I went to the midnight showing last night and after nearly 30 yrs of watching Star Wars i was delighted with this conclusion to the saga. The opening space battle is one of the most breathtaking scenes ever, the special effects are flawless and you really feel like you're up there with Obi Wan and Anakin. R2 provides much of the humour in the first 20 mins, the scene where he muffles Obi Wan's voice on the comlink to avoid detection by the battle droids had everyone laughing. The Dooku duel was great if not a bit short (the same could be said for a few scenes but there was alot of story to get through), the move that Anakin uses to take Dooku's hands was brilliant and Palpatine looking on was a great nod to ROTJ. The one special effect shot that really hit me as amazing was when the cruiser crash lands and the camera starts as a long shot and pushes all the way up to the flight deck so you can see Obi Wan, Anakin and co, you'll know what i mean when you see it and its seamless. I had heard alot of negative comments about Anakin and Padmes scenes but i didnt see much wrong with them, some lines were a bit flat but all in all they seemed pretty genuine. I guess it all comes down to how much of a cynic you are. Palpatine was awesome in this movie, i loved all his scenes in the previous 2 but this time he really gets a chance to shine. The seducing opera scene was really well done as was the scene when Anakin discovers Palpatines true identity. The Mace and Palpatine showdown was great, Mace really holds his own after the other Masters get owned. I would have liked to see Palpatine duel with all four for a while to show his skills but the posse falls pretty easily and to some pretty basic moves. The scene were Anakin finally makes his choice and takes out Mace was really hard to watch because you know that its all downhill from then. I really enjoyed Anakin and Obi Wan's relationship when they were friends and they fight really well together on The Invisible Hand and the execution of Mace is the nail in the coffin for good Anakin. Palpatine's transformation is chilling, what he does with his voice in that scene gave me goosebumps as well. I would have liked to see a longer scene for the Jedi purge but the story by this stage was moving too fast. Seeing Yoda hop onto Chewie's back was amusing, i never made the connection to the ESB were Luke carries him the same way. I didnt think the scene with Anakin slaying the younglings was that bad, but i knew it was coming. My friend who went with me was pretty shocked. The showdowns were as incredible as i had imagined, Yoda and Palpatine was a draw as far as i can see. Yoda knew he had to retreat and Palpatine was pretty shaken up to, im glad they didnt make Palpatine as powerful as some people were saying. He still kicked arse though and seeing how easily he could hurl the senate pods was impressive. The one scene i was worried about was the conversation between Anakin and Padme before he chokes her, i wasnt sure how Anakin could go from doing everything to save Padme to killing her himself. But i was pleased how it was done, Obi Wan was hinted at numerous times as someone Anakin was jealous of when it came to Obi Wan's relationship with Padme and when Anakin sees him standing on Padmes ship he just snaps and we all know what follows. The duel itself was fought at a blistering pace to start off, i couldnt believe how fast the sabers were moving. There was plenty of emotion and when Obi Wan says he has the high ground i knew what was coming next. The burning Anakin scene wasnt as graphic as i thought it would be, i loved Obi Wan's speech about Anakin being the chosen one, loads of anguish. The image of Palpatine kneeling by the charred body of Anakin by the lava river was powerful to me. I wasnt a fan of the whole Qui Gon afterlife story but anyway its done and seeing Obi Wan's face face when he realises he old master lives in the force made me warm to it a bit more. Padme dying and Vader being reborn was emotional and when she named the children i was grinning like a true fan should. Seeing the world through Vaders eyes gives new meaning to his dying words in ROTJ, I also like how the Emperor tells Vader that he killed Padme when we actually find out thats not really the case (just makes him seem like even more of a manipulator). The end montage was really just for nostalgia sake but seeing as i grew up with the OT im not going to complain one bit. As someone has already said it was great to see the Imperial officers in their grey uniforms and a young Tarkin makes a brief appearance. The final shot makes you want to pop A new hope in the dvd player, the same music as when Luke looks out at the twin suns plays and Owen and Beru hold baby Luke and look out at the setting suns - brilliant. Overall i cant place this movie into the trilogy ranking just yet because i've only seen it once and i dont want to place it too highly. I will say its easily the best PT (obviously) and makes the previous 2 even better. In time it could be placed up there with ESB but i'd have to see it a few more times. ESB still rocks my world 20+ yrs later, ROTS could well do the same. Hope you all enjoy it as much as i did.
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"The Capitol of this rugged slang is WU-TANG, Witty Unpridictable Talent And Natural Game". GZA
I agree with Queeq about the speed of Anakins turn, one minutes he is crying "what have i done" and after ONE line from Palpatine he is swearing his allegiance and wasting kids. I guess he realised there was no going back after the Mace killing and just got on with it, still a bit rushed for me. I would have liked to see more of Palpatine influencing him, which reminds me do any of you think Palpatine used his force powers to help him seduce Anakin? I dont mean a simple mind trick but more like clouding his judgement in some way.
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"The Capitol of this rugged slang is WU-TANG, Witty Unpridictable Talent And Natural Game". GZA
everyone who says natalie and haydens performance was no good must not have seen the movie i saw last night. They were great, some of those scenes I believe were the most dramatic and emotive form the whole saga. As for people sayin Ani's turn was a bit abrupt, through Hayden and Natalies love sequences (which are in no way cheesy) we really understand how Padme means absolutley everything to Anikan and he would do absolutley anything to save her. In my opinion the only weird dialogue and questionable acting came for Sam and Ian during their fight. Any way thats my two cents and just my "point of view". GEt out and see this movie everyone it is absolutley breathtaking, a truly fitting way to end the saga.