Posted on 05/16/2005 2:07:19 AM PDT by Savage_Nation
CANNES — The last episode of the seminal sci-fi saga "Star Wars" screened at the Cannes film festival Sunday, completing a six-part series that remains a major part of popular culture — and delivering a galactic jab to U.S. President George W Bush.
"Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith" was seen ahead of a celebrity-laden evening screening to be attended by its creator and director, George Lucas, and its cast, including Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen.
Reaction at advance screenings was effusive, with festival-goers, critics and journalists at Cannes applauding at the moment the infamous Darth Vader came into being.
But there were also murmurs at the parallels being drawn between Bush's administration and the birth of the space opera's evil Empire.
Baddies' dialogue about bloodshed and despicable acts being needed to bring "peace and stability" to the movie's universe, mainly through a fabricated war, set the scene.
And then came the zinger, with the protagonist, Anakin Skywalker, saying just before becoming Darth Vader: "You are either with me — or you are my enemy."
To the Cannes audience, often sympathetic to anti-Bush messages in cinema as last year's triumph here of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" attested, that immediately recalled Bush's 2001 ultimatum, "You're either with us or against us in the fight against terror."
Lucas, speaking to reporters, emphasised that the original "Star Wars" was written at the end of the Vietnam war, when Richard Nixon was U.S. president, but that the issue being explored was still very much alive today.
"The issue was, how does a democracy turn itself into a dictatorship?" he said.
"When I wrote it, Iraq (the U.S.-led war) didn't exist... but the parallels of what we did in Vietnam and Iraq are unbelievable."
He acknowledged an uncomfortable feeling that the United States was in danger of losing its democratic ideals, like in the movie.
"I didn't think it was going to get this close. I hope this doesn't come true in our country."
Although he didn't mention Bush by name, Lucas took what sounded like another dig while explaining the transformation of the once-good Anakin Skywalker to the very bad Darth Vader.
"Most bad people think they're good people," he said.
The political message, though, was for the most part subsumed by the action and heroics the series — set "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" — is known for.
And for fans hungry for a last look at "Star Wars" elevated above the disappointing two other films that preceded "Sith," it was satisfying closure.
"Whatever one thought of the previous two installments, this dynamic picture irons out most of the problems, and emerges as the best in the overall series since 'The Empire Strikes Back,'" the Hollywood trade magazine Variety said.
The buzz meant the movie was the hottest ticket at Cannes this year. It also signalled the end of a cinematic era for a generation of filmgoers.
"Revenge of the Sith" is the last of three prequels to the landmark trilogy that burst onto the screens in 1977, 1980 and 1983.
It is in fact the middle episode of the epic story arc, explaining the events that led young Luke Skywalker to battle Darth Vader in order to save Princess Leia, before going on to vanquish the Empire.
Its success could be measured in the claps and smiles in the theatre, which were light years away from the tepid response engendered by the first two prequels, released in 1999 and 2002, widely panned for their boring exposition and wooden dialogue. (Wire reports)
The Wall Street Journal reported all time box office grosses for the Star Wars Movies...(adjusted for inflation)
Star Wars $1.4 billion
Empire Strikes Back $627.9 million
Return of the Jedi $309.2 million
The Phantom Menace $543.1 million
Attack of the Clones $342.2 million
Revenge of the Sith $50 million first day sales.
Remember, a movie in 1977 was what, $4?
Hayden Christensen gained 11 kilograms (24.2 pounds) for this film. He did so by eating six meals a day.
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Jefay of Moorestomp
I definitely agree with you being the only one who can smell it.
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Have a good day!
Your Jedi robe is a camouflage color.
You have ever used your light saber to open a bottle of Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill.
At least one wing of your X-Wings is primer colored.
You have bantha horns on the front of your land speeder.
You can easily describe the taste of an Ewok.
You have ever had an X-wing up on blocks in your yard.
You ever lost a hand during a light saber fight because you had to spit.
The worst part of spending time on Dagobah is the dadgum skeeters.
Wookies are offended by your B.O.
You have ever used the force to get yourself another beer so you didn't have to wait for a commercial.
You have ever used the force in conjunction with fishing/bowling.
Your father has ever said to you, "Shoot, son come on over to the dark side...it'll be a hoot."
You have ever had your R-2 unit use its self-defense electro-shock thingy to get the barbecue grill to light.
You have a confederate flag painted on the hood of your landspeeder.
Although you had to kill him, you kinda thought that Jabba the Hutt had a pretty good handle on how to treat his women.
You have ever accidentally referred to Darth Vader's evil empire as "them damn Yankees."
You have a cousin who bears a strong resemblance to Chewbacca.
You suggested that they outfit the Millennium Falcon with red wood deck.
You were the only person drinking Jack Daniels on the rocks during the cantina scene.
I recently watched the DaVinci Code DVD which was a short documentary. After viewing I simply thought, is that all there is to it ? Seems like DaVinci could have just as easily been putting in some humorous subtext into his paintings.
I do however have to compliment Hollywood for their treatment of the our Founding Fathers, the Masons and the Knights Templar in the movie National Treasure, which I just recently viewed. Although I am not connected in any way with these organizations, I was shocked to see a modern movie that did not overtly bash organizations that are somewhat related to christianity. Hey, they did not even bash the founding fathers of America in National Treasure. That was surprising to say the least.
$2.50
"Most bad people think they're good people," he said.
"What sounded like another dig..." What a crock. This says more about the writers than it does about Lucas, who has been clear that this was not an indictment of Bush specifically.
I saw the movie late last night/earlier this morning, and to the people who read all this anti-Bush stuff in it, I have one word for you: BULLSITH!
As you can see -
Regards, Ivan
EVERYONE KNOWS THE U.N. IS THE EVIL EMPIRE!
"Yet, it is interesting that Mr. Liberal Lucas only had one or two black characters of any importance, and hardly any Asian/Hispanic characters of any importance."
Where's the suprise, remember liberals only TALK the talk, they don't Walk the Walk.....
I'll amen that comment. The nerdie Star War types will try to flame you, however.
For clues he should look at Hitler's Germany, Mugabe's Zimbabwe, Chavez's Venezuela... he's not going to find them in Bush's USA.
You sound like a member of the DU. The more you post your leftist drivel the more you make us laugh.
WE? Surely you do not mean the United States exclusivly. With concern to Iran, the mullahs took over while we had a GUTLESS president (Carter). Iraq? Well back then we had a COMMON ENEMY. During that time the whole western world supported Saddam against Iran. Not that it matters now since Saddam is out of power and rotting in a jail cell.
HAHAH! Looks like you got the Zot!
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