AOTC had the potential of being the greatest Star Wars film ever, but got held back by small details. For me, I’m sad to say that it’s at the bottom of my list of favorites and it's also what sparked my interest in creating Master Eidtion, but I cannot help but think when watching the film that if they only changed certain things the littlest bit, people would be discussing it as a masterpiece instead of criticising it, and it would be my favorite film in the saga.
My main criticism comes from the dialogue, which is in many scenes was as TheForce.Net forum members like to call it, “cringe-inducing.” I also had the feeling that the editing was really rushed, as if it had been done the day before the movie’s release.
But apart from the criticism, the movie was quite interesting to watch, the story was nice (before it got too confusing when Dooku came along), the graphics in some cases were breathtaking, for example Coruscant, the asteroid belt of Geonosis, etc., and the introduction to characters like Jango Fett worked as a nice back-story to the OT.
Now, the list I’ve made of things to change is quite extensive. Actually it’s the most extensive list out of the movies, and by a long shot, but it’s only my opinion anyways and nothing here HAS to be changed. Now get yourself a nice cup of coffee and start reading the list.
Showing posts with label AOTC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AOTC. Show all posts
Music issues
Why: Although the music was great throughout most of the movie, there were a few instances where I thought it needed some work. For example, a “mystery theme” is heard throughout the movie, and its repetition is really tedious because you hear it when:
Other individual music issues are mentioned later on.
- The Jedi are talking to Palpatine
- Padmé is talking to the Jedi and Palpatine about Dooku
- Obi-Wan and Anakin are outside the Outlander Club with Zam
- Jocasta Nu says that Kamino doesn’t exist
- Obi-Wan is leaving Jango’s apartment
- Obi-Wan is spying on Dooku
- The politicians are discussing giving Palpatine emergency powers
- Palpatine is accepting his emergency powers
- Dooku enters the strategy room
Other individual music issues are mentioned later on.
The landing platform
Why: The scene on the landing platform is fine except for one thing that I thought really stuck out. Cordé, Padmé’s “stunt double” tells her, “I’m so sorry,” as she’s dying; one question…what exactly is she sorry for? That now she has to find another decoy? There’s no-one that loyal to anyone, and it doesn’t look good when you see it (cringe), so I think that line should be removed.
The Chancellor's office
Why: The scene in the Chancellor’s office is a little rough. It’s not a good idea to have rough spots right in the beginning of the film because it decreases the overall quality of the film. First impressions are always very important. The first thing that seems out of place is the music transition from the exterior and interior shots of the Chancellor’s office. It sounds like the music was roughly interrupted. But I guess the most thing that ruins the smooth flow of the scene is Palpatine interrupting Mace when he’s saying, “If they do break away…” followed by Mace later saying, “If they do…” which are two lines that just don’t go well together. Both of these problems could be fixed up quite easily.
How: Replace the music in the beginning so that it flows a bit better. As for Mace’s lines, one of them has to be replaced. It can be done with something like, “IDEAS NEEDED.”
How: Replace the music in the beginning so that it flows a bit better. As for Mace’s lines, one of them has to be replaced. It can be done with something like, “IDEAS NEEDED.”
Yoda's first statement
Why: “The dark side clouds everything.” It seems too early in the film to be mentioning the dark side of the Force and how everything’s getting dark. Plus it seems rather un-wise of Yoda to be admitting his vulnerability to everyone including the Chancellor. In my opinion, things like this are usually discussed only within the Jedi Council. Either way, it’s too early in the film to mention something like that.
How: Replace the line with something like “Hmm, the future…always difficult to see it is.” Like this it’s more general, and gives less of a feeling that something’s up with the Force from the get-go. There’s plenty of time later to focus on that.
How: Replace the line with something like “Hmm, the future…always difficult to see it is.” Like this it’s more general, and gives less of a feeling that something’s up with the Force from the get-go. There’s plenty of time later to focus on that.
Palpatine's reaction to Padmé’s arrival
Why: A drastic change needs to happen to Palpatine’s reaction to seeing Padmé alive. When Padmé first enters Palpatine’s office, he doesn’t even greet her, which seems strange as they are friends who had not seen each other in a while, as well as the fact that the whole of Coruscant thought she had been assassinated. Seeing her alive should make him greet her warmly, but he doesn’t even look at her.
How: IDEAS NEEDED
How: IDEAS NEEDED
Yoda's expression of happiness
Why: When Yoda says to Padmé how seeing her alive brings warm feelings to his heart, she doesn’t respond, which feels like a very cold reaction to a very nice comment that should not be taken lightly.
How: In the original script, it’s written that Padmé says, “Thank you, Master Yoda,” before continuing her lines. It makes a lot of sense like that and the line should be re-inserted, and maybe a smile to go with it.
