Movies Columns
The Unseen Movie Review: Revenge of the Sith
By Robert Dixter
May 18, 2005, 19:12 GMT

A job, a wife, a baby and no free time.  I haven’t seen the films but based on what I’ve heard and know, we’ll see if the movie is worth it.  It’s the UNSEEN MOVIE REVIEW

George Lucas has finally done it right.  I know usually I whine on about films I have not seen but I was lucky enough to get an advance screening of “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith”, and I’m happy to say it is good.  It is very good.  Getting the third one right is a lot like dating a virgin.  Sure you could give up after the first two tries, but if you stick it out that third pay off might well be worth it.  Star Wars usually has two groups of people who see the films.  There are the hardcore fans, some of whom dress up and roll their hair into bagels and then there are the curious.  Most people fall into the latter category.  If everyone is talking about the movie there must be something to it.  Kind of like those new male body sprays.  I don’t know if they really attract the opposite sex that well but everyone seems to be talking about them and stray dogs follow me home when I use it.  This explains why Episode 1 made over $400 million domestic box office.  When the moviegoers felt like they had been kicked in the stomach with clown shoes by Jake Lloyd and Jar Jar Binks they shunned Episode 2 which only brought in $300 million.

Why then are the faithful still on board?  Even the hardcore fans can acknowledge the disappointment in Episode 1 and the kiddie story that brought us young Anakin.  That whole movie reminded me of a birthday party at McDonalds but with better effects.  So why show up for Episode 2?  And even more important why bother with Episode 3?  Because of the potential.  There is no ceiling to Star Wars movies.  If George does it right the sky is the limit.  Remember the feeling you had when you first saw Episode 4?  Remember thinking how you had never seen any thing like that before?  Remember walking out of Episode 5 and being blown away that Darth Vader was really Luke’s dad?  Remember peeing your pants in kindergarten because Mikey P. called you a baby?  You get the point.  No one had ever created a film with such a complex idea behind it.  Imagine trying to explain what a Jedi, the Force and lightsabers are to people from another planet.  Then again they might have a better understanding than us.  This is why expectations are so high.  Think about other movies, specifically summer blockbusters that are as hyped as Star Wars films.  Do you have such high expectations for a Michael Bay film?  Usually you leave these movies saying they were alright, worth the price of admission, but you wouldn’t see them again.  Kind of like a Sweet Sixteen party with a guy you don’t really like but seem cool making out with.  But with Star Wars you expect greatness before even sitting down in your seat and even more important is that sometimes they are able to deliver.

I’m happy to say that this film is non stop action, tons of lightsabers, great fights and real Star wars moments.  George, you managed to redeem yourself in the face of this fan and I’m sure many others will agree with me.  Episode 3 gave me a feeling at the movies that I haven’t felt since watching those speeders take off through the forests on Endor.