You use the term "more explored," several times. This is the problem with the prequels, nothing of any emotional weight is ever explored. As a result, Anakin's fall from the light side is nowhere near believable. He goes from being a Jedi to killing padawans in a matter of minutes. That's just fucked up and completely unbelievable. There is so much wrong with the prequels that it's actually more constructive to talk about the things that are good about them. Ewan Mcgregor is great as young Obi Wan. Perhaps the only bit of good casting in the entire thing. Literally, every other casting, with the exception of Christopher Lee is awful. Granted, that's primarily because their dialog is contrived and the story lines are terrible and there aren't real sets and.... Oh wait, I was supposed to talk about the good aspects. Yeah, Ewan McGregor is a good actor. But he was still made to do this: Unforgivable.
I want you to think about one thing for just a minute: Frickin' Matilda from The Professional is in this film. Jules from Pulp Fiction is in this film. What you're seeing as "awful" casting is awful directing. How at sea do you think Natalie Portman has to be to deliver a performance like that? You think the chick from Black Swan couldn't be Leia's mom? I think there wasn't any clear direction giving anyone in the entire series anything to hang their hats on.
Maybe a good actor can find their way even without direction, a good script, real sets or chemistry with cgi? -okay, you're right. Seriously, you are. Portman is a great actress and she probably could have been great with the right material and guidance. That said, I thought Sam Jackson, an actor I admire in other works was clearly a wrong choice. There are others too -Jimmy Smits etc. But your point isn't lost in me.
Completely agree. 100%. I was trying to find something redeeming and landed on Ewan Mcregor, who I thought did the best with the least, of anyone. Then my train of thought went to casting but you are right, it's at the bottom of a long list of failings.
I actually really enjoy watching episode III purely for Ewan. His acting, even with abysmal dialogue, is absolutely impeccable. He did everything so well, and made the scene where he ends Anakin truly compelling. Everything else though, ESPECIALLY Hayden in that scene, is... I don't have an adjective to combine frustrating, disappointing, and nauseating.
Ewan's dedication is amazing. He committed, despite the shit dialog. The guy is impressive imo. As far as Anakin goes, Lucas LITERALLY relegated the greatest villain in cinema history to the greatest cliche in cinema history.