Star Wars: Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Some of my earliest childhood memories have revolved around going to movies. My first experience was in 1982 when my parents took me to see E.T. I have to admit that my first foray to a movie theater was rather short lived. As soon as the lights went down I got scared and was promptly escorted out in my mother’s arms. About a year later I caught E.T. again only this time I made it as far as E.T. in the oxygen tent--and in a bit of deja vu--I was back in my mother’s arms once again being escorted out of another theater, only this time I managed to score some Reeses Pieces in the lobby. Judging from these two experiences one would have never guessed that I would one day be completely enamored with film.

In between my E.T. experiences my parents managed to take me to a film that I sat through in its entirety with a sense of wonderment. That film was Return of the Jedi. I only remember fleeting moments from the film: namely the battle on Jabba’s Sail Barge and the speeder bike chase, but it is an experience that has lingered with me for over 20 years now. This was the day that I fell in love with the cinema and I became enamored with the films of George Lucas. He was really the first director and producer that I knew by name. Over the years I have become accustomed to the criticisms lodged at Lucas for creating the summer blockbuster film--which as critics state---orever changed films from an art to a commodity. Needless to say I have always enjoyed the popular entertainment that Lucas produces and feel that this criticism is rather harsh. One can sense that my proceeding review of Revenge of the Sith isn’t going to be completely objective, but then again no review ever really is. It is my job to try my very best to at least give definition to my opinion, though, so you might understand better where to the left or right of my view you will stand.  So with that in mind I have come to grips that you will either like what I have to say or you will reserve yourself to yelling at your computer and calling me a fanboy. I can take the criticism as long as it is civil. I also want to state that I have taken great liberties to avoid plot details. If you want to know them, you can e-mail me for what it's worth. I would use spoiler text, but if you have as much self-control as I do when it comes to these sorts of things, you probably know the entire plot already. I don’t want to ruin your experience should you be inclined to see the film.

In 1999, director George Lucas returned to the Star Wars franchise after 16 years with Episode I - The Phantom Menace. The film was almost universally panned by critics and fans who felt that Lucas had lost the spirit and wonder of his original Star Wars Trilogy. It didn’t help that this film produced one of the most reviled characters of the entire saga with Jar Jar Binks. Three years later the critics and some fans found a lot to dislike about Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Many felt that the romance between Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala was stilted and forced. Of course, what many people fail to realize is that it is meant to be this way. The romance between them was constructed to represent an overly romanticized relationship that never faces up to reality and instead lives in a dream world. For examples of more relationships like this, one need to look no further than early Hollywood film classics that employ these same techniques in their dealings between men and women. In Episode III - Revenge of the Sith there is a level of dread working its way throughout this final installment of the Star Wars saga that hasn’t been seen in the series since the Empire Strikes Back.

 

Smarts

95%

Revenge of the Sith, like Empire, takes its time in telling the story of the tragic downfall of Anakin Skywalker. Even the more humorous moments that come at the beginning of the film are somber because we all know it has to end with the rise of Darth Vader and the fall of the Jedi. Gone are all the “kid friendly” elements that made the prequels both applauded by children and loathed by others. However, Revenge of the Sith is a curious summer popcorn film because it is such a downer. My assumption is that this film will not play well to a general audience looking for escape from the summer heat or to parents with small children. At the risk of sounding cliché, this film is incredibly dark and disturbing. Lucas is able to achieve this tone through psychological violence rather than explicitly showing us. The imagery is shocking because it is something that we have not come to expect in a Star Wars film. I expect that this imagery will cause a certain amount of controversy among parents who bring their very young children to see Sith.

Thematically, this film has Lucas returning back to the authoritarian THX 1138 and the oppression and suffering that is inherently built in to these dictatorial governments. In THX the voice of power guises itself in benevolence while simultaneously controlling the entire society with drugs. In Revenge of the Sith, the voice of power manifests itself in similar ways. At certain points throughout Sith and the prequels, Palpatine is able to give the appearance of serving the people and democracy. However, his role turns out to be much more ruthless and sinister.

 

Popcorn

90%

The film still has its awe-inspiring action sequences and several wonderfully choreographed lightsaber duels, but in my view the story and plot of this film are far more interesting.

I remember seeing a documentary when I was very young entitled: From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga. In this film Lucas states: “A special effect is a tool; a means for telling a story. A special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing.” With Sith, Lucas seems to be returning back to this idea once again. The special effects and the action sequences in this film serve merely as a breather for the more sinister proceedings that permeate throughout the film. Don’t get me wrong, I was indeed a supporter of the previous two outings. I felt that both were good popcorn entertainment and were at times unfairly criticized by both critics and fans alike, but this film is far different from its precursors.

 

Final

If nothing else, Sith seamlessly segues into Episode IV and does an outstanding job of bridging the two trilogies together. In fact, shortly after attending the screening of Sith, I went back and watched the original Star Wars. In terms of the Star Wars saga, Revenge of the Sith is the masterpiece that the fans have been waiting for. It is an excellent finale to the series and should answer most of your questions. For those who are not fans, Revenge of the Sith is still a good film if you give it a chance.