April 04, 2008

Let's Geek Out


So, I told Mr. Cool I'd spend tonight doing laundry, cleaning, and knitting on his scarf. Instead, I've spent the time watching Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace and surfing Ravelry. So, right now, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are fighting Darth Maul, and as much as I claim to hate these "prequels," I have to admit that the lightsaber fighting is amazing. That, and I have seriously loved Liam Neeson for years (my mom saved me the Qui-Gon pepsi can). I believe this is the second time I've seen this film, and I've only seen Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith once each. The number of times I've seen 4-6 cannot be counted.

Why the discrimination? Many, many fellow geeks have joined me in frustration about the plots, poor acting, and self-love exhibited by Lucas in his prequels (ooh, nice jump Obi-Wan!), and I'd agree with that. I would also say that the "first" Star Wars films suffer from the same problems. Is Hayden Christenson as Anakin any worse than Mark Hamill as Luke?

What continually saves the first films is the presence of Alec Guiness as Obi-Wan (just as Ewan McGregor manages to save the later films as the same character), and, of course, Harrison Ford. Mr. Cool and Sister Cool could fill you in on my current rant that Harrison Ford is under appreciated and maligned. He should have, like, five Oscars. You know the line in The Empire Strikes Back when Han Solo responds, "I know," to Leia's "I love you?" Harrison came up with that. He improvised that response. The script had him saying, "I love you, too." And in Raiders of the Lost Ark, when he just shoots that guy? That was Harrison improvising because of an injury.

What are your Star Wars feelings? How much do you love Harrison Ford? Let me know!

Edited to Add:
As Phantom Menace ended, I noticed for the first time that its conclusion is very similar to the end of New Hope. Interesting. Almost made me like it, a little. Maybe.

3 comments:

Jennifer Miller said...

YES! I agree with you :D Though I don't know if it's the acting in the prequels so much as the crappy dialog they were given. I do blame that little Jake guy as Anakin being crappy acting though...ugh...he made me want to punch the screen. I don't care if he's from Colorado.

Abby, Amy, and I use to travel to every place in Cheyenne looking for all the Pepsi cans. We succeeded :) Though the cans leaked after a few months. Most of my stuff is still at the parents and honestly I can't remember if I kept the cans - I'm thinking we threw them out.

I can't wait for the new Indiana Jones!!

Amanda said...

I can't wait for the new Indy myself, Jen--glad to hear about some fellow can collectors. I think I finally tossed mine two years ago. That kid is annoying!

The Coach said...

Mark Hamill actually isn't as bad as Hayden Christiansen. I recognize that Luke is whiny. He's supposed to be! He's the uninitiated youth at the beginning of his hero's journey.

However, it may simply be the director or the dialogue. Who let Lucas actually direct anyway?