The Lonesome Road

Found redemption Lucas has?

Well somewhat. Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is a far better movie than the unmitigated disasters of Episode I and II. It can’t hold a candle to episodes IV, V and VI - but that’s nostalgia and fond memories of a trilogy seen a long, long time back.

Lucas seems to love special effects, and while there’s nothing wrong in doing so, I feel than an excess of effects can take away the feel of a movie - and to a certain extent it’s happened in this case. That being said, the storyline in this movie was a lot tighter and better scripted than the previous two episodes. It moves along at a brisk pace and there’s no real feeling of boredom as the plot advances - even though you know what’s going to happen.

If I have a grouse with the movie - it’s with Anakin Skywalker - as a character in the movie and the actor who plays him. Hayden Christensen does not make a good Anakin. When I went to see the movie, I wanted to see a change in the character - from essentially good hearted padawn to a dark hearted Sith Lords apprentice. Somehow, the conversion was handled very badly. Even the actual stage where Anakin helps kill Mace Windu did not have any of the classic elements of the Dark Side - there was no rage or hate. It was a clinical move by Anakin to cut of Windu’s hand - leaving th actual use of the power of the Dark Side to Palpatine. Immediatly after the killing, Anakin shows regret - and then pledges himslef to the Emperor. Am I the only one who finds this scene taken badly?

Master manupilator he may be, but Palpatine had no real trouble converting Whinakin to the Dark Side. While I agree that loss of family and a seeming loss of prestige are powerful motives, they are not enough to push someone totally into the Dark Side of the Force. But I may be biased. After reading Darth Vader’s Blog, the character in the movie seems to be woefully one dimensional. Also, Hayden Christensen portrayal of Anakin leaves a lot to be desired. For most part he seems extremely wooden and the only expression that he seems to portray effectively is a sulk and a brooding glare. Very disappointing. I expected the chahracter to darken over time. All those who’ve seen Superman 3 will have an idea of what I’m talking about. The dulling opf the costume, the increasing broodiness, et al. Also, personally, I feel that the transformation from Anakin to Darth Vader was not complete till the time Emperor Palpatine told his apprentice that it was his Force Choke that killed Padme. Of course - this is what I read.

If there’s a ray of Light in the whole proceedings, it comes courtesy Obi-Wan Kenobi. The dude really steals the show in this movie and comes across as the true representative of what the Jedi order truly embodies.

The fight sequences have been taken very well - I refer of course to the light saber duels. Somehow, dog-fighting has never appealed to my tastes. It was a pleasure watching Master Yoda taking on Palpatine. Very interesting style of fighting does Yoda have.

The betrayal of the Jedi was a well executed sequence. Somehow, the entire scene was made more poignant with the use of a beautiful background score.

After watching all six episodes, I now feel that the most interesting character in the entire series is that little droid R2-D2. They say that the Force does not affect mechanical beings, but somehow R2 seems to be a Force touched creature. I don’t remember much of Episode I, but he’s responsible for saving Anakin and Padme in Count Dooku’s factory in Episode II, helped Anakin and Obi Wan in Episode III, was Luke and Anakin Skywalkers ship droid. I could just go on. Whenever there’s an important juncture in the Star Wars universe, R2 has been there. Makes you wonder doesn’t it?

Until next time -May the Force be with You