 |
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith Dir: George Lucas Opening everywhere Thurs 19 May  My
god. It's a Star Wars film. No, really: it's a Star Wars Film.That might seem an obvious statement, but people who've seen 'The Phantom Menace' and 'Attack Of The Clones' will know what I mean. For the final chapter of the 30-year saga George Lucas has done the unimaginable and actually made a film that ranks with the original trilogy. Gone is the tedious exposition of the first prequel; gone too is the awkward love story of the second. Instead we have non-stop action from the outset: loose ends tied up, strong performances, even decent dialogue. It's easily the best Star Wars film since 'The Empire Strikes Back'; and that's not a comparison I use lightly. It's five years since the last film ended with the beginning of the Clone Wars and the fighting has taken its toll. '...Sith' opens with Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) carrying out a daring attempt to rescue Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from the clutches of the Seperatist army's terrifying new leader General Grevious (a CG half-robot-half-alien creature voiced by Matthew Wood). The mission is accomplished, but Grevious escapes and the Jedi Council decide that the only way to end the war is by dispatching him swiftly; however, they have doubts that Palpatine will relinquish his emergency powers when the war finishes. Anakin, who's long considered Palpatine his mentor, finds his loyalties torn: when push comes to shove, does he support the Order he's dedicated his life to or the Republic he's fought for? Meanwhile, his secret wife Senator Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) has some wonderful news... Given that it's filling in the final gap in the story you already know what's going to happen: by the end of 'Revenge Of The Sith' the Republic will become the Empire, Palpatine will declare himself Emperor, the Jedi will be almost completely wiped out, Yoda and Obi-Wan will flee to the ends of the galaxy and Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa will be born, separated and hidden. Also, Obi-Wan will face off with Skywalker in a lightsabre battle that will leave the latter for dead, able only to live in a pressure controlled suit that breathes for him (and leaves him with a voice uncannily similar to that of James Earl Jones). Since so much of the plot is already known the joy is in the journey and here Lucas exhibits a verve that hitherto seemed to have dried up in the 80s. Grevious is a work of genius: a formidable villain in his own right, he also works as an early example of the technology that will be used to keep Vader alive (and as such his laboured breathing and hacking cough are nice touches). In Episode II the lack of on-screen chemistry between Portman and Christensen undercut the love story; now, as Skywalker turns toward the dark side of the Force and Padme's powerless to help him, their awkwardness seems perfectly appropriate; even inspired. McGregor is clearly revelling in his performance as Obi-Wan, now even closer to Alec Guinness' original model. Better yet, the character actually gets to show off his skills rather than wander around triggering plot points. However, McDiarmid is indisputably the star here as the innocuous politician finally - finally! - reveals his true colours. In one of the film's few dialogue-heavy scenes Palpatine baits his hook for Skywalker in a subtle and understated performance that gives Christensen a chance to actually... act. Ironic, perhaps, that the key moment of the most special-effects heavy film in history should be of two actors sitting on chairs. The production design is inspired, with tasteful nods to such iconic trilogy sets as the Bespin gantry in '...Empire...', the spaceship corridor that opens 'A New Hope' and the Emperor's throne room in '...Jedi'. Certain trilogy characters are also present (Chewbacca, Tarkin, Mon Mothma) but are so in the background that their appearances seem reasonable rather than intrusive (although one suspects a judicious editor, especially given the actors' positions in the credits). And yes, you finally find out how some Jedi can vanish into the Force upon death. Some of my delight might be attributable to sheer relief (I tried to deny it, but Episode II really was arse) but this is a stunning way to tie up the saga. See you in line.  |
|
The latest issue available now!     |
All content copyright dB Magazine