In last week's Face Off two of our beloved Avengers and their solo movies faced off (see what I did there?) against one another with Iron Man emerging victorious over Thor.
This week we are gonna examine two of the most loved and respected trilogies of all time in Lord of the Rings vs. the Star Wars Original Trilogy. We'll break down each movie from each trilogy and see which installments come out on top over the others. We'll do things this way because in so many ways including time LOTR has the advantage over Star Wars. But with that said, technological advancements aren't what make these films what they are. It's the classic stories. So here we go.
Fellowship/A New Hope
Fellowship of the Ring had a killer opening did it not? One of the most entrancing exposition sections that I've ever seen. You were hooked immediately. From there the film did it's job: introduced us to our main players (the bonus being that they're characters we came to care about), developed said characters while giving us our action/suspension beats when we needed them, and in doing so left us wanting more. The only thing associated with Fellowship of the Ring I didn't like was that I didn't get into it soon enough and missed it's run in theaters. See anything about the actual film in that complaint? Damn right you don't.
A New Hope: A couple droids are minding their own business and find themselves thrust in the middle of a feud between a society of rebels and the dreaded Empire. Oh, and a bit of a family feud as well but that's nothing to worry about. When I saw this film I wanted to be Han, I wanted a grandpa like Ben Kenobi, and I wanted Leia before that bikini ever came into the picture. To put it simply, it wasn't a mistake that George Lucas created a monster with this film.
Two Towers/ESB
I'll be honest, for me The Two Towers dragged in parts, but it was nowhere near as boring as some people I've spoken to make it out to be. We get the intro of Gollum and the wonderful performance by Andy Serkis, we get one epic ass battle at Helms Deep, we get a new and improved Gandalf that is done f*cking around, and we get humorous moments with Legolas and Gimli. As far as the middle child goes, Two Towers did what it was supposed to, set us up for the home stretch in an entertaining enough way.
PS. Ten points for the kick ass monologue from Samwise.
PS. Ten points for the kick ass monologue from Samwise.
Three things define why Empire Strikes Back is my favorite Star Wars film: the introduction of Yoda and his whimsical wisdom, the best chemistry of the saga between Han and Leia (seriously was that too hard to duplicate between Anakin and Padme?) and of course the famous scene that people often misquote. The tone of the whole film set us up beautifully for the bomb drop that we didn't see coming and filled us all with a sense of dread, with a hint of hope from the now not so new...erm, hope.
PS. Twenty points for Darth Vader was at the height of what made him one of the most kick ass villains of all time throughout this whole film.
PS. Twenty points for Darth Vader was at the height of what made him one of the most kick ass villains of all time throughout this whole film.
ROTK/ROTJ
Return of the King won every award it was nominated for its Academy Award season, including Best Picture? Was it undeserved? Hell frakkin no!! Unnecessary thirty minute fourth act aside, this is one of the few films in my eyes that deserves the distinction of being called a masterpiece. Gone was the lagging feeling I got with certain points in Two Towers, everything came full circle in a massive way and I walked away a happy camper with a sense of loss that it was all over. One of the main things I loved about this trilogy that was in abundance in ROTK in particular was the length of time that was given to develop all of the characters we have come to know. I mean ALL of the characters, development is a big thing with me.
Return of the Jedi really picks up at the end when Luke gets passed that whole I'm not going to fight my father thing. The dynamic between Luke and Vader near the end of the film had one thing that ROTK didn't have, my investment on a more emotional level. While I wasn't as annoyed with those damn Ewoks as others, the first two acts of the film just didn't do it for me. It's by no means a bad film, and it wasn't the level of disappointment that Godfather III is known for, and I don't even know if disappointment is the right word. It just wasn't on the level of greatness as the first two films were.
PS. Ten points for the bikini and the short and sweet ending. (come on ROTK).
PS. Ten points for the bikini and the short and sweet ending. (come on ROTK).
Tie Breaker
Fellowship of the Ring aside, I felt more connected with this trilogy because it was of my generation. I got to watch these films with a group of family, friends, and strangers in the comfort of a dark theater. I got to anticipate the next entry, I was swept up in the genius musical score, every single character was memorable. These films were beautiful to look at, which in theory shouldn't even be discussed due to the time frame of these two trilogies, but these films trumped even the prequel trilogy in the looks department. Lord of The Rings is just packed with the best of everything.
