Finally Posted -- REVIEW: "Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith"

Millie · 05-10-2005, 03:51 PM

** WARNING: Contains a few very light spoilers. Nothing major. **

There’s a scene early on in “Revenge of the Sith” where Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker break into Count Dooku’s flagship in order to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from his clutches. Our jedi heroes tell R2D2 to stay behind and guard the hangar while they head up the elevator to the bridge. They’re to communicate with R2 over the equivalent of an intergalactic cell phone. Of course, no sooner do they leave than two heavily armed battle droids enter the hangar and R2 hides behind some large crates. He’s trying to lay low, and every 2 seconds, Obi-Wan is chiming in over the communicator and asking annoying questions. R2 tries to muffle the communicator and keep quiet – like a kid in a movie theater who’s frightened because his phone started ringing, and he has no idea how to turn it off. Of course, the droids eventually find R2, and he defeats them in a satisfyingly comedic way. Meanwhile, Anakin and Obi-Wan dispatch countless droids of their own, while trading one-liners and carrying on like old friends on yet another adventure.

It’s a lighthearted, relatively fast-paced, yet somehow hollow 30 minutes that feels similar in theme and tone to the first two prequels. Maybe it’s a bit better executed, but ultimately it’s still underwhelming. And it’s the complete opposite of what unfolds over the remaining 90 minutes of the film.

Everything changes once Anakin dispatches his first Jedi master and falls victim to the Dark Side. It’s as if – once we’re past the obligatory fluff and introductions – Lucas unleashes a glorious, epic, tragically dark Wagnerian opera in “Star Wars” clothing. It’s unquestionably the grittiest, most surprising, most emotional and most ‘real’ film in the “Star Wars” canon. And it’s real because this is a “Star Wars” film that deals with real issues: love, loss, capital-T Tragedy, genocide, war, oppression and heroism. It’s simultaneously the least like any other “Star Wars” film and the most essential. It’s the perfect bridge between the prequel trilogy and the original trilogy. In short, it’s nearly everything we’ve been waiting for.

There isn’t enough room to name all the moving scenes in this film, so I’ll hone in on a particular favorite. About halfway through the film, newly crowned Emperor Palpatine gives “Order 66” to clonetroopers everywhere. That is, every single clone suddenly stops fighting the Separatist armies and turns on their Jedi generals. There’s a powerful, bittersweet montage on various planets across the galaxy where unsuspecting Jedi are caught offguard by their clone soldiers and gunned down. Some go down fighting. And some just go down. People in the audience were genuinely moved to tears during this sequence. I’ve seen a lot of different reactions to “Star Wars” films by a lot of different audiences in my day, but never tears. That says a lot about how emotionally resonant the film gets.

Of course, the action is all still here – it’s just on a much grander scale, symbolically and literally. This installment contains some of the fastest, most thrilling lightsaber duels of the 6 “Star Wars” films, and certainly the most epic. The fights are set against larger-than-life backdrops, shot from wide angles and given the magnitude and import they deserve. When we finally watch Anakin face off against Obi-Wan at the bitter end, we feel like we’re literally watching two worlds collide. It’s indescribably beautiful, over-the-top, unsubtle and subtle at the same time. It’s vintage George Lucas at his best.

All told, this is not necessarily a perfect film. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to get to the good stuff. Some of the lightsaber fights are too brief and too soon (Dooku vs. Anakin, for one). It has a tendency to get a little hokey at times. It’s got some wooden dialogue (particularly as delivered by Natalie Portman), and it’s got its silly moments. But then again, it wouldn’t be a “Star Wars” film if it didn’t. And for that, I’m thankful.

Final Grade: A-

Samus Aran · 05-10-2005, 03:55 PM

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_3/

Has a 92% rating... which is pretty fucking amazing.

btw millie, how are you getting to go see it? =(

Millie · 05-10-2005, 04:22 PM

It's all about connections in this town.

EnigmaticParadigm · 05-10-2005, 04:48 PM

Only thing I really want to know is...

Someone stated that DotF will play during the Emperor vs Yoda fight. That would own, hardcore. So, that will be my question to you: Does it?

I'll be seeing it on 5/19 at 7:00pm. Right now I'm studying for finals.

"The recommended dose of Ceclor is 20mg/kg/day in three diveded doses. based on this intofrmation, what dosage would a 20lb child receive?
Order: Ceclor 60mg po tid
Supply: Ceclor 125/ 5ml"

20lb/ 2.2kg = 9kg

9kg x 20mg = 180mg

180mg/ 3 doses = 60mg/ 1 dose

125mg/ 5ml = 60mg/ x ml

125x = 300

x = 2.4ml

Answer: Give 2.4ml po tid

Easy...yes.
Having 150 questions on this tomorrow...suck.

