Revenge of the Sith
Cast & Key People
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Our Review
The prequel that redeems them. Revenge of the Sith is a genuine tragedy wearing a space opera’s clothes: the fall of Anakin Skywalker, the purge of the Jedi, and the birth of Darth Vader, all scored to some of Williams’s darkest work. The opening rescue sequence over Coruscant is still one of the best pure action openings in the franchise.
Hayden Christensen still struggles with the romance, but the film gives him real menace when it matters, and Ian McDiarmid finally unleashes Palpatine’s full charm and horror. The Order 66 sequence, wordless and brutal over a grieving score, is the emotional spine Lucas was building toward for six years.
The friendship between Obi-Wan and Anakin gets its due in the Mustafar confrontation, and McGregor sells the heartbreak of a brother watching his family burn. It has prequel dialogue and prequel green screen, but it earns the ending the first two films fumbled. Our score: 7/10. Tonight this is the prequel to pick, and the Vader assembly scene still hits.
Seasons
Season guides coming soon.
