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Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith
We are at a turning point in history, the completion of the Star Wars storyline. Even if you aren't a fan of the films you must be aware of the impact these films have made on pop culture and on movies in general. Few other film series resonate with so many people, few other villains are as iconic as Darth Vader. This sixth film, the third in the series was to complete the story and fill fans in on the history of this universe. It was an amazing night Wednesday night when we lined up for the midnight screening. The crowd was electric with anticipation. We had bought our tickets in advance but we had to line up early so that our group would be guaranteed to sit together. Even if that weren't a concern it would have still been worth being there. These were the diehard fans, the ones that still had faith that Lucas could do his story justice and that he could end it on a high note. I hadn't done a midnight screening of anything since the re-release of the first Star Wars movie but I am glad we braved this one.
There was understandable concern as the first two prequels weren't all that they could have been. They abandoned the space opera feel of the first three films and replaced it with a convoluted story of political dealings on a galactic scale. I enjoyed Episode I and II but I felt the story that everyone wanted to see was just dangled in front of us. We wanted to see Anakin get into the dark side and turn into Vader, we wanted to see what happened with his twin children, and we wanted to see what would become of the Jedi. We didn't want to see all of this unnecessary political stuff and we didn't want all the campy G rated humor intended for kids. The hardcore fan that makes up the most dedicated of Star Wars supporter are fans of the Empire Strikes Back adult storytelling, and that's what we hoped for in Episode III.
If you consider these bits of information spoilers then you really have been living in a cave to an impressive degree. If that's the case then I highly recommend you stop reading here and go pick up the original trilogy and the most recent two films and settle in for a long weekend. Also, for those who want to know nothing of the story, skip to the last paragraph, there may actually be a few spoilers. For the rest of us, I'll continue...
Episode III puts finality to the question: What would it take for one man to take over an entire galaxy? Would it take bloodshed, definitely. But how would one man put together the force to take over an entire galaxy? This would have to be not only the most evil villain ever but the most brilliant one. The best character, and the most complex of these three prequels Senator Palpatine/Darth Sidius/The Emperor played by Ian McDiarmid reveals the plan that we've all known about for almost thirty years to the rest of the galaxy in this film. Palpatine asks Anakin to be his official representative on the Jedi Council. The Council, not trusting Palpatine reluctantly agrees but refuses to grant Anakin the rank of Master. They in turn ask Anakin to spy on Palpatine and report his dealings to them.
At the same time Anakin discovers that Padme is now pregnant with his child, or children. She never specifies how many she is having to him. Palpatine knows everything about Anakin, how he is treated by the Jedi, about his past, and about Padme. He uses this information against Anakin convincing him that the true power of the Jedi lies on the Dark Side and that he will always be held back by his mentor Obi Wan. After finally bringing Anakin over to his side Palpatine begins his end game, and it's the darkest most devastating event in the history of the Star Wars universe. While this film does feature the occasional one liner, for the most part it's satisfyingly dark and powerful.
I complained in previous installments that the suspense wasn't there because we new the future of the characters. We had no concern that Anakin of Obi Wan would die in Episode I or II because we knew they had much more to do. In this film as much as we know about what happens to the Jedi and other characters in the story it was no less suspenseful and at times devastatingly powerful. I also found the final moments of the film quite moving, a major surprise considering the lack of emotion in the first two films.
Episode III brings the story from all six films full circle. Obi Wan warned Anakin away from falling in love with Padme telling him that this is not allowed in the Jedi order and can be a Jedi's downfall. Obi Wan as amazing as he is, is the symbol for what has become of the Jedi. He doesn't live by his own advice and he and the rest of the Jedi eventually pay for it. In the beginning he was so desperate to believe that Anakin was "the one" and he would continue Anakin's training out of love and respect for his own mentor who was killed in Episode I. The Jedi had also come to think of themselves as the center of the galaxy and the ones that everyone should look to for guidance. They believed so strongly that they knew what was right that they would ask Anakin to break laws on their behalf and indirectly be responsible for pushing him over to the Dark Side. The Jedi fell victim to their own egos. Many are saying that this movie is political, but I believe it has a lot more to say about organized religion and its influence on government than being political as far as what's happening today. These themes are strong in this film and in all the films over the course of the past thirty years. Anyone who tries to say that Darth Vader in this film is in some way connected with George Bush is short sighted and gives disrespect to this series of films that was around way before George Bush.
