Ewan does a Sir Alec impression

[adambadadam]

I think what is even more remarkable is how everyone here and on other sites just kinda buys this speculation as the gospel truth. Until I hear it from his own mouth, I don't really belive much of anything I see or read in those rags.

 

[Agent0028]

It's really sad that the prequels turned out to be such a let down. I enjoyed them as I think most of us here did, but I think most people agree they just weren't quite what we were expecting/wanting/hoping for.

 

[MaulFan]

I don't think, no matter what, the prequels would ever have been what some people expected. Many people expected 3 more films like the first 3, but unless the story took place very shortly before Episode 4, there was no way for them to really be the same. The prequels are mainly the story of Anakin, but the events are about the shaping of the galaxy, and because of that, the stories involve more characters and situations than the OT and it becomes a large spread of players who never spend enough time together on screen to develop chemistry. For example, based on personalities, I think Obi-Wan and Padme could have been a nice pairing of similar personas, but there was no room to explore that with all that had to be told. The events of the PT could have opened to more intimate characters and relationships if the 3 films had been spread out over 6. George's story vision was far grander than 3 films could allow, but at his age and all, that's all he was prepared to make so he did his best to cram it in. What we got was entertaining, but also very different than the OT. OT was really about following Vader, Han, Luke and Leia, with a few others popping up along the way. The PT covered Obi-Wan, Anakin, Padme, Count Dooku, Darth Sidious, the Neimodians, the Senate, the Jedi council, the Wookies, the Gungans, the clone army; it was all over the place, and that's fine. I don't think it cheapens their value to be what they are, but understandably, if your dream was for 3 more OT-styled films, ya, you were let down, but if you put your dreams aside and try to look at it from the director's perspective and understand his vision, you can understand him better. George Lucas has a vision of what the Star Wars storyline is, and as an artist he will never cease to make the realization of his mind's vision the best reflection of what he had inside that it can be, whether we like it or not. In a way, you have to respect him for that; he doesn't care what the public wants, he stands behind his vision, hence not wanting to release the untouched versions of the OT anymore and only doing so as "bonus materials".

 

[nash]

What's the surprise here, doesnt Ford also despise anything to do with Star Wars?

I think Ewan would have been where he is now in his career regardless of Star Wars.

 

[DarkArtist81]

While the PT was missing a few things I wish it would had... I still like it all the same. Especially ROTS.

 

[Agent0028]

That's how I feel DA, it could be better, but I love the movies for what they are.

 

[MaulFan]

Other than a few dialogue moments that just sounded unnatural, I felt and feel that ROTS is easily one of the best films of the saga, easily competes for high ranking. In my mind, none of the other films felt as emotional as that one, and most of that came out of Ewan's portrayal of Obi-Wan losing his best friend; I'll admit, the first time I saw ROTS, I was really crying when Obi-Wan broke down after cutting Anakin down, his delivery of that speech really got to me, that's a mark of good acting in my mind.

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

If he didn't enjoy doing those movies, it sure didn't show on the screen.

 

[dekadentdave]

If he didn't enjoy doing those movies, it sure didn't show on the screen.

Ewan is a professional. So was Guiness. They both played their parts well in spite of their personal feelings.

 

[gdb]

Other than a few dialogue moments that just sounded unnatural, I felt and feel that ROTS is easily one of the best films of the saga, easily competes for high ranking. In my mind, none of the other films felt as emotional as that one, and most of that came out of Ewan's portrayal of Obi-Wan losing his best friend; I'll admit, the first time I saw ROTS, I was really crying when Obi-Wan broke down after cutting Anakin down, his delivery of that speech really got to me, that's a mark of good acting in my mind.

ROTS is the best of the series on many, many levels. People can argue this but nostaglia for their childhood is usually their only valid point (such as "I hate it because it raped my childhood" or "I liked the earlier ones better because I remember watching them when I was 6 and I had never seen anything like that before" or "they just don't make them like they used to"). The earlier ones had a greater impact on society but so did the Model T and that doesn't make it a better car than the Prius.

And while the ending isn't as shocking as Empire's, I found it to be more moving. And I was suprised re-watching the OT that they have a completely new emotional depth. Now when I watch the older films I see Vader as the main character, esp. in Jedi.

 

[dekadentdave]

ROTS is the best of the series on many, many levels. People can argue this but nostaglia for their childhood is usually their only valid point. The earlier ones had a greater impact on society but so did the Model T and that doesn't make it a better car than the Prius.

And while the ending isn't as shocking as Empire's, I found it to be more moving. And I was suprised re-watching the OT that they have a completely new emotional depth. Now when I watch the older films I see Vader as the main character, esp. in Jedi.

I agree. ROTS is the best. So it doesn't have Han. It is the pillar for which the entire saga rests upon. It is the most dramatic and tragic. ROTS was everything I could have hoped for. Flawless? Hardly. But it delivered on so many levels.

 

[MaulFan]

ROTS is the best of the series on many, many levels. People can argue this but nostaglia for their childhood is usually their only valid point (such as "I hate it because it raped my childhood). The earlier ones had a greater impact on society but so did the Model T and that doesn't make it a better car than the Prius.

And while the ending isn't as shocking as Empire's, I found it to be more moving. And I was suprised re-watching the OT that they have a completely new emotional depth. Now when I watch the older films I see Vader as the main character, esp. in Jedi.

Ya, one of the best parts of ROTS is that it took OT Vader from being this baddy with no remorse and made him into a tragic figure you feel for. He's still an imposing presence, but now you look at him and perceive and soul within that is torn by his actions, like the Emperor controls his mind and he knows it but does nothing to stop it until once again, his family is put in danger and the boy who could let no harm come to his family rises above the machine and redeems his life.

