ReView: Vengeance for ‘Revenge of the Sith’: It’s Not That Bad!

Lightsabers, moral dilemmas and unfamiliar planet names — all important parts of any classic “Star Wars” films.

Directed and written by George Lucas, the 2005 film “Revenge of the Sith” serves as the end of the prequel trilogy chronicling the Force-wielding Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and his Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. 

Set 30 years prior to the initial “Star Wars” film, “A New Hope,” the film and its prequel precursors, “Phantom Menace” and “Attack of the Clones,” explore the development of Obi-Wan as a Jedi and his protege Anakin’s introduction to it.

The film opens with Anakin and Obi-Wan on a mission to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from the political Separatist Count Dooku and his robot droid army. In a flurry of lightsabers, the two Jedis battle their way onto the captee’s spaceship and return Palpatine to the Jedi Senate on the planet Coruscant, the capital of the Galactic Republic. 

Unbeknownst to the duo, Palpatine’s rescue acts as a catalyst for the overthrow of the Republic. He sows doubt into the minds of the Senate and the Jedi Council. The Council places Anakin by his side as a spy in order to find out Palpatine’s true plans, but that position gives the Chancellor a chance to indoctrinate Anakin as a double-agent, and over to the dark side.

With his wife Padmé in labor and the Chancellor stewarding Anakin as his own apprentice, the young Jedi questions if he should remain with his order — or stray to the dark side.

Christensen (“Attack of the Clones,” “Jumper”) builds his performance to end naturally as the original “Star Wars” villain, Darth Vader. Because he has pre-existing material to work off, Christensen can tap into the legacy of James Earl Jones, the villain’s original actor.

His skillful body language and facial expressions gradually morph into disdain. Christensen’s performance brings dimension to the character. While the costuming and makeup departments had a part in changing Anakin’s appearance, Christensen’s subtle changes in his voice and eyes transform him into Darth Vader.

While the film remains a strong addition to the popular franchise, the dialogue leaves much to be desired. Every line is clunky and overfilled with exposition. Lucas (“A New Hope,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark”) writes as if he doesn’t trust his audience to grasp the key points of the film. 

“Into exile, I must go,” Jedi Master Yoda says, setting up an explanation for his presence in 1980’s “The Empire Strikes Back.” “Failed, I have.”

The expositional dialogue tells rather than showing. Much of Lucas’ writing is heavy-handed, frequently admitting when a plot point is unimportant.

Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and Christensen work with what they’re given, acting to the best of their abilities regardless of the tiresome dialogue. 

McGregor (“Moulin Rouge,” “Trainspotting”) renders a nuanced performance as Obi-Wan, presenting the Jedi Master’s objective wisdom and his distress at seeing his student — the supposed chosen one — turn to the dark side. 

Portman (“Black Swan,” “V for Vendetta”) expertly executes heartbreak and pain as Padmé and  indicates how Anakin hurts everyone who loves him by siding with Palpatine.

The final fight scene between Vader and Obi-Wan on the lava planet Mustafar is a testament to the film’s remarkable choreography. The loud, frantic lightsaber duel parallels the simultaneous crossing of sabers between Yoda and Palpatine — the leader of the Jedis and the leader of the Sith — in the Senate Chamber on Coruscant. 

Accompanying the action is John Williams’ operatic score. With triumphant percussion and poignant strings, Williams (“Jurassic Park,” “A New Hope”) continues his “Star Wars” compositional legacy with one that amplifies emotions and adds unique sound to a film that is ingrained with the history of the franchise. 

Despite its flaws, the film stays relevant with its electrifying action and themes of authoritarian insurrection, mirroring American politics. 

President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders — one removing all mention of racism from American history and another making it harder for already disenfranchised people to vote — echo Palpatine’s initiative to turn a republic into an empire.

Padmé, known in the Senate as Queen Amidala, senses the danger in Palpatine’s effortlessly influenced followers. In his address to the Senate after supposed Jedi attacks, he seals his plans of turning the Republic into an Empire, and the whole Senate cheers him on. 

“So this is how liberty dies,” Padmé says. “With thunderous applause.” 

“Revenge of the Sith” sets up all the pieces to wonderfully segue into the original “Star Wars” trilogy. The film helps the audience better understand Darth Vader’s redemption arc in the original films, and how even the strongest Republics can come crashing down.

“Revenge of the Sith” is available to stream on Disney+ and is returning to AMC theaters for its 20th anniversary on a limited one-week run beginning April 25.