Star Wars : Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

A Perfect Ending To The Beginning

The movie saga that has spanned almost four decades comes full circle with the latest George Lucas offering.  “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith" was not only an ominous story but, unlike its predecessors, it also received a PG-13 rating.  "Sith", however, delivers on punch, story, action and much more.

The story of "Revenge of the Sith" starts a few years after the end of “Attack of the Clones”.  Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), now a general and a member of the Jedi council, and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) have been fighting in the Clone Wars.  When the film starts, their mission is to rescue Supreme Chancellor    Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) who is in the clutches of General Grievous (voice of Matthew Wood, coughing by George Lucas) and Count Dooku (Christopher Lee).  After eliminating Dooku and rescuing Palpatine, Grievous escapes, leaving the group to crash land their ship on Coruscant.  This is all in a day’s work for the Jedi!

Shortly after arriving on Coruscant, Anakin is reunited with Padme (Natalie Portman), who he secretly married in Episode II, and it is revealed that she’s pregnant.  Anakin, however, grows increasingly distressed because of nightmares he has that show Padme dying in childbirth.  During this time, his alliance with Palpatine grows, which concerns the Jedi Council, especially Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson), who is convinced that there’s more to the Chancellor than meets the eye.  When Palpatine appoints Anakin as his representative on the council, the young Jedi is eager to prove himself.  However, his ego takes a hefty blow when the other Jedi, while allowing him to sit on the council, refuse to give him the rank of Master.

Afterwards, Obi-Wan, in an attempt to track down General Grievous, is sent to Utapau while Yoda travels to Kashyyyk to confer with the Wookies.  Anakin, in the meantime, becomes distraught when he realizes the true identity of Palpatine but is convinced that he is the key to saving Padme.  How will Anakin’s decisions ultimately effect those closest to him?

“Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” had a lot to live up to.  The movie had to answer a number of questions in order to provide a smooth transition to the first movie, “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”.  (See the article “Countdown to Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”.)  The film did just that for the most part.

Most people expect to be dazzled by lightsaber and battle scenes and “Sith” does that as well.  The final battle on the lava planet of Mustafar was exceptional.  “Sith” also delivers several compelling, gut wrenching scenes.  It even gives the person watching the film an almost sympathetic view of Anakin’s fall to the Dark Side of the force.

The acting was far better in “Sith”.  Ian McDiarmid’s performance as Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious/Emperor was one of the high points of the film.  The character was subtle, manipulative and pure evil all rolled into one.  It was also good to see him in action instead of sitting, half hidden throughout the film.

For those who are only familiar with the movies and not the books, a few things could have been added about General Grievous’ background to relay how dangerous he was perceived.  Yoda leaving for Dagobah would have been a nice touch as well.  (This scene is supposedly featured in the deleted scenes on the DVD.) 

With a solid, well paced plot, special effects, lightsaber battles and the rise of Darth Vader, this is the "Star Wars" film fans have been waiting for. "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" is the perfect ending to the beginning.

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