Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Movie Review: By Adam Mast, ZBoneMan.com

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith finally makes it’s bow marking the end of a near thirty year journey for it’s creator George Lucas (although it should be noted that the visionary plans on unveiling a couple of Star Wars inspired TV series in the near future). And love it or hate it, there’s no denying that George Lucas’ sci-fi universe is a cultural phenomenon.

Before I get the actual review, I’m going to ramble a bit. After all, this is Star Wars and it is coming to a bittersweet close.

Readers of this site are well aware of my love for Star Wars (I even wrote a piece on the subject recently), and I’m certainly not alone. There are billions of Star Wars fans across the universe. While some are more recognizable than others (everyone from our buddies over at thehollywoodnews.com to revolutionary movie geek sites like aint-it-cool-news and chud to hip film makers known for their numerous pop culture film references – i.e. Kevin Smith – to high profile members of George Lucas’ film making family – i.e. Steven Spielberg – profess to be huge fans, and it clearly shows in their work), the one common denominator that we all share – our passion for this unbelievably cool universe.

Even when we’re debating about the inferior films that are the Star Wars prequels, we’re admiring the fact that George Lucas has created a cinematic galaxy that’s allowing us to engage in these heated debates.

True, The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones left a little to be desired. While the visuals were certainly there, that innocence and sense of urgency that appeared so tangible in the original trilogy was nowhere to be found. Why? Well, you could point to any number of reasons, the first one being that most of us who saw Star Wars first run, are no longer children, nor do we live in the same world we lived in in 1977. Not only do we live in more cynical times, but we also live in a world where fast food cinema plagues theaters like a disease. It seems like every other week, we’re being treated (or mistreated – depending upon your point of view) to a big budget production filled with CGI. What’s lacking in most of these recent movies is heart. Many of the film makers that were clearly inspired by George Lucas (i.e. Roland Emmerich) appear to think that special effects are the key, but that isn’t the case at all. It starts with an interesting story with characters worth caring about. And a little luck doesn’t hurt either.

George Lucas has always been very vocal about his experiences with the first Star Wars film. He never expected it to become this huge phenomenon, and how could he? He just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Audiences craved "something " they hadn’t seen before, and while at it’s heart Star Wars is familiar (paying homage to Akira Kurosawa’s Hidden Fortress), Lucas presented that "something" in a new and exciting way.

Miraculously, Lucas topped himself with Empire Strikes Back. Not because the film was darker than it’s predecessor (which it was) and not because it moved at a quicker pace (which it did), but because it offered up more drama (included – perhaps the most shocking revelation in film history). At it’s center, The Empire Strikes Back is a tragedy in every sense of the world. It just so happens to have strange creatures and a barrage of special effects, but it never loses site of the characters within the confines of it’s universe.

Return of the Jedi was a fine conclusion to the trilogy even if it did offer up one too many cuddly creatures (the Ewok battle sequence on Endor was a bit to cutesy for my taste). Thankfully, the drama of Luke and Vader’s predicament becomes the driving force, and after I left the theater, that’s what was imbedded in my mind.

The problem with The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones (aside from stilted dialogue that borders on cheeze whiz), is that somehow, much of that drama that drove the original trilogy seems to be sorely lacking. These first two prequels rely heavily on the assumption that we’re all well aware of where these characters are headed, so much so that the films fail to stand on their own. While Star Wars, Empire, and Jedi clearly form a trilogy, each movie stands on it’s own two feet. The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones by comparison do not. While both have hints of genius (I still believe Phantom Menace contains the single most exciting light saber duel of the entire series while Attack of the Clones brings a sense of mythology back into the fold), they are too meandering and more than anything else, seemingly uneccesary in the grand scheme of things. I understand that Lucas is trying to humanize Anakin Skywalker. He wants us all to see where he came from. Unfortunately however, he didn’t do so in a very interesting fashion. I was so bored with the human element of those films, that I spent most of the time admiring them for their technical attributes, but as I’ve already stated, CGI is now the norm, so effects will only get you so far.

Enter Revenge of the Sith. Even though we all know how things will turn out in the Star Wars universe, we don’t really know how. Revenge of the Sith delivers the "how" in ways we hoped Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones would. All the ties and unanswered questions are touched on in Revenge of the Sith.

