SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: Approx. 140 Min.
Released in 2005, this prequel (written, produced,& directed by George Lucas) occurs approximately three years after Attack of the Clones.
With The Clone Wars near its end, the intergalactic Senate has imploded. The Sith’s dark forces and the Jedi’s patience are at a fateful crossroads, as the time to execute Order 66 is now. Palpatine, the self-appointed dictator of the galaxy’s ‘new democracy,’ has transformed the once-loyal Clone Troopers into the Jedi’s worst nightmare. Palpatine orders the Clones to purge all Jedi in existence on the grounds of treason as a threat against the newly established Empire. Once Jedi Master and trusted protégé, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker now represent two sides of the galaxy’s pendulum between good and evil.
The primary cast is:
(General) Obi-Wan Kenobi: Ewan McGregor
(General) Anakin Skywalker: Hayden Christensen
Queen Padmé Amidala: Natalie Portman
Mace Windu: Samuel L. Jackson
C-3PO: Anthony Daniels
R2-D2: Kenny Baker
Senator Bail Organa: Jimmy Smits
Yoda: Frank Oz
Count Dooku: Christopher Lee
Senator Palpatine: Ian McDiarmid
General Grievous: Matthew Wood
Owen Lars: Joel Edgerton
Beru Lars: Bonnie Piesse
Chewbacca: Peter Mayhew
REVIEW:
If there’s any way to sum up Revenge of the Sith, then it’s the Star Wars equivalent of the collapse of the Roman Empire – the mythic fable of a mighty democratic republic being overthrown by corruption and tyranny. Palpatine pulls this intergalactic coup off by spreading the Jedi so thin that he can knock off their central base on Coruscant. Hence, by continuing plot points from Attack of the Clones, there are five lightsaber duels in this film alone. Key sub-plots, like Anakin & Padmé’s romance, are de-emphasized for long stretches. Pivotal supporting players from Episodes I-II, like Jango Fett and Jar Jar Binks are near-forgotten, but that may be for the best.
There is more to this movie than reckless sci-fi/fantasy-action. Anakin Skywalker’s character arc is actually handled quite well considering how putrid it was in Episode II. This can be attributed to Hayden Christensen stepping his performance as the Force’s destined savior, who is now on the fringe of snapping. Ian McDiarmid, as the opportunistic Emperor, also does a good job slowly shifting Anakin into his gullible pawn. Let’s not overlook Ewan McGregor’s efforts conveying a weary Obi-Wan Kenobi, as he senses the Jedi are on the verge of sudden extinction. Considering that he contributes to defeating three Sith Lords in a single film, Kenobi/McGregor comes off as the prequels’ undisputed MVP.
To do so, however, means blowing away the previously-known Sith (figuratively, that is). Count Dooku, the menacing Separatist leader, is now nothing more than a B-grade, beginning-of-the-movie expendable. Another big-time baddie, General Grievous, is somehow dispatched by a single Jedi! Despite looking formidable in Clone Wars animated series, comics, and video games, Grievous falls far short of the Sith’s grand expectations. No wonder Darth Vader answers their ‘help wanted’ sign.
If Grievous and his droid army are so wimpy, why do the Jedi need three whole years between Episode II to Episode III to finally defeat them? That aside, the fight scenes are more of a Rocky montage than memorable for their own dazzling merits– this aspect is disappointing in some sense. Then again, imaging being a little kid seeing this many lightsaber duels in a single movie!
With all of this swordplay, you’d expect the team to go lazy on the SFX, right? In a way, yes, it’s all green-screen again, but there are major upgrades from Episodes I-II. Even so, any fan who is above the age of five, will see through Lucas’ transparent plotting. The climax of this prequel trilogy is unoriginal, plain and simple, as the outcome is such a foregone conclusion. Luke and Leia are born — Anakin turning evil – Kenobi’s self-exile — and Palpatine & Vader taking over the galaxy aren’t shockers for older viewers. As cool as lightsaber fights are, how much value do they really hold, if ones needs five of them in a single movie?
Episode III looks to take fans on an epic adventure through its visuals instead of actual, but grim visuals will only carry viewers so far. It’s hard to look at this movie without making anyone upset because of how polar the reception it has from the fans. Are there things that seem wildly unrealistic or in bad taste, more so than usual? Yes – case in point: parents should be aware that even the young Jedi children are clearly implied to have been massacred.
Is this movie hard for anyone born before the 1990’s to enjoy as a legitimate Star Wars experience? Yep! Still, Revenge is either the best or second-best in the franchise for many young adult fans. Blame it on nostalgia; blame it on the lightsabers; but this film is either a hit or misfire, depending on demographics. With that, it’s hard to give Revenge of the Sith a definitive rating due to its mixed reception. Ultimately, it’s is something that you need to check out for yourself.
BONUS FEATURES:
None.
ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
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