Forced Perspective

I saw ROTS last night and am feeling a bit down about the whole thing. Not because it is the last movie, but because I think I may have outgrown the franchise.

Did I enjoy the movie? Yes and no. It was satisfying to finally see the rise of the Empire, the fall of the Jedi and the corruption of Anakin Skywalker. Unfortunately, I also felt a sense of relief that this trilogy was finally over. Phantom Menace was horrible; and Attack Of the Clones seemed pretty good, but only in comparison. ROTS is a masterpiece by comparison to its predecessors.

George Lucas should have laid out what needed to be covered in each film and then hired a competent screenwriter to create scripts less formulaic and dialogue less cheesy. He also should have let someone else direct. We all know that the franchise is his brainchild; he didn't need to do-it-all in the areas that he should be well aware that he is lacking. While I'm Lucas-bashing, there should have been some kind of intervention to help him with his CGI addiction. The CGI lightsaber duels have become annoying and the effects overwhelm the beauty if the duels themselves (the ones in the original trilogy were far more mesmerizing). Another sign of his addiction, is to fill every inch of the screen with effects; did we really need that little droid to fly by and take a gander at Anakin and Obi-Wan's final battle? All it did was distract from the tension.

On the positive side of his CGI addiction, General Grievous was awesome! His name may be a bit over the top, but his design and character was convincing. Loved his slouching and hacking! The landscape of the story's locales were breathtakingly beautiful as well. The final duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin was stunning!

The acting was as wooden and uninspired as has come to be expected, with some exceptions. Ian McDiarmid (Palpatine), Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan) and Yoda all rose above the script and direction. McDiarmid was outstanding as the smoothly enticing deceiver; he put Sssss in Sith and brought actual subtlety to his role (something sorely missing from most of the film). His only misstep was the small bit of overwrought overacting during his fight scene with Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu). McGregor evolved perfectly into the young Obi-Wan and captured the weariness and craftiness that Sir Alec Guinness brought to the character. Yoda was outstanding in every scene. Although I prefer the puppet, the CGI Yoda outperformed most of the cast.

As for the rest of the cast... Hayden Christiansen is better than ever, but that is only compared to the prior films; deft praise at best. Someone needs to point out to George and Hayden that the rolling-your-eyes-upward-and-grimacing schtick is not really convincing us your evil. Natalie Portman is seems just as uncomfortable and confused by the lousy dialogue as before and only comes alive during the "So this is how democracy ends..." scene. The biggest waste of talent has to be Samuel L. Jackson's portrayal of Mace Windu. He is BORING! I didn't even think that it was possible for Jackson to restrain himself into a stupor. Mace Windu should have been the Han Solo of the Jedi Knights; or, at least, the Samuel L. Jackson of the Jedi Knights! Instead, Yoda gets to be the kickass Jedi(his duel with Palpatine is absolutely top notch entertainment). I only wish that, after hearing Palpatine go on and on about how powerful the Dark Side was, Yoda would have told him that, "Kick your Dark Side, I will!"

The biggest letdown for me was just how pathetically inept the Jedi Knights are in the film. When they aren't fighting a war for the Republic they are sitting around the council chamber trading gossip and espousing nonsense like old ladies at a quilting bee. For all of their powers of mind and such, they can't figure out that Palpatine is the evil Sith they've been looking for!? They can't foresee the betrayal and death that is in store for them?! Oh yeah, "cloudy, the Force is" or some such hoo-ha... the Force sounds like a Magic 8 Ball; maybe they should ask again later. Whenever, Anakin shows signs of doubt or dissatisfaction with the Jedi ways, the best advice they can give is search your feelings? Are they Jedi's or Oprah-ites? They can't even sense that he's secretly married? Padme is pregnant with a Jedi's children and no on senses it? Hell, Anakin, the most powerful Jedi, can't even sense that she's carrying twins! The only ones more incompetent in the film were the members of the Senate.

Anakin's corruption should have started in the last half of the second film, because it seems too rushed and without justification in this film. His seduction by Palpatine should have been more shaded in suggestions and doubts. Basically, in the film, it boils down to Anakin having a vision of Padme's death and Palpatine says, "The Dark Side can fix that!" Oh yeah, Anakin is also a petulant twit about not getting promoted to Master Jedi (it's not enough that he is the youngest Jedi to ever get a seat on the council).

Okay, enough complaints. There were great moments in the film. The opening battle was awesome and overwhelming. The battle between Yoda and Palpatine was also something to marvel at. The final duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin was a heartbreaking thing of beauty and operatic in scope. The final intercuts between Vader's birth and the birth of the twins got me all goosepimply (marred only by the cheesy scream from Vader and the complete emotional flatness of Padme's delivery). The final scenes of the twins separation and Yoda and Obi-Wan's exile were great; but it was that last scene of Owen, Beru and baby Luke watching the setting suns of Tatooine that brought a tear to my eye... Yeah, I'm a geek and proud of it!

I think I'll go watch the first trilogy.

Oh yeah, I really, really hate the word younglings!

May the Force be with each and everyone!