Little Scenes • The Underappreciated Moments Of III

[CoGro]

We can go on and on about the spectacular battles and powerful emotional moments of the film, but what's always interested me are the smaller scenes that help move the plot along.

From the balcony meeting in TPM between Sidious and Maul to Obi-wan's report to Yoda and Mace in AOTC, the little scenes have always captured my attention in Star Wars.

Some others include Vader's meeting with his Admirals via holocam in ESB and the always favourite "Look sir, droids." In III, there's quite a few nice moments that take place outside the major set pieces and story points. Here are some of my favourites.

- Grievous speaks to Sidious on Utapau
- Anakin and Obi-wan talk after Obi-wan's briefing
- Anakin and Obi-wan discuss Anakin's assignment to spy on Palpatine
- "All these wookies are dead, move to the east."
- "Have you found Kenobi?"

[Cletus Van Damme]

Those Ani-Obi scenes were bth excellent.

I would add the first two scenes between Anakin and Padme (their reunion and then on the balcony of her apartment). I thought both of those were very nice.

[Bespin Sunset]

- Anakin and Obi-wan discuss Anakin's assignment to spy on Palpatine

Totally CoGro. This was a brilliant scene. The space battle is nice, but for me scenes like this made the movie. One of my favorite scenes in all six episodes is the conversation between Luke and Ben in Ben's place in ANH.

[FightingWithClay]

The music right after the opening crawl. Total silence except for the thundering bass drum emulating a slow heart beat. Fantastic way to start the movie and breaking the tired tradition of the ominous strings/winds.

The Anakin/Palpatine conversation in the Opera House, especially when Anakin says "I don't know what to say."

The Emperor searching for Yoda after the fight.

[ETandElliott]

All scenes where Palpatine has a holographic communication are oozing badassery. The music when Padme's ship departs for Mustafar and the Emperor talks to Anakin in his chamber.

[CoGro]

There is also another scene I like,especially its ending. Its when Palpatine tells Anakin he is appointing him to the Jedi Council and as they're leaving his office both Palpatine and Anakin become shrouded in shadow and the music rises to an ominous level.

That part is awesome indeed.

[pika122689]

I like the scene when Yoda, Mace, and Obi-Wan arrive at that clone assembly area in Coruscant.

[CoGro]

The Anakin/Palpatine conversation in the Opera House, especially when Anakin says "I don't know what to say."

Besides the Opera House being hands down the best written scene in the PT, it's probably up there for best in the saga.

It contrasts very nicely with Ben telling Luke about the Force and the Jedi kniights in ANH as well.

That being said, I think it's very appreciated and probably the most brilliant scene in the movie.

[ETandElliott]

The Anakin/Palpatine conversation in the Opera House, especially when Anakin says "I don't know what to say."

Besides the Opera House being hands down the best written scene in the PT, it's probably up there for best in the saga.

It contrasts very nicely with Ben telling Luke about the Force and the Jedi kniights in ANH as well.

That being said, I think it's very appreciated and probably the most brilliant scene in the movie.

Not only does it contrast the ANH scene, but the scene in TPM where Qui-Gon tells Anakin about the midi-chlorians. That is the only time we learn about the midi-chlorians and they're never mentioned again until the opera scene, which is the last time we hear about them.

"I don't understand."
"With time and training, Anakin, you will."

It's brilliant foreshadowing, especially considering what Qui-Gon was able to accomplish by ROTS.

[Wrath Mania]

-I love the shot right after Obi-Wan leaves the Star Destroyer and enters the hyperdrive ring to blast to Utapau. The rendition of the Force Theme there is fantastic.

-The whole scene of Grievous landing on Utapau and then speaking to Sidious. Grievous' theme, the visuals, and the Sidious himself rock here.

-"Once more the Sith will rule the galaxy... and we shall have... peace."

-Not a scene, but rather Mace's distrust of Anakin displayed throughout the whole film.

-This is something that first occured to me when I heard Yoda is saved by falling from a height into a speeder after fighting Sidious, and it wasn't done as strongly as I anticipated. But Yoda's loss to Sidious echoes Luke's fight with Vader in quite a few ways, even in music. It makes you realize he has a lot more backing his reluctance to not let Luke face Vader in ESB.

