The end...err..the middle of the Star Wars saga

Rating: 7/10 (18 May 2005)

SW3 was released in France on 18.05, one day prior to the US. That's payback from MrLucas as he had us French waiting until October 1999 to see Episode 1(released in may1999 in the US). I guess people's appreciation of SW in general depends on whether they discovered the original trilogy when it was released (which means you remember it as a social phenomenon, especially if, like me, you were a kid back then). Then you have those who only love SW and who wish they were jedis and you have those with more perspective, who love cinema in general and just fail to be critical enough when it comes to SW(some of you reading this must think 'what about those who love cinema and believe that Lucas is poor at directing and is making entertainment for kids?' I know you are there guys, but having just seen the last SW movie ever, I just don't want to hear any cynicism or sarcasm about Lucas and his saga.) Since Episode1, I have found the fans very critical with SW and Lucas. Not that SW are perfect movies but why don't the fans accept Lucas' vision and style. After all, HE is the producer/writer/director. I simply love the new trilogy because it brings a new light (darkness?) to the original one. It's no black&white stuff. Episode3 tells a lot about politics, democracy, dictatorship and is more closely related to the real world than the 5 other chapters. A lot is said and done during the two hours of film (or should I say hard-drive since the movie was in digital?) I heard that fans(humorous note: they sometimes are like the Jedi to the Republic: trying to serve the cause but because of too much conservatism, they eventually lead to sedition...)complain that Revenge does not give all the answers to the questions raised in the other episodes. I can understand this can puzzle the non-fan moviegoers but I am happy that some questions remain unanswered as this is what will keep me watching 1,2 and 3 with more and more pleasure in the years to come. Also, there are really great scenes in this final installment. I noted that in terms of editing and shooting, Lucas broke some SW rules here: 1/ there is a dream scene whereas all the scenes in SW have so far been edited in a linear style(no flashback for example) 2/ there is one shot (seen in the trailer) where Annakin kind of turn toward the camera to give a bad-guy look. That's not the kind of things we were used to in SW 3/ there are a few moments where Lucas leaves time for atmosphere, which was not done in Ep1 and 2, due to the density of the stories that had to be told in a pretty tight time frame. And I must say those 3 elements (but there are more) make the movie more organic and visceral than any other SW. so yes, Episode 3 is the achievement I was raving about when I was 7 in 1983!