Lucas Getting all...Philosophical?

Rating: 9/10 (22 May 2005)

"Well, that's the real trick, isn't it...The "how" and the "who" are just scenery, prevents 'em from asking the most important question: Why?" -- Mr. X, "JFK"
To clarify, the Galactic Republic did not fall in a massive conspiracy which would make Oliver Stone's "JFK" look like a game of CLUE. But the above paraphrased quote from Stone's 1991 assassination film speaks a truth about what lies at the heart of "Revenge of the Sith".
Why did Anakin Skywalker do it? Finally, at long last, this question is answered by George Lucas in a meaningful, not-nauseating (though certainly not flawless) way. 'Episode I' was a dose of bitter medicine, with way too much "scenery". It seemed like it took 'Episode II' forever to establish some semblance of a point. Finally, now, in Episode III, we get to "the point".
As a younger fan of Star Wars, my introduction was of course through home video. When Obi-Wan and Yoda would talk in "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" about the self- destructive path down which Skywalker/Darth Vader went, I imagined in my mind that it was a relatively simple story: headstrong young man, impatient, insecure, and greedy for glory, surrendering himself to the easy yet evil methods of acquiring power. Basically, I figured Skywalker was Lucas' Machiavelli.
In a sense, as seen in this film, he is. In his mind, the end will justify the means, even as it corrupts his soul and destroys his body. But there are an intriguing number of layers and emotions which go in to the final decision. Lucas is displaying a different sort of film-making ambition, choosing to dissect the riddle, "What is the nature of 'evil'? How does man distinguish between good and evil?" And in the various dimensions and answers of this question - Palpatine's shriveled and calculated manipulations of young Skywalker, Anakin's heartfelt but immoral desire to save those he loves, Obi-Wan's conflict of duty and brotherhood - this prequel attains what was critical to the first trilogy and sorely lacking through much of the two most recent films: complexity and development of the characters.
I will concede that several scenes, though not all (which in and of itself is a major step forward from the first two prequels), contain dialogue that is, shall we say, definitely NOT the product of razor-sharp intelligence. But then, no Star Wars film was ever meant to be confused with a David Mamet play. Also, let's debunk a myth which seems to have grown with time and say the following: George Lucas was never a brilliant wordsmith. Legendary are the stories of how much Alec Guinness hated the script of the original "Star Wars" and supposedly concocted his character's death to escape further speaking of those "bloody awful lines" (that's a direct quote). Mark Hamill, in the DVD documentary on the original trilogy, recalled thinking at auditions, "Who TALKS LIKE THIS?"
The original Star Wars trilogy clicked so well because the story reflected genuine personality and depth in its characters. While "Revenge of the Sith" does not quite get to the level set by the 1977 original or "The Empire Strikes Back", it does a damn good job none-the-less. The film has a distinct, dark, raw intensity as it ties off most of the loose threads and known (though never previously explained) mysteries of the Skywalker saga. As David Ansen of Newsweek noted, the outcome of this jigsaw puzzle has always been known, and as result there is a sense of satisfaction at finally realizing how the pieces all fit together.
That return to philosophy in the stars, the "space opera" style which inspired him so long ago, results in a film that Lucas and the legions "Star Wars" fans can be proud of. You may have noticed in this review that I've yet to mention the spectacular special effects or exciting fight scenes. They are certainly present, but for the first time in the prequel trilogy Lucas has successfully made a film which is about more than stringing the audience along until the next mind-blowing action sequence.