Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.—Gustav Mahler

Friday, May 20, 2005

Baker on Revenge of the Sith

Karnick continues to refuse to show the readers of the Reform Club blog his utter mastery of film review so I'm stepping in again.

Sith may be the best of the Star Wars films with regard to pure action and light saber duels. I lost count of how many duels there were, but Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson), Obi-Wan-Kenobe, Anakin Skywalker, the Sith Emperor, Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) and Yoda all get in serious swordplay. I loved all of it.

Weak points.

The plot was difficult to follow in places. There were times I thought to myself, I can't tell what exactly is happening, but simultaneously realized I didn't care.

The Anakin/Padme' romance continues not to work at all. They simply aren't a believable pair.

Portrayals of politics are also bad. You just don't believe the scenes with the Senate. All the galactic politicians appear to be utter lemmings. If you've ever known any politicians, you know differently.

Dialogue-wise there's a groaner that really threatens to ruin a good scene. As Anakin and Obi-Wan size each other up for a battle, Obi-Wan tells Anakin that "Only the Sith believe in absolutes!" Ummm, yeah. Absolute evil, maybe. If the emperor is any indication, there's not absolute good anywhere in the guy.

Finally, way too rough for the kiddies. They just shouldn't see it. Graphic and frightening for a youngster parented with care. This PG-13 is really warranted.

Otherwise, great ride. Worth full ticket price in the theatre on thrills alone. The action is so good it overcomes lots and lots of weaknesses in the script.

1 comment:

S. T. Karnick said...

Haven't seen it yet, Hunter. Will be happy to give some thoughts upon viewing, but am sure the subject will be all talked out by then.—STK