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Post by chuckinohio on Oct 13, 2011 19:52:34 GMT
This thread just went plaid.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 13, 2011 19:58:03 GMT
Well, we were already at ludicrous speed, so why not?
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Post by MOK on Oct 13, 2011 22:10:48 GMT
Oh, yeah... that... released as a very limited edition (even rarer in Region 2, which is where I am), relegated to a bonus feature, no restoration, no remastering, really shoddy widescreen transfer... It seriously feels more like a half-hearted insult than anything.
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Post by Vestri on Oct 14, 2011 12:37:59 GMT
What does that mean? And also, I love the way this thread has done and its still kinda on topic.
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Post by MOK on Oct 14, 2011 12:43:43 GMT
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Post by Vestri on Oct 14, 2011 13:08:52 GMT
MOK omg.,.... I just got it - I FORGOT about Spaceballs.... watched it when I was little.
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Post by lamebmx on Oct 14, 2011 15:32:12 GMT
Constructive critisism here man:
That D guard will negate the hand and a half operation. The length of the blade is a bit much for inside work, similar to a Katana @ 28" average blade length.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 14, 2011 15:57:43 GMT
As a counter to that: no, it won't. There are several Swiss sabers throughout history that are the size of bastard swords and have complex hilts. Seriously, type "Swiss Saber" into Google Images and this is one of the first things to come up: Head over to MyArmoury.com, where historical accuracy is of supreme importance, and you'll be able to find this page that details an Arms & Armour Swiss Saber replica of an original located in the Wallace Collection As for the blade being a bit much, cutlasses, which were meant for the cramped quarters of a ship, generally had a blade length of 22-28", so 27" is fine. Also, have you ever really swung a katana indoors? 'Cause I regularly swing my bokken, which is 39" overall with a 29" 'blade', indoors all the time and while I have hit a wall or ceiling occasionally, that comes from the weird layout of my room giving me almost no room to move; but if I were to use it as a dedicated thrusting sword (something my quickie design up there could easily do), I could grab the very end of it and increase my reach a good 5-6"; add 33" to an arm length of 28" and you get a 61" reach. Name one person who can outreach that without a sword of equal or larger size.
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SanMarc
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Post by SanMarc on Oct 14, 2011 18:49:04 GMT
Well I See your Swarzt is as Big as My Swarzt!!!
Still going with the Ko-Katana.......
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Post by Anders on Oct 14, 2011 19:19:58 GMT
No, no. You misunderstand. I don't mean that the saber didn't pass all the way through, just that it didn't start cutting through the clone by it's own weight. The blade got stuck in the clone and stayed there until Yoda went and pulled it out. Watch: What I mean by this is, a lightsaber isn't going to cut through an enemy on it's own - you actually need to swing it with some force. Restoring and remastering them would have upset the purists. *semi-sarcastic* Incidentally, when I wanted to watch the Special Edition ANH, I mistakenly picked the original instead. I was amazed at how boring it was. Personally, I don't think that one has aged very well.
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Oct 14, 2011 19:41:36 GMT
I didn't mind small changes to the originals ... But... Adding the NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO scream and that stupid dance scene in episode 6 made me feel like Georges had either no respect for his fans or no knowledge of good film-making. Maybe both.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 14, 2011 19:44:18 GMT
Well, that could be said of any bladed weapon. However, I forgot how we got onto that, so let's just leave it at that. :lol:
As for ANH, I've always found that one a little boring. It's a good movie, to be sure, but it's a little slow in the pacing. Plus, say what you will about the prequels (I think they're pretty crappy, too, and this is coming from a guy who watched 'em whenever they came on HBO, a) 'cause they were free, and b) 'cause I didn't have anything better to watch), but they had one advantage that the originals didn't: semprini loads of lightsaber combat. I mean, I know that comes from their only being 3 lightsabers in the originals (4 if you include Luke's second one), but still. You just don't get the feeling of what a Jedi or Sith was in the original trilogy. I mean, Obi-Wan kicked the bucket in ANH, so the only real Jedi left was Yoda and he's nuttier than squirrel turds; Vader's a Sith, but he's so much the strong, silent type (with a dash of homicidal maniac) that you don't get the feeling that he's really a Sith. With Palpatine, you kinda do, but he's also a sadistic old man. In AotC, you get Dooku, who really feels that the Jedi are misguided, further clarifying the separation between Jedi and Sith. If only Lucas hadn't tried to do everything himself (and got rid of the semprinis who played Anakin), the prequels could quite possibly have matched the originals.
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Oct 14, 2011 19:54:20 GMT
I agree that another director than Lucas would've made much better movies out of the prequels story.
