SITH APOCALYPSE
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review written 11/16/2003

I liked the title of this film. It's a little cheesy, but that's not bad in Star Wars. An off-center main title, on the other hand, is. The crawl needs work as well. "It is a time of great change"?

But moreover, the crawl seeks to tell us the entire history of the Jedi and Sith order. Can't we assume the audience knows what Jedi and Sith are? We need to know about Venge (good name), yes, but not about the whole Sith line.

I really like the shots of the ship approaching Kirosh, both from space and from land. Kirosh looks a little bit too much like a recreational park campground, but then, this is a training camp, isn't it? Still, I start wondering about if the Jedi camp has a dining hall and a waterfront with paddle boats. Anyway, good costumes, too.

I like the graphic of the weapon training itself on the Jedi. But I'm sort of hoping it blows them up soon, because the acting is quite poor, unforgivably wooden even by Star Wars standards. We don't get a well-delivered line until 4:13 with "Interesting".

Something bothers me about the dialogue that mirrors "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match, etc." Don't get me wrong, I like how Star Wars mirrors itself. But, seriously, Han Solo called, he wants his frickin' lines back!

The Sith enters. Why does the Jedi sense in hideous blue and red shades? It must clash terribly with the furniture. And the long dialogue clashes terribly with the dramatic music. Some of the dialogue is actually pretty good, but it doesn't work well with the music, or with the scene. The monologues would work far better in the dark or inside, not in a tranquil campground on a bright day.

I like hearing about bits and pieces of EU, though.

Okay, the dialogue is going on a little long, but I'm following, and for the most part I'm enjoying. Until the female Jedi speaks. She really is bad. And again, the music isn't working at all. It is exposed as a crutch, not used as a tool. Were the filmmakers not confident in the emotional content of their own dialogue? The music doesn't start to work until a lightsaber is drawn.

"Fool! They are not equals at all" is not delivered well, and I am growing as weary of the ideal banter as Venge is. Fortunately, action happens. I like what Venge throws to disarm the lightsaber. I'm not so thrilled with his vanishing tactic, though. It's imaginative, but nonsensical. Is it a tribute to Lucas' love of radial wipes? Also, "Wait, this is not the sensible thing," really needed to be delivered more convincingly.

Oh my Lord. He did not actually say "strike him down and your journey to the dark side will be complete. Yeah, the Emperor called... And how about "So, it is to be war between us"? Someone a fan of The Phantom of the Opera as well as The Phantom Menace?

I really like the use of Gladiator music, though. And the rain adds a very interesting touch.

The ending is a huge letdown. The guy mumbles about training the girl and they sort of turn around, and bam, it's over?! And then some off-centered credits. Eh.

Sith Apocalypse is a decidedly mixed bag. With better acting, it could have been a winner. As it stands, at least there's some interesting bits. Watch it, but keep your mouse over the fast-forward button.