5/19/05- Movie Review- Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith

Back in Black
 

Alright I admit it.  I was one of the thousands of people who attended one of the midnight showings of Revenge of the Sith.  I saw the original movie when I was 8 years old a and have considered myself a huge fan ever since.  The first movie (now dubbed Episode IV) spoke to me as a young child.  Now, 27 years later as a husband father of two, the new movie spoke to me again.  But first things first...  

This Review Contains SPOILERS- Continue at your own RISK!

Plot Summary

The movie opens with an immense space battle, larger and more intense than anything seen before in a Star Wars film.  The enemy separatist forces have kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine in a daring raid on the capitol of the Republic and Jedi knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are sent to rescue him.  They board the enemy ship that is trying to escape with the captured chancellor where they confront Sith Lord Count Dooku while a bound Palpatine looks on.  During the battle Obi-Wan is knocked unconscious leaving Anakin to fight Dooku alone.  Here we begin to see Anakin give in to his dark side as a pleased Palpatine eggs him on.  Afterwards Anakin and a revived Obi-Wan confront droid General Grievous who escapes before their damaged ship crash lands on Coruscant.

Anakin is then reunited with his wife Padme who is pregnant but begins to have premonitions that she will die during childbirth.  As events unfold he is pulled by loyalty to the Jedi council, his friend Chancellor Palpatine, and Padme.  The Jedi believe that Palpatine is plotting to take over the Republic.  Palpatine reveals himself to Anakin as Sith Lord Darth Sidious while tempting him with the knowledge that only through embracing the dark side will he gain the power to save Padme.  Anakin gives in to his fear and begins down the evil path that will forever dominate his destiny. 

Anakin, newly christened as Sith lord Darth Vader, begins to deal retribution to the enemies of Darth Sidious.  The betrayed Jedi are no match for the evil power of Anakin and are mercilessly slaughtered.  Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi barely survive the Jedi purge and move against Darth Sidious and Darth Vader in a final futile attempt to save the Republic from collapse. 

Yoda confronts Sidious on the floor of the senate but is unable to defeat him.  Obi-Wan and Anakin engage in an epic light saber fight during which Anakin is horribly injured.  Obi-Wan leaves Anakin to die and take Padme to meet with Yoda and plan their next move. 

Sidious, now self proclaimed Emperor of the Galactic Empire arrives to save the horribly injured Anakin.  After returning to Coruscant, Anakin is rebuilt and emerges in black armor completing his transformation to the dark side. 

Meanwhile Padme delivers twins before dying.  Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi decide that the twins are a new hope for the galaxy and split them up to be raised under their watchful eyes until they can challenge Vader and the Emperor...

The Good

The special effects are mostly top rate.  The pacing of the film is good, you're not going to get bored watching it- maybe wore out from trying to keep track of everything going on but definitely not bored.  Incredibly annoying Jar Jar only appears for few seconds.  R2-D2 has some great bits and the human actors give generally strong performances.

The Bad

This film is dark and violent.  Definitely NOT for younger children.  There is  implied violence against the young Jedi "younglings" that seems particularly out of the place in a saga that is largely marketed towards children.  There are also some instances of really bad dialog that makes you want to gag.  

Why This Movie Worked For Me

Strip away the special effects and this story is about the fear of loss.  Anakin who already lost his mentor (Qui-Gon Jinn, Episode I) and his mother (Shmi, Episode II) is terrified at the prospect that he may lose his friend Obi-Wan, surrogate father (Chancellor Palpatine) and his wife, Padme.  Ultimately Anakin sacrifices his friendship with Obi-Wan and chooses the dark path offered by Palpatine because he believes it's the only way to save Padme.

Arrogant and insecure, Anakin makes a horrible choice oblivious to the negative consequences.  He believes that that the end justifies the means.  In a sad irony, he causes the very thing to happen that he feared most. 

It's interesting that the children who loved the first movie are now of an age and that they can appreciate the conflict that Anakin feels in this film.

What person wouldn't be tempted by the power to save their own family?  Few will agree with his dark choice but the vice that Anakin finds himself in formed by his vocation, his friends, and family is surely recognizable to anyone.

The Conclusion

So how does this movie compare to the previous episodes?  Well here is how I rank the movies. 

1.  Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
2.  Episode IV: A New Hope  
3.  Episode III: Revenge of the Sith 
4.  Episode VI: A Return of the Jedi
5.  Episode II: Attack of the Clones
6.  Episode I: The Phantom Menace 

I did find myself slightly disappointed at the end.  Years of anticipation had raised my expectations to a pretty high level.  I'm also a nitpicker who likes to point out inconsistencies and shortcomings in my beloved saga.  Some things in the episode I bothered me so much that I actually re-edited the movie to be more to my liking.

After careful consideration  I do recommend this movie.  It fills in the gaps and explains the origin of Darth Vader and provides a solid two hours of entertainment.  Go see it if for no other reason that it will be the last Star Wars movie...ever.

Go Blue!

Phil Callihan
UMGoBlue.COM, Editor-in-Chief
phil@umgoblue.com
 

Phil Callihan is the Editor-in-Chief of UMGoBlue.COM.  Phil graduated from the University of Michigan in 1993 and has been a football season ticket holder since 1994.

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