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A Thousand Stars: Episode III, Part 38
Jul. 18th, 2024 04:51 pmYoda told Obi-Wan they had to destroy the Sith, but neither one could follow through on it. Yoda, well, he underestimates the powers of the Emperor. And Obi-Wan can't bring himself to actually kill his old friend and surrogate brother. Look at him trying to watch Anakin burn, trying to confirm he's dead...but he keeps turning away, unable to witness the final end. Ultimately he just picks up and leaves, and I can't say I blame him. It's too painful to watch, and how could he possibly know that Anakin/Vader would get rescued?
His reluctance to deliver the final blow continues when he visits Padmé on the ship. She asks about Anakin, and of course he doesn't tell her. What good would that do? He just looks sad. And continues to look sad, as they fly away from Mustafar.
What I'm basically saying is that Ewan McGregor is good at face acting, and Lucas makes highly effective use of it. It irritates me when people think all the CGI in Star Wars detracts from the human aspect and makes it all cold and impersonal. I haven't found that to be the case at all. When the story needs us to feel deep emotion, the very real human faces are there to provide it in thoughtfully edited closeups and reaction shots. I find it much more palatable than prolonged slow-motion sequences that beat the audience over the head with what they're supposed to be feeling. The emotions are there, nuanced and understated but very clear.
Next time, my favorite image from the entire film....
His reluctance to deliver the final blow continues when he visits Padmé on the ship. She asks about Anakin, and of course he doesn't tell her. What good would that do? He just looks sad. And continues to look sad, as they fly away from Mustafar.
What I'm basically saying is that Ewan McGregor is good at face acting, and Lucas makes highly effective use of it. It irritates me when people think all the CGI in Star Wars detracts from the human aspect and makes it all cold and impersonal. I haven't found that to be the case at all. When the story needs us to feel deep emotion, the very real human faces are there to provide it in thoughtfully edited closeups and reaction shots. I find it much more palatable than prolonged slow-motion sequences that beat the audience over the head with what they're supposed to be feeling. The emotions are there, nuanced and understated but very clear.
Next time, my favorite image from the entire film....
