Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
The final chapter of George Lucas’ prequel trilogy comes to a close in epic fashion. The republic is shifting in new directions. The Clone Wars are nearing its end, Anakin is growing as a Jedi, and Chancellor Palpatine seeks more power. To complicate matters further, Padmé reveals to Anakin that she is pregnant. As he fears for her life, Palpatine tightens his relationship with Anakin, revealing his true intentions for galactic domination as a Sith Lord. He also offers the ability to save Padmé’s life. Anakin’s temptations to save her come at a high cost, which would destroy the democratic institution he vowed to protect and the many he holds close. As Anakin’s confusion grows, so does Palpatine’s influence. What follows is Anakin’s heartbreaking descent to the dark side, resurrecting as the infamous Darth Vader.
Positives:
For context, “Revenge of the Sith” is a deeply personal film for me. I remember seeing it twenty years ago when it originally released. As an excited nine-year-old and passionate fan of the series, it was such a special experience. It is also one of the first memories at a movie theater, which played a role in my passion for film today. Getting to relive the film with my wife (who had never seen the film), friends, and Mom (who took me to see it twenty years ago) was wonderful! “Revenge of the Sith” is an experience I didn’t know I needed. It reminded me of the power of the theatrical experience and what a proper blockbuster can do to invigorate audience enthusiasm. The film is just as powerful as it was upon its release. It begins with a high stakes rescue mission that sets the events of the story in place. From there, it never lets up! It perfectly balances the exciting action scenes with the dialogue heavy exchanges. There is not a moment wasted throughout the story. It’s so rare to observe a film that doesn’t drag or feel like it overstays its welcome. The runtime flew by!
The pacing is something I appreciated more this time around. I’ve always admired the “Star Wars” transitions between different events going on. They feel fluid and natural, where a lightsaber battle can be going on at the same time as an important exchange. Both can feel equally important to the plot and propel it forward effectively. The visual effects are still impressive to this day. In fact, I’d rival them to any CGI heavy film being released today. The attention to detail and illustrious display of visual creativity can’t be denied. Each planet the characters visit feels real and lived in. Whether it be the bustling urban environment of Coruscant or the bleak, lava coated Mustafar system, everything is well established. Plus, the costume design enhances the distinction between each set of characters. “Revenge of the Sith” also gives us the best battle sequences and lightsaber fights in the franchise. To this day, the fast-paced choreography of the lightsaber duels gives me chills. I never get sick of seeing Grevious and Obi-Wan duke it out on Utapau, Palpatine and Yoda exchange their knowledge of the force, or the heartbreaking fight to the death between Anakin and Obi-Wan. Spectacle and action are top notch here! I wonder if it will ever be topped in another “Star Wars” film.
But the most important part of the film is the weight it juggles. Not only does “Revenge of the Sith” have to wrap up the Vader storyline, but it must make us BELIEVE Anakin chose this path. We understand the emotional turmoil he faces throughout the saga and how Palpatine coaxed him into a position that he didn’t want to be in. We feel the struggle he is battling as his desire to become a Jedi master is at odds with his fear of losing Padmé. The film conveys this in a convincing fashion and makes the previous films better. The groundwork for Palpatine’s power seizure comes to fruition and Anakin’s darker tendencies rise to the forefront when the Jedi need him most. I always feel a sense of sadness when Padmé and Obi-Wan are both sharing their dismay with Anakin’s actions, only to be met with hostility and rage. This is undoubtedly George Lucas’ most effective storytelling, giving fans the payoff they always hoped for. It buttons up every storyline and concludes the saga on a note so satisfyingly heartbreaking. Every time I watch the film, I relive these emotions all over again. The score enhances these feelings throughout the film. I’d rival “Revenge of the Sith’s” music to any within the franchise, and possibly amongst the best ever. This is a perfect example of background music enhancing a scene and eliciting the proper emotions. I absolutely loved the movie and am so fortunate to get to experience it on the big screen again.
Negatives:
I fully acknowledge that the film probably isn’t a true five-star film. But my personal enjoyment is unmatched, providing one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had at the movies in years. It was everything I hoped it would be, being the emotional roller coaster it was twenty years ago. Sure, there are a few spouts of cheesy dialogue that are slightly overacted (particularly from Anakin and Palpatine). I don’t think the script helped them much, which is an issue in each of the prequels. But it doesn’t detract from the film’s quality nor does it make the experience worse. If there is a true flaw with the film, it would be the scene where the Jedi attempt to retrain Palpatine. I still wish Lucas were able to kill off those Jedi in a more convincing fashion, rather than having them lose their guard in a matter of seconds and get gunned down by Palpatine with ease. But truthfully, this was an experience so wonderful that not even the flaws detracted from the film. When my critic brain turns off and I just live within the story, that’s a real compliment to the storytelling.
Conclusion:
The “Star Wars” franchise has always been very personal to me, but none quite like “Revenge of the Sith”. It is one of the quintessential theatrical experiences I had growing up, propelling my love for cinema forward. Getting to relive it with friends and family is a treat I won’t soon forget. The story is still so powerful, eliciting excitement and heartbreak all at once. Even though I know what happens, I always hope for a different outcome. I want Anakin to bring balance to the force and restore order to the galaxy…but he doesn’t. Credit to the film for getting me to feel a sense of freshness even though I know the end result will result in the creation of Darth Vader. The visual effects and action sequences are incredible, transporting audiences to the world of “Star Wars” once again. I love this film so much, so getting to share it with fans as passionate as me is an experience I will never forget. This is a masterpiece through and through. May the force be with you fellow reader, always!
