Revisiting Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith


Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens on December 20. It is meant to be an end to the saga we've known for more than 40 years, and that includes 10 previous movies (eight in series and two stand alone tales in the world). In the run up to that release, I'll be revisiting all 10 of the released Star Wars films and sharing thoughts as we prepare for the final chapter.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Starring: Ewan McGreggor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jimmy Smits
About: The final installment of the prequels. I was out of college and working for a local newspaper in 2005 when this one debuted. I also remember that, on the way to this film, was the last time I got a speeding ticket. Amazing the things that you remember about movies. I also remember the long line to get in, and how the first two prequels were playing on the big screen in the courtyard. Obviously Episodes I and II weren't quite what people had hoped for, including me. But I still hoped this final chapter would be better. And it was. We all knew where it had to end. Anakin (Christensen) was never going to be the good guy. His love story with Padme (Portman) was never going to have a happy ending. And it was never going to go well for the republic. But this film is still pretty solid. I feel like the performances are better, maybe because you don't have to suffer through some of the "romance" dialogue of Episode II. It's not a perfect film, but it's easier to make a case for this one approaching some of the lower-end offerings from the other trilogies. The opening sequence to save Palpatine (McDiarmid) is good, and the final confrontation between Obi-Wan (McGreggor) and Anakin is solid. I like the visuals and some of the action there. And the moment when he becomes Darth Vader, though expected, closes the loop. If nothing else, the prequels help to fill in some of the story gaps, for good or for ill. "Revenge of the Sith" will never be a top tier "Star Wars" movie, but I think if often gets unfairly lumped in with the other prequels. It is a better movie from beginning to end, and is more interesting. And that's a win. Plus it has some great and iconic moments, and it bridges the story to the point it needs to get.
Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi violence and some intense images.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju...
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co...
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve...
Read more