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Mudhole? Slimy?! My blog this is!

by: Green Am I

date posted: Mar 30, 2008 1:00 PM

Thoughts On A New Hope - Part I

It's been a while since I've been very active around here. It's almost May and I've only posted a few entries, despite the fact that I have hundreds of topics to choose from in the Star Wars universe that I'd be interested in talking about. Yet... no inspiration would come. Of course, it's also been far too long since I've really been into Star Wars. Sure, I enjoyed playing KotOR II last month, and I watched RotS fairly recently, but it hasn't been very "Star Wars-ish" for me lately. And as everybody knows, life without Star Wars is like a nacho without guacamole; still really good, but a lot more boring.

Therefore I decided on a course of action. What better way to get back into the Star Wars mindset than to watch ANH while paying attention to lots of little details, and then think about them as I go about normal life? I've only made it to the blastoff on Tatooine so far, but I think I have enough ammo for a full blog entry. To make sure I remember all of my interesting/shocking/random thoughts, I jotted stuff down as I watched the movie on a sheet of paper that I have with me now. This way I'll be able to write down all of my tidbits that I find interesting enough to share with you. Of course, I think I made some of my notes too cryptic... I can't remember for the life of me what I was thinking when I wrote "Jawa laugh". Anyways, here are my topics in all their glory... enjoy, and feel free to elaborate on them or add your own.

-The Opening Scene. I just can't watch the Rebel Blockade Runner fly across the screen, a massive Star Destroyer in hot pursuit, without thinking about how purely awesome Star Wars is. It always gets me hyped up for the rest of the movie!

-What's with those blasters? The stormtroopers are blowing the ship apart with them! In the prequels the bolts just kind of zip around and disappear, but in ANH they make explosions like there's no tomorrow. Maybe they have them on high power or something, or perhaps it's a newer technology.

-I wonder how much R2 remembers. Has he been able to keep track of everything? Does he know who Darth Vader really is, and how the Jedi were all killed, and maybe even who Luke is? What's he hiding in that shiny dome of his?

-Those sure are crazy stun blasts. When the stormtroopers fired at Leia, I always thought those giant blue circles looked (and sounded) a bit too "Star Trek-ish".

-Vader don't get no respect. You know that guy who starts standing up to him and telling him that holding Leia captive is dangerous? It seems like in TESB Vader would've just strangled him or something. His troops don't usually do stuff like that. Ah well... maybe Vader was in a good mood or something.

-"There will be no one to stop us this time." Perfect bad guy line. Perfect.

-Jawa Laugh. Uhhh... moving on.

-Remember when R2 was zapped by the Jawa? And then how he falls face-first into the ground with a clank? Can anybody watch that scene without at least thinking "Poor R2"?

-The twin sunset. Or would it be the twin sunsets? Either way, it's one of my favorite scenes in the entire Saga, along with one of my favorite musical moments. There's something very special about it.

-What was 3PO hiding behind? When Luke buzzed him and he popped up and started babbling... what in the world was that big, metal... thing?

-The stun blasts were too "Star Trek-ish", yes. But seeing Beru cooking in the homestead kitchen was done perfectly. It could've easily been cheap-looking, or too sci-fi, or too much like normal life. But it looked natural and familiar, but in the Star Wars universe. Nicely done.

-I wonder what Luke meant when he said "or worse". 3PO informed him that there were several creatures approaching, and Luke thought they might be tusken raiders "or worse". Maybe he meant some kind of dangerous beast such as a krayt dragon? Hmm...

-As Obi-Wan appears for the first time, I realize once again what a good actor Alec Guinness is. He gets down everything perfect with Obi-Wan. Whenever I watch the LotR trilogy, I always find myself wishing that Gandalf had some more "Obi-Wan" in him, which is how I imagined him from the books.

-Strange eyes...? I could've sworn I saw them! When R2 was hiding from the tusken raiders in the dark shadows of the cliff, there seem to be two, yellow, glowing eyes, much like a jawa's, right next to him. Is this my imagination, or what?

