When 1999 began, Star Wars was perfect. People shit on the Ewoks and some said Luke was whiney, but nick-pickers would still consider the trilogy flawless. The world was awaiting the next chapter in the most popular and successful franchise in film history. It was a new beginning and a new journey into that familiar galaxy far far away.
The release of the first trailer was an event. Local news shows played it. The internet exploded. It looked fucking awesome. A double-bladed lightsaber? And who was that bad ass-looking demon who was wielding it?
Every story has its beginning. Every journey has its first step.
Then it finally came out. Every showing was sold out. Lines wrapped around movie theaters. People were wearing costumes and swinging lightsabers. The lines were events in themselves. But as the earlier screenings let out there was no mad dash to the ticket counter to see another showing. People cheered, and there were smiles, but it was oddly subdued.
"How was?" "Good", was the simple response. No Un-fucking-believables. No fan-fucking-tastics. Critical opinion was everywhere from mixed to poor. The once unflappable Star Wars had it a road bump and much to the dismay of millions of fans around the world word like "disappointing" were thrown around all summer.
In place of great characters like Han Solo were stiff performances, bathroom humor and a political subplot that had audiences scratching their heads? Was this what everyone was waiting for? Darth Vader is a 10-year old? Obi Wan is just going to sit in the background and not really do anything? The new Chewbacca is a walking and talking Jim Crow poster? No one realizes that the senator with the "I Am an evil Sith Lord" t-shirt might be the evil Sith Lord they are looking for?
Ok. That was just the set up. Three years later, Anakin was going to be older and actually use his lightsaber. Obi Wan was going to have his beard. The Clone Wars was finally going to be realized on screen. Attack of the Clones was what fans had really been waiting for. Yoda was even rumored to possibly use a lightsaber. Expectations were once again high. Screenings were sold out. Lines once again wrapped around theaters. Costumes. Lightsabers. Hope.
"It was an improvement." "Better then the last one." No in-fucking-credibles. No sen-fucking-sationals. The comic relief was scaled back, consisting of only a few C-3P0 one-liners. However, in place of the political melodrama was a painful love story with cringe-worthy dialogue. "I don't like sand. It's course and rough. Your skin is soft and smooth." Was the picnic in the field surrounded by waterfalls necessary? Did they have to have a post dinner conversation in front of the fireplace? Han and Leia's romance was so subtle. Two lines were enough. "I love you." "I know."
At least the movie ended with the start of the clone wars. What a great set up for the third and final film of the new trilogy. Episode 3 had to be the main reason George got back behind the directors chair. Episodes 1 and 2 were filler. Episode 3 was to be the movie that showed us all we really cared about what happened before Luke and Leia were born. Sure we were curious about how Obi Wan and Anakin first met, but what we really wanted to see was what turned Anakin to the Dark Side. We really wanted to see the epic lightsaber duel between former best friends and what caused Anakin to have to wear the Darth Vader suit.
What happened during the Clone Wars? What caused Anakin to turn on the Jedi? Why did Obi Wan and Yoda go into hiding? Why did Obi Wan change his name to Ben? Unfortunately, Revenge of the Sith began at the very end of the Clone Wars. We never saw any of the battles that had to have taken place. Anakin turned against everyone he cared about because of a woman. No real reason was given for Obi Wan and Yoda to go into hiding. And Obi Wan never changed his name to Ben.
That was it. The saga was finished.
Expectations...
