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

Star Wars fans have waited 28 years for this moment.  The saga is finally complete...or so Lucas says.  Most of the patience testing was a result of Lucas' ambitions.  It was his hope that future technology would enable to him to make a Star Wars he truly wanted.  So critics and audiences waited 16 years for The Phantom Menace which was met with mixed feelings as was the next attempt Attack of the Clones.  Perhaps it was his ambition to do justice to his trilogy or maybe he simply wanted to listen to critics and audiences this time around, but Revenge of the Sith puts the saga back on top.  It is quite possibly the best achievement in the series since The Empire Strikes Back.  

Our story starts out "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." The classic Star Wars logo and yellow fonts summarizes the state of events.  Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are on a mission to save Chancellor Palpatine from the clutches of the eccentric General Grievous, the leader of the separatists movement against the galactic republic.  Say nothing else I will.  Telling more would spoil the very reason everyone is going to see the finale, involving two metamorphoses; Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader and the transformation from the galactic republic to the evil galactic empire.  Not to mention how the once prestigious Jedis became nearly extinct.

 

Smarts

81%

Some have criticized the lack of great performances and dialogue that plagued the earlier prequels.  Its still here, but of little consequence in the scheme of things.  In one moment, Anakin and Padme begin exchange words basically consisting of "I love you more." Its cheesy beyond belief, and anyone who has ever been in love is guilty of speaking the same way, move on.  Even the original Star Wars trilogy was never known for its acting or dialogue.  The new trilogy is no different.  Just as the Kung Fu Hustle does not need a real plot to operate, Star Wars does not suffer so terribly from the occasionally iffy performances and questionable lines.  

Much of the talk surrounding Revenge of the Sith also concerns not only Anakin's trip to the dark side, but the film's.  George Lucas did not choose to appeal the PG-13 rating given by the MPAA.  He made it clear that audiences were warned that it is easily the darkest of any of his films.  The PG-13 rating might be a little overboard, but hardly without grounds.  But its not the physical violence that sets the film apart from the rest, its the emotional violence.  There are occassinoal beheadings holding no consequence.  However, consider a scene where the Jedi Temple is under attack and the children look to Anakin for help.  The aftermath is rather horrifying.  While it may limit some audiences, the efforts conjure an urgency and a climatic build up the others never did.

From a visual standpoint, Revenge of the Sith is easily the best of the entire series. The movie has a visual splendor, bursting with color and movement. The CGI Lucas was guilty of going overboard with in the last two films has become almost invisible in the scheme of the movie. Yoda, who is completely digital, could pass for a real life actor (or creature for that matter.) One could compare the accomplishment to Gollum in The Lord of the Rings. It's so realistic that it's still hard to believe it's done with a couple of computers. Revenge of the Sith should be handsomely rewarded for best special effects during the next Oscars.

Other critics have suggested that the film makes references to something not-so-far and not-so-long ago.  This popular theory is that Darth Vader and Palpatine personify aspects of president George W. Bush's current office.  Let me just point out that such a notion is grasping at straws.  The evidence is sparse and inconclusive not to mention the concept for this tale was developed years ago.  Richard Roeper perhaps said it best when he theorized people see the connection simply because they want to.  However, it does show that films in a genre are always meant to be representative of the audience.  Genres have always used the most basic conceps such as war, love, and the balance between good and evil.  They are the same stories while familiar.  We wouldn't have it any other way.

In all honesty, who believes Star Wars is actually done? Even if the episodes do not continue, Lucas has already made Star Wars cartoons to answer the few remaining questions of what occurs between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.  Besides, there is so much money to be made doing three more episodes that even if Lucas won't continue it, someone else will.  Lucas already has an outline of how the stories will go.  No matter what happens, this is not the end.

 

Popcorn

93%

George Lucas brings back what the previous two episodes lacked and the older ones excelled in, excitement and imagination. Scene after scene he crafts the kind of adrenaline rush and thrills that amusement parks are made for. Revenge of the Sith begins the finale with a glorious battle of space vessels. As Anakin and Obi-Wan enter a vessel holding the Chancellor hostage, an unreliable elevator makes for an amusing spectacle as the Jedis try to save themselves, and R2-D2 is stuck between fixing the elevator and engaging the robotic guards. The most accomplished sequence is a showdown between Obi-Wan and General Grievous. It will certainly raise eyebrows for a few.

The last two Star Wars prequels had trouble with humor. Most notably the introduction of Jar Jar Binks, a throw away character whom luckily has only one or two cameos in the latest installment. Most of the lighter moments can be drawn to R2-D2. No matter how tough the situation, R2-D2 is always there to utter some angry mechanical grunts and some spunky behavior. It's a good thing they never actually subtitle what R2-D2 says. Some of it is obvious, while other moments are just funny to try and imagine what a little angry droid might say.

The action scenes are not alone this time, they are accompanied with higher emotional tension. Though Star Wars has never taken itself too seriously, Revenge of the Sith is easily one of the most emotionally involving in the saga. The audience is well aware that Anakin Skywalker turns to the Dark Side and becomes the sinister Darth Vader. Throughout the newer trilogy we have seen Anakin and liked him; even while knowing that his life has been far from easy and that the boy would grow into a power hungry servant. The audience is able to see what Anakin cannot, that he is being manipulated by those he cannot trust, and not everything is what it seems to be for him. It is that bond we have with the characters that is able to let us pity them all because nearly everyone in this story is a victim.

Revenge of the Sith benefits greatly by being placed at the end rather than following a linear path.  Everyone knows that eventually good must triumph over evil, its inevitable.  Saving it for last saves us that obvious outcome and also gives a new perspective on Darth Vader.  It paints a grimmer picture than what anyone would've ever thought.  Additionally, going backwards actually gives the audience answers to how the later episodes work. The Phantom Menace gave insight into how Anakin Skywalker was found and how he tagged along with Obi-Wan. Attack of the Clones hinted at the vulnerability of Anakin and how the clones came into being. Finally, Revenge of the Sith ties the old and new by essentially answering the big question of why Anakin turned to the Dark Side.

 

Final

Why it took Lucas so long to get it right, nobody knows.  Just be glad he finally did get it right as its better late than never. Revenge of the Sith is the type of film fanboys have been waiting six years to see.  While still sinking in minor areas it soars with a new vision brought to the big screen, pounding with creativity and vitality.  Revenge of the Sith could in fact be the best in the entire saga.  Now that the lines for the movie tickets are beginning to die down, I can only imagine how big the lines for the DVD will be.