Revenge of the Sith

I arrived at the theater 3.5 hours before the premiere and staked my claim as 10th in line. Impressive. Most Impressive. I'm no stranger to Star Wars lines. Beginning with The Empire Strikes Back, I've lined up in advance of every Star Wars opening, even the release of all three Special Editions. If I hadn't been teaching this summer, I probably would have camped out for what is most likely the final Star Wars premiere. It was possibly the longest 3.5 hours of my life.

While the film isn't the Lucas grand slam for which I was hoping, it's a significant improvement over The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones (for the record, I enjoyed both). I enjoyed myself thoroughly and walked away content. Not thrilled, not overjoyed, not awestruck by the perfectness of the spectacle, but pleased. Revenge of the Sith is a fitting end to the Star Wars experience.

Many of the classic prequel flaws remain, although not to the same degree. The love story between Anakin and Padme still feels forced and their dialogue is, at times, downright juvenile. There is a particularly touching moment when Anakin and Padme, separated by their duties and significant physical distance, stare in each other's direction. Without a single word, the viewer understands how deeply these two care for one another. The next time they exchange dialogue, the spell is broken. Portman's overall acting in this film is still the worst of the lot. I love her other work but she's just terrible in the prequel films. Christiansen displays the ability to play a brooding and angry man and little else. He's best when his brow is furrowed. There are also a couple scenes which seem out of place. Yoda's adventure on Kashyyk with the Wookies isn't necessary for the development of the plot. Lucas also continues to pack every freaking frame of the film with CGI; there's so much going on that it's difficult to pay attention to the characters.

Despite the flaws, I still think Revenge of the Sith makes a fine addition to the Star Wars mythos. Ewan McGregor and Ian McDiarmid continue as the best actors of the lot. McGregor's Obi-wan is terrific; he's self-assured, committed to the higher ideals of the Jedi order, and still enjoys a good joke. Of all the prequel characters, Obi-wan displays the most depth. McDiarmid's Palpatine/Darth Sidious is conniving, manipulative, and megalomaniacal. What a great combination! While many reviews have criticized Anakin's final descent to the dark side as being too forced or quick, I thought it quite appropriate. Darth Sidious plays on all the right fears and Anakin, with good intention, makes a horrible decision. Other highlights of the film include the surprising way in which the Jedi Purge is carried out. We actually get to see quick scenes of various Jedi being eliminated. Anakin's confrontation with the Padawan learners is chilling, as is a teen Jedi's last stand on the steps of the Jedi Temple.

My favorite element of the film, however, is the slow realization by Yoda and Obi-wan that they've failed both the Jedi Order and the broader galaxy. Blinded by his commitment to the traditions and doctrine of the Jedi, Yoda allowed the Order to lose sight of its humanness. Rather than allowing the Order to evolve and grow, and thus preparing for the impending Sith threat, Yoda devoted himself to the old ways. In the closing minutes of the film, Yoda understands that the cause is lost and that he and Obi-wan must go into exile. Similarly, Obi-wan realizes that his attachment to Anakin, hampered his ability to see potential dangers.* In becoming too attached to Anakin, Obi-wan refuses to see his former padawan's slow descent to the Dark Side. Obi-wan's struggle to come to terms with his own failings, as well as the actions of Anakin, are no more apparent than the much awaited Obi-wan Kenobi/Darth Vader duel. Resolved to do the right thing, Obi-wan lets go of his attachment to his former padawan; his emotional pain is apparent throughout the duel. He struggles up to the last possible second, trying to get Anakin/Darth Vader to let go of his anger and hate. When it becomes apparent that Anakin is too immersed in fear, anger, and hatred, Obi-wan lets go of the friendship and leaves Anakin to die.

If you're a Star Wars fan, get out there and see this film. While I'd put this film as the 2nd or 3rd best of the Star Wars saga (The Empire Strikes Back is firmly entrenched at #1; A New Hope or Revenge of the Sith follows at 2), I'd like to hear what others have to say on the matter. I'll be hitting the theater for a second viewing in the next day or so.

May the Force be with you!

*When all is said and done, resisting attachment is the grand theme to this film; through attachment--attachment to material possessions, outdated ideas, and relationships--we create our own suffering