Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

By now you probably know that I don't quite hate the prequel Star Wars trilogy as much as most people do. As I've argued, they have their merits and each one offers up at least a couple great scenes, though I don't deny they are a little rough around the edges. Attack of the Clones in particular is the series' low point and all around just a mess of a film with not a whole lot going on.

When society finally got to Revenge of the Sith, I seem to remember that people were still excited, but prepared for the worst. It was a film where we already knew much of what happened and, after the disappointment of Clones, many were left wondering if George Lucas had an entire new film left in the tank. 

Much like Clones, and Phantom Menace for that matter, I remember really liking Revenge of the Sith when it first came out. It was full of action and spectacle and seemed to be a streamlined series of events detailing the total collapse of this Star Wars universe. Contrary to the film before it, a lot happens in Sith and most of it is quite tragic. Despite knowing the outcome of the story already, it says a lot about a film when it's able to captivate its audience with these characters that have struggled in prior films (other than Obi-Wan). 

Re-watching it again, I'm happy to say that I still really like Revenge of the Sith and, at least in my humble opinion, it sits right up there with some of the great Star Wars movies. It carries over many traits that plagued the first two films, but makes their impact less obvious by actually featuring a story that captivates other than meandering aimlessly. 

Revenge of the Sith is the high point of the prequel trilogy, which it's regarded as such by most, and also the best story of the three with the actual downfall and demise of Anakin Skywalker to the Dark Side. 

Yep. Still awkward.

The film picks up some time after the second film with Padme pregnant, and Anakin and Obi-Wan hunting Count "Snooze-fest" Dooku during the Clone Wars. I enjoyed his decapitation with extra glee this previous viewing as I realized how much he bored me and then the film picks back up on the politics of the first films. The Chancellor is trying to absorb absolute power in a time of war to have "one voice" for the Republic and, unlike the predecessors, I actually found the political aspects of Sith riveting and making a whole lot more sense this time around. It's probably a mixture of being older and the current political climate, but the ascension to power from Palpatine is executed just as well as the fall of Anakin in my book. That particular plot is where the film really shines and also where it earned its PG-13 rating. Even at 27, I recognize that Sith goes to some dark places and there are some true moments of tragedy. As it wraps its conclusion and we've seen the devastating consequences of Anakin's betrayal, it ends a prequel trilogy on a bleak note, even for those that know there's still "Hope" out there. Think about adding in Rogue One to the timeline since that's where it fits and Star Wars is one f**king dark universe for a significant period of time there.

One of the saddest things about Sith is unfortunately the characters we've seen before it. As I stated in previous reviews, McGregor's Obi-Wan is about the only character to make it out of the prequel trilogy with a net-positive image and that remains so here. It's because of his performance from the last three films that there's any semblance of emotion during his discovery of Anakin's atrocities and their final battle. No thanks to Natalie Portman or Hayden Christensen however when it comes to wringing any emotion from their scenes. Yes, there are still script issues here and Portman is a fine actress, but their complete lack of chemistry along with Christensen's inconsistent acting are where you wish they would have been recast many years ago. These are characters we're supposed to be heartbroken over: they've lost their love and one of them has turned evil in some of the most sinister of ways. They both try to salvage whatever parts of their characters still exist, but in the end, too much damage was done in previous installments (mainly Clones) for us to truly care. 

Turning to the Dark Side often results in a nasty case of pink eye

We need a Yoda Star Wars Story

Previous misfortunes aside, Sith does more than enough to make clear that it's far and away the best of the prequel trilogy. It's serious and dark in tone, Christensen's acting is much improved (for the most part), and it moves swiftly from set piece to set piece. It's a movie that knows it has a lot to cover and doesn't dilly-daddle around. Even with impending doom on the horizon, I found myself -- on what was likely a 4th/5th viewing -- enamored by what was happening. Particular character deaths are still shocking and seeing certain fights are awe-inspiring. Yoda vs. Palpatine comes to mind. Then of course there's that final fight between Obi-Wan and Anakin that's the single best lightsaber fight in the series. It's long, inventive, and emotional. Anakin, distraught over Padme's illness wants to kill Obi-Wan for interfering while Obi-Wan is simply trying to find a way to incapacitate Anakin and get him out of this situation. The choreography of this scene is gorgeous, with blue lightsaber vs. blue lightsaber clashing against a backdrop of lava. It's poignantly accompanied by another fantastic original score (something the prequel films also excel at) and their final interactions stir up more emotion than one may expect. McGregor gives it his all in these scenes as does Christensen and as Obi-Wan takes his final strike, we know that the Star Wars universe is changed permanently. Seeing Anakin struggle afterwards is the heartbreak fans were looking for and it makes the understanding of an iconic villain and his ego come full circle. 

Truly a magnificent scene

Many fans hate the prequel trilogy and I think it's a rather unfair sentiment. They have severe issues, sure, but as a whole the trilogy acts as one grand setup to possibly the most famous on-screen villain in film. It's bookends are fabulously enjoyable and inventive, while one could argue that the middle film's purpose/focus should have been revisited. But at the end of it all, we've seen a boy grow into a teenager, into a man, and into a monster and the dramatic turn that something as complicated as that requires. Revenge of the Sith is an example of saving the best for last and while it doesn't entirely erase some plaguing issues, it does enough to be a great, sometimes moving film that gives us insight into the violence that created someone such as Darth Vader. 

CONS

• Still has script issue between Anakin and Padme and their chemistry is still non-existant
• The previous dialogue and lack of relationship building in the first two films makes the Padme/Anakin relationship fall flat. When we should be feeling devastation and heartbreak, we're feeling nothing at all
• General Grievous was less than interesting on my most recent watch through. Outside the cool idea of having 4 lightsabers, he's an obviously CG character that doesn't serve too much of a purpose
• Again, I come back to one of the most significant miss-steps of the original trilogy: not making Darth Maul the main villain along with his master, Darth Sidious
• Over reliance on CGI in some scenes

PROS

• When the film DOES use special effects, they're often incredible and have aged well
• Count Dooku decapitation
• Another iconic original score
• Thoroughly enjoyable action
• Speaking of action, the final lightsaber battle is the best in the entire Star Wars movie landscape (so far)
• Just a great story overall. This is the demise of a character as they descend into darkness. It goes to some concerning places and seems more mature in tone than the previous films
• The final scenes between Obi-Wan and Anakin are the heartbreak that audiences are looking for. Seeing Anakin struggle from his injuries as Obi-Wan watches on, understanding that things can never be the same, is a tragic moment and ranks among the best in this ongoing story
• Wraps up the prequel trilogy on a much higher, albeit tragic, note

Retro Rath's Review Score | 9/10