Majin Planet

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

By far the biggest film of 2005, Star Wars Episode 3 ends a generation of fans who began in a theater far far away back in 1977. To those who where the first to see that galaxy where changed forever. What makes this movie so special you ask? Well for years, fans of star wars thought the films where about Luke Skywalker, who we learn in Episode 5: The Empire Strikes back is Darth Vader’s son who’s real name is Anakin Skywalker. Like many when it came out that George Lucas was going to do the first 3 chapters to the story, many where a little worried. Star Wars Episode 3 is by far the best out of the first 3 films, which are the last 3 to be made. We learn that the story is really about Anakin not Luke, reasons for his turn to the dark side and just how he becomes Darth Vader.

The story is best seen if you watch episode 1 and 2 before going out to the theater, Anakin turn to the dark side can be seen in a better light. Also the magic Episode 3 brings is wonderful, so much that watching Episodes 4, 5, and 6 are seen in a different context. Like many fans who grew up with Luke battling Vader and the Empire, future fans and us old ones finally get to see the whole saga as it was met to be seen.

In words I can not say, a great job they did in the casting, as the same cast from 1 and 2 where used along with some old faces from sagas past. Starting Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Samuel L. Jackson, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz, Kenny Baker, Ahmed Best, Anthony Daniels, James Earl Jones, Jay Laga’aia, Peter Mayhew, Jimmy Smits, Tux Akindoyeni, Dave Bowers, Mimi Daraphet, and Paul Davies a cast on its own, by far Ian McDiarmid stole the show if you will. He did a super job with his character and really gave us something to remember, I smell best supporting actor here.

For those out there who said Hayden Christensen was a bad join in Episode 2 to play Anakin and to the same in this film. Can I say he prove you wrong, at least for me. He and Ewan McGregor really pulled it off for me and the final dual between the two was something to see. A little weird watching their duel and then going and watching A New Hope to see and old man, and a half man half machine battle it out.

What can I say about Natalie Portman other then she really blew it in this film. I was very unhappy with her here. If you think about it, she did the best she could with what was given to her, but for me that’s just a cop-out and the real thing here is she messed up. For this is why I believe she was almost take out of the movie. Her character seems to be very weak vs the one we see in Episode 1 and 2. Even know we know she had to die to match with the old trilogy, dying of a broken heart really doesn’t cut it for me. It really made her seem very weak which she isn’t. It would have been better for me and many other fans to have her died due to Anakin force choking her.

What can I say about Samuel L. Jackson, he was great. I was happy with his role, even know I think he should have gotten more lightsaber time then he did. I can see he was really into his character Mace Windu and I can say he went out with a bang. The rest of the cast did their part and I was overall happy with everything. For me, the final scenes with Vader speaking about Padme being ok and the final “NO!” line seem a bit out of place to me. However George Lucas has been known to write weird stuff in the past and James Earl Jones did a great job in his final time as being the voice behind the mask.

Classic star wars action here, the opening battle is so big and their is so much going on that you really don’t know what to make of it. The idea of following Anakin and Obi Wan in their Jedi Fighters was a nice touch and really show their characters as their best, which I think was a must see before their final battle where Anakin turns to the dark side. All the lightsaber fights where off the hook. I mean totally blow me away how well they put them together. By far the best is the final duel with Anakin vs Obi Wan cut to Yoda vs Emperor Palpatine. The fight with Palpatine (before self claiming as Emperor) battle Mace Windu in which is the turning point in the film. That battle was very well done as well and the effects of Palpatine facing being destroyed into the face we know him best as in Episode 6 by the hands of his own Sith Lightning.

My only problem I saw with the CGI work was that of the scenes with the clone troopers with their masks off. As you know the clone troopers are all cgi, even in Episode 2. They basically placed actor Terimo Morison imposed on top the trooper which stood out but is really just a small rock vs the rest of the film.

What is stunning in this film is the amount of things going on in the story. For the main theme of the movie, Anakin’s turn to the darkside seems to be way to fast on its own. But when you take a look back at Episode 1 and 2, we see the full context of his turn. Lucas did an excellent job in crafting Anakin’s fall. You really feel the pressures mount on him as he is forced into a position of power and than pulled in multiple directions as those he trusts most pull him apart. I hate to give any kind negative connotation to the overall story, because it is very well done. However, the last fifteen minutes or so do feel like Lucas had a check list of required scenes sitting next to him as he was writing the script, checking off required connecting points one by one, still for the most part it all works.

Finally, we see the magic of the original films. The wonder that hits you and how well this film was played out really puts you in a mind state. By far the strongest part of this film is the sense where Emperor Palpatine commended all the clone troopers to kill the Jedi using “Order 666″, as you can see it was Emperor Palpatine who order the clones, and start the war, as if you didn’t get that part already. Looking back at the film and looking how each part was done and how they enter mix together to bring not just this film to picture perfect but to bring six films together as one big film. Many will agree that Lucas has given us Star Wars as we have always wanted it to be.

Well it blew the box office records all out of the water and so far is still kicking butt. It would not shock me one little bit if this movie makes the most money in 2005 or that if and when it wins picture of the year. Which it really should, its shame that none of the others have won, but being that this is the last star wars movies at least to be of this story will ever be made. To win best picture award would be something to see. I’m not to big of a fan of the way hollywood does things, but please do something right and give the man his dues. Fans all over the world love this film, even people who you wouldn’t call a “Star Wars” nerd have seen this film. I saw the film three times on opening day and it was packed each time, way up into the next week theaters where packed. Sith is here people.

Well this is it folks, the end of the review, what more can I say? In my book this film ranks in the top ten greatest films of all time. I use to love Empire Strikes back, but after seeing this film I am a believe that anything is possible. I am very happy I was able to see this film in theaters as well to see all 6 of them. I never got a chance to see 4,5 and 6 the first time around as I was born right around when Return of the Jedi came out so big bummer for me here. But the magic is still there. Star wars will live with us for years to come. The magic doesn’t end here folks, November 1st the film will be release on DVD with loads of features and deleted scenes not seen in theaters so their is still one last chance to fill the holes we are missing as to see all six films as they where always met to be see. I was thinking of a way to end this review and well I think Obi Wan said it best, “The force will be with you, always..”