Well, we all knew what the ending was going to be. In much the same way we all knew that Titanic would have to sink, at the end of Revenge of the Sith, Anakin would become Darth Vader. There are other comparisons that can be drawn between the two films; both had huge budgets, both had fantastic effects and the central theme to both is a love interest. When I look back at the Star Wars series as a whole, love plays a major part in all of them.
While I would agree that the love story did tend to drag in the previous instalment, it is absolutely vital in Episode III. Anakins turn from the Jedi to the Sith was always going to be a complicated and difficult affair. After all, the audience needed to know the history behind the infamous Darth Vader statement: No. I am your father.. While Christensen and Portman are never going to win awards for their performances, they did portray the emotional turmoil that surrounded them very well. In fact, I have to congratulate Christensen on his overall performance. He had to flick from being mean, moody and aggressive to kind, loving and thoughtful, changes he carried well. The anguish of a young man being torn in different directions was, in my opinion, clear to see.
So we all know where the story has to go and getting to the conclusion is emotional. The Order 66 scenes are the first time that a Sci-Fi movie has brought me to tears. It really is sad to see Anakin become an apprentice of the dark side and to learn the fate of the Jedi. The Night of the Long Knives or the slaying of Julius Ceaser is a tea party compared to the level of atrocity committed during these scenes. But, it needed to happen for the story lines to be brought together tying in the end of this trilogy with the start of the next.
The battle scenes in this film are more lavish than anything seen previously, although I was disappointed with the final battle between Anakin and Obi Wan. It lacked a certain something that the battles between Luke and Vader or Obi Wan/Qui Gon against Darth Maul had. I cant say why, it just didnt feel right. The space battles are immense, somewhat messy affairs and you have no idea who is winning or losing but I guess that is the nature of war. You can certainly see the monetary value of the film as the effects are breathtaking.
The film isnt without fault, trying to inject humour into robots doesnt work. Neither does R2-D2s sudden ability to fly and beat other robots in combat fit in with the normal story. And of course, there are those that ridicule the dialogue and whilst some of it is questionable, there is no doubt that it works. Overall the way Lucas has managed to tell this, or should that be HIS, emotional story is executed brilliantly. I had a very strange feeling as the end credits rolled. It was like witnessing the birth of my last child and knowing that I wouldnt be having anymore; that I wouldnt be able to look forward to the same kind of thing again. However, the circle is complete and on my way home I wanted to get out Episode IV and begin watching A New Hope, working my way through to Anakins redemption and the demise of The Emperor.
On a final note, this film has been classified as a 12A so children can see it as long as they are accompanied by an adult. There are scenes within the film that Id be wary about my children (aged 6, 8 & 10) viewing. Order 66 and Anakins (forced) transformation to become Darth Vader are fairly grim affairs and I would encourage a parent to see the film before taking their children.
While I would agree that the love story did tend to drag in the previous instalment, it is absolutely vital in Episode III. Anakins turn from the Jedi to the Sith was always going to be a complicated and difficult affair. After all, the audience needed to know the history behind the infamous Darth Vader statement: No. I am your father.. While Christensen and Portman are never going to win awards for their performances, they did portray the emotional turmoil that surrounded them very well. In fact, I have to congratulate Christensen on his overall performance. He had to flick from being mean, moody and aggressive to kind, loving and thoughtful, changes he carried well. The anguish of a young man being torn in different directions was, in my opinion, clear to see.
So we all know where the story has to go and getting to the conclusion is emotional. The Order 66 scenes are the first time that a Sci-Fi movie has brought me to tears. It really is sad to see Anakin become an apprentice of the dark side and to learn the fate of the Jedi. The Night of the Long Knives or the slaying of Julius Ceaser is a tea party compared to the level of atrocity committed during these scenes. But, it needed to happen for the story lines to be brought together tying in the end of this trilogy with the start of the next.
The battle scenes in this film are more lavish than anything seen previously, although I was disappointed with the final battle between Anakin and Obi Wan. It lacked a certain something that the battles between Luke and Vader or Obi Wan/Qui Gon against Darth Maul had. I cant say why, it just didnt feel right. The space battles are immense, somewhat messy affairs and you have no idea who is winning or losing but I guess that is the nature of war. You can certainly see the monetary value of the film as the effects are breathtaking.
The film isnt without fault, trying to inject humour into robots doesnt work. Neither does R2-D2s sudden ability to fly and beat other robots in combat fit in with the normal story. And of course, there are those that ridicule the dialogue and whilst some of it is questionable, there is no doubt that it works. Overall the way Lucas has managed to tell this, or should that be HIS, emotional story is executed brilliantly. I had a very strange feeling as the end credits rolled. It was like witnessing the birth of my last child and knowing that I wouldnt be having anymore; that I wouldnt be able to look forward to the same kind of thing again. However, the circle is complete and on my way home I wanted to get out Episode IV and begin watching A New Hope, working my way through to Anakins redemption and the demise of The Emperor.
On a final note, this film has been classified as a 12A so children can see it as long as they are accompanied by an adult. There are scenes within the film that Id be wary about my children (aged 6, 8 & 10) viewing. Order 66 and Anakins (forced) transformation to become Darth Vader are fairly grim affairs and I would encourage a parent to see the film before taking their children.
Please, please, please Mr Lucas do not release any more!!!
and me
I've had exactly the same conversations Mark. 'But how can episode four be the first one??' Try getting out of that...
and me) for 5 days
