Let’s start by being perfectly clear on one point: There are a LOT of fan made videos related to Star Wars online. There are probably more Star Wars videos on Youtube than cat videos. There are even Star Wars cat videos. Seriously. But after much thought, we decided to start with the Red Letter Media reviews of the prequels.
Here comes the Nasal Pepperoni
Maybe not a lot of thought. It was actually a pretty easy choice, because they are, without a doubt, some of the funniest videos on the internet, much less Star Wars related videos. I laughed so hard, pizza shot out of my nose. Do you know how hard you have to be laughing for a piece of pepperoni to come out of your nose?
A lot harder than with milk.
Before I descend into some sort of fanboy rave of Mr. Plinkett’s reviews, there are a few things worth mentioning. One, these reviews are not short. The first is close to 60 minutes, and the second and third are well over 90 minutes each. This is not a simple undertaking. Also, Mr. Plinkett is more than willing to use strong language, frequently, so those with sensitive ears may want to watch a Spongebob marathon instead. You have been warned.
Prequels & Garbage Bags?
Now for the raving. These reviews are brilliant. Mr. Plinkett, the reviewer of the video, makes numerous, excellent points with a fantastic sense of humor. Humor based on both brilliantly sardonic observations, as well as some crazy random weirdness. The second review has a subplot (yeah, a review with a subplot!) that involves clips of some woman he has in his basement whom he eventually plans to drop off downtown in several garbage bags. Yes, it’s a little twisted. Yes, it seems completely off topic. But he does manage to somehow tie it into Star Wars, even if loosely.
Aside from the humor, which never stops, Mr. Plinkett also points out some details of the prequels that even diehard fans might miss. And the things he draws attention to are all valid points. He has an unerring knack for picking out every plot hole, of which I never realized there were so many and I bet you didn’t either. And though the reviews are almost comically long, every minute of them is necessary. Not once in the four hours I spent watching them all did I ever grow bored. In fact, I had initially only meant to watch one, but it was so good, I ended up watching them all in one sitting.
A Refreshing YoDa Lesson
His understanding of the things that make Star Wars work is amazing as well. For example, he explains very clearly why Yoda was misrepresented completely in the prequels, and how his diminutive shape in the originals was actually a lesson about the Force for both Luke and the viewers. I never thought about it the way he did, and I doubt that even George Lucas did, but his reasoning is perfect, and I immediately realized he was 100% correct.
After watching the reviews, I was almost tempted to start watching the prequels again. I just couldn’t believe that there were so many things even I missed. But as the Red Letter Media Star Wars reviews make perfectly clear, the prequels really, really, really suck. So I flipped on Empire and called it a night.
What do you think of Red Letter Media?
rabbit wrote
I saw and posted all of these review videos months and months ago, and he brought up several valid points that I had not even begun to realize about the crappy prequels. I knew I hated them, but I never really knew why or what was so horrible about them other than their schlock value. I am a crass person by nature, so his “indecent” humor was not lost by me. I’ve got a crappy memory, so I’ve watched them [as well as the star trek and avatar and every other review on there] three times so far. The humor never gets old and although they are incredibly long, I hardly noticed it at all; and I am the type of person to give up on a page/review/response/friend’s blog if it looks like it’s going to be too long.
Davey wrote
Glad to think you enjoy the Red Letter Media reviews as much as I do! I think I first viewed his review of Attack of the Clones, then went back to see The Phantom Menace before impatiently awaiting the Revenge of the Sith review (which is every bit as wonderful as I had expected).
Despite the crass humor, these reviews really do have an unprecedented amount of insight. Never did I expect to find jokes about serial killers and serious examinations of the prequels’ thematic content in the same place, but there ya have it.
My favorite segment is the fifth part of the Attack of the Clones review, where Plinkett looks at the relationship between Anakin and Padme, notifying us when Anakin does something right or wrong in his actions toward her. In the end, Anakin’s misses far outweigh his hits. Wonderful.
PVGLTeam wrote
That was one of my favorite points too, Davey. Anakin would’ve never scored Natalie in real life with those kinds of lines
But seriously – Plinkett’s explanation of RACE in Star Wars is phenomenal. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Aloyicious wrote
The Plinkett reviews are more enjoyable than the films are. I think I’ll watch them again, right now…
Herculese wrote
So actually the second prequel review isn’t 90 mins it’s closer to 80 and even the first had a subplot.
But yes they are excellent and I highly recommend ‘Feeding Frenzy’ a feature film by red letter media.
CheeseburgerWalrus wrote
Ah you can’t mention RLM’s excellent reviews without also mentioning “JIm Raynor” on Stardestroyer.net and his ridiculous 100 page “rebuttal” of RLM.
https://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=146990
If anyone can actually make it through his fanboyism, I salute you. Me, I’ll take RLM and his hilarity any day.
Donald wrote
I think these reviews are really great and have changed reviewing forever. I also love the twisted humor as well as the insight. I think the prostitute can parallel the “consumer whore” viewer who went to see these films, or was “forced” to watch them. Whether that was intentional or not, I do not know. Still, I think some of the “plot holes” were oversights and I do think that some of the jokes go on a little long. So to be fair to these reviews, they’re amazing and groundbreaking and hilarious, but they could stand to be trimmed and a few complaints seem inaccurate. Thanks to these reviews I became a huge fan of Red Letter Media.
Eyeshineentertainment wrote
I couldn’t agree more with RLM about how Yoda should NOT have fought with a lightsaber and how, or why, the prequels (that are intended for children) fail as films first and foremost.