How: In the original script, it’s written that Padmé says, “Thank you, Master Yoda,” before continuing her lines. It makes a lot of sense like that and the line should be re-inserted, and maybe a smile to go with it.
Mention of Count Dooku
Why: It makes very little sense that Padmé would suspect Count Dooku as being behind her assassination. She is against creating an army for the Republic, which would work out in Count Dooku’s favor because that would eliminate his opposition. Therefore, Dooku would never go after her and she would have to be really dumb to think it was him.
How: IDEAS NEEDED
How: IDEAS NEEDED
"The situation is that serious... no but I do, Senator"
Why: This line, or these two lines never sounded right to me. One is obviously a continuation of what Padmé was about to say, to show that he knows her all too well, and the other is a reply...but it just doesn’t sound right. It also feels like Palpatine said the first line, waited for someone to finish another, and then said his second one. It should be fixed to make more sense or at least sound better.
How: I would totally redo Padmé’s and Palpatine’s lines so that they’re more synchronized and make Palpatine’s face actually look like he’s saying it because he knows what she’s going to say.
How: I would totally redo Padmé’s and Palpatine’s lines so that they’re more synchronized and make Palpatine’s face actually look like he’s saying it because he knows what she’s going to say.
Protection and investigation
Why: The dialogue between Obi-Wan and Anakin when they’re talking about protecting the senator as opposed to investigating the matter could be done a little more smoothly. Anakin can still look disobedient, but it could be a little more cleaned up.
How: I think this is just a matter of cut and paste. Take the first line Obi-Wan says in reply to Padmé, “We’re here to protect you, senator. Not to start an investigation,” and place it just before Anakin says, “Why?” after leaving a little pause after the previous line. This way Anakin doesn’t look so goofy when he says, “We will find out who’s trying to kill you Padmé, I promise you,” and the whole conversation flows a little more smoothly.
How: I think this is just a matter of cut and paste. Take the first line Obi-Wan says in reply to Padmé, “We’re here to protect you, senator. Not to start an investigation,” and place it just before Anakin says, “Why?” after leaving a little pause after the previous line. This way Anakin doesn’t look so goofy when he says, “We will find out who’s trying to kill you Padmé, I promise you,” and the whole conversation flows a little more smoothly.
Anakin confessing to Jar Jar
Why: When Anakin is talking to Jar Jar, he tells him that he’s been thinking about Padmé every day since they’ve parted, but here’s a question…who would tell this to Jar Jar?? And in that same conversation we have another example of ignoring kind words when Jar Jar tells Anakin that “Hesa bustin with happiness.”
How: After Jar Jar tells Anakin, “Mesa bustin with happiness seeing yousa again, Ani” have Anakin say, “I’m happy to see you too, Jar Jar. –pause– Padmé barely even recognized me.” He watches her walk away. “She’s forgotten me completely.” This should be a simple dub because Anakin is facing away from the camera and part of his dialogue is off-screen.
How: After Jar Jar tells Anakin, “Mesa bustin with happiness seeing yousa again, Ani” have Anakin say, “I’m happy to see you too, Jar Jar. –pause– Padmé barely even recognized me.” He watches her walk away. “She’s forgotten me completely.” This should be a simple dub because Anakin is facing away from the camera and part of his dialogue is off-screen.
Unneeded scene
Why: I think the whole scene of when Anakin and Obi-Wan are talking in Padmé’s apartment about how she’s being used as bait and all that is a bit un-necessary. We don’t really learn anything new save for the fact that there are no cameras and that R2-D2 is watching her. Most people would automatically jump to that conclusion anyway because it’s common sense, besides we see R2-D2 watching her in the next scene.
I also didn’t like the attitude that Anakin gives Obi-Wan in that scene.
The last and maybe the most important thing is that I think the first shot of Coruscant at night looks much better with Anakin on the balcony and a nice quiet talk with Obi-Wan, rather than a security report and a lecture on how to protect a senator.
How: To make this change, the two scenes of Zam need to be combined into one. Since she’s standing in the same place in both scenes, this is pretty easy. The only thing that needs to be taken care of is how the flying droid is ready that quickly. There can be a quick shot of her taking the droid out of her speeder, then putting the container inside it.
I also didn’t like the attitude that Anakin gives Obi-Wan in that scene.
The last and maybe the most important thing is that I think the first shot of Coruscant at night looks much better with Anakin on the balcony and a nice quiet talk with Obi-Wan, rather than a security report and a lecture on how to protect a senator.
How: To make this change, the two scenes of Zam need to be combined into one. Since she’s standing in the same place in both scenes, this is pretty easy. The only thing that needs to be taken care of is how the flying droid is ready that quickly. There can be a quick shot of her taking the droid out of her speeder, then putting the container inside it.
