Whereas the unique Star Wars trilogy was a serious occasion for one era of moviegoers, for the era that got here after, the Star Wars prequels have been simply as essential. The stellar field workplace success of the re-release of Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith exhibits simply how a lot individuals love that film particularly, and that features Palpatine himself, Ian McDiarmid.
Talking with Selection on this twentieth anniversary of the discharge of Revenge of the Sith, the actor admitted he significantly appreciates the third movie, because it gave him an amazing deal extra to do than both of the opposite two prequel movies. He particularly beloved his display screen time with Hayden Christensen, in addition to seeing that his character was higher than anticipated with a lightsaber. He defined…
The manipulation was at all times enjoyable. But in addition, I had extra to do in “Revenge of the Sith” — I had extra display screen time, extra time with Hayden [Christensen] — in order that was extra satisfying. I additionally had no concept that Palpatine would have energy with a weapon, so to seek out that he was excellent — to present my stunt double full credit score — with a saber was attention-grabbing.
Palpatine could be very a lot the person behind the scenes all through the Star Wars prequels, however his grasp plan to destroy the Galactic Republic and develop into Emperor is so properly put collectively, with no person suspecting him, that he doesn’t truly do rather a lot all through the flicks, manipulating others into taking the steps he requires.
The ultimate movie, nevertheless, sees all of it come collectively, permitting the gradual burn of political intrigue, together with, sure, the hated commerce disputes, to all come collectively in a method that truly works remarkably properly.
However Revenge of the Sith does have the well-known Darth Plagueis sequence, which I will argue is the perfect scene in your complete Prequel Trilogy. Ian McDiarmid is great within the scene, as he manipulates Anakin Skywalker instantly, doing extra to show him to the Darkish Facet within the dialog than probably the rest that occurs.
And as McDiarmid identified, we additionally get to see the Emperor battle with a lightsaber, which is one thing few have been most likely anticipating, however it works fairly properly. If we’re to grasp that one’s means to make use of a lightsaber is as a lot about having the ability to use the Drive as it’s bodily means, there’s no purpose that even Palpatine shouldn’t be an achieved wielder of the weapon. Although on this case, it appears McDiarmid did not undergo the extreme lightsaber coaching that different actors did, leaving that to his stunt performer.
Contemplating how many individuals went to the Revenge of the Sith re-release, making it probably the most profitable re-releases of all time, plenty of followers discover the film simply as satisfying.