Final Star Wars Installment

Got to see RotS in a former imax theatre. Wasn't the same gigantic Imax screen, but the movie sounded great. So this is the ultimate flick that was supposed to link this trilogy the the classic trilogy? It does accomplish that, but unfortunately without any surprises. Anyone could have written this plot to connect the dots in the plot lines and Lucas doesn't throw any curve balls in showing us how Anakin transforms into Darth Vader.

I'm sure over the next few weeks that all the plot holes will be revealed by the geekdom. I wasn't looking really close for any, just sat back and enjoyed the visuals. Great battle scenes both in space and in the Wookie homeworld. All the CG shots and special effects looked incredible. A few of the environments had me wondering if they were CG or not-to-scale models. Light sabre duels were quick and not as epic as I had hoped for. Still, the dark and serious tone of the movie made it enjoyable rather than trying to turn it into a comedic farce like previous tries. Yeah, Jar Jar does appear but doesn't ruin anything by trying to speak.

Top three moments:

1. Seeing all the starfighters that would eventually evolve into the X-wing, Star Destroyers, etc
2. Chancellor Palpatine transformed into the Emperor, only decent acting in the whole movie
   
3. Shot of Darth Vader in full costume staring out into the construction at the end of the movie
   

Worse moments:

1. Unaspiring death of all the Jedi Masters. Order 66... That's it!?!
   
2. How Padme's character is totally wimpy this time around
   
3. Obi-Wan beats Anakin in a light sabre duel !?! But gets knocked unconscious by Count Dooku?
4. The numerous product tie-ins on TV. Most are pretty good... the Darth Vader BK ones are great, but there are just too many with Verizon and Pepsi in on all the commercials as well
   

By Owepa Lahon (my generated SW nick)

Movie Reviews - Episode V

Not sure why, but there seems to always be a general theme around my last couple of movie reviews. Here's my latest watery (groan) batch:

• Finding Nemo - Finally got around to finishing this one off. Tried watching this with my niece when it first came out, but with her short attention span I never quite got past the beginning. Quite entertaining and the Pixar folks really made it feel like it took place in the coral and oceans, unlike Shark Tale.
• Ocean's 12 - Yeah, this one's kind of a stretch to the theme, but it was a good popcorn movie. A fun ride, but when it's over, there's not much that I recollect. The skip-thru laser scene was a total ripoff off Entrapment and I definitely prefer (pre-Douglas) Zeta-Jones. Heck, even Britney Spear did it better in one of her music videos.
  
• The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - The latest creation from the mind of Wes Anderson. You really have to be able to appreciate the dry (pun intended) humour in order to sit through this one. A lot of visual gags against the straight lines delivered by the talented cast. Did Cate Blanchett just use her Kate Hepburn persona from The Aviator, but without the zany accent?
  

Sorry for the lack of posts, but I do have three big blogs coming out soon. One of my recent string of concerts, another that wraps up the TV season, and finally another one of some movie that comes out this Thursday. So check back soon, ya hear?