With Rogue One a week away, I would like to take the time to write a compact review on what makes this movie my favorite in cinema's greatest saga of all time. I will go into detail about why the prequels, as a whole, are misunderstood and why this is my favorite movie in the entire saga.
Let me just get this out of the way. I am a huge Star Wars prequels fan. Most Star Wars fans, critics, and just average moviegoers are not. But, I think they are looking at it all wrong. I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I wish that people would always try and see the best in film. I mean, it is in fact a form of art. So, it's subjective. While most view this trilogy as "too different from the originals" and associate it as having "bad acting and too much CGI", I see a piece of art that tells one of the best character-driven stories of all time.
First, I want to rebut the statements that I disagree with above. While I understand and respect others who think this way, I want to share my opinion to see if it will make people see this movie as I do. I mean, isn't it more fun to love a movie than hate it? So, the first thing that people say about the prequels is that they are "not anything like the originals which make them bad". I can understand why people would say this. It tells a darker story set in a different time. But, is that a reason to hate it? Just because it is different does not mean it is bad. The factor that has to be considered is expectations. People probably expected the prequels to be just like the originals, because, if it isn't broken, why change it? But, instead George Lucas delved into the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker and the rise of Darth Vadar. People were obviously expecting something different, so they inevitably hated it. But, since I grew up with these movies already out, I believe I saw what Lucas was trying to do. If you watch all of the movies in order, including the originals, with no prior expectations, you can clearly see how this is the story of Anakin/Vadar. Lucas had his story from the beginning but the shear love for the original movies blinded everyone from seeing the bigger picture.
The next and final argument that people have against these movies, preferably Revenge of the Sith because that is in fact the focus of this review, is that there is bad acting and too much CGI. First off, I do not think that too much CGI is a thing. If it looks real, what does it matter. This movie opened with definitely the most beautifully shot, designed, and edited scenes in the entire saga. The rescue of the Chancellor features Anakin and Obi Wan flying through a large amount of blasts and debris. The humor mixed with the visuals made this scene pull me in for the rest of the ride. So, this is a movie that really needed the CGI and Lucas executed it to the best of his abilities at this time, which to me was quite phenomenal. The next part of this argument is the bad acting. I truly believe that this relates back to the expectations of fans because the acting has absolutely nothing wrong with it. All of the main actors in this movie have proof that they can act, just check out their IMDB pages. I think that people were surprised with the change in dialogue from the originals so they related it to bad acting. However, the dialogue was meant to sound this way in order to show a more sophisticated, peaceful time in the Republic where there was actual order. There is nothing wrong here so once you set that aside you can enjoy and watch this masterpiece.
So, why is this movie my favorite? There are so many amazing movies in the Star Wars saga. It is truly a hard task to decipher which one is the best. All of these films capture what sci-fi is all about. In addition, I, and most peoples', love for film started with Star Wars. But, f I had to pick it would have to be this one. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is my favorite Star Wars movie because of it's incredibly emotional and tragic story, impeccable character development, and purely masterful visuals.
The prequels tell the sad fall of Anakin and his turn into Darth Vadar. As far as the main character's story goes, this movie is the most dynamic. Everything that happens leads up to this movie which has it all. In the beginning, you can see his friendship with Obi Wan. You can see his rising power as a Jedi. Everything is going well but his darkness is always there. His constant fear of losing Padme creates the distress that allows him to be manipulated by Palpatine. As Yoda said, "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." It all started with fear. We first got a glimpse of this in episode II when his mother died and he slaughtered the sand people. This is exactly the cause of his trip down the dark path he takes. Anakin's path to the dark side has been present all along, it is Palpatine who merely unleashes it and takes advantage of it. By saying that he can help save the ones he loves, Anakin has to come to a decision. You can feel the struggle that he is going through. It is so well done where even when he is going bad, you want to see the best in him. That is how well-developed his character is. His turn into Vadar is neither sudden nor unexpected. Even if you had not seen the originals, you can tell there is darkness inside of him and it is leading to something. In fact, Hayden Christensen was the perfect actor to portray this instability of light and dark. He delivers his lines o that you know there is evil in him. You can tell what he is feeling just from his facial expressions. His performance is often overlooked but he grabs hold of the character's true essence which greatly contributes to such a compelling story of the fall of Anakin Skywalker.
Now, I know that I covered a little of the main character's development in the last section. But, there's more to his emotional narrative with other key characters. The first is with Padme. You can see his love for her throughout the movie. For example, when she tells Anakin that she is pregnant, he gets scared because the Jedi rules forbid this. But, he then says it's the happiest moment of his life because it is with her. He doesn't care that he is risking it all. All he wants in his life is her. You can see this throughout the movie, and, inevitably it turns him to the dark side. So, the Jedi Council was right in making relationships forbidden so one does not fear losing them. This is one of the many subplots within this love story that make it so captivating.
The last relationship I would like to discuss is that between Anakin and Obi Wan. The friendship/father-son relationship these two had was very heartwarming to watch. For example, the last time the two talk before, well you know, Obi Wan says that he has become a better Jedi than he had ever hoped to become. Just before Anakin's fall, you can see their relationship reach its peak as Anakin's master and friend finally gives him the recognition and approval he deserved. So, when Anakin turns to the dark side, you can see the turmoil each of them are in. Then, we reach the final fight between the two. The master versus the apprentice. Friend versus friend. Brother versus brother. It is absolutely heartbreaking when they fight. This is the peak of the movie as the emotional climax breaks loose and these two battle to what seems is the death. What is to me the most emotional scene in movie history, Obi Wan says "I have failed you Anakin, I have failed you." This really hit me hard as it depicts how the relationship these two had was beyond saving, as was Anakin. Then, after the fight and Obi Wan had won, he sadly shouts, "You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you!" This ends what may be the most tragic friendship narrative in cinematic history. The chosen one was now evil and his former master and friend in despair.
Adding on that monumental final scene, the choreography and visuals of the fights were that of an expert. The fights, especially Obi Wan vs. Anakin and Sidious vs. Yoda, were choreographed and delivered in such a way where you believe these actors are actually Jedi. These fights had these iconic figures going at it to show their true power. This fighting style differed from the originals as it showed the power of the Jedi in this more civilized time.
In addition to the fights, the CGI and green screen effects were done very well and made it feel the most real Star Wars has ever felt. With technology at a state where these effects are possible, why not use them? I simply do not understand those who prefer small-scale models over this. I have great respect for what Lucas did in the 70's and 80's, but he made the right call using more computerized effects in the more stylistic prequels.
In closing, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is my favorite Star Wars movie of all time. Its character-driven plot mixed with imposing visuals flourished to create the best film in the Star Wars universe. I am not saying that the prequels are better than the originals or vice versa, but instead that this movie has everything Star Wars should be known for. It ends with Luke and Leah going off to be raised in their places that we know them from. Also, it has Anakin actually becoming Darth Vadar. I get the chills every time the mask goes on and the breathing and imperial march start. The movie ends the prequels with the absolute perfect lead into the amazing originals that we all know and love. This perfect end to such a tragic story paved the way for the heroic narrative of his son.
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