Episode III has come, but it's hardly gone.

Let's take a look at the best scenes in "Sith" from start to finish.

We'll kick this off with the kick off...


BEST: The Opening Space Battle

"This is where the fun begins..."

An excellent kick off for Revenge of the Sith. At first, it's just Anakin and Obi-Wan; but then they dip their starfightersm and the camera reveals hell below.

Visual effects supervisor John Knoll notes that the battle takes place in Coruscant's atmosphere, rather than in outer space. "Setting it there gave us the opportunity to create smoke trails, fires and other pyrotechnics that would not exist in the vacuum of outer space."

It's quite frankly amazing. The way the camera follows the fighters is visually stunning and beautifully orchestrated, and John Williams provides the perfect music for the scene.


BEST: Obi-Wan vs. General Grievous

"Hello, there!"

General Grievous spins his lightsabers so fast they just plain disappear, burning up the ground but not even phasing old Obi-Wan. It's good old-fashioned Star Wars fun.

Plus, this scene has Boga!

;-D


BEST: The Opera House

"Not from a Jedi..."

Ian Mcdiarmid is the best actor in "Sith." There's really no competition. This scene - and all his others, for that matter - proves it. Palpatine's entire part is exceptional. Believable. And the final fall of Anakin Skywalker begins right here, at a fish-dance-thing.

But it's a believable fish-dance-thing.


BEST: Order 66

"It is time," the holoscan said. "Execute Order Sixty-Six."

"It will be done, my lord."

The first quote is from Matt Stover's "Sith" novelization: Palpatine giving Commander Cody the order to kill all Jedi, including Obi-Wan Kenobi. The second line is the reply which echoes all across the galaxy, on a thousand worlds. It will be done, my lord.

On Mygeeto, Ki-Adi-Mundi deflects a few blaster bolts, but dies nonetheless. On Felucia, it's Aayla Secura who is shot. On Cato Neimoidia, Plo Koon's starfighter falls from the sky. On Saleucami, Stass Allie's speeder bike explodes in flames.

But then there's Yoda...


BEST: Luke Arrives On Tatooine

What can I say? Moving. A reminder of a new hope.

Episode III - Revenge of the Sith begins and ends spectacularly, and there is certainly no shortage of entertainment in between. And the negatives? There's no reason to mention 'em. Bottom line, a superb movie, a superb end to the films.

And a superb reminder to go watch Episode IV.



Booyah!