Star Wars Episode III Reviewed

Movies Reviews

By Hetfool May 19, 2005, 1:09 GMT

Essentially Sith is a vast improvement on the previous two films featuring far better dialogue, more natural character moments, and more fitting action. It is unique amongst Star Wars films for its seriousness, complexities, and the minor yet graphic violence. Lucas has crafted a reasonable end to what has so far been a mediocre saga, in that sense the film is an enjoyable, better than average popcorn flick.The tragedy of it is however the dire sub-plots that consume a story starving for air, distracting the film's purpose by creating the stilted exposition that disappointingly drive the film to its dark conclusion. Ultimately highlighting the many design flaws present since The Phantom Menace such as the lack of a consistent bad guy, or dramatic drive for our main characters.But even if the characters had clearer motivation, there is little time devoted in Sith for any character to build a rapport with the audience. Much of the film is spent on elaborate effects, shifting many of the more personal confrontations into the realm of visual ecstasy where the prevalent theory is the more amazing the better. Amongst the computer generated optical bombardment the story and drama of the event is simply lost. I yearn for more of the spectacular yet believable theatrical moments such as the speeder chase in Return of the Jedi, something last seen in any form in the Pod race from Menace.The film does have its moments with much improved performances from Hayden Christiansen and Natalie Portman, who actually manage to conjure some real romantic spark in their limited time together. Despite his many flaws, It's clear Hayden is much more comfortable dabbling in the fear and anger of the darker side of Anakin. Ewen McGregor and Ian McDiarmid still remain the stand-outs of the trilogy, seemingly the only two actors who had some real fun with their roles. While the casting of Samuel L. Jackson, and the host of computer generated characters like the films bad guy General Grievous, will always seem poorly planned if not a little random.

Which brings us to the moment of truth; did Lucas nail the purpose of this trilogy? Was the descent of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader all that we had hoped? In the end, it is really a question of perception, but for this reviewer, the cause of Anakin’s betrayal was weak and feebly constructed. The ground-work is there, and you can actually sense the impending doom of Anakin's fate, the potential for a great dramatic event is bubbling under the surface. But, the moment is wasted as Anakin is forced to make his choice. It is disturbingly lame to see Anakin regret everything he has become, and then suddenly surrender to the will of the Emperor in the same breath, without even an irrational reasoning. To then march off and willingly slaughter the innocent, while still believing he is defending the Republic, is probably the most disappointing part of the film.There is some redemption for the much anticipated turn to the dark side however, when Anakin and Obi-wan face off in the inevitable duel reprised in A New Hope. While still over-done with computer assisted effects, the battle is a much more satisying conclusion to Anakin's journey. Despite Christiansen spoiling his own role with overly dramatic and operatic anger, the climax is without a doubt the highlight of all the prequals.It’s in these last moments of the film that the new trilogy finds itself closest to capturing some of the feeling of the original. The design in these last few scenes ties in nicely the imagery a generation gew up with. However, Lucas couldn't resist, and there is one thing that cannot go unsaid! The awakening of Darth Vadar, complete in his jet black suit was perhaps the most painful scene to watch in the entire trilogy. To see the powerful Lord Vadar echo the wimpy brat that Anakin had been in the previous two films, all the while moving with the grace of a two year old at a costume party was horribly disturbing!It is for those reasons Revenge of the Sith is an enigma, failing to answer some of the questions the saga has posed, and making a mockery of Lucas' own mythology, while at the same time bringing a conclusion to many things and establishing a logical link to the original trilogy. It’s in that analysis that this film will probably forever remain stationary, a film that achieves quite a lot, but leaves too much under done or more importantly too juvenile.For many it will be a film that has achieved, a landmark conclusion to the Star Wars saga. Time however, is usually not as kind, nor is this reviewer.

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spelling lady sayMay 19th, 2005 - 02:21:53

repour?

did you mean 'rapport'

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kazMay 19th, 2005 - 02:37:28

yes I noticed that spelling mistake also

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HetfoolMay 19th, 2005 - 03:12:37

Thanks guys - error corrected ... This is what happens when you go to the midnight screening and don't sleep much before you start to write!

