Favorite PT Scene

When the hangar doors open on Naboo revealing Darth Maul, it got me excited for the rest of that movie. Also the part in the duel where Maul summons the force to smash the controls of the door, I think with a battle droid head. I always wondered why Luke didn't do that with his battle with the rancor instead of throwing a rock at the controls.

 

When Qui Gon and Anakin's mom are talking while Anakin is building is podracer. And Shmi tells him there was no father and she cannot explain what happened.

 

The Opera scene with Palpatine and Anakin, that was truly the defining moment where the myth of Star Wars truly came alive. everytime i watch that scene it gets better and better. and Anakin's face as he listens to the tale of Darth Plaguies shows the seduction of the darkside taking shape.

 

* While writing this post initially on a smartphone, I discovered that my draft was also available to me when I happened upon the computer I'm on now. No wonder I'm getting addicted to this forum! So many neat thingamagogs!*

While I'm not a fan, I still think there are a few genuinely nice scenes. By this I mean scenes where I feel they absolutely nailed it, that is, there was nothing in the frame or the dialogue or the acting that was "off" which is the case with almost every second (in my personal opinion!). Without further ado:

1. Darth Maul scanning the horizon
2. Darth Maul slamming hilt in Qui-Gon's face
3. Some close-up shots of Obi-Wan on Mustafar after having sliced'n'diced Anakin
4. The "silent montage" of Anakin and Padmé staring out windows
5. Parts of the Maul/Kenobi/Jinn duel
6. Liked the Plo Koon part of the Order 66 montage
7. That first mechanical breath from Vader, before it gets ridiculous

...not many seconds I enjoyed then (I've tried to come up with more but I'm stuck), but these moments I rated really high and they made me feel something about the characters or the situations presented. Some of them greatly helped by John Williams.

 

Oh, the opera scene. I could almost add it to the list, because the acting is unusually solid here, and the symbolism is nice as well. McDiarmid really delivers but I have trouble with the dialogue. Not the delivery but the content of the exchange.

 

Yeah, you folks nailed it.

Emotionally I was the most invested in the Silent Anakin Padme scene, the Opera scene, and Ben's lines after defeating Anakin.
I also enjoy the scene in Ep. III when Anakin comes to Padme to express his confusion: "I'm not the JEDI I should be, I want more"

 

I agree with the opera scene as far as dialogue and meaning. However "palpatines arrest" scene to me is the most exciting. We finally get to see Palpatine reveal himself to the Jedi. To me that was the most anticipated part of the prequels. You can feel the emotion coming from Palpitine once he realizes the end game of his master plan has begun. Finally getting to see the culmination of the master plan come to fruition gave me goosebumps. And by the end of the scence we get to see the "birth" of Vader. Which was obviously greatly anticipated as well.

 

I am no fan of the PT, but most of my friends agree with me that the scene with Anakin & Padme looking out Coruscant to that haunting music by John Williams while Mace & Co go to arrest Palpatine. It just shows how great John Williams is!

 

Darth Maul's fight scenes were superb. I loved the scene when the barrier came between Maul and Qui Gonn. Maul pacing like a cat, waiting to strike; Qui Gonn kneeling and meditating. The contrast between their actions said far more than any dialog could have.

 

Agree here, especially when Qui Gonn kneels and calms himself.

but also and come on guys admit it too -- Yoda vs Dooku.

How good was this! Lets all admit we had waited since Empire to see Yoda in a saber battle.

 

Can't disagree more! I wanted to claw my eyes out when I saw that ... happening onscreen.
My brain just couldn't (and still can't) comprehend how much this scene damages the overall story.
Not only Yoda's character is greatly diminished (erased, if you will, and replaced with something looking like Yoda), but the awesome powers of the Emperor, displayed at last in Jedi when he unleashes lightning upon an unsuspecting Luke Skywalker, are likewise reduced to nothing when Count Dooku all of a sudden just throws lightning about - and that we also get to see that all you need is to put your lightsaber between you and the lightning, further diminishing Luke's refusal to join the Emperor.

