Lets use this so people can give their thoughts on the movie and not spoil it for people who haven't seen it already... I shall go first. Ok...This was way better then I had expected it to be.  The love scenes weren't as bad as I was thinking they were going to be.  Jar Jar is still an ass...but was a little better in this movie... I think hayden as Anakin did an excellent job portraying the character right.  Obi-wan Kicks ass...even though I think he still should have been able to win that end fight scene with dooku. Speaking of the end fight scene.  In all honesty... I loved yoda fighting.  I think he has the full capability to be able to move and act like that.  However I think they made it just a little to..."flashy" you might say...  I made the comment to a lady next to me in the theater "He must have been saving his energy for well over 200 years for that fight."  got a good laugh out of it.  Overall I think they should have emphasized yoda more with using force powers to fight dooku rather then the saber. Shimi's death sucked...I mean...what the hell was that all about..."I....Love...Ugg...bleeheh blaaa...." and then this terrible death....I call it a plop....  didn't look real...thats really the only scene I didn't like...however that is all made up in the next scene when Anakin goes crazy...that was sweet... Although...the Imperial March would have gone really good right there, and they left it out   oh well... Overall...loved the movie...I can definately see why they have compared it to The Empire Strikes Back. Well I have more thoughts on this but lets see what you have to say...    ----------------------- -=:General Anakin:=- Executive Officer for the Vast Empire XO/GN Anakin/HC-2/Lotaith/VE [SCP][CDS][IOC][CM-SS][LoCx23] YAPI!!!!! E-mail 

Anyone notice the Zerg Hydralisk in Episode II on the planet where Dooku captures all three of our main heroes? Blizzard is gonna kill Lucas I think.
 
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Lord Darth Gui Sun "Sandrock" Paan de Vortigern
Dark Jedi Master
Deputy Grand Master of the Vast Empire Dark Jedi
DGM/DJM Gui Sun Paan/DC-2/VEDJ/VCF Deathscythe[EoP]
Vice Admiral Gui Sun "Sandrock" Paan de Vortigern
Executive Advisor to the Naval Commander in Chief

Anyone notice how well 3PO could move when he got shoved off of the platform by R2? How about Jango's lacky.. the shapeshifter. When Anakin landed on her hover car thingy, she turned to look over her shoulder.. You saw her change to her "normal" look. Guess who tossed Anakin and Obi-Wan the extra lightsabers.. The dude from Nsync. *gags*
 
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PRF-RC/BG Sierra "Talon" Taurus/HCA-1/VEA/VE[BC][IOC][LoC][SoS][BM][CDS][MSM]
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CEO Sierra "Talon" Taurus/ECHC-1/Endoven/Dome 8473/VEEC/VE
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SCAP/COM Vincent "Claw" Taurus/ISD Nemesis/Offensive Fleet/VEN[=A=][LoM][IOC][IC2]
CE Vincent "Claw" Taurus/Endoven/Dome 8457/VEEC/VE

Excellent film. I still think Episode I is a good motion picture in its own right (mostly because of the Akira Kurosawa motifs). In Episode II... Hmm... Most of all, I enjoyed the visual homages Lucas employed. The nightfall scene of Anakin gazing upon the Tusken camp was a beautifully filmed homage to John Ford's "The Searchers" (1956). Indeed, the homage was almost a complete mini-film: Anakin cuts through the back of the tent, the way he holds Shmi; the immediate slaughter of the encampment; the blatant similarities of the Tuskens to the Indians; Anakin carrying his mother into the Lars homestead; the positions/movement of the other characters following him just like the old western film (Ethan Edwards with Debbie and the soon-to-be-married couple following close behind). Also, just like Ethan Edwards, the encampment event severely alters his character (yet, contrasted to EP2, for the bad). Hmm, Padme wears a poncho just like Beulah Archuletta (great subtle character clue there). Overall, excellent homage. Also, Dex's Diner was a homage to American Graffiti as was the Cloners to the estranged, lanky policemen from THX-1138 (I believe Lucas' selection of these characters reveal his inner views on human cloning in general). Ewan McGregor stole the show in my opinion.
 
