A spoiler free review of Revenge of the Sith

Ron-P

Found this review over at HomeThetaerTalk. Thought some might like the read.


A review by: Peter Apruzzese (HTT member)

Saw Revenge of the Sith last night at New York’s Ziegfeld Theatre in DLP projection. It was supposed to be an exhibitor-only show, but from the looks of the audience, a lot of people gave their tickets away.

Background:
I loved Star Wars (what is now known as Episode IV); saw it at least 12 times in 1977 and 1978. Rating: 10

Liked Empire Strikes Back, saw it theatrically four times but was always a little disappointed in many aspects of it. Rating: 8

Did not like Return of the Jedi, saw it twice and then played it for two weeks at a theatre I managed – more than enough viewings. Rating: 5

I thought Phantom Menace was okay, saw it twice but it’s too long and over-plotted; in retrospect, Jar Jar Binks was the best thing about it. Rating: 5

Found Attack of the Clones to be pretty awful – a very dull action-packed film with no heart. Barely made it through a second showing (the things parents will do for their kids!) Rating: 3

Revenge of the Sith – spoiler-free review

The story is now finished – or at least it’s now brought full-circle by George Lucas. I’m not unhappy at finally seeing it, but this movie suffers many of the same faults as the last two – it’s wildly over-plotted for what is a simple story and spends too much time with characters that are uninteresting. There are moments when the film comes to life, particularly in the last 30 minutes or so, but there is no forward momentum as it lurches from planet to planet. Another fault I have is that there is no sense of geography – I’m a reasonably attentive viewer and I had trouble remembering where the characters were at any time, there are lots and lots of rides in flying cars and spaceships.

The arc of Padme and Anakin is the main focus, and Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen (less wooden this time) do their best with the awkward dialogue. What does work very well is the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin, I think it’s Ewan McGregor’s performance that keeps it interesting as you do get a sense of genuine regret and loss from his character. Christopher Lee (the best actor in these last two installments – he knows exactly how to play a larger-than-life character in a fantasy film) is wasted in his small role as Count Dooku. Ian McDiarmid is good as Chancellor Palpatine but embarrassingly over-the-top when he’s the evil Darth Sideous – there were more than a few chuckles during his more dramatic scenes. The rest of the cast is fine given the limitations of their characters.

Technically, the film is virtually flawless. The frame is constantly filled with moving objects, to the point of distraction. The digital video cinematography is better than Clones, but there are still scenes that have a soft and flat look, which I have to guess is a deliberate stylistic choice. The John Williams music is grand and sweeping, but is spoiled by the director’s insistence on spotting the film with music from the previous films. Listening to several scenes on the CD shows that Lucas simply replaced the newly written music with pre-tracked stuff from Phantom Menace. Sorry George, but Mr. Williams knows your characters better than you and you should leave his music alone.

A telling thing is that the best audience responses were reserved for characters and things we’ve seen before: Yoda, Wookies, the Rebel Blockade Runner (the first set we see in the original Star Wars), Tatooine, Darth Vader’s mask, R2D2, C3PO, et al. Nobody’s cheering for Mace Windu or Bail Organa. The best new character is the evil General Grievous, though I’ll admit I was waiting for his subordinates Captain Calamity and Major Disaster to show up .

Yes it’s “darker” (a term I’m growing to dislike) than the last two. Yes it resolves the story. Yes it looks and sounds great. Yes there are some moments to cheer and boo. But I’m still left with an unsatisfied feeling.

For those who only need beautiful special effects and loud explosions, this will be nirvana.

Rating: 6 out of 10.

The DLP projection was pretty good – it’s still lacking the depth and sharpness of film but is getting better. Since this was a digital production, I'll bet the DLP showings are better than the film prints - see it on the biggest and loudest screen you can.

From the comments here it confims that fact that I'll wait for the dvd. Sounds basically like it's the same as the previous two so there's no need to go to the theater and see the samething a third time. Also, with the A/V, the dvd in my theater will out do any of the local multi-plex's so there's no need to pay for a ho-hum presentation.

Drewsmith

nevermind the review I posted was already posted a fews days ago.

