Review of Star Wars-Revenge of the Sith on DVD

Why now? Probably because I never really gave the movie a fair shake. I mean I was at the frigging premiere with all the geeks and nerds...I mean I guess when I was younger, I would have LOVED all the pomp and circumstance, but I just saw it as a bunch of idiots who were keeping me from getting a good seat.

I was disappointed at the premiere, but then again, it was the most DEPRESSING AND DARK movies of the saga, and it was MEANT TO BE. I mean its about BETRAYAL. Its about the death of good killed by evil. Its about a character that had lots of potential lost to FEAR.

I liked the way that Lucas fleshed out the characters in this movie. I liked the manipulation of the Emperor using Anakins FEAR of losing his loved ones. I mean its obvious to us, but Ian McDiarmid actor and director, and joint Artistic Director of the highly acclaimed Almeida Theatre in Islington, north London, was a genius and was the BEST choice for Emperor Palpatine. He was over the top when it called for it, and subtle when he needed to be. It was especially amazing the way his character did the Schizophrenic change betwixt the laid back chancellor to the energized crazed maniacal Sith Lord.

I also liked the flashes of evil, and the way Annakins character would justify all the crimes committed (by him) up to the time of the final duel between Annakin and Obi Wan Kenobi. It was his FEAR that was (ultimately) his undoing. The fear of loss...The fear of not having what he wanted. Hence the reason for the Jedi not allowing close relationships (marriage) in the order.

Obi Wans Character artfully played again by Ewan McGregor was again well done. McGregor did the character justice to the end. It was heartwrenching to see his pain at having to cut down his friend. Maybe this is the reason why I came away from the movie feeling somewhat empty. That's was the point. You don't FEEL GOOD about the movie. And that is the whole intent. You SHOULD feel bad. Lucas made this movie well ultimately because you CARE about the players, or you wouldn't feel bad at the end. It would be more like apathy.

The ONLY character I had a problem with is Padme played by Natalie Portman. It was sad to see her degenerate into a sobbing helpless shell of her former self, but then here again, its Lucas whole mission is to show a sort of pathetic hopelessness. In this, he did his job well.

All in all, given the circumstances of the saga, I give the movie a B+. The effects were outstanding, the storyline ran smoothly, and it depressed the hell out of me.