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"Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole,  
I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud.  
Under the bludgeonings of chance, My head is bloody, but unbowed.
It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul."
--- William Ernest Henley (1849 – 1903)

I hope you homage your homage pudding spart That was a bit too far... Anyways, I also attended the midnight showing.  BUT, unlike for episode 1, at which Sess and i waited 6 hours to see... sess wouldn't go to this one with me.  He said, "No, i'm waiting to see it with Tiana!"  So i say to him, "She'll never know, come on..."  But the force was strong with him and he just said "NO."  So i guess i know who he loves more.  Oh well... I had fun waiting.  This year my double bladed light saber didn't hold up as well as it did 3 years ago.  It actually broke.  Well, it broke at home as I was dueling with a friend, so i used some JB weld and repaired it jedi style, but then the whole thing kinda collapsed as i was fighting a friend outside the theater... i was upset, but i had a mini-yoda lightsaber with sound effects, so i was still in the game. oh yeah- the movie.  Well.. it sucked... riiight.... okay, it was freaking awesome, everyone knows it, and anyone that says it isn't good will die of anthrax.  But really- of course the Empire Strikes Back was my fav. of all time, that's an easy one.  But this topped it... seriously, it did.  Some people might not agree that it was better, but i thought it was.  No other star wars movie made me smile that much and had me on the edge of my seat breathing on the giant black man in front of me.  It was really just that good, so i watched it twice that day.  and now i'm really tired.. haven't quite recovered from it all.  You all know how good it was so i won't even go into the details of my favorite scenes.  although the scene where anikan and amidala are watching obi wan's message on the hologram projector thingy is my favorite in the movie... george i applaude your being a man and putting natalie into a tight white suit and sneaking to the back of the stage to turn up the air conditioning... now that was cool. ok, i'm gonna shut up now, but just for fun... you realize that we should all be worshiping Jar Jar right now??? you've all had fun blaming the empire on him... look into a mirror... you're all wearing the uniforms!  Jar Jar is our new lord!!!  I say we put his picture on our logo, and i say we put his picture as our new vastempire.com picture....  but that's just me... oh wait-- i have a question... i think i know the answer though.  all the clone troopers were obviously clones, so i guess in episode 3 they all pretty much die, or something, because later on the stormtroopers aren't clones, they are all different men, they have different voices and heights and one is even tall enough to hit his head on a door in A New Hope.  So I guess the empire just starts recruiting right?? because wasn't han solo a former stormie??  ok, i'll really shut up now.
 
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Here today, gone yesterday...
High General Crysus*

*sort-of.

Sess is almost a Quaker now. Have you thought of returning to the Dark Jedi Order, Crysus, or do you plan to become an outcast like Dooku? :P Hehe. You could probably whoop us all in Jedi Outcast sabering. Eh, I have seen Episode II twice now and plan to watch it again Monday morning. Whilst recently watching an interview of Ewan McGregor he said, "If you think the battles scenes in Episode II are amazing, you should hear what George plans for Episode III." Dare we guess?   ----------------------- "Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole,   I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud.   Under the bludgeonings of chance, My head is bloody, but unbowed. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul." --- William Ernest Henley (1849 – 1903)

Bear, I resent that statement about England in the World Cup. In my opinion best the phrase in the whole film is when Obi-Wan says, "Why do I get the feeling you'll be the death of me." to Anakin (or something like that). The bit when Dooku is talking to Yoda was a bit stupid when he was saying "It is obvious this challenge can not be won by our knowledge of the force..." because it sounded really cheesy. But that was made up for by the fight and when Yoda gets his lightsaber out by pulling his cloak aside and using force full to get it. Also, what was with that big ol' semi-transparent sheet thing that comes out of Dooku's ship at the end, I assume it is some kind of hyperdrive thingy but I don't know. Then, on Obi-Wan's ship did anyone else see that Imerial logo type thing, I don't think that it was actually the logo but it sure did look like it. So, overall it was an amazing film which sofar, i've only seen twice but i'm seeing asain tomorrow and maybe more after that.
 
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Chief Warrant Officer Corran
Navy Training Officer Adjutant
VE Today Deputy Editor

TO:A/CMDR/CWO Corran/Venom 1-1/2/ISD Overlord/1ESF/VE/VEN/(=A=)(=MA=)(=SA=) [LoC]

Thermite 3D Engine :: Thermite Forums

I agree with Cos - what the heck was up with that Threepio hand? Oh, I noticed something tonight when I saw the movie for the second time. During the big arena battle scene, pay attention to the Jedi fighting in the background - and you will see at least two of them fighting with two lightsabers at once. So young Skywalker was definitely NOT the first to fight like that (and I think he didn't too well at it, either). Overall the movie was GREAT, though I do wish they would've included some of the scenes that were omitted but appeared in the book. I can't wait to see how all of this turns out in III. If you've read the Hand of Thrawn duology by Timothy Zahn, you might remember hearing about Yoda battling a Dark Jedi Master on Dagobah, then sticking close to where he died (the tree/cave). Will Lucas stick close to that, maybe? Have Yoda and Dooku dueling it out again? Again, the movie was really good. Just one last comment - why the **** wouldn't Owen Lars recognize C-3PO in A New Hope? He lived with the guy for 11 years! Sheesh.
 
