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It has been three years since the Clone Wars began. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) rescue Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from General Grievous, the commander of the droid armies, but Grievous escapes. Suspicions are raised within the Jedi Council concerning Chancellor Palpatine, with whom Anakin has formed a bond. Asked to spy on the chancellor, and full of bitterness toward the Jedi Council, Anakin embraces the Dark Side. (1)
Review
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Hello, Movie Buffs!
Since 1999 with the release of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Star Wars fans have had to put up with the somewhat less the satisfactory additions to a beloved franchise. First in Episode I: Phantom Menace (1999), there was the memorable and annoying Jar Jar Binks (played by Jake Lloyd). Then in Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) we have the somewhat stiff dialogue and a clumsy love story. As a result, it is no wonder why fans were cautious with the release of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005). Well, have no fear George Lucas because all is forgiven. Revenge of the Sith is without a doubt the prequel film that fans have been waiting for since 1999. Anybody who has seen Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) knows the outcome of this film but what we don’t fully know is how it all comes together; the last few moments before Anakin turns into Darth Vader, the birth of Luke and Leia (why they were separated), and the reasoning behind Obi-Wan Kenobi’s hermit/in-the-shadows lifestyle. George Lucas weaves a very well-told story of a guy who is said to be the ‘Chosen One’ fall from grace, taking a much dark and sinister road than what was expected of him, and yet amongst all that darkness, hope endures. By the end of the film, there is still hope for the future, to the point that it almost causes a tear to roll down one’s cheek.
As with the previous two film, the visuals and special effects are an astounding collage of movement, colors, and action. The CGI technology used to create Yoda has grown impressively over the years and all the unique and futuristic planets/worlds we see look believable. In Episode I and II the special effects were amazing but they were weakened due to being layered over complicated and sometimes vacant dialogue and performances. However, there is sold story telling here and because of that I have to say that out of the three prequel films Revenge of the Sith has by far the best special effects; for once the special effects serve the script and not the other way around. Music Composer John Williams (Star Wars films) uses elements from both the first two prequel films and the classic trilogy which enables for Revenge of the Sith to be a worthy addition to the Star Wars franchise. The music also contributes to a number of aspects throughout the film. It builds the drama and intensifies the action sequences, by invoking excitement, intrigue, pain, heartache, and hope. The music combined with the drama and action allows for the actors to deliver some of their best performances in comparison to all three films.
While we are on performances…we no longer have to see stiff dialogue with somewhat over dramatic acting. Instead, the performances are logical and believable to the story and the personal warfare of the characters. Anakin’s (Hayden Christiansen – Awake) internal struggle and ultimate transformation into Darth Vader is unavoidable natural and never forced. The chemistry between Anakin and Padmé (Natalie Portman – Black Swan) is honest and emotional, the same can be said about the chemistry between Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor – Impossible, Beauty and the Beast 2017). Ewan gives Obi-Wan great depth and his bond with Anakin is deep, more like a father/son relationship than a teacher/student relationship. We as an audience can feel his heartache and pain when he comes to the heart-stopping realization that Anakin – someone who is like a son to him – has fallen prey to the Dark Side. As a result, this makes for Anakin’s unavoidable fate to be that much more tragic for everyone involved.
Overall, the prequel trilogy comes to an end in a grand fashion with George Lucas’ Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005). Despite the strengths and weakness through the entire prequel trilogy, Lucas has created something that will be remembered for years to come. Revenge of the Sith provides a new perspective on Lucas’ reasoning behind Episode I and II as well as connects the prequel trilogy with the original trilogy. It is interesting to see throughout the film are small pieces and ideas that build up to what is to come in Episode IV: A New Hope. While it is no surprise that Episode III ends primarily on a discouraging note, ironically a small glimmer of hope still remains. It's thought provoking, inspiring, dark, and worth noting as one of the best films in the prequel trilogy.
BEST ORDER TO WATCH THE SERIES:
Rogue One: A Star Wars Film (2016)
Star Wars Episode IV: New Hope (1977)
Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars Episode I: Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clone Wars (2002)
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
Star Wars Episode IX (TBA)
"You were my brother, Anakin! I loved you!"
- Obi-Wan
Final Vote
Worth Seeing: 4.5 of 5 star
Worth Buying: 4.5 of 5 stars
I hope you liked this post, subscribe to my blog via email HERE, send in your comments, and watch Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Movies Similar
John Carter (2012)
Rogue One (2016)
Star Trek 1 (2009)
Star Trek 2: Into Darkness (2013)
Star Trek 3: Beyond (2016)
Star Wars I: Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clone Wars (2002)
Star Wars IV: New Hope (1977)
Star Wars V: Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
Cast & Crew
Directed & Written by George Lucas
Produced by George Lucas and Rick McCallum
Music by John Williams
Cinematography by David Tattersall
Film Editing by Ben Burtt and Roger Barton
Casting By Christine King
Production Design by Gavin Bocquet
Art Direction by Phil Harvey, Peter Russell, David Lee, and Ian Gracie,
Set Decoration by Piero Di Giovanni and Richard Roberts
Costume Design by Trisha Biggar
Cast:
Ewan McGregor ... Obi-Wan Kenobi
Natalie Portman ... Padmé
Hayden Christensen ... Anakin Skywalker
Ian McDiarmid ... Supreme Chancellor Palpatine
Samuel L. Jackson ... Mace Windu
Jimmy Smits ... Senator Bail Organa
Frank Oz ... Yoda (voice)
Anthony Daniels ... C-3PO
Christopher Lee ... Count Dooku
Keisha Castle-Hughes ... Queen of Naboo
Silas Carson ... Ki-Adi-Mundi / Nute Gunray
Jay Laga'aia ... Capt. Typho
Bruce Spence ... Tion Medon
Wayne Pygram ... Governor Tarkin
Temuera Morrison ... Commander Cody
David Bowers ... Mas Amedda
Oliver Ford Davies ... Sio Bibble
Ahmed Best ... Jar Jar Binks
Rohan Nichol ... Captain Raymus Antilles
Jeremy Bulloch ... Captain Colton
Amanda Lucas ... Terr Taneel
Kenny Baker ... R2-D2
Matt Sloan ... Plo Koon
Peter Mayhew ... Chewbacca
Rebecca Jackson Mendoza ... Queen of Alderaan
Joel Edgerton ... Owen Lars
Bonnie Piesse ... Beru Lars
Jett Lucas ... Zett Jukassa
Tux Akindoyeni ... Agen Kolar
Matt Rowan ... Senator Orn Free Taa
Kenji Oates ... Saesee Tiin
Amy Allen ... Aayla Secura
Bodie Taylor ... Clone Trooper
Graeme Blundell ... Ruwee Naberrie
Trisha Noble ... Jobal Naberrie
Claudia Karvan ... Sola Naberrie
Keira Wingate ... Ryoo Naberrie
Hayley Mooy ... Pooja Naberrie
Sandi Finlay ... Sly Moore
Katie Lucas ... Chi Eekway
Genevieve O'Reilly ... Mon Mothma
Warren Owens ... Fang Zar
Kee Chan ... Malé-Dee
Rena Owen ... Nee Alavar
Christopher Kirby ... Giddean Danu
Matthew Wood ... General Grievous (voice)
Kristy Wright ... Moteé
Coinneach Alexander ... Whie
Olivia McCallum ... Bene
Michael Kingma ... Wookiee
Axel Dench ... Wookiee
Steven Foy ... Wookiee
Julian Khazzouh ... Wookiee
James Rowland ... Wookiee
David Stiff ... Wookiee
Robert Cope ... Wookiee
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