Review of Star Wars Episode III Revenge Of The Sith

Introduction

If you read my reviews, you`ll know that I save Star Wars reviews for milestone reviews. This then is review number 500, and the last of the Star Wars set for me. I haven`t started to consider what I`m going to do for 600...

Episode III completes the complete run of six Star Wars films. It was of course the final episode to be filmed, even though we all know what happens in the end. It`s about tying up the loose ends from the first 2 films, and preparing you for those star destroyers to fly in during the opening sequence of Episode IV.

I`m not really going to talk about the plot, since you`ll know what happens in the end, and how we got to the start of the film. I can`t imagine anyone would sit down to watch this film in isolation, and you`d be very let down if you did. You need all that knowledge at what's happened and what's still to come before you can attempt to watch it.

Video

A super lovely wonderful 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer greets us on this disc, and it just looks fantastic. It is a visual feast and the fact that everything looks so great might distract some people from the flaws in the non-technical areas of the film (like scenery chewing acting performances).

Audio

Another big, fat, booming and banging Star Wars soundtrack this time presenting you with a choice of DD2.0 or DD5.1EX soundtracks. The 5.1 is the way to go, with masses of bass, Williams` marvellous score, and those lovely light sabres buzzing all around for the final time.

As I`ve said before, if you`re still not convinced that you need more than 2 speakers to watch DVDs in your home, then this should convince you. The Star Wars films must be experienced with a full complement of speakers, and preferably no neighbours. Luckily I have both!

Extra Features

Plenty of extras of course.

Disc 1 contains the obligatory commentary track featuring George Lucas, Rick McCallum and friends. They have plenty to say as usual, although you might find yourself disagreeing with plenty of it!

Disc 2 is where the rest of the good stuff lives.

We start with some documentaries and featurettes.

"Within A Minute" focuses on the creation of 60 seconds of the film, the duel sequence. It pokes into all the relevant areas of the film making process.

"The Chosen One" is all about the transformation of Anakin into Darth (surely that`s not a spoiler nowadays).

"It`s All For Real" focuses on the physical aspects of acting and stunt work involved in the film. You can also watch the web documentaries on the disc too.

You can also watch 6 deleted scenes, again finished off for the DVD release, and introduced by George Lucas and Rick McCallum. Following those are the myriad of trailers.

And finally, there are loads of photo galleries, artwork and posters.

Conclusion

Well that`s it then. It`s all finished. No more Star Wars films. What started out as an adventure nearly 30 years ago has now been concluded. We now know how Luke & Leia came to be, how Darth became Darth, and how those hand me down droids passed from generation to generation of Skywalkers.

At the end of the day, if you strip away the visual gloss and sheen, this is a very empty and disappointing film. And for me it`s Hayden Christiansen`s acting again. He`s just not believable as the evil creature who becomes Darth. He just comes across as a petulant teenager. And Padme comes across as weak and feeble, not the mother of the gutsy, battling Leia.

I did like the last few minutes of the film, where all the little threads get tied together, and Episode IV is truly born. But so much of it was plodding and tedious, and it couldn`t be saved by Samuel L. Jackson or more kick-ass moves from Yoda.

You`ll probably have to own it to complete the set, but it`s nowhere near as good as it could or should have been. At least the technical side of the disc is fantastic.