Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Review
by "Steve Rhodes" (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)May 28th, 2005
STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2005 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): **
Color me disappointed -- and I say this as a huge STAR WARS fan who liked the first two episodes and adored the original three. Although I can't imagine missing STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH, I found that its murky plotting and its long, video game battles left me cold and bored. I got really tired of endless and repetitive light saber fights.
To be fair, the second half of the movie is definitely better than the first since they finally get to the point of the picture, which is to lay the groundwork for the fourth episode. The problem with this better second half is that it is so completely predictable. The early buzz on EPISODE III is that it is the best of the three new STAR WARS, but, since it was the first STAR WARS to ever bore me, I'd have to say that this one is easily my least favorite of the six episodes.
The three new episodes, for all of their love of expensive technology, just do not produce the same magical effect on the audience that the original three episodes did. CGI figures, no matter how elaborate, aren't anywhere near as interesting as real human actors. While watching the endless shoot-'em-ups in EPISODE III, I kept feeling like I was stuck in a loud, colorful video game.
The part of the story about the importance of risking one's life to fight for democracy should have some resonance in today's world. But, for me, the movie had only one satisfying moment -- the opening credit, since it is very similar to the original STAR WARS film, which brings back great memories.
STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH runs way too long at 2:21. It is rated PG-13 for "sci-fi violence and some intense images" and would be acceptable for kids around 11 and up.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Thursday, May 19, 2005. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
The movie played as part of the 48th annual San Francisco International Film Festival (http://www.sfiff.org), which ran April 21 to May 5, 2005.
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