This film probably features more action sequences than all the other five films. Considering the length of the film it clicks along at a feverish pitch. I felt the first two films, especially the first, drug a bit. Not this time, the film was actually over before I was ready for it too be and that's how it should have ended. I immediately wanted to go home and watch the other films. There are some great light saber battles here but I have to admit that they aren't as personal as those in the first films. One of the best ever has to be the battle between Vader and Skywalker in Empire Strikes Back followed closely by their battle in Return of the Jedi. What made these battles great was the character dialogue between swings, the way Vader attempted to manipulate Luke and the way he fought back. There is one exception though, the final battle between Anakin and Obi Wan is not only a visual masterpiece but emotionally powerful as well. Other light saber battles in the film are also gorgeous and fun but they don't hit the emotional notes that I would have expected.
There are many great character moments but they are played out in the classic space opera feel that made the original films classic. Dialogue is still stiff and features very little flare and as in all the films there are a number of story inconsistencies here and there. It's funny to hear critics complain about this, especially the fanboys. The problem is that Lucas could never have made films that live up to the place where fans have placed the original films. If we look at the original films fairly we can remember that like Hayden Christiansen in the prequels Mark Hamill wasn't very good in the first two films. He finally began to improve in the third film. Hayden is better in Episode II but Ewan McGregor acts rings around him as Harrison Ford did to Hamill in the original films. Natale Portman is very good in Episode III considering how little she was allowed to do. She's no Carrie Fisher, but she never had the chance to be. So, what I'm saying is that the flaws that have been a constant in the Star Wars universe are still strong here. But what is gone is the convoluted politics and the lame side characters that infected the first two films.
My instinct here is to answer some of the specific questions raised by other critics but I won't do that. I don't defend movies, I review them. I feel like I want to defend Episode III because I was so surprised at the closing credits that I like this movie as much as I do. I grew up on the original trilogy and I wanted that feeling back that I got the first time I saw Empire Strikes Back, and I actually got it here. As much as the Star Wars universe has become a part of pop culture so has ridiculing it. Many fanboys, especially die hard Star Trek fans, ( I like Star Trek too damn it, at least the even ones up to eight) and critics are having trouble getting away from a place that we've all been since the disappointment of Episode I. All I'll say is this: let go of any preconceived notions, watch the movie, and tell me you weren't moved when you see Uncle Owen on Tatooine in that very recognizable pose at the end of Episode III. Also tell me you didn't think Yoda's last moments with Obi Wan weren't awesome. Yoda is the most badass Jedi of them all! These are only a few of the great, subtle moments found throughout Episode III that make it stand high above its predecessors and among the classic original trilogy.
The action is epic and unrelenting, the sets and CGI are the most beautiful and realistic of any film to date, and the story is gripping. Rivet counters and fanboys may find things to hate about this film, but I believe in a few years they'll look back fondly and realize that this is a film for the fans and that it actually takes the series out on a high note. Episode III stands up to the original series where the first two prequels did not. This film may in fact verge on Empire Strikes Back territory! I find myself feeling a bit sad that it's all over but I'm happy it went out so strong. I can't wait to watch all of these films and be swept into this universe over and over again for years to come.
9/10
My ratings for the previous Star Wars prequels: Episode I The Phantom Menace 6.5/10 Episode II Attack of the Clones 7.5/10
My ratings for the original trilogy: Star Wars 9/10 Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back 10/10 Star Wars Return of the Jedi 9/10
Share your thoughts with me on Star Wars Episode III here
-Stephen Lackey |
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Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the SithDirected by George Lucas Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christiansen, Frank Oz
Review: 9/10
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