Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (B+ or 3/4 stars)
The Saga is now finito. 'Revenge of the Sith' (directed by George Lucas) completes the 6 episodes in the Star Wars series. As someone who is not a Star Wars fanatic (though I love the Ewoks), I can say that I enjoyed the first 2 episodes of these prequels, & this one is no exception. The most cohesive conclusion I can make about my like of this film is that it links the 1st 3 episodes to the 4th (original 1977 version) very well. In fact, the last 10 min. have a very retro feel. It's almost as if George Lucas intentionally made the last scene's set & costumes have that 1977 feel to them as it links from one episode to the next. Because we already know the fate of each character in the long run, these prequels could have been dull. But even though we know that Obi-Wan survives, the Skywalker legacy continues, Anakin becomes Vader, etc., the movie is fresh & made me want to watch episodes IV-VI.
There are 3 major storylines: The Jedi are destroyed. We find out what happens to Luke & Leia's mother, Padme (Natalie Portman). And we see the transformation of young, brave Anakin (Hayden Christensen) as he becomes the hideous malice that is Darth Vader. But how & why did he turn to the dark side? The film starts with Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) & Anakin kicking some butt in fighter craft as they try to save Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from rebel General Grievous & Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). There's a great scene here where Obi & Anakin try to reach Palpatine by way of elevator shaft. Anakin saves Palpatine & is hero for the day. This still doesn't make him Jedi Master in the council. Palpatine sees potential in Anakin and wants him to spy on the Jedis; he feels they're up to no good.
Likewise, the Jedi Council feel Palpatine may be the root of evil behind the Clone Wars; they want Anakin to spy on the Chancellor. Anakin has a lot on his shoulders (plus, Padme is pregnant & in grave danger of dying in childbirth). Anakin's brooding internal struggles consume him as each frame of each scene goes by. It's hard to watch the protagonist fall to the dark side. But is he really evil? All he wants is his wife to live. Anakin agrees to help rule the galactic empire with Darth Sidious (Palpatine) with the knowledge that Sidious will teach him the way to keep Padme alive. He is anything but excited about becoming Vader. And in doing so, has risked his life, as well as former friend and mentor, Obi-Won Kenobi, not to mention life on several planets. Anakin has heavy burdens, but knowing that he could rule the galaxy isn't anything to scoff at, either.
I like the film for its beginning, middle & end. Even as a lay person in the Star Wars realm, I understand nearly everything going on, & it's paced very well. The fast moments are thrilling. The slow moments are reflective & necessary. There has been criticism that the first 40 min. are a bit slow. But I appreciate having everything set-up for me on a platter so that I could sink into each character & what their intentions are. And besides, the last 90 min. go by like gangbusters, so any dislike of the 1st half is almost forgotten. The action & intensity moved the story along -- they are part & parcel.
Acting is a weak point of the film. Natalie Portman is unimpressive. But this appears to be Lucas' problem. We know that Portman is a great actress, we saw that in Closer. He doesn't seem to know how to direct the cheesy, romantic scenes. The glaring weakness in this film is the scenes with Portman in them. It may not appear to be a huge issue. But she is the reason why Anakin becomes Vader ... so it's a big deal! As far as other acting goes, it is satisfactory for what this movie calls for. Ian McDiarmid, as Palpatine/Sidious, is particularly impressive. His vocal & physical acting commands each scene & his character is most complex.
If the dialogue is a problem, the adventure side of the film is not; it thrived. There is one scene where Obi-Wan rides a huge lizard & races on it against Gen. Grievous on his own unique form of transport. Along with the action-adventure, the special effects are well done. If these effects are not pulled off in a movie, it gets me cranky pretty easily. And while I did see some bizarre things happen on screen (where things looked freakishly unreal), for the most part, I could believe in all that I saw. The effects made my mind run wild with imagination in the Star Wars world. That is the point after all, isn't it? My favorite duel of the film is btwn. Master Yoda & Darth Sidious in the Senate. There are plenty battles to choose from; Anakin and Obi-Wan vs. Dooku ... Separatists vs. Jedi ... Sidious vs. Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) ... & the climax, Anakin vs. Obi-Wan on the lava planet, etc.
