Better Than I Thought

Rating: 10/10 (12 June 2005)

My qualifications: Life long Star Wars fan. These days it seems the old films are seen as great and the new films are rubbish. I'm here to bring balance to the Force and the films! I wasn't expecting to like this movie after reading so many negative comments, but I was riveted to my seat. The climax to the film was spectacular.
Many people have complained about the corny and schmaltzy love scenes between Anakin and Padme; as if corny love scenes were a first in the Star Wars saga. Well pardon me, but I seem to recall the romance scenes between Han Solo and Leia were toe-curling at times! However, because Han Solo's character could be humorous, and crack jokes, they got away with it. Remember Leia's "I Love You" and his response: "I know!" Han and Leia had a great time sending themselves up. I remember being so jealous of Carrie Fisher. I would have paid George Lucas to snog Han Solo. Carrie Fisher got PAID to do it!
The dark character that Anakin was becoming didn't allow for jocularity in his romantic scenes with Padme. They were forbidden to marry and Anakin foresaw the love of his life dying in childbirth. Hardly something you could turn into a belly laugh is it?
Besides, poor Anakin had been given some kind of pigtail in Attack of the Clones, so no wonder he looked fed up. I much preferred Anakin's hair in Revenge of the Sith, but his beautiful Barnet didn't appear to improve his mood.
I love all the characters in the Star Wars films (even The Emperor for his nastiness) but let's all be thankful that Jar Jar Binks role diminished with every episode! What a pain that character was. It's bad enough trying to work out Yoda's backward speak without trying to translate the jabberings of Jar Jar Binks.
Much as I love the old films, they do appear a bit clunky now in comparison to the new ones. George Lucas obviously loves the technology part of his film making craft and sometimes this is at the expense of story. However, I defy anyone not to find the scene where Obi Wan berates Anakin, telling him he was the Chosen One and he was supposed to bring balance to the Force and not destroy the Jedi (or words to that effect). I found that scene incredibly moving. It was painful to see Anakin/Darth weeping and later, writhing about in the lava. (I'm surprised Anakin and Obi Wan didn't die from heatstroke while fighting!)
Anakin now had the ugly appearance to match his new personality. While watching those lava scenes, I suspect that others, like me, were remembering cutesy boy Anakin in Phantom Menace and loverboy Anakin who laid on the passion, pain and compliments with a trowel to win the heart of Padme. I was thinking: How could cutesy boy Anakin, that good looking youth turn into a child killer and grab his poor pregnant missus by the neck! Of course we know the loss of Anakin's mother had made him overly paranoid about losing anyone he loved, and before you could say R2D2, he'd sold his soul to the Emperor.
I thought the scene with Windu being shot with bolts of electricity by the Emperor was clever. We know in years to come, this scene will be reprised and Anakin will see his son Luke blasted by those blue bolts. I think Anakin saves Luke, not only because he is his son, but because he remembers Windu's death and feels he has a chance to right that wrong.
For those who complain about the dire dialogue, just remember that these films were only meant to be fairy tales set in space - not William chuffing Shakespeare! Yes, I know what you're thinking. How could such a dark film as Sith be described as a fairy tale? Just remember Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and Sleeping Beauty - these too had their Dark Side! ;-)
Don't take it so seriously folks. These films are meant to be fun.