Random musing on Star Wars

[ciroccoj]

I know a lot of people really hate George Lucas for 'destroying' the original Star Wars trilogy by filming the prequel-sequels, and loathe and detest him to the flames of everlasting hell for further befouling his original work by adding on little technical doodads that weren't there originally. Cool fight scenes that he didn't have the technology to make for the first trilogy, Jabba talking to Han Solo in Ep IV, and, most especially, Hayden Christensen where no Hayden Christensen had ever been before.

I like the prequel-sequels, though I can understand people who don't. I'm not terribly attached to the originals, personally prefer Eps I-III (::ducks::), and think the whole saga flows fairly well, barring a few little glitches here and there.

I think a big part of why I can appreciate the Eps I-III is that I once read an interview with Lucas pre-Phantom Menace release where he said that he expected a lot of people to be disappointed because (paraphrased) "The original was aimed mostly at an audience of 12-year old boys. But that was twenty years ago, and they've grown up now, and they'll be expecting a movie that thrills them as much as the originals did. And it won't, because it's still aimed at 12-year old boys."

Yeah, it really is. There are logic holes and unnecessary exciting bits and eye-rolling dialogue that just don't cut it in a film aimed at adults.

::shrug:: My Inner 12-Year-Old Boy apparently likes it. So do my real pre-teen boys. And the other day we finished watching the entire saga (in 45-minute spurts at dinner time) for the first time in a very, very long time, and Chris and I were treated to a living answer to the question of why Lucas did the techie doodads and tweaks.

Justin hasn't seen Ep VI in years; the boys don't much like IV-VI, so don't request them. He'd apparently forgotten the last bit after Vader dies. So there are the surviving heroes, on Endor's moon, celebrating the Wicked Witch's passing, and Luke sees Obi-Wan's ghost, then Yoda's, and then Anakin, looking like he did before all that nasty Dark Siding and Jedi-slaughtering and burny bits. And Justin starts laughing in total heartfelt delight, just laughing his head off in joy, pointing at the screen and saying something like, "I can't believe it!" over and over, and being just totally, utterly, childishly happy at the sight of Hayden Christensen where no Hayden Christensen ought to be.

So. That's why. Sorry, purists. I totally undestand the agony of seeing desecration of a piece of art by its own creator, but I gotta go with Lucas on this one, because Justin's joy was a wonder to behold.

Comments

[nonniemous.livejournal.com]

As the mom of a younger child, I totally understand Jar-Jar Binks' inclusion, too. Youngling has always loved him best of all the characters. So, yeah. I still prefer the ones from when I was a kid, but the kids will have to make up hteir own minds.

[stephantom.livejournal.com]

I gotta say, I agree with you. And... I think I might even prefer the prequels also. I know a long time, hardcore SW fan/fic-writer (that is, on LJ) whose favorite of all of them is actually Phantom Menace, which got slammed probably the worst of any of them. They are what they are - you can't expect them to be anything more than that. The old trilogy got built up too much as "classics" when really, there's really nothing that makes them fundamentally any better than the prequel trilogy. The prequel trilogy has a good, complicated story, politically, morally and pyschologically (although, there could have been more delving into each of those - it was only skimming the surface, mostly - but hey, there's only so much time when you have to include all the special effects - and you do have to - it's Star Wars).

I have wondered what it would be like to watch the old movies after the prequels, not already knowing what was coming. That's cool that your kids got to. Justin's reaction is great.

[a-dawn.livejournal.com]

I think my inner twelve year old prefers the prequels, but really just loves the whole epic.

My inner 28 year old straight girl doesn't mind the sight of Ewan Mcgregor and Liam Neeson in the Phantom Menace, either.