And so it ends...

Rating: 9/10 (21 May 2005)

I just got back from seeing Episode III and I could not have been more pleasantly surprised. To be honest, I hated Episodes I and II. Not that I am one of those fortunate enough to have seen the originals in theater. My first experience with Star Wars was when I was 5 or 6 and they released the special edition Trilogy. But, I was immediately captivated nevertheless. Harrison Ford instantly became my favorite actor and has been ever since. They were just so huge in scope. The subtle humor was just so well done, and the characters were just so human. A true epic.
I had all but lost hope with the releases of the last two. They had been so murderously dumbed down to appeal to everyone. It felt so disappointing.
But after leaving the theater tonight, I could have cried. From the beginning space action to the gut wrenching moment when Obi Wan watches Anakin burn, the movie was able to take itself seriously enough to emotionally convey the climax of the Star Wars plot, but not too seriously as to make the cast look like a bunch of prima donnas as in Episodes I and II. I truly felt once more what had made me love Star Wars at first.
But as joyful as I am, I can't help but feel very sad, for now it is all over. Up until now, it has been as if there was always some piece of story to look forward to. Now it is as if the book has closed, and it is all over. The universe and the characters will be frozen in time, and Lucas will leave the scene, having made his final contribution. It's such a sobering thought.
But if it has to end, I'm glad it happened like this.