[jpeters430]

-"Once more the Sith will rule the galaxy... and we shall have... peace."

One of my all-time favorite Emporer moments. I espicially love the music that's underneath it. The way they go together . . . just great stuff.

And the scene with Anakin and Obi-wan discussing spying on Palpatine has been one of my favorite scenes since the first time I saw it. That's really one of the pivitol scenes as far as Anakin's pshche is concerned. That, to me, is the big turning point and the culmination of Anakin's mistrust of the jedi.

It's played perfectly, and I love how at the end, Anakin turns and demands, "Why are you asking this of me?" And all Obi-wan can say is, "I'm not asking you, the council is." Those lines just completely capture both characters and the decisions they have to make because of the war.

[Noxious Verak]

I really liked the small scene when Anakin returns from the temple slaughter to speak to Padme... Portman is extremely good in this scene (As opposed to several others) in the way she portrays an obvious lack of belief for what Anakin is telling her and yet does not challenge him and even seems ot go against her better judgement by believing what he has to say before breaking down when he leaves... The small subtle shifts in the way this scene moves have moved it up with the emotional powerhouse scene on the mustafar landing platform... For me at least.

[Thorz Hamer II]

My Favorite scene in ROTS is without a doubt the meeting between Obi-Wan and Padme'. The entire feel of the scene is of tortued emotions. How Obi-Wan "must find Anakin" even though he doesnt want to kill him. How Padme' knows deep down that she should tell him where he has gone but she loves him to much to betray him. Its a VERY human scene. and has my favorite line in the ENTIRE saga.

"Anakin is the father isn't he??....Im so sorry"

[stan Marsh]

one of the best scenes in the entire saga is Anakin alone in the council chambers while mace and crew go to areest the chancellor, the music, the flashing between he and padme is just fantastic and really emotional.

but I also like the scene when obi comes walking down the skiff and tells padme to move away from him. The way his feelings about anakin have changed and the weight he must carry with what he has been tasked to do, it is like he removed all emotion in order to deal with this situation but at the same time he sounds so genuinly concerned that anakin will hurt her and she doesn't understand.

and then I also like the xchange between pbi and anakin about who should take the crdit and go be praised by the senators after palps rescue

[Tenma Gou Zankou]

I'm a big fan of that moment right after Mace disarms Palpatine, where Palpatine sorta "scuttles" across the window like a spider. Very fitting of his character and just amusing to watch.

Honorable mention also goes to Palpatine's hilarious double takes at Artoo during the "happy" landing. Seriously who woulda thunk Artoo and the frickin' Emperor would share a tiny little comedic moment like that back when ROTJ first came out?

Really Palpatine is my favorite character in this movie no question. He's just so magnetic in his every mannerism.

Also hands down the most oft quoted line of dialogue amongst my friends and I:

"No... no, no, no, YOU WILL DIIIIIIEEEEE!!!"

[stan Marsh]

yeah the palps cheering obi was both surprising and cool as well as the ones with artoo

[musamusa]

Obvious big moment is after Ben slices of Vaders limbs and breaks down and tells him he loved him like a brother. Jedi are not supposed to love or feel attachement remember. Shows how much Ben really cared for Anakin.

Same here. *nod* A comedy esque moment was when they were at the elevator and Anakin carries Obi-wan at his back, unconscious. He wakes up, realises what's going on and clings on Anakin

[ETandElliott]

I think the clones repelling was the coolest thing they've ever done. The Utapau battle is barely even shown, so I think that counts as a small scene.

[stan Marsh]

I dug that younglings reaction after he is like," master anakin theres too many of them what are we going to do' anakin ignites and the kid jumps back a little. It just seems to me that sometime in acting pulling off those little reactions like that are what makes a good actor and not to mention the kid didn't have a real lightsager to react to. now that said for some reason the kid also really annoyed me and I kind of wanted to see him get diced, sorry I'm sick

[MannyOrtez]

The Anakin/Palpatine conversation in the Opera House, especially when Anakin says "I don't know what to say."

Besides the Opera House being hands down the best written scene in the PT, it's probably up there for best in the saga.

