 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Review Date: October 30, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Science Fiction
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Anakin moves to the dark side in moody, graphic sequel.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the third and final film in the Star Wars prequel trilogy contains a few moments of graphic violence, as well as the transformation of a beloved character from good to bad. The movie chronicles the fall of Anakin Skywalker and his transformation into Darth Vader. The plot and characters grapple with some complicated moral issues and occasionally embrace shades of grey. In a sequence of surprising detail for a Star Wars film, viewers see Anakin burn in a pit of lava, with his skin turning into cinders. This particular scene earns the film its PG-13 rating; we recommend extreme caution and consideration when deciding whether younger children can handle viewing something that's this emotionally and graphically violent.
What's the story?
REVENGE OF THE SITH shows how young, ambitious, and idealistic Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is convinced that using the dark side of the Force will benefit his community and Padmé (Natalie Portman). They have married in secret (as a Jedi, he's supposed to remain single); to make matters even dicier, she's now pregnant with the twins Luke and Leia. Anakin's desire to not to lose Padmé (and, oh yes, to gain power) leads him to the dark side -- and his destiny of becoming Darth Vader.
Is it any good?
The origin story of the infamously heavy-breathing, black-caped villain Darth Vader isn't uninteresting, but neither is it innovative. Anakin's motivations are conventional (even if he doesn't bother discussing his decisions with Padmé, not showing his very capable and intelligent partner much respect). In fact, the movie's most compelling angle is that Anakin is so young that his thinking is immature: Afraid of loss, he can't accept what happens and so changes the shape of the entire galaxy essentially to get his way.
Like the other Star Wars movies, this one is filled with great special effects: Though the futuristic urban sets look rather flat, the space-fighting scenes are very video-gamey. Yoda is especially well rendered here, and a scene in which Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) rides a giant lizard and battles enemies in a multi-legged mechanical vehicle is lively and sometimes funny but also involves violent fighting, which might worry some younger kids. As much as this story focuses on Anakin's dilemma, the secondary characters are often more compelling, especially Obi-Wan, again revealing patience, wisdom, and charisma, and Padmé. Palpatine is convincingly vulnerable just before he becomes utterly fearsome, but Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) and Senator Organa (Jimmy Smits) have very little to do, embodying the predominant problem in the Star Wars franchise -- too much emphasis on technical displays and "universal" plotting, and not enough attention paid to character details.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the movie's violence impacts the story. Was it disturbing to watch Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader? Why or why not?
How does this movie compare to others in the series? Do you think each movie should be equally intense, or was it OK that this film be more violent and darker than the others?
How does Anakin deal with anger in this movie? What are some other options for managing frustration and disappointment? What are the two sides of the Force?
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AGE
Wonderful!!!
A great movie! There is lots of fighting. Anakin gets burned severely, showing graphic injury. Sidious gets scarred by lightning. One guy gets an arm cut off, but with no blood. Another man has his hands and head cut off, but still with no blood and it's barely seen. General Greivous may be scary to children, as he's basically a robot with (showing) alien organs. Many are stabbed and shot, including children. A must see for Star Wars fans!
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AGE
it is violent but 5 and up could probably see it
it rocks but it wasnt one of my favorite movies id give it 4 stars
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Kid, 12 years old
August 9, 2010
AGE
if you have a kid under 10 that wants to see this, only let them if there a huge star wars fan. its violent, with notstop starfighter battles, lightsaber duels, deaths, injuries and betrayels. it is also sad when all the jedi are muderd (in my opinion)
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AGE
The Star Wars Finale is great for High Schoolers and up, but may be too violent for younger audiences
Star Wars III is probably George Lucas's greatest Star Wars film ever created. It's the one movie that every SW junky knew the ending to, but still coulnd't believe what they saw. The movie was a bit more violent than the previous SW films. Among noticeable scenes are Mace Windu deflecting lightning from Palpatine, Darth Vader's killing off of the Trade Federation, and his incineration. There is also once scene where Anakin is shown igniting his lightsaber in front of scared Jedi children, although it cuts before it shows any "action." It is merely implied he kills them off. The scene may be too emotionally intense for younger children.
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AGE
Too Violent
The scene with Anakin being burned and then some sort of horrible squirming figure left behind is too much for young children.
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AGE
Caution : Violent
This movie was so much more violent than the oth SW movies & the fact that Darth Vadar actually kills children is terrible. Definitely not a movie for children & only children who are a mature 13 & over should see it.
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Kid, 11 years old
May 20, 2011
AGE
great film
This was the best star wars film and most violent one.And that is good because that makes it exiting and better.
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AGE
10x more violent than the others.
this movie is not rated PG like the others. its rated PG-13.
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AGE
Are you kidding?!
I can't believe there has been no outrage over the issue of Anakin killing frightened children!!!! The scene was left intentionally vague, but then was clarified several times, just in case you weren't sure. Why not just have him blow up the Jedi temple, without getting specific about who was in there?
Otherwise, the good/evil message was a little mixed - it was interesting that they showed atrocities in the name of 'galactic peace.'
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Kid, 12 years old
April 22, 2011
AGE
Good Sad and a great ending!
Spoiler Alert!: Anikan is burnt fully in lava, shown, and before hand, chocking his wife padima who is pregnat, causeing her to die during giving birth to her children and is sad and starts and ends the great saga!
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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | George Lucas |
| Cast: | Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Run time: | 146 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 19, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | November 1, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sci-fi violence and some intense images |
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