Susan Granger reviews “Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” (20th Century-Fox)
George Lucas saved the best for last. The final chapter of his “Star Wars” series reveals the evolution of Anakin Skywalker – from an innocent, exuberant child to the sad, corrupted hero who descends into a menacing, yet pathetic, villain who, only through death, finds redemption. Once a brave Jedi Knight, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is turned to the Dark Side of the Force by wily Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), a.k.a. Sith Lord Darth Sidious, as part of a Jedi genocide. He makes Anakin suspicious of his former Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), breaking the heart of his wife, Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman), who is pregnant with their twins Luke and Leia. After a spectacular light saber duel on the lava planet Mustafar, Anakin is so badly injured that he’s placed in that life-maintaining, black-caped outfit with its mechanical breathing device, becoming the grim Sith master of evil, Darth Vader. To reveal more details about Yoda, R2D2, Chewbacca and the Wookies would ruin the surprises. Culling from mythology, religion, and psychology, particularly Joseph Campbell’s “Hero with a Thousand Faces,” George Lucas has created a pop tragic character who struggles with issues of love, anger and a lust for power. On another level, Darth Vader embodies the man vs. machine battle in a war that has been waged since the Industrial Revolution. Once again, John Williams’ thrilling, signature music contrasts the light and dark forces. With its PG-13 rating, it’s darker, filled with fighting and definitely not for very young children. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” is an enthralling, triumphant 10, completing Lucas’ 33-year project, a significant cultural phenomenon that encompasses six feature films.