Here, they completely and utterly destroyed Yoda's character once and for all, and no never did I wait to see Yoda in a saber battle. The original trilogy always seemed to make it clear that Yoda was above and beyond the need of a weapon. Also, the way the character is revealed made me hope we wouldn't need to see Yoda in the prequel trilogy. Would have been better to have him mentioned, like Jabba was in IV and V, so that the surprise was kept intact and that new generations of viewers could (ideally) build up this image in their mind of this greatest of warriors, and then little Yoda shows up in Empire.

The scene is poorly acted, very poorly scripted, and just wreaks havoc all over the themes of Star Wars. Watching it was like trying to play chess with a dove (sorry but I do so love the ol' chess-playing dove analogy).

 

Hm... my personal favourite has got to be the Mygeeto-bit of the Order 66 sequence. I can't even put into words what I love about that scene (especially since Ki-Adi Mundi is hardly one of my favourite Jedi), but the visuals, the music and the camera work combined make the Mygeeto bit one of the most emotional moments of the PT, in my opinion. Not because of an emotional attachment I feel with any of the characters involved, but because it makes me feel the pain and suffering the entire galaxy is going through. In just 30 seconds, the Mygeeto scenes paints a much darker picture of this whole war than any other scene in either Episode 2 or Episode 3. Furthermore, the architecture is amazing, but the whole place looks grey and deserted and it's got to be one of the dirtiest-looking scenes of the entire PT. There is no glory or badass-ness to be found in the Mygeeto scene, there is just this dead shell of a planet and a mindless war raging on.

My second favourite scene after this one? Probably the opera scene with Palpatine.

 

Hello Ree Yees, great to meet you.

Pls excuse my enthusiasm for the scene, that's the boy in me coming out. You said "and no never did I wait to see Yoda in a saber battle." I can agree with all previous comments however here have to disagree. Max Rebo, Please to meet you also: you agreed arguing "I don’t’ recall in all my years of obsessing over star wars, ever wanting to see Yoda reduced to using a light saber. He was better than that. People like Luke and Vader used sabers."

When we meet Yoda in Empire he is wise and a source of inspiration to us all, my wife still cries when he goes to the force. These are probably my most cherished scenes in the series also. Yoda lifting an Xwing teaches all of us a lesson and his power stuns us when he converses with fallen Warriors. But unfortunately bad stuff happens, and some times even Jedi Masters have to get their hands dirty. Your right Rebo it is probably not the best visual effects and as Ree Yees has stated creates inconsistencies for many other scenes, for example; Luke and his assault from the Emperor.

However, this scene had to be attempted and Yoda did not become a Jedi by playing Chess, he became a Jedi by mastering a Saber and being able to defend himself and others. In times of battle a Warrior considers not, chess. When innocent people need to be protected they look for those who can use a Saber. I must concede it was hard to get used to many of the images in EII and agree Yoda did look a little Taz devil, but we have to accept that at some time Yoda had been a hands on Warrior and had to get his hands dirty. It is great to acknowledge this and at least attempt to pay homage to his true nature and abilities, there is no need to erode the masculine, in order to cherish the feminine.

The World is getting a little comfortable I know, but sometimes evil forces arise and even little green men have to go and deal with them given the appropriate level of midichlorians. And as you would know Ree Yees the 'Kings Indian' defense is a little passive in its nature but packs a punch in the endgame..

 

I generally don't like the PT. BUT in AtC when Anakin says he HATES the sandpeople I actually got a little chilled. It was that first forshadowing glimps into that troubled guy that showed the had some issues. There was a little whif of Imperial March in the John Williams air at that moment also (if I remember correctly).

Also the the scene after Obi-wan chops Anakin to bits. Obi-Wan's greif for his friend and Anakins hatred and rage. Those are really the only moments that triggered some emotions from me in the theater.

Honorable mention: The opening space battle in RotS. It was HUGE and very cool looking, and I really like the redesign of the Jedi starfighters that Obi-wan and Anakin were flying.

 

I would say the only scene that really put a chill up my spine was when Vader/Anakin is attacking the Jedi Temple and he comes to the room where the Jedi children are hiding. The one boy asks Anakin what should they do and Anakin's light saber is activated. The idea that he is about to slaughter them is a little unnerving. I also liked in AOTC when Padme's white top is torn in half. Natalie looks very good in that entire arena scene.