Post by shinnickneth on Jun 9, 2017 2:34:04 GMT
TFA had similar shots and the acting in those was fine.
I think it's more a combination of a) Lucas's directing, and b) many people really disagreed with the way Lucas wanted to portray the character of Anakin.
In terms of Lucas' way of directing with the PT vs. OT, I think he was less controlling with the actors during the filming of the PT. Here is an interview with Bai Ling who had a bit (cut) part in Episode 3:
www.cnet.com/news/star-wars-bai-ling-revenge-of-the-sith-playboy/
She basically says that she was given free reign on what she could do in her scene(s). This was not the Lucas that was involved with the OT. He was much more controlling - even going as far as to famously demand Carrie Fisher to not wear underwear during the filming of Episode 4.
I think giving the actors free reign during the PT wasn't the best method considering that almost everything was done against an artificial environment. I think he should have been more involved and given direction to the actors. I think he would have gotten better performances if the actors had been given a clear picture of where they were/what they were doing. I agree with your assessment of Natalie Portman. Most of the time, she looked completely lost and uncomfortable in the PT.