“I want more, and I know I shouldn’t.”
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. At least in the sinful creature of man.
Revenge of the Sith is brilliance of the prequels, fully realized. From the sweeping cinematography to the lush, digital landscape to incredibly consistent VFX and a tone unlike any Star Wars film – this is the strongest, most emotionally devastating tale in the universe to date.
Order 66 is a moment that defined the prequels and is continuing to be mined for storytelling, for good reason. The tragic poetry of the Jedi’s demise is rich with thematic undertones. No matter how you slice it, the Jedi were traitors. Treasonous actions and planning all before finding out Palpatine was a Sith Lord. Palpatine’s genius manipulation across decades gave him the perfect dilemma for creating the Empire and rightfully branding the Empire as traitors within their governmental system. Did the Jedi have good intentions? Yes, but they paved the road to Anakin’s literal hell with said intentions.
I’ve heard it claimed over the years that Anakin’s fall is rushed. I completely disagree, there’s a very strong arc throughout the trilogy and plenty here to dissuade Anakin. They constantly are limiting him, holding him back, frustrating him with politics, keeping him from whom he loves, insulting him by not making him a Master, and asking him to commit treason against a friend. Not only that, but his cries for help fall on deaf ears. Anakin also is told by a Sith Lord and a Jedi Master that “he’s too dangerous to be left alive.” Both being against the Jedi code. So Anakin stopping Mace Windu – as Anakin needs him for information to save Padme, and to see Palpatine’s guise proved in front of the courts – is righteous with some selfish intent. He unwittingly is complicit in the murder and realizes it’s too late. His efforts to have both have been futile and he must choose. And he chooses attachment. The following actions are to thrust himself into the dark side for power, and the rationale is extreme but when thought out fully, the Jedi would’ve more than likely gone to civil war with the republic. To Anakin, the ends justify the means.
Obi-Wan is riddled with purpose and guilt. The entire film he does his best to support Anakin but ultimately makes the mistake of not defying the Jedi council. His lack of full emotional support for Anakin comes back to haunt him as Anakin tears it all down. Thinking of all that happens in the clone wars show only enhances it. Anakin makes his own choices but Obi-Wan does indeed fail him. The power of Kenobi’s words in the third act sting like a hot knife in one’s back. Anakin screams his hate, while Kenobi professes his brotherly love. Poetry. Ironically, Yoda and Kenobi as the last two able Jedi do exactly what Sidious says they will and attempt assassinations. This does nothing but feed Anakin’s rage.
And that wrath was overshadows any intentions. Anakin’s first motive was to always save the ones he loved, but before all of that, he desired power. The power to control his own fate and circumstances since life had been so unfair to him. His motivations to finally snap and go for it are his loved ones, but sadly enough they are forgotten amongst the corrupt nature that follows power. Thrusting himself into such anger and hatred makes him destroy his own motivation, Padme, in anger. He’s so confused on what he’d done he doesn’t realize it. While Sidious May be manipulating him by telling Vader that “in his anger he killed her,” he’s not wrong. Vader is indirectly, yet directly responsible for Padme’s demise. Padme’s injury caused complications and she loses with Will to live in grief, but pushes through to at least save her children. Anakin’s lust for power ultimately conquered any other feelings he had, cementing his plummet to the dark. And the much reviled but beloved moment for me when Vader, usually stoically robotic in menace, emotes with such heartbreak, “NOOOOO!” At this realization. Shattering.
A couple bullet points:
- Utapau is a lot of fun, cool planet. While the duel between Grievous and Kenobi is a bit anticlimactic, the chase and fight are fun.
- Not everything fits well with the clone wars, retcons cause too many mental gymnastics.
- John Williams produces his best SW soundtrack. It’s absolutely incredible and enhances every moment with raw power.
- So many lightsaber fights. Not all are equal, as Palpatine’s is obviously shot around stunt doubles with close ups and the Jedi are killed a little too quickly. Could’ve been executed better. But there’s so much good there to make up for it.
- Obi-Wan vs Anakin is the greatest lightsaber duel and one of the best film showdowns of all time. Not only is wonderfully scored and spectacularly choreographed, but it’s the complex, gut-wrenching driving through it that solidifies it as the perfect example of spectacle meets storytelling.
So much is left to ambiguity with Palpatine, Anakin’s feelings and many other lore elements. The darkness radiates off of every frame and the tone is one of uncertainty after the amazing opening that’s reminiscent of a Clone Wars episode. The mise-en-scene elevates the dread to heights that make it one of the most dazzling trilogy finishers in history, and my favorite SW film. Quite possibly in my top ten of all time. The film can be summed up in Lucas’ most brilliant piece of dialogue,
“So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause.”
But Star Wars ultimately is about light rising to meet the dark. So it ends – full circle – with Leia on Alderaan and Luke on Tatooine in front of those vast twin suns symbolic of the twin children.
Indeed, a new hope.
5 out of 5 stars
Read this review on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/2Rm6Ar