Creating these prequels has been a huge accomplishment for George Lucas. His vision is unique & he really pulled off this trilogy for Star Wars fanatics, and lay people. Technically speaking, the films are gorgeous to watch & provide great entertainment; even if they aren't perfect from beginning to end. It is sad that we do not have another 'a long time ago, in a galaxy far away ...' to look forward to.
There are 3 major storylines: The Jedi are destroyed. We find out what happens to Luke & Leia's mother, Padme (Natalie Portman). And we see the transformation of young, brave Anakin (Hayden Christensen) as he becomes the hideous malice that is Darth Vader. But how & why did he turn to the dark side? The film starts with Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) & Anakin kicking some butt in fighter craft as they try to save Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from rebel General Grievous & Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). There's a great scene here where Obi & Anakin try to reach Palpatine by way of elevator shaft. Anakin saves Palpatine & is hero for the day. This still doesn't make him Jedi Master in the council. Palpatine sees potential in Anakin and wants him to spy on the Jedis; he feels they're up to no good.
Likewise, the Jedi Council feel Palpatine may be the root of evil behind the Clone Wars; they want Anakin to spy on the Chancellor. Anakin has a lot on his shoulders (plus, Padme is pregnant & in grave danger of dying in childbirth). Anakin's brooding internal struggles consume him as each frame of each scene goes by. It's hard to watch the protagonist fall to the dark side. But is he really evil? All he wants is his wife to live. Anakin agrees to help rule the galactic empire with Darth Sidious (Palpatine) with the knowledge that Sidious will teach him the way to keep Padme alive. He is anything but excited about becoming Vader. And in doing so, has risked his life, as well as former friend and mentor, Obi-Won Kenobi, not to mention life on several planets. Anakin has heavy burdens, but knowing that he could rule the galaxy isn't anything to scoff at, either.
I like the film for its beginning, middle & end. Even as a lay person in the Star Wars realm, I understand nearly everything going on, & it's paced very well. The fast moments are thrilling. The slow moments are reflective & necessary. There has been criticism that the first 40 min. are a bit slow. But I appreciate having everything set-up for me on a platter so that I could sink into each character & what their intentions are. And besides, the last 90 min. go by like gangbusters, so any dislike of the 1st half is almost forgotten. The action & intensity moved the story along -- they are part & parcel.
Acting is a weak point of the film. Natalie Portman is unimpressive. But this appears to be Lucas' problem. We know that Portman is a great actress, we saw that in Closer. He doesn't seem to know how to direct the cheesy, romantic scenes. The glaring weakness in this film is the scenes with Portman in them. It may not appear to be a huge issue. But she is the reason why Anakin becomes Vader ... so it's a big deal! As far as other acting goes, it is satisfactory for what this movie calls for. Ian McDiarmid, as Palpatine/Sidious, is particularly impressive. His vocal & physical acting commands each scene & his character is most complex.
If the dialogue is a problem, the adventure side of the film is not; it thrived. There is one scene where Obi-Wan rides a huge lizard & races on it against Gen. Grievous on his own unique form of transport. Along with the action-adventure, the special effects are well done. If these effects are not pulled off in a movie, it gets me cranky pretty easily. And while I did see some bizarre things happen on screen (where things looked freakishly unreal), for the most part, I could believe in all that I saw. The effects made my mind run wild with imagination in the Star Wars world. That is the point after all, isn't it? My favorite duel of the film is btwn. Master Yoda & Darth Sidious in the Senate. There are plenty battles to choose from; Anakin and Obi-Wan vs. Dooku ... Separatists vs. Jedi ... Sidious vs. Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) ... & the climax, Anakin vs. Obi-Wan on the lava planet, etc.
Creating these prequels has been a huge accomplishment for George Lucas. His vision is unique & he really pulled off this trilogy for Star Wars fanatics, and lay people. Technically speaking, the films are gorgeous to watch & provide great entertainment; even if they aren't perfect from beginning to end. It is sad that we do not have another 'a long time ago, in a galaxy far away ...' to look forward to.