Reviews

This entry has the dubious task of linking episode I to III (the one we all want to see) as well as introducing some of the key characters from the original trilogy.

The Anakin we see in this film is an arrogant teen, skilled but hindered by his outlook. The best moment belongs to Anakin, at the point in which we see hints of Darth Vader, as he decides that the best option to solve the issue of his mothers death is to violently slaughter a load of sand people n cold blood. Top notch. He seems already on his way to inheriting his full-body asthma pump in this one.

The special effects, once again, are amazing, although I'm not sure I'm a fan of digital film. Whereas in Episode I the FX seemed natural and part of the overall film frame - integrated - in this episode it all looks a bit too clean. The effects still look slightly pre-rendered (I would have liked to have seen them slightly more 'weathered'). It's a hard concept to explain, see for yourselves.

This can't deny the fact that the action scenes are stunning and on an even larger scale than seen in Episode I. The light saber action is lacklustre compared to the previous instalment - in the sense that it is far too short. The Yoda/Dooku battle does make up for this somewhat, and is a genuinely impressive moment for fans.

No problems with the CGI yoda, he's great. Mace Windu gets a larger role in this one, and there is a memorable face off between Jango Fett and Obi-Wan (now looking like a Nicky Clarke model with his golden hair and beard).

It all seemed a bit soul-less though, we'll see how this changes in Episode III (after all they are meant to be viewed as one film, so we can let George off for now).

This film represents, I think, for many people, a new and vibrant mythology that will live on decades into the future and be passed on through generations in the same way that literary tales like Rapunzel or Jack and The Beanstalk are.

The advent of the cinema means that the medium on which the story is told is film instead of paper. It's as simple as that.

There are so many great moments in Star Wars thats its hard to pick out a singular event from the story to dwell on - but now that the Revenge of The Sith has finally elaborated on the Obi-Wan/Anakin compratriotship the final light saber duel between them is given a tragic excitement that wasn't there before the prequels.

Many people will disown the special editions as OTT, ruining the original vision - b*llocks to that. See the Special Editions - they are aesthetically much better and the expanded visions of creatures and systems fits in more with the new trilogy.

Look out for the Storm Trooper tw*ting his head against the blast doors in the death star and also notice that the fat sh*t pilot at the end is called Porkins.

A timeless classic.

Only now does George Lucas feel ready to invest in a more adult representation of his Star Wars Universe. Back in the 80s his creative influence over Kasdan extended to the introduction of some hairy little gimps called Ewoks.

This however, remains my only real complaint about the additional characters in the film. Its not that the Ewoks are unlikable or insipid - but the fact that these little bears are capable of defeating hardened Storm Troopers with a twig hit to an armoured bonce. This is a narrative complaint, as the characters and their environment of the Ewok village actually lend quite an evocative atmosphere to the Endor scenes - especially the saccharine sweet closing sequence.

Personally speaking I think that Han Solo should have died for his friends in this one. Not only would it have added the element of tragedy that made 'Empire so great, but made the Rebels quest for freedom all the more poignant. It all seems far too convenient that the only people we see loose their lives are some unknown rebel pilots.

The most emotional moment remains the point at which Darth Vader decides that love for his son is far greater than his desire for power over the galaxy and decides to lob the Palpatine down a power shaft that engineers (disobeying intergalactic health and safety law) had placed in the Emperor's lounge room. The score helps the tears well sufficiently at this point, as Anakins story reaches full-circle.

The special effects are second to none, their combination of sophistication and simplicity becoming a unique style of its own. Highlights include the Battle of Endor (the space part of it) and the final showdown between father and son (quite a Freudian moment for all you psychology nerds out there).

A brilliant, yet slightly immature end, to the saga. Some fun moments:

1)Luke hiding ridiculously close to Vader and not getting noticed. 2)Han Solo surviving a Wembley Stadium sized explosion by hiding behind a log. 3)The Emperor gloating that the rebels are losing the space battle despite the ships being far too small to actually see who is winning. 4)Some one shouting "Die Dickheads" as the Super Star Destroyer crashes.

The Empire Strikes Back is a large improvement over the original Star Wars in terms of drama and suspense. The special effects are more consistent and more impressive (but this is because of the obviously larger budget).

The most significant development is the elaboration on the Skywalker/Vader relationship, as we are beginning to understand things run far deeper than just hero versus villain. Its actually quite pshycological in the sense that it taps into the "sons" fears of becoming their "Fathers" worst personality elements.

But enough of all that what we really want to see is large scale assaults on hidden installations, breathtaking space pursuits, Vader getting stuck in with Solo and the like and Luke screaming like a little girl at the moment of revelation no body was expecting but that now seems ingrained in the public consciousness. Does anyone actually remember being surprised to find out that Vader was Luke's father? The Emperor makes his first appearance of the original trilogy in this film, and remains enigmatic and suspicious. Vader is also extra shiny and even more relentlessly evil, having no problems in cutting his own sons wanking claw from his arm.

The music is once again integral to the flow of the story, which still struggles with some particularly hammy dialogue. Still an utter classic though.

Best scene: Vader sends out the bounty hunters to track down Han Solo.

SPOILER: Jeremy Irons is brilliant in this film!

'The Mission' is a masterful piece of emotional manipulation coupled with historical factuality. THe events portrayed within the film no doubt occured in real life, but I expect the reality of the situation was much less touching than portrayed in the film.

The film successfully romanticises the turmoil and sacrafice that the Jesuits and the natives went through during this colonisation period. The entire film is 'build-up' to a climax scored to perfection that draws on all of your sympathies and sorrows, creating a genuine emotional response.

It made me cry anyway. I would reccomend this one to anybody who doesn't mind being saddened by a film, but it's not all bad, because so much good has been done by Irons et al before it is all destroyed that the overall message is one of strength and hope.

The acting from Irons is unbelievably good, and De Niro has a small but powerful role that was impactual enough to get his bonce on all the promotional stuff.

Such a touching experience. Don't watch it alone or you'll have no one to prove that you're not just a big girl's blowse (believe me, there shouldn't be a dry eye in the house).

Also beautifully shot. 8/10.