Star Wars Ep III: Revenge of the Sith Review

In the build-up to Star Wars: The Force Awakens (yes I know some of you saw it when it premiered but not everyone is as awesome as you). Our review for the film is being released this weekend so stay tuned for that. In the meantime we’re continuing our build-up with the Star Wars re-watch with Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

If you missed our review of Star Wars Ep I: The Phantom Menace

If you missed our review of Star Wars Ep II: Attack of the Clones

So what’s my take on Revenge of the Sith? Compared to the first two episodes, it’s basically a masterpiece. But that’s not saying much. Still, it’s a good way to end off the trilogy. Here we go:

The Bad

Like I said before, compared to the two parts that came before it, Revenge of the Sith is nowhere near as terrible, in fact it is actually a pretty decent film. I did find a couple of faults though.

Obi-Wan Kenobi vs General Grievous chase scene

Obi-Wan, in a battle with General Grievous, chases him while riding a Boga, which isn’t the worse creature to come out of the trilogy (*cough: Jar Jar Binks) but it is still pretty weird.

Why is this creature a thing and why is Obi-Wan insisting on clumsily riding this creature? The chase and subsequent fight scene was one of the more disappointing action sequences in the film.

Padme death

“Medically she’s completely healthy. For reasons we can’t explain, we are losing her… We don’t know why. She has lost the will to live.”

I get that she’s been through a lot in the film: the galactic democracy is falling apart, Jedi are falling by the wayside and the love of her life is noticeably becoming a very jealous and harmful person. And, you know, evil. But this just seemed a little far-fetched to me.

Yes having a broken heart sucks but surely your kids are enough reason to live? You named them really quickly so you must at least like them?

Hayden Christensen’s acting

Slightly better than in the previous movie. So that’s something. But overall Hayden Christensen is a weak actor which is only amplified since he is the default protagonist of the trilogy.

The Good

A little more action

In the previous two parts of this trilogy we were treated to a lot of exposition and build up. Even though Revenge of the Sith has its fair share of talking, it has a lot more action sequences.

This was always going to be the case given that everything in the previous two films were building to this point and since we know how film is supposed to end – thanks to our knowledge from the original trilogy – it was always going to be a film with big battles and closing loose ends. And this film did not disappoint.

Obi Wan and Anakin

The film built up the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker, with most of the key battles involving the two of them and how they not only work well together to rescue the kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine but also saving each other’s lives and developing a rapport that goes far beyond the call of Jedi duty.

Of course this relationship was built up in such a way as to make the final fight scene between the two of them that much more personal and intense. Given that there was barely any semblance of a bond between them before, the script did well to include as many heart-to-hearts, teamwork action sequences and witty back and forths as possible to make the pay off so much better. They were Jedi brothers and now they’re forced to fight each other.

Enter Darth Vader

As we had mentioned in previous reviews, if the original trilogy was very much the story of Luke Skywalker while this prequel trilogy is all about his father, the chosen one, Anakin Skywalker. What is important to note is that we have literally been building up to Darth Vader’s big reveal ever since we saw him as a kid in The Phantom Menace. As soon as he said his name, we knew where they were heading. This kid will grow up and become Darth Vader.

But instead of some innate desire to be all powerful and all evil, he is pushed to desperation by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who manipulates him in to giving in to the dark side so that he can save Padme and family as he sees visions of her dying during childbirth. It is in this time of desperation that Anakin embraces the dark side.

 

But we know that this is not Darth Vader’s final form. Obi-Wan and Anakin have their climatic duel and Obi-Wan comes out on top, severing Anakin’s limbs and leaving him to burn. After being rescued by Darth Sidious and having extensive injuries, he is given the suit and helmet – and voice – that would ultimately become the Dark Lord we know and love.

Overall, a really solid way to end a meh prequel trilogy and set up what would become the iconic trilogy that introduced us to the world of Star Wars.

Rating: 7/10

Check out the trailer for Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith below:

 

The IMDB Synopsis for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith reads as follows:

“Three years after the onset of the Clone Wars; the noble Jedi Knights are spread out across the galaxy leading a massive clone army in the war against the Separatists. After Chancellor Palpatine is kidnapped, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his former Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, are dispatched to eliminate the evil General Grievous. Meanwhile, Anakin’s friendship with the Chancellor arouses suspicion in the Jedi Order, and dangerous to the Jedi Knight himself.”