I have been a Star Wars fan... whoa, wait, let me correct that: I have been a Star Wars GEEK my whole life. Being born in 1976, I couldn't imagine life without the masterpieces of film legend that George Lucas has created. When I was a kid, I would watch the Original Trilogy and wonder what the first three episodes were truly about. How could two friends like Kenobi and Skywalker become mortal enemies? Why does the Emperor look like he needs a face lift? Why did Kenobi and Yoda go into hiding? How the hell did Vader get his head all fucked up like that? The answers are revealed in the new STAR WARS film, REVENGE OF THE SITH.
The previous 2 films, Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones, both give some answers about "how things happened" and act as a lead up to this new movie... but it is SITH that reveals all the more important answers - so much so that it completely changed the way I view aspects of the Original Trilogy, particularly with relation to characters and why they are the way they are.
In other words, this is the movie I have been waiting to see for 20 odd years or so. Before I continue, let me just add that this particular TrukbloG does contain SPOILERS from the film... so if you haven't seen it yet, and don't want to be spoiled, click away now.
In my honest opinion, I believe that Episode III is the best film out of all 6 Star Wars films. That may be a bold call, but there's just something about this film that (to me) makes it stand out above and beyond the others. Perhaps it is because it is so dark. Maybe its because it has the most lightsaber battles than any other episode. Maybe it's because we get to see Anakin become Vader. Maybe it's because of all of the above. Nevertheless, the film had an impact on me when I watched it. It's dark, sad, and tragic.
Of course, the main reason this film stands out is because of the final duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan at the end of the film. This is clearly the climax of the movie, where the two go for each other amidst the turmoil of a volcanic world. Although it's relatively well known about what happens at the end of this duel, Lucas, stunt co-ordinator Nick Gillard, Ewan "Kenobi" McGregor, and Hayden "Vader" Christensen deserve medals for the creativity and intensity they put into designing the battle.
The duel itself is the result of Anakin's choices in the film. Ultimately, it is his choice to align himself with the Sith Lord - a scene that is akin to Anakin "selling his soul to the devil". One that is haunting, and it is at that point of the film where the whole story takes a 180 degree turn... all of sudden it turns from a Star Wars prequel to a Jedi slaughter... the Sith Revenge is well underway.
I really enjoyed R.O.T.S. and have already seen it twice - once at the midnight screening premiere, and then again the next day with my family - and I will definitely be seeing it again. But while George Lucas continually makes it clear that he won't be making anymore SW episodes... take heart - he's changed his mind before, and he may change it again - this may not necessarily be the end of Star Wars.
The TrukstoP
Originally and proudly made in Perth, Australia
