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Originally Posted by valanhb

I wouldn't say it's Natalie Portman's finest acting, but you can only work with the dialog you're given.

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I disagree. Portman has been terrible in all of the movies. The originals had crappy dialogue too. Star wars has never been shakespeare, but the difference is Carrie Fisher made it work.

Are we supposed to believe Padme is Leia's mother?? Even in the supposed *strong chick* scenes in the other movies she just came off like a pretty little girl playing dress-ups. Bad casting.

Originally Posted by slitty_kittay

I disagree. Portman has been terrible in all of the movies. The originals had crappy dialogue too. Star wars has never been shakespear, but the difference is Carrie Fisher made it work.

Are we supposed to believe Padme is Leia's mother?? Even in the supposed *strong chick* scenes in the other movies she just came off like a pretty little girl playing dress-ups. Bad casting.

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I agree to a point. It does seem that her lines are worse than everyone else's, and I think Lucas played dress up too much with her. Granted Leia was involved with the rebel rebellion but her clothes were much simpler because she did not need them to distract from her acting. That I what I felt Portman's costumes did. We know she isnt a good padme, but here is some interesting stuff to look at while she talks.

I have always been unhappy with her as this part. I thought she was not right for the part (I havent seen her in anything else so I cant pass judgement on if she is a good actress). She isnt strong enough for this role. Carrie Fisher was 17 when she played Princess Leia, but she had a worldy sense about her. I could believe that she ruled people on a planet somewhere, Portman I never bought it for a second. To be a member of the senate you would have to be strong and sometimes forcefull, you have to be able to convince people your right. Portman didnt do that.

Then again I am such a Leia fan it would have taken a lot to convince me. In fact I was wanting Carrie Fisher to play her own mom (I know unlikely, but I think lucas could make it work). I mean Padme is at least 5 years older than Anikin, but when he grew up for the second and third she suddenly seemed younger than him. Lucas could have put anyone in that role and most likely 9 out of 10 people I would not have been happy with. He was so picky about casting all the other parts, you would think he would be the same with such an important one.

Trouble is, he picked her first and then chose everyone else.

Lucas has a real thing about Portman, but he should have realised she was so wrong for the role and gotten himself a poster to ogle instead.
I admit it is a bit of hard role to live up to, but I think they could have chosen better.

I agree with many of the criticisms. Padme's role was lame, considering how involved she was in the last 2 films. I was quite disappointed in the gaping plot hole regarding Leia telling Luke in Jedi how she did remember her mother a bit. All in all, I think I was a bit let down by the film in general. Although, my hat is off to Lucas. How hard can it be to write the movie that everyone knows the end to? But I did have the feeling that instead of 'telling' you how it ended, i.e. moving the storyline along through plot, we just got to 'see' how it ended via action sequences. I also think that Anakin's descent was rather rushed. The whole thing could have been done in 2 more movies.

How about the whole idea that Sidious actually created Anakin?

And, Arg0, I think I might disagree with your 'ok for kids' stamp of approval on one count. I think it's a tad twisted that Anakin slaughters younglings. That notion, even though it's not actually shown, is way worse than any other battle or fight scene.

I will see the film again tomorrow to watch for finer points.

Originally Posted by Deb25

I agree with many of the criticisms. Padme's role was lame, considering how involved she was in the last 2 films. I was quite disappointed in the gaping plot hole regarding Leia telling Luke in Jedi how she did remember her mother a bit. All in all, I think I was a bit let down by the film in general. Although, my hat is off to Lucas. How hard can it be to write the movie that everyone knows the end to? But I did have the feeling that instead of 'telling' you how it ended, i.e. moving the storyline along through plot, we just got to 'see' how it ended via action sequences. I also think that Anakin's descent was rather rushed. The whole thing could have been done in 2 more movies.

How about the whole idea that Sidious actually created Anakin?

And, Arg0, I think I might disagree with your 'ok for kids' stamp of approval on one count. I think it's a tad twisted that Anakin slaughters younglings. That notion, even though it's not actually shown, is way worse than any other battle or fight scene.