However, one thing I like about the originals is that the Jedi and Sith are so few and low-key. It makes them, their lightsabers and duels, so much more mysterious and deeper. I also think that the duel at the end of episode 5, and the one at the end of episode 6, knock the hell out of all the lightsaber fights in all the prequels put together. The former had strong tension and build-up, and there was a lot more to these scenes than the saber fighting. The latter had only lots of flashy fighting but nothing else... Though I would give an honorable mention to the last part of the fight at the end of episode 1 ; that last part between Qui Gon Gin, Obi Wan and Darth Maul was intense (but still a bit meh compared to the old stuff IMHO).
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 14, 2011 20:06:17 GMT
Well, the main thing I like about the prequel duels compared to the originals is the flashy fighting, but for a very odd reason: it shows, to me, a completely different mindset and mystique. In the prequels, the Jedi are open because they're the big dog, so they can be flashy and acrobatic*. In the originals, the fighting is primarily variations of Form V, Shien/Djem So, a combat oriented form that focuses on precise slashing maneuvers (like Japanese kenjutsu, which it's based on); it's also a lot more subdued than what you see in the prequels. Most would attribute it to the differences in technology, but I like to think of it as the remaining Jedi needing something more subdued that could get the job done quickly without drawing attention to themselves. Vader uses a slower variant of it because of his prosthetic limbs.
*However, as I noted, the primary form of lightsaber combat during the prequels was Form VI, Niman, which is a balanced style that's not flashy at all. Qui-Gonn and Obi-Wan practiced Form VI, Ataru, during Episode I, a very acrobatic style that's not suited to enclosed spaces (part of the reason Qui-Gonn got killed), however it's an excellent style for Yoda, considering his size. Mace Windu uses the highly aggressive and very fast paced Form VII, Vapaad, which is less acrobatic, but still quite flashy. So those four were really the odd ones out; they just represent the series more because they're central characters to the story. Also, Obi-Wan switched to mastering Form III, Soresu, a defense oriented form that is capable of blocking blaster bolts with ease after seeing the shortcomings of Ataru.
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Oct 14, 2011 20:21:35 GMT
I know a bit about these different forms of lightsaber wielding. However, as far as I know these parts of Star Wars mythology were made up after the original trilogy. I believe the lightsabers were used in a more sober way back then because that is how technology allowed it back then. I don't think CGIs of the 80ies allowed the kind of very quick and flashy spins and slashes seen in Episode 1 to 3.
Plus, whatever the in-movie explanation for lightsabers and their use, I mostly care about how they are used on a movie-making basis. In my honest opinion, lightsabers were far better used, cinematographically speaking, in the first trilogy. In the new trilogy, I have the feeling Lucas was like ''lightsabers were awesome in my old movies, so I'll put countless dozens of 'em in my new movie, it'll be countless dozen times better than my old movies !!''. Sorry Lucas, that's not how it works.
In the old movie, lightsabers were a well-used part of the plot and action. In a certain way, they were an efficient plot device. In the new movies they were mostly thrown away like limitless cheap eye candies for the action-junkies and young fan boys.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 14, 2011 20:51:19 GMT
Good point. I kinda got that feeling, too, but at the same time, I was glad that the new technology allowed for the vast expansion of the style of combat that lightsabers could be used in. Sure, the fighting style from the original trilogy worked, but people don't find a style that works for the moment and then leave it that way for centuries.
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Post by Deepbluedave on Oct 14, 2011 21:02:46 GMT
Hey Vincent, that Sabre looks great, might be your best to date, go on give it a polish.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 14, 2011 21:26:55 GMT
I'll see what I can whip up, but, as I'm finding out, complex hilts are not my specialty.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 14, 2011 22:34:14 GMT
Here you go, Dave; I lavished nearly an hour on this compared to about 15 minutes before, but I present to you the Jack-of-All-Trades Sword MKII: Same size as before: 34" overall, 27" blade, 4.5" grip. Primary difference is the blade width. Before, it was 1.2"; now it's 1.6" wide, so it gained nearly a half inch in width, which I think will make it a much more effective cutting blade. However, the very narrow reinforced point makes it an excellent thruster, as well. There is also a long fuller on both sides to keep weight down as well as make tip control a little better. The d-guard now swells out further from the grip for those with meathooks; it's also .3" thick, which is thinner than the .4" on the previous model, but I feel it's still plenty sufficient for all your bashing needs. The blade has now been blued just like the guard and pommel to resist rusting better. And since nobody would carry a naked blade around, I added a scabbard modeled after the 1917 cutlass scabbard; it's just soft leather, so if you fall on it, you won't crack it (or your hip!), and it slips off just by depressing the brass tab.
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Oct 14, 2011 22:56:24 GMT
^^This I like.
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