Count Dooku Yoda The Most Underrated Duel? I’m starting to reach the final phase of
covering every live-action lightsaber duel in the series as of the time of writing - I’ve
covered my favourites, but what’s left? Something’s got to come last, even if the
entry is an admirable effort. But before I make a video on the worst lightsaber duel…
What's the battle I don’t think gets a fair shake? What’s the dark horse of the franchise?
The prequel trilogy has by far the most duels, and the most varied key components - featuring
a whole host of different Jedi and Sith with all kinds of different lightsaber specialisations
across a range of varied locales. I’ve of course already covered the main duel of Episode
I - which is still fantastic - and marked a sharp change in direction to a more frenzied,
energetic kind of lightsaber fight. That’s picked up again in Attack of the Clones, although
the real lightsaber highlights of that movie can be found in the non saber-to-saber combat;
seeing Obi Wan go up against Jango Fett, or Fett vs Windu or just seeing an army of Jedi
cut through a barrage of battle droids is where the meat of the action lies. That being
said, the late-great Christopher Lee’s Count Dooku was an inspired addition to the series.
His articulate, seemingly more reasonable and less obviously evil from a mile away persona
brought some much needed eloquence to the dark side, and this was reflected in the duel
with Obi Wan and Anakin at the end of the movie.
This duel often comes down on the low side of top ten lists, and I've seen numerous comments
explaining that it’s underwhelming.Ever since I saw this fight in 2002, from conversation
with friends to online consensus, it seems the Duel of Geonosis is overlooked. It would
have been nigh-on impossible to top the ridiculously epic Duel of the Fates (depending on who you
ask... it still is) so Lucas didn’t try to. Just about everything that worked about
the final battle of the Phantom Menace is inverted here, and whilst no - it would be
silly to even contemplate this duel standing up to the other famous efforts across the
saga - it’s far better than what the general consensus would have you believe. This duel
tries new things and highlights Lucas’ strengths as a director, managing to convey characterisation
and motivation in actions far better than he does with his oft-ridiculed dialogue. And
of course, who can forget the lightsaber-weilding debut of a certain little green friend…
Could the Duel of Geonosis be the most underrated Duel?
Anakin and Obi Wan chase down Dooku and just about manage to get into his lair before being
blasted into oblivion. [Clip] Those poor clones. Right off the bat I’ve got to say I dig
the decision to give Anakin a green lightsaber in this finale. His Jedi days are synonymous
with that trademark glowing blue, it’s a nice novelty to see him paired with a different
colour. It also provides a neat little parallel to his future son’s journey to becoming
a full fledged Jedi Knight. For Luke, the green symbolises that he has earned an impressive
level of proficiency; for Anakin, the green saber represents a time where he is inexperienced,
emotional and ineffective. [Clip] I think Anakin believes this is what he’s fighting
for, and indeed he does care about his fellow Jedi, but much of his rage in this moment
is fuelled by losing Padme. [Clip] Across the film Anakin’s rage and power has been
building, punctuated by his revenge upon the Tusken Raiders for the murder of his mother
in the movie’s best scene. So too has his love for Padme blossomed, but it has given
way to a whole host of other emotions troublesome for any Jedi. He wants what he cannot have,
a secret he cannot possibly keep forever, he’s frustrated that he seemingly cannot
bring these things under his control. Now Padme’s fate is up in the air - he does
not know whether she is alive or dead, safe or captured - and all of that mystery and
tension manifests against Dooku. [Clip] Right here, I could show you this clip out of context
and you totally get the gist of Anakin and Obi Wan’s relationship. It’s told in the
action of the scene. Contrast this with the beginning of the Duel of the Fates; Qui Gon
Jinn and Obi-Wan move on Maul as one, they’re a perfect team - neither tries to take centre
stage - they take on their Sith aggressor at the same time and it is their opponent
that splits them up to win. In Clones, Dooku only has to sit back and watch as the student
tries to play master. We know that Anakin is short-tempered, that he fails to listen,
and that the communication and honesty between the two is rocky. We get that in the action
without half the crummy dialogue from the rest of the movie. [Clip] It’s a pity Lucas
didn’t define their Clones relationship in moments like this more; he shows a much
better grasp of this in Revenge, the dynamic defined before the pair even touch boots on
the ground. Anakin still has a tendency to leap without looking but it’s guided by
a love and need to protect his mentor; equally Obi appears to have a better understanding
of his old student, knowing Anakin is only trying to help. How far they’ve come since
the start of the Clone Wars. [Clip]
Obi Wan is already a man down; taking on the mighty Count Dooku would have been a tough
job with two Jedi but now the odds are stacked against him twofold. Does that stop Kenobi?
