Better than “Well, at least it didn’t suck”

or: How I stopped worrying and learned to love the Wookiee [now that would be some “strange love”]

Last night I saw Star Wars III after quite a bit of anticipation. Since hearing about the prequels ages ago, getting really excited and then experiencing the gut-wrenching horribleness (yes, apparently that is a word) of the first two piles of crap Lucas foisted on his adoring fans (Damn you Jar Jar!) I went in with more than a little loathing, some fear, and a big bushel of cynicism.

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Other than the fact that Hayden Christensen couldn’t act his way out from under a soggy Kleenex (he wasn’t that bad as long as he didn’t have to deliver any of the choice lines dreamt up by George, still pretty bad, though) it addressed some of the criticisms I had of the earlier prequels (like, other than the fact that we now have CG to do the special effects, why is the technology of the spacecrafts etc. so much more sleeker and sophisticated in Episode I than in Episode IV – here, by the end, everything gets chunkier), Jar Jar had no lines and only made two or three brief appearances, there was an army of Wookiees, it was pretty damn dark (one of the things that made my like Empire Strikes Back so much), and it really tied into A New Hope well.

So all and all I was pleased. Mostly I had heard that it was alright, not as terrible as the first two, etc. but I think it deserves a little more credit than that. I went in ready to hate it and was duly impressed. Could it stand on its own? Not likely. Lucas should be well pleased that he got a chance to make Episode IV before I-III, ‘cause it isn’t that likely that he would have made it to the rest.

I do have my criticisms, though, and not just with the acting/script. My biggest thing is with continuity and logic – like the sleekspaceships to clunky spaceships mentioned above. Two shall suffice.
-Why is R2D2 much more gadget-y now then later? Those rocket boosters and oil spurts and multi-directional shock thingies sure could have come in handy in the later episodes.
-And, this drove me bonkers: Why the hell isn’t the droid army absolutely kicking the ass of the clone army, a la the Terminator series. If I were building a freaking droid army I am pretty sure I would programme it to be able to kick the ass of humans. Seriously. Think about it for a second (or perhaps I have thought enough about it for the both of us), I can understand that humans have the advantage of rational thought (although the Brave New World-like training of the clones maybe would put a damper on that), and that the Jedi’s abilities would give them the upper-hand, but come-on, if you can build something as intelligent as R2D2, can’t you build a battle droid that could hit something as big as a Wookiee? If it were my droid army it sure as hell would not lose a single freakin’ battle. Especially since the things were programmed to communicate in English and have mildly amusing things to squeal when they get crushed or something. Less time on vocabulary more time on aiming. That would be my motto.

I guess 4 out of 6 in a series isn’t too bad. I just wish Lucas hadn’t screwed up the first ones so bad. Here’s another motto for you Lucas – Less time on eye-popping graphics and more time on story. Or as Laura said last night, couldn’t he just have hired someone with talent to write the script?
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In other news, I am back in Kingston after two weeks in Vermont. Work was fine. The countryside was beautiful. Had a great trip to New York. I have a post already but I want to add some photos I took and I keep forgetting the camera at home. So hold onto your hats (‘cause I know all three of my loyal readers are forever coming back to see if I have updated) I should have it up before the end of the week.
rgsc