Obligatory Star Wars post...

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Thoughts and musings on Episode III
Ok, saw it and quick answer is: "Yes, I liked it." The more complete answer, however, is prefaced by a huge "BUT" (only one "T"!).
For the most part, I really did enjoy the film (though watching it in Russian meant I missed Sam Jackson's "super-bad" voice and, most of all, James Earl Jones' classic Vader voice). I am glad to say that I didn't walk out of the theater deflated and disappointed, my deepest fears were not realized. I believe part of the enjoyment was in the fact that I got to see it with Rachel and 11 other good friends on opening night which gave everything a more festive and eventful air (I believe a film has to be exceptioally sucky for someone to not enjoy it on opening night with a full, expectant house - to wit, The Last Action Hero). The effects were predictably flashy and, for the most part, well-done (although I really felt overwhelmed by the "CG-ness" of the film). The acting was predictably weak, but it wasn't as painful as I had feared. The story was well-done in my opinion. It served the purpose of tying together all the helter-skelter threads that had been flying around through the first 5 films. It was kind of like tossing one of those "t-shaped" Tetris pieces into a "t-shaped" opening to knock out several lines. The hole was there and the piece filled it. Now, if the film were a true cinematic tour-de-force (maybe like Peter Jackson's masterful handling of the Ring trilogy), I would say that the film were more like the "mr. long" Tetris piece that slips right into a 4 level opening to give you the very satisfying "Tetris" moment. Still, all in all, I feel that it had enough "yeah, that's cool" and "hmmm, now that makes sense" moments for Star Wars devotees to make it a worthwhile conclusion to the saga. The moment I really was waiting for, the unveiling of Darth Vader in mask and armor was about as good as I had expected. I'll give Lucas credit for not messing it up.
Overall, I'd rank it 3rd behind ESB (Ep. V) and ANH (Ep. IV). The Empire Strikes Back retains its title as the best of the saga. I know that Irvin Kershner's directing is part of the reason, but I think ESB was just the "Perfect Storm" of SW films. Many "unrelated" factors came together in just the right way. The characters were at a point in the overall story arc where they were ready to mature and fill out (Han and Leia's romance, Luke's struggles into Jedi manhood, Vader wrestling with fatherhood, etc.). The special effects were a grade better than in SW which is pretty darn good, even today. The stars in the film were also starting to hit their stride in Hollywood which gives Empire decidedly more on-screen charisma than there was in ANH (Ep. IV). Harrison Ford was just coming off of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Carrie Fisher was becoming a legit Hollywood talent, James Earl Jones and Sir Alec Guinness were alread established, and an award-winning Billy Dee Williams added to the talent. The plot was dark and serious enough to take the saga from Saturday afternoon kid's show to serious Hollywood thriller. All in all, ESB is still the best in my book. ANH (Ep. IV) also still stays ahead of ROTS because it is the one film where we see Lucas' non-commercialized "labor of love" qualities in all their glory. Every detail in the film is obviously the product of much creative energy. The acting had an earnest, naive, freshness that helped compensate for lapses in quality. The special effects may seem dated today, but even now they stand up as some of the most magical moments in cinema history. Placing ROTS third in this company is not bad. It had the potential to be the best, but unfortunately, I feel that Lucas just missed the target by a little bit. Nothing awful, but nothing sublime, either. Still, I'll see it again...and again. I'll buy the DVDs, no matter how obvious Lucas' various marketing ploys may be in the next several years - special editions, boxed sets, extended special editions, director's cuts, expanded extended special editions with directors' cuts, the authoritative expanded extended special edition director's cut, etc.. etc...It's been a great ride and I've enjoyed every minute (ok, except for any minute with Jar Jar in it).

A Star Wars geek's ode to the end of an era...

