Revenge of the Sith, 2nd viewing
Yes, I’m a Star Wars geek. But no, I didn’t like Phantom Menace or Attack of the Clones. I try not to think about them the same way that I try not to think about Harrison Ford’s Hollywood Homicide movie.
But I did like Revenge of the Sith a lot. I went back to see the Thursday 4pm show (the second time in the 24 hours) and scribbled some quick notes.
Speaking of which: “Star Wars Flu” May Strike IT Productivity
The following notes were written while the movie played, so they’re in sequence. Warning, some movie spoilers here:
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Artoo’s new attitude. Hilarious scenes.
Brief glimpse of Millennium Falcon docking on Coruscant.
Count Dooku: “Twice the pride, double the fall.”
Chancellor Palpatine’s holding chamber looks very similar to Emperor Palpatine’s Death Star chamber in Return of the Jedi.
One act of revenge was the first step to becoming Darth Vader (beheading Count Dooku).
More imaginative battle sequences. Artoo has same wiseass attitude as in original Star Wars.
Lightsaber is still elegant but shows the brutality, just like in Star Wars cantina scene.
Physics are better used to help tell the story and enhance choreography.
There’s more “purity” in the storytelling.
The story is being told more than just showing off the special effects.
Jar Jar is onscreen for only 2 seconds! NO DIALOGUE! (I scribbled this after remembering the first time watching the movie.)
Padme with Princess Leia hairbuns.
Padme’s costumes don’t get in the way of story–doesn’t steal the show like in Phantom Menace.
Skulking General Grievous.
More travelling camera shots, not static.
Padme & Anakin love story is lame. Ebert’s right–Lucas can’t write a love scene.
Hayden Christensen has a shirtless scene–should bring an extra million dollars in ticket sales. Just like Orlando in Kingdom of Heaven.
Not enough exposition to show Anakin’s torment and descent to the dark side.
Why does Padme wear pearl laced gown to bed?
“The fear of loss is a path to the dark side.” — Yoda
Senate votes more executive action to the Chancellor.
Machiavellian machinations? of Palpatine?
Mole on Yoda’s left eyebrow is still there.
Better use of light & shadows.
Intro: with a different eye, I watched Revenge of the Sith. (I was going to begin this blog with this line, but it’s corny.)
More story development–the movie kept going, no lag.
No lag except for Padme/Anakin scenes:)
CGI Yoda has more facial variations than Anakin actor.
Opera scene reminds me of Godfather movie–shit always happens at the opera.
People have cool box seats and they don’t even enjoy the show.
Chancellor Palpatine’s lines foreshadowing his future lines as Emperor. Some dialogue is identical to Return of the Jedi.
At the Opera: “All who gain power are afraid to lose it.” — Palpatine (I wrote “Research this scene–has nice lines)
Tragedy of Darth Plagus the Wise. Dark Lord of the Sith. Great understated acting by Ian McDiarmid (Palpatine)
Palpatine, Ovaltine…
Yoda kicks ass but not in a haphazard, trivial way.
Move is full of SUBSTANCE, like Empire Strikes Back.
Anakin dream sequences remind me of Hitchcock style.
“I want more, and I know I shouldn’t.” — Anakin
Wonderful use of light and shadows!
Obi-Wan rides a lizard, Grievous rides a motorcycle.
1 lightsaber is good enough. Double lightsaber didn’t work for Darth Maul, 4 lightsabers didn’t work for Gen. Grievous.
Palpatine is wearing lipstick.
Power that compromises goodness will ultimately corrupt. (personal thought, not in the movie)
Yoda’s seat on the Jedi council chamber looks like a little puppy bed.
Whoah. Hayden Christensen shed a tear. Is that CGI?
“I AM the Senate.” — Palpatine
“Once more the Sith will rule the galaxy. And we shall have peace.” — Palpatine. Can I get a yellow ribbon magnet with this slogan?
Yoda doesn’t mess around when he executes a beheading.
Yoda leaving on his escape ship looks just like ET’s end sequence.
Action, action, action.
Droids can’t aim worth shit.
“…for a safe and secure society.”
“So this is how liberty dies–in thunderous applause.” — Padme
Anakin did all this thinking he was going to save Padme’s life? Women…
The story takes place over a few months?
“He was deceived by a lie. We all were.”
The movie follows one of the main rules of a good performance: end with your best.
Why the hell did Titanic make so much money?
Just like Lord of the Rings. Fire and brimstone. Maybe that’s where all things end and begin.
“It’s all over, Anakin. I have the high ground.” — Obi-Wan
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Lastly, here’s a post on a Star Wars message board (CHUD.com) that made me laugh out loud:
Saw this last night and overall I agree that this is best prequel yet, but that’s not saying a whole lot. It’s still a troubled film, with some scenes that are so embarrassingly bad that you’re ashamed to be in the theater. Still, the good outweighs the bad and the prequel lovers will love it and the haters will have some of theri goodwill won back.
That said, this movie has got serious fucking issues. The main being Hayden Christiansen and his Smarm/Assfucker/Whine approach to acting. If someone could kill him? That would be great.
The other being C-3P0. Sweet Jesus.
Also, I would’ve thought Anakin’s fall to the Dark Side would’ve been handled with a little more……skill. What we have here is the equivalent of “I’m a Dark Lord of Sith…….NOW!” It’s total bullshit.
All in all, a mostly fun movie and lots of prayers the Lucas NEVER BE ALLOWED TO DIRECT ANYTHING EVER, EVER AGAIN!!!!
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Very good review here: REVIEW: STAR WARS – REVENGE OF THE SITH (DEVIN’S TAKE)