Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - Review

"It's over, Anakin. I have the high ground" – a review of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. 

The Star Wars prequel trilogy is far from perfect, but I really don't think these films get the love they deserve. Did Jar Jar annoy the hell out of me back in the day? Sure. Did the fact that my younger sister owned an interactive Jar Jar who would dance and sing in his voice for a solid 4 minutes if you pressed a button on the base, and could not be turned off once he started, become the absolute bane of my existence for a while? Also sure, sharing a bedroom with her was an experience to say the least during that time. Even with that torture, though, these were fun films – so would Revenge of the Sith be a satisfying conclusion to the prequels?

It has been three years since the Clone Wars began, and the galaxy is in turmoil. General Grievous has kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine, prompting Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to go to his aid – but all is not as it seems. As Anakin falls to the temptation of the dark side, Darth Sidious moves to take over the galaxy and the Jedi Order as a whole is at risk of collapse and once friends and allies must face each other in a fight which would determine the fate of a galaxy far, far away. It is time for Anakin Skywalker to choose a side…

If you've seen the original trilogy, you know how this film ends and who Anakin becomes – yet it's still so powerful, perhaps because the decisions that led to Anakin choosing his path are in some ways very understandable. For example, his complete inability to accept loss is such a human quality, and the Jedi Order's rules surrounding emotional attachments seem so cruel, that it is easy for Palpatine to manipulate him.

On the point of manipulation, evil is so seductive in this film – Palpatine, after treating Anakin with respect for years, does not offer power for the sake of tyranny but a way to save the woman Anakin loves, and power which can be used to achieve peace. Anakin begins to believe that his selfish wants and actions are in fact for the greater good, and by then it's way too late to turn him back to the light. The way evil is written in this film – and the prequel trilogy as a whole – is one of the reasons that I think it deserves more love and respect than it gets.

Of course, one of the biggest criticisms of the prequel trilogy as a whole is that the political intrigue is, well, dull, but the fall of democracy and the rise of tyrannical leadership is actually such a strong theme in Revenge of the Sith. Watching the Galactic Republic become the Empire, watching institutions fail to act and charismatic leaders manipulate entire populations is so vital to the plot and so interesting to watch that by the time we're here at the third film, I'm way more invested in the politics of the galaxy than I thought I would be – and in these trying times, perhaps there are lessons to be learned for today's world, too.

I really love this film. I think it's likely the strongest of the three – whilst there are still a few issues with wooden acting, I think all performances have improved a great deal, and I adore the darker tone. It's dramatic, emotional and tense throughout, and I think it's an absolutely brilliant finale to the prequel trilogy.

Perhaps these are the films you're looking for.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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