I will see the film again tomorrow to watch for finer points.

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Im curious... how crowded was your showing?

Originally Posted by Deb25

I
And, Arg0, I think I might disagree with your 'ok for kids' stamp of approval on one count. I think it's a tad twisted that Anakin slaughters younglings. That notion, even though it's not actually shown, is way worse than any other battle or fight scene.

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What I meant for kids is 8 and older, my apologies, BUT we don't really see him slaughter the younglings, itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s only implied. You don't even see the bodies in a graphic way.

But as for Leia's mother, Remember, she never knew of her *real* mother, only the mother that she grew up until she died when she was young (And maybe she died knowing who the real father and mother and with stress, depression among others, led to her early death). That was brought up. Heck she never knew, but she had "feeling" that there was some connection her and Luke early as ESB (and again in Shadows of the Empire). As for Anakin being created by Palpatine, maybe but I came away thinking that Pleagus had to have done the deed, as Palpatine suggested that he couldn't create life, that only one other was able to and that together (Anakin and Palpatine) could learn to do it but he knew about the creation and killed his teacher off to become more powerful.

I came away very satisfied as a dire hard fan with this film. The only bugging question I had still left over from Attack of the Clones was who the heck was Syphodias? Was it Palpatine? Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m sure more of the Expanded Universe Novels will be answering more questions for us. Btw Deb, did you catch Clone Wars on Cartoon Network?

I have to disagree with the assessments of Natalie Portman in general as an actress. I've seen her in a few other films, and she was excellent. Her debut film role in Leon (or The Professional here in the states) was amazing. She was also very good in Where the Heart Is. Maybe since Lucas had such a thing for her to begin with, he really molly-coddled her performances as director. I don't think he made the role strong enough. All Padme did for the majority of the movie was sit in her rooms and brush her hair and pine for Anakin. I don't think any actress could pull a strong character from that. And then to die from a broken heart when she's going to have Luke and Leia? Wouldn't it have been a better plot to say that Anakin didn't know his own strength in his rage and damaged her throat or something?

Originally Posted by valanhb

I have to disagree with the assessments of Natalie Portman in general as an actress. I've seen her in a few other films, and she was excellent. Her debut film role in Leon (or The Professional here in the states) was amazing. She was also very good in Where the Heart Is. Maybe since Lucas had such a thing for her to begin with, he really molly-coddled her performances as director. I don't think he made the role strong enough. All Padme did for the majority of the movie was sit in her rooms and brush her hair and pine for Anakin.

I don't think any actress could pull a strong character from that. And then to die from a broken heart when she's going to have Luke and Leia? Wouldn't it have been a better plot to say that Anakin didn't know his own strength in his rage and damaged her throat or something?

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Yeah she was good in Closer too, I would blame the direction if she was stiff, i mean remember they are acting with blue screen. I heard Liam Neesom say how hard it was, and how much he hated the shoot of the movie, it showed too, he seemed so wooden.

Her parts (at least in the last movie)didnt involve much interaction with the environment - mainly Hayden. Its a pretty poor excuse. She just didnt work, and I found it really cringeworthy whenever she spoke. Natalie has a style that just didnt suit the character - I thought maybe Christina Ricci or even Thora Birch would have been better, but thats just me.

Btw - I was only saying she was not right for THIS role - I didnt mean she was bad in every movie she had done.

Originally Posted by Arg0

But as for Leia's mother, Remember, she never knew of her *real* mother, only the mother that she grew up until she died when she was young (And maybe she died knowing who the real father and mother and with stress, depression among others, led to her early death). That was brought up. Heck she never knew, but she had "feeling" that there was some connection her and Luke early as ESB (and again in Shadows of the Empire). As for Anakin being created by Palpatine, maybe but I came away thinking that Pleagus had to have done the deed, as Palpatine suggested that he couldn't create life, that only one other was able to and that together (Anakin and Palpatine) could learn to do it but he knew about the creation and killed his teacher off to become more powerful.

