Hi Nic,
Sorry you were let down by my edit. I know it is very different than L8/Q2s, and I think my PT won't really be complete storywise until my episode 3 comes out. That's what makes releasing this edit at this point in time hard. But nonetheless, I appreciate you giving it a chance and for your feedback!
I'd just like to give you some rationale behind some of my choices that bothered you.
The only thing about it that bugged me was placing the funeral scene before the garage scene, because we see Padme in her white dress, then her blue dress, and the next time we see her in her white dress again, and it's something I can't get past.
Sorry about that, but the narrative choice for me was just too strong to worry about padme repeating an outfit later on.
Also, if you ever think of making a version 2, I recommend watching Slumberland's episode 2 edit and how he makes the lake kiss look like it's taking place at sunset, as that would help with the "morning after" vibe I think you were going for.
I see that might be a nice touch, but it really isn't necessary IMO. I just don't think time of day really matters for the kiss. I think it is clear that they are sleeping together (to those old enough to get it) when Padme comes out on the balcony in her pajamas, after a scene where they kiss romantically. Plus, it isn't easily clear that this is THE morning after given Padme's line "you had another nightmare last night." It could be two days later, or something.
I hated how much of a novice Anikan came across as in the movie. He loses his lightsaber, misses his turn while in the car, and then get's his lightsaber smashed.
In my view, for episode 2, he IS still a novice and learning the ways of the force. Just as Luke in episode 5 has accomplished many abilities, he still is not a full Jedi. Other edits may decide to make anakin an accomplished Jedi in this episode, but my choice is not to.
If he's so attuned to the force that he can levitate a ball and free Padme, he should've at least seen the lightsaber stuff coming.
I respectfully disagree. It's all about control of ones feelings, as yoda tries to tell Luke again from episode 5. Yes anakin has certainly learned a lot, but he still is a padawan. He still makes mistakes based on not controlling his feelings. In episode 5, Luke can lift all kinds of things in the air, as well as use the force pull to retrieve his lost light saber early on during the duel with Vader. But we all know he (Luke) is not fully trained. Same with Anakin in episode 2, which to me is a strong parallel (almost equivalent IMO).
So this is an intentional choice on my part to show Anakin struggling with his powers; showing great promise but still making mistakes as a padawan. It makes his episode 3 abilities that much more a contrast in terms of his training, IMO. In Episode 2, he is considered a padawan. In Episode 3, he is a full Jedi. A real example of this is how in episode 2 Anakin attacks Dooku by himself, controlled by his own anger. Episode 3 shows explicitly how much he's changed since then.
The Anikan/Palpatine scene was also really missed, as it plays nicely into episode 3.
All I can say is this is a conscious decision on my part that Anakins fall has more to do with Anakin himself than Palpatine's influence. I have chosen to make episode 2 clearly about anakin and his emotional experiences involving padme and his mother. Palpatine and his influence begins in episode 3, in my interpretation of the PT. I know it's hard to see this as both L8 and Q2 have already completed their trilogies, and certainly have made a strong imprint on people's minds about how to interpret the PT and Anakin's fall, but hopefully you (and others) will keep an open mind about my choices in episode 2 once you see my episode 3. In the end though, I know I am editing for myself.
And finally, cutting out the Obi-Wan/Dooku. I know how it kinda makes the Jedi look stupid for not taking Dooku's word, but let's be honest, they had it coming. They wouldn't believe that Dooku would take a hit out on Padme, I can believe that they don't pay his warnings lip service.
Again, I must respectfully disagree. I have clearly established Dooku as the bad guy from the start in the audiences eyes, and obi then discovers and reports back to the council this very fact, so they also learn that Dooku is the bad guy and they were wrong to think otherwise. Why would they then believe anything dooku says? As the old saying goes, fool me once...
It's just that that scene shows Christopher Lee at his finest, and removing that scene, imo, nullifies any attempt to try and put focus on Dooku, because I really enjoyed you're restructured opening.
Wow, I'm surprised you feel so strongly about this. The Dooku scene you mention, while a nice one for the actor, intentionally confuses the audience as to Dooku's intentions, and that would go against my narrative. My goal is to leave it very much a mystery who "the" sith lord is, and this scene makes it completely obvious it is Palpatine...plus it makes the Jedi look like idiots (like I said, fool me once).
I don't believe it nullifies any attempt to put focus on Dooku as the villain, because I believe without the scene, my narrative is fully in tact and understandable regarding Dooku and his intentions. But again, I have no problem with you disagreeing with my choices.
I'm sorry if I seem negative, when there were some things in this edit that I really loved and should be incorporated into other edits and I do recommend it to others, but some there was too much that rubbed me the wrong way.
Fair enough. Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion! My intention here was just to give you (and others) my own perspective on why I made the choices I made, and nothing more.
Thanks for watching and giving your detailed review/opinion Nic!