Of course not. [Clip] I’ve always loved Kenobi for the same reason I like Cap; he’s
not as weak as a Hawkeye but he’s not as powerful as a Thor. He’s an accomplished
Jedi Master and certainly powerful, but his potential pales in comparison to Jedi like
Yoda, Mace Windu and of course, the chosen one. Like Cap, he constantly throws himself
into situations where the odds are against him, he’s outmatched or outnumbered, sometimes
both, [Clip] and yet he never lets it stop him dropping a quip and kicking some ass.
Oftentimes it is Kenobi’s level head and ingenuity that win the day; he’s one of
the most effective and consistent victors in Jedi history, yet he’s not overpowered
or lucky. [Clip] Still, even Cap loses a fist fight every once in a while. [Clip]
[Clip] Anakin Skywalker is back baby! [Clip] I’m sorry, I’m gonna need a minute…
Akimbo lightsabers?! Are you kidding me? At one point in the development of this duel
Dooku was set to wield two lightsabers in his battle against *ahem*; man, I wish some
proper footage of this existed, just to see it. Dooku wielding two lightsabers. Just saying
it is making me pee a little. Whilst this would have been very cool to see I think it
works better that Anakin is the one to do it in the scene; it makes sense that he would
try to step up the game in the fight against Dooku, not to mention it once again signifies
his relationship with Obi Wan; in spite of being wounded on the ground, Obi Wan can still
lend a helping hand - when the pair work together it’s a thing of beauty. Also Dooku is the
goliath to Anakin’s David here; he shouldn’t need two lightsabers - he’s doing mighty
fine with just the one.
Dooku’s elegant and precise saber strikes, usually performed one-handed, sells the audience
on his master status. The Jedi are quick, erratic, guttural; Dooku
treats it like a training session. [Clip] I got some flack from you guys last year for
criticising the frequent lightsaber redesigns throughout the series; a move I felt was gimmicky
and driven by the commercial nature of
the property rather than to necessarily fulfill the story. Well, that’s
still true. But in the case of Dooku, it should be noted that the decision was spearheaded
by Lee himself based on initial concept art. He suggested the curved hilt to reflect his
sword fighting experience, but also learnt a whole host of new styles. At 79. Christopher
Lee ladies and gentlemen.
The pace of this fight is really dictated by Christopher Lee’s capabilities at the
time. Ray Park was a young man and a skilled martial artist and acrobat at the time of
filming The Phantom Menace; he was actually cast from the test footage that featured him
as Nick Gillard’s stunt performer. That role was directly driven by physicality. Dooku
only truly took shape only after Chirstopher Lee was cast, no doubt due to his reputation
as a hammer horror staple. It was clear from the start that his duels wouldn’t be anything
like the previous effort out of necessity. Like c’mon, the guy was 79 at the time.
79! Can you imagine looking this trim at 79? Hell, why can’t I look this awesome now?
And even at that, I think it’s great that Lucas and the team tried to give Dooku some
athletic prowess using a combination of stunt performers and CGI. And look, I’m not going
to sit here and say some of it isn’t pretty wonky in the final cut; they don’t quite
composite all the different performances into one cohesive Dooku - yep, that’s clearly
not Christopher Lee - but I admire the challenges they took on to try and get this to work.