It contrasts very nicely with Ben telling Luke about the Force and the Jedi kniights in ANH as well.

That being said, I think it's very appreciated and probably the most brilliant scene in the movie.

Another good thread CoGro. I agree, the Opera House scene was really, really well written. GL was able to hit so many key points in such a elegant manner, that I would not hesitate to say it was the best written dialogue oriented scene in the entire 6 movies. Every line is so important and so well done, and well delivered by both. It's just remarkable.

Some of my fav underappreciated quieter moments have been mentioned, Temple window scenes is a big one. But I think that's one of the more appreciated underappreciated, if you get my drift.

Three more unsungs I'd toss out there:

-"Is Anakin all right?"
-Obi-Wan's face as they fly away from Mustafar
-"Very well, the burden is on me not to destroy all the droids." (What a rousing ending to act one(or perhaps act 2 of 5 depending on how you look at it), specially with the Jedi theme blasting in the background)

[CoGro]

The Dooku duel is also an amazing scene that people tend to overlook.

The music there is very 1980s John Williams, the direction is top notch and scene feels VERY OT.

It's a very dark scene that sets the tone very well for the film.

[Ayatollah Krispies]

I liked the Jett Jedi fighting scene followed up by "NO!"

That's one of my favorites, too, although I'd been under the impression that that character was Whie, from the Clone Wars novel Dark Encounters (an all around much better prequel to ROTS than Labyrinth of Evil). Apparently it isn't, but the only other character I can think of that might have been Whie (who is listed in the credits) is the young padawan in the temple. But that kid is TOO young.

The Dooku duel is also an amazing scene that people tend to overlook.

I liked that Anakin's move to get under Dooku's guard and sever his hands is very similar to the move he uses on Luke.

[Jedi Master Matt]

How about poor Anakin Skywalker? Never getting the respect he feels he deserves by being called a Jedi Master.

oh, I almost forgot... he does get called a master Jedi - once.

"Master Skywalker, there are too many of them. What are we going to do?"

Ignites saber.

[MasterJed]

Interaction between Anakin and Obiwan in first 15 mins is great. We see that Anakin has matured (somewhat). When they are trapped with Palpatine in the force feild, Anakin tells Obiwan, 'we must be patient, r2 will be on the way etc.' Remember what Qui Gon said after his first battle with Darth Maul? 'We must be patient'...............

[jpeters430]

-"Is Anakin all right?"

That's one of my favorite lines. I thought it was awesome how the first line (except for 3PO's) after we see Anakin getting totally fucked up--dismembered, flaming, and writhing in pain--is Padme's "Is Anakin all right?" Fucking tragic.

Throw my two cents in for all the Padme scenes in the last fourty minutes. I've been saying since the movie came out that my favorite scene from the ENTIRE movie is the conversation right before the final duel between Anakin and Padme. It hit's all the right notes, and Portman can do those crying scenes like no other. The first time I saw that, it was so sad and depressing and hopeless.

That was the culminating moment of everything. You sort of realize he isn't JUST doing this for her, but really is a fucking lunatic, totally consumed by the dark side and his lust for power. That scene gave so much more depth to why he turned than the post-Arrest scene.

"You turned her against me." I love the intensity of that line, and how that is the point when Anakin goes competely batshit. That's my "Oh shit, Obi-wan is dead" moment in the theater.

Come to think of it, almost all of my favorite moments in this movie are dialogue driven. That's so refreshing. I think it's the way William's music underscores all of these scenes that makes them so memorable. Moreso than the other five movies even, the music just works with the dialogue at those little moments. The acting's great, but he gives it the extra nudge.

[MannyOrtez]

-"Is Anakin all right?"

That's one of my favorite lines. I thought it was awesome how the first line (except for 3PO's) after we see Anakin getting totally fucked up--dismembered, flaming, and writhing in pain--is Padme's "Is Anakin all right?" Fucking tragic.

