The ring theory that Mr_Pink shared and this video helped me appreciate the prequels more and put a finger on what Lucas was going for. Unfortunately, he just dropped the ball. In plot, in directing, in dialogue, in emotion, etc, etc, etc, they just don't compare to the originals. And it's a shame. Because the overall idea of the prequels had the potential for great storytelling. It just failed in the execution. This movie highlighted one of the main problems with the overall trilogy: Anakin's fall is poorly developed. The films basically tell us that Anakin turned to the dark side because he couldn't handle losing people he cared about. This is aspect is actually explored a bit with the massacre on Tatooine and the scenes with the Emperor. He joins the Sith specifically to save Padme according to Episode III. But he pledges allegiance to the Emperor without ever even knowing the the Emperor can actually save Padme. This makes Anakin come off as a bit of fool, which isn't really how anyone wanted to feel about Darth Vader. The film also tries to tell us that he has issues with the Jedi and thinks they are "evil." This is never really explored at all. He basically goes from turning the Emperor in to thinking the Jedi are evil, being completely subservient to the Emperor, and being willing to kill "younglings" in twenty minutes. The movie tries to tell us that the Jedi Code is problematic, but besides the "people can't love" rule that randomly showed up, we're never shown any moments when the Jedi Code becomes too dogmatic. The only times Anakin runs into conflict with other Jedi is basically when they won't let him do whatever he wants. It make Darth Vader come off as a spoiled brat, which is not what anyone wanted either, Watching the prequels now made me feel like the movies should have begun with the Clone Wars and a young adult Anakin. The conflict with the Jedi could have been more heavily explored, his friendship with Kenobi could have been more explored, his rise in the order could have been more explored, and his subsequent fall would have had more emotional weight to it.
You use the term "more explored," several times. This is the problem with the prequels, nothing of any emotional weight is ever explored. As a result, Anakin's fall from the light side is nowhere near believable. He goes from being a Jedi to killing padawans in a matter of minutes. That's just fucked up and completely unbelievable. There is so much wrong with the prequels that it's actually more constructive to talk about the things that are good about them. Ewan Mcgregor is great as young Obi Wan. Perhaps the only bit of good casting in the entire thing. Literally, every other casting, with the exception of Christopher Lee is awful. Granted, that's primarily because their dialog is contrived and the story lines are terrible and there aren't real sets and.... Oh wait, I was supposed to talk about the good aspects. Yeah, Ewan McGregor is a good actor. But he was still made to do this: Unforgivable.
I want you to think about one thing for just a minute: Frickin' Matilda from The Professional is in this film. Jules from Pulp Fiction is in this film. What you're seeing as "awful" casting is awful directing. How at sea do you think Natalie Portman has to be to deliver a performance like that? You think the chick from Black Swan couldn't be Leia's mom? I think there wasn't any clear direction giving anyone in the entire series anything to hang their hats on.
Maybe a good actor can find their way even without direction, a good script, real sets or chemistry with cgi? -okay, you're right. Seriously, you are. Portman is a great actress and she probably could have been great with the right material and guidance. That said, I thought Sam Jackson, an actor I admire in other works was clearly a wrong choice. There are others too -Jimmy Smits etc. But your point isn't lost in me.
Completely agree. 100%. I was trying to find something redeeming and landed on Ewan Mcregor, who I thought did the best with the least, of anyone. Then my train of thought went to casting but you are right, it's at the bottom of a long list of failings.
I actually really enjoy watching episode III purely for Ewan. His acting, even with abysmal dialogue, is absolutely impeccable. He did everything so well, and made the scene where he ends Anakin truly compelling. Everything else though, ESPECIALLY Hayden in that scene, is... I don't have an adjective to combine frustrating, disappointing, and nauseating.
Ewan's dedication is amazing. He committed, despite the shit dialog. The guy is impressive imo. As far as Anakin goes, Lucas LITERALLY relegated the greatest villain in cinema history to the greatest cliche in cinema history.