Star Wars III—Revenge of the Sith (140 minutes)
My alternative title would be: Revenge of the Stiff

SUPER MOVIE FAN'S RECOMMENDATION: 2, WAIT AND RENT

Who is in it?:
EWAN MCGREGOR, HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN, NATALIE PORTMAN, SAMUEL L. JACKSON, IAN MCDIARMID, FRANK OZ

What is it about?
First, a statement for whom I have written this review, Wayne. If you've seen the first five of the movies, you've probably already seen Episode III in the last week. You likely feel satisfied that Sith completes the double trilogy and allows you now to rent out your Storm Trooper outfit for the Halloween season ahead—you can't wear it to any midnight shows any time soon. This review is for those who may have missed some of the other movies in the series or who want to know if this movie stands on its own as a one to see on the big screen.

Recap—this is episode three of the prequel to the original three Star Wars movies, meaning that this is the sixth and last of the tale told in reverse order. In the first of the series we saw the hero Rebels gain back control from the evil Empire; in the second episode the Empire comes back under the leadership of Darth Vader to get some mean revenge and in the third episode the Jedi return to force (and with the force with them) to knock out the Empire. In episode three, or six in GEORGE LUCAS numbering, we learn a lot about the Jedi heroes' lineages.

Then a few years and several hundred million dollars later, we go backward to learn the roots of this good and evil fable. The stories of the next three episodes (the most recent movies) are based on watching young Anakin Skywalker develop his Jedi skills and advance toward an ultimate confrontation within himself between good and evil.

When and Where does this movie take place?
In a galaxy far, far away.

Why see it? There are several strengths to this movie, Wayne. Visually it is stunning. It gives a sense of completeness to the series that is good to have for those real fans out there. EWAN MCGREGOR is really good as Obi-Wan Kenobi. FRANK OZ is awesome as Yoda, and his character is way cool even in this one. Watching the creation of Darth Vader is awesome.

But there are also major weaknesses imbedded by creator, writer and director, GEORGE LUCAS. NATALIE PORTMAN as Padme, the friend then secret bride of Anakin, is a very poor actress. HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN is just plain bad as Anakin (he does better when he has no lines and just has to look angry under a hood). And the story doesn't really have any contributions to our knowledge more than we already had. If you read the second half of any book and then go back and read the first half after you know what happens, it really better be special. None of the last three installments (which are the first three in story line) are that good.

Wait and rent this, Wayne. Forget the hype, this is Star Bores.

How about the kids?
Rated "PG-13" for lots of sci-fi violence and some intense scenes. They'll likely love it. The noise and a couple of very nasty scenes involving the end of Anakin will bother very young ones. Many dead clones in this movie, Wayne.

Video Pick of the Week
The Aviator--a biography about Howard Hughes that gives great insight into his life, his loves, his passion and his obsessions. LEONARDO DICAPRIO does a really good job of showing us all sides of this amazing and troubled man. CATE BLANCHETT as Katharine Hepburn is wonderful.

Next week, we'll review, The Longest Yard. ADAM SANDLER, CHRIS ROCK and BURT REYNOLDS star in this remake of the1974 film with REYNOLDS and EDDIE ALBERT about a group of inmates who are asked to form a football team to play the guards and just might find a new purpose.

John Fischetti can be heard Friday's on the Wayne Perkey show on Oldies 103, WRKA and can be reached at fischettij@uncw.edu



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