Episode III seen

ts2394 · 19th May 2005, 11:13 PM

I saw Episode III today. I will not give any major spoilers here, just short notes.

- Dooku's screen time is only brief, but impressive one. He is more cruel looking this time. Also, stunt double transitions were handled quite impressively, better than in AOTC. It seemed like Lee was doing some sword fighting himself. Please pay attention to this, I'd like to hear your opinions as well. I'll probably won't be seeing it again until DVD is released.

- CGI has been improved. There wasn't really scenes that bothered me like in AOTC.

- Adventurewise this must be as good as classical ones. Non stop action all the way, which can not be said about previous episodes. However, the dark mood makes it very different to other episodes. All in all, fine ending to the series.

ts2394 · 20th May 2005, 10:07 AM

Some more...

Although Emperor really steals the show as the main villain in the latter part of film, I still found the opening space battle and confrontation with Dooku to be the highlight of the movie. This is classic Star Wars and Christopher Lee is spelling words like Darth Vader itself. He has great lines too. One of them is particularly fitting...

**Dave Hutchens** · 20th May 2005, 11:10 AM

HANDS DOWN, the best film in the series. Period. Believe it, people, this is a great motion picture. It rises to levels that easily match (and in my opinion exceed) those established by the Rings Trilogy. It's character-driven, deeply emotional and affecting, and the sheer genius with which Lucas ties all the strings neatly together to seamlessly blend into the original trilogy is nothing short of astonishing, given how much ground needed covering. And as for the special effects -- well, they simply set a new standard. Nothing this utterly beautiful has ever been seen before.

I shed tears several times during this film, largely in response to the absolutely shocking power of Hayden Christensen's performance (although I didn't mind him in AOTC, in this film it's almost as if a different actor was cast -- he has come a long, long way in these past three years), but also out of sheer joy. To see all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, one by one, so gracefully, so artfully, so intelligently, was a nearly religious experience.

For the first time since 1980, every performance is strong. By all the Gods, even Natalie Portman shines. Indeed, she's almost as good as Christensen, and their love scenes, though still the subject of considerable criticism, play well. No, it's not Oscar material, but it serves. Ewan McGregor is reliable as ever, and let there be no doubt, Ian McDiarmid has created in Palpatine/Sidious the greatest villian in motion picture history.

As for Mr. Lee? Dooku served his purpose. Yes, his screen time is very, very short, but it's enormously powerful. Mr. Lee should be extremely proud of his unforgettable contribution to Star Wars history.

I could gush for pages about this movie, but I'll close now with the prediction that not only will it sweep every "minor" category at the Oscars next year, but that it could even garner nominations for Best Picture and Best Director. It won't win, but it is most certainly deserving, at least, of the nominations.

For anyone who has ever doubted, George Lucas is a truly visionary artist and filmmaker, and he has crafted a masterpiece.

20th May 2005, 01:51 PM

Saw it last night and it is a vast improvement on the last two. Thought Mr Lee would have had a bit more screen time though, but he is superb in his scene.
Don't want to give away too much, so thats all i will say on subject.

**Frederick Bergstrom** · 22nd May 2005, 03:15 AM

Have to say Ep 111 is without question the best of the prequels and probally my favorite since the classic new hope. I give George Lucas a lot of credit for closing it off in a very satisfying way and going out on top with a great film. The major thing about Star wars prequels, especially AOTC is the acting was so dull and uninspiring ....not the case with ROTS. THe storyline is very gripping and as earlier posted Ian Mcdiarmid is awesome and steals the movie. Much better acting , a great storyline and the return of Vader Put ROTS way up top in my book. Yes Dooku has limited screen time but as is always the case Christopher Lee shines no matter how much screen time he is given. Just a great film to post on his resume and a great addition to his filmography to be seen for years and generations to come

omar · 22nd May 2005, 11:53 PM

Absolutely loved it. A great political statement too!. The Emperor was George Bush(ha ha). Hope it makes it to dvd by x-mastime. Then the entire 6 episodes should be released as one magnifique boxset.

**Dave Hutchens** · 23rd May 2005, 12:35 AM

Off to see it again! This'll make viewing two out a probable ten.

BTW, for those unfortunate enough not to have experienced this movie in digital, go as far out of your way as it takes to catch a DLP presentation. It makes an unbelievably huge difference. Watching it in digital, you feel like you could just get out of your chair and step into the film. It's a very nearly three-dimensional effect, and it's absolutely breathtaking.

ts2394 · 23rd May 2005, 08:26 AM

I think we can start giving some spoiler now too, to get on with the topic.

