Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

[Pic Courtesy IMDb]

While I am not a Star Wars fanatic, I have enjoyed episodes IV, V and VI several times and saw The Phantom Menace on the opening day(I didn't see Attack of the Clones until it was released on DVD though). I saw Revenge of the Sith yesterday and was simply blown away. It is easily the best of the three prequels and is a fitting finish to the Star Wars saga.

Even though I had in mind Lucas' special effects accomplishments in the other films in the series, I was still amazed at the visual feast offered by Revenge of the Sith. I was going "Wow!" at almost every other scene and was floored by both the man's imagination and the technical wizardry that has brought it to life. The hideout of General Grievous and the senate are just two set pieces that are jaw-droppingly spectacular and a testimony to Lucas' vision.

The script is quite simplistic most of the time and the romance between Anakin and Padme doesn't really work since it gets so little time. But the film races along at such speed that we hardly notice those things. There are several duels and whether they are space battles where several things are happening at once or focussed, one-on-one light saber fights, they get our pulses racing. It is amazing how much variety Lucas has provided in different instances of what is essentially two men fighting with light sabers. Personally, Yoda's duel with Darth Sidious in the senate was the pick of the lot.

That is not to say the movie kicks emotions completely out of the way. Anakin's internal conflict and his slow journey to the dark side are gripping and it is fascinating to see the human side of Darth Vader. And since this movie chronologically precedes the original Star Wars, seeing the origins of events and characters that are so familiar(for instance, hearing the names Luke and Leia) literally leads to goosebumps.

Revenge of the Sith can be seen simply as two and a half hours of spectacular entertainment or as a piece of cinematic history. Either way, it is a must-see.