Star Wars Revenge of the Sith

Star Wars Revenge of the Sith Review

Still around?

Ok, I know this review is a little late, but there is a good reason for my tardiness. You see, I had to see ROTS twice in order to write this review up. There is a very good reason for it……

I saw Revenge of the Sith on opening night (like half the world did), but after all the excitement of seeing the movie was over, I left feeling a tad bit disappointed. I couldn't put my finger on exactly why, but I walked out of the theater confused at how I could be so disappointed.

Star Wars was the first film I ever remember seeing. I had all the toys, could recite most of the movies word for word and was a big enough fan that I knew that the Wompa scene in Empire Strikes Back was added at the last minute to explain Mark Hamill's jacked up face from his motorcycle accident (it's ok to laugh at me…most people do). I once told my friend that I was such a nut for Star Wars that George Lucas could film a piece of crap on a plate for two hours, call it Star Wars and I would like it. Not the best image, but you get the point. See, I liked The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Sure they had their flaws (Jar Jar Binks, both actors who played Anakin Skywalker and the dialogue written by a man who is out of touch with casual conversation), but they were part of the Star Wars universe and that I could always enjoy. I knew that even though these films weren't the greatest, there was no way Lucas could screw up the last one. All he had to do was have Anakin turn to the dark side, kill all the Jedi's and become Darth Vader. How hard is that?

Star Wars Revenge of the Sith

With that in mind I went to see Star Wars Revenge of the Sith. I had read zero reviews or spoilers wanting the movie to be new and exciting. Once I walked out my friend asked me what my thoughts were. I told her about my disappointment and it was like I slapped her in the face. She is by no means a die hard Star Wars fan, yet she absolutely loved the film. It was a total shock to her that her mega Star Wars geek friend felt disappointed.

I spent the next two days thinking why I was disappointed and decided to see the movie one more time. I came to the conclusion that this time I was going to look at Revenge of the Sith as the fan that I am, instead of the overcritical Star Wars nut who was expecting absolute perfection. That's where it hit me. Because of the problems I had with the previous two films and the fact that there was no way Lucas could ruin such a simple plot for the third; I had raised my expectations to a super high level. I was expecting the greatest film ever made and there was no way Lucas or any director for that matter could provide.

So after the second viewing I realized that this film, while not perfect, is still a great film. Sure all the flaws that bugged me are still there. Lucas still can't write good dialogue if his life depended on it. Nothing says romantic like this for example:

Senator Amidala: You're a good person, don't do this.
Anakin Skywalker: I'm doing this for you, to protect you.
Senator Amidala: Anakin, you're breaking my heart!


Or tense and dramatic like this:

Anakin Skywalker: Don't lecture me, Obi-Wan. I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the dark side as you do. I have brought peace, justice, freedom and security to my new Empire.
Obi-Wan: Your new Empire?
Anakin Skywalker: Don't make me kill you.
Obi-Wan: Anakin, my allegiance is to the Republic... to democracy.
Anakin Skywalker: If you're not with me, you're my enemy.
Obi-Wan: Only a Sith Lord deals in absolutes. I will do what I must.
Anakin Skywalker: You will try.

Star Wars Revenge of the Sith

Sounds kind of dull doesn't it? The dialogue only enhances the wooden acting. Poor Natalie Portman, she tries her best, but with not a great part to work off of she comes off as uninterested and bland. Same goes for pretty much everyone else. Samuel L. Jackson, known for his emotion in all of his other films can barely muster his patented yell and Hayden Christensen is still that whiny ungrateful kid from the second film. His character comes off as a brat and totally unlikable.

There are also many a corny scene in Revenge of the Sith. Some of the moments meant to be dramatic come off as comedic and goofy. In particular most of the lines by the Chancellor Palpatine and of course the love story between Anakin and Padme. In terms of characters, the one saving grace for this film is Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan. He looks like he's having so much fun being in this film that he brings energy to every scene he's in.

I know it sounds like it I'm trashing this film, but for all the problems this film had none of it matters in the end…at least to Star Wars fans. People that don't have a connection to this film may cast it off as another corny sci-fi, but to Star Wars fans this film gives them the answers and closure they need. This film explains everything and does an excellent job of bridging the gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Questions are answered like why Luke and Leia were separated, how Obi Wan, Yoda and Anakin live on as spirits in Return of the Jedi and of course just how did Anakin become Darth Vader. Pretty much everything Star Wars fans want to know gets answered here and that is why this film is so good. Fans didn't come to this movie to see bad acting and horrible dialogue; they came to be immersed in the Star Wars universe and to see how everything came to be.

Final Judgment: Revenge of the Sith has everything a Star Wars fan could ask for. Such as great special effects, tons of action, beautiful new worlds and of course lots and lots of lightsaber battles. Lucas really goes the extra effort at giving the fans exactly what they want and he delivers with every scene. When you watch this film try not to look at it as just another film, look at it as the end of a story that's been going on for close to 30 years. Sit back and enjoy the experience of seeing the final chapter in the Star Wars universe and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. My mistake was looking at this film as just another film instead of as a Star Wars film. With Star Wars you know the positives and negatives you are going to get before you even see the film so don't try to question everything it will drive you nuts. Sit back, relax, and don't try to be overly critical, enjoy the decent of Anakin to the dark side and the formation of the empire and say goodbye to characters you've known your whole life. I am sad that this ride has come to an end, but Star Wars will always have a close place in my heart.
Score: