Author: Saito
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When it comes to Star Wars there are three kinds of people. The rabid fans that say Lucas can do no wrong, the rabid fans who think that only the original three were any good, and then people like me who don't really care either way. I'm probably apathetic enough to the franchise that I never really realize there is a new film out until the media frenzy breaks out, and legions of middle aged men wearing wookie costumes and brandishing light sabers can be seen camping the streets waiting for tickets as I make my daily run to the store.
When I first realized that the final installment of Star Wars was out in theaters I let out a kind of groan. I'm not against the movies themselves, or lucas (hell I love my THX system). However what I do dislike is the inevitable bombardment of adds for all the new toys, and collectors items that follow any Star Wars movies. Let's face it, in todays commercial society Star Wars is more of a cultural icon, then a form of entertainment. The real point of the final movie wasn't to watch it, it was to experience it. To stand in the long line of geekdom over night, to cheer and applaud when ever the most mundane thing happened on the screen (probably fueled by lack of sleep and caffeine), spend the next week debating the movie, and then run out and buy all the crap associated with it.
The movie only sparked my interest when I heard it had caught a pg-13 rating, and was the darkest of the series. This gave the odd feeling that perhaps this wasn't the same rehashed old stuff with a new face to make another buck. Armed with some spare time, and boredom (a great motivator to take a chance on something) I decided to take a gamble, and see what the big deal was all about.
Sith opened up with an amazing action sequence. I think that this served two purposes. It grabs the attention and sweeps the audience into a frenzy, and it show cases new models and fresh content. The movie then slows down as it tries to explain Anakins painful fall to the dark side of the force, and this is where it starts to have problems. Neither Anakin, or Padme seem remotely believable. The acting is dry and wooden, and the only emotion ever shown, is one of self pity from Anakin. It's rather hard to believe that the character who will become the intergalactic version of Hitler is a sniveling little brat who reminds me more of four year old being told to finish his vegetables before dessert, than a badass. I don't know whether his downfall was more painful for him, or painful for me to watch.
I guess I can't fault the movie to much. Given that EVERYBODY knows what the ending will be, and who will live. But the problem that has plauged (and IMO the entire prequel series), is that it doesn't deliver what people want; a angry, badass, Darth Vader. Sith saves itself in the last stretch. Once Anakin finally gives in Lucas treats people to what they want, Darth Vader, and the best fights of the series. Furthermore the movie finally becomes the “dark horrible tragedy” it should be. I would say 3 out of 5 stars, I would have given it 4 if Samuel L Jackson had said “Motha Fucka” to the emperor just once.
Political Ramifications, A deeper meaning?
Ever notice how people always try to put a political spin on a popular movie? Well strap yourself in here we go again.
The underlying theme in this movie of giving away your liberty piece to a dictatorship, to fight a war based on a lie, is rather comical. Given the situation with the patriot act and Iraq. Other moments such as “if your not with me, you are my enemy” (GW Bush?), followed by “only a Sith speaks in absolutes” draw startling examples to the current problem in todays society. Even the whole backdrop of a person in power that wasn't chosen by the people but a political farce points directly to our situation today. However I don't think Lucas is making a mockery of our president, the film was written way before that. If anything what I am scared of is the conservative parties tendency to follow movies. The “evil empire” accusations, and “star wars” missile defense program are both items that bit us in the ass later.
I'm not going to delve further into politics on a gaming forum (because that always ends in a disaster), but it's worth looking through the movie to find what dirrectly correlates to modern politics.
Attack of the cyber pirates!
The biggest movie of the year, and the day after it's out (hours) it's on the internet and ready for download at your viewing pleasure. Boxes of DVD's are seized in NY, and LA, and it's all over Hong Kong. Score for the little man stick it to the boss!
Disclaimer: I do not approve of software piracy, nor does gameamp, or any other organization I am affiliated with.
Aside from the hilarity of the situation the question is does it really matter, will it hurt sales? The answer is no.
Big movies, with flashy special effects are not for veiwing at home. The true experience is at the theater, on the huge screen, with the surround system. Even if somebody downloaded the movie (couldn't get a ticket, whatever) you can be damn sure that they will see it in the theater.
The problem issue would be DVD sales. Once I again I call shenanigens. Downloaded movies are not high quality. The actual size of a movie DVD requires dual layer DVD's (expensive), a huge download (takes to much time), and a very high end PC to burn it at a reasonable rate (instead of waiting all night). Plus the DVD's have extras, the box (yes that counts) and other content that you do not get in a downloaded version. The only reason not to buy the DVD is if you can't afford it, in which case they weren't going to buy it anyway.
All this anti-piracy stuff is starting to go overboard. Here are some interesting facts. It's illegal to decrypt a DVD in America. Yep that's right, you bought it, but you can't crack it and make a copy for home use. The other issue is chips are being put into TV tuners for PC's so that you can't record shows from them (so go out grab them before it's in full swing because the old ones can still record... I smell a chance to make some money on e-bay).
I could go on more and more about the insane laws that are starting to emerge, but that is a story for another time...
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