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NTO/SCAP/FL/CMD Darkhawk/Raptor 3-1 /ISD II Devastator/OFF/VEN/VE/(=A=)(=SA=)(=JCPA=)(=SCPA=)(=FOCE=)[LoC][BRC][VC:Ebony]

CM/SG Darkhawk/Sith/Eagle 1-5/VEDJ/VE

Bear, you're an idiot.  That's all I've got to say on that  On to the movie.  I just saw it today, and I'm just gonna agree with every good opinion I've seen on this topic so far  I liked the beginning chase through Coruscant which ended in the bar.  I loved the first sight of the clone army in full armor marching in regiments.  I can't help but love the factory scene and the tusken fight.  The arena scene was great.  And the clone troopers at the end?  Man, I love those massive battle scenes with hundreds of thousands of people/droids on each side fighting it out with each other. Even the ending lightsaber fight was great, especially Yoda. All in all, I give this movie a three thumbs up(considering the fact that I only have two thumbs, that's not bad). The only disappointment was that I heard they were going to clone Darth Maul...    ;P
 
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Argon Viper
IW COL Argon Viper{ret}
"History is on the move, those who cannot keep up will watch from a distance, and those who get in our way will not watch at all" - Grand Admiral Thrawn
"How boring life would be if everyone felt the same way we do..." - Argon Viper
"Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses" - Carl G Jung

I will have to disagree and agree with you on your post Japheth. I think Christopher Lee did an outstading job portraying his character.  I honestly thought he did the best acting out of everyone.  The count has got "class" to him...you can see this in his saber and fighting style.  He has the attitude that no one is better then him and he's like god... and I think christopher lee did a great job showing this. However I do agree with you about yoda's fighting style, it shocked me at first to see it.  But then you have to look at the bigger picture and see exactly what Yoda is capable of doing.  Since he is the best. and If you had to give yoda a fighting style, I think I would have gone with what they did in the movie...so the style idea is growing on me.  However I do think they should have put more emphasis on force powers, before and after the fight...   ----------------------- Sith Guardian Tylen Jaap CM/SG Tylen Jaap/Elite Griffen Sect/VSD-II Griffen/VEDJ/VE [VP] TRP/SMJR Tylen Jaap/1SQD/2PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE Little Ball of Death - Jester Squad 'If you spent as much time practising your swordsmanship as you do your wit, you could even rival Master Yoda' - Obi

Anyone want to see Yoda and Palpatine fight?
 
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NTO/SCAP/FL/CMD Darkhawk/Raptor 3-1 /ISD II Devastator/OFF/VEN/VE/(=A=)(=SA=)(=JCPA=)(=SCPA=)(=FOCE=)[LoC][BRC][VC:Ebony]

