There’s something slighty perverse about getting excited by the fact that a paragraph of introductory text from a movie has been released. (I don’t think it happened with Blade Runner or Gladiator). But when it’s Revenge of the Sith… Well, I’m afraid I can’t control myself. The opening crawl is now up at www.starwars.com, and goes like this:
Episode III
REVENGE OF THE SITH
War! The Republic is crumbling
under attacks by the ruthless
Sith Lord, Count Dooku.
There are heroes on both sides.
Evil is everywhere.
In a stunning move, the
fiendish droid leader, General
Grievous, has swept into the
Republic capital and kidnapped
Chancellor Palpatine, leader of
the Galactic Senate.
As the Separatist Droid Army
attempts to flee the besieged
capital with their valuable
hostage, two Jedi Knights lead a
desperate mission to rescue the
captive Chancellor….
Daggy as it is to say so – I like it. Looking back at all the opening crawls, it’s actually the best written by a decent margin. The first paragraph, in particular, is snappy and dramatic. I will probably never get used to the name “General Grievous” (who does he report to, Admiral Gnarly?) but otherwise, I think this sets a good tone for the movie.
But then, what can you tell from an opening crawl? I know I shouldn’t be worrying about things like this.