Random Thoughts from a Self Proclaimed Star Wars Nerd

Rating: 9/10 (20 May 2005)

The movie was amazing. Definitely more intense, decidedly darker and more gruesome. I would say this installment could easily be in the top two or three. It had wonderful FX, great use of characters- Jar Jar got two seconds of completely silent screen time, Chewbacca's charisma and wookie friends carried a scene, Yoda hasn't been this cool since Empire Strikes Back (all animated but wonderfully convincing and complex with several *great* moments), R2D2 was really cool too. Lucas didn't rely on their recognition value alone, but made good use of them in the plot development. Even C3P0 wasn't annoyingly over the top as he usually is.
I've been reading tons of reviews and most of them have one thing in common that is completely true- the dialog was atrocious. There are a couple of laughable or groan-able sweet nothings between Padme and Annakin and some other really choppy conversations. This time, thankfully, it wasn't Hayden Christenson's fault. It was definitely poor writing. He was a much more convincing character, despite those romantic interludes, and had to be both a pro and an antagonist- not something you see everyday. Samuel L Jackson, one of my favorite actors, has been in countless roles and done remarkable delivery of seemingly simple lines. Not here though. *Insert wooden acting comment here* I don't know what happened- good duel/fight scene with Chancellor Palpetine if they could have kept their mouths shut.
Ewan McGregor was by far my favorite link in the chain, counting humans not Yoda, he really took off and ran with the role of ObiWan from the start and absolutely bridged the gap between trilogies. He and Annakin had the best scenes, best writing, best acting, best effects, best choreography and most touching moments. The chancellor/emperor was quite the solid villain, but Padme's character completely shifted from being the confident, capable, precociously mature senator to whiny teenage girl. Sadly, bad writing sent her strengths and charismatic draw out the window and completely wasted Natalie Portman's talent. She was so well suited for the first two prequels, it felt like Lucas just forgot she was important and let her fade away.
There are several references to the "Jedi religion"- very taoist/eastern as usual, but on a practical, tangible level- more than "use the force" to blow up a space station with your xwing fighter. I liked the way he carefully wove a little dogma in without any preaching whatsoever (nothing against preachers, of course). Yoda gave some good advice for all of us, I just wish I could remember more of what it was.
The purists out there don't seem like the new trilogy at all but are giving Sith some slack. I, unlike most of the nerds out there, loved the Attack of the Clones and really want to see Episode 1 again now that all three are out for comparing and contrasting. Yes, they're different, shinier, fancier, and less organic than the original three- but we're going on thirty years of movie making progress, what do they expect? Something that crawled out of a time capsule? I'll go for the progress- the older set aren't going anywhere- like the comfy pair of shoes in the closet (if you're in the mood for a quick simile).
I'm going to try to see it again on the big screen soon. After the buzz dies down a little bit. I'm a bad judge of age based appropriateness. It earned its PG-13 with light sabers and blasters. There is the "Executive Order 66" thing that doesn't work out so well for the Younglings (when the Sith really hit the fan) but I don't want to spoil anything. Even that isn't too gory or anything, just sad.
With all that said, again, the movie was amazing. Have you seen it or have plans to yet? You should. I saw one of the midnight showings on release day- not in costume or anything- and it was completely, absolutely worth the sloggy feeling at work Thursday morning from staying out late. I'm still getting waves of goosebumps at times from the experience. George Lucas left no loose ends that I can find and made a movie that did an admirable job of living up to the hype, high expectations and tying together of five other movies in their respective dynasties. If you're already a fan, no questions, you'll be pleased. If not, it may be hard to start with Revenge of the Sith- depending on your taste, either way, you're in for a wild, visually stunning ride.