I did not know my blog had such an influence

5.23.2005

I saw Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith (to be referred to as Ep III) last night, and I must say, my faith in George Lucas, the Star Wars franchise, and CGI, has been some what renewed. While I would like to let this movie sink in a bit before I pass final judgement, I will say a few things. This movie was definitely much more in the vein of the old movies. The action, the high adventure, the mystification at the special effects, the spiritaulity of the Force, were all there. In fact, I can possible hold this up with the old movies. I was definitely better than Episodes I and II. It ties the whole thing together. And seeing this movies makes me understand why Lucas has fiddled around with the originals, and possible want to remake Epidsode IV - VI. Compare the lightsaber battles from this one to any of the originals you will see why.

The use of CGI, while overblown, was much more effective, and the use of models and live props, defintely fit in much better (thank you Peter Jacksom) and made the overall movie, much more effective. The CGI did not get in the way like in the other 2 movies.

There are some issues I have, that I will get out of the way now:

1. Over all the dialogue, was cheesy, clicheish, and pretty poor (but all the Star Wars movies had this problem.)
2. I don't know what it is, but the acting was pretty poor. It seems to me that Lucas is a one take director. Hayden Christiansen again is nauseating. But why do very good actors like Ewan MacGregor, and Natalie Portman deliver lines that are at points painful to watch . . . I guess I got to blame Lucas for this one.
3. General Greivous, was much more intimadating in Cartoon Network's Clone Wars. If you have not seen this, pick this up, you will be amazed, and it fills in the gap real nicely between II and III.
4. Lucas has some type of fetish with severing limbs, at least they don't bleed afterward like in Ep. I.
5. The whole Metchlorian (sp) thing is stupid, and the fact that the Emprorer eluded to himslef creating Anakin by influencing them, is as stupid as the Messianic creation of Anakin, through Metacholrians.
6. SOME MINI SPOILERS TO FOLLOW: The whole scene at the end, where Anakin is officially Vader, in the body armor and with the James Earl Jones voice, and he has this huge emotional outburst, is very painful to watch. Ultra Cheesy. Very 1950's monster movie (Frankenstien). Also one of the final scenes with the Emporer, Vader and a young Grand Moff Tarkin, looking at the Death Star being constructed, is not really set in time well, and makes the viewer think that I takes 20 years to build the thing.

Overall though, I would recommend this film, and even encourage Lucas to remake IV - VI.



UPDATE: I am about 50% done with The Next Wraith. Should be up soon. Thanks to those who bumped the Webcomicslist buttons, both comics are now in the Top 100. I have no idea what is going on with Buzzcomix, but this has been going on for over a week, and frankly, is disappointing and embarassing for the "Number 1 webcomics list on the net."