Briar King, on 07 October 2013 - 07:48 PM, said:
Also on TPM would ep 2 and 3 not have been better if Maul escaped? Geonois and Flag Ship battles woulda been hardcore.
Yes, if they rearrange lots of things, it gets better.
I've said this multiple times, but if it's rearranged like this:
1) the first movie is Anakin's discovery, pod-racing, apprentice-ship to Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan and trip to Naboo to make sure the newly anointed/elected Queen can get to Coruscant for all important vote on Naboo/Nemoidans, which means Maul can fight with Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan over his assassination mission, Amidala and Anakin can meet and hang out and we get to meet all the important players - beyond the shadowy Sidious.
2) the second movie is the actual enactment of the blockade by the Nemoidans because they want money/unobtanium on Naboo + promises from Sidious to support them and make sure they win, Anakin's training as a Jedi, growing discontent in Senate, Maul killing Qui-Gon and nearly killing Amidala, creation of clone army and the ending of the Nemoidan blockade by Anakin being a fighter pilot etc.
3) Third movie is the clones vs. droid war, Amidala frustrated by Senate do-nothings (caused by Palpatine/Sidious) and stays in the Jedi building for protection, Anakin having Jedi close to him killed left and right, Palpatine showing that Yoda/Jedi Council are buffoons and aren't giving them enough training or power to actually deal with the droids, a climatic duel with Anakin and Maul that turns a sweet victory into ashes as Amidala is threatened by Sidious who is taking on the appearance of Obi Wan, Anakin's descent into the dark side as he kills the Jedi adults and a few teenagers to get to Obi-Wan, the kids escape into the city, and then Amidala appears to die in front of Anakin at the hands of Obi-Wan - which makes him go full dark side and they go off to the lava planet for the duel and Amidala is rescued by Yoda after fleeing Sidious during a duel.
This is a rough sketch from memory and I think my earlier versions were actually more coherent and better, as I cared. However the important thing is that the descent of Anakin into the dark side is present from movie 2 onwards and makes much more sense over a long period of frustration and Sidious whispering in his ear. Movie 1 gets everybody caring about the characters and Maul's presence drives a ton of interest throughout the trilogy. Dooku is discarded entirely (served no purpose in the movies) and Grievious is optional. Jango Fett can fit into the second movie and Windu can kill him in the third.
I survived the Permian and all I got was this t-shirt.