It’s exhausting to imagine these days, however there was a time when the announcement of latest Star Wars content material was not solely uncommon, however massively anticipated. There’s presently a ton of content material obtainable on Disney+, which is nice, nonetheless the mouse home has produced extra misfires than hits in that galaxy far, far-off lately. The sequel sequence, regardless of boasting nice manufacturing design, and a transparent affection for the unique trilogy in components, stuttered as a result of an absence of narrative cohesion over the three films in addition to a director who was given an excessive amount of artistic management over the center installment. Nevertheless, one factor that has materialized from Disney’s controversial dealing with of the franchise, has been a larger love for the prequels from the era of followers who grew up with them. And, what’s extra, followers have the chance to catch what’s arguably the very best of the prequels, Revenge of the Sith, in theaters for every week to mark its twentieth anniversary. Nevertheless, does the film nonetheless maintain up all these years later? I had the nice fortune to search out out on an enormous Dolby Atmos display screen this weekend…
When George Lucas introduced that he’d be making the prequel trilogy within the late 90s, which might concentrate on Anakin Skywalker, his journey to changing into Darth Vader, and the autumn of the Republic to the Empire, followers went right into a tailspin with pleasure. Nevertheless, regardless of some really iconic set items, and a few nice additions to the lore, each The Phantom Menace, and Assault of the Clones, angered some followers as a result of questionable characters, clunky dialogue, and a badly written love story. So, when the trilogy nearer, Revenge of the Sith, went into manufacturing in June 2003, not solely did it must lastly present how ‘little Ani’ grew to become probably the most feared Sith Lord within the Galaxy, but it surely additionally needed to tackle a few of these issues.
The notion from a big inhabitants of Star Wars followers, for a very long time, has been that the prequel sequence are the worst factor to return out of the franchise. Nevertheless, forged your minds again to 1999, and the evaluations for The Phantom Menace weren’t as unhealthy as it’s possible you’ll bear in mind. Certain, Empire journal won’t ever stay down their legendary 5 star evaluate for Assault of the Clones in Could 2002, however whereas it’s the trilogy’s weakest film, it nonetheless delivers a wonderful spectacle in components. Nevertheless, Sith is the film that delivers all the things that’s so nice concerning the prequels, whereas additionally failing to handle the problems that slowed down components one and two. Seeing it once more on the large display screen additionally additional cemented the truth that Lucas and co. actually threw all the things, together with a kitchen sink through the opening house battle, on the display screen, to make it some of the visually wealthy of your entire franchise.
By now, everybody should absolutely know the plot of the film. Nevertheless, for many who have spent the final couple of a long time festering within the Nice Pit of Carkoon, right here goes. The motion takes place three years after the onset of the Clone Wars, which was established in Assault of the Clones after all, and focuses on the rise of the manipulative Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, and the Galactic Empire, the autumn of Anakin Skywalker, plus the demise of the noble Jedis. There’s a lot this film must shoe-horn into its 140 minute runtime, and it principally succeeds in doing so.
Proper from the bat we’re plunged into the film’s opening house battle, which is simply as frenetic, and spectacular, as I bear in mind it being after I first noticed it in theaters again in 2005. It’s one of many franchises greatest moments, with the main target staying firmly on Anakin and Obi Wan’s fighters as they navigate the onslaught and ultimately rescue the captured Chancellor Palpatine from the wheezing Common Grievous. It’s a breathless begin to the film, and manages to ascertain how cocksure, and assured Anakin has turn out to be; taking out buzz-droids, beheading Depend Dooku, and rescuing each the fallen Obi Wan in addition to Palpatine within the course of. It’s not lengthy earlier than we’re again on stable floor although, and the film’s greatest weak spot emerges; the stilted and badly written scenes between Anakin and Padme. Their romance over the course of the flicks is crucial to the story, naturally, but it virtually derailed Clones, and is the clunkiest a part of proceedings in Revenge of the Sith. Anakin’s fall from grace, and his causes for lastly succumbing to the darkish aspect, all relaxation on his concern of dropping Padme, like he did his mom in Episode 2. Sadly, they’ve zero chemistry, and among the worst dialogue within the franchise to cope with. The one saving grace is John Williams’ lovely theme, ‘Across the Stars’ that performs together with their doomed romance.
Nevertheless, dialogue has by no means been George Lucas’ sturdy level, and what we’re actually right here for, 20 years on from its first launch, are the house battles, lightsaber duels, and Yoda hopping on Chewbacca for a raise after beheading a few clones. The whole lot followers love about Sith are nonetheless simply as thrilling on the large display screen, bolstered in my case by a thumping, and immersive Dolby Atmos sound presentation. The aforementioned house battle is explosive, and the lightsaber duels hit the suitable motion beats, particularly after we see Anakin kill Dooku after being egged on by Palpatine. The ultimate battle between Anakin and Obi Wan seems to be unbelievable on the large display screen once more, with the Mustafa lava performing as the right backdrop for his or her fateful battle. Common Grievous is a superb addition to the pantheon of Star Wars villains, and provides Obi Wan a enjoyable mission to go on whereas Anakin and Padme brood and ponder his more and more worrying behaviour. It’s additionally nice to witness the Wookie battle on the large display screen, plus Palpatine going full on pantomime villain by tricking Anakin into killing Mace Windu, cackling like a demented witch within the course of.
When it comes to the forged, Hayden Christensen does his greatest with some horrible strains of dialogue, but when we’re being trustworthy, he wasn’t the only option to play such a conflicted, and complex character, as Anakin Skywalker. Ewan McGregor chews the surroundings up properly by embracing his function as Obi Wan Kenobi, and it’s such a disgrace that his small display screen sequence was hampered by unhealthy writing and ridiculous moments. He owned the function in all three films, and deserved a greater sequence to showcase his skills. Natalie Portman does her greatest with the horrible script however is basically relegated to the background, till she actually offers up on life after giving start to Luke and Leia. One shining mild within the prequels, nonetheless, has been the good Scottish actor, Ian McDiarmid. He could ham it up massively in Revenge of the Sith, however his gravitas, plus the superior duel with Yoda on the finish, is a spotlight.
On the finish of the day, in case you’re a Star Wars fan with a mushy spot for the prequels, like I’ve, I’d extremely suggest trying out Revenge of the Sith for its twentieth yr anniversary, on the most important display screen potential, with probably the most immersive sound you could find. Certain, the CGI could also be fairly ropey at instances, and the script looks as if it’s been written by a kind of unlucky younglings, but it surely’s nonetheless a pulsating, thrilling, and vibrant entry within the Star Wars franchise, and simply the very best of the prequel sequence. As at all times my younger apprentices, could the power be with you…At all times!
