Star Wars

[Gatito Grande]

skittles and I saw it tonight: pretty darn good (I've liked SW since I first saw it in '77, and all the se-/prequels, but I've never been a HUGE fan).

Agree w/ those who said that Natalie P. needed more to do (than sigh and agonize amidst her ever-changing hair!)

Love Samuel L., but he is Just So Wrong in these movies (if you can't believe in it Sammy, then don't do it. His performance is a lot more brittle than those droids who seem to crack at the slightest breeze from a passing light-saber!)

When Obi-Wan left Anakin to die, burning? Very Cold (or hot, as the case may be: yikes!)

One thing I was surprised at: w/ all the emphasis on tying-up loose ends, and continuity, was anyone else surprised that we never saw at some point, a crowd or reaction-shot of a young boy, and someone then scream "Han! Han!"

GG Yours Truly would have included such a scene (though admittedly, I didn't spot the Millenium Falcon: I guess that functioned as, as much HS continuity as was felt needed) Out

Where did the names "Luke" and "Leia" come from? Would have been nice for some sort of continuity there . . .

[SySnootles]

I thought the part with Obi-Wan not finishing the job on Anakin was actually not cold, but tragic. He didn't finish it because he couldn't... he was still who he was and unable to destroy someone whom he loved so deeply.

And, uh, my ultra nerdiness may come out here, but regarding Han...

He was from Corellia, a world we have never seen on screen in any SW film. And given the timeline, Han would have been under 15 years old at the time of Episode III.

I'm going to crawl back into my cave now.

[Warduke]

I saw it today and I loved it. So much better than the first two. This one is on par with the original trilogy. I won't go into specifics, simply because I would have to talk about every scene

In fact the only thing I didn't like were the awful scenes between Anakin and Padme. We know both actors can act, but sadly, the dialog they were given was just terrible. George Lucas just cannot write a love scene to save his life. He really can't. It was just painful to watch. But thankfully the rest was kickass

[SySnootles]

I'm curious to other's thoughts regarding the dark tone and events in the film, and what age would be appropriate for children who want to see it. I know some people who are going to see it before they bring their kids (like my friend I mentioned in a previous post). I stood in line with one woman Thursday morning who has a six year old. She wanted to see it first, but said that her son handled the LOTR trilogy just fine, so she thinks this one will be fine, too. I don't know.... I think they're on very different levels in terms of darkness.

Any other thoughts?

[Warduke]

I was surprised at how many kids were there today. I didn't think that many parents would have brought their kids to see such a dark film.

A funny thing happened during the movie. The scene with Anakin fighting Count Dooku, when...

Spoiler:

Anakin decapitates Dooku with the two lighsabers

A little girl (about 6 or 7) shoots out "that was cool!" Everyone in the theater busted out laughing.


And from TV Guide...

SITH CENTS: In a strong show of Force, Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith grossed a record-breaking $50 million in its first day of release Thursday. The previous single-day record was $44.8 million, set last year by Shrek 2.

[LordVader]

Catie...yeah I had to be reminded to calm down and stay in my seat a few times As far as the dark tone and what age, I really don't know. My ex's nephew wants me to take him to see it, he's 8, but I told him that I would have to see it first and then talk to his mom. I think that he would handle it fine if I explained to him about some of the bad things that happen, besides how can I not take him to see (possibly) the last Star Wars movie.

Cindy

[urnofosiris]

I am curious isn´t the movie rated? Here is the Netherlands the movie is for people from 12 years and older. Now I am not sure whether that means that younger kids won´t or should not be let into the theatre or whether it is just a parental guidance warning.
I have yet to see it, but I think I want to wait so the theatres won´t be so packed. I don´t mind being spoiled though, it is like watching Titanic, I know how it ends, it will just be fun to go on the ride.

[WebWarlock]

This movie Iron Maiden rocked!

What can I say that hasn't been said here already.

Just see it on a digital screen I was blown away. I can't wait to see it again.

