Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2007)

So we finally arrive at the last entry in the prequels. Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, were the first two pieces of evidence that Mr Lucas was more master craftsman than effortless storyteller. The power of his productions has been his ability to submerge the viewer in his fully realised galaxy. In Revenge of the Sith, the detail of his vision gave his huge planets great depth and battles an urgency unseen in the two films that came before. But ultimately, for all of Lucas' technical powers, it is the story, the space opera, that draws the audience back again and again. And make no mistake, this is the story we've all been waiting for.

The Clone wars are finally coming to an end but troubles are only just beginning for the Jedi order. The devious plan of Senator Palpatine/Sidious needs but a new apprentice for his plan to be complete. Anakin Skywalker seems the only one likely to join him.

This time around, Revenge of the Sith keeps more to the things that made the original trilogy great. Towards the end of the first scene we see the saga's single most audacious shot since the Star Destroyer in Episode IV- and it becomes clear that Lucas and the rest of his gang have raised their game considerably. ILM have really done a great job in finally nailing the SFX. There are 2,200 effects shot in Sith- more then Menace and Clones combined- and there's not a single bad shot to be seen. Also, Gavin Bouquet's production design is spot on-with the best sets and designs you'll see in any of the movies.

Revenge of the Sith is a great movie. It's as if it took Lucas 2 tries to get comfortable in the directors chair and can now actually apply a bit of style to the proceedings. Lucas himself admitted that 60% of his original outline was slated for this Episode. Which means that all the unanswered questions that made the first two prequels passable in first place are finally answered. As a sequel to the prequels, Revenge of the Sith is more then anyone could of hoped for.

We also finally get some decent acting for all the cast and not just from the CGI Yoda. Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman seem more comfortable with Ewan McGregor finally nailing the role Of Obi-Wan. Hayden has bulked up and lowered the tone of his voice-which gives him a lot more screen presence then Clones. Support is reliable for Samuel L Jackson, Frank Oz and Christopher Lee but the best comes from Ian Mcdiarmid, since this is the film that brings Emperor Palpatine out of the shadows and into the center stage. Yeah, he's a little over the top but does his best to make the Dark side sound seductive. Unfortunately this is where the movie fails.

Anakin's conversion to the Dark side is rushed through during the boring middle act where he seems to keep bouncing from Palpatine to Mace Windu like a teenager who is unsure of what to do next. And when that big moment finally comes- when Anakin pledges is allegiance to the Dark side- it is utterly unconvincing. Thankfully the 3rd act more then makes up for it, with the twin lightsaber fights and John Williams epic score proving that Revenge of the Sith is the darkest entry in the saga.


Revenge of the Sith was never going to hit the heights of A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back,  but what film can? If you go into this film expecting to be entertained by the frantic action, lavish set pieces and the classical themes that made the original films so memorable – the light saber, the Force, Yoda, space battles, good versus evil – then you won’t be disappointed

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Season of the Witch (2011)

Nicolas Cage's name on a film poster is no guarantee of anything these days. Season of the Witch is another film to add to the list of films that has you thinking, 'did Cage really win an Oscar?' Well, yes, yes he did folks. This film is another Cage disappointment with only his biggest fans been able to put up with this rubbish. But after looking at it's box office taking, even die hard fans of Cage are slowly starting to disappear.

In the 14th Century, a group of knights transport a suspected Witch to a monastery, where the monks have reason to believe she could be behind the black plague that is sweeping the country.

It's a wonder why Cage signed up to star in this film in the first place. Maybe it was a favour for the director Dominic Sena, who directed Cage in the average Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). It's also questionable as to why Stephen Graham and Ron Perlman also deciding that this was the film for them.  Even the legendary actor Christopher Lee turns up for a 10 minute cameo as the leader of the church who has been cursed with the plague. Someone should really have a chat with their agents. The film suffers from poor direction from Sena, has lousy special effects, but worst of all, it has no drama, suspense or horror what so ever.

It's not surprise Season of the Witch was released just after the awards season. Hollywood studios have been known to release films they know won't achieve much income or buzz from the press and this film is a perfect example. It's somewhat of a shame for people like Pearlman, who is direct and almost charming as the thuggish sidekick despite having some truly awful lines. The same could be said for Robert Sheenan (Misfits) who is convincingly nervy as squire and wannabe Knight Kay. Claire Foy also does a pretty decent job in her first feature length role as the witch.

Unfortunately Cage and Sena take themselves far too seriously, robbing the film any chance of salvation. At best, Season of the Witch could of been enjoyably stupid if it was allowed to laugh at it's self and realise that it's nothing but a cheesy b-movie type film with cheap lines. Unfortunately it doesn't, and just becomes embarrassing to all involved.

Season of the Witch is another film to add to the category of 'what were you thinking Cagey my boy'. Avoid like the plague.

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Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Forget the clumsiness and blatant corporate synergy of the Phantom Menace. The good news is Attack of the Clones is a better film, but only just.

Set Ten years after the Phantom Menace The Galactic Republic is under threat from charismatic separatists, forcing Naboo senator Padme Amidala to seek protection from Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker. While all this is happening, Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers a hidden Clone army.

Most fans were disappointed with Phantom Menace so converted to Middle Earth and Peter Jackson. Therefore Mr Lucas only had a couple of Million people to satisfy (much, much less then Phantom Menace). So you could say the pressure was off? Not so. The remaining fans wanted Lucas to get back the respect of the people that thought Phantom Menace was a bit, well, rubbish.

Attack of the Clones echoes the structure of Empire Strikes Back, and co-writer Johnathan Hales' contribution is keenly felt, with better defined characters and an altogether smoother story. Shot digitally, Clones certainly looks impressive, with CGI superbly realising Lucas' imaginative galaxies and Alien lifeforms, including for the first time until Lucas messed with Phantom Menace on Blu-Ray, a CGI Yoda.

The difference between Empire Strikes Back and Clones is that Empire zipped along quite freely, moving along to different galaxies and meeting new characters as and when they felt like it. Clones has a much more slower start. Maybe Lucas was aware of the sins of Episode I. Jar Jar is quickly removed to a 10 minute cameo, those Amidala clones are quickly destroyed and we don't have to put up with a whiny, mop headed young Ani everyone was asked to love in 1999. Don't get me wrong, Anakin is still a whiny teenager, but it's a vast improvement.

Also Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman have improved and grown into their roles, more so McGregor who is a lot more 'forceful' here with his big beard and comic punchlines.

Attack of the Clones was more of a necessity to tell the story of Ani and Padme before Episode III. Yes Lucas seems to struggle with the romance and politics in the movie, but he doesn't disappoint when it comes to the action. Christopher Lee's Count Dooku arrives to provide some much needed gravitas. C-3P0 is actually playing C-3P0 and we get to see Portman in a white leotard. Finally, we also get to see Yoda's talents with the force and a lightsaber. Unsurprisingly it's a scene fans have been waiting years to see and it does not let them down.This is where Lucas finally relaxes and directs Clones with the same gusto as the original trilogy. Clones is no better then Menace in terms of acting or dialogue but improves on Episode I in every other way.

Attack of the Clones was a necessary film but no way was it vital. The action scenes are entertaining with the ending dark enough to rival that of Episode V. It also sets the story up nicely for Episode III. Just don't go expecting a masterpiece.

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