Movie Review: Star Wars Episode III
I was waiting for the Director to review this but he hasn't so I will. I'm sure he'll chime in with his review here soon too.
In a lot of ways, this was the best of the first three episodes. That's not saying a whole lot, but it didn't have the low points of the first one (jar-jar, pod race) and it wasn't quite as bland as the second. On the other hand, it also didn't have the highlights of the first one. The ending light saber duel in TPM was probably the best such fight in the whole of the series.
Episode three was gorgeous. The use of CGI was everywhere and well blended with filmed elements. It was rarely noticeable. Sometimes though, it was over-done. Why are all of the clones CGI? Why not have real people dressed up in storm trooper costumes? Even close-up scenes are done with CGI characters and, as good as they are, it doesn't come off quite right.
What was done with the CGI, on the other hand, was often dumb. Two examples: The buzz droids in the opening space combat sequence (probably the 2nd-worst of the series) were the stupidest weapon ever introduced in the series. It's a missle that, when it gets close, shoots out little droids to then cut apart your ship with saws. Huh? Why not just have the missile explode?!? The second example is the lizard Obi Wan rides in the General Grevious (sp?) scene. Why in the world is he riding a lizard on what looks like an otherwise technological planet? Why is the lizard keeping up with what is essentially a motorcycle of sorts? It looks fine, but makes no sense.
The real downfall of the movie is the dialogue. It continues the tradition of Episode II and is really, really bad. Lucas should stop writing and stop directing. Let Speilberg or Scott try their hands. Let Shane Felux direct. Someone to help this thing out.
The movie wasn't bad, it just wasn't good. It had no life, no soul. It just trudged along until it stopped.