"Revenge" is sweet

Rating: 7/10 (22 May 2005)

Written and directed by George Lucas
Starring Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz
In the midst of the generally positive response to the final Star Wars prequel, there are still those that say the new films are just not up to the standard of the original trilogy. They say things like: The spontaneity and the magic have gone, we know what's going to happen, Star Wars is nothing but a cynical franchise now, does this story really need to be stretched out over three films, etc., etc.
Well, after viewing Episode III (aka Revenge Of The Sith) myself, I've concluded that perhaps some of the above criticisms are right, but not all of them. Some of the "magic" is still there. Admit it, didn't the trailer leave you optimistic? And of course it is possible for a film to enthrall even though you know what's coming. Look at the joy we have got from re-viewing the best action and suspense films. The key to these movies' success is not so much what they do as how they do it. And Revenge Of The Sith is implemented well enough to rank as the best of the prequels, even if it is a tiny cut below even Return Of The Jedi.
While Episodes I and II were watchable, their problems were too obvious. Effects had taken over. The bad dialogue was more ever-present than before. The characters and stories just weren't as interesting. Episode III has rectified these errors to a large extent, if not entirely. The result is a crisp, thrilling and occasionally brilliant narrative with some of the best battles in the whole Star Wars saga. It's not exactly the "Titanic in space" that George Lucas said it would be, and I'm thankful for that. I doubt many would have tolerated another big and wooden love story, especially after the mess Lucas made of it in Episode II. Fortunately, he knows how to restrain himself this time. Love is still a prevalent theme in Star Wars (and to an extent, it always has been) but the focus is on, as the opening title card states, "War!" Indeed. The moment the famed scrolling text disappears, we are plunged straight into the action as the Jedi attempt to save Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from his captors, Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) and General Grievous.
What the Jedi council don't know about yet are the corrupt plans that Palpatine (or Darth Sidious) has for Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen). These plans will help Anakin obtain power that could preserve Anakin's secret marriage to Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman). Of course, Anakin is taken in by Palpatine's idea, but the likes of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson), unsettled by Palpatine's growing influence, are uneasy about this. Of course, they can't prove anything yet, and they still have the matter of attacks on the Republic to take care of.
Signs of Anakin's eventual transformation into Darth Vader appear right from the beginning. Palpatine plays a key role in the conversion, but the triggers for it are different, and rather shocking. So too are the results. There are scenes in this movie that you would have thought were beyond Lucas' ability as a filmmaker. He outdoes himself not only with some of the emotional scenes (yes, even Padmé and Anakin have one genuinely bearable moment together) but also with some of the battles (such as the final light-saber showdowns between Palpatine & Yoda and Obi-Wan & Anakin/Darth Vader respectively). There's good chase scenes too - one between Grievous and Obi-Wan stands out. When Episode III takes off, it really soars. Episode II only postponed the inevitable; the conclusion of this film is especially hard-hitting.
That could probably be because Lucas has better actors here working with him than in the original three films. Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and Samuel L. Jackson have nothing to prove here, and to a degree, they transfer the skills they already have (although Portman is criminally wasted). But if I had to give someone real credit, it would be Ian McDiarmid, the most under-appreciated actor in the entire saga in my opinion. His transformation from Chancellor to Emperor is one of the film's standout moments. Watching him subtly lure Anakin to the dark side is eerily chilling.
The jury is still out on Hayden Christensen, however. He has won over critics with his performance in Shattered Glass, and is significantly better here than he was in the shoes of the whiny and sometimes annoying Anakin of Episode II. And the way he handles his light-saber duels has to be seen to be believed. Alas, there are times when his old weaknesses come seeping through. But is this more the fault of George Lucas?
It probably is. You know how Harrison Ford and Alec Guinness felt when speaking their lines. And dialogue's not the only problem. Lucas has taken these prequels far, far too seriously. Of course they're entertaining, but the playful tone of the originals has been toned down too much. I can't help wondering if only the true, hardcore fans will fully appreciate Episode III, and it's not likely to welcome any new fans to the saga. Those who are expecting it to hit the heights of Episodes IV and V will definitely be a little disappointed.
But let's forget about what Episode III isn't and appreciate it for what it is - a well produced, gripping summer blockbuster that brings this saga to a dignified, if not earth-shattering end. And that's pretty much all that needs to be said.
Rating: 7.5/10