Just to set the stage a bit, I was offered a chance to see a press screening of Episode III a couple of weeks ago, but turned it down. As I’ve always stated, I’ve never considered myself much of a critic or much of a writer for that matter. No, I fancy myself a movie fan who just happens to write about his experiences, therefore, this was a movie I wanted to see with other fans, so that’s exactly what I did. I camped out in line with my buddy Andy, and took in the buzz that could only be generated by one thousand Star Wars fans. For the most part, it was a fantastic experience if you take away the kid that was hanging out behind us in line. I respect and applaud that this young man is a fan, but am appalled that his mother used this line as a form of day care. Seriously! This kid was obnoxious and I’m surprised no one picked a fight with him. Anyway, on with the review.

As the film begins, we are witness to a breathtaking space battle as Anakin (Hayden Christensen) and Obi -Wan (Ewan McGregor) attempt to rescue hostage Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from the clutches of the evil Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). Almost immediately, a saber fight ensues culminating in a conclusion that will have audiences talking. Following this pulse pounding opening, the meat of the story begins to take shape. Anakin returns to his secret love Padme who anxiously awaits his return with a big time secret. This secret only adds to the building pressure weighing on Anakin’s shoulders. Frustrated with the Jedi Council’s treatment of him, Anakin quickly becomes lost. While his friendship with mentor Obi -Wan is stronger than ever, the powerful Jedi ultimately becomes misguided and jaded through his relationship with a key character who may have ties with the dark side.

Revenge of the Sith is incredibly dark. In fact, it is easily the darkest of the entire series. But does this make it the best? No. I would call it the best of the prequels. Quite frankly, it nearly renders Episode I and II obselete. After all, it is the events in Episode III that the fans have really been waiting for all these years. While it does deliver most of the answers we’ve been seeking, it answers them in an extremely safe fashion. In other words, there aren’t a lot of chances taken here in terms of overall story. And, as was the case with the other prequels, Revenge of the Sith still can’t hold a candle to the original trilogy (no, not even Return of the Jedi - despite what many others might have you believe).

So let’s break things down. We’ll start with the good stuff, and there’s no better place to start than with the special effects. Not surprisingly, ILM ups the ante. Even the most sophisticated of audiences will find it hard to deny the awe inspiring effects work in this picture. The first twenty minutes alone will knock you for a breathtaking loop. In fact, some might argue that the effects are too good. After all, these events take place years before the events in Episode IV, and some might find it odd that the technology (droids, ships etc.) seems far more advanced. Episode III features R2D2 making moves that he’d never dream of attempting in the original trilogy.

For those fans who delight in the light saber duels, you’re in for a big treat. There are so many jousts on display in Episode III, that I lost count, and the first one takes place less than fifteen minutes into the picture. I won’t spoil for you the reader who fights who (far too many have done that already), but I can say that the numerous duels make for an entertaining time at the movies, although I must confess – none of them offer up the pulse pounding, sweat inducing, adrenaline pumping fury of the Darth Maul fight at the end of Phantom Menace (odd given that Episode I is clearly the weakest film of the entire series). The main event (which occurs in the final act of the picture) is choreographed well, but it really soars because of the dramatic element that drives it.

I really enjoyed the ties Episode III makes to the original trilogy. We are whisked away to a Wookie planet, witness to a space battle featuring X-Wing fighters, and of course, we finally come face to face with the evil that is Darth Vader (albeit only for about five minutes). I was also compelled by the numerous parallels that occur in the picture. Count Dooku’s fate is comparable to Anakin’s in Epidode II, and I absolutely loved the altercation between Mace Windu and a certain "Phantom Menace." In particular, I found Anakin’s intervention in the sequence riveting especially given a similar scenario at the end of Return of the Jedi – in which the end results are decidedly different. But of all the intentionally familiar moments in Episode III, my very favorite is the last shot of the movie. An ode to an early scene in A New Hope in which and adventure seeking Luke Skywalker dreams of what’s to come while staring into a two sun sky on Tatooine.

The acting in Episode III has been kicked up a notch (at least as far as the prequels are concerned – the performances in the original trilogy always worked for me). Hayden Christensen’s Anakin is no longer the whiny, arrogant teenager of Episode II. He is now the misguided, arrogant young adult who moves ever so close to the danger zone, and for the most part, love is the motivation for his every move. Christensen is clearly more comfortable this time around lending an almost likable quality to Anakin making the inevitable fate that awaits him more painful to endure. We know exactly what path he’s headed down. He does, after all, become the big time villain of the original trilogy, and there comes a point in Episode III when, even though I was fully aware of what was going to happen, I didn’t want it to.

