The reviews are starting to come in (Rotten Tomatoes is my favorite site for movie reviews) for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and they’re actually looking pretty good. As of this writing RT is scoring Episode III at 90% positive based on 31 reviews.
The previous two films came in at 62% and 65% respectively for general reviews but only 40% positive from the “Cream of the Crop” reviewers. I tend to agree with the 40% number on Episodes I & II. I won’t even begin to talk about why “Phantom Menace” was so terrible… well, ok, I will: Terrible miscasting of the young Anakin, WAY too involved and convoluted as far as the trade issues, “midichlorians”, immaculate conception, and of course, Jar-Jar.
“Clones” was far better except for Hayden’s performance (which I don’t entirely blame him for) and the whole Anakin/Padme romance.
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The buzz on Episode III has been building and people have been hoping that it would make up for the previous two films. The first glimmer of hope came when rumours of a PG-13 rating surfaced (since confirmed) and then when images started to appear indicating the dark nature of this chapter. Now the reviews are coming in from both hardcore Star Wars fans as well as “regular people” and it’s actually looking like this may turn out to be on a level with The Empire Strikes Back, which by any measure is considered the best film of the series to date.
Of course I expect weakness in this film: I’m hearing that the scenes with Padme are pretty weak as is the love relationship (again). That’s a shame is it seems to be such a crucial plot point for the Darth/Anakin character. On the other hand I’m hearing that the first and last thirds of the film more than make up for that middle third weakness.
Put me down as officially cautiously optimistic.
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9 Comments
Come on Vic, you know that this film will be very good, “search your feelings, you know it to be true”!
I hope you feel differently after watching Hayden Christensen in this one, for those who have already seen it, they actually said to me I was right all along about his acting, and that he was brilliant in this movie. We will discuss Hayden at another time if you allow me, but for now, enjoy the ride!
When are you watching it Vic?
Vic
IT BETTER BE GOOD. SINCE LUCAS HAS BEEN APPOINTED A “GREAT DIRECTOR” AND HE’S ONLY DIRECTED WHAT, 8 MOVIES! 6 OF THEM FROM 1 FRANCHISE. EPISODE III, AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED, COULD’VE BEEN BROKEN INTO 3 FILMS BY ITSELF. TO SEE ANAKIN “EVOLVE” INTO DARTH IS WHAT WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! I & II COULD’VE BEEN MADE INTO EPISODE I. TO SEE ANAKIN TURN SHOULD’VE BEEN ADDRESSED IN II AND THE UPCOMING III SHOULD BE A NO-HOLDS BARRED ROLLERCOASTER. BUT LUCAS DECIDED TO SIT ON HIS HANDS AND BORE US WITH NEEDLESS DIALOGUE AND PLOT POINTS AND WASTED BEAUTIFUL OPS IN 2 CONSECUTIVE CHAPTERS TO EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL THE SITH AND ANSWER OTHER QUESTIONS REGARDING STAR WARS.
HOWEVER LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, I EXPECT III TO BE GOOD BUT NOT AS GOOD AS IT COULD’VE AND SHOULD’VE BEEN.
I did read however that he himself stated that Episodes I & II could have probably been combined into one film and that this film should have taken up a larger portion of the first trilogy.
Vic
Things are looking good. I’ve read several articles with comments from critics who use the word “redemption” and they seem to have favorable to very favorable impressions. Vanity Fair, for whatever it’s worth, was quoted as saying it’s the best since “Empire”.
The trailers have been great, the commercials largely match (anyone who hasn’t seen the 60 sec “End of Wars” commercial at starwars.com is highly advised to do so) and the “A Hero Falls” music video is wonderful also.
The soundtrack I’d put right behind the original Star Wars (Empire’s is of course the best) and that’s largely due to a lot of queues taken from the original soundtrack played differently instead of completely new material.
And finally….I caved. I realized that though I didn’t know all of the minute details, I did know what would happen in the movie, so I read the novel this weekend to hopefully bolster my confidence. It’s incredible. If the movie dialog/screenplay follows closely to the novel dialog–as many of you know my biggest kudo to Lucas is his story telling and my biggest complaint is his screenplay writing ability–and is bolstered by the great effects, it will definitely be on par with “Empire”. I’ll also be awaiting (in vain) Ian McDiarmid’s Best Supporting Actor nomination.
Trent, you really should not be shouting mate, what were the ALL CAPS for?
It seems to me that Lucas’ primary focus was always on Episode III, and that Episodes I and II were mostly filler that led up to the one Lucas really wanted to do all along. I even heard Lucas has a cameo in Episode III.
Here’s a snippet of an article I read on reel.com a while back:
Lucas was irked at director Irvin Kershner for taking too much time (and therefore spending too much money) shooting Empire in England and on location in Finland. After filming was over and he’d had time to digest what it was, Lucas reportedly said, “They didn’t have to make it that good.”
Brian
Dead on Brian. Lucas has actually even admitted as much at this point. Of the pre-Original Trilogy story he wanted to tell, Lucas has said approx 60% of it is in Episode III, leaving 20% each for the other two…or 80% fluff each.
Well no wonder then as to why “Empire Strikes Back” was the best among the lot, saying that I thought “A New Hope” was amazing. After tonight, I will have to change the rankings of the films.
