Caught it for the second time today, and I liked it even better. It was easier to take it all in without being quite so overwhelmed.
A few comments, responses, etc.:
First, I noticed a small continuity error: Why does Obi-Wan need to talk to Padme to find out where Anakin went? He was just watching security recordings in which Anakin was talking to Sidious. Presumably his orders to go to Mustafar were recorded, too. And while we're at it, the way the film is edited makes it seem a little weird when Obi-Wan refers to Palpatine as "the Emperor". The official declaration of the Empire's birth only just took place in an intercutting scene. (Brilliant sequence, btw. I loved the cutting between the senate scene, Yoda and Obi-Wan looking at the bodies in the Jedi temple, and Anakin slaughtering the separatists -- at one point seeming to howl in anguish as he's doing it. Really, really great stuff.)
To those who've mentioned the idea of a Han Solo cameo: That was considered. There's even some concept art in some of the published books. The idea was dropped. Personally, I'm glad. The cameo thing can be taken too far, and I thought Chewie was kind of borderline in that regard.
On Anakin turning too fast: I don't think he really does, especially on second viewing. I thought so when I first read the script, but I've changed my mind. Remember, Anakin has had his "attachment" weakness since Episode I, and he slaughtered the Sand People over it in Episode II. In III, his moral compass is being spun all over the place by both Palpatine
and the Jedi. And note the dialogue shortly after Mace's death: They seem pretty clear in their belief that the Jedi will kill both Palpatine and Anakin. From Anakin's point of view, he's made his choice, and now he's stuck with it, for better or worse. I also saw a comment that there was no internal conflict on Anakin's part. I can't imagine anyone thinking that when you're given the beautiful scene of Anakin and Padme seemingly sensing one another from across the city as he agonizes over the possibility of losing her. He even sheds a tear before he hightails it to meet Mace and Palpatine! That sure looked like internal conflict to me, and a lot of it.
On Anakin's "father": There was a draft of the script that had Palpatine claiming to have created Anakin as described in the movie. This was dropped for whatever reason. It shows up, though, in the "Making of" book that's on store shelves. Another interesting tidbit: One early draft had Palpatine taunting Anakin during the fight with Count Dooku by claiming Dooku had been bragging about arranging Anakin's mother's death.
On the Emperor's red guards: Those are actually present in the previous movies! Their garb has just changed a bit. They didn't used to have fully-covered faces, and the helmets were a different color, but... look at the end of The Phantom Menace: The Chancellor does have guards, and you can see the evolution of the uniform from there to the red guards of III - VI.
Marc B. Wrote:That's another thing that bothered me. Where the hell did they come from? Up until this point it's been droids.
But the droids fought for the separatists, not the Republic/Empire. In the Republic, the troops were the clones. It's true we never seem to see officers other than the Jedi, but I think it's safe to assume that there must've been lower-ranking officers who weren't Jedi.
On Vader's "Nooooooooo....": It sounded a little awkward on first viewing, less so on the second. It doesn't really bother me. I liked the "Frankenstein" homage as he steps off the gurney.
I think I'd agree that some of the love scenes aren't all that necessary, but I could be wrong. (Truthfully, I'd make some editing changes to all of the films, but that's me being full of myself.) I mainly found the scene where Padme is brushing her hair on the balcony a bit much. The dialogue is pretty forced there, and it doesn't seem to advance the plot one iota. I also completely agree that the best romantic scene was the one with no dialogue: Again, it's the sequence of Padme and Anakin seemingly sensing each other from across the city just before Anakin's turn. Beautiful. And amazing music by John Williams that is quite unlike typical John Williams (especially for Star Wars).
But how cool was Yoda's move of throwing the lightsaber into that clone's chest, leaping on him, and pulling it back out?!?! That was
GROOVY!!!!
Blake