The Beat hearkens the Nerdpocalypse.
CJ’s Own Really Spoiler-Free Review!
I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Revenge of the Sith, yesterday. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I will have no problem staying spoiler-free as I am still fairly incoherent about it.
Bottom line? This movie is Star Wars. This is what everyone has been waiting to see.
It’s not to say that it’s a perfect movie. But it’s fun. It’s shocking. And it’s powerful.
Bring tissues. Granted, I cry at commercials. I needed three tissues to make it through. Adjust your needs accordingly. But there has been talk that a certain CJer was still crying fifteen minutes after the movie ended. I cried 10 minutes after and probably would’ve gone more if I hadn’t spotted my face in the mirror. (Big, red nose. Blood-shot eyes. It wasn’t pretty.)
Parents go first. I now know why LFL has been tap-dancing around this while, at the same time, telling parents to be cautious. To say much detail about why anyone younger than probably 10 shouldn’t see it without some parental guidance would be to give away a major plot point.
Suffice to say that the level of usual Star Wars violence (limbs, etc) is at a much higher volume. The storyline involves some heavy-duty topics. And there are several scenes that contain amazingly graphic images.
I am, quite frankly, surprised the film didn’t get an R rating for those graphic shots, alone.
Parents really need to go first so they can decide how their younglings will respond. It’s pretty intense. And you’ll probably want to be poised to cover eyes. But given how fast this movie goes, you need to see it once so you know when to dive over to cover their eyes.
Overcome. At this point, I don’t think I’m still responding with the joyous glow of first viewing when I say that I think this ranks right up there at the top of the Star Wars films. You have a bit of everything in this one. I think most hardcore fans will be pleased. And it will give us much fodder for the intense fan debates we all know and love.
A day after seeing it, I still find myself distracted by memories of the film. I’m still trying to think about things in the story. This one’s staying with me.
And I really want to watch the Classic Trilogy right now….
Press Screening Review Bonanza!
My internet is spotty today, so forgive me for not gathering all the press screening reviews before I started posting. I’ll be editing this post throughout the day as I find reviews, so keep checking back.
First, the fans:
Our own Supreme Chancellor’s spoiler-free review, of course.
TheForce.net: Scott Chitwood, Josh Griffen, Matt and Neely. Chitwood also has a review at ComingSoon.net.
The Movie Blog: 7 out of 10 stars.
Ain’t It Cool News: “I’m having a really hard time writing about this one. It’s just so damn big.”
Now the press:
Variety: “Entertaining from start to finish and even enthralling at times, “Sith” has some acting worth writing home about, specifically McDiarmid’s dominant turn as the mastermind of the evil empire.”
Hollywood Reporter: “The final episode of George Lucas’ cinematic epic “Star Wars” ends the six-movie series on such a high note that one feels like yelling out, “Rewind!””
San Diego Union-Tribune‘s sci-fi blog, The Disembodied Brain: “It is dark and moody, but the pace carries you along like a rampaging Wookiee.”
… And more at Rotten Tomatoes. (As of this edit, ROTS has ten reviews and is 90% fresh!)
Steven, you ol’ softy…
Begun, this publicity blitz has
TFN reports that there will be a Star Wars segment on today’s Entertainment Tonight, and two new TV spots that aired during Total Request Live and Smallville yesterday. (Hopefully they’ll be up on starwars.com later tonight.)
ETA: “Seduction” and “To Protect You” up now.
Always two there are…
Well, it’s no The Darth Side, but apparently Darth Sidious is now blogging as well. I particularly love this bit:
Sometimes, when I see a stormtroooper knock his head against a door, I think of Jango and I laugh. Then I throw the trooper down a reactor shaft.
Really, is it any wonder we love the Sith? (Link shamelessly stolen from a comment on Karen Traviss’ livejournal.)
Lightsaber locks required in most states
If you’ve ever wondered how lightsabers work but are too lazy to go digging through scary technical fan sites to find out, this is your lucky day: How Lightsabers Work. I particularly enjoy the page about using your lightsaber at home: it can both cut and toast a bagel!
No love for the franchise
In an interesting bookend to the controversial sci-fi writers on Star Wars, Orson Scott Card goes after Star Trek.
Bloodbath!
The first press screening of Revenge of the Sith took place last night, and reviews are coming out today… The Associated Press is first on the scene and they say it’s definitely not for kids.
Maybe soon we’ll hear about something other than the violence? More pressing screenings are reportedly being held tomorrow, so there will no doubt be a flood of reviews this weekend. And then my head will explode. Or something. Thank god I’m not spoiler-free.
Radcliffe in for the duration
Potter fans can relax – Daniel Radcliffe says he’ll be back as Harry for the Order of the Phoenix adaption. And since there’s only one book to film after that, odds are good he’ll be back book 7 as well. Assuming Rowling doesn’t linger over the writing too much, that is.