The highlight of the movie to me was Dooku's reply to Anakin's claim that his powers had doubled since they last met. I was just so brilliant moment when Christopher Lee spelled sarcastically: "Good. Twice the pride, double the Fall."

It was so fitting line. The Anakin fate was sealed there. Anakin failed to save what he loved the most, and lost himself as well. The sentence reflects also how he lost the final duel with his mentor.

Lloyd Chan · 23rd May 2005, 12:28 PM

It was the most satisfying of the prequels, and while Dooku's screen time is brief, Mr Lee makes his character compelling to watch.

I think its brilliant when you read in the "Making of" book that Mr Lee suggested to GL that it is out of character for Dooku to plead for help when at the point of defeat (as originally scripted), so they changed it. An expressive look of anger and shock says more than words, and thats how it ended up in the final cut. Mr Lee brings so much to his role.

**Benjamin France** · 23rd May 2005, 04:08 PM

I think it's a bit much to suggest that Lucas might get best director... that's a little like Walt Disney picking up all those Oscars for effectively being the chairman of the corporation.

Lucas needs someone to edit his work, to tell him that things are just too much and to concentrate on character. It all fell apart when Gary Kurz left and he was replaced by McCallum. It's just like what happened to Dennis Potter at the end, he became so renowned and feared that no one dared oppose.

I don't deny that Ep3 is an okay film - it's a tasteful piece of special effects wizardry, but it's emotionally dry, poorly acted and totally unengaging - and I have been a Star Wars nut since I was a kid. Comparing these films to the breathtaking antics of the original films is just not operable they're literally from different worlds.

**Stacie Herman-Laurence** · 23rd May 2005, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davehutchens

I shed tears several times during this film, largely in response to the absolutely shocking power of Hayden Christensen's performance

Ewan McGregor is reliable as ever, and let there be no doubt, Ian McDiarmid has created in Palpatine/Sidious the greatest villian in motion picture history.

Dave,
I have to agree with you on everything you stated in your "gushing" review. I too came away with tears numerous times. BUt I think what got me most of all was the entire 'nostalgia' of the ending scenes of the film. The twin suns setting, the interior of the blockade runner. New Hope was the first movie I ever saw in a theater and those scenes made me feel 7 years old again!

Personally, I thought that Ian McDiarmid was the glue of this movie. Hayden was wonderful as he was being just led around by the nose by Palpatine. and Ewan was just fantastic. The final duel he tells Anakin he loved him, he was his brother...sheesh...tears there too!

Call me sentimental, but I just loved this movie. Incredible. We're going to see it a third time with some friends tomorrow night.

Sta

**Dave Hutchens** · 25th May 2005, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novak

I think it's a bit much to suggest that Lucas might get best director... that's a little like Walt Disney picking up all those Oscars for effectively being the chairman of the corporation...it's a tasteful piece of special effects wizardry, but it's emotionally dry, poorly acted and totally unengaging - and I have been a Star Wars nut since I was a kid. Comparing these films to the breathtaking antics of the original films is just not operable they're literally from different worlds.

Lucas has crafted a masterwork with this film...the fact that he needs assistance along the way is scarcely unqiue. I know of no filmmaker who could helm a one-hundred-plus million dollar production without the help, and guidance, of equally talented, visionary people. Filmmaking is the ultimate collaboration. Oh, and, I didn't say he might "get" Best Director, I said he deserves, at the very least, the nomination.

Emotionally dry? Hmmm. Don't have a reply to that, sorry.

By the way, just to keep the facts straight, Gary Kurtz left with EPV. "Jedi" was produced by Howard Kazanjian. McCallum didn't come along until the prequels.

**Dave Hutchens** · 25th May 2005, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogueJedi

Call me sentimental, but I just loved this movie. Incredible. We're going to see it a third time with some friends tomorrow night.

Sta

You're not sentimental, Stacie...you just have good taste.

**Benjamin France** · 25th May 2005, 03:06 PM

Calm down Dave, it's only a movie!

Denise LaGrille · 25th May 2005, 03:11 PM

I totally enjoyed the movie. I sooo loved Mr. Lee's words about anger and hate to Anakin. Unfortunately the boy turns about and uses said emotions. But that was the plan all along. Rile the youth up, eh? ;)

Overall I was blown away on the first time seeing the movie. Now that I've seen it four times and will be going back again this weekend...the acting was incredible. Hayden did so well with the emotional scenes as well as Ewan. Those two men shined! But Ian stold the show I have to admit. With his 'No...no....no!' and the 'Power...ultimate power!' bit. Talk about shivers!

Excellent move - music kept drawing you in that's for sure! Even though Mr. Lee's time wasn't much on screen, the impact was there!