Also, Vader's first words after his creation are "Where is Padme? Is she alright?" Lucas also sort of syncs up Anakin's screams of pain during his operation with Padme's cries during the birth scene. There's a very ying-yang feeling in those scenes. It's kind of the notion (one which Joe Campbell often spoke on) that marriage is two people becoming one, and then taking it a step further, saying that in their split, they split as light and as dark. They are still the same, they are still one, but they have been divided into light and into dark. The ying and the yang are seperated. Speaks on the theme of balance, of course.

[VT-16]

One of my favorite "small things" is the constant dismissal of Obi-Wan every time Anakin and Padme discuss what to do. You get the feeling Anakin believes there´s something more between him and Padme.

This is especially telling in their final scene, when Padme says something (can´t remember the exact line) and he asks: "Because of Obi-Wan?", while doing this weird facial expression (trying to probe her mind, perhaps?) Slightly creepy and effective.

I also love the scene leading up to Order 66, beginning with the light banter between Cody and Obi-Wan, and ending with the camera following Obi-Wan and Boga down the sinkhole. I like how her screams synch with the background music.

[Ternian]

I really like Padme and Anakin talking about whether they are fighting on the right side. Padme puts total trust in Anakin by suggesting she is fighting the wrong side - unlike Anakin who has troubles confiding in Padme about personal ideas and issues.

[ETandElliott]

The Dooku duel is also an amazing scene that people tend to overlook.

I love the shot where Anakin and Dooku lock up and the camera shakes. It actually works with the fight. And the ensuing shot of Dooku circling around Anakin taunting him. It's an excellently filmed scene.

[Fantana]

How about...

Yoda throwing his lightsaber into the clonetroopers chest
or..
The Clonetrooper on Upatau running and jumping on top of the droid, and blasting him from above? those were awesome moments...

but my favorite would have to be Anakins, "What have I done?"

[Big C]

Two best scenes of the movie are the ballet/opera scene and the Padme and Anakin scene on mustafar.

A small thing that I noticed is when Anakin and Obi-wan are arguing before the duel is the suttle way that Obi-wan gets behind Anakin and over to Padme so he can check her condition. It is a very subtle thing but shows that Obi-wan is the one in control.

[stan Marsh]

the coolest move ever does come from the dooku fight, the way he takes dookus saber is dope and so fluid. great choreographing

[DoubleSith]

Anakin grabbing Dooku's saber in the air is all CG magic. The saber and Anakin's arm are fake - look closely.

(It's all in the Making of book).

[foni1baloni]

Without a doubt, for me, the strongest "small scene" was when Padme and Anakin were sensing eachother looking out the window. It is a small and very powerful scene with great music which together give presence to the prelude to the fall of Anakin.

[Lightivity]

Yoda half-avoiding / jumping away from a laser shot gone astray on Kashyyk is cool. It's also smart to use a clip like that, with a certain built in beat, to end that sequence. It fits the former rythm.

[The Dark Shape]

"Anakin is the father, isn't he? ... I'm so sorry."

[thecolorsblend]

"Anakin is the father, isn't he? ... I'm so sorry."

"Anakin was deceived by a lie, we *all* were. It appears that the Chancellor was behind everything, even the war."

Obi-Wan *FINALLY* understood the whole picture and was laying out the pieces for Padme. The entire scene is great. But yes, that section you cited is easily the best part.

[Devil Dodo]

The beginning of that scene makes me laugh...

When Obi-Wan puts his hand over his mouth and says "killing younglings". It gets me every time!

But yeah, the rest of that scene is good. And the bit that follows with Anakin looking towards the clouded sun on Mustafar with that great music.

[Stompbox]

The beginning of that scene makes me laugh...

When Obi-Wan puts his hand over his mouth and says "killing younglings". It gets me every time!

But yeah, the rest of that scene is good. And the bit that follows with Anakin looking towards the clouded sun on Mustafar with that great music.

I have to admit, I half-expected an instant zoom-in on Obi-Wan's face as he was saying that. Like your typical soap opera. haha.

[Crashwithuhk]

Although not my favorite I like the way the camera tracks in on 3P0's face when Bail gives the order to wipe his memory. Even though his face is exactly the same in all 6 movies he just comes off as shocked in that shot.

Also when Obi-Wan and Anakin are in the elevator on the way to save Palps when they turn around and see all the droids. The droids tell them to not move and theres just this "Are you fucking kidding me?" moment right before they wipe em out.