"She programmed R2 to warn us"
Why: Ok this one’s real picky, and should be used if the previous change isn’t made. I don’t think Anakin would call R2-D2 “Artoo” after ten years of not seeing him. I don’t think Obi-Wan would know R2-D2 as “Artoo” either.
How: Dub over his line so that Anakin calls him “R2-D2” instead of just “Artoo.”
How: Dub over his line so that Anakin calls him “R2-D2” instead of just “Artoo.”
"A commitment not easily broken"
Why: When Anakin tells Obi-Wan that he feels strange when Padmé’s around, Obi-Wan automatically jumps to the conclusion that he wants to leave the Jedi order, by telling him, “You’ve made a commitment to the Jedi order, a commitment not easily broken.” Who’s talking about breaking any commitments? He just said he feels intoxicated when she’s around, not that he wants to leave an order that he’d given his life to. This line needs to be changed.
How: While Obi-Wan is saying that line, his beard is covering his mouth, so it would be easy to dub in a new line. He could say something like, “The Jedi order doesn’t encourage one to dwell on those feelings. You know this.”
How: While Obi-Wan is saying that line, his beard is covering his mouth, so it would be easy to dub in a new line. He could say something like, “The Jedi order doesn’t encourage one to dwell on those feelings. You know this.”
Music repeats itself too much
Why: Although I liked the speeder chase music, I thought it was a bit too redundant. I mean there was very little variation throughout most of the chase, just a constant high-pitched note being repeated over and over again. I found that to bit a bit tedious and made the chase seem too long. It could be a bit spiced up to make it interesting.
"Saber techniques and your wit"
Why: This one should be easy. When Anakin and Obi-Wan are chasing after Zam, Obi-Wan tells Anakin something that is almost totally inaudible and nobody would ever know what he said if they didn’t read the script. The most thing an average person can make out is, “If you spent as much time practicing your saber techniques as #$*@#$%@%$*$ Master Yoda as a swordsman.”
How: Increase the volume of Obi-Wan’s voice or turn down the volume of the speeder.
How: Increase the volume of Obi-Wan’s voice or turn down the volume of the speeder.
Flying through the power couplings
Why: Obi-Wan’s comment as they’re flying through the power couplings seems very badly timed. I don’t think being in the middle of a giant power coupling is the place or the time for a lecture.
How: Instead of saying, “Anakin, how many times have I told you to stay away from power couplings,” make Obi-Wan say something like, “Oh, no,” or “Be careful!”
How: Instead of saying, “Anakin, how many times have I told you to stay away from power couplings,” make Obi-Wan say something like, “Oh, no,” or “Be careful!”
Anakin's jump onto Zam's speeder
Why: Anakin jumping from his speeder and falling hundreds of meters only to fall directly onto Zam’s speeder totally unhurt seems very unrealistic, even for a Jedi.
How: This can be changed by significantly decreasing the distance Anakin falls. Cut all the shots of him falling, just show him jumping out of his speeder, followed by the shot of him falling and landing on Zam’s speeder. He actually falls a good distance in that shot, and it’s more than enough.
How: This can be changed by significantly decreasing the distance Anakin falls. Cut all the shots of him falling, just show him jumping out of his speeder, followed by the shot of him falling and landing on Zam’s speeder. He actually falls a good distance in that shot, and it’s more than enough.
The word "master"
Why: Anakin repeats the word “master” toooo many times when they’re standing outside of the Outlander Club. Take a few of them out.
How: It could go something like this:
How: It could go something like this:
ANAKIN: She went into the club.
OBI-WAN: Patience, use the Force, think.
ANAKIN: Sorry, master.
OBI-WAN: He went in there to hide, not to run.
ANAKIN: Yes, master.
OBI-WAN: Next time try not to lose it.
Before ANAKIN can grab the saber, OBI-WAN pulls it back.
OBI-WAN: This weapon is your life.
ANAKIN: I try.
In the Outlander Club
Why: The scene where Zam takes out her gun in the middle of the bar to shoot Obi-Wan from behind makes no sense because he’s a Jedi and he would easily sense that. Even if she did kill him there would be lots of witnesses, along with Anakin who would be on her trail immediately. The whole move doesn’t make a lot of sense because she has absolutely nothing to gain from killing him. It could have been done much better, especially by taking advantage of the fact that she’s a changeling.
How: Have a scene inside the club where Zam is hiding in a corner, then have her head transform into another alien, maybe a Twi’lek or something. Then have her trying to walk out of the club casually.
IDEAS NEEDED
How: Have a scene inside the club where Zam is hiding in a corner, then have her head transform into another alien, maybe a Twi’lek or something. Then have her trying to walk out of the club casually.
IDEAS NEEDED
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