The People vs. George Lucas

[Cardinals.Ken]

I'm a HUGE Star Wars geek, but I am still mystified by just how much that franchise effects people.

This looks like it going to be pretty funny...train wreck funny...

 

[Shane]

I'm a HUGE geek

QFT!

 

[Linderbee]

Is that a fat joke??

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

QFT!

Is that a fat joke??

I don't know if you ever caught it Linda, but one time Shane told me that I couldn't afford Vegas hookers because they charged by the pound!

 

[Linderbee]

How rude!

 

[Brian in Mesa]

http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/film_salon/2010/03/28/people_versus_george_lucas

George Lucas, the most hated filmmaker in America
By Paul Hiebert
Sunday, Mar 28, 2010

In 1977, George Lucas released "Star Wars," 121 minutes that changed what people thought about film. In 1999, Lucas released "The Phantom Menace," 136 minutes that changed what people thought about George Lucas. The film was panned by everyone save 7-year-old boys who fast-forwarded the scenes about trade embargoes and Senate votes of no confidence. Critics and fans were horrified, even betrayed, by the creative dissonance: How could the man who created Darth Vader give life to the bankrupt slapstick of Jar Jar Binks?

Alexandre O. Philippe's "The People vs. George Lucas," which recently debuted at SXSW, attempts to discover what went wrong. The Swiss-born Philippe conducted copious interviews and combed through fan-submitted videos — rants, puppet shows, 3D-animated shorts — and found no lack of fervor on the subject, both defending the man and vilifying him. But there was one party who refused to participate: George Lucas himself.

Salon talked with Philippe over the phone about who owns "Star Wars," why Midi-chlorians ruined the Force — and whether disappointed fans should just walk away.

Full article: http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/film_salon/2010/03/28/people_versus_george_lucas

 

[Brian in Mesa]

http://www.peoplevsgeorge.com/

 

[Gee!]

Its a movie for Christs sake.. I wasnt to keen on the third Friday installment but Im not gonna write to my Congressmen about why Ice Cube did us wrong.. Just move along..

 

[ajcardfan]

Lucas lost me when he brought in the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi. I've never seen any of the new trilogy.

 

[Gaddabout]

Remove Lawrence Kasdan from the mix and the Star Wars I and II look pretty much like New Hope and Return of the Jedi. Kasdan inserting some brilliant writing and directing in the middle is what made it more than some kid movie. Just compare the acting between Empire and RotJ ... Kasdan got far better performances out of that group.

But in the FWIW category, I thought III was an awesome movie with a powerful theme, on par with Empire. Lucas redeemed himself even though casting and getting strong performances out of actors remains a weakness.

 

[Chaplin]

Remove Lawrence Kasdan from the mix and the Star Wars I and II look pretty much like New Hope and Return of the Jedi. Kasdan inserting some brilliant writing and directing in the middle is what made it more than some kid movie. Just compare the acting between Empire and RotJ ... Kasdan got far better performances out of that group.

But in the FWIW category, I thought III was an awesome movie with a powerful theme, on par with Empire. Lucas redeemed himself even though casting and getting strong performances out of actors remains a weakness.

Well... he's a complete failure as a director, and don't get started with his writing. He's had one good script (maybe 2 if you want to count New Hope) and a few good story credits in his career and that's it.

If by redeemed you mean that III was light years better than I and II, then I agree with you. But III on par with Empire? Come on Gad.

 

[Renz]

Lucas lost me when he brought in the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi. I've never seen any of the new trilogy.

Have to agree. Not only did I hate the Ewoks, but Return of the Jedi had the exact same plot as A New Hope, destroy the Death Star. That always pissed me off.

I hated Revenge of the Sith and the 5th installment (I can't remember what it was called). Never saw the last one.

 

[Gaddabout]

If by redeemed you mean that III was light years better than I and II, then I agree with you. But III on par with Empire? Come on Gad.

I found the dynamic of actually seeing how someone good falls into evil fascinating, and felt Lucas delivered it with great credibility in III. The acting was still awful and I don't know how you turn two brilliant British actors into wooden, monotone dimwits, but the story captivated me in the same way Empire did.

It wasn't as COOl as Empire. It lacked Han Solo. But let's face it, Lucas got damn lucky to land Harrison Ford, who carried the first two movies and then was turned into a total wuss in RotJ and that's what REALLY sucked about that movie.

Lucas never really understood the appeal of his own movies. He probably still thinks every young boy wanted to be Luke Skywalker. Dude, you had to fight someone to be Han Solo on my playground. Skywalker was for the nerds. But Kasdan totally got it and made Solo the real star of Empire.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I wish I could be a George Lucas level of failure.

 

[mojorizen7]

I agree with most of the sentiment here. I too thought that Episode III Revenge of the Sith was a bounce back.
Chap you're pretty hard on Lucas though IMO.
"THX1138" is a very well done & creative artsy sci-fi film and "American Graffitti" was great.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

They are "PG-esk rated", si-fi, pre-teen movies.

It is not like I went to Lord of the Rings to look for the meaning of life, and I don't know why people want this with Star Wars.

Gee has it right. It is a flippin' movie.

I have liked all the Star War movies, and absolutely LOVE the Clone Wars show on the Cartoon Network.

I enjoy them because I watch these movies, and take them for what they are: Sci-Fi schlep filled with lasers, aliens, special effects, and an easy to follow plot line. They are not the best movies of all time, but when where they EVER the best movies of all time.

To sue the guy over it, is simply ********. Seems to me they are suing Mr. Lucas for their own shattered dreams, and bringing his fan base to reality. Maybe that 20 year old movie is not as cool as your memories, and blogs deem it to be.....just maybe.