EPISODE 5 – “Star Wars Part 1: The Prequels”

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9 responses to “EPISODE 5 – “Star Wars Part 1: The Prequels””

1. 

   Student Z

   January 12, 2012

   No offense to my elders but Dr. Jayce is 100% correct. Those making an argument that the original movies are far better than the new trilogy has to do with pure sentiment. Yes the original movie started it all, but on the grounds of story telling the 2nd trilogy is just as strong.

   The Phantom Menace mirrors Star Wars in that Luke turns off his equipment and goes with his gut and destroys the death star. Anakin tries to shoot those shooting at him and blows up the mothership. Both are not “skilled fighter takes out bad guys!” but at least Anakin’s is more believable.

   My opinion:
   Star Wars beats Phantom Menace (simply because it was the one that started it all NOT because it was so much better)

   Clones beats Empire (The one thing I agree with Steve on, Empire is depressing)

   Sith Crushes Jedi, Jedi is the worst movie of the group. On this point Dr. Jayce is right on.

   So the new movies beat the old ones 2-1.

   I watched all of the movies when I was a kid and I love the news ones way better. Ben, says that the first three have better story telling. PLEASE!!! Ewoks, snow creatures that look so fake, and an uber thin story in the original Star Wars.

   Just because the new trilogy doesn’t give what you want doesn’t mean it’s a bad story. Just write your own. This is Lucas’ story whether you like it or not.

   I won’t argue the historic significance of the original franchize, but I bok at the idea that the original three are better movies. At best they are ground breaking; at worst they are boring. The new trilogy at best are innovative; at worst they are annoying.

   It is not a matter of better, but a matter of taste. The old guys need to get over it. Their grand old tales aren’t better….they were just first.

   p.s. Suggested improveements (I enjoy the show by the way), perhaps Dr. Jayce should start the shows because he has more energy. Or maybe have a different person open and another one close each time so every week theres a different opener and cloer. Steve, can you dumb it down a little bit…half the time I don’t know what you’re talking about…Dr. Jayce, are you really a Dr.? If so keep the name. If not lose it. You all are interesting. Different viewpoints and such. Each of you has your strengths. Ben, your Rankin list was very good. Steve, do you write for the blog? Dr. Jayce, your OVERRATED xmas movies ticked me off, but it was entertaining.

   Reply
   1. 

      Ben

      January 12, 2012

      Hey, do you mind if we read some of your comments in an episode, Student Z?

      I can understand what you’re saying, especially about the “not better, just first”, although the sentiment can be redirected: “not better, just later.”

      But it IS purely a matter of taste, and a fun conversation to have.

      You said, “just write your own” … and that’s part of the reason we’re doing this. All three of us are writers and have been and are writing our own. Exploring stories like this let’s us see things from other perspectives — both Dr. Jayce and Steve had some insights I never noticed before (but don’t tell them that) and I hope I did the same for them. Art, and quality of art, is completely subjective, though.

      I’m curious what you’ll think after listening to part 2 of our podcast, when we get into the original trilogy. I think you may be surprised that we aren’t as much of an ol’ fuddy duddy as you might expect.

      Well, I am, of course. But not Steve or Dr. Jayce (who IS a doctor and college professor).

      Reply
   2. 

      Ben

      January 12, 2012

      And along with the “write your own”, Star Wars (for me, anyway) is one thing that got me interested in stories and storytelling.

      Reply
2. 

   Steve

   January 13, 2012

   “No offense to my elders [that’s GEEZER to you, youngling!] but Dr. Jayce is 100% correct. Those making an argument that the original movies are far better than the new trilogy has to do with pure sentiment.”
   – The original trilogy is fantasy, and succeeds in its intended goal. The second trilogy is science fiction masquerading as space opera, and fails to reach its intended goal.

   “The Phantom Menace mirrors Star Wars in that Luke turns off his equipment and goes with his gut and destroys the death star. Anakin tries to shoot those shooting at him and blows up the mothership. Both are not “skilled fighter takes out bad guys!” but at least Anakin’s is more believable.”
   – I disagree. Luke is a skilled pilot who uses his skill to remain alive during the Death Star assault, only to rely on the Force to guide him at the end. The movie is all about Luke’s introduction to the belief in something outside himself, which is difficult for him because he is (up to that point) just a hotshot pilot. Anakin does have some talent, but in the final battle he succeeds accidentally. The movie is all about destiny and fate. Not that difficult to pull off…all he had to do was to have potential. 

   “Clones beats Empire (The one thing I agree with Steve on, Empire is depressing)”
   – And for this, I thank you!

   “Just because the new trilogy doesn’t give what you want doesn’t mean it’s a bad story. Just write your own. This is Lucas’ story whether you like it or not.”
   – Lucas can *have* his story, but could he have a logical story? One that makes sense in the final analysis? No, not with this story.

   “It is not a matter of better, but a matter of taste. The old guys need to get over it. Their grand old tales aren’t better….they were just first.”
   – You are right, this is all a matter of taste.  Depending on how one analyzes the films, any list could be valid. Using my logic, though, I stand by my assessments of the individual films and the series as a whole. 

   “Steve, can you dumb it down a little bit…”
   – I don’t know…my dumbed-down is still pretty high-falutin’. I will endeavor to eschew surplusage, for your sake. If that helps. Seriously, let me know which parts are too high-brow…sometimes I don’t even know where my brow is!

   “You all are interesting.”
   – You forgot to add, “…except for the old windbag.”

   “Steve, do you write for the blog? ”
   – Not as much as I should be, and not as much as I will be going forward! Watch out!

   Reply
3. 

   Steve

   January 13, 2012

   And how come the actual post doesn’t look like what I put in the box?

   Reply
4. 

   Dr. Jayce

   January 13, 2012

   Wow. Fun dialogue for sure. I am shocked that you agree with me mostly and yet totally dislike Empire which is my favorite!

   Reply
5. 

   Student Z

   January 13, 2012

   Ben, even though I disagree with half of what you say I like that you can see others point of view. Dr. Jayce, really a doc eh? Cool. Kudos. Then I like that you use it. What do you teach? And I know you like Empire Strikes Back, but noone can be perfect! :))

   Steve, Again to my main point-Your response had me glazed over in a half bored half laughing stupor-I need an interpreter to figure out half of what you say. Not because you’re so smart, but because half the time it seems that you use circular logic. First off, it is totally illogical to invest so much of your life into one thing only to throw it away when it does something you don’t like (ie Staw Wars). It seems that more than anything perhaps you were too invested in Star Wars and like a gilted boyfriend got hurt because of what you percieved as a big letdown. It seems like you were way too into it that there was no place to go but down if you know what I mean.

   And your logic doesn’t fit into Star Wars Universe because Star Wars isn’t logical. It is meant to be fun, so lighten up and have fun. Dress up in your Secret Han Solo costume and do a little dance!

   I have no doubt that you will reply and in response I will only read half of what you write in the attempt to figure out 10% of it.

   Reply
   1. 

      Steve

      January 18, 2012

      Wow, man, nice burn, Z! I think, though, we are just coming from different generations, thus the communication breakdown. And, yes, I hope my incredibly lame story warns some younger listeners not to invest so much into this stuff. You got me pegged there. But I do like logical conclusions to epic story lines, so I will defend my opinion on that. You are certainly welcome to yours, and we are happy to hear it!

      Concerning circular logic on my part, please let me know where I am failing there. Usually Dr. J calls me on stuff like that, so maybe you should rip into him for not doing HIS job!

      Reply
6. 

   Student Z

   January 13, 2012

   p.s. Please use my comments. I don’t mind.

   Reply