Star Wars - Episode II: Army of the Republic

Watched this two days ago, and I have to say, waiting a long time for this to come out...it's a shame to say that I'm feeling a tad mixed.

Let me start with what I really liked about the edit: the love story. The scenes were arranged very well, and you managed to get across the idea of Anikan and Padme having a "morning after" scene better than L8twrtr, and given how great The Republic Divided is, that's saying something. 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. 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. Also, loved how you removed "we've got to get to that hanger," really worked out well.

For Obi-Wan's story, I really don't abject to the diner scene, as I'm a fan of the 1950s vibe, and I can somewhat get behind keeping the Yoda/younglings scene as it comes off less as Obi-Wan being clueless and more about him confirming his suspicions. The Jango/Obi-Wan conversation is also welll done, being able to remove any mentions of Tyrannus and Sifo-Diyas. However, I really felt that the first fight they have should've been cut down like how the Phantom Editor and L8twrtr did. That way when we get to the space battle it doesn't feel like the movie's dragging, which I honestly thought it was sadly.

Now some stuff I really didn't like. 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. 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. The Anikan/Palpatine scene was also really missed, as it plays nicely into episode 3. 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. It's just that that scene shows Christopher Lee at his finest, and removing that scene, imo, nullifies any attempt to try an put focus on Dooku, because I really enjoyed you're restructured opening. Also, I'm not sure if it was the choices you made with this edit or because I really like L8's take, but I didn't enjoy Yoda's lightsaber duel as much as I did.

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, but some there was too much that rubbed me the wrong way.

UPDATED REVIEW:

I re-watched Seciors' Star Wars Episode II - Army of the Republic, and it's definitely one of the better and more creative AOTC edits on the site. Some scenes that are unneeded and a little dialogue that I would have removed are still present, but the editor has explained his reasons for keeping them and I'm cool with it.

Audio/Video Quality - Outstanding dude! One of the greatest things about this edit! 10/10

Visual Editing - The video editing is excellent! There were however some minor cuts that were a little obvious, but they are barely noticeable. 9/10

Audio Editing - Like Return of the Sith, there are a few audio crossfades that could use a little more work, but again it didn't hamper my enjoyment of the edit. Dooku's new line at the beginning was a bit obvious, but upon my second viewing it was less noticeable. Overall everyone sounded great! 8/10

Narrative - Seciors is a fantastic storyteller, but a few things about this edit bugged me initially. The Yoda lightsaber fight is still here, but the editor has made more tolerable. It now seems like Yoda is fighting in self defense. Both of the Jango Fett actions scenes with Obi-Wan are also present, and both are too cartoonish and useless to watch. Seciors has stated he liked the scenes, and I respect that. Seciors' editing of the Anaking and Padme romance is hands down the best I've ever seen. Brilliant! The subplot about Anakin's mother is perfectly rearranged for a more powerful sequence of events, and I loved the added Imperial March music. Finally, Anakin is no longer a creepy monster! Jango Fett is no longer decapitated by Mace Windu, and it is assumed that he trains Boba to be a bounty hunter before the events of the original trilogy. The removal of that Sifo Dyas guy works well, and Army of the Republic is generally less convoluted than the original film. 10/10

Enjoyment - I hate this goddamned film to death, and no matter what no editor can fix it (Unless the entire community bands together and edits the film as a group). This was a valiant effort by Seciors to make it a better film, and like I said it is a great edit in the same league as L8wrtr's and Q2's edits. 8/10