I saw “Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith It is the episode that ties into the original “Star Wars” movie.
The movie starts in the mist of battle in space above the capital planet (home to the multi world senate and Jedi temple) in which the Jedi knight master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his student Anakin Skywalker are attempting to rescue the leader of the Republic Palpatine who has been captured by the Separatist.
After his rescue, Palpatine who is really a Sith known as Darth Sidious continues to play on Skywalkers’ confusions and fears. He gives him position and power while the Jedi Council still refuses to make him a Jedi master for example.
After Anakin has a dream of his wife’s death while giving birth to their child (children) that is similar to the dreams he had that foretold his mother’s death he is ripe to the suggestion that getting to know the dark side of the Force will offer ways for him to prevent the foreseen death of his wife.
The prevention of the death of his wife becomes the main catalyst for his pledge of allegiance to Darth Sidious and the dark side of the Force. Right after Anakin’s pledge Darth Sidious knights him Darth Vader.
They quickly move against the Jedi. One of the first assignments given to Darth Vader is to attack, sack and kill everyone in the Jedi Temple. In one of the most memorable scenes in the film Anakin leads columns of storm troopers up the stairs and into the Jedi Temple. He slaughters everyone in the temple including the children training to be Jedi Knights.
Palpatine has had all the Separatist leaders hide out on a volcanic planet that is covered in rolling streams and rivers of lava. It looks like some type of smelting operation has been set up on the planet.
Darth Vader’s second assignment is to go to that planet and slaughter all the leaders of the Separatist Movement thus bringing an end to the war that Palpatine has fomented.
On this planet Anakin battles his former Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. The outcome of this battle leads to the complete transformation of Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader.
When all is said and done, the Republic becomes an evil empire led by one who serves the dark side of the Force and the Jedi have been virtually wiped out.
I think Lucas did a pretty good job tying this episode into the first “Star Wars” movie.
I still have a slight problem with the acting of Hayden Christensen (Anakin) and also Natalie Portman (Anakin’s wife). I feel that they are underplaying these roles or something.
I remember during Episode II Christensen had a scene in which he was having a nightmare about his mother’s death that looked more like he was having a wet dream.
I remember I had a problem with his acting in Episode II in which he appeared overly moody and depressed but still delivered his lines in a sort of monotone manner (Natalie Portman did a better job in that film).
In Episode III Portman is delivering her lines sort of flat like Christensen did in Episode II and like Christensen is still doing to a lesser extent in Episode III. Now both of these actors have starred in films in which their acting was highly praised but I don’t think their talents show here.
Is this the fault of the director or what? Was Lucas going for some sort of mood or atmosphere between these two that is devoid of real passion (the dialogue Christensen and Portman are given is kind of ‘cheesy’ but it could have been delivered much more enthusiastically).
I did not feel the passion between these lovers, which makes the performances kind of unbelievable.
All the other actors in the film did a good job (including the people who provided the voices for the CGI and costumed characters).
I don’t want to leave the impression that Christensen’s and Portman’s performance totally sucked. Like I said the scene in which Anakin is leading columns of storm troopers into the Jedi Temple is very cool. The childbirth scene for Portman is also good.
One also can’t blame the actors for dialogue that is not that good or natural either. That blame goes to the screenwriter.
The special effects as is expected from a Lucas product were excellent but no new ground was broken.
The story alone would probably score a C grade but when combined with the special effects and the ‘wrapping up’ of this series the grade increases. I will give “Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith” a grade of B. It is worth a trip to the theater, popcorn and a soda. I have seen it twice. The movie moves quickly and is very ‘watchable’ in my view.
May the Force be with you.