Hidajunshin wrote
The subplot is my favorite part of the reviews. Red Letter Media points out that the prequels were so bad that it drove fictional character Harry S. Plinkett to become a serial murderer. His character, and the prostitute, actually had a story arc. Plinkett was driven to inflict his pain onto others, especially those closest to him. Nadine was the person whose brush with death and attempted revenge allowed her to grow as a character. And because of her growth and because she spared his life, he will continue his service to mankind by reviewing other pieces of crap films. All three reviews themselves bring the viewer “full circle”. We are torn down, hating George and what he has done to our beloved franchise, vowing never to watch them again. But the conclusion of the final review, the iconic trench run we all cheer for, leaves us to revel in what we do have from the original series.
My $0.02
Laughin Jude wrote
The Plinkett reviews of all three movies should probably just be shown at the beginning of every fiction writing class.
Michael wrote
Like most have pointed out, prior to watching the videos I was not a fan of the prequel. I think the most interesting thing about the reviews, aside from their great humor, is that during the AotC review I actually got pissed off that I had wasted money and time seeing that piece of garbage.
Pugs Malone wrote
I think these reviews are incredible, but I do have two minor quibbles:
1. There’s an entire segment in the Episode II review speculating that Samuel L. Jackson was cast solely to appeal to the black market. In fact, Jackson begged Lucas to be in the prequels. I checked the Wookiepedia entry for Mace Windu and found some concept art that showed that not only was he not originally intended to be black, he wasn’t originally intended to be human.
2. The Plinkett stuff that was released after the Episode III review was way too ambitious and should have been cut down considerably.
After these reviews, I hope that we get a tell-all book from a disgruntled ex-higher-up at Lucasfilm.
Don The Producer wrote
We here at the Ask Adam League have always saw George as deceitful. But in later years he seems to have become confused.
You are right. These reviews have prompted me to watch the prequels over and over again, even with the commentary! Can’t wait to see your doc too!
Mike Alpha wrote
Something I really loved about the reviews was how insightful they were on towards the subjects of character development and plot. The three Star Wars prequels were lacking in these areas in a large way, and this point is subtly reinforced by the seemingly random insertion of the reviews’ subplot. The story of Mr. Plinkett and his captive is so well written that even though it is just a small portion of the review you can see and understand their story as is unfolds. Their story has a clear beginning in which we see Plinkett is a psychotic kidnapper/murderer with a captive woman in his basement, a middle that builds suspense and excitement as the woman cleverly escapes, and ends with a cliffhanger climax as she decides to return to the house to get revenge on Plinkett for what he did to her and her daughter. Compare this to ANYTHING or ANYONE in the Star Wars prequels and you’ll see just how little effort and talent was invested in them.
Oliver wrote
Ahahaha, now you have to read the 108 page rebuttal of the TPM review. Look into both sides of the “argument”.
(btw I love RedLetterMedia)
David wrote
Yes, i love RLM… These guys are really brilliant… Its like kind of how Kevin Smith was, *** (In the beginning, when he made interesting/funny movies),**** but better.
I have Feeding Frenzy and its brilliant…. My favorite line from the Episode I review is, “a prodogonist” lol….
Hubdub wrote
Plinkett is right in every way. That’s the long and short of it. After you finished the third one you realize just how right he was.
KyleRamen wrote
I really hope Lucas watches these, and while I realize it must be hard to deal with someone ripping your creations apart, I think he would be better off, and so would everyone else. The first sign of Lucas having watched the reviews would be, the cancellation of the 3D versions of all the movies. The second sign would be, he would make a new movie completely unrelated to Star Wars.
Scott wrote
It’s a fairly short review of his reviews I have to say PVGLTeam, however it is succinct.
I found a plethora of observations that had passed me by, for example the Jedi outfit/uniform. It makes sense for Obi Wan to be in robes as he lives in the desert, Yoda is in exile on Degobah and so fashion isn’t as important to him – but every single Jedi wearing a bathrobe does make it kind of silly and this is just one of the many things highlighted by Mr Plikett.
I also like the fact he didn’t go on a direct pounding of Jar Jar. He respects his viewers enough to know that Binks is an annoying, pointless but nonetheleast easy target and leaves him alone for the most part. Delving into the more important mechanisms of how poor these films are.
A real breath of fresh air and some potent humour which embodies what many adults of today and children of yesteryear feel about what was a special childhood movie.
He still hasn’t sent me a pizzaroll either – perhaps Thailand is too far for him.
BIG R wrote
If you are a tall, good looking guy with something going on for yourself, you dont need lines to pick up a single girl. As Plinkett says, spending a lot of alone time in romantic places wouldnt cause these two to fall in love, but it would almost certainly bring infatuation, which can be stronger then love (but dies sooner). Im surprised this PVGL writer waited until all three Plinkett reviews were up before he watched any of them. Red Letter Media is the bomb!
red_dragon311 wrote
The best line out of all the reviews was ” Ther Phantom Menace is now the greatsest example of cinimatic blue ball in the history of motion pictures”
I also liked the explanation of Anikin and Padma being ” In love” …..they are two beautiful in a beautiful setting …they must be in love
Krudler wrote
Excellent reviews by Red Letter. They make the existence of the prequels worthwhile. Not to explain them but to make something so amusing and insightful into their crappiness that its a marvel.
Favourite part is where he asks friends to describe the characters in the original series then do the same for the prequels (without discussing their looks or job) – classic.
Its clear the makers of this review are film-makers themselves – this informs their analysis like no standard reviewer can.
PVGLTeam wrote
You got it, Cheeseburger. We’re on it!
PVGLTeam wrote
CheeseburgerWalrus, thanks for pointing that out. I hadn’t seen it previously, and now having read it, it will feature heavily in a post this week. Thanks!
CheeseburgerWalrus wrote
Cool. Looking forward to it
Whill wrote
Funny, but misleading reviews, that criticize tragic dramatic form for not conforming to conflict/resolution form.