So should kids see "the sith"? yes...but... - Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Reviews

Just Dad and son off for a Jedi bonding experience at the movies. Dads' take on the Sith. First, a quick personal view on the movie: Nearly the best of the entire series (all 6)! I just about lost my faith in Lucas in Episode I with Jar Jar...childish tripe certainly designed for the sub-10 year old crowd. Then the awkward start to Episode II had (what I considered) the worst-acted/directed, most ill-timed "animosity" scenes between Anakin and Obi-Wan I could imagine. Only near the middle of the movie II did I begin to actually allow myself back into the story without critical resrvation. So, on to Episode III, with some trepidation as a parent...How could Lucas possibly turn Anakin evil without throwing every little kid he had so carefully marketed his prior movies to into a depressed and disillusioned hero follower??? With Mastery of story-telling. Something I had thought George lost some years back. Well...My faith is restored. First off...This story will likely be initially somewhat disturbing to the younger crowd. If they haven't watch Episode IV-VI in a while, the end of this movies would certainly seem unsatisfying. My 8 year old son was a bit sad that Anakin "ended" where he did in the movie. I had to remind him that this "end" is just the beginning of the story of Luke, and the eventual return of Anakin from the Dark Side in Episode VI. With that explained and remembered, my son felt much better about the ending of Episode III. What really impressed me, though, was the ability of Lucas to still paint Anakin/Vader in a somewhat sympathetic light, right to the last frame of the movie. In that sense, I believe that is what left the young-uns in the crowd to feeling somewhat confused. This is where, I belive, some directed discussion is required. I asked my son what he thought the moral of the story was. He mustered an answer that scratched the surface..."Don't let yourself become evil." My answer: "Maybe it's not that simple...if you stopped the Star Wars series at III, it seems evil has been doing quite well. Sure, you lost some friends and loved ones...but hey you gained all that power. Don't you think that's a decent trade?". My sons' response: "Nope." "Why would you say no?" "Because Vader doesn't seem to have anyone to care for...he lost his family. He's powerful, but the Sidious guy lied to him." "Do you think Sidious cares for Anakin?" "Nope...he just thinks he's a good fighter for his side." "So, in that sense, I guess you're right...evil hasn't really paid off for Ankin. But was Anakin always evil? Did he really want to choose the Dark side?" "Nope..I think he just wanted the powers that came with the Dark side so he could save Padme." "So he was lured by the power, but thought he could still be a good guy, huh? So I guess the moral might be "Even a well-intentioned good-guy might choose the wrong path if he doesn't choose his leaders and friends carefully". Ans so it went...I think by the end of the discussion, my son grew much fonder of the movie, than he was when the lights came up. As for the violence...no blood, but a few scenes I would expect you could see on any network at any time of the day. The only part I felt squeemish about with my son was when Anakin turned on the young children apprentices of the Jedi. Nothing graphic, but the point was made that Anakin had certainly embraced the Dark side, at that point. I wondered if the massacre of children might come up during our discussion. It didn't, but I still don't know how I feel about kids watching that part. Essential to the story, and a huge turning point, but not the easiest of character twists to explain to a child, especially when we try to find some good in Vader/Anakin at the end of movie VI. Overall, I'd say it was a quite positive experience for my son, with really good sfter-movie discussion in the car, and back at home as to the ease at which "evil" can creep up on you. Well, that's a Dad's take on Episode III. I hope this helps a bit for those of you considering braving the PG-13 rating with your most valued padawan learner!