Millie · 05-10-2005, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EnigmaticParadigm
Only thing I really want to know is...

Someone stated that DotF will play during the Emperor vs Yoda fight. That would own, hardcore. So, that will be my question to you: Does it?

I'll keep a lookout, but what's DotF? I'm assuming that's shorthand for the name of one of the songs...

EnigmaticParadigm · 05-10-2005, 05:02 PM

DotF is the leet ackronym that us nerds use for Duel of the Fates (the badass tune from Qui Gon vs Darth Maul...etc, etc).

I just realized that using an ackronym for a Star Wars instrumental makes me a shell of a man...

beepbeepbeep · 05-10-2005, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Millie
It's all about connections in this town.

Who'd you sleep with?

Kevincheese · 05-10-2005, 08:28 PM

Meh @ Duel of the Fates

the old music > all

Zanoan · 05-11-2005, 02:08 AM

Hmm, I'm gonna see it around midnight CET wednesday, ie. it just turns 00.01 thursday when they release it.

Asmadai · 05-11-2005, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kevincheese
Meh @ Duel of the Fates

the old music > all

Yes, play the imperial march during the damn Yoda vs. Palpatine fight. Wow that would fit in so fucking well...

Leave the anti-new-star wars attitude at the damn door please.

Dokomo · 05-11-2005, 06:55 AM

Actually, I would like it if John Williams busted out another piece like the Imperial March, Duel of the Fates, etc.. for the last movie. A grand piece that makes us remember the moment forever.

Solmancer · 05-11-2005, 09:30 AM

Millie sleeping around to get advance screenings.

Can't wait for the write-up. :>

Castigator · 05-11-2005, 10:17 AM

Well, I guess the main problem I see, is that if Revenge of the Sith actually turns out as good as it looks and lives up to be a true "Star Wars" (and it seems like it just might), billions of souls around the world will cry out in agony:
"Why, oh why George did we have to go through all this super-duper-mediclorian-Jar-Jar-Bullshit" when the genius that made the original trilogy was still hiding in there after all?"

Millie · 05-11-2005, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Solmancer
Millie sleeping around to get advance screenings.

Can't wait for the write-up. :>

This should come as no surprise, given that -- if the rumors are true -- I slept my way into every piece of ub3r l3wtz that I received in EQ.

Zanoan · 05-11-2005, 11:42 AM

Nothing wrong in that any way.

05-10-2005, 03:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Millie Loves the Powerglove. It's so bad! Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 5,783	REVIEW: "Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" WARNING: Contains a few very light spoilers. Nothing major. There’s a scene early on in “Revenge of the Sith” where Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker break into Count Dooku’s flagship in order to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from his clutches. Our jedi heroes tell R2D2 to stay behind and guard the hangar while they head up the elevator to the bridge. They’re to communicate with R2 over the equivalent of an intergalactic cell phone. Of course, no sooner do they leave than two heavily armed battle droids enter the hangar and R2 hides behind some large crates. He’s trying to lay low, and every 2 seconds, Obi-Wan is chiming in over the communicator and asking annoying questions. R2 tries to muffle the communicator and keep quiet – like a kid in a movie theater who’s frightened because his phone started ringing, and he has no idea how to turn it off. Of course, the droids eventually find R2, and he defeats them in a satisfyingly comedic way. Meanwhile, Anakin and Obi-Wan dispatch countless droids of their own, while trading one-liners and carrying on like old friends on yet another adventure. It’s a lighthearted, relatively fast-paced, yet somehow hollow 30 minutes that feels similar in theme and tone to the first two prequels. Maybe it’s a bit better executed, but ultimately it’s still underwhelming. And it’s the complete opposite of what unfolds over the remaining 90 minutes of the film. Everything changes once Anakin dispatches his first Jedi master and falls victim to the Dark Side. It’s as if – once we’re past the obligatory fluff and introductions – Lucas unleashes a glorious, epic, tragically dark Wagnerian opera in “Star Wars” clothing. It’s unquestionably the grittiest, most surprising, most emotional and most ‘real’ film in the “Star Wars” canon. And it’s real because this is a “Star Wars” film that deals with real issues: love, loss, capital-T Tragedy, genocide, war, oppression and heroism. It’s simultaneously the least like any other “Star Wars” film and the most essential. It’s the perfect bridge between the prequel trilogy and the original trilogy. In short, it’s nearly everything we’ve been waiting for. There isn’t enough room to name all the moving scenes in this film, so I’ll hone in on a particular favorite. About halfway through the film, newly crowned Emperor Palpatine gives “Order 66” to clonetroopers everywhere. That is, every single clone suddenly stops fighting the Separatist armies and turns on their Jedi generals. There’s a powerful, bittersweet montage on various planets across the galaxy where unsuspecting Jedi are caught offguard by their clone soldiers and gunned down. Some go down fighting. And some just go down. People in the audience were genuinely moved to tears during this sequence. I’ve seen a lot of different reactions to “Star Wars” films by a lot of different audiences in my day, but never tears. That says a lot about how emotionally resonant the film gets. Of course, the action is all still here – it’s just on a much grander scale, symbolically and literally. This installment contains some of the fastest, most thrilling lightsaber duels of the 6 “Star Wars” films, and certainly the most epic. The fights are set against larger-than-life backdrops, shot from wide angles and given the magnitude and import they deserve. When we finally watch Anakin face off against Obi-Wan at the bitter end, we feel like we’re literally watching two worlds collide. It’s indescribably beautiful, over-the-top, unsubtle and subtle at the same time. It’s vintage George Lucas at his best. All told, this is not necessarily a perfect film. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to get to the good stuff. Some of the lightsaber fights are too brief and too soon (Dooku vs. Anakin, for one). It has a tendency to get a little hokey at times. It’s got some wooden dialogue (particularly as delivered by Natalie Portman), and it’s got its silly moments. But then again, it wouldn’t be a “Star Wars” film if it didn’t. And for that, I’m thankful. Final Grade: A- __________________ Last edited by Millie : 05-13-2005 at 06:14 PM.

