The Flag of the World

So, the new Star Wars movie is out. I’m sure I’ll see it eventually, but the question is, when? That will largely depend on the opinions of the eclectic and ever-shifting bunch of people who make up my ad hoc pop culture advisory board. Let’s take a look at what they had to say:

Glenn Reynolds: Thumbs Down

[Episode III] stinks. My dean’s comment was that it would have played better as a silent movie, and he’s right — you might as well be reading the dialogue off of cards, because the actors sure sound like they’re reading the dialogue off of cards.

John Podhoretz: Thumbs Down

The tale of woe it really tells is that of George Lucas himself, the final chapter in the sad degeneration of a vital, vivid, and highly amusing moviemaker into a dull, solipsistic, and humorless incompetent.

Jim Geraghty: Thumbs Up

First reaction: Wow, was that good.

Second reaction: Boy, considering how well this one turned out, Episodes One and Two are even more unforgivable.

Scott Kurtz: Thumbs Up

There were things in the movie that really stunk… But even those moments won’t rob even the most cynical ex-star wars fan from enjoying Sith.

It didn’t suck.

My Air Force Guy: Thumbs Up

It was awesome–a very enjoyable experience…you can walk away from this movie having enjoyed it and still dislike Lucas.

So, there you have it–things are running 3-2 in favor of Lucas’ most recent creation. This could bump the movie’s viewing time up as early as tommorow, though most likely it will be early next week. The rest of the Board still needs to check in, including such luminaries as Howard Tayler, James Lileks and my good friend Rob.

UPDATE: Another member of the board speaks. The votes are running 4-2 in favor. I must say, I’m pleasantly surprised.

Howard Tayler: Thumbs Up

It makes up for the first two, but after having seen it, I’m pretty sure that once we get the DVD (and we will) the first two will go unwatched by me forever and ever. I mean, I don’t need to waste time on them again, and the eye-candy alone in the third film totally supplants anything they had to offer.

UPDATE 2: The gap narrows–4-4.

Donald Sensing: Thumbs Down

SW3 does have a story, and it’s really a darn good, rolicking one. But it is badly told and we already know how it ends, anyway. I am not sure which is the larger flaw. Lucas couldn’t do anything about the latter; coupled with the former, it just torpedoes the flick.

Ed Driscoll: Thumbs Down

The first Star Wars, in 1977, was a fun little hot rod of a movie, appearing in the middle of a decade worth of great, but typically dark, cynical films. The majority of this film creaked and stumbled as badly as Darth Vader’s first steps when he emerges in his black mask and costume at the climax of the film.

UPDATE 3: Thanks to the various people who have linked to this post, though I should make clear that I don’t plan to make this even remotely an exhaustive list of bloggers commenting on the movie. In fact, some of those commenting aren’t even bloggers. Just people whose opinions I respect. Just so we’re clear. But two more have chimed in on the plus side, bringing us to a 6-4 “thumbs up” advantage:

Jonah Goldberg: Thumbs Up

Accounting for incredibly low expectations… I would say, over all, it’s in the same ballpark as Return of the Jedi.

Nathan Azinger: Thumbs Up

By far the best acting came from Ian McDiarmid, who played Palpatine. It would not at all be a stretch to say that he stole every scene he appeared in. Watching him, you could see how the Dark Side would be seductive.

Posted by Timothy Goddard at 6:17 pm 5/19/2005 | Pop Culture

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