There seems to be a massive disjunct in the philosophy of film-making in Lucas's work, which is best exemplified by the differences between the original Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies, and their latter-day counterparts. While I honestly don't think the first Star Wars film has stood the test of time at all well, it's obvious from every frame of it that they worked fucking hard. They really bled for it. There was a concept, and they had to work to realise it, even when that was difficult. Even when that involved making personal sacrifices, like hiring another - better - director for Empire Strikes Back, because you knew that was what was good for the project.
Fast forward twenty years, and Lucas seems to have lost his bullshit filter. Or at least his standards. I don't know if that's because he's been George "Star Wars" Lucas for so long that he just doesn't get meaningful criticism from those around him anymore, or what. But his approach seems almost to be to have an idea, to point technology at it, and then call it a wrap. At least when you're really there, sweating in a swamp, it makes you seriously consider if the idea is worth it.
