Moments of Brilliance...

Rating: 7/10 (14 March 2007)

While this film is likely the best (certainly the most entertaining) of the "new" trilogy it's far from perfect. The love scenes in particular are perhaps the most painful to watch, with childlike, storybook-style dialogue that simply doesn't work. I get the distinct impression even the actors themselves don't even half believe the things they're saying. In addition, the motivation for Anakin's rather sudden turn to the dark side is weak as he goes from virtuous defender of republican democracy to blindly obedient toady of the evil emperor in about twelve seconds. Thus, it seemed to me a more jarring transition rather than an inevitable one and so the audience feels skepticism ("the chosen one" turned to the dark side because he had a vague dream and was naive enough to think a sketchy old dark sorcerer could save his girlfriend's life just because he told him some story about a jedi named Darth never-heard-of-him-before?) not acceptance.
On the positive side, the portrayal of Obi Wan Kenobi by Ewan MacGregor was excellent, as was Ian McDiarmid's contemptible Palpatine. This film also makes extensive use of green-screen special effects, which are quite well done and do ILM credit.
Particular attention should be paid to the part of the movie when the Emperor tells his clones to "Execute order sixty-six". This is the shining moment in the film, when I feel Lucas finally got it right. The various scenes of jedi being betrayed (complete with a moving John Williams score) are heart wrenching and for the first time in the movie you feel the magnitude of what is happening, what Palpatine has done. The very best moment in the film was when jedi Ki-Adi-Mundi (white beard, tall klingon-like forehead) is leading clones over a bridge in the midst of a desperate battle. "Come on" he shouts as he advances, as we see the clones follow and then stop. Mundi turns to face his troops and the look of bewilderment and confusion on his face as they begin fire their weapons on him is the most emotional bit of the movie.
After that, there are some lightsaber battles which are always fun to watch. If only Lucas could have replicated the intensity and tone of that moment. But of course, it's supposed to appeal to kids only now. What a shame.