and Yub-Nub (this is a good thing).
Short version : original ROTJ (with Laptinek and Yub-Nub) is my favourite.
As for the prequel trilogy, needs moar Aayla.
They shoulda just skipped all that Anakin crap and made a complete Aayla Secura trilogy instead. Instant win.
Every time I played Knights of the Old Republic I had Mission Vao in the party too.
I like Twi’lek ladies.
What was I saying again?