Oh have to say something: “Mario like your shows yaha!!”

Your post certainly makes me want give it a go. Maybe you can review it at some point?

At this stage I still prefer Spielberg sci fi (Minority Report, War of
the Worlds) but Indy 4: ouch… quote myself: “a stunt man working his
way beneath a speeding car was infinitely more satisfying than Shia
LaBeouf hit in the crotch by virtual jungle plants.”

Back when George & Co. pioneered the incredible effects in the the original movies, they were costly, labor-intensive, and time-consuming, so they were used sparingly and specifically to propel the story forward. With the 2nd trilogy, effects had become so easy & cheap that he peppered the movies too liberally and needlessly with eye candy that offered nothing in terms of plot advancement or support. It became fluff rather than substance.

Technology within the timeframe of the 2nd trilogy’s storyline is a generation older and therefore should be –less– advanced, yet everything — with the notable exception of the pod racers — looks much –more– polished. And I suspect it’s because few (if any) physical models were used and CGI can’t do imperfect nearly as well as it can perfect.

I was very bothered by the science versus religion BS where Lucas spoiled the mysticism of the Force with the whole Midichlorian symbiosis crap. This was such a jarring contrast to the way it was presented by old Ben Kenobe and it really left a bad taste in my mouth.

And you’re right — Darth Maul was all swagger and mystery for a brief while but a complete dud in no time at all.

The introduction of the pointless layers of jumbled politics to attempt to fill in more story was grating and it only got much worse with the Episodes 2 & 3. It was almost impossible to follow and didn’t fit well with the type of storytelling used in the original trilogy.

All together, a terribly disappointing waste of an opportunity that Star Wars fans had been waiting decades for. Lucas is done. And after the crap they pulled together on Indy 4, Spielberg’s on thin ice too!