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11-07-2005, 01:34 AM
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#1
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Death is hereditary.
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 910
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Stiff acting in Star Wars prequels...the cause?
Why do you think that some of the acting was so stiff in the prequels?
I was watching the Episode III extras the other day, and I noted how many backgrounds were made up almost entirely of computer graphics. For example, in the concert hall where Palpatine and Anakin discuss Darth Plagus (or whatever his name was), just about the only real objects were the chairs! It was basically two chairs surrounded by blue screens. Wouldn't it be difficult for actors to really get into their roles in that kind of environment?
Most of the actors in the prequels are actually quite good at acting when it comes to conventional films. However, it seems to me that some of them weren't able to adapt to the blue screens as well as others. The older, more mature actors such as Samuel Jackson, Ewan McGregor, and Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor) seemed to fare better than the younger ones such as Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen. I don't believe special effects were used nearly to the same extent in the OT, so it was probably a lot easier for the OT actors to get into their roles and make things believable, regardless of their acting ability.
Other contributing factors...
- Lucas' directing isn't quite what it used to be
- Weak and/or lame dialogue
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11-07-2005, 01:41 AM
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#2
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Cosmic Art Collector
Adamantium Plus Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,920
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Gir
Why do you think that some of the acting was so stiff in the prequels?
I was watching the Episode III extras the other day, and I noted how many backgrounds were made up almost entirely of computer graphics. For example, in the concert hall where Palpatine and Anakin discuss Darth Plagus (or whatever his name was), just about the only real objects were the chairs! It was basically two chairs surrounded by blue screens. Wouldn't it be difficult for actors to really get into their roles in that kind of environment?
Most of the actors in the prequels are actually quite good at acting when it comes to conventional films. However, it seems to me that some of them weren't able to adapt to the blue screens as well as others. The older, more mature actors such as Samuel Jackson, Ewan McGregor, and Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor) seemed to fare better than the younger ones such as Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen. I don't believe special effects were used nearly to the same extent in the OT, so it was probably a lot easier for the OT actors to get into their roles and make things believable, regardless of their acting ability.
Other contributing factors...
- Lucas' directing isn't quite what it used to be
- Weak and/or corny dialogue
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I think these two points are the main factors. And, to be quite honest, I'm not sure how great Natalie and Hayden are at acting anyway? There certainly was no chemistry between them, so that didn't help.
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11-07-2005, 01:46 AM
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#3
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Death is hereditary.
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 910
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I don't think Natalie is the cream of the crop, but based on Leon and Garden State, she certainly seems capable of performances far superior to those found in the Star Wars prequels. And I've heard good things about Hayden's acting in other movies, but I haven't actually seen any of them.
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11-07-2005, 01:49 AM
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#4
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Galactus
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sunrise, FL
Posts: 38,901
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Natalie Portman is a pretty darn good actress, she was great in Garden State, True, Cold Mountain, Where the Heart is and was even funny in Mars Attacks .. she was TOTALLY wasted in this film.
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11-07-2005, 01:55 AM
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#5
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Sailor Moon
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 1,215
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Gir
Why do you think that some of the acting was so stiff in the prequels?
I was watching the Episode III extras the other day, and I noted how many backgrounds were made up almost entirely of computer graphics. For example, in the concert hall where Palpatine and Anakin discuss Darth Plagus (or whatever his name was), just about the only real objects were the chairs! It was basically two chairs surrounded by blue screens. Wouldn't it be difficult for actors to really get into their roles in that kind of environment?
Most of the actors in the prequels are actually quite good at acting when it comes to conventional films. However, it seems to me that some of them weren't able to adapt to the blue screens as well as others. The older, more mature actors such as Samuel Jackson, Ewan McGregor, and Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor) seemed to fare better than the younger ones such as Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen. I don't believe special effects were used nearly to the same extent in the OT, so it was probably a lot easier for the OT actors to get into their roles and make things believable, regardless of their acting ability.
Other contributing factors...
- Lucas' directing isn't quite what it used to be
- Weak and/or lame dialogue
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That is something I had not thought about, but now that you say it, the lack of a real background while they were filming could have thrown them off.
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11-07-2005, 02:45 AM
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#6
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Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Los Angeles/Chicago
Posts: 7,428
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jesse321
Natalie Portman is a pretty darn good actress, she was great in Garden State, True, Cold Mountain, Where the Heart is and was even funny in Mars Attacks .. she was TOTALLY wasted in this film.
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I agree Natalie is a great actor, has anyone seen Closer? Wow. And Hayden was very good in Shattered Glass, I recommend ppl check that out, its on the life of Stephen Glass.
And I don't think the backgrounds or environment really has that much to do with internal chemistry between characters. I mean it does and it doesn't. I know that an actor doesn't need it when interacting with another, but would if interacting with the environment itself.
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11-07-2005, 03:44 AM
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#7
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Sinister Six
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 536
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Lucas does not have much interest in the actors and acting. That's why his companies are so innovative with special F/X and sound.
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11-07-2005, 04:34 AM
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#8
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Jedi Order
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Habs Nation
Posts: 28,103
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It's true, some of the actors were stiff...
Personally, I thought they could have conducted a wider search for an actor to play Anakin as I had trouble buying into HC's acting style. Maybe it's just me but I don't find him that great an actor.
The British actors, as usual, consistently steal the show.
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11-07-2005, 08:25 AM
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#9
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Husband-Father-Collector
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Orlando
Posts: 2,834
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I guess I am the ONLY person that sees that Anakin was supposed to be played like he was...I mean we are talking about a guy who is going to be the most vile, ruthless killer in the universe....there has to be some sort of base for that kind of character. So I see HC's minimal emotions job as the perfect way to portray pre-suit Vader. The 2 deaths in his life were only catalyst to both his inner most feelings(which he gave into), and his destiny. I thought HC was great...my only problem was GL's pick and directing of EP.1 Anakin the HORRIBLE Jake Lloyd.
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11-07-2005, 10:27 AM
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#10
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What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,653
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Hayden acted much better in this one than in E2.
Indeed, the older actors are much better. The Sith Lord was the best! 
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