"A fan of the franchise's take on the dark new Star Wars
By James Mack, Jr.
Published: Friday, May 13, 2005
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is one of the best Star Wars movies made. Let me repeat that: It is one of the best Star Wars movies made. It comes in a very close second to the Empire Strikes Back. Sith embodies all that is a Star Wars movie, and more. It is well made, balanced, and best of all, all of its scenes are completely and utterly necessary. George Lucas has done it �- he has honored the tradition of Star Wars in this final installment.
The past six years have been a surreal ride. We all grew up, at the very least, knowing what the hell Star Wars was. Some of us (His Dorkiness Mack included) fell in love with this science fiction epic. But when it was announced in the late 1990s that George Lucas, creator of Star Wars, was making the 'prequel' trilogy, Star Wars fans everywhere blew a load. We collectively soiled ourselves. The six years that followed were filled with wonderment, awe, and a little disappointment all ending with one hell of a bang.
Something I found lacking in episodes I and II was that some content seemed commercialized. It was as if sensational movie making overpowered the Star Wars universe. The Yoda fight scene in Episode II was ridiculous and redundant. It was made for people to say 'Wow, Yoda fighting, look at the little bugger go!' Episode III had none of that nonsense. Every stroke of the light saber was calculated and referenced, but didn't copy, Episode I's light saber fight scene which, coincidentally, was the greatest fight scene of any Star Wars installment. The action was incredible, and more importantly, meaningful. Meaningful to the plot, the fan"
While we're on the topic of characters, Lucas' casting for young Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) years ago was proven to be the best choice. Ewan was absolutely the best actor in this movie, bar none. He is simply amazing. He is part of what makes this film memorable, if not for the Star Wars quality, but for the acting itself. He completes so much of what we fans desire, and that is properly remembering and honoring Sir Alec Guinness. McGregor does him proud, I would bet.
It is unfortunate the running time is two hours and ten minutes. It was the first time in over two years I did not check my watch for the entirety of a film, and it could have been longer. You get the impression that Lucas was trying his damnest to put stuff in, and he couldn't do everything he wanted. Regardless, what he did put in was great. Sure, I would have liked to see a more smooth transition between three and four, but beggars can't be choosers and I am not ungrateful. What they did use to transition between three and four was good, and it elicited a lot of emotion out of me (and Steven Spielberg, who cried at the premiere). It was like watching everything in a series of epic novels come together. If they made it two hours and 40 minutes I would have been none the wiser. But two hours and ten minutes is still very much worth it.
Get to the theater as soon as possible to see it (once it comes out, of course). Star Wars fans will be in awe at the pure greatness that is Episode III. They will not be disappointed. Non-Star Wars fans will also see this as a great movie. It is worth it, and a part of movie history. This is, without a doubt, one of the best films of the past three years even without the Star Wars title.
By James Mack, Jr.
Published: Friday, May 13, 2005
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is one of the best Star Wars movies made. Let me repeat that: It is one of the best Star Wars movies made. It comes in a very close second to the Empire Strikes Back. Sith embodies all that is a Star Wars movie, and more. It is well made, balanced, and best of all, all of its scenes are completely and utterly necessary. George Lucas has done it �- he has honored the tradition of Star Wars in this final installment.
The past six years have been a surreal ride. We all grew up, at the very least, knowing what the hell Star Wars was. Some of us (His Dorkiness Mack included) fell in love with this science fiction epic. But when it was announced in the late 1990s that George Lucas, creator of Star Wars, was making the 'prequel' trilogy, Star Wars fans everywhere blew a load. We collectively soiled ourselves. The six years that followed were filled with wonderment, awe, and a little disappointment all ending with one hell of a bang.
Something I found lacking in episodes I and II was that some content seemed commercialized. It was as if sensational movie making overpowered the Star Wars universe. The Yoda fight scene in Episode II was ridiculous and redundant. It was made for people to say 'Wow, Yoda fighting, look at the little bugger go!' Episode III had none of that nonsense. Every stroke of the light saber was calculated and referenced, but didn't copy, Episode I's light saber fight scene which, coincidentally, was the greatest fight scene of any Star Wars installment. The action was incredible, and more importantly, meaningful. Meaningful to the plot, the fan"
While we're on the topic of characters, Lucas' casting for young Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) years ago was proven to be the best choice. Ewan was absolutely the best actor in this movie, bar none. He is simply amazing. He is part of what makes this film memorable, if not for the Star Wars quality, but for the acting itself. He completes so much of what we fans desire, and that is properly remembering and honoring Sir Alec Guinness. McGregor does him proud, I would bet.
It is unfortunate the running time is two hours and ten minutes. It was the first time in over two years I did not check my watch for the entirety of a film, and it could have been longer. You get the impression that Lucas was trying his damnest to put stuff in, and he couldn't do everything he wanted. Regardless, what he did put in was great. Sure, I would have liked to see a more smooth transition between three and four, but beggars can't be choosers and I am not ungrateful. What they did use to transition between three and four was good, and it elicited a lot of emotion out of me (and Steven Spielberg, who cried at the premiere). It was like watching everything in a series of epic novels come together. If they made it two hours and 40 minutes I would have been none the wiser. But two hours and ten minutes is still very much worth it.
Get to the theater as soon as possible to see it (once it comes out, of course). Star Wars fans will be in awe at the pure greatness that is Episode III. They will not be disappointed. Non-Star Wars fans will also see this as a great movie. It is worth it, and a part of movie history. This is, without a doubt, one of the best films of the past three years even without the Star Wars title.
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