I am looking forward to the moview will it live up to the origionals. NAAAA

MacLeod

Personally Im about to wet my pants in anticipation of May 19!!

As far as music, I feel that John Williams is the modern Bach!

Ive loved Star Wars since '79 and always will.

George Lucas is a lousy director and writer of dialogue, in fact he is almost laughable. But he has created the quintessential sci-fi fantasy film. I played Star Wars from the time I was 7 til about 18! I will always be a Star Wars geek not because its well directed and flows from scene to scene. Not because the characters have a proper arc and are well motivated. Not because the dialogue is well written and engaging but because theyre the coolest movies EVER!

mantis

I don't give a smack what that guys says. Most people are all hating on 1 and 2. I loved them both. I felt it was very cool to get more star wars movies. Nothing on this planet can out shine 4 5 and 6. Those movies most of us grew up on. Lived the secret life of a jedi. Thought of Yoda being the ultimate teacher. Etc etc...

This movie is no different for me. I can't wait, I purchased my tickets and I'm counting down the days. I took the day off from work as it should be marked as a National Holiday.

May the Force be with You....Always

Mantis

Strong Bad

I think people over-analyze these movies and try too hard to be a critic. This will ruin the **** out them for ya! Just sit back and enjoy them for what they are.

Come on, we all dreamed of being Jedi! There are still times I wish I could do a force choke on idiots in rush hour traffic!

Sit down, shut up and have fun! I'll be there opening weekend.


John

Drewsmith

couldn't of said it better.

Roll on opening weekend

Ron-P

I could not agree more as to all the positive comments about the original Star Wars. I grew up with this stuff, lived it for a long time and it is still some of the best sci-fi stuff ever brought to the big screen. I still get the chills every time I hear that opening music.

I just cannot get into this new trilogy, it does nothing for me. It's not trying too hard to be a critic that ruins it, it's the bad acting, poor special effects, lack of directing, lack of any type of real emotion from any of the characters... the list could go on.

Lucas gave us some great **** back in the day, something happened and now all we get is **** back from him. I just don't get it. I want to like this new stuff but there is just no redeeming value to it what-so-ever.

Lucas should have stayed with models, kept Yoda a puppet, put more effort into this live action characters instead of the CGI ones.

MacLeod

Our big wig theater here in Chattanooga has already SOLD OUT of all May 19 Episode III tickets! Already! In Chattanooga!!

aaharvel

MY TAKE:

Episode IV- A New Hope
Pros: Alec Guiness, The Death Star, The Trench Runs
Cons: Tarkin/Vader pecking order slightly backwards
Bottom line- Slightly rough around the edges- but not much.
8

Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back
Pros: Dialogue, Han/Leia chemistry, Mark Hamill, Yoda, Vader, Best lightsaber duel of the ENTIRE series, i.e. Everything
Cons:
Bottom line- Just about perfect.
9

Episode VI- Return Of The Jedi
Pros: Focuses more on Palpatine, SFX amazing for '83.
Cons: A weaker Vader, Ewoks, chemistry between han/leia gone
Bottom line- Overbaked and Undercooked with a GREAT ending
7

Episode I- The Phantom Menace
Pros: Political Drama, Palpatine, Darth Maul, Terrence Stamp
Cons: The 9yr. old, Jar-Jar, Midichlorians, and again- Darth Maul
Bottom line- More style than substance, but underrated. Could have been much more without the 9yr. old and Jar-Jar.
6

Episode II- Attack Of The Clones
Pros- Back to oldschool, Chris Lee, Ewan Mc.Gregor
Cons- Pointless Love story, too much SFX, Terrible pacing/dialogue
Bottom line- ALL style- little substance- overrated.
5

MSkeezer

I don't understand all the bashing the prequels get. They're made the same way Lucas made the originals, with plenty of cheese, corny dialogue, and wooden acting. But it's still good ol' Star Wars. They still have great characters, and plenty of light saber fights and dynamic space battles. Isn't that why we all love Star Wars in the first place? What do you remember most about the first one? It's "great" acting, or seeing that Star Destroyer blast its way onto the screen for the first time? I'm probably beating a dead horse with this one, but I'm a lover of the prequels. I love em just as much as the originals, if not more, in some cases.

