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Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith: Frank's Take
01/06/2005 . Source: Frank Ochieng 
It’s hard to believe that nearly three decades ago, innovative filmmaker George Lucas thrust upon a movie-going global landscape a dynamic cinematic vision that would become to grow into a hysterical pop cultural phenomenon. There’s no doubt that the illustrious film franchise known as Star Wars has captured the escapist imagination of a generation of enthusiastic sci-fi thrill-seekers. Buy Star Wars: Episode III in the USA - or Buy Star Wars: Episode III in the UK  Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith (2005) 20th Century Fox
2 hours. 10 minutes. Starring: Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz (voice only), Jimmy Smits, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Christopher Lee, Keisha Castle-Hughes. Directed by: George Lucas.
The sensational filmmaking movement that is and was Lucas's visionary scope certainly helped define the boisterous aura of progressive moviemaking from its enthralling infancy in the late seventies.
Before it was fashionable to be spoiled rotten by random blockbusters, Lucas's magnetic and adventurous space opera dared to invade the hungry consciousness of unsuspecting film fans looking to experience the movies from an ambitious, creatively challenging standpoint. Daringly armed with tenacious technological flourishes to compliment the memorable characters set against the backdrop of good versus evil, the sextet of Star Wars flicks are coming to a dramatic conclusion with the much-anticipated spectacular entry Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith.
Inevitably, there will be numerous comparisons to both sets of Star Wars trilogies. The trio of first films-Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983)-were an impeccable grouping of thoroughly sophisticated and imaginative popcorn films. These masterpieces truly resonated with intrigued viewers to the point that diehard cinemaphiles and product placement consumers alike were more than willing to embrace Lucas's grandiose presentation of colorful galactic storytelling. The second round of films-The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002) and now the swan song arrival of Revenge of the Sith (2005)-seemed to have lost its muster within recent years. Nevertheless, Sith compensates for the previous two silly-minded spectacles that preceded it.
Clearly, Sith is the most polished and durable premise of its particular three-way connection with Menace and Clones. Maybe that's not necessarily saying too much as far as an ultimate compliment is concerned when comparing and contrasting what previously looked like a tired movie series for Lucas and his operatic swashbuckling space-oriented universe. But as a respectable finale of a continual legendary film factory where it's beneficial to have the force with you, Revenge of the Sith is an enticingly dark and absorbing spectacle that should satisfy the casual Star Wars fanatic who fancies an action-packed package full of emotional promise and prose.
One would have had to live under a rock if they didn't know what the key storylines were involving the sixth and final chapter. Well, for those of you that are clueless to the proceedings then take notice-this is the vehicle where the dubious metamorphosis of Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) occurs where he's about to assume the hauntingly wicked skin of the villainous Darth Vader. Yes folks, both Luke and Leila's future father is drawn unconditionally to the sinister side. This, of course, is where Lucas is able to masterfully spin such a tempting event into a captivating 2-hour sardonic journey where the daunting psyches are about as tragic as decapitating a fuzzy cute Ewok.
Admittedly, Sith does start out by plodding along but once the film establishes its revved up pacing, the flow quickly stays on course. It's important to realize that certainly Lucas doesn't disappoint when delivering the kinetic goods. The film does contain a stimulating opening sequence where Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are stuck in an animated space battle (the Clone Wars) against Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) and dastardly droid General Grievous. In the process, our harried heroes (Anakin and Obi-Wan that is…) seizes the Republic's Sith Lord Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid).
Being as cynical as he is crafty, Palpatine has an astute intuition about the underlying static that consumes a frustrated Anakin. Audaciously, Palpatine begins to work on Anakin's confused mindset in an effort to convince him how advantageous it would be if they teamed up together and ruled the galaxy in the name of the Dark Side. Hence, what does Anakin Skywalker have to lose? After all, the Jedi council has recently deemed him ineligible to join their ranks. Plus, there are constant recurring nightmarish flashbacks that plague Anakin about his "secret" pregnant wife Padme (Natalie Portman) whom he fears may perish for whatever reason. Remember it's a violation of the Jedi code to marry a woman in the first place-a rule that Anakin took a chance in breaking for his personal convenience. And if things aren't bad enough, Obi-Wan contemplates over Anakin's ambivalence in whether or not he can stay loyal and not fall prey to the lurking destructive forces at hand. Too late-Anakin has agreed to share the sordid spotlight with the dreaded Palpatine! Interestingly, birth is given to Darth Vader-one of cinema's favorably complex and ruthless figureheads to emerge so ominously on the big screen.
Resilient director-writer-producer Lucas has conjured up a powerful vacuum where the loose ends neatly mesh together in energetic stride. Lucas knew that this revered episode would have to put a proper prospective on a narrative that represents sheer hope for the faithful legions of Star Wars aficionados. Sith is a rare showcase where the contradictions rule with effortless ease. The film's overtones are drenched in staunch moodiness yet finds its occasional spry-minded pulse. Also, it's a production that guarantees a new beginning for an outgoing enterprise that is stepping down after treating millions of worshiping movie minions with its ode to good old-fashioned expository giddiness.
Artistically, Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith can be uneven at times in terms of its meandering plot. Thankfully, Lucas is keenly aware in spotlighting some of the familiar elements that established his eclectic prequels as welcoming fodder. Returning briefly is the lovable Chewbacca and the rest of his Wookie brethren. Robotic rogues C3PO and R2D2 are on hand for comic relief while serving as a reminding link to the past, present and future that is Star Wars folklore. Veteran knights Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) and wrinkled wonder Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz) express some reservations about Anakin's fortitude to adequately serve the Republic. More importantly, the heart and soul of Sith (or any other of the episodes for that matter) is maintained by the robustly entertaining battle scenes that blaze in a full steam of glory.
Christensen's Anakin Skywalker is competent this time around as the soulfully wounded apprentice Jedi knight whose inkling to break away from the empowering shadows of his mentor Obi-Wan only heightens the need for this renegade to abandon his developing strife. Finding solitude in a new commanding empire that can mask his current predicament is the convenient excuse Anakin needs to search for his own destiny no matter how tormented it may be in the final analysis. McDiarmid is deliciously devilish as the motivating mastermind Palpatine who manipulates Anakin's scepticism to the point of planting a doomed seed of self-destruction. As Princess Padme, Portman doesn't have much of a prominent imprint in the film although the script credits her with some light-hearted political pap that barely registers within the framework of the excitable proceedings.
Saturated with a hearty pulp of cosmic proportions, Revenge of the Sith is the most impressive work that Lucas can leave his glowing masses of Star Wars admirers worldwide. The stunning portrait of the simplistic concept of the Force conquering all that's unacceptable in unsavoury mankind's quest for undesirable wickedness has been preserved for the ages. Overall, the entire Star Wars machine wasn't just a tremendous populist entertainment that fascinated a considerable amount of diverse ticket buyers-it was also a philosophical pronouncement in a spirited dimension that swept us away in a galaxy far, far away.
Frank Ochieng
(c) Frank Ochieng 2005
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