Ewan McGregor is extremely underrated in these movies. His Obi -Wan Kenobi is a picture perfect tip of the hat to Sir Alec Guiness. The accent and body movements are there, but the most enjoyable aspect of his role in Episode III, is we get to see this terrific character in his prime. Obi Wan gets to engage in some of the biggest action pieces of the movie, and McGregor is completely up to the challenge. Simply put, we get to see this guy kick some ass.

Natalie Portman returns as Padme, and while she clocks in less screen time here than she did in Episode I and II, she brings a dramatic touch to the proceedings that borders on heartbreaking. In particular, I was really moved by a haunting montage in which we slowly move in towards an emotional Padme. The scene is inter cut with a similar shot of a confused (and lost) Anakin. There is no dialogue spoken, but it is clear what these characters are thinking, and quite frankly, it would have been nice to see more scenes like this throughout the film.

Episode III’s best performance is supplied by a sensational Ian McDiarmid who hits all the right notes as the mysterious Palpatine. The strongest scene in the picture features a compelling Palpatine monologue that gives insight into a couple of areas that might be of particular interest to hard core Star Wars fans. As great as he is, he has one moment (actually, it’s a dopey look on his face) that borders on laughable. You’ll know what I’m speaking of when it occurs. It happens on a massive window sill about halfway through the picture. This is, of course, a minor quibble. Ultimately, this is a mesmerizing performance.

Episode III introduces us to an onslaught of strange and exotic creatures. There are familiar ones including Wookies, droids, Gungans (fans will be pleased as punch to find that Jar Jar hasn’t one line of dialogue, and only appears in a couple of scenes), and Master Yoda (who kicks ass in a much bigger way than he did in the last chapter).

There are also several new creatures on display including the much talked about General Grievous, a droid/alien life form whose big talent is the ability to wield four light sabers at once. For those expecting the fearless, Jedi hunting monstrosity unveiled in the Clone Wars cartoons, you may be disappointed. Grievous as portrayed in Episode III, is more interested in running than fighting, but he is a spectacular creation, and one of my favorite aspects of him is his human quality. Through most of the film, he hunches over coughing as if he’s got a frog caught in his throat. And I don’t want to give the impression that this character is a coward. He does have a few nifty fighting moves in Episode III, but he isn’t the bigger than life character that the Clone Wars cartoons make him out to be, at least not anymore.

I’d also like to mention John Williams’ masterful score. I’d be an idiot if I didn’t talk a bit about his enormous contribution to Lucas’ universe. This guy never ceases to amaze me. And like the film itself, this score links itself nicely to the original trilogy.

Finally, I’d like to talk about the tone of this picture. I knew it would be dark, but was floored by how dark. Episode III offers up the most bleak tone of the entire Star Wars saga. This is, after all, the end of the Jedis’ reign and the fashion in which Lucas displays this is surprisingly brutal. No, there isn’t a lot of blood and guts, but there doesn’t need to be. When Anakin finally makes a decision changing the course of his life, all hell breaks loose. We are even witness to the slaughter of youngling Jedis. I was surprised but pleased that Lucas doesn’t sugar coat the proceedings. This is a movie about betrayal, deception and transformation. And while we’re on the topic of transformation, I was riveted by Anakin’s physical transformation into Darth Vader. The way the sequence is shot (i.e. the operation, and the lowering of the infamous black mask) is everything I could have hoped for. When we finally hear that familiar Vader breathing, it really sent a chill up my spine, and what’s more, we’re even treated to the distinctive sound of James Earl Jones’ commanding voice. It really is an awesome moment.

Now, all things aren’t perfect in the Star Wars universe. Episode III is hardly a flawless movie. There are plenty of things that keep this from being that sublime experience we we’re all hoping for.

There is no shaking the weak dialogue. We get a silly, sappy romantic exchange between Padme and Anakin that I couldn’t help but laugh at. There’s an awful line delivered by a medic droid during the climactic birth sequence. Furthermore, Lucas always appears hellbent on stating the obvious. When a character is in elevator and it abruptly stops, it isn’t necessary to have that character acknowledge that it’s stopped. That’s a given. Thankfully though, Lucas has the good sense to offer shorter stretches of bad dialogue. In the previous prequels, there were stretches of awful word play that were near endless. Here’s, Lucas wisely cuts such business short.