05-10-2005, 04:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
EnigmaticParadigm Is Kermit gunna have to make a bitch go "GLARRRRGH?!" Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pre World War III America Posts: 2,482 +54 Internets	Only thing I really want to know is... Someone stated that DotF will play during the Emperor vs Yoda fight. That would own, hardcore. So, that will be my question to you: Does it? I'll be seeing it on 5/19 at 7:00pm. Right now I'm studying for finals. "The recommended dose of Ceclor is 20mg/kg/day in three diveded doses. based on this intofrmation, what dosage would a 20lb child receive? Order: Ceclor 60mg po tid Supply: Ceclor 125/ 5ml" 20lb/ 2.2kg = 9kg 9kg x 20mg = 180mg 180mg/ 3 doses = 60mg/ 1 dose 125mg/ 5ml = 60mg/ x ml 125x = 300 x = 2.4ml Answer: Give 2.4ml po tid Easy...yes. Having 150 questions on this tomorrow...suck. __________________

05-10-2005, 05:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
EnigmaticParadigm Is Kermit gunna have to make a bitch go "GLARRRRGH?!" Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pre World War III America Posts: 2,482 +54 Internets	DotF is the leet ackronym that us nerds use for Duel of the Fates (the badass tune from Qui Gon vs Darth Maul...etc, etc). I just realized that using an ackronym for a Star Wars instrumental makes me a shell of a man... __________________

05-11-2005, 02:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
Zanoan I wish I was queer, so I could get chicks Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 1,840 -3 Internets	Hmm, I'm gonna see it around midnight CET wednesday, ie. it just turns 00.01 thursday when they release it. __________________ "It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt" - Abraham Lincoln Last edited by Zanoan : 05-11-2005 at 02:17 AM.

05-11-2005, 06:55 AM	#11 (permalink)
Dokomo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Buffalo Grove, IL Posts: 835 -3 Internets	Actually, I would like it if John Williams busted out another piece like the Imperial March, Duel of the Fates, etc.. for the last movie. A grand piece that makes us remember the moment forever. __________________ 70 Mage - Paradigm - Echo Isles

05-10-2005, 03:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Samus Aran Sons of the Storm Heal Bitch Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 771 +1 Internets	http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_3/ Has a 92% rating... which is pretty fucking amazing. btw millie, how are you getting to go see it? =(

05-10-2005, 04:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Millie Loves the Powerglove. It's so bad! Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 5,783	It's all about connections in this town.

05-11-2005, 10:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
Castigator Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Phnom Penh Posts: 950	Well, I guess the main problem I see, is that if Revenge of the Sith actually turns out as good as it looks and lives up to be a true "Star Wars" (and it seems like it just might), billions of souls around the world will cry out in agony: "Why, oh why George did we have to go through all this super-duper-mediclorian-Jar-Jar-Bullshit" when the genius that made the original trilogy was still hiding in there after all?"

05-11-2005, 11:42 AM	#15 (permalink)
Zanoan I wish I was queer, so I could get chicks Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 1,840 -3 Internets	Nothing wrong in that any way. __________________ "It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt" - Abraham Lincoln

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