Sunday, May 22, 2005

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

Finally a movie worth going to— or is it?

I'm a huge Star Wars fan. The last two Star Wars movies were total bombs- special effects were great but the the storyline lacked luster. I asked a couple people before I went to this movie whether or not this installement was worth seeing. Of course, I would have seen it anyway, because it's like watching bad reality TV, you just have to see how things turn out. The reviews were mixed- it was darker than the Empire Strikes Back and possibly almost as good as the original triology. The other review was that it was disappointing and the characters weren't developed enough like Anikan and Padme's love affair. The acting wasn't strong enough.

The road is paved with good intentions- this would hold true for young Skywalker. In an effort to protect those that he loves, Anakin decides to fight his good side and become the right hand man for the Emperor. He is angered by the Jedi counsil for not seeing the vision the Emperor has for peace and for himself- becoming the all powerful Jedi he was destined to be. His passion and ambition make him turn against his masters, Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Jedi way. Every step Anakin takes toward the dark side, makes me think how easy it is for all of us to let events in our lives change the core of who we are- our doubts make us believe the worst of people and ourselves and at the end of the day the only question is, how we got where we are and how we can never go back because we've crossed that line. Evil wins sometimes. In today's world it's fear, terrorists, those that can destroy our way of life, and how are we to fight back? Would fear cause any of us to turn the wrong way to protect what we have and not be good, compassionate people anymore?

What I've always liked about Star Wars is that it asks the question- what if? What if there was this personified war of survival against some insurmountable force? Let's not be too deep but the truth is that there is always a struggle between good and evil. Whether that's on a local or global level. But how do we judge what is the right way? In Star Wars it is clear who is good and who is evil- in real life it's hard to tell. But don't we all want peace? Security? Happiness? Anakin thinks he's doing what's right but ends up losing it all- his love, his limbs and his humanity.

I guess this movie makes us feel something different for Darth Vader than the other movies-compassion. It's hard to have that for the enemy but if we don't, do we become our own enemy? Does that change us into being more dark and evil for not being able to see another side of a coin? And can peace happen with everyone taking sides and no one bringing us together?

Yoda is kick-ass in the movie as being a spry younger Yoda with some great moves. Obi-wan bored me. Ewan McGregor didn't come off as a larger than life hero to me. There was definitely a need for better dialogue and parts of the story seemed hurried such as when Padme names her new born babies. Was Lucas in a hurry to just get done with the film? Seems so in parts. The special effects were stunning and Christensen gave a compelling performance as Vader. But everything seemed too cartoony and hollow if that's a word.

Over all this movie was entertaining. It was a dark installment in the Star Wars saga, perhaps I can agree that it is darker than the Empire Strikes Back. But no matter how hot Christensen is, he's no Han Solo. And I prefer the original triology to these new installments in general. But I guess the Force is strong enough for me to say this, "the Star Wars Revenge of the Sith, See you must."

Worth the money rating: $$$

The Interpreter

I had to see this movie because it was the only sane one to choose considering the plethora of horror flicks out. Seems Hollywood thinks America likes to be scared right now.

Anyway, this movie was better than I expected. But let me say that I didn't expect that much since the critics liked the film and it stars Nicloe Kidman. She's the same in every role, distant, cold and very Nicole Kidman.

Kidman plays a woman who is an interpreter for the UN. She was born in South Africa so she knows a language most people didn't know and happens to overhear an assassination plot one night when she's picking up a bag she left in an interpreting room. The movie tries to make you wonder if Kidman is making it all up— is she the assassin or someone else? The more Penn's character finds out, the more suspect she becomes. Penn has to deal with his own pains outside of his detective work but finds an awkward comfort in trying to save Kidman as the story unravels. There are bombs going off and plenty of action scenes and suspense but in the end not much of a surprise unless, of course, you weren't paying attention. Penn does well as usual, though perhaps he should be in a horror flick- just for something different.

Perhaps I'm tired of watching Nicole Kidman be cold. Or I'm tired of hearing about assassinations and watching bombs and wondering why people are so screwed up. Is this really interesting storytelling- seems like the same old formula to me. Maybe movie trailers reveal too much. Maybe I just had PMS. My thoughts are this-if you have nothing better to do, see it. If you have basketweaving to do, that'd be more fun. Okay that's harsh- must be the Nicole Kidman in me talking. It is more entertaining than basketweaving but a lot less useful.

Worth the money rating: $$$