On a related note, Revenge of the Sith is getting some really good reviews. Variety says:

"Whatever one thought of the previous two installments, this dynamic picture irons out most of the problems, and emerges as the best in the overall series since The Empire Strikes Back."

Time Magazine has also given it a very glowing review.

Hollywood Reporter says:
"A rousing finale for the "Star Wars" saga that smoothly brings us back to where it all began."

So far, things are looking good...May 19th will be a day long remembered...

aaharvel

HAHA! SWEET! SO IT GETS GOOD REVIEWS!!!

i'm sure i'll like the pre-quels better when all 6 films are available for back to back viewing.

But I still like Episode I better than 2- i know i'm in the minority though.

MSkeezer

Some good reviews are up at Rotten Tomatoes.

I know there are going to be some lackluster reviews, but the guy from Slant Magazine is simply an idiot. According to him, Ep. 3 is anti-Bush, which may put off some fans. Idiot, idiot, idiot...

MSkeezer

85% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with 13 reviews so far. They haven't posted Newsweek's review, but they gave it a very favorable one. So did The New York Post, raving that it's a "must see". I'm guessing they'll be added to the list sometime today.

aaharvel

it's safe to assume that it would be better than 1 and 2- but i wasn't expecting anything over 70 on rottentomatoes. this is surely unexpected.

Loud & Clear

"For those who only need beautiful special effects and loud explosions, this will be nirvana."

~~ Mr. Grand, this sounds like your kind of film. But if I were you I'd wait until the DVD comes out, that way you can enjoy it on your 12.1 surround system.

MacLeod

Originally posted by MSkeezer
but the guy from Slant Magazine is simply an idiot. According to him, Ep. 3 is anti-Bush

WTF?!?

I realize that 99% of Hollywood hates the right and any movie that comes out with some politics in it takes shots at us (American President, Primary Colors, Day After Tomorrow and on and on) but how the hell would they work that into a Star Wars film?

mantis

I'm totally excited for this movie. I'm killing it. I just picked up the video game and I also want to run out and buy the book. I tried to resist the darkside but it's to powerful.

Fallen to the Darkside I have.

Lord Mantis

MSkeezer

Get the soundtrack, too. It's absolutely incredible. I've listened to it half a dozen times and it still brings me to tears.

Ron-P

I've been hearing some very good reviews as well lately. I may just have to trek out to see this in a couple months.

I did get the cd, just for the free dvd though. The sound track is OK, I don't share the same excitement you do MSkeezer, it doesn't do much for me. The last track, 15, is very good though, lots of the old stuff thrown in.

MSkeezer

92% "fresh" at Rotten Tomatoes with 24 reviews. There are about 5 or 6 more positive ones on there, but they're not counted since they're not "official reviewers"...

I've been watching the "original" originals on laserdisc over the past couple of days and it's really amazing how well they hold up. They seem to have more meaning after the first 2 prequels and everything that I know about "Sith". A few scenes are more powerful than they were back then. Obi Wan telling Luke about his father and the Clone Wars, Vader "killing" Obi, Vader revealing that he's Luke's father, Yoda dying, and more. They have more of an emotional impact because of the prequels.

begbie

Wow? ! 92% at RT so far? What's next - talk of Oscars ?! :eek:

I've skimmed over a few , some you can tell they were a little too enthusiastic/biased over their reviews. Whether it's a good review or bad, we'll watch it but a nice median between viewpoints is what I'm interested in reading.


Btw, never knew so many people are gauging the tomatoe meter especially for Star Wars ?! Where are all those who couldn't bother with the critic's reviews?

ohskigod

cmon folks, does it really matter what the critics say? were going to go see it. critics can rave it or pan it, the same number of people are going to the box office to see this. i know i am. i want to see Palpatine break out the can of Sith whoop @ss.


my additional .02, anyone who says Jar Jar was the best part of Phantom, even if it was in jest, should just be pimp smacked!!!!