Part of my enjoyment of Episode III was definitely due to the fact that this film served as the culmination of almost 30 years of following the Star Wars saga. I cannot believe that it has really been almost 30 years since I first sat in a theater and saw those immortal words appear on a dark screen..."A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..." As I saw those words (only in Russian this time) appear on the black screen, I was quickly whisked back to 1977 and the sheer excitement I experienced the very first time. I was 7 and like so many children at that age, I was like a powderkeg of imagination and fantasy just waiting for one spark to set it off - well, George Lucas cast the lit match and the resulting explosion is still reverberating and sending out shock waves that I feel to this day. When the rebel blockade runner first appeared over the horizon of Tatooine and the larger-than-life Imperial Star Destroyer filled the screen in majestic pursuit, I was hooked for life (this has even been voted the best special effect of all time - I strangely miss the "magic" of scale models as opposed to CG). My conceptions of movies, t.v., music (John Williams has done something special, even if he has "borrowed" much from Wagner, Holst, etc.), literature, and other creative endeavors would forever be influenced by the Star Wars experience of that day. I can't put into words just how excited I was (not scared) when Darth Vader first strides purposefully into the corridor of the wounded blockade runner. I was fascinated by the infamous breathing sounds, I was thrilled as he crushed the trachea of the poor, unfortunate rebel soldier. The thrill ride only got better as Luke meets Obiwan, as I first saw the beloved Millennium Falcon (I think it is still one of the coolest looking ships in any film), and practically cheered as our famous band escaped from the Death Star and mounted a climactic attack and dog fight that was the coup de grace for me ("Stay on target...stay on target"). I was convinced that something special and magical had happened on the screen and suddenly I was a 7 year old with a new energy source. I started doodling and drawing Star Wars images on anything remotely paper-like (to the annoyance of many teachers and the amusement of some). I idolized Han Solo - his sarcasm, his herosim (I'm not sure, but I think that there is even some sub-conscious link between my love for tuning sleeper cars and Han's "may not look like much...I've made a few modifications myself" mojo.), I bought every book, comic, magazine that had something Star Wars in it, heck, I even memorized 1 Corinthians 13 just so my dad would buy me the original Kenner X-wing fighter (I know, sad, but God works in mysterious ways). Turning 10 and edging towards my teen years didn't dim the excitement. I was just as excited when I was able to watch the Empire Strikes Back on opening day, was blown away by the spectacle of the battle on Hoth, was deeply saddened to see Han Solo turned into a carbonite bombpop, and loved every second of the famous, "I am your father" moment. In 1983, I was already in junior high, but this didn't dampen my enthusiasm for the opening of Return of the Jedi. I still remember, as if it were yesterday, leaving school early and heading out to Town East Mall with friends to stand in line and watch it on opening day (thanks, dad). It really made me feel "proud" in a strange way to see Luke finally grow into a real Jedi, to see the rebels win, to see Vader redeemed, to see Han and Leia live happily ever after. I felt like I'd grown up along with the Star Wars crew.
I cannot say that the new trilogy of prequels has had quite the same grasp on my imagination. Obviously things are different as a grown man with a wife and kids then as a 7 year old kid. Still, like many other fans, it has truly been fun to see my kids' imaginations ignited by the same things that ignited mine. It was really fun to watch Episode III with Rachel and actually experience the "event" together. The new special effects have brought still another dimension to the saga and I have to confess that I am glad that Lucas decided to bring the Clone Wars and the rise of Vader to the big screen. It's even been entertaining to see the whole "Star Wars geek" extravaganza grow and take over pop culture. When I was younger, I took my fair share of ridicule for being so "into" Star Wars. Guys ripped on me - "you're a geek," "that's stupid kids' stuff," etc. Now there's a strange kind of cache I have because of my encyclopedic knowledge of Star Wars trivia (although the universe has now expanded to the point where I'm practically a "newbie" again). Now my "Star Wars" anecdotes (like memorizing Bible passages for Star Wars toys) meet with smiles, nods of approval and genuine amusement, not scornful looks of pity. The best example of this is my friend Ed...when we were in junior high we were at a church camp and played this game where we had to act like someone else and then everyone had to guess who we were imitating. Well, Ed grabs a pillow, sticks into his shirt (I was what one may call "weight-challenged") and then starts saying how much he loves Star Wars...well, you guessed it, everyone knew he was doing me. Today, Ed actually watches Star Wars movies, and if I'm not mistaken, was even fairly excited about Episodes I and II (don't know about III because I'm here in Russia).
What a ride it has been. The worst part about Episode III is that there will not be an Episode VII, VIII, or IX (although Lucas can never be fully trusted). As I walked out of the theater I tangibly felt a bit sad that it was the last time I would stand in line and get excited about the premier of a Star Wars movie. Interestingly, Episode I came out when I was in Russia on short-term missions. I was able to see Episode II in the states and, "the circle is now complete." Seeing Episode III in Russia just feels right. What better way to celebrate the end of visits to a galaxy far, far away then by watching it in a theater "far, far" away. Still, I'll be watching as soon as possible in English just so I can savor Darth Vader's first words as they were meant to be heard. I can't say that Episode III, itself, was a cinematic revolution or masterpiece, but the whole Star Wars extravaganza, taken en toto, is quite something to behold. I'm just glad that I was old enough to appreciate its greatness when it first appeared and I'm glad that I've been able to be along for the whole ride from the first "A long time ago..." to the very last rolling of the credits. I guess I was just lucky to be born into the "Star Wars" generation - or was it my "destiny?"