In the past two decades, the perception of the Star Wars prequel trilogy has undergone a remarkable transformation. What was once met with derision and disappointment has now been reevaluated, with many fans finding a newfound appreciation for George Lucas' work. Sadly, this shift in opinion has less to do with the inherent quality of the films or even nostalgia, and more with the comparisons drawn to the divisive Disney-era sequels, which have made Lucas' prequel trilogy appear far more accomplished and coherent. It is within this context that we must examine the final installment, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, which for many hardcore fans represents the last "proper" Star Wars film ever made.
The film's plot begins during the war between the Galactic Republic and the Separatists, who have managed to abduct Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (played by Ian McDiarmid). In a daring rescue mission, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen) confront and defeat Sith Lord Count Dooku (played by Christopher Lee), but the elusive General Grievous (voiced by Matthew of Wood) escapes. As a gesture of gratitude, Palpatine appoints Anakin as his representative on the Jedi Council, though the Council denies him the title of Master. Anakin's personal resentments and visions of his beloved wife Padmé Amidala (played by Natalie Portman) dying at childbirth lead him to begin listening to Palpatine's praises of the Dark Side of the Force, setting in motion the events that will ultimately destroy the Jedi Order and transform the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire.
Compared to the previous two prequels, Revenge of the Sith feels significantly more focused and streamlined. The distractions of "cute" aliens and children have been largely eliminated, and the tone is significantly darker, telegraphed from the very beginning when Anakin commits a morally questionable act uncharacteristic of a Jedi. This paves the way for his increasingly disturbing descent into the Dark Side, culminating in the cold-blooded murder of children, which makes his final transformation into the evil Darth Vader appear natural and inevitable. Unsurprisingly, Revenge of the Sith is often considered the darkest of all first six Star Wars films, earning a PG-13 rating from the MPAA due to its heightened levels of violence and disturbing content.
Technically, the film does not differ significantly from its predecessors, which is a positive. Lucas has already established himself as an accomplished director, and he no longer feels the need to prove anything. His direction is particularly strong in the action sequences, including the spectacular opening battle, which features hundreds of millions of dollars invested in top-notch special effects and excellent CGI. Lucas also demonstrates his skill in providing the film with memorable locations and superb editing, which, combined with John Williams' operatic score, creates a strong emotional impact. The execution of Order 66 near the end is a brilliant example of Lucas' filmmaking prowess.
However, Revenge of the Sith also highlights Lucas' weaknesses as a screenwriter, a flaw that plagued the previous two prequels. The dialogue is often uninspired, and even the potentially fascinating characters can appear wooden at times, despite the efforts of the talented cast. Ewan McGregor's attempts at comic relief often feel out of place, and the continued romance between Anakin and Padmé suffers from a lack of chemistry between Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman. Christensen, while an improvement over his much-derided performance in Attack of the Clones, is easily overshadowed by Ian McDiarmid, who relishes his transformation from charismatic politician to the embodiment of pure evil.
Additionally, the film's need to tie its dark and tragic finale neatly with the original trilogy results in the final scenes feeling more like glorified fan service than a proper epilogue. This may be less of an issue for fans of the original trilogy, but those who became familiar with Star Wars through the 1999 film may find it less satisfying.
One aspect that made Revenge of the Sith highly relevant in its time, and continues to resonate today, is the way its major themes correspond to pressing political concerns. The film's parallels to the war in Iraq and the mass reduction of human and civil rights under the pretext of eradicating terrorism, with the administration of George W. Bush using arguments similar to those of the fictional Palpatine, were widely discussed after the film's premiere. However, these discussions have since waned, perhaps because some have learned to be silent or have decided that certain actions are acceptable when carried out by certain individuals, nations, or political parties.
In a way, Revenge of the Sith serves as a metaphor for the fate of the Star Wars franchise itself. Just as the Galactic Republic was transformed into the evil, soulless Galactic Empire under new leadership, so too has the beloved Star Wars franchise fallen under the control of Disney, a corporate entity that many fans feel has stripped the franchise of its heart and soul. Watching Revenge of the Sith in this context becomes an even more bittersweet experience, as it represents the last gasp of the "true" Star Wars before the franchise was subsumed by a new, less inspired vision.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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