Warlock

[SySnootles]

Dr. G -- here in the states the movie is rated PG-13, which sounds like your 12 rating. It is recommended for children over the age of 13, but younger children are allowed into the theater, with and without parents. I didn't see any kids there who were not with adults, but I was just a bit surprised at how many adults completely ignored the rating system. But, then again, none of the other Star Wars movies have come close to this level of darkness (in my opinion, of course), so perhaps they didn't believe the harsher rating.

[Shinnen]

its rated general here. 0 cuts. considering my country...its baffling. general means anyone can just buy a tcket and get in.

[Tyrex316]

I went to a 12:05 am showing on it's first day of release. And I was shocked at how many little kids were there. They all seemed to handle the darkness of the film fine and sounded like they had seen the previous films and understood and expected Anakin to do some bad things in this one.

[sam7777]

Definitely the best of the prerequel trilogy. I put it at #3 in the Star Wars pantheon behind Empire and A New Hope. The problems that I saw were pretty bad dialogue that undercut the drama for me in parts and a lack of engagement with the Anakin/Padme story. The drama of Anakin's turning to the dark side was lost for me in the pyrotechnics. The best part of that was the confrontation at the end on the fire planet. The movie is OK for kids 13 and up but would give some thought to taking kids younger than that though the same folks who take their kids to religious snuff films would certainly have no problem with this film.

I'm glad that Lucas listened to fans and gave jarjar a tiny non speaking cameo such that those of us who can't stand the character can easily pretend he's just an anonymous gundam. The thing with Anakin and Count Dooku was too soon IMHO. I think that needed more build up. I liked the bits about creating a war to take power and democracy dying in thunderous applause as it had some real resonance to the current repug regime in the US:
http://movies.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1000477.php/%60Star_Wars%60_has_political_message_says_Lucas
`Star Wars` has political message says Lucas

Producer George Lucas says Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" has a political warning to the United States about how democracy can be endangered.

Lucas made the remarks in Cannes Sunday after receiving one of the French festival`s highest honors, the Trophy of the Festival.

Lucas said all of his "Star Wars" films have themes echoing history, the Guardian reported Monday.

"I looked at ancient Rome, and how, having got rid of kings, the Senate ended up with Caesar`s nephew as emperor ... how democracy turns itself into a dictatorship. I also looked at revolutionary France ... and Hitler.

"The parallels between what we did in Vietnam and what we are doing in Iraq are unbelievable," Lucas said.

Even Mr Incredibly-out of touch Lucas can see that.

The parts that stand out for me are Anakin with the kids in the Jedi temple and Anakin, Obi Wan and Padme on the landing pad on the fire planet. Both of those scenes were genuinely creepy in showing Anankin's turn to the dark side.

I agree with folks here that poor Padme gets almost nothing to do in this movie. She is completely passive to the bitter end.

Spoiler:

Her dying of a broken heart is pretty lame. It would have made more sense for her to die from the effects of Anakin using the force on her.

[Sheridan]

Actually Sam I flipped through the novelization of the movie and that makes it clear that the event you describe in the spoiler is the result of Anakin's use of the force, maybe the writer decided to tidy it up or the dialogue was just misleading.

[sam7777]

I think it's misleading dialogue thing:
http://www.retrocrush.com/archive2005/episode3/

Spoiler:

Padme's death scene is inexplicably stupid as well. No medical reason is given why she is dying while giving birth other than, "She's lost her will to live!" What machine told them that? And they mention that they'll need to operate to save the kids, yet some robot midwife pulls each one out her traditionally, hands each one to Kenobi to show her. Even though she's lost her will to live, she has the strength to name each one "Luke" and "Leia", and then just inexplicably dies.

The book's version would make alot more sense. Wonder why the disconnect on such an important point.

[Warduke]

I found this fun.

http://www.moviemistakes.com/film4924

[Sheridan]

Saw a funny sketch. Basically its the Psycho shower set up but when the curtain is pulled back its Jar-Jar standing outside wearing a bell hop uniform bringing the woman towels. Of course she screams as soon as he opens his mouth, grabs a knife and stabs him to death. Well i thought it was funny.

[urnofosiris]

Do you have a link to that?

[justin]

After seeing ep 3 I decided to rewatch episodes 4-6 and I have a question. At the end of Return of the Jedi, when Luke sees Obi wan, Yoda and his father, the person playing Anakin looks a lot like Hayden Christensen.