There are numerous inconsistencies brewing in Episode III. If Jedis are all knowing, I had a difficult time understanding why there were certain things they didn’t know. For starters, I didn’t buy into the idea that Anakin and Padme could hide their love affair, nor did I believe for one second that Obi-Wan was unable to figure out that the child Padme was carrying was Anakin’s. To take matters a step further, why didn’t Obi -Wan know that she was going to have twins. And above all, there is one moment when Anakin suspects that Padme has set him up. You’d think he’d know exactly what she’s thinking. It could be argued that the Dark Side has altered his perception, but I don’t really buy into that notion. As far as the primary villain of the story being able to hide his identity, that makes sense, because it’s established that he has the ability to do so.

Most surprisingly, many of the cutting choices in Episode III are costly. Strange given that sharp editing used to be Star Wars’ strong suit. In Revenge of the Sith, there are moments when Lucas takes us out of intense action, stopping the film dead in it’s tracks. For instance, there is a huge action piece featuring Obi Wan and General Grievous, and at the peak of the sequence, Lucas opts to cut to a different plot thread. This happens on more than one occasion in the film, but thankfully he rebounds with a truly spectacular climax in which classic inter cutting returns. Truth be told though, everything that happens in the final act of this picture is so thrilling, there’s nothing dull to cut to.

One thing that I always feared about Revenge of the Sith was that perhaps George Lucas would spread himself too thin, and in a way, he has. Anakin’s transformation (I’m speaking psychologically) is never fully realized. I’ve always felt that the deception and fall from grace being dealt with in this film, should have been hinted at in Episode II. I appreciate that Episode III stands on it’s own two feet as an individual movie (something the last two films didn’t), but Revenge of the Sith covers far too much territory, and I never completely bought into Anakin’s transformation. It just happens too quickly.

What I dislike most about this film though are the way some of the key moments are played. Padme’s pivotal pregnancy sequence is poorly done. This should be a grand dramatic moment, and despite the way this sequence is brilliantly inter cut with the birth of Darth Vader, it’s just poorly executed. The worst moment of the entire picture however, occurs directly after one of the best. After Vader is born (in a loving homage to Frankenstein), a dark revelation compels him to let out a painful, banshee cry. This turns what should be a powerful scene into a moment of unwelcome comical overload. You remember that scene in Evil Dead 2 when Ash screams at the top of his lungs when he realizes those forest demons have destroyed a bridge that would take him to safety? That’s what this was like. The big difference is, the banshee cry in that movie worked. Evil Dead 2 is supposed to have a comical edge. This movie isn’t. Seriously, it pissed me off and took me right out of the scene.

If we’re being honest though, if you look at this long winded review I’ve written, it’s clear that there’s more to enjoy in Revenge of the Sith. While I was never overwhelmed by the movie, I liked it and am pleased that it manages to rekindle a little of that old Star Wars magic. Not a lot, but enough. At the very least, it’s far superior to Episode I and II. Given that Lucas is often suggesting that he makes the films that he wants to make, it’s clear to me that with Revenge of the Sith, he did take some of his fans’ criticisms to heart. Episode III is the movie that most Star Wars enthusiasts have been waiting for.

Hell, I’ve seen this movie twice (once in digital projection), and I’ll buy it the day it comes out on DVD. I have no doubt, this movie will improve with repeated viewings. In the case of Episode I, I usually just forward to the pod race and Darth Maul fight. With Episode II, it’s sort of the same thing. I find myself forwarding through to various moments. Revenge of the Sith, while flawed, is a more complete experience.

For those who are depressed that the saga is now over, take heart. Lucas is working on two Star Wars spinoff series (one animated and one live action), and in 2007 (to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Star Wars), he’ll re-release A New Hope yet again, only this time it will be in 3-D. He also suggests that he’ll eventually release all the Star Wars films in the 3-D format. So as you can see, Star Wars is over but it will never truly be finished. I for one am glad, because Lucas’ universe will always be an important part of my life. Now, bring on Indy 4 damn it!

Grade: B

Adam Mast, ZBoneMan.com