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“Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith” is an action-filled, special effects extravaganza that slams an exclamation point onto the most well-known space opera in the galaxy. No longer is there an odd disconnect between the much-beloved original trilogy and the much-berated prequels to impede or divide our “Star Wars” fanaticism. Now, one story and all six movies unite to create a giant opus of fantasy and imagination, and this final installment is everything you want and expect it to be.
In this incarnation, the ascending scrawl tells us that war continues to pervade the Republic, and that two Jedi warriors have been sent to rescue Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from the evil General Grievous (voiced by Matthew Wood). The opening sequence is one to marvel at: it’s a twisting, lyrical and unbroken shot that follows Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) as they maneuver their starships around a plethora of enemy fighters that are keeping them from reaching Palpatine. Soon an energetic and daring rescue is underway, one that even includes R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) kicking some butt.
The rest of the film visualizes what we’ve been waiting nearly 30 years to see: Anakin’s conversion into Darth Vader by virtue of his being seduced by Palpatine (a.k.a. the Emperor) and the dark side of the Force. His descent is both well-paced and plausible; only the power of the dark side, he is told and grows to believe, can save his beloved Padme (Natalie Portman) from dying as she gives birth to their children, who as we know will be named Luke and Leia.
As Anakin is lured to the dark side, Jedi led by Yoda (computer-generated but still voiced by Frank Oz) and Obi-Wan fight for their salvation after being betrayed by Palpatine, including a sequence in which Yoda leads an army of Wookiees (including Chewbacca!) in battle. It’s a credit to writer/director George Lucas that even though we all know what’s coming, there’s still tension, suspense and heartache to be felt as the fateful story plays out.
With the narrative lacking originality for obvious reasons, an even greater impetus is placed on how the story is told, and this perhaps is Lucas’ greatest triumph. Visually, he has finally evolved past the cartoon-ish look of “Episode II” to create a crisp, vibrant world of color, creatures, light sabers and distant planets that leave nothing to the imagination. For example, General Grievous, who is the first arch enemy in the series to be completely computer-generated, can do things with his light saber that neither Darth Maul nor anyone who has ever held a light saber could imagine. The penultimate and highly-anticipated battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan is also brilliantly done, both in its choreography and emotional impact.
While Lucas’ skills as a writer remain limited (even with Oscar winner Tom Stoppard’s uncredited help), most of the dialogue is concise and to the point. The sappy speeches-de-amour between Anakin and Padme are fortunately kept to a minimum, and the rest of the dialogue is as un-cheesy as we could hope. C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) as usual keeps things light with his fearful humor, and Yoda, of course, is Yoda: “A prophecy that misread, could have been,” he says when Jedi Master Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) refers to the belief that Anakin is the “Chosen One” who will bring balance to the Force.
If at the end of the film you find yourself in tears, don’t feel alone. Not only has Anakin Skywalker’s story now come full circle, but so has a saga that has defined generations, not to mention modern filmmaking. Indeed, a large part of my childhood dates back to the day I fell in love with movies, the day at the age of four when my parents took me to see “Return of the Jedi” and I discovered what a magical and special place the silver screen can be. So weep quietly, weep proudly, and weep with the assurance that one of the greatest stories ever told has ended with a triumphant success.
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redgin
said:
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... Gush! I couls see that one again on the big screen, too. It answered some of the questions we all had plus the action was amazing. Even my husband that is not a fan of sci fi ans all that loved it that says alot, His picky, really . It was awesome. and the special effects , to so far not even CLASH OF THE TIRANS NOR THE PRINCE OF PERSIA HAD THEM ON THAT. |
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