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Unbelievable Journey
It is very early in the morning. I must warn you, if you have not yet seen Star Wars, then stop right now because I am about to spoil the Sith out of the film.
My mind races. I”m trying to pull it all together, but what I feel is confused. Heartbroken.
Usually, when I like a movie, I write something like this. When I dislike a movie, I write something like this. When I”m at a loss, I write something like this:
I really, really want to like this film. I really, really want it to stand the test of time like the originals. It is far better than Episodes I and II. I love the darker bits. I love the tragedy of the story. I actually love the story as a whole, but it is not told nearly as well as it could and should be.
After the opening battle sequence, there are too many watch-this-now-because-it”s-important-later scenes. Heavy handed. Amateur. (This is also a problem in Episodes I and II.)
When we hit the Jedi murder sequence, the pacing feels so good. I actually thought to myself, “Now they”ve really got it. Now it”s getting good. Now, I feel something.” But then the film goes back to jumpy. Too much time on some parts, not enough on others. Still, for one shining sequence...
Too many beats are repeated and Anakin isn”t given the time he needs to go from Jedi Council Member to merciless killer of "younglings" (Really? Is that what we are calling them?). We don”t feel the threat. After all, it is just a dream. Simply put: Anakin”s character change is abrupt and his motivation isn”t completely believable.
When did Padme get so boring and stupid? She used to actually do stuff and sense things. I do like the moment where she stops to reflect after landing the ship. And how she and Anakin are tied emotionally during his killing spree. Too bad this isn”t put to better use in the storytelling.
Perhaps this is why Padme”s death is utterly confusing. “She”s lost the will to live. We have to operate now to save the baby.” Oh wait, she woke up to name the twins. Oh wait, she”s dead. Do I even need to write WTF? How about, “She”s technically fine. We can”t explain why she”s dying.” Then Yoda says something like, “Tied to young Skywalker, she is.” It is set up that they are somehow (supposed to be) tied emotionally. Instead, we are told that she”s “lost the will to live.” It”s not like she has cancer. What”s killing her? “Anakin, you”re breaking my heart!”? Just say that they”re tied. He”s dying, so she”s dying. We can”t explain why, but hey, it”s The Force and an epic love and stuff. I”ll buy that over losing the will to live.
How is it possible to fight inches away from molten lava and not be affected by the scorching heat? The logic issues in the prequels are too numerous to list them all.
In the scene where Darth Vader first rises in the full suit, what is that Frankenstein moment? Why does he stand there for, like, five beats, and then scream “Nooooooo!”? The blocking in some of these scenes is beyond awkward.
We cringed on many of the lines. The dialogue is ridiculously stilted.
My favorite scene in all of Star Wars is the scene in Act I of A New Hope where Luke looks off to the sunset. The music swells”¦ What a moment. For the same reason, I love the very last scene of this film.
I guess it truly inspires hope. Hope for a better day. Hope for the future”¦
Or, in this case, their future is our past.
Those movies came out before I was born.
At least we can look forward to Episode IV and not be broken again.
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