Plot: It has been three years since the Clone Wars began. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) rescue Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from General Grievous, the commander of the droid armies, but Grievous escapes. Suspicions are raised within the Jedi Council concerning Chancellor Palpatine, with whom Anakin has formed a bond. Asked to spy on the chancellor, and full of bitterness toward the Jedi Council, Anakin embraces the Dark Side.
I just got back from watching Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith on the big screen for its 20th anniversary re-release. Anytime a Star Wars movie gets a theatrical release I have to see it as it’s my favourite movie universe I love to escape to.
I think it’s interesting that there was a 25th anniversary for The Phantom Menace last year but Attack of the Clones has been distinctly absent from a re-release.
The Prequels definitely have their flaws mostly including some clunky dialogue and wooden acting, but I have made peace with that and today was just a chance to return to a Galaxy Far Far Away and enjoy the ride.
I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed Revenge of the Sith as much as I did today as so much of it holds up well. The visuals are still amazing, John Williams provides maybe the finest score of the series, and it has arguably the best opening sequence of the saga.
There are little things I notice now which I may not have paid attention to when Sith first came out, but I love things like how Anakin’s (Hayden Christensen) face is usually half in shadow to show his duality and battle with the darkness within him. I understand Anakin’s motivations better now; he was being manipulated by everyone his whole life so it’s no wonder he was frustrated. He was a slave as a child, a slave to the Jedi and then a slave to Palpatine.
Sith also contains the most iconic lightsaber battle with Obi-Wan vs. Anakin which has still to be bettered to this day. The pacing is faultless as is the editing rarely slowing down in its 2-hour 20-minute runtime.
Having watched all of the Clone Wars series helps to expand on Anakin’s turn to the Dark Side as well as explore how the Republic slowly became the Empire.
Ian McDiarmid may not be subtle as Emperor Palpatine, but he is still fantastic as he seduces Anakin with tales of Darth Plagueis in the amazing Opera scene. I still love his climactic battle with Yoda at the end as the Jedi Master just gets destroyed and is forced into exile.
There are interesting politics in the movie too some of which are still relevant in the world today…
There are some truly fantastic scenes in this movie like Order 66 which is incredibly sad as the Jedi are wiped out. It’s such a tragic tale and leaves you with only a little hope as young Luke is handed off to his aunt and uncle staring at the Binary Sunset.
In terms of flaws, there are still a few cringe inducing moments like the “it must be because I’m so in love” scene between Padme and Anakin as well as Darth Vader’s “Nooo” which still makes me think of Seymour Skinner every time I watch it.
As for the audience reaction in our theater, you could have heard a pin drop as everyone was glued to their seats from beginning to end. It’s fascinating that most of the showings were sold out for a movie that’s 20 years old and people clearly love seeing Star Wars on the big screen. I’m glad we have a few more theatrical releases in the coming years and I’m particularly interested in Starfighter with Ryan Gosling. Let’s just hope it actually gets made unlike so many other Star Wars movies that get announced then get swallowed by a Sarlacc Pit.
After 20 years Revenge of the Sith remains the best of the Star Wars prequels with some breathtaking visuals and incredible action set-pieces. It’s arguably the darkest Star Wars movie, but it haunts you after watching, only getting better with age.