I wish I had been born in the era where this trilogy first hit the scene, I wish I could have been in the theater when that famous line in Empire Strikes Back was spoken. I feel robbed. I'm a sucker for a good family feud in my fiction, the tragedy of this story always resonated with me, even in the prequel films. Every single installment had something to remember, something that will stay with a film lover for the rest of their lives. The empire that George Lucas has built around his beloved trilogy is no fluke. Bless the people who took a chance on it.
Lord of the Rings
There you have it for this week Schmoes, Lord of the Rings graced my life at a time that I needed my own trilogy to love as much as others love their Star Wars. Many are in love with both. What takes the cake for you? And why? Let us know.
If you have an idea that you'd like to see in a future FACE OFF column, feel free to shoot an email to me at paulhuffman@joblo.com with your ideas and some ideas for the critique to base your ideas off. Thank you and in the meantime...
Which movie are you anticipating the most?
POST YOUR CHOICE BELOW!
POST YOUR CHOICE BELOW!
Star wars-Gate way drug to science fiction. But Better highs are too be had!!
Hes my father!!!!
I just logged in to say this:
Frodo: I can’t do this, Sam.
Sam: I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new
Frodo: I can’t do this, Sam.
Sam: I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.
Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?
Sam: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.
OR
Darth Vader: I am your Father.
'Nuff said.
Star Wars
LOTR is not even good. The only one I thought was decent was The Two Towers extended version. But the whole trilogy they're just walking and shit.
LOTR is not even good. The only one I thought was decent was The Two Towers extended version. But the whole trilogy they're just walking and shit.
Easiest Face-Off Ever
uuuggghhh...
-Randal Graves
-Randal Graves
Star Wars Ep. 4-6
Not to mention- the Star Wars effects (even the non-special edition original effects) are still enjoyable, believable and not hokey, despite nearly 40 years of aging. On the other hand, the CGI effects in LOTR already look
Not to mention- the Star Wars effects (even the non-special edition original effects) are still enjoyable, believable and not hokey, despite nearly 40 years of aging. On the other hand, the CGI effects in LOTR already look quite obsolete.
No question, hands down, Star Wars Episodes 4-6 win.
BOOO !!! HISSS !!!
Something LOTR will never have.
My least favorite editorial on JoBlo
LMAO
LMAO
Your kidding right?
That's the only logic train you need to follow.
That's the only logic train you need to follow.
'nuff said
'nuff said
Tie Breaker?!
Star Wars Hands-down
Star Wars
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Lord of the Rings immensely and there's a lot of good stuff in there.
But to be frank there are shots and scenes in LOTR that look cheap, like a Hercules/Xena production.
I expect this will only be exacerbated with The Hobbit's 48 fps fiasco.
Star Wars has a far more realistic look to it.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Lord of the Rings immensely and there's a lot of good stuff in there.
But to be frank there are shots and scenes in LOTR that look cheap, like a Hercules/Xena production.
I expect this will only be exacerbated with The Hobbit's 48 fps fiasco.
Star Wars has a far more realistic look to it.
LotR: ST prequel trilogy killed series
BOLLOCKS
STAR WARS, coming from a LOTR fan
Oh, but I do disagree on the ending of RotK. I don't think the length of the ending was unnecessary--after nine hours of movie, a brief ending would have felt way too abrupt.
Oh, but I do disagree on the ending of RotK. I don't think the length of the ending was unnecessary--after nine hours of movie, a brief ending would have felt way too abrupt.
tough one...
One tween to rule them all...
The theater experience alone could strengthen whats the better film.
To me personally, Id go with Star Wars just because I remember everything about the film compared to LOTR where I remember parts and the sleepover at the end of ROTK lasting 30 minutes
The theater experience alone could strengthen whats the better film.
To me personally, Id go with Star Wars just because I remember everything about the film compared to LOTR where I remember parts and the sleepover at the end of ROTK lasting 30 minutes
Star Wars wins
Regardless, no- Star Wars, not only for it's superior story telling but also it's cultural impact.
