First STAR WARS: Episode III Trailer Review by Mike Wilkerson

The last movie review I did was very satisfying and so, with the new SW Episode III Trailer coming out today, I am happy to jump behind the electronic pen again and provide this transcript.

Needless to say, if you're interested in having a completely free spoiler-free experience before seeing Episode III in May next year should go check out the news at CNN.Com.




First SW-EP:III Trailer Starts:

[Visual:] Green screen with the mandatory "The following preview has been approved for all audiences by the motion picture association of America..."The screen fades to black...Dissolve to the 20th Century Fox Logo with searchlights ablaze....Snap to the "lightning bug Lucasfilm Ltd. Logo" that has been featured in many-a-film"

[Sound:] Orchestral strings roll into the now well-known "Luke Standing on the Dunes of Tatooine Theme" that makes the heart swell.

[Visual:] In fades the new very well-known 85DDD1-colored words: "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." which quickly fades to black.

[Visual:] Fade in from black to a young farm-boy on the dunes of Tatooine, with two suns, one ivory, one blazing crimson with the familiar "farmhouse-igloo" in the foreground: A condenser unit stands a quiet watch in the far right background.

[Visual:] Snap to Obi-Wan/Ben Kenobi providing voiceover and background filler about how the Jedi Knights were the Guardians of Peace and Justice...

[Visual:] A picture of Qui-Gon Jinn from Ep:I appears, with him ready to pounce on the bold-red-gnarled yet off-screen face of Darth Maul.

[Visual:] The legions of soldiers piling into the almost-recognizable STAR DESTROYERS scene from Ep:II with a pan across the faceless "defenders of the republic", rifles always at the ready.

[Visual:] As Ben's voiceover continues to describe a young Jedi that was once his pupil, a silhouetted picture of Senator Palpatine and young Anakin Skywalker from Ep:II is showcased.

[Visual:] Shots of Anakin's "Rage Against the Sand People Machine" scenes from Ep:II is are shown in quick succession as the view snaps back to Ben: "Vader was seduced by the Dark side of the Force..." the camera fades and pans to a very dark brown cloak that slowly turns towards the right -- revealing the yellowed, almost-glowing eye (is that the same contact lens that Darth Maul had? Interesting...) of a very pissed off and now older Anakin Skywalker. The strings section lifts the audience's anticipation as we hear, once again, the now instantly-recognizable "cuuuuuuuur-paaah...." of Darth Vader's breathing system.

[Visual:] Snap to exploding-bubbling magma and rock being thrown hundreds of feet into the air on some ridiculously cool alien landscape. Thunderous explosions continue as we hear yet another "cuuuuuuuur-paaah....", causing each person watching it to sit just a little more forward in their seat.

[Visual:] Two aliens ride atop two beetle-looking alien-mounted steeds and make their way across some solid ground adjacent to bubbling rivers of lava - the screen fades to black and we hear the Emperor beckoning: "Lord Vader...." "Yes, Master..." "Riiiiiiise..." Trumpets leap to the listeners throat briefly to join their hearts -- "cuuuuuuuur-paaah...."

[Visual:] A white light snaps to a smoky haze that is bespeckled with red LEDs on the barely visible background - a figure, dressed completely in black with an ornate chest-mounted device begins his ascent as his descent to the Dark Side of the Force is realized. "cuuuuuuuur-paaah...."

[Visual:] A now older, wiser Obi-Wan is quickly shown... Senator Palpatine begins a wry stare while turning his head counterclockwise... "cuuuuuuuur-paaah...." The Dark Figure continues to elevate... "cuuuuuuuur-paaah...." R2D2 is shown alongside his counterpart, C-3po, his red-light illuminating with a chaotic whistle... C-3PO turns his head quickly to the right... A shot of an alarmed Padme'' is shown, turning toward Obi-Wan, in apparent disbelief... Made Windu raises a violet-shaded lightsaber behind his head to combat a shadowy figure...

[Visual:] Snap to black -- "cuuuuuuuur-paaah...." the elevation continues... two wookie's: one with armor, the other with an incredibly familiar bandolier running down his left shoulder appear - the wookie on the left bellows in angst at some unknown threat. An aging Yoda, pulls back his familiar brown robe to reveal the good end of his lightsaber -- the elevation is almost complete. The Frankenstein-like scene is completed, as the table arrives at it's destination - it's passenger melded to the platform by manacles that will surely be made to disappear in one way or another. The platform finishes it's legendary swath locking into place with an almost alive "shhhing" -- The sound reverberates as though a sword has hit the sweet spot of your most rivaled and armored opponent. Dead silence falls for an instant.

[Visual:] The orchestra springs to life as two small crafts veer for their lives across a mad-cap alien battlescape, ships ablaze... Padme' looks into Anakin's eyes, hoping that what she knows and feels will happen, won't -- they kiss for an instant. Yoda's small but volatile lightsaber springs to life -- it's green hue more menacing than any green goliath seen in the Marvel universe. He ever so quickly draws a line no right-minded opponent would ever cross.

[Visual:] A starcraft flees not-so-well-aimed cannon fire... Mace Windu spins during an inevitably negative battle with his opponent... A horde of Wookie's rise up in true BRAVEHEART fashion with a battle cry that would send even William Wallace in an opposite direction... A endlessly-lined alien sneers at Obi-Wan, gnarled teeth ever-so unretracted, in an apparent answer we're not ready to see... a futuristic fire truck ship helps to douse an out of control blaze on an alien craft as the screen shudders with vibration.

[Visual:] Anakin, draws back his lighted-blade and lunges forward at an off-screen foe... R2D2 leans back after peeking around a corner... R2 screeches... Padme' hugs a disheveled Anakin in a quick embrace... A golden starship launches it's way spaceward away from a bubbling planet of red-hot magma...

[Visual:] Obi-Wan and Anakin lunge towards each other, as wriggling blobs of lava dance around them, in the company of plumes of red flame... Their lightsabers connect, and they grapple... Another epic ship space battle ensues as we pan to the 12 o'clock - weapons fire careening in every direction. Anakin blocks an attack by Obi-Wan, and grabs him instantly by the neck - Obi-Wan gasps both in surprise and disbelief as a rain of sparks falls behind the duo... A tri-winged ship makes it's way spaceward at impossible speed... Obi-Wan is shown, being choked on the ground with an almost emotionless Anakin moving forward -- bringing destiny with him -- the lightsabers hum with anger... A hangar door closes, and with it a quieter, lighter history.

[Visual:] The Emperor cackles dryly as his face snarls into almost snake-like fashion as he draws his lightsaber across his body... Something apparently important explodes atop a hefty starship, a small ship speeding out of the explosions thunderous stampede... We zoom into the explosion - closer and closer and closer...

[Visual:] Three fiery CAPITAL Is blaze across the screen, leaving a comet-like trail burning into STAR WARS Fans memories: They are the letters that denote the next STAR WARS prequel film: "EPISODE III" fades in like fiery magma, along with the words STAR WARS at light speed... As the screen background becomes black, the vibrating trumpets of Lord Vader's stride theme erupt, and the words "REVENGE OF THE SITH" slide in as if guided by the Dar Side of the Force itself... "cuuuuuuuur-paaah...."

[Visual:] in traditional STAR WARS fashion the screen credits appear at the end, featuring the STARWARS.COM website address...

[Visual:] May 19th, 2005 appears in a pale font, and fades forever into every fans memory.I hope that you enjoyed the trailer depicted above as much as I enjoyed writing it. It's good to feel the need of a great and anticipated movie and to be able to share it with others.Remember that you can see the trailer here: Enjoy!