Well, at long last. A review on the first page of a SW thread

I'd love to write and write about my feelings, my experience tonight, and all that crap. But it's just crap. I'll save that for the discussion thread, and get right to the film. I'll save any major spoiler bits (stuff not in trailers, etc...just trust me, I won't spoil anything until the black box portion) until the end.

Revenge of the Sith is the best of the prequel films, and has moments that match ESB for their poetry, AOTC for some poor dialogue, and ROTJ for their emotional impact. It brings some of the weaknesses from the PT, and brings much of the energy that inhabited the OT. In that respect, it's a hybrid of the two trilogies. And I'll admit, I drank the Kool-Aid from the get-go. I watched TPM and AOTC last weekend, and it really helped me (I have previously seriously disliked AOTC).

The bad: there are some minor (and not-so-minor) missteps in the choices department: lines, shots, takes, etc. None of them were dealbreakers for me. Which is a change from the previous two films. There are certainly moments that could be better, notably two of them. One is spoiler material (Anakin's turn), and one really isn't. That scene, which I think should have taken more time, is the moment where OW learns what Anakin has done as Vader. It's not bad. But it's not what it could be. Other notable things I did not like: SLJ flat-out sucks as Mace; oddly enough, I cared much more for McDiarmid as Palpatine than I did the Emperor (more nuanced, more subtle, more in control); and some minor quibbles such as Battle Droid voices and dialogue.

That's it. I'll get to Anakin's turn later.

What surprised me were the moments I wasn't expecting. And there were quite a few, and it made the movie near great for me. Most of them I'll mention in the small spoiler box as notes.

This is the most assured of the PT films. Lucas has clearly found his footing. The direction is clear, intelligent, and creative. I'd like to think Lucas took a note from PJ/LOTR (no comparisons please) in terms of establishing shots. He really lets the visuals breath, and it enhances the reality and impact of the story. The acting is better. NP and Hayden still have some bad dialogue, but share a few great moments. NP is noticeably improved. Hayden has a few missteps, but again, nothing huge for me. Ewan is excellent, as expected. I wish he had more screentime, but there you go. Ian McDiarmid is excellent as Palpatine, but either he or the writing go a little crazy once he "shows himself", so to speak. I also quite liked Jimmy Smits in his small role. One other major note, 3PO doesn't intrude much, and R2 deserves all the praise he is getting. He got raucous cheers. Lastly, the scenes with OW and Anakin in the first half are quite good. They right much that I disliked in AOTC. They don't necessarily right AOTC, but they work here. It really helps the story.

As expected, this movie is a visual masterpiece. There is more to see in this film than the previous 2 (or 5) combined. It is rich, sumptuous, and deep. Most importantly, it's not showy. The effects are so good, you start to not see them. Again, they are not flawless, but they are as close as any film has come. And there are more of them here than in any film before. And it ain't close. They also do more.

QUICK EDIT: Major credit goes to the Art Department as well. The designs in this film are the best in the saga.

I think the film is masterfully edited, something that was rather weak in TPM, got noticeably better in AOTC (but didn't have such a story to tell), and nails it here. I see some above me disagree, but the cross-cutting during a key middle scene, and towards the end was exceptional. Kudos where deserved.

The score is the real strongpoint for the film. The film is at it's strongest when JW is telling the story with GL's visuals. Many of my favorite scenes had no dialogue. Truly a fantastic score.

Brief spoilers:
Spoiler:
The big debate is going to center on the effectiveness of Anakin's turn. Bet on it. And I can already see excellent points on both sides. I think the set-up was quite good. The opera scene was one of the best in the saga. The follow-up where Sidious reveals himself to Anakin is also quite good. Where it gets ugly is the actual moment it occurs. I still buy it, but the scene itself is a bit sloppy. This is a place where GL could have really boosted it. But again, there is material in the story beforehand to make it work. The actual moment is herky jerky, and leads too quickly into what follows.

Also, the Yoda/Sidious fight was good for the sheep. Very well shot and executed. Didn't do much for me. Except when he walked in the room.

Favorite scenes:
- Everything on Kashyyyk is gold.
- The best opening action sequence in any of the SW films, save maybe ESB.
- The Order 66 sequence (esp. the editing) is top-notch. I was surprisingly moved.
- Vader in the Temple was chilling. Everyone is going to have their opinions, but when I see Vader at the end of ROTJ, I'm going to remember him in the council chambers. Always.
- OW and Vader on Mustafar, the dialogue and visuals at the end


My surprise moments:
- Anakin first meeting with Padme. "This is the happiest moment of my life."
- Anakin saying goodbye to OW for the last time (as OW goes to fight GG)
- Anakin and Padme (but not together) as the Jedi go to face Palpatine - probably my favorite scene in the PT, and one of my faves in the Saga, I loved this scene. Beautiful. This scene alone could have saved this film, if it needed to.
- Anakin and the Younglings, great direction. Great decision. Very upsetting.
- Cross-cutting Vader and Padme giving birth/dying, poetic and brilliant
- Overall, the reckless OW on Utu...whatever, great action
- Of course, the ending sequence



I could think of more, but I need to sleep.

Super spoilers, save 'til you see the film:
Spoiler:
Loved when Yoda climbed on Chewies back.
Meh on seeing Death Star.


Not perfect. Doesn't save the PT (frankly, where was this direction in the last two films). GL dots EVERY "I", and crosses EVERY "T". I didn't find that necessary.

But the overall effect is meaningful and skilled.

It's Star Wars.

9/10

Anakin saying goodbye to OW for the last time (as OW goes to fight GG)

If anywhere, it probably should have went in the "I saw it and want to unload" thread.