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Just
kickin’ it with the Sith
MOVIE
REVIEW
By
Bradley Zint
Online Forty-Niner
Calendar Editor
Let me start off by saying I like “Star
Wars.” I like it a lot, actually.
But am I a first-in-line lightsaber-wielding
dressed-up Jedi? No — far from it.
In fact, I think the best thing about these
movies is the music, but that’s a
whole different story.
The last installment of the famous “Star
Wars” trilogy, the films that changed
filmmaking, merchandising, film music —
practically everything — forever,
is set for release May 19. Titled “Revenge
of the Sith,” it promises to be the
most action-packed, special effects-dazzled
episode yet.
Anyone who has seen the original trilogy
knows the story of the black-hooded Anakin
Skywalker turned Darth Vader, a man whose
good sways to evil in a classic story of
greed, power and love. “Revenge of
the Sith” will tell audiences how
exactly such malevolence overtakes him to
gain control of the galaxy.
“What drove me to direct Episodes
I, II and III was the larger story about
Anakin, who starts out as a good person
but who becomes evil — and, ultimately,
is redeemed by his children,” says
George Lucas, the creator of “Star
Wars” and director of the new prequels.
The larger amount of violence gives the
film a PG-13 rating, the first non-PG rating
of any “Star Wars” movie.
During the film’s production, one
of the most memorable moments was when Hayden
Christensen, who plays Anakin Skywalker,
put on the newly-constructed Vader suit
and caused the entire Fox Studios lot to
come to a standstill witnessing the event.
“Once the cameras started rolling
and George shouted ‘Action,’
it was incredible,” Christensen said.
“Being inside the suit really does
make you feel powerful and evil. Even today,
nearly two years afterward, I can’t
forget it — and can’t quite
articulate how it made me feel.”
From what I’ve been reading, this
movie is being hyped up as the best of the
prequel series. Maybe Lucas’ third
charm finally got it. “Revenge”
has received unusual amounts of positive
attention from respected directors Steven
Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola.
Admittedly they are Lucas’ friends,
but even many of Lucas’ friends didn’t
like the original “Star Wars,”
so maybe their attention is a good sign.
Kevin Smith, director of “Clerks”
and “Jay and Silent Bob,” recently
wrote enthusiastic comments about the film
on his Web site, viewaskew.com.
“This is the ‘Star Wars’
prequel the haters have been bitching for
since ‘Menace’ came out, and
if they don’t cop to that when they
finally see it, they’re lying,”
Smith wrote. “This flick is so satisfyingly
tragic; you’ll think you’re
watching ‘Othello’ or ‘Hamlet’.”
Even composer John Williams has commented
positively on the film.
“Revenge of the Sith has the contour
of great human stories, in which people
accomplish wonderful things amidst the terrible
happenings that surround them,” Williams
said. He has also stated that the film’s
demands were the most difficult of any in
his career.
Though I haven’t seen the movie yet
and don’t plan on seeing it the first
week, I have seen the trailers many times.
I can safely say within the realms of my
own opinion that the “Revenge”
trailers are the greatest ever made. Even
if the movie sucks, which I don’t
anticipate, the trailers definitely delivered.
Sometimes I wish the people who make cool
trailers could also make equally cool movies.
What I have heard, however, is the new Williams’
score for “Revenge.” His musical
contributions to the two trilogies I think
are the greatest aspect about “Star
Wars,” even above the dazzling effects,
memorable lines and mythological-inspired
plot.
The music will be awesome behind the film,
but I consider it to be the weakest of all
six “Star Wars” scores. This
is not to say, however, that it is bad music.
I can’t wait to see what Lucas has
been cooking up. After a somewhat disappointment
with “Phantom Menace,” I felt
Lucas redeemed himself considerably with
“Attack of the Clones.” It looks
as if he will not fail the fans this time.
But what about the average moviegoer? Ignoring
the Yodas and stormtroopers standing in
line already, I believe this film is going
to reach out to Joe and Betsy Moviefan.
The movies’ central themes about love
and loss, good and evil, and revenge and
retaliation will reach out to all of us.
And besides, who in this world doesn’t
think Darth Vader is cool?
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