Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

November 13, 2005

Rated: PG-13 Runtime: 146 min Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is one of the most anticipated movies of all time. But then hasn’t that been the case with every Star Wars movie released after the first one? However, due to this being the last of the series, and the film that completes the story and ties it all together, the fan base has been in a lather of record proportions.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Unfortunately, this has the side effect of the fans setting impossibly high expectations. In this case, we know how the story ends, we know where it is all leading. This makes it even easier for the fans to build up in their head how they think it should play out and how those long awaited confrontations should happen. At the same time, it makes it almost impossible for Lucas to spring any surprises.

But forget the fanboy stuff, let’s talk about how we liked it. First and foremost we absolutely loved the battles and fights. And there were plenty of them including some fights we’ve been waiting over 25 years to see. The special effects were jaw dropping, especially the huge space battle. Although this story was dark, R2D2 and Yoda give us a couple of occasions to chuckle.

And what about the story? We know how it turns out. But this is all about how Annakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader, and perhaps more importantly why. Without spoiling it with the answer to that question, I will say Lucas went down a predictable path, but one which forever changes your view of Vader in Episode IV through Episode VI.

A couple of my own personal questions did remain unanswered though. First, what does it sound like when two wookies mate? Second, does Darth Vader use the toilet, and if so, can you imagine being in the stall next to him? I was also were really hoping Samuel L. Jackson would drop the “MF” bomb as Mace Windu, and we’re pretty sure it was on the tip of his tongue a couple of times, but it just was not to be.

But I can get past those. I can also get past a couple of stiff performances among the cast, a small slow spot in the middle of the movie, and any unfulfilled false expectations I may have had. This is one of those movies that makes me wish we allowed ourselves to cop out and use a half star in our ratings, but instead I’m gonna go ahead and give it 5 stars. It doesn’t pass all of my usual acid tests for that rare 5th star, but no matter how much anyone picks apart this movie, it is still an absolute must see. And furthermore it must be seen on the big screen.

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Posted by Billy Bob | Filed Under 5 Stars, DVD, Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Natalie Portman, PG-13, Samuel L. Jackson, SciFi