Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
So, I saw the new [u]Star Wars[/u] movie. Wow. It was phenominal. I really enjoyed it. The story was impressive. Even though you knew what Anakin would eventually decide, his path is surprising. You can't help hoping he will, somehow, stick with what he knows is right. But he doesn't . He wants to control fate too badly. His love has a defect: the inabilty to let go of what he loves. An all too human defect, I'm afraid. But previous loss has made him afraid to lose what he loves--possessive to an extreme that leads him to betray what is right for the promise of playing God to keep what he loves. Such a poignant reminded that all we have on earth is temporary, and we should be prepared to relinquish it at the proper times. This is exponentially true for Christians. Watching Anakin's descent into darkness was almost more than I could take--it was so dark and seemingly irrevocable. Yet, even near the end, when Obi-wan confronts him, he could have walked away from the darkness--such a picture of the availabilty of redemption. But he refuses, instead wallowing in his hatred and bitterness and false paranoia--such a picture of the sinful nature of man. It is a wrenching movie. The parallel between Padme's death and Anakin's "death"/return as Vader is beautiful and heartbreaking. I was so emotionally exhausted by the movie. I also had to come home and watch "Episode 4" (as it is now known) to renew my heart. I will say the end of the movie does give the glimmer of hope that is brought to life in the next movie. And it does so flawlessly. I was astounded and washed away by this movie. It should be seen. I will also say that the movie not only presents an introspective examination that is sharp and skilled, it also reminds us what liberty truly is worth. And that peace at any price is oppression. A reminder much needed in an age when we are told to keep to ourselves and mind our own business; that maintaining peace is the ultimate goal we should have, justice and right be damned. Though I would not go so far (as Padme almost does) as to say that all war is a failure of diplomacy, I think the movie makes a strong case for listening as well as for not sacrificing liberty and justice on the altar of peace. It's good stuff.