“It’s silly. It’s a silly movie,” he said. “There just isn’t much there. Once you take it all apart, there’s not much story, is there?”
Um, has Lucas seen a movie I like to call “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace”? Because by comparison that makes Spider-Man 3, a movie I didn’t like, look like “plots-a-poppin’” I like the Star Wars films a lot, but it’s no mistake that the best movie out of all 6 – The Empire Strikes Back – is not directed by George Lucas.
I remember my husband and I were so excited as we took our seats to see the new Star Wars movie. It didn’t take long before we wanted our money back.
I’m assuming that Lucas couldn’t see past merchandizing opportunities to realize he had made one of the worst movies of all time.
To be fair, also, Akira Kurosawa wrote most of Star Wars (Episode 4 for you nerds) when he did “The Hidden Fortress” in 1958, right down to the squabbling peasants (droids).
Surely you mean “Attack of the Crohns…er, Clones” right? “Menace” was disappointing, but “Clones” was an all-out piece o’ schidt! Lucas more than made up for it with “Sith,” though.
My favorite one is “Return of the Jedi” (original version); “Empire” my second-least favorite. And Lucas’ best movie ever is STILL “American Graffiti.”
Surely you mean “Attack of the Crohns…er, Clones” right? “Menace” was disappointing, but “Clones” was an all-out piece o’ schidt! Lucas more than made up for it with “Sith,” though.
My favorite one is “Return of the Jedi” (original version); “Empire” my second-least favorite. And Lucas’ best movie ever is STILL “American Graffiti.”
The latest Star Wars, Spiderman 3, etc. They’re all the same. Seeing these movies is like trying out the latest roller coaster. Each new one tries to go faster longer. It’s a rush, but that’s about it.
Norbiz,
I had known that Lucas was inspired by Samurai movies as well as old movie serials, but I thought it was just that, inspired by, until I saw Hidden Fortress, Wow, about a 3rd of the way in I realized “Hey this is the exact plot of Star Wars”
Actually, Lucas did write the story for ‘Empire’, but he did not write the script. Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett wrote the screenplay.
I think its more of a sour grapes issue. Industrial Light & Magic does like 95% of the special effects in Hollywood films. But not this one.
To be fair, Lucas is kind of a expert on films that don’t have stories. I didn’t like Spider-Man 3, but it was a lot more fun than anything Lucas has made in the last twenty years.
1- Apologies for the double post…stupid f’n library computers.
2- Really, though, movie “franchises” should be retired after the third episode. Lucas should have left the rebels on Endor, celebrating the demise of the emperor. Spidey should perhaps cool it – now (haven’t seen “3″ yet). And the fool at Lions Gate who greenlighted “Saw IV” should be forced to eat the negative!
Saw IV? Great googli-moogli… One really doesn’t need much in the way of brain cells to be a studio exec anymore, do you?
“My favorite one is “Return of the Jedi” (original version)”
Now far be it from me to start any controversies on this here blog but is it not true that the above statement pretty much disqualifies someone from offering any opinion on any movie-related subject?
Just asking …
How much longer must we wait for “Spaceballs” parts I, II, III, V, and VI?
In defense of Lucas, I can’t agree that he knows nothing about “story.” All six Star Wars films are excellent in terms of “story,” and would be considered classics of form if we had a greater tradition of oral storytelling. Lucas is a marvelous storyteller.
The problem is that he’s crap as a scriptwriter.
One seems to be all that’s required.
Sorry, never saw any of them. I don’t endorse terror or torture. Continuing to see movies of this sort just encourages them (studios, I mean.
Spider: I second.
I’m sorry, Empire isn’t a movie. It’s a chapter. It has no satisfying conclusion, and it cannot stand alone without having seen ANH and Jedi.
“Let’s recap…
Jigsaw is dead.
Amanda is dead.”
I’d just like to point out they are making a sequel to Daddy Day Care, without Eddie Murphy. That Cuba “I won an Oscar, honestly” Gooding Jr. is taking his place.
So there’s no idea too dumb for Hollywood.
Empire remains the best.
‘Empire’ for the win.
All I need to know about ‘Spiderman 3′ I learned at Burger King.
Superhero movies are so last-week. More ‘Pan’s Labyrinth,’ more ‘Children of Men.’