Anthony Daniels (1) (1946–)

Anthony Daniels was never meant to be a sci-fi star. Surprise, surprise. Much like his neurotic, gold-plated robot counterpart C-3P0– whom the actor would portray in nine Star Wars films, and countless spin-offs – he was a victim (and beneficiary) of circumstance. In his new memoir, I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story, which is out now, Daniels recounts his life and career in a galaxy far, far away.

This book is not quite a narrative, more of notes and remembrances strung together in a vaguely chronological way. From his first meeting with George Lucas to the last wrap of the last scene in the Rise of Skywalker, we get a real feel for what it was like to work with the other actors, in exotic settings and back lot stages.

I Am C-3P0 is packed with anecdotes and bits of SW trivia, but I suspect that this new memoir is one only die hard fans should read. It's often disjointed, reading more like journal entries and the endearing musings of a messy brain, which can be annoying but for this reader worked just fine.

It will indeed be sad to say goodbye to C-3P0 this December.… (más)

3.5-ish stars.

Anthony Daniels has a million grievances, and he's happy to share them, while never failing to add a passive aggressive "I was just happy to be there."

The (sometimes petty) grievances weren't a surprise though. Anyone who's heard Daniels speak about his experiences with Threepio for the last 45 years should know by now that that's just who he is.

I was surprised by some of the inaccuracies in the book however, mainly relating to when certain events happened in relation to other events. While Daniels often jump around in time, connecting anecdotes and stories across decades as they relate to a certain topic, he also seems to misremember, or at least misrepresent, when certain things happened. Strange that nobody bothered to check these facts, I think.… (más)

This is a fun "inside look" into Daniels' C-3PO from the Star Wars movies, and as that it was a good listen. (It was also amazing to hear him say not only his own lines in character, but to mimic other actors—and directors—when he retold conversations they'd had with him over the course of the saga.) However, I had initially thought I would learn more about Daniels outside of 3PO also, but that's not what this book is. This is not a biography of Anthony Daniels; this is his experience with the Star Wars saga.… (más)