In a time where we have our Gemini Mans and Baby Faced Hank Pyms, you can literally take
down the playing age of your lead by decades - compositing Christopher Lee’s face with
the body of stunt performer Kyle Rowling wouldn’t be quite the gargantuan task it might have
been then. Dooku is a product of the time, and I wouldn’t change a thing because it
meant we got the character with all of Christopher Lee’s wonderful touches; Maul is silent
for the entirety of his fight, but Dooku is bolstered by the rich, sophisticated tones
of Lee. [Clip]
And honestly I like the speed at which this duel one plays out; Obi Wan isn’t fueled
by the need to avenge his master’s death - he’s taking more time between blows, sizing
up his opponent from a more defensive position. Anakin suitably shifts the pace up a notch,
but even that is met with a cooler, more moody final turn in the shadows. [Clip] Dooku and
Anakin lit only by the awesome glow of their own sabers are two fantastic images. Because
Lucas relies on the cuts rather than CGI to composite Lee and Rowling, the result is far
more convincing. Once again, character is revealed; Anakin has tempered his emotions,
tapping back into his Jedi nature - he’s tactically playing this more like Obi Wan.
[Clip] The only drawback to this bit is it does look like the actors are just spinning
their sabers in places. [Clip] The fight continues and ramps up in energy but Dooku makes short
work of the would-be Vader. [Clip] Okay so this does seem… very… blockable… Anakin
just kinda stands there and waits for Dooku to spin round on the spot and cut his guard
down. The original moment this plays credence to was a lot faster and more intense. [Clip]
But still, after a trilogy with not a single lightsaber-lopped-off appendage in any duel,
you yearn for something as savage as this. Dismemberment is a key part of Star Wars action.
I still remember seeing this as a kid and being horrified. Dooku might make efforts
to spare his opponents, but he doesn’t play either. This is an important moment for Anakin,
and the first time he has ever really failed a physical test. He won the Boonta Eve and
destroyed the droid ship by the end of Menace, but here he’s de-limbed and sent flying
across the room. He needs to eat some humble pie if he’s going to begin the tough journey
from padawan to knight. This shot is also key; Dooku is exhausted - after all that boasting
to Obi Wan Kenobi, it was the padawan that gave him a run for his money. This is an omen
of things to come… The final decision to spare Anakin and Obi Wan indicates he still
has that Jedi heart lingering inside him; also poignant that Count Dooku avoids another
savage execution like that of his beloved apprentice. [Clip] This duel works as a sort
of “second act” for Dooku in the prequel trilogy. If the first is the murder of Qui
Gon, an event that drives him away from the order, the second Dooku’s mercy, he’s
turned to the Sith but some of the Jedi still linger, the third is Dooku’s bloodthirsty
downfall. [Clip] When Dooku is comfortably more powerful than Skywalker, he spares them
both. When Skywalker has proven his potential to become the most powerful force sensitive
in the galaxy, Dooku’s insecurity fuels his arrogance and anger. [Clip] Dooku is notably
more aggressive and enthusiastic in his second bout against his Sith successor, probably
because he knew that the day would come where Skywalker would best him.
So yeah, I can see why this fight is disappointing. It’s over relatively quickly and after 3
years of lying in wait for another Duel of the Fates it’s a sore spot to be denied
it. But in concept it’s not trying to give the audience the same visceral thrills. The
Duel of the Fates is Maul’s first true test; he’s a hungry young Sith eager to make his
mark - similarly Obi Wan must prove his mettle and show he’s more than just your average
padawan. Our antagonist in this fight is at the end of his career, not the beginning;
he’s done this rodeo a thousand times already - he knows all the ticks, all the tricks - and
he knows how to get things over and done with. In the second act of a trilogy, we want to
see our heroes get messed up a little. They need to lose to see what they must overcome.