-Talking to Luke must of been really interesting for Obi-Wan. He simply mentioned the Force, and Luke was quite confused. "The Force...?" he had echoed. It seemed as if Obi-Wan hadn't realized that Luke hadn't been exposed to even the very basics of the Jedi Order. Obi-Wan had to start from the veeeeery beginning with Luke.

-Obi-Wan likes droids? He keeps calling R2 his "little friend", yet the prequels (especially the RotS novel) gave me the impression that Obi-Wan was not a droid kind of guy. Maybe he mellowed in his old age.

-Back on the Death Star, Vader is still being mistreated. Tarkin could order him around as much as he wanted, which I'm sure irritated the Sith Lord. I mean, why'd Palpatine let Tarkin get so high and mighty? I wouldn't be surprised if Tarkin's death fit into his plans quite nicely.

-Was it really a good idea for Obi-Wan to use his lightsaber? I'm sure the stormtroopers got reports in the cantina such as "I saw this old guy in brown robes use a cool glowing sword to cut off this guy's arm lighting-fast!". If that got back to Vader, do you think it might give him a clue that Obi-Wan was still alive?

-Okay, I know stormtroopers can be incompetent, but really now. When they were searching all around the streets of Mos Eisley, they went up to a door, tapped on it a few times, proclaimed that it was locked, and then moved on. I mean, it's not like somebody's just going to open up the door to a bunch of stormtroopers he's trying to hide from!

-Unlike Obi-Wan, Han does not appear to be a droid fan. Did you see that look he gave 3PO when the droid tried to introduce himself? Maybe I just imagined it, but it was pretty funny.

Well, that's it for this time. It's nice to be getting back into Star Wars some more now, and I look forward to watching the rest of ANH and posting Part II! Goodbye for now, and may you escape your bounty hunters and obey your Wookiee life debts.

http://blogs.starwars.com/green-am-i/4

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usetheforce19
MasterMonkey13

date Posted: Mar 30, 2008 2:00 PM

Great observations.

-Okay, I know stormtroopers can be incompetent, but really now.

I agree, unless doors were supposed to be opened by knocking on them.

-The stun blasts were too "Star Trek-ish", yes.

They do, don't they. I guess that Episode IV was a learning experience for Mr. Lucas.

-Jawa Laugh. Uhhh... moving on.

-"There will be no one to stop us this time." Perfect bad guy line. Perfect.

I plan on starting my 100th blog with that line. Be watching tomorrow, that's when I'm planning to post my epic blog, and trust me, it'll be like nothing you've ever read before.

MTFBWY! God bless!

Lando'sGirl

date Posted: Mar 30, 2008 2:58 PM

-Was it really a good idea for Obi-Wan to use his lightsaber?
I'm sure the stormtroopers got reports in the cantina such as "I saw this old guy in brown robes use a cool glowing sword to cut off this guy's arm lighting-fast!". If that got back to Vader, do you think it might give him a clue that Obi-Wan was still alive?

I don't think the Storm Troopers told Vader. He didn't realize Obi-Wan was near until the Death Star pulled the Millenium Falcon into the dockiing bay. When he approached the Falcon he stated "I sense a presence I havent't felt since...." I think that's when he realized Ob-Wan was there. Just my thoughts.

	Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi I was a Teenage Jedi
date Posted: Mar 30, 2008 3:04 PM -Was it really a good idea for Obi-Wan to use his lightsaber? That's a good point. I wonder how much use he got out of that thing between ROTS and ANH? -Strange eyes...? I'll have to watch for this next time. Thanks for the list, it was a lot of fun to read! Looking forward to Part II!

Mechu-Deru
The Dark Side of the Blogs

date Posted: Mar 30, 2008 3:08 PM

-I wonder what Luke meant when he said "or worse".