Regardless, no- Star Wars, not only for it's superior story telling but also it's cultural impact.
My Assesment:
But Star Wars has lasted 35 years already and is arguably MORE popular than ever. And while in another 35 years people will still love the LOTR Trilogy, they'll also still love Star Wars.
Without Star Wars showing the world of film that fantasy can be profitable, then there would have been no LOTR Trilogy and that's a fact even Peter Jackson can't
But Star Wars has lasted 35 years already and is arguably MORE popular than ever. And while in another 35 years people will still love the LOTR Trilogy, they'll also still love Star Wars.
Without Star Wars showing the world of film that fantasy can be profitable, then there would have been no LOTR Trilogy and that's a fact even Peter Jackson can't deny.
Also... Lightsabers. Need I say more.
"Hey guys! Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Blu-ray marathon! There will be pizza!" "F**CK YEAH!!! SO THERE!!! WOOOO"
"Hey Guys! Star Wars Trilogy Blu-ray marathon! There will be pizza!"
"...What kind of pizza? Vader does say Noooooo now..."
"Hey guys! Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Blu-ray marathon! There will be pizza!" "F**CK YEAH!!! SO THERE!!! WOOOO"
"Hey Guys! Star Wars Trilogy Blu-ray marathon! There will be pizza!"
"...What kind of pizza? Vader does say Noooooo now..."
Star Wars is essentially an illustration of civilization at its absolute PEAK. This is represented by the droids R2 & 3PO. R2-D2 represents how civilization has mastered all technological advances...he can fix, fly, and communicate any machine. 3PO represents how civilization has broken down all cultural barriers...he can communicate with millions of different languages and cultures. The Jedi represent all personal
Star Wars is essentially an illustration of civilization at its absolute PEAK. This is represented by the droids R2 & 3PO. R2-D2 represents how civilization has mastered all technological advances...he can fix, fly, and communicate any machine. 3PO represents how civilization has broken down all cultural barriers...he can communicate with millions of different languages and cultures. The Jedi represent all personal achievement...having mastered all mental, physical, and spiritual possibilities.
But in that world that you'd think would be a utopia...there is still evil (the Empire) greed (Jabba, the Bounty Hunters) and corruption (the Smugglers.) Its this pragmatic view of life that says 'evil will always exist, so what really matters is how you carry yourself, what ideals you live up to.'
Thats what I take from Star Wars, thats what makes it unique, and as I've gotten older thats what I realize I like most about it.
Kevin Smith did a better explanation...
dp
The
The Empire Strikes Back is probably my favourite film out of both trilogies here, but which is the better trilogy? Star Wars is more iconic, Lord of the Rings is better made, but if I had to pick one, I'd probably side with Star Wars just because it was such a big part of my life when I was growing up.
Star Wars
LOTR I guess deserves a spot in the top 5 because how big it was. I don't remember anything
LOTR I guess deserves a spot in the top 5 because how big it was. I don't remember anything that large being shot altogether, released year by year. It was an event. That being said, I never really enjoyed those movies, especially Two Towers. I might have enjoyed some of the battles and the introduction to this universe in part 1, but all in all I'm just not a fantasy guy. I don't get excited because I see a world filled with dwarfs and elfs or orks, not even dragons. I just don't get it. If they were introduced into our world I think I would be hooked, but since it's a fairy tale I can't get connected to it (and I know some will say that SW is also fantasy, but the design of the creatures is more sci-fi based, much like the technology).
Other than that, am I really the only one who thinks that LOTR is not ageing that well? The CGI got really old in my opinion. It's still made on a massive scale, but the miniatures and practical effects of SW are far more ageless.
STAR WARS
That's the worst tie breaker ever. Go watch Clerks and Clerks II.
Star Wars . . . all the way.
That's the worst tie breaker ever. Go watch Clerks and Clerks II.
Star Wars . . . all the way.
As actual films, the LOTR is a better set of films than SW. SW just has 20+ years of fanboys who grew up jerking it to Leah in a Bikini and will go down proclaiming it's glory. Good for them.
For the rest of us who do love SW but don't deify it, it's a good trilogy but not the better one.
But hey, if you want a real battle, how about Tolkien vs Lucas?
