Star Wars movie ranking after The Last Jedi
By Mike McNulty
Credit: Lucasfilm; poster for Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
7. Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005)
George Lucas’ last film isn’t just the best of the Prequel Trilogy, it’s the only one that’s essential viewing for a Star Wars marathon, at least according to some fans. It’s also, appropriately enough, one of the darker films of the saga, and the first one rated PG-13.
Revenge of the Sith is also the Prequel film which comes close to matching the Original Trilogy in terms of scope and grandeur. The long take which starts the film after the opening crawl, and the space battle which it shows, reminds you that, despite the flaws of the prequels, Lucas was still a master of technical filmmaking. Ewan McGregor, as Obi-Wan Kenobi, also proves the adage “third time’s the charm” as you can see the shades of Alec Guinness emerge in his portrayal.
But it’s Ian McDiarmid as Chancellor Palpatine who really shines, as his scenes with Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker actually elevate the later actor’s performance. The moment when Palpatine tempts Anakin to the dark side at the opera is so well delivered, even the audience, like Anakin, will start questioning the Jedi’s true motives.
Unfortunately, like Menace and Clones, Lucas still overdoes it one too many times. General Grievous is a cool-looking, but underwhelming villain. The fall of the Jedi and rise of the Empire happens way too fast. The otherwise spectacular, heart-wrenching duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin on the lava planet, Mustafar, is in serious need of trimming. Even the intercuts between the birth of Luke and Leia and the “birth” of Darth Vader is ruined from James Earl Jones’ unintentionally hilarious, “No!”
Still, as over-the-top as Revenge of the Sith gets, it feels appropriate given the story it tells. If you think of it as an elaborate stage production–and the playwright, Tom Stoppard, did co-write the script–you may overlook the overwrought line delivery. If it really bothers you, just watch it with the sound off.