Broken Frontier

One can only imagine how intimidating it might be sitting down to write the sixth and final Star Wars film, even for the saga’s creator George Lucas. After the past two prequels left many fans disappointed, Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith was Lucas’s chance to make good with the epic. Would he tie together all the loose ends? Would fans be satisfied? Would it fit nicely into place with the 5 films that came before it? The answer to all those questions is a giant yes.

Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith is without a doubt the best of the Star Wars prequels. Since Episode 1, viewers have witnessed the introduction of Anakin Skywalker and his fall from a Jedi to a Sith Lord. It’s a gradual change and it really only takes place in the last two films, but Episode 3 carries the brunt of it. It’s a darker Star Wars film then we’ve grown up with. Some fans scoffed at the PG-13 rating, saying it was just to draw attention to the movie. But if there was ever a movie that didn’t need any help pulling in the fans, it was this one. And after seeing it, there will be no doubt why it got the rating it did.

Something in Episode 2 that was much different than 3 was the interaction between Obi-Wan and Anakin. In Attack of the Clones Obi-Wan treated Anakin like a child and a burden. And in turn Anakin resented Obi-Wan, and thought he was too critical. In Revenge of the Sith we see a much different relationship between the two Jedi. Obi-Wan appreciates Anakin and values his friendship. That makes it that much more emotional during the final duel between them in the climax of the film.

One thing Lucas has excelled at for the past three Star Wars movies is creating fantastic villains, and Episode 3 was no exception. Each film introduced a handful of characters not seen in a previous Star Wars film. In this film Lucas introduced General Grievous, perhaps the most ambitious of the prequel’s villains. Grievous, a completely computer generated character, is part alien and part robot. He carries the light sabers of the Jedi’s he’s killed and he’s been trained how to use them by Count Dooku. The scenes with Grievous are amazing, and proof of why Industrial Light and Magic are at the top of their field.

Some have suggested that George Lucas also included some anti-war sentiments in Revenge of the Sith. There are several moments in the film that parallel current events and the scenes in the senate have an abysmal feel. One of the most powerful lines in the film was when Padme states, "This is how liberty dies - with thunderous applause."

It wouldn’t be giving away anything to say this is the movie where we see Anakin Skywalker turn into Darth Vader. And the scene where they put the armor on him is amazing. It is perhaps one of the most moving and emotional scenes in the movie. To watch this character that we’ve seen grow from a small boy turn into the villain many of us grew up with was an emotional experience. The theater was completely silent as they lowered the Vader helmet onto Anakin’s head.

Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith is the Star Wars film fans having been waiting for since the franchise was reinvigorated in 1999. Revenge of the Sith picks up where the other two prequels fell short. This one should quiet all the fans who have been saying Lucas doesn’t have it anymore. Granted that none of the prequels hold a candle to the original trilogy, Episode 3 comes close.

- J.P. Dorigo

P.S - The Editor would like to apologise for the awful pun in the title but submits that he simply couldn't resist...