Lucas gets it spot on! (Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2 DVDs))

Member Name: thespurs

Product:	Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2 DVDs)
Date:	05/10/05 (147 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Thrilling from start to finish, completes the story in sensational fashion, faultless

Disadvantages: You tell me

-Introduction-

It is the film that I and many others have been waiting to see, for a long, long time. Star Wars Episode III, Revenge of the Sith. It has received so much hype and varying reviews, some consider it to be the best ever film and others somewhat disappointed. I wouldn't consider myself to be the biggest Star Wars fan on the planet by any means. I don't have Star Wars costumes, visit conventions or queue up for the very first showing of the film. However, I do have Star Wars Lego and all of the other films on video, twice. I have been looking forward to this since the second episode, well since seeing four, five and six really and I was hoping and was pretty sure that it wouldn't disappoint.


-Background-

This is the third film, in a series of six and it is in fact the sixth and final film to be released. It is in many ways a film that gives us answers and reasons for what happened in episodes four to six. It gives everything that bit more meaning and our understanding should be much greater. It fills in those missing gaps, but it does so in spectacular fashion.

The films are written and directed by the now great George Lucas and they are undoubtedly films to be proud of. In recent weeks, Lucas has admitted that he only ever anticipated there to be one Star Wars film, but how wrong he was. It has come such a long way in the last thirty years and it has drawn people of different ages, who are eager to see the trilogy completed.


-Opening Titles-

The opening titles are the same as any of the other five films in the trilogy. The music kicks in and the now famed yellow text roles across the screen. It really doesn't give to much away, only an introduction to the first part of the movie. It is very short compared with other films, only three paragraphs in total. The wording wasn't quite what I would have expected, it did seem rushed and as though it was considered an important part of the film. This is about the only criticism that I am going to be able to come up with. They should have spent a little more time refining the wording and also perhaps looked at the length. The camera then pans downwards and the film begins.


-The Plot-

The war between the Republic and the Trade Federation/Empire is now in full swing and the battle is finely poised. The force of evil still exists in the galaxy in the form of Count Dookoo, previously too powerful for Anakin and Obi Wan. Having claimed Anakin's arm in a battle past, he is determined to bring Dookoo to his knees. The relationship between Padme and Anakin is still blossoming and they are more in love than ever. It seems as though everything is set fair, but things are turned on their head. A single piece of news, that is joyful and worthy of celebration is the catalyst of a chain of events that will change the galaxy forever. There is immense confusion between all of the characters and parties and the events do start to spiral out of control. One thing is for sure, destiny is fulfilled but in the most unexpected of ways.


-Graphics/Effects-

The visual effects just seem to get better and better. This film has been able to really excel itself with the new graphic features available. Some of the scenes, especially of cities and the more remote battle centres are amazing. They are so detailed and precise and on such a massive scale. They are quite simply breathtaking and they are immensely realistic. The battle scenes are also exquisite, the duelling in particular. The moves are far less expansive, the fighting is more intricate and intense. I got the feeling that I was being taken closer to the action, to the heart of the fight.

You can't fail to be impressed by the visualisations that Lucas and his team have come up with. They are immense and out of this world, but they have remained believable. The graphics have always been good, but in this film they have been really stepped up. The volcanic and lava scenes are ones too look out for. If for nothing else, go and see this film just to witness the visual effects that have been used to make the film truly amazing. They aren't over used by any stretch of the imagination and are really taken into the film.


-Casting-

The casting hasn't much changed from the second film and I think even then they had the right balance and chemistry. Hayden Christensen is excellent as Anakin and he does a fantastic job of demonstrating his anger and evil, whilst his loving side still shines through. He and Natalie Portman, playing Padme, are fantastic in those intimate scenes and they really take to the role and situation. They seem relaxed in their character and really pull it off well. Obi Wan played by Ewan McGregor is his usual self, being able to play the part of his mostly relaxed character. There are those traits of the older Obi Wan present and also what we saw of him in the original two films comes through. Ian McDiarmid is for me, the most impressive of the characters in the film. He lives up to his evilness with great effect and he steals the show. He is the dictionary definition of evil and at times you are genuinely convinced that he really is that evil. There were no changes to the cast, there didn't need to be any. It has been spot on from the very first scene of Episode One.


-Dialogue-

There are many critics that had complained of a poor dialogue in the film and that C3PO and Yoda came out with some silly and unnecessary remarks. I would totally disagree with this and say quite the opposite. They spoke at the right time and said the right thing. C3PO said very little, but he was ever present. There were long sessions of one on one dialogue that are quite unprecedented in Star Wars films. They were careful to keep these as short as possible, whilst making it gripping and holding your attention. There were often times when simply the music and images could tell the story and feelings of the characters and this is another thing that I think the production team got spot on.


-Music-

The music of all the Star Wars films has been brilliant in every way. John Williams has kept up that level in this film and even taken it on a stage. There is one familiar piece of music that returns, the death march that accompanies Darth Vader and the Sith. Once again you get that eerie shiver down your spine and you know the dark side is a power once again. The music is very emotive and at times it just takes over and tells the story itself. It fits in with the action perfectly and at times it does get you, it reflects the solemn mood, the evil and even the hope. It is a vital part of the film and I really can't fault it.


-Conclusion-

I don't normally recommend any of the products, media, or services that I review to everybody, but this film a must see for everyone. If you aren't a Star Wars fan, then I feel this film still has something to offer you. It has graphics and visual effects that are simply out of this world and it is full of action from start to finish. It is also immensely gripping, emotional throughout and action packed in the intervals. There are more fights than in the centre of town on a Friday night, all of which are thrilling to watch. It is amazing, in every way, the ending is fitting and it really does complete the trilogy in the most satisfying manor. I just can't quite come to terms with the film, it's going to take me another viewing at least in order to do so. Once again, the ending is just sensational!

Summary: A superb way to cap off the most epic series of films ever