20 years later, this Star Wars movie still holds up
Although I’ve often found fault with young Anakin in ‘The Phantom Menace’, I’ve consistently believed that the prequels have been unfairly criticized. In my opinion, these films were remarkably good despite being heavily criticized by critics.
Critics might have formed negative opinions before the prequels were even released, with Hayden Christensen receiving a lot of harsh criticism. However, it’s important to note that these films weren’t intended to mimic the original trilogy. Despite receiving a low Rotten Tomatoes rating, fans have always adored the prequels, and none garnered more love than “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith“.
Even now, twenty years later, it’s still the same glorious cinematic experience it was in 2005.
Last April, to commemorate its 20th anniversary, Lucasfilm and Disney reintroduced “Revenge of the Sith” in cinemas. Over the week it was shown, it grossed over $40 million worldwide. This is remarkable for a movie that’s twenty years old, as critics had mixed feelings about it.
But why did it perform so well? Here are a few reasons.
1. The Duel
I invite you to surpass this lightsaber encounter; it’s electrifying, swift, and deeply emotional. Beyond that, consider the backdrop – battling amidst the destruction of Mustafar. Frankly, it’s movie magic at its finest! This duel exceeded the Duel of Fates, Obi-Wan against Boba Fett, and even Luke versus Vader in Return of the Jedi. The final battle in the prequels was nothing short of spectacular.
2. The iconic moments
Although the duel stands as the most memorable scene in the entire prequel trilogy (“You were my brother, Anakin!”), there are numerous other moments that frequently go unnoticed.
For instance, the Order 66 montage, Padmé’s poignant statement “So this is how liberty dies…”, Yoda’s confrontation with Sidious, and the enigmatic introduction “Hello, there.” These scenes also contribute significantly to the overall narrative.
3. Stronger visuals than you remember
When I first saw Episode II: Attack of the Clones, I was taken aback by how many sets were completely computer-generated imagery (CGI). They seemed dull and devoid of life, which took away from the film’s ability to immerse me.
However, Lucasfilm either improved or found a way to adapt, because Revenge of the Sith doesn’t have the same problems. While some of the effects are clearly early-2000s CGI, many of the film’s sequences still look impressive. Who doesn’t love that breathtaking opening scene with Anakin and Obi-Wan as they enter into the massive space battle above Coruscant? It’s almost as memorable as the opening of A New Hope.
Almost, but not quite.
4. Nothing like time and nostalgia
I was 40 years old when the original Star Wars trilogy first came out, though it was slightly before my time. I can recall spending countless hours on the floor of my parents’ living room, engrossed in the Special Edition VHS tapes. Yes, you read that right – VHS. Don’t laugh!
Han Solo will always be my idol, and watching The Empire Strikes Back still gives me goosebumps (even if it’s not my top choice for rewatching). However, there’s a new generation that grew up with the prequel trilogy as their starting point in the Star Wars universe. They look back at those films through the same nostalgia-tinted glasses that I use whenever I watch the originals.
Guess what? I can’t fault them for it.
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2025-07-19 22:13