Before War Of The Worlds blows Episode III into box office history, I had better get this review out there. This review will be focused on content, not technique. I'm not going to debate the merits of Lucas as a director, for example. I'll write a technique review after this one (assuming I have the time). Like the folks over at TheForce.Net, I have also read the book, by Matthew Stover, and recommend it to anyone disappointed by the movie, in any conceivable way.
In 1977 I was five, and so truly grew up with STAR WARS. These movies have created an American mythology for my generation that previously had none. Having seen Episode III, I am forced to watch the originals with different eyes.
Palpatine is downright satanic as a tempter. He rivals Screwtape in his delicacy. He hardly needs to do anything but nudge Anakin towards the path he wants the Jedi to take. It is a brilliant, persuasive, and contemporary portrait of evil. I think Lucas intended to do this with Vader in the originals as well, but didn't quite pull it off. Our shock when Palpatine is revealed as the Emperor is serious. There is also the sense that choices made cannot be unmade. Once a person begins down a dark path, it is difficult to reverse. This rings true in life, making the story more believable. The way Christensen acts this out is a little forced, but in the book the logic is inescapable. Anakin forgets that he is responsible for the actions Vader performs, he kind of takes on an alter ego, but it catches up with him in the end. It is telling that the first things out of Vader's mouth are "Where's Padme?" Using evil to attain your objectives is never worth it, regardless of how much power you attain. Using evil means you surrender to his wishes for your life, even though he makes you think you are living for yourself.
Order Sixty-Six was one of the most frightening parts of the story for me. It is Palpatine's coup, the moment he has been waiting for and planning for so long. There is a parallel with the real world, where martial law is a real possibility in a poorly defined War on Terror.
Possibly more ramblings later...
Would Kerry Throw Us To The Wolves?
Go to factcheck.org regularly to keep track of what you can believe about what the candidates say - which isn't much at all. But at least it tells you what their plans actually are.
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