So the question is was the ending reshot with Hayden or did they just happen to have some who looked a lot like him? If the ending has been redone, who origionally played Anakin?

[Jennpurr]

George Lucas replaced David Prowse, the actor who played Anakin, with Hayden for the DVD's.

Hope that helps.

Jen

[urnofosiris]

I had to google his name, but the guy that was replaced was Sebastian Shaw. David Prowse was the guy in the Darth Vader outfit. Shaw was the man we saw when Luke took the helmet off and the spirit at the end with Yoda and Obi-Wan.

I am glad Lucas replaced his image with the young Anakin Skywalker. It is a great link to the prequels and Shaw was far too old to be Anakin. He was 78 when he portrayed the dying Anakin Skywalker. You can´t really tell when Luke takes the mask off, he just looks like crap (I never want to see that scene again as his looks and squeaky voice just ruin Darth Vader for me). As a spirit you can see he is an old man, when Anakin dies he is nowhere near 78 years old.

[Jennpurr]

You're right, Garfield. That's for correcting my mistake on that one.

I agree with what you said about Anakin. The older image of him is not what we remember. We remember him as the young man he was. I'm glad he decided to do that.

Jen

[SySnootles]

Personally, I'm not so thrilled with the change. At least if it remains how it is. I would feel better about it if Obi-Wan was the younger version of himself, too. As it stands in the new version, it doesn't seem to make sense. I do like the link to the prequels, but the logic doesn't pan out.

As for Sebastian Shaw being too old to play Anakin, within the EU (expanded universe), it is established that letting the dark side flow through one's self ages one at a faster rate than normal. But I do have to concede, that's a LOT of aging to do in about 25 years.

[Warduke]

I was just going to post about what SySnootles posted. It makes no sense that Anakin would be young again, while Obi-Wan is old?

I thought maybe that's the way Luke sees them. But that would only make sense with the original ending. Luke has no idea what his father looked like before becoming Darth Vader.

Looking around SW boards, this seems to be the best explanation of why Anakin is young...Because Darth Vader's "good force" spirit died when he became Darth Vader. Hence, when he turned back to good, his "force spirit" was frozen back to the moment of his "turning."

[Jennpurr]

Hmmm. Makes sense to me.

Jen

[urnofosiris]

Looking around SW boards, this seems to be the best explanation of why Anakin is young...Because Darth Vader's "good force" spirit died when he became Darth Vader. Hence, when he turned back to good, his "force spirit" was frozen back to the moment of his "turning."

I was going to make the exact same argument before I read this. I find that a satisfactory enough explanation. With all due respect to the late Mr Shaw, who was probably a nice guy and a great actor, I wish he was never cast in Return of the Jedi. I know at the time no one knew what the hell young Anakin looked like, but his voice, his appearance, was not at even remotely like the towering, powerful form of Darth Vader. Shaw´s part was only teeny tiny and replacing his image not a great sacriledge to me. Sir Alec Guiness on the other hand was the Obi-wan Kenobi and it would have been very wrong to replace his image and completely unexplanable as well as he appeared in his old form throughout the movie and not just for 2 seconds or so.

[SySnootles]

Looking around SW boards, this seems to be the best explanation of why Anakin is young...Because Darth Vader's "good force" spirit died when he became Darth Vader. Hence, when he turned back to good, his "force spirit" was frozen back to the moment of his "turning."

I've heard that before too, but that doesn't work for me. In my opinion, he was "good" when he died... he turned against the Emperor and destroyed him. That was Anakin coming through again. It's not a really big deal to me that he changed the actors... it just kind of rubs the wrong way since it seems illogical and off kilter. The new musical number in Jabba's Palace... now that's sacriledge.

[justin]

Jennpurr: Thanks for the explanation. I thought that that was what had happened.

The new musical number in Jabba's Palace... now that's sacriledge.

Well the only change that really annoys me is the change to the confrontation between Han and Greebo in A New Hope. Han fired first dagnamit

[Warduke]

Grocery Store Wars

[urnofosiris]

That has got to be the funniest parody ever.

[angel of salvation]

Grocery Store Wars

that was so awesome!