I think in the novel, tells Luke of showing sheer terror when talking about the krayt dragon and in the EU, he refers to them alot as a a dangerous ravenous beast

You have encouraged me to now watch ANH and take all of your perceptions from the movie in mind. Time to get my specs and notepad out. Plus finally an excuse to use my monocle and Smoking pipe

plan on starting my 100th blog with that line. Be watching tomorrow, that's when I'm planning to post my epic blog, and trust me, it'll be like nothing you've ever read before.

Oooh I cant wait

	KaiYves
date Posted: Mar 30, 2008 3:12 PM I'll have to watch for this next time. I also.

Green Am I
Mudhole? Slimy?! My blog this is!

date Posted: Mar 30, 2008 5:17 PM

I think that's when he realized Ob-Wan was there. Just my thoughts.

You're probably right. I doubt Vader knew anything about Obi-Wan until the Millennium Falcon docked with the Death Star. I was just surprised that Obi-Wan so openly showed his Jedi weapon and skill. It's sort of like waving a giant flag that says: "HEY ORDER 66! YOU MISSED ONE!"

Great observations.

Thank you, O Master of Monkeys.

They do, don't they. I guess that Episode IV was a learning experience for Mr. Lucas.

Yeah, by the time RotJ came along, everything was looking pretty much perfect. Except... maybe not the Ewok feet.

Green Am I
Mudhole? Slimy?! My blog this is!

date Posted: Mar 30, 2008 5:18 PM

I plan on starting my 100th blog with that line. Be watching tomorrow, that's when I'm planning to post my epic blog, and trust me, it'll be like nothing you've ever read before.

Great, now I won't get any sleep tonight... Either way, I'm looking forward to it!

That's a good point. I wonder how much use he got out of that thing between ROTS and ANH?

He probably just used it as a can opener or something...

Thanks for the list, it was a lot of fun to read! Looking forward to Part II!

Thanks, I'm looking forward to posting it!

Green Am I
Mudhole? Slimy?! My blog this is!

date Posted: Mar 30, 2008 5:18 PM

I think in the novel, tells Luke of showing sheer terror when talking about the krayt dragon and in the EU, he refers to them alot as a a dangerous ravenous beast

Well, if R2 implied that there were several krayt dragons heading their way, you'd think Luke would head in the opposite direction of them. I guess Luke's not the brightest sun in the sky.

Plus finally an excuse to use my monocle and Smoking pipe

And that can only be a good thing!

Captain Kenobi
"Grenade! Grenade!"

date Posted: Mar 30, 2008 8:49 PM

-Okay, I know stormtroopers can be incompetent, but really now.

I don't know, that seems to fit in with their track record. I mean, letting a farm boy, a wookie and a smuggler sneak around for so long on the Death Star?

-What was 3PO hiding behind? When Luke buzzed him and he popped up and started babbling... what in the world was that big, metal... thing?

Luke's boat. That guy really isn't too bright.

But you know, the real question isn't what was 3PO hiding behind, it's what was 3PO hiding? Has anyone ever thought that he might really be the mastermind of the whole saga? Pulling all the strings for his own purposes? Just a thought.

Green Am I
Mudhole? Slimy?! My blog this is!

date Posted: Mar 30, 2008 8:54 PM

I don't know, that seems to fit in with their track record. I mean, letting a farm boy, a wookie and a smuggler sneak around for so long on the Death Star?

True. And it always makes me chuckle when Obi-Wan claims that the damage done to the sandcrawler was "too accurate for sand people" and that only imperal troops could have done it. Suuuure, Ben. You haven't seen the Empire's troops fight since Order 66, have you?

Luke's boat. That guy really isn't too bright.

That explains the krayt dragon thing.

PrincessAngel39

date Posted: Mar 31, 2008 7:47 AM

[i]I wonder how much R2 remembers. Has he been able to keep track of everything? Does he know who Darth Vader really is, and how the Jedi were all killed, and maybe even who Luke is? What's he hiding in that shiny dome of his?
Good question. I have always wondered about this, because its memory was not erased like C-3PO's, so it know all the story. Perhaps it's not programmed to make deductions and this is why it does not warn C-3PO about a new Skywalker appearing in their lives.