CM/SG Darkhawk/Sith/Eagle 1-5/VEDJ/VE

Balance to the Force is not a numerical thing.  It is not a Palp vs. Yoda, Obi vs. Ani.  thing.  SLJ had a comment in the movie about telling the senate that the Jedi's were losing the ability to use the force. Balance to the force I think is this.  Think of the Force as a resivoir that only elitists can drink from.  When you get 200 or so thirsty bastards the resivoir empties out.  (the whole midi chlorean thing, pardon my spelling, it's my best attempt at spelling something fenetically.)  Anakin brings with him a giant flood gate of water.  The only way to bring balance to this force with this christ child running around is to kill everyone else and let the resivoirs rise back up to their normal levels.  Considering that this is even remotely right, it would explain why luke is so powerful with so little training.  There's just that much more force for the kid to pull upon.  Maybe even to dwell a little bit further into this than I should let's say that there are two resivoirs.  One bright shimmering clear blue pool that all the light jedi drink from.  And there's a dark murky, swamp that the dark jedi drink from.  Since there has been (at least in the movies) only really two dark jedi at a time, the dark pool goes a lot farther than the light pool does.  Hence the dark jedis are a hell of a lot more powerful than those little pansies that think sharing is caring.  That said, when Luke is the only person left alive that can drink from the bright shimmering pool of light, he can easily take on Vader (palpatine gets inside his head and Luke gets scared) and Palpatine (see note in ()'s above).  Blah blah blah, jedi purging good.  Sacrafice the many so that the few can actually win in the end.  That being said, onto the movie. The only real reason to watch this movie was for the last 30 mins.  The first 2 fking hours.  Oh my god, shoot me now.  Granted we had little things here and ther to keep us interested.  We got to see what the Matrix would be like if the robots were happy clean, neat freaks.  We got to see little boba fett, (aww isn't he cute, i wanted to rip his head off for being such a horrible actor.  little anakin did a better job)  What else.  Apparently Yoda is the only real person that can use the force as a tool instead of doing parolor tricks with magically floating orbs and the damn pear thing.  Don't worry about Obi killing you for doing something so stupid with the force.  Granted it may be the best way yet to pick up women, but so is a nice car. (or something)  Chasing through Courascant (or whatever) after that changling. Two words.  Force Speed.  It would be great to see some kinda little effect where everyone slows down to a stop and you see anakin still running.  Apparently jedi can only jump and flip and land on a gangplank higher up.  oh yea, don't forget unlatching that damn door. Good Move Obi wan.  You'd think that if they can lift a god damn x-wing that they would be able to fly if they wanted to. Yoda.  Oh my fking god.  i knew the whole cripple thing was a ruse.  oh yea, here i am.  6 feet tall, i just took out 2 jedi, and now i'm gonna take on a muppet that isn't really there.  I'm so scared.  And then, in a fight seen that rivals DBZ, we see the true power of someone that I always thought was all bark and no bite.  Poor poor me.  I feel so gypped.  I waited so long to see this movie that you all said was so awesome, only to sit through 2 hours of pure boredom, and then 30 mins of stuff that boggles the mind.  I could have been doing something more productive with my time, like sleeping.  That said, would I do it all over if i had the chance?  yea, but only so i wouldn't be the only american that had 6$ that hadn't gone to see it in theatres.  Damn peer pressure.  I just wanna fit in....
 
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::Salute::
FM Threeof4
Field Marshal - Vast Empire
Notepad
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I'm in hell.

You hit on a huge point Merrick. Apparently there were some great fight scenes that got cut out, including one with Plo Koon (the cool face mask guy).  If we're lucky that'll show up on the 25th anniversary edition DVD (or hologram or whatever we'll be watching then). As for the female Jedi, if you read Cloak of Deception you'll be wondering why the hell Luminara (sp) and Bariss didn't get more screen time.  I sure did. And yes, that was Kenny Baker in the R2 unit...at least some of the time. As for my lil opinion, I liked it well enough, but it was no Empire.  The whole problem with this trilogy is that we already know how it ends.  That by itself is a huge downer. And yes, young Boba needs more script than "scowl a lot and look like you'll be more than a bitter child with no creative ideas of your own other than a green color scheme".  What a crock.  Bring back Jaster Mereel, damnit! As for the clones...it took the Kaminoans 10 years to build a quarter million.  The Empire needed a whole lot more than that to get by.   ----------------------- XO/LTC Fury/VEA/TADATH/VE [PoC][SotE:HC][SotE:VEA][IOC] Company Commander Shopkeeper - Imperial Center

actually spart i would love to have the ways and means to get back into the dark jedi order and have fun again, but it's really not possible.  unless of course the VE wants to get together and call my telephone company every day and complain that we need high speed access in the south eastern indiana region... but it won't happen, i've been calling since 1997 begging for something better.  Oh, and i would be getting my butt kicked around in JKII, which i've only played like 2 times.  I didn't buy it because my computer really wouldn't run it well, and I wouldn't be able to play it online for anyting.  So, if the VE wants to pitch in again and buy me a new computer i'll join back up!  I swear i will.  Actually, i'm just gonna have to wait until college or something, which... i'm still not sure where i am going.  Maybe i'll get a job over at Miami University as a janitor so that they'll help me pay for college.  Believe me, i would love to play jedi knight all night long... i really would, but tragically we all eventually have to stop playing games and just work all the time.  Well, except for people like Kadann and Threeof4... they just have no lives . Um... anyone been playing Yahoo pool?  now that i can play..
 
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Here today, gone yesterday...
High General Crysus*

*sort-of.

Kip, I like your idea about how the Force is spread between light and dark, but I can't believe it's that simple. If two Sith could draw on a source as large as all of the Jedi together, then one of them should easily have been able to kill any Jedi without barely lifting a finger. It does make a lot od sense, explaining how Palpatine could block the Master's vision and Vader's ease in killing so many, but there has to be something more...
 
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NTO/SCAP/FL/CMD Darkhawk/Raptor 3-1 /ISD II Devastator/OFF/VEN/VE/(=A=)(=SA=)(=JCPA=)(=SCPA=)(=FOCE=)[LoC][BRC][VC:Ebony]

CM/SG Darkhawk/Sith/Eagle 1-5/VEDJ/VE