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Directed By
George Lucas
Written By:
George Lucas, Jonathan Hales
Cast:
Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Samuel L. Jackson, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz, Kenny Baker, Ahmed Best, Anthony Daniels, James Earl Jones, Jay Laga'aia, Peter Mayhew, Jimmy Smits
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Star Wars: Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
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IT. WAS. WORTH IT. Jar Jar, Jake Lloyd, Mark Hamill, all those dreary details about tariffs, all that wretched dialogue, even (dare I mention it?) The Star Wars Holiday Special-- it was completely and utterly worth it. EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH totally redeems the all the crap all Star Wars fans have endured. It is a thunderous, awe-inspiring, dazzling climax. There's MORE than just great CG and breathtaking lightsaber duels and Padme (Natalie Portman) in her bitchin' costumes. There's MORE than finally learning why Anakin (Hayden Christensen) goes to the dark side. No, the best part is how satisfying it is to see everything fall into place. The tiniest details from previous films come rushing back, now weighted with new significance. What was just a flicker of expression on Alec Guiness' face in EPISODE IV or a minor character in EPISODE VI are suddenly revealed as the integral puzzle pieces they are. Also, it's just plain fun to see Padme's hair up in Leia-style buns, or Chewbacca surrounded by his hirsute brethren on Kashyyyk.
Sweeping panoramas, elaborate spaceships, exquisitely imagined alien cultures and awesome special effects more than justify your $10.50. You'll learn more about the Jedi, the political climate at the time and the Sith. Loads of cool technology (well, okay, weapons), increasingly- sophisticated droids and fun weird architecture make this a visual feast.
Still, EPISODE III is not perfect. Call the dialogue wooden, and you insult trees. The worst bit, between Anakin and Padme, goes: "You're so beautiful." "It's only because I'm so in love." "No -- it's because I'm in love with you." Oh, just stop.
Padme may have the best wardrobe in the galaxy, but she was still a real letdown in SITH. Remember Queen Amidala? Kick-ass ruler of Naboo at age 14, she defied the Senate ("I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee!") and saved her people. How did she turn into a woman who trembles at the thought of an unexpected pregnancy and its repercussions? (And how is it that NO ONE in the entire GALAXY has invented some kind of safe and effective contraception?) It's infuriating to see the woman who used to blast away battle droids, now gazing up into Anakin's face and whimpering "What are we going to do?"
Worst of all is Anakin's story. Correction: his lack of a story. The whole point of this episode is to reveal why Anakin went to the Dark Side, and in this respect we were all ripped off. After the excitement of all the lightsaber battles wears off, you'll reflect on the plot and think "That's IT?"
But who cares? EPISODE III is a high-paced good time and the ideal bridge between the new episodes and the original trilogy. All together the episodes add up to a thrilling epic saga. This narrative has riveted fans for 28 years. Like EPISODE III's tagline says, the circle is now complete, and the best news? The whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
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