[freeman]

I liked the Jett Jedi fighting scene followed up by "NO!"

That's one of my favorites, too, although I'd been under the impression that that character was Whie, from the Clone Wars novel Dark Encounters (an all around much better prequel to ROTS than Labyrinth of Evil). Apparently it isn't, but the only other character I can think of that might have been Whie (who is listed in the credits) is the young padawan in the temple. But that kid is TOO young.

I believe Whie is pictured in the hologram Obi-Wan watches of the temple attack. Very small part, but he's there fighting Anakin.

"As Obi-Wan watches the hologram recording, he sees Anakin slay three Jedi. The boy who has his back to the camera is Whie, played by Coinneach Alexander. The girl is Bene, who Anakin strangles. She is played by Mousy McCallum. The adult Jedi Master who puts up a fight is Cin Drallig, played by Stunt Coordinator and Swordmaster, Nick Gillard." http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/bts/production/f20050526/indexp3.html

[Slyther37]

I think the coolest moment in ROTS, and possibly the whole saga is the moment right before the Obi/Grievous fight with the tight zoom in on their eyes. I mean, that's it...everything that's going to happen is hinged on this moment...and the foreshadowing with Grievous' "Army or not...you are doomed"...magic.

[Alkemist]

There is also another scene I like,especially its ending. Its when Palpatine tells Anakin he is appointing him to the Jedi Council and as they're leaving his office both Palpatine and Anakin become shrouded in shadow and the music rises to an ominous level.

That part is awesome indeed.

Times two, that silouette(sp?) was awesome!

[stan Marsh]

palps vs. kit, saesee, agen. horrible. should have been done faster, more ferocious. it seemed like this was done in slow motion and made these jedi masters appear to be nothing but little bitches that completely erases their bad ass entrance into his office.

)

thats the only bad thing I can say about ians performance was that he was horrible in the action sequences, except when he is crawling away from mace across the window sill that actually was pulled off great. Ian is apparently very uncoordinated, even when he is shackled by the droids and anakin cuts them down he kinda writhes in a weird way even after they are gone. His acting was superior though. I wish they had cg'd his head for the scene of killing the three jedi.

[ETandElliott]

Actually that wasn't McDiarmid killing the Jedi and it was pretty obvious. The only time it is him is closeups. I wouldn't really blame Ian because I believe the Mace/Sidious fight wasn't done with as much preparation as the others and even then, Ian couldn't really perform. The fight could have been shot much better. It looks too amatuer.

[w33bar]

It may not count, as it's a line in the book which does not appear in the movie, but when Vader arrives on mustafar, San Hill meets him at the door

But you're Anakin skywalker!

I assure you, the resemblance is only superficial.

San hill gets cut in half.

But Lord Sidious assured us we would be left in peace!

You misunderstood. He said you would be left in pieces.

I loved that exchange, and wish it had been left in the final cut.
Bar.

[Indiana]

"Then we shall have... Peace." and the smile at the end. It was very much like the Emperor in ROTJ.

[Indiana]

palps vs. kit, saesee, agen. horrible. should have been done faster, more ferocious. it seemed like this was done in slow motion and made these jedi masters appear to be nothing but little bitches that completely erases their bad ass entrance into his office.

)

thats the only bad thing I can say about ians performance was that he was horrible in the action sequences, except when he is crawling away from mace across the window sill that actually was pulled off great. Ian is apparently very uncoordinated, even when he is shackled by the droids and anakin cuts them down he kinda writhes in a weird way even after they are gone. His acting was superior though. I wish they had cg'd his head for the scene of killing the three jedi.

I thought Ian did the best he could with his lack of experience. What I found funny about the fight with Kit Fisto was the way they tried to mask the action by shaking the camera. It literally looked like someone was banging the side of the camera.

[ETandElliott]

It doesn't look like that at all. The camera pans over with Palpatine and then moves to bring all three fighters into focus.

[Devil Dodo]

That move should have been played at twice its current speed. That would have given some believablity to it...

And Mace should be doing a little more than just twiddling his thumbs in the backsground waiting his turn.