Review of Star Wars Episode Three:
Betrayal of the Jedi
A News from the Future Exclusive
May 25, 2005 (MS-Media) After the triumphant box office success of Star Wars Episode Two, the pressure was on George Lucas. How could he top the biggest grossing film in history? Would Episode Three be as good as Episode Two, or would he slip, like he did in Return of the Jedi? It didn't help matters any when he said that Episode Three would be the darkest of all the Star Wars films, and he didn't care if it lost $200 million dollars.
After years of waiting, we can finally put the speculation to rest. Betrayal of the Jedi is a good film in it's own right, and a fitting conclusion to the prequel trilogy. It doesn't reach the heights of The Clone Wars, but it's much better than The Phantom Menace, or Return of the Jedi.
BOTJ picks up one year after the events in TCW. Anakin Skywalker has become arrogant and self-centered after successfully balancing the force. He still blames The Republic for the brutal death of his mother in TCW, and becomes more open to Chancellor Palpatine's temptations. Despite the best efforts of The Queen and Obi Won Kenobi, Anakin can't stop slipping towards the dark side.
Meanwhile, Palpatine's plan to overthrow The Republic is near completion. The only ones who can stop it are the Jedi Knights. Palapatine's fate, and the fate of the galaxy lies in the hands of Anakin Skywalker. He must convince Anakin to turn to the dark side and lead the Jedi to their destruction.
Co-written by Carrie Fisher, the film has some of the best dialogue of all the Star Wars films. Lucas should be credited for finally realizing that he needs help writing dialogue. Thanks to Fisher, BOTJ has fully developed characters. This doesn't mean, however, that this is a "chick flick." There's plenty of space battles, light saber duels, and exotic locations to go around. BOTJ has something for every Star Wars fan.
Speaking of which, this reviewer can't help but reveal the best part of this film. Jar Jar Binks is finally killed! Believe me, this death scene makes putting up with that annoying character for two films worth it. Here's the big scene:
Jar Jar is watching Anakin talk to Palpatine. He is hiding behind a bookcase.
Jar Jar whispers to himself: Yowsa! Mesa gotta warna Obi Won!
He tries to sneak away when he accidentally knocks over the bookcase. Anakin turns and faces the embarrassed Jar Jar.
Jar Jar: Hi Annie! Hee Hee!
Anakin: What are you doing here?
Jar Jar: Mesa? Mesa doing here? Hee Hee. Mesa just a passin through.
Anakin: You lie! I can see through you!
Jar Jar: Yousa callin' me a liar? How wude!
Anakin raises his hand towards Jar Jar. Jar Jar grabs his neck and chokes. Anakin releases his grip.
Anakin: What did you hear?
Jar Jar: OK! OK! Yousa gonna blow up Naboo while the Jedi havea theira meettinga. I wasa gonna warn the others.
Anakin: You were huh?
Jar Jar: Yesa Annie, yousa a turnin to the Dark Side. Yousa gotta get help from your friends, like me. Wesa still friends, aren't we Annie?
Anakin laughs. Jar Jar cries as he starts to levitate. Then he starts choking. He grabs his throat again.
Anakin: Friends? Friends? How could I be friends with you? You're nothing more then a walking embarrassment! I should have sucked you into my pod engines when I had the chance! I should have used you for light saber practice. You're nothing more than a snevivan buffo fish! You can't even speak English correctly. You're nothing more than a walking stereotype! You're a punchline to a joke that isn't even funny!
Jar Jar starts to spin like a pinwheel. Desperately, he shoots his tongue out at Anakin, but it isn't long enough to touch him.
Anakin: You think we're friends? Jar Jar, I don't even like you! It's creatures like you that drove me to the dark side. I hate you, and my hate will turn into your suffering!
Jar Jar's face turns blue. He tries to say something, but can't. Seconds later he stops struggling. His limp body falls to floor. Jar Jar is dead.
Palpatine: So my young apprentice You have just killed your friend. How do you feel?
Anakin looks at Jar Jar's body, and smiles evilly.
Anakin: Warm.
Sure this scene is suppose to shock us into realizing how far Anakin has sunk, but this reviewer can't help but sympathize with Anakin. After all, how would you like to deal with Jar Jar Binks for three movies. He's almost annoying enough to drive anyone to the dark side.
So don't be turned off by the rumors about the "dark" tone of this film. BOTJ is an enjoyable ride, and you'll never look at the first trilogy the same way after seeing this film.
Star Wars Episode Three: Betrayal of the Jedi is rated PG-7 for Scary looking creatures, strong emotional content, and depiction of the deaths of aliens and robots