As actual films, the LOTR is a better set of films than SW. SW just has 20+ years of fanboys who grew up jerking it to Leah in a Bikini and will go down proclaiming it's glory. Good for them.
For the rest of us who do love SW but don't deify it, it's a good trilogy but not the better one.
But hey, if you want a real battle, how about Tolkien vs Lucas?
Oh I beg to differ
Never been a huge LOTR fan. In fact, i think the third one is terrible. To each his own, but Star Wars is 100x better.
Never been a huge LOTR fan. In fact, i think the third one is terrible. To each his own, but Star Wars is 100x better.
But A New Hope is classic movie magic from start to finish. Topped only by Empire Strikes Back, which is this charmingly small, intimate story told on a visually stunning epic scale.
Dammit I gotta watch Empire now.
But A New Hope is classic movie magic from start to finish. Topped only by Empire Strikes Back, which is this charmingly small, intimate story told on a visually stunning epic scale.
Dammit I gotta watch Empire now.
STAR WARS.
STAR WARS.
Star Wars: could sit through it easily once a month.
LotR: cannot sit through it except once every couple years.
I do really have great affection for both, though. The real separation is that Star Wars leaves you with hope that one CAN overcome evil and have a happy ending. LotR leaves you with a subtle dread of the fact that EVERYTHING ends, and not always for the best.
Star Wars: could sit through it easily once a month.
LotR: cannot sit through it except once every couple years.
I do really have great affection for both, though. The real separation is that Star Wars leaves you with hope that one CAN overcome evil and have a happy ending. LotR leaves you with a subtle dread of the fact that EVERYTHING ends, and not always for the best.
what is this blasphemy
fellowship boring??
You fail.
You fail.
Star Wars > LOTR
Han > Aragon
Leia > Every Girl in the LOTR
Obi Wan < Gandalf
Darth Vader > Saruman
The Emperor > Sauron
R2D2/C-3PO > Merry and Pipping
Star Wars is a clear winner in my eyes. Better characters, more emotional story, and it didn't drag its ending out.
Han > Aragon
Leia > Every Girl in the LOTR
Obi Wan < Gandalf
Darth Vader > Saruman
The Emperor > Sauron
R2D2/C-3PO > Merry and Pipping
Star Wars is a clear winner in my eyes. Better characters, more emotional story, and it didn't drag its ending out.
But when you gotta go THERE. Start comparing LOTR to Star Wars. And you make people pick sides, I defer ENTIRELY to the right honorable Randal Graves.
[link]
But when you gotta go THERE. Start comparing LOTR to Star Wars. And you make people pick sides, I defer ENTIRELY to the right honorable Randal Graves.
[link]
Three movies of a couple guys walking to a fucking volcano. It's really hard to buy into a story where the whole situation could have been avoided in the first 5 minutes of FOTR. FOTR fucking draaaaaaaaaaags! That's just for me personally, if others thought it was great that's fine.
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the LOTR trilogy but I don't consider it the masterpiece of storytelling that most seem to think it is. Massive plot holes, so many
Three movies of a couple guys walking to a fucking volcano. It's really hard to buy into a story where the whole situation could have been avoided in the first 5 minutes of FOTR. FOTR fucking draaaaaaaaaaags! That's just for me personally, if others thought it was great that's fine.
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the LOTR trilogy but I don't consider it the masterpiece of storytelling that most seem to think it is. Massive plot holes, so many undeveloped characters that amount to nothing, horrible pacing at times, etc. On a technical level however, the films are brilliant and that's why I think they've stood the test of time.
I just think the SW trilogy is far superior with so many legendary characters that have inspired many generations of film-makers and their own work. Not to mention the countless heart-wrenching / inspiring scenes, an epic score with no equal, fantastic visual FX for the time and a great deal of heart that LOTR will never have in my opinion.
Did I get upset when Gandalf fell off that bridge in FOTR? Nope. Did I get upset when Vader begged forgiveness from his only son before dying at the end of ROTJ? Every single time.
Oh and one more thing. I fucking hate Merry and Pippin. There I said it.
Star Wars FTW
No question, LotR wins hands-down
Lord of the Rings is a masterpiece, pure and simple.
Lord of the Rings is a masterpiece, pure and simple.