Ok, that’s it, I’m officially a geek. I went out and saw Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith today. No, I wasn’t dressed as Chewbacca. I went dressed as a normally, nerdy dude who skips out on a slow afternoon at work to see a sci-fi movie. Duh!
I saw the first Star Wars at the theatre when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I think I may have gone 2 or 3 times. I saw Empire Strikes Back about a dozen times at the theatre when I was 10. I saw Return of the Jedi maybe twice. I even caught the re-mastered version at the theatre when it was re-released about 10 years ago.
So, I’m a dork. Fine. Me and about 20 million other people. Whatever.
I didn’t care for Episode I and II. There was something weird and incomplete about them. They felt forced. I like Ewan McGregor and Sam Jackson is the man. Plus, let’s be honest, Natalie Portman is a hottie.
But, I just never bought Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader. He’s so sunny and surfer-y looking.
Ok, some SPOILERS ahead, so beware if you haven’t seen it
I will admit, however, that Episode III was outstanding. It ranks up there with the first three, although nothing will probably ever compete with the first film even if the Empire Strikes Back is my person favorite.
This one was SO dense. The effects were just ridiculous and there was so much going. I kept having to remind myself that these guys could do all of this because they were Jedi and had the ability to see into the future, but still.
I did think Skywalker fell a little too quickly and dismissed Padme awfully fast. Plus, it was a little tough suspending the belief that being within feet of active lava and flying debris won’t kill you. Oh, and when Darth let out that “Noooooooooooo!” I almost laughed. I mean, that was pretty damn cheesy – worthy of a Simpson’s episode.
I was really fascinated by the parallels in the film – cutting back and forth between two separate fights or battles. That was something George Lucas clearly wanted to do as a filmmaker to show the struggle of good versus evil. Maybe the most compelling was the scene at the end showing Padme giving birth to Luke and Leia while Skywalker was being “re-born” as Darth Vader. That was excellent filmmaking and kudos for bringing back James Earl Jones as the “voice.”
Overall, it was a dark movie for sure and a little graphic in places for Star Wars, but I enjoyed it immensely. I won’t go back and see it at the theatre, but this will go in the DVD collection when released. Lucas did himself proud on this one.