 

[MaulFan]

My one dissappointment with ROTS was The Duel; long before it came out there was talks about the ammount of screen time it would occuppy, and I had high hopes for seeing a long lightsaber duel, and I'm pretty sure it's still the longest of the saga, but the lightsaber is the unique weapon of Star Wars and I had hoped to see it used to it's fullest; hopefully if GL ever tweaks ROTS, he'll add in the cut fight footage. What was in the film was fantastic, I just wanted more.

 

[Wor-Gar]

My one dissappointment with ROTS was The Duel; long before it came out there was talks about the ammount of screen time it would occuppy, and I had high hopes for seeing a long lightsaber duel, and I'm pretty sure it's still the longest of the saga, but the lightsaber is the unique weapon of Star Wars and I had hoped to see it used to it's fullest; hopefully if GL ever tweaks ROTS, he'll add in the cut fight footage. What was in the film was fantastic, I just wanted more.

I felt the duel spent too much time toward the end in "chase" mode -- climbing, ducking embers, swinging on lines... The first half inside the station was much better.

I also wished they had used that tug-o-war for a lightsaber that those kids used in that YouTube video. That would have been a great symbolic moment between master and learner struggling over the force.

Little moments like that, with unique situations, would have been more exciting than all that running around.

 

[galactiboy]

I still think the best lightsaber duel is Luke Vs Vader in ROTJ... even though it wasn't as flashy it's much more emotionally driven and powerful to me. When Luke screams "No!" and hops up lightsaber igniting it gives me chills. Duel of the Fates and Mustafar would be about even for 2nd, with Mustafar being a bit held back by kinda feeling more contrived.

I think with the exception of Padme (not sure what happened to her character ) ROTS was a really good film, and I actually like it more as time goes on.

 

[jedibear]

Not to interupt the sidetrack here (ROTS is my favorite in the saga BTW)..

I take any press reports of this sort with a huge ton o' salt but...if Ewan does in hindsight consider SW to be a bad experience well...

He went in with his eyes open, seeing how technically challenging these types of films would be. Lots of greenscreen acting? You bet...but instead of focusing on his possible whining about how bad it was, I choose to remember how good he was in those situations...his work on AOTC (especially during the Kamino sequences) was great. It's been known through the entire run of the saga that Lucas is not exactly an actor's director...he's more about collecting different elements for the entire piece...and the actors are just ONE of those elements...

He was hired for his talent...and because he could pull off following one of the most beloved performances in the entire saga...that of Sir Alec Guinness, and he did this very well. There are moments in ROTS where one almost thinks he's channeling Guinness for the performance. Ewan's work in the prequels is among the (many) highlights of the series. To imagine that he may feel negativley towards an experience that brought him a lot of fame and money that would allow him to not only provide for himself and his family but give him the resources to pursue other personal interests, be it (low-paying but creatively fulfilling) acting opportunities on stage or cycle trips with his buddies among other things...well, if true, that just seems small-minded.

He's made some interesting post-SW acting choices (some stage work, some forgettable films) and considering his good work in other movies (Transpotting, Velvet Goldmine, Moulin Rouge, Black Hawk Down, Big Fish among others), it's a safe bet that he's got a full, rewarding pot-SW career ahead of him if he wants it.

If he wants to consider something in his resume to remember as bad and unrewarding, how about "The Island"? Now there was a real stinker...

 

[galactiboy]

If he wants to consider something in his resume to remember as bad and unrewarding, how about "The Island"? Now there was a real stinker...

I was just thinking about that as I was reading your post... now that is a movie to be ashamed of.

 

[superado]

Well, he was asked what his least favorite film job, he gave his answer. I think theres a sentimental aspect here on the part of fans, that many are emotionally invested in these characters and it feels like getting doused with cold water when reading about things like this. People feel a loss of innocence when learning that Sean Connery grew to hate playing James Bond and how he doesn't like giving emphasis to that role when identifying his body of work. Same thing with Harrison Ford, who really had a miserable experience with Blade Runner, my favorite Sci Fi film of all time, BTW.

 

[bluesparrow]

Yeah until I see him say it himself I don't really buy it... it reminds me of this clip from Extras: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4Oc7fLJ4ws

 

[DouglasMcc]

Ewan is a professional. So was Guiness. They both played their parts well in spite of their personal feelings.

Everyone loves to misinterpret the whole "Alex hated Star Wars" thing. The problem is that it's not entirely true. He took the role in the first place because he loved the script and felt it was something new and fresh - something that hadn't been done before on the silver screen. He was a name actor back then, and didn't have to take the role. He wanted to. His frustration with Star Wars came many years later from the over exposer and rabid fan base. He had made over 40 films before making Star Wars. He had also starred in dozens of award winning stage shows. However, as he approach the twilight years ... as he saw his life approaching it's inevitable end, he resented being known as just "Obi-Wan Kenobi". He hated that one role had overshadowed his entire career. Actors like Guiness and, to a lesser extent, Ewan, love to be remember for challenging, awarding winning roles. That doesn't mean they hate the "popcorn movie" roles they do. And, lets be honest. I love Star Wars. The shelves of figures and posters in my house attest to that. However, I would be delusional if I though Star Wars was a better "actor's" movie than Bridge over the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, or Great Expectations. Star Wars didn't even come close to demonstrating Guiness's acting abilities as those films. So, I can understand where he was coming from. He didn't hate Star Wars. He hated the way it had overtaken his life and career. There is a difference. I think Harrison Ford feels the same way. Hell, even he admits that he could still be building sets if not for those films.

As for "bad" McGregor films, um ... Eye of the Beholder, The Island, and A Life Less Ordinary make The Phantom Menace look like Shakespeare.