Disappointed, I AM (still)....aka, Revenge of LARRY KASDAN!

Rating: 6/10 (30 May 2005)

Let me start by saying that I am a BIG Star Wars Fan; I recall (when I was a small kid) actually catching the ORIGINAL Star Wars at the movies and being COMPLETELY blown away; I ended up seeing the flick @ 19 times IN THE THEATRE ALONE, when it came out way back when.
It's BECAUSE I'm such a huge fan (like so many of you on this site), I've been UPSET and disappointed by the past 3 prequels.....though this current one (Episode III) is by far the BEST of the pre-quels. It's just that ALL 3 PRE-QUELS FALL SO SHORT when compared to the original trilogy.....though Episode 6 (Return of the Jedi) came perilously close to crossing the line (into "stinksville") when it went on a hard-to-believe plot tangent that the EWOKS were a military match for the Empire's best stormtroopers (and essentially destroyed the Empire). COME ON! Even modern-day U.S. Marines will establish a "kill zone" around its critical equipment installed in the field, wherein all life (plant, animal, or human) within a certain radius is removed and/or killed. And you're telling me that the (considerably less "pr-sensitive") EMPIRE wouldn't have established a "kill zone" covering the ENTIRE Ewok Planet, to protect the Death Star's primary shield generator? SHEESH!!! But I digress....
As for EPISODE 3, like the other 2 prequels there were moments where you found yourself dumbstruck by the LOUSY acting and HORRIBLE dialog. WARNING -- POTENTIAL "SPOILER" FOR SOME OF YOU...... For instance, the second requisite "tender romantic scene" between Padme and Anakin, wherein they are on the balcony of their apartment, with Anakin expressing his love for her, and she responds, "So, has love made you blind, then?". I actually found that whole exchange hard to watch as it progressed, as I found it completely soul-less to the point of even disrupting my cinematic "suspension of disbelief". I've felt more "warmth and chemistry" -- not to mention heard better dialog -- in some porno movies! A less horribly-executed, but nevertheless painful, "requisite romance scene" is between Padme and Anakin near the end of the film, where Padme states, "Ani, you're breaking my heart!". Again, the dialog is SO weak in this scene (for the most part) as to shake even the most devoted Star Wars fan out of his/her movie enjoyment. Much more passionate and believable was the dialog and acting in Obi Wan's final fight scene with Anakin.
In short....I found the first hour of the film almost difficult to watch, due to terrible dialog, wooden acting, and completely UN-moving battle scenes.....and (to my own disappointment) found myself actually consciously trying to STAY interested in the movie's plot through "force of will" alone.....a hard task for anyone who had to suffer through Act 1, and slightly lesser so in the beginning part of Act 2. BUT, it seemed the movie did take a turn for the better in the middle of Act 2, where Chancellor Palpatine reveals to Anakin that he's a Sith Lord; from that point forward, the movie is quite engaging (save for the occasional "thrill-sucking" moments of dumb dialog peppered here and there).
Ultimately --- as I sit here writing this, having only been a few hours since I've seen Episode 3 in the theater (for the 1st and ONLY time, I assure you) and feeling dissatisfied with the completion of the Star Wars franchise --- I can't help but recognize how GEORGE LUCAS himself didn't learn the moral teaching (or "warning") behind the fall of Anakin Skywalker in this last installment. And that lesson/warning is, PRIDE PRECEDES THE FALL. And what I mean by that is that as most Star War fans would agree, the EMPIRE STRIKES BACK is the BEST MOVIE of the entire 6-episode franchise....and yet it was directed and written by people OTHER than George Lucas! Specifically, LARRY KASDEN and LEIGH BRACKETT co-wrote the screenplay (George only provided the basic story), and IRVINE KERSHNER directed it. That team obviously worked extremely well together, because EVEN NOW, when I see EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, I am moved throughout the emotional spectrum ON CUE, by the writing/dialog and directing in that movie.
What I find ultimately disappointing in all this is that Lucas didn't SWALLOW his pride just a LITTLE, and ask ANY of the writers (or the director) from EMPIRE STRIKES BACK --- considered the BEST Star Wars installment, mind you, by most people!! --- to AT LEAST collaborate with him on EPISODE 3 (which SHOULD have been a caliber comparable to ESB due to what was being covered in Episode III, but fell well short). I suspect it was simply Lucas' PRIDE that kept him from seeking the aid of Kasdan and company wrt improving the screenplay/dialog and some of the action scenes....and the Star Wars' fans (to whom Lucas owes so much) are all the poorer for it, as well as the franchise itself.