by Katrina Woelke
A prequel that’s as good as or better than the original is hard to come by these days. Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith is one example that far exceeds expectations of a prequel.
My introduction to Star Wars was when I borrowed the discs from the library as a kid. I enjoyed them, but they didn’t captivate my attention until I rewatched Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope shortly after quarantine started in 2020. Star Wars became my new hyperfixation and I watched all content related to it while everyone was ordered to stay home. I’d just graduated from high school, and I had no problem being told that it was okay to binge-watch movies and TV shows until 3 a.m. I had to do that while I had time before going off to college, of course!
Legos have also rekindled my love for Star Wars. Though they were originally intended as kid’s toys, adults are increasingly interested in building sets from many themes. It’s a fun hobby to see which sets are being released each month and occasionally buy one as a treat!
One thing I love about Revenge of the Sith is the way it masterfully crafts Anakin’s descent to the dark side. He knows in his heart that he shouldn’t sympathize with evil, but his anger and fear are hard to quell. Though his mentors try to lead him down the right path, he’s manipulated by Palpatine to desire more power through the dark side. His defection gives the story an interesting edge over other villains who are already established to be evil.
Another thing that I admire about the movie is the action. The lightsaber duels, particularly the one between Yoda and Emperor Palpatine in the Senate chamber, keep you on the edge of your seat. They keep you wondering who will prevail, the light side or the dark. The duel between Count Dooku, Anakin, and Obi-Wan Kenobi is also another iconic fight. The way that Dooku is able to egg on Anakin and feed his growing anger adds to the intrigue of his character.
Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith is being re-released in theaters on April 25th for its 20th anniversary. I’m excited to see the movie with surround sound, better graphics, and on the big screen!
