[Darth Sidious]

AOTC *could* have been the greatest Star Wars movie yet... even surpassing "The Empire Strikes Back" (though that's a pretty tall order). Too much was cut out, in the end: there were scenes shot that would have established Padme as coming from a very humble peasant background. There was also a KILLER scene, as she's held on trial by the Geonosians, between her and Count Dooku, and it would have been talked about for weeks, if not months. Especially on Free Republic.

I'm beginning to believe what a lot of people are now saying, what's been said since "Return Of The Jedi", even: that Lucas has a beautiful tale worked out in the Star Wars saga, but in terms of executing it as the director... well, this isn't his strong suit. He should have executive produced instead.

[HairOfTheDog]

I haven't seen it, so I can't identify or commiserate yet... Will probably see it this weekend... I am only a casual Star Wars fan, and so waiting for the lines to thin out.

Where did you hear of the cut scenes? from trailers and things?

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

in terms of executing it as the director... well, this isn't his strong suit.

A&E's Biography show is doing Star Wars Biographies this week. Naturally they did Lucas on Monday. They showed Harrison Ford saying that at his first meeting with Lucas for American Grafitti, Lucas encouraged him to get involved with animated film making, since you didn't have to bother working with actors. It looks like Lucas knew what he did best all the way back at the beginning.

[marajade]

I guess GL is going to be adding tons of deleted scenes on the DVD...

[AmishDude]

Chris, there's a rumor that if you see the film in a DLP theater, you'll get to see an extra scene, do you know anything about that?

I was not as disappointed as you. Not at all. I think you had some expectations for what you wanted to see based on what you knew. I didn't know what was left out, so I was impressed with what was there.

The scenes you talked about may have added some great subtext, but they probably slowed down the action, especially at the beginning. Undoubtedly, some will be added to the DVD.

Lucas cannot direct actors and has a tin ear for dialogue. Notice who does well with Lucas -- experienced actors. But inexperienced actors -- Portman, Christenson, and especially Best -- have trouble with Lucas' lack of direction. As many films as she's been in, Portman is still young. Consider even Hammill. Look at ANH again. He's incredibly whiny ("I was going to go to Taaaaaashi station to pick up some pooowwwwer converters.") Also, note that AOTC (and TPM) have polite introductions. They're slow and boring. A perfect example is in TPM when Anakin meets Obi Wan. Unnecessary. Have them meet in an action sequence.

Lucas is a visionary and he does know the CG technology (which is why he insisted on directing these three). But he can't do the boring chores of directing actors and telling them how to react to what they're facing.

One thing going for GL, he needs no exposition for Ep. III. He can hit the ground running.