Last night we rented the last Star Wars DVD as we had missed it in the theater. Despite the fact that we have a widescreen TV and surround sound, this movie left me somewhat cold. I found myself watching it simply to find out what happened to Luke’s father (Darth Vader) than for the sheer enjoyment of watching the movie itself.

Gone was the creepy environment that was created in the first Star Wars movies with the battered, dusty and dirty vehicles, the grungy bars, the weird characters sitting around. Instead was the slick, animated scenery that in many cases lacked any texture at all. I sometimes found myself thinking I was watching a video game rather than a movie. Where did the dirt and all that texture go?

Also, the slick takeoffs and dogfights that seemed so cool in the first Star Wars movies (not to mention the BattleStar Gallactica TV series), just seemed outright boring in this 2005 movie. After seeing the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it is hard to get overwhelmed by special effects anymore. In fact the special effects often seemed to get in the way of any real character development in this last episode.

So, now I know the full story. I thank George Lucas for what he has done and the fact that he finished it. I have the feeling though, that the last two movies were just that: an attempt simply to get it all done.

Someday, I should go back and view all the movies from episode I through VI. I will probably do that sometime after I get done reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy. What lifetime will that be?