Red Mosquito

if Lucas hadn't decided that what the films really needed was an old man sith apprentice, there would have been time to flesh out some backstory in the later prequels. I like that he's kept entirely a mystery in the first movie.

edit: or maybe keeping him entirely a mystery is the better way to go. don't explain shit. explaining things sucks, especially when it's Lucas doing the explaining.

BurtReynolds wrote:if Lucas hadn't decided that what the films really needed was an old man sith apprentice, there would have been time to flesh out some backstory in the later prequels. I like that he's kept entirely a mystery in the first movie.

edit: or maybe keeping him entirely a mystery is the better way to go. don't explain shit. explaining things sucks, especially when it's Lucas doing the explaining.

Good point. As it is, there's still intrigue. Better than the alternative.

He was fine, in that a more elaborated-upon or powerful villain would have been inappropriate for the tone and scope of that movie. But he's right up there with Boba for undeserved appreciation. He was like a really well-conceived TV episode nemesis, which is what was needed for a movie that was more about bringing characters together and was focused largely on a child and a cartoon rabbit.

I blame the terrible job they did with Sauromon and General Nefarious for Maul's enduring popularity, though.

I work with a few guys from LucasArts and Lucasfilm. Hearing their stories about their time there is great. I almost feel sorry for Lucas. He reached an almost Michael Jackson level of isolation from humanity. You could get fired for going to his FLOOR. Middle managers (who would often be replaced on a whim) would have meetings to coach underlings on what to say and when to say it in His presence.

One of those documentaries has a scene where they are screening Episode 1 for the first time and realizing thats its a complete disaster but no one wants to say anything. Even Lucas is like "welp. too late to change anything now". This is what happens when you surround yourself with yes men.

Do recall which documentary?

BurtReynolds wrote:IOne of those documentaries has a scene where they are screening Episode 1 for the first time and realizing thats its a complete disaster but no one wants to say anything. Even Lucas is like "welp. too late to change anything now". This is what happens when you surround yourself with yes men.

I remember that...mostly because of the raw comedic value I saw in the look on Rick McCallum's face after sitting through that steaming pile.

He looked like he'd just gotten the paternity test on his kids back, and the news was not what he'd wanted to see.

Seriously, which documentary?

found it.

55:08

http://youtu.be/j8sBsnYNucM?t=55m8s

Burt, I take back 5 of the bad things I've ever said about you.

There is some nice "behind the scenes" Jar Jar action a few minutes before that, too.

Imma watch the whole thing when I get home tonight. I'm pretty excited about it.

BurtReynolds wrote:found it.

55:08

http://youtu.be/j8sBsnYNucM?t=55m8s

As telling as that was, it goes to prove that they/he thinks it can be saved in the editing. And really it couldn't have been.

The horror on the producers face. Worth watching just for that.

That documentary shows Lucas in a different light. I actually take back a couple of the bad things I've said about the guy.

durdencommatyler wrote:That documentary shows Lucas in a different light. I actually take back a couple of the bad things I've said about the guy.

I could never knock Lucas. He gave us American Grafiti, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and helped push forward the idea for Apocalypse Now. And the idea of Star Wars was probably the most innovative & risk taking ideas of all time. While I'll cringe at the newest movies, I'll still find pockets of enjoyment in them, because I know its roots.

They brought Darth Maul back for the Clone Wars TV show.

Harry Lime wrote:

durdencommatyler wrote:That documentary shows Lucas in a different light. I actually take back a couple of the bad things I've said about the guy.

I could never knock Lucas. He gave us American Grafiti, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and helped push forward the idea for Apocalypse Now. And the idea of Star Wars was probably the most innovative & risk taking ideas of all time. While I'll cringe at the newest movies, I'll still find pockets of enjoyment in them, because I know its roots.

I don't think anyone's mad at 1977-1987 Lucas.

I don't know, 90% of the original ideas for Star Wars were awful, as was his Indiana Jones haunted house idea.

I would say he was a very provocative big picture person, who benefited greatly from outside support and creative development. Naturally, he thought it was all him (enough people were telling him that was the case) and we all saw the result of that.

I've always thought Star Wars works better without too much of the funny and cute stuff, and they also should be careful in spending too much time on romance, but over all, I think the original trilogy is probably the best movie trilogy of all time. The prequels are clearly inferior, but I can enjoy those as well. It's a bit like Ten-Vs-Vitalogy to Pearl Jam-Backspacer-Lightning Bolt.

"jar jar is the key to all this"

Lol.

I think I watched this doc about 10 years ago but what are the key points I should revisit for some LOL's ?