My faith, essentially, restored to the galaxy

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2005)

A funny thing happened to me last night. I finally remembered what it was I loved about Star Wars. When I was 5 years old and watched the Original Trilogy, the fact that Luke was whiny and C-3PO was corny, didn't sway my opinion on the film... I just loved it. The thing of it was, I was experiencing real emotions and real sympathy and real attachment to people and characters that didn't exist, and was simply mesmerized by the spirit of the film. When I saw Episodes I & II, I was about 17 years old and starting judging movies by a different set of standards. Rigid acting, annoying JarJar, pitiful little boy Vader robbed me of what little faith in movie magic remained inside of me. At the ripe old age of 22, last nite, midnight ; I sat in my seat with pathetic optimism about how I was going to feel once the movie was over. I wasn't the only one either. I heard reluctant claps and cheers throughout the theater at the beginning of the movie, as though no one wanted the responsibility of having faith in this movie- even though we were all there at midnight! The opening action sequence was beautifully shot, fast paced, and entertaining ; but I was still shaking from nerves about what was to come. After the pretty lengthy rescue mission of Palpatine was complete and Anakin was reunited with Padme, and Padme told Ani that she was pregnant, I finally caught a glimpse of Christensen's improved development as Anakin. I always assumed that perhaps, Hayden was miscast, but he really surprised me within his first few scenes of dialogue, that he was worthy. But, more importantly...sitting in my chair, I felt the anxiety in my stomach leave me and I began to care all over again. I cared about Padme, about how Obi-Wan was going to feel when he realized that Ani was to be consumed by Vader. I was finally, once again, connected to what I was watching on the screen. Watching Ani slide into Vader was definitely THE aspect of the film that I found to be the most well done. You could simplify it, and say that his love for Padme and power to control his environment and people's destinies are what drove him to his subsequent transformation. You'd be correct in saying it, but there's loads more. Just the mystery surrounding his birth, born of the force, etc. you have to assume that there would have to be an inherent conflict in him. Also, the fact that he had a secret marriage, mistrust from his fellow Jedi, and knowing that he was a superior Jedi, and watching the Jedi waver on their own code. Combine that with your standard fair of human emotions: fear, jealousy, possessive love, death, and you realize that there was never any other way for Anakin to go. He had to embrace the light, the dark, and finally redemption.
Overall, I will be proud to place this next to Episode 4 on my DVD rack. One critique is, as always, the script. I lose sleep dreaming that Lucas hires someone else to write the script, enabling it to become the ultimate movie. However, I've managed to accept that dialogue is not Lucas' strength (even in the Original Trilogy). Afterall, he is not an English major, not Tolkien or Rowling, and is really gifted at displaying his world and his vision and allows you to love the characters regardless of the fact that they can know each other for years, be married, be in mortal peril, and still not manage to talk to each other in a human manner...
Also, I was really hoping Darth's legendary first words weren't going to contain "NNNNOOOOOOOO!!!". But, whatever! I have a good sense of humor and will probably laugh about that until I die.
Fortunately, there are many memorable scenes. Watching the emperor's face decay from force lightning, great light saber duels across the board, watching Vader on his path to becoming one of the most memorable villains, slaying young-lings, and becoming what he was trying to protect himself and his loved ones from. And finally, the definitive battle of Obi-Wan and Vader. Watching Vader burn alive was penetrating and hypnotizing, as was of course watching him get suited up in familiar Vader attire.
Will I see this again?? "YYYYEEESSSSS!!"