I came away very satisfied as a dire hard fan with this film. The only bugging question I had still left over from Attack of the Clones was who the heck was Syphodias? Was it Palpatine? Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m sure more of the Expanded Universe Novels will be answering more questions for us. Btw Deb, did you catch Clone Wars on Cartoon Network?

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Ok, now I will have to break out Jedi and listen to Leia's exact words. I remembered her referring to her 'real' mother dying when she was very young. I thought she was talking about Padme. In other words, I anticipated Luke being taken to Tattooine, and Leia going to Alderaan with Bail Organa, but with Padme along, as though they were hiding her, as well.

I thought it was lame that Padme just 'died', without medical explanation. I had read a minor spoiler in TV Guide that referred to Anakin physically abusing Padme. The one brief choking with the Force thing was lame.

I always assumed that Syphodias was Dooku pretending to be someone else. He was the one who recruited Jango Fett for the project, and he was the apprentice at the time.

I can't think of anything more boring. No offence! Definitly not my cup of tea.

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

I can't think of anything more boring. No offence! Definitly not my cup of tea.

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Well, no offense, but why are you posting in the thread then?

Originally Posted by Deb25

Well, no offense, but why are you posting in the thread then?

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Aren't I allowed to share my feelings? Sorry if it's not allowed.

Originally Posted by Marge

Whose going if it's opening in their town? I think I will wait until the lines slow down, but want to see it!

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Deb, the opening question was who's going? I stated I wasn't.

Also no offence taken.

Ok, after a 2nd viewing today, Sidious definitely says he learned all from the other Sith Lord before killing him in his sleep. I am thinking more and more that he had a hand in Anakin's very creation and the spread of the Chosen One prophecy.

My only other question: How is Anakin not completely consumed by flame? He ignites and smolders out? That scene is pretty intense, as far as young kid viewers go. The mom in front of me today covered her kid's eyes the second Anakin started losing limbs.

I saw it last night, and very much enjoyed the movie. I have always enjoyed Star Wars, but haven't seen the other episodes in years.

DH and I took our 5 y/o son to the 8pm show. He was so excited about seeing Chewbacca! As soon as the scene with all the wookies was finished, Shane curled up and went to sleep! I am kind of glad, though, because knowing Anakin did such awful things (being vague in case someone hasn't seen it yet) would be hard for him to comprehend.

I don't know how he survived, either. But if you saw only this movie, and not the first one, it would be very grim!

We saw it yesterday too. I thought it was a lot better than Episodes I and II. We came home and popped in Episode IV. There are some holes in the storyline, but overall it was a good way to wrap up the prequels.

Personally, I think the dialogue and character building for Padme are what made her role bad. Natalie Portman is a great actress, IMO, and I attribute her "wooden-ness" (as well as several of the other actors' portrayals) to the script and direction. George Lucas has great imagination, but I think is a bit lacking in the scriptwriting and directing departments. I think the best acting was Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) - so convincing!

Hehe... we also came home and popped in A New Hope. I took my daughter on Saturday, making it the 2nd time I saw it.

Emmy wasn't scared at all, mainly cuz I told her all about it. She even said that General Grievous was a "coward". She said, "he didn't fight very well, he coughed a lot and he seemed like a chicken!".

I LOVE Natalie Portman. I think she was brilliant in "Where the Heart Is". Brilliant!!! And, in CLOSER, which is one of my all-time faves; her portrayal of Alice was awesome. George Lucas just doesn't give many options with the dorky dialogue he writes. I think they all did their best with what they were given. Plus, no one goes to see Star Wars for the dialogue, anyway. It's for the storyline & action! Anyhoo my beef with her part in this was mainly how they just did her up in pretty dresses and made her seem so dang weak. NO WOMAN that I know would just "lose the will to live" just cuz a guy left her; after all, she has two babies to raise.

And yah I agree, after seeing it again... I think the part in the light show where Palpy & Ani are chatting about Darth Plagieus ... Palps is hinting that his master influenced the midi-chlorians enough to bring Anakin to life. The way he says it & how he looks at him.

Hats off to the movie though, I'll be seeing it one more time in the theater & buying it on DVD when it comes out. Lucas gets my money!