PrincessAngel39

date Posted: Mar 31, 2008 7:48 AM

(cont'd) i]Obi-Wan likes droids? He keeps calling R2 his "little friend", yet the prequels (especially the RotS novel) gave me the impression that Obi-Wan was not a droid kind of guy.
Well, Oby-Wan never liked flying, but he has a fluent relationship with his R-4 droid, he helps R2 to get rid of the buzz droid in Ep III .. he is not as machine fond as Anakin, but he does not dislike droids, he dislikes flying.
I have enjoyed your list and wait for the next one.

	Captain Kenobi "Grenade! Grenade!"
date Posted: Mar 31, 2008 8:40 AM he is not as machine fond as Anakin, but he does not dislike droids, he dislikes flying. I notice, however, in the RotS novel he gets annoyed when Anakin calls R2 a "he" instead of an "it". At least, from what I remember. It doesn't seem like he would've called a droid a "little friend" back then. But as Green Am I said, maybe he mellowed.

Green Am I
Mudhole? Slimy?! My blog this is!

date Posted: Mar 31, 2008 9:53 AM

Perhaps it's not programmed to make deductions and this is why it does not warn C-3PO about a new Skywalker appearing in their lives.

Possibly, but I doubt R2 was programmed to do a lot of the crazy things he did.

I have enjoyed your list and wait for the next one.

Thanks very much, it was a lot of fun to write!

I notice, however, in the RotS novel he gets annoyed when Anakin calls R2 a "he" instead of an "it". At least, from what I remember. It doesn't seem like he would've called a droid a "little friend" back then.

Yep, that's what I was remembering.

shoppingMaul61

date Posted: Mar 31, 2008 9:33 PM

The beautiful thing about Obi Wan's first scene in Ep 4 is that Alec played it with a delightful ambiguity - which of course gave Lucas license to tinker with the backstory later on. My view is that Obi knew this moment was coming and, as it became apparent to him just who these droids really were, let the scenario play itself out. Hence his "come here my little friend" and rather amused "Can't remember ever owning a droid". He's just enjoying the moment. With the arrival of Luke (with Anakin's droids in tow) Obi-wan knows the time has come.

	Green Am I Mudhole? Slimy?! My blog this is!
date Posted: Mar 31, 2008 11:35 PM Interesting outlook, shoppingMaul. You explained the scene quite vividly.

	shoppingMaul61
date Posted: Mar 31, 2008 11:37 PM I don't get out much ! ha ha

	Cousin Itt You don't know how to fix the hyperdrive...!
date Posted: Apr 01, 2008 5:38 AM Strange eyes...? OMG - I am glad I'm not the only one who saw this - only been wondering for the past 30 years!

	Green Am I Mudhole? Slimy?! My blog this is!
date Posted: Apr 01, 2008 10:42 AM OMG - I am glad I'm not the only one who saw this - only been wondering for the past 30 years! It's always nice to find out that you're not insane after all.

Jaina22162

date Posted: Apr 01, 2008 5:33 PM

OMG - I am glad I'm not the only one who saw this - only been wondering for the past 30 years!

I saw them too!Tehy always scared me, since I didn't know if it was a jawa, or worse....

Was it really a good idea for Obi-Wan to use his lightsaber?
I'm sure the stormtroopers got reports in the cantina such as "I saw this old guy in brown robes use a cool glowing sword to cut off this guy's arm lighting-fast!". If that got back to Vader, do you think it might give him a clue that Obi-Wan was still alive?

At least Vader never found out! If he had.....

	Fish1941
date Posted: Apr 21, 2008 12:33 PM My thoughts on ANH? It's a lot of fun. More fun than the other five movies. But . . . I found the characterizations and morality rather one-dimensional. And the Battle of Yavin came off as a cliche of a WWII dogfight.

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