By: debbie lynn elias
In the words of Samuel L. Jackson aka Master Jedi Mace Windu, “This is AWESOME.” And indeed it is.
In what is indisputably George Lucas’ crowning achievement, not only in the “Star Wars” saga but in his career, “Revenge of the Sith” completes a story that began long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away, bringing together the best that technology has to offer with one of the greatest examples of storytelling in the history of film. With “Sith”, Lucas has set the bar for future filmmakers at a new high, making “Sith” one of the all time movie classics, the effect of which will stand the test of time for generations to come. Using his patented brand of concurrent creation – write, shoot, edit, write, shoot, edit – this go round Lucas is finally able to tell the story on his own terms, confidently and full-bodied, catering only to the creator and writer within and as a result, a masterpiece is born. With returning champions and fallen heroes, loose ends are tied up, the story arc completed and “Sith” brings us back to where it all began almost 30 years ago with “A New Hope.”
It has been three years since the Clone War against the Separatist army began and Anakin Skywalker, enjoying a well deserved rest from the battles, returns to Coruscant to spend time with his beloved wife, Padme, who is now pregnant with Anakin’s heir. But joy and rest are not on the menu for Anakin who is plagued by nightmares about Padme similar to those he suffered just prior to his m other’s death. This time, however, he sees Padme dying during childbirth. Determined to keep Padme from harm and not have her suffer his mother’s fate, Anakin vows to protect her no matter what the cost.
Confiding his fears to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Anakin is lured to the Dark Side of the Force by Palpatine with promises that to learn the Dark Side will enable him to save Padme. Anakin, blind to Palpatine’s “evil” side and his manipulations in bringing about the Clone War in order to strengthen his own power in the Galactic Senate, trusts Palpatine and the belief that he (Palpatine) only wants what is best for Anakin and Anakin, like so many of us, only wants to protect those that he loves. The Jedi Council, wary of Palpatine and his influence on the Senate, look to Anakin to serve as spy for the Council in order to flush out Palpatine’s true intentions. Does he trust Palpatine who has promised him power to save and protect what he loves or does he trust his friends and advisors – Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu and Yoda? The dilemma leads to a decision that ends the wars, eliminates the Order of the Jedi and gives birth to Darth Vader.
Returning in their principal roles are Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, Hayden Christensen as Anakin, Natalie Portman as Padme, Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu, Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine, Frank Oz as the voice of Yoda, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, R2-D2 and the only character and actor to be in all 6 episodes – Anthony Daniels as C3PO. All are known commodities whose work in prior Star Wars ventures is exemplary and distinctive. Here there is but one difference. As if each knew “Sith” would be “special”, the performances seem more heartfelt, more intense, and of greater presence. In fact, this go round, Ewan McGregor in an effort to match up his Obi-Wan with that of Sir Alec Guinness, for three weeks “had his scenes from the first three movies playing non-stop in my dressing room as inspiration.”
In what is undoubtedly the most anticipated confrontation in movie history, Obi-wan and Anakin square off in the lightsaber battle to end all lightsaber battles on the volcano planet of Mustafar. Thanks to the work of Roger Guyett, computer-generated streams of molten lava and exploding magma were composited with real footage of an erupting Mt. Etna (shot by the crew in 2002 in Sicily during Etna’s last eruption), layered with digital matte paintings and ILM model supervisor Brian Gernand’s miniature models. For some extra oompf, methylcel was used to simulate lava flowing through the 30 feet miniature model. But it is the work of Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen as Obi-Wan and Anakin, under the tutelage of stunt co-ordinator and master swordsman Nick Gillard, that makes the death defying real. Training six hours a day, the two – and especially Christensen – themselves became masterful swordsmen, with the physical burden falling on Christensen to be more skillful than McGregor given their respective characters. McGregor as Obi-Wan is more cerebral and in control of the Force, while Christensen as Anakin lacks the mental disciplines but excels at physical strength. The end result is visually stunning, breathtaking and heart-wrenching.
Knowing that “Sith” is the last Lucas-made installment in the saga (but then who knows what the Force may bring in the future), it is clear that everyone from Lucas on down to the last greenskeeper went all out in terms of creativity and visual impressiveness. As if 2,200 visual effects shots weren’t enough, Concept Design Supervisors Ryan Church and Erik Tiemens led a team of artists whose visions touched everything from the lightsaber duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan to eight individual planets and worlds, including the Wookiee home planet of Kashyyyk, and all harken back to those first images of “Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope.”
With their images in hand, Production Designer Gavin Bocquet and his crew stepped in to design and construct no less than 72 physical sets, many of which were integrated with digitals created by those magicians at Industrial Light and Magic. In addition to capturing the opulence and grandeur (yes, even evil can be grand) of “Sith”, the sets also had to tie in to the chronological history of the series as well as hint at what comes next. One tricky task – rebuilding the main corridor of the Rebel Blockade Runner from “A New Hope.” Sadly the set was struck after shooting 30 years ago and only a few blueprints were remaining. Needless to say, the Force was with Bocquet as his reconstruction is magnificently exacting.
Costume Designer Trisha Biggar was called upon to create over 500 individual costumes – not the least of which was Darth Vader’s costume first seen in 1977. There was no room for deviation r interpretation with this one. But Biggar’s was able to exact her own visions on the remaining costumes, a task which should guarantee her an Oscar come February 2006. From the exotic world of Padme to the reptilian qualities of Palpatine (and according to actor Ian McDiarmid, the costumes made him “feel empowering”), Biggar’s costuming was designed to fit each character.
Cinematographer David Tattersall returns for this final installment and his work, of course, is beyond reproach. Interestingly, Tattersall who only joined the Star Wars team with “The Phantom Menace” had only one thought on his mind when faced with Darth Vader for the very first time -“I’m just thinking how the hell are we going to light that black helmet against a black sky?”
And of course, John Williams completes his 28 year journey with Lucas with another powerfully haunting score.
With 55 days of principal photography, “Sith” was shot on soundstages in Australia and the UK with location shoots in Tunisia, Thailand, China and Switzerland. But perhaps the most poignant moment of shooting for Lucas came on the last day of shooting at Elstree’s Stage 8 when Lucas called, “Cut – that’s a wrap” for the last time. This was the very stage where the very first frame of “A New Hope” was shot in 1976.
Yes, Mr. Lucas, May the Force be with you – and because of you, all of us. . . . always.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Ewan McGregor
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader: Hayden Christensen
Mace Windu: Samuel L. Jackson
Padme: Natalie Portman
Ian McDiarmid: Chancellor Palpatine
Anthony Daniels: C-3PO
Yoda: Voice of Frank Oz
Chewbacca: Peter Mayhew
Senator Organa: Jimmy Smits
Written and Directed by George Lucas. Rated PG-13. (140 min)