This fight is really no different to the fight at the end of Empire; Luke spends most of
his time getting his ass handed to him in that one too. Of course, this fight doesn’t
have anywhere near the emotional punch to make it so memorable - but how many lightsaber
duels do? Ending the fight with the greatest twist in cinema history is a tough act to
follow in the second film of your next trilogy.
So instead of “I am your father” what do we get for pudding in Attack of the Clones?
[Clip] So this minty-aero, count-chocula-flavoured dessert - had been a long time coming. We
get to see Yoda wield a lightsaber - and 2002 technical restraints aside, it’s a great
fight. I will happily defend this - like yeah, it’s goofy - you know what else is goofy?
Yoda in general. [clip] His appearance has always been incongruent to his persona as
a wise and powerful Jedi master. People often complain about it because it seemingly makes
no sense that he could hop around and then use a walking stick to hobble around moments
later - but I feel like that’s exactly the point. It’s no coincidence that the same
entry in the franchise introduced the late-great Christopher Lee as a highly capable combatant
and force wielder. I’m not sure if this is touched upon in any wider canon, you’ll
have to let me know, but I always assumed that as your body gets older and more decrepit
your force abilities only continue to grow unhampered by physical limitations. [clip]
That’s why everyone who’s old is infinitely more powerful - Yoda and Count Dooku aren’t
going to run a marathon, but they’ve honed their connection to the force so well that
they can channel it to perform incredible feats of endurance and agility. Hence, one
moment a cane, the next [clip] And it’s because of this that I would love to see old
Kenobi face Dooku - just to see how that kind of match up would go.
“To be very honest with you, I was scared to death of this sequence and how we were
going to pull this off,” “This was the biggest risk in the whole movie. Could I make
this realistic enough to make it believable, or would it be this ludicrous joke.”It’s
easy to
see why. Even the team at ILM were worried by the first draft of the shooting script,
which saw Yoda drawing his blade as soon as he entered the hangar. Animation director
Rob Coleman stated it took months of talking with George in an effort to make it feel believable.
“We felt if we got into the fight too quickly the audience would not be able to travel that
distance from Yoda being an 800-year-old character to be able to go around with such speed and
be nimble.” The solution was to create what the team dubbed The Wizard’s Battle, a stunning
vfx display of force powers that would bridge the gap between the hobbling Yoda we know
and love to the acrobatic duelist we were about to discover. The sound design is wicked
too. [Clip] I wish we’d gotten more of this not only in the prequels but in the entire
saga. Older, master characters strong with the force would surely rely more and more
upon their mastery of telekinesis and offensive strikes like lightning. I always thought Kylo
didn’t set down upon the resistance ship after destroying the hangar because Leia’s
force abilities were on this level and she would have just halted any force user like
Snoke could do to Rey. It fits in with Leia’s image as the matriarch of the resistance;
a powerful governing force user over a military body that doesn’t engage at ground level
- balance. [Clip] The pair duel to a stalemate and Dooku wager’s Obi and Ani’s lives
to get Yoda off his tail. Yoda, of course, saves the pair - I love the way the animators
gave him this pleased little expression as he lets the steel go. [Clip] Aww, tuckered
out baby Yoda energy.
All in all, I think Lucas and the team from the stunt performers to ILM and more should
be proud of the work that was accomplished here even if some of it doesn’t quite stick
the landing. Sure there’s cooler battles out there, but this one features some defining
moments for all the key characters and sets the stage for so much more. If you want to
see an explosive duel between two force masters, lightning clashing with sabers, akimbooooo
sabers and the awesome sinister tone of Christopher Lee, not to mention witness the discovery
that Frank Oz is a badass. [Clip] Then this duel is for you. I’m thankful we got Count
Dooku and I think his history of being in the Jedi Order makes for a very engrossing
character. Part of which I’m going to detail in next week’s video… [The Three Faces
of Vader…]