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The Art of War

As the Star Wars saga has developed over the last 28 years, the main characters have gradually been dwarfed by the spectacular effects surrounding them.

In the first installment, Harrison Ford’s Hans Solo and Carrie Fischer’s Princess Leia were given dialogue that was snappy and fun to deliver. They were a big part of what made that early film so much fun. Mark Hamill played the hero straight, a young stoic with great ability, just not a lot of laughs. As for Alec Guiness, he breathed enough life into Obi-Wan Kenobi to make him real for every generation that comes to know him.

With each new chapter, the worlds got bigger, the vistas grander, and the war toys fancier. As long as Hans Solo and Leia were involved, the ride was sure to be a hoot. Then came the second trilogy and the ponderous tempo that characterizes it from the original three.

In exchange for humorous banter, we were given CGI effects to make the impossible real. Armies of droids, cities of the future, a new zoology of fantastic creatures. It was a sci-fi geeks dream come true. So maybe the tone has changed in the prequels, but the battles have gotten even better.

The real star of these later Star Wars picture is the art direction and if “Revenge of the Sith” doesn’t get an Oscar for the gorgeous matte work and multi-world invention, well, let’s just say I won’t be too surprised. How often do those boneheads ever get it right?

The opening battle sequence that takes place in the blackness of space is filled with giant starships floating by each other like great galleons firing laser cannons. There is so much action up on the screen, it is literally impossible to take it all in in one go. It’s marvelous to look at, a virtual window into “Amazing Stories” and “Galaxy” magazine. I was hoping the whole movie was going to be like this first exciting scene. Of course, I knew it had to end. Enter the story…

There’s lots of political intrigue between oddly named aliens of various ranks. Christopher Lee has a brief cameo as Count Dooku. I’m sorry, but couldn’t someone near Lucas have given him some guidance as to how one invents names for sci-fi characters? Reference Andre Norton or Isaac Asimov, but don’t stick with Dooku! He borrowed Commander Cody for one character. Why stop there?

The funniest serious line in the film has to be “I sense Count Dooku.” I wanted to yell out, “Ewww! I sense it too!”

This is part of my problem with the whole Star Wars project in general. George Lucas may love old school science fiction with all his heart, but his sense of invention can throw you for a loop. Granted, it’s a minor complaint compared to the monumental achievement of what is surely the greatest motion picture space opera of all time. So I guess we’ll forgive him other names like General Grievous and Mace Windu. Whatever! I can just see George closing his eyes and flipping through the dictionary. “And you shall be called Master Kangaroo…Master Kangaroonie? Master Kangooie? Do overs!”

All in all, there is little to detract from the pure joy of multiple light saber workouts that pop up at every turn. Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen slice and dice their way with Jedi ease through dozens of droids, the only characters to be given humorous banter in the film. Eventually we all know what is on the horizon, as Anakin’s brow becomes more and more furrowed. Natalie Portman stands by him, helpless and pregnant. They move about the oversized sets like puppets. All the while, I couldn’t help but study the awesome backdrops. Yeah, yeah…she’s gonna give birth to Luke and Leia. Yeah, yeah…Anakin is heading for the dark side. But would you look at that city?

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, played to sinister perfection by Ian McDiarmid, steals the show wielding deadly bolts of lightening from his crooked fingertips. He wipes out Samuel Jackson, Master Windu, who does his best to fit into the ultra-serious Jedi council. Yawn!

The big finish is terrific as the story comes full circle and we see how this whole shebang got started. Darth Vader’s big accident is excruciating to watch, but it’s hard to look away. Padme gives birth and dies. Don’t blame the floating droid doctors. They did everything they could to save her. Jimmy Smits takes Leia and leaves. Obi-Wan delivers Luke to Tatooine. We gaze at the foster parents as they gaze at the setting of the double suns, an image that takes us back to a film long long ago in a theater far far away (and a lot cheaper!).

It’s almost kind of sad. But now maybe we can move on. Next time, I think we could use more wise cracking droids.