A long time ago in a galaxy far away: we’ve all heard it before. And now, the plastic lightsabers are back, along with the action figures, fast food restaurant deals, and all of the other licensing that has come with the latest Star Wars films. But this latest and final installment of the saga brings tears to the eyes of all Jedi, regardless of whether or not there is a Darth Vader slurpee waiting for you at 7-11.
Licensing gimmicks aside, which have always been a staple of the Star Wars machine, the amount of hype for Episode III was just as tremendous as any other Star Wars movie. Many (your humble reviewer included) were apprehensive that this may just end up not having the same magic as the classic films.
But Episode III definitely won’t disappoint the casual movie-goer, and true Star Wars fans will finally attain the closure they have waited so long to see on the big screen.
To begin with, the visuals are superb overall. Much of the computer animation seamlessly blends in with the live action. The spacecraft have that same “look” that the models from Episodes IV-VI had, and don’t look computer animated but rather quite real.
It’s fairly obvious that much of the acting was done in front of a green screen, but it was orchestrated well enough that even when live actors would fail to make eye-contact with the computer-generated characters (like our old pal Yoda), it wasn’t too much of an issue. Complete the package with physics-defying space chases and daring lightsaber battles, and you have a film that will most definitely go down in sci-fi cinematographic history.
No Star Wars movie would be complete without an epic score and sound effects that you’ll be imitating for years to come. Episode III’s score is just as moving as the other films’ and supplements the action well. The satisfying buzz of the lightsabers can be felt deep in your chest, and the screaming ion engines of the spacecraft as they whiz by at indiscernible speeds is enough to induce an adrenaline rush.
The main drawback to the film is the acting. By no means is it atrocious, and it’s not like the Star Wars series has been known for harvesting the best actors of our time, but some of the more intimate moments are a little tacky, thanks to sub-par acting. Natalie Portman is still every nerd’s dream and plays her part well, and Hayden Christensen has matured as an actor. Ewan McGregor plays Obi-Wan well, and watching Samuel L. Jackson wield a lightsaber is just plain cool.
Overall, the movie answers a lot of questions for the casual Star Wars fan and no doubt moves anyone who has been intimate with the series. Being somewhere in between the two, I myself have only good things to say about the film. Come on, it’s Star Wars. No reviewer has to give it four stars, thumbs up, or a perfect ten. You’re going to go see it anyway.