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Anthony PearsonMay 19th, 2005 - 03:18:32

I just got back from midnight showing, the film is truely amazing.

I am totally stoked by how truely amazing Revenge of the Sith is. Easily the best of the prequels, and is arguably the greatest star wars movie of the them all.

Emotions fly, the first half establishes the film, all seems good until the second half. Anikans turn the darkside and the jedi massacare plus loads of things in the film are emotional power trips. Its very early in the morning 4am now, so i will end with not many spoilers other than this is what i think could be the best star wars films ever.

A great trip and adventure has come full circle and the concluding film is not only one of the best star wars films, but in my opinion one of the greatest films in decades.

Anthony

P.S Goodbye star wars, ive enjoyed the ride

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Luna LovegoodMay 19th, 2005 - 15:45:09

'It seems disturbingly lame for Anakin to literally one moment realise the folly in his way, and then surrender to the will of the Emperor in the same breath, without even an irrational reasoning'

You watched the film, and didn't realize what his reasons were. ??

Most fears are irrational, and Anakin was convinced that there was only one way to end his fears, no matter how irrational and foolish his decisions were. He, in the end pays for his mistakes.

There are so many statements in this review that I totally disagree with, but it would take too long.

The actual physical change of Anakin to Vader was devestating and heartbreaking.

My favorite scenes:
1) Purging of the Jedi
2) When Obi Wan tells Anakin 'You were my brother, I Love You'
3) When Yoda climbs on Chewie's back

I was disappointed by a few missing scenes:
1) Yoda on Dagobah
2) The creation of the Rebel Alliance
3) Still no answer as to why Leia remembers her mother. Guess I will never know.
4) I would have liked to see a little more fight in Padme in the end.

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HetfoolMay 19th, 2005 - 22:13:29

Luna - as stated in the review 'it is a matter of perception' ... But I see no reason for Anakin to transform from a divided yet essentially good Jedi into a ruthless and disturbed killer in a matter of 5 seconds as it were ... Anakin still thought he stood for the good of the Republic, yet he feels the need to slaughter children? hmmm...

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Luna_LovegoodMay 20th, 2005 - 03:27:08

Agree to disagree Hetfool, but I felt Anakin was teetering on the edge after he had the dream about Padme, and just one push and he went over. That push was the scene involving Mace Windu.

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HetfoolMay 20th, 2005 - 06:53:27

I liked that part Luna.. Just to clarify, cuz yeah we can agree to disagree - but Anakin is so distressed when he cut's off Windu's hand... and he stopped Windu to uphold the Jedi 'code' ... He is vissibly upset by what he has done, it loks like he will turn on the Emperor... Then bang - he kneels and sets off to kill people! How does enforcing the Jedi code translate into killing people?

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Luna LovegoodMay 20th, 2005 - 14:35:01

This could go on forever ;) ....but he didn't stop Windu from killing Palpatine because of the Jedi Code, he stopped him so he could get the information Palpatine promised him about Padme, which of course Palpatine just used to lure Anakin in more. Anakin says to Mace 'I need him.' After Anakin cut Mace's hand off, he realized he had gone too far, and had resigned himself to the fact that Palpatine was the only way to save Padme, which of course is untrue, but none the less believed by Anakin.

In scene were Anakin is in the Temple and Padme in her apartment, Anakin is clearly struggling with the issue of whether to go with Mace even though he was told not to. Again just one in a series of bad and wrong decisions Anakin made, this one being the final one to turn the tide.

Palpatine is a master of deception, playing everyone especially Anakin.

Next round ;)

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Luna LovegoodMay 20th, 2005 - 14:40:14

Some people I have talked to were put off by the fact that Anakin turns to Darth Vader for a reason that is basically good, to save Padme, and not by some thing else more sinister, which is fine, but that reason had been set in place by AOTC especially after Anakin looses his mother and kills the tusken raiders...and maybe shouldn't come as such of a surprise. In my opinion anyway ;)

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