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LAist Watches: Star Wars and E3
They are both entertaining. They are both dependent on lush visuals and advanced graphic technologies. They are both attended by throngs of dedicated and fervant followers. Yet one is good and one is a total letdown.
Surprisingly, or not, the latest Star Wars movie Revenge of the Sith and the E3 Expo (Electronic Entertainment Expo) have most of the same audience. While one empire has inspired a world of fans and a world of video game properties, the other has inspired fans who develop and play a world of video game properties. One is not feasible without the other.
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For those who don't know, the E3 expo is an annual event where all the video game publishers on the face of the Earth come together to preview their new game consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Revolution, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, et al) and the games on their way to video game stores over the next year. It gives players, journalists and fans the opportunity to get some hands-on experience with the next generation of games. It is crazy. It is loud. And it is way way cool.
This year's significant moments included the revealing of the next-generation video game systems, the PS3 and the Xbox 360. And while neither have broken down price points (these systems are bound to cost more than the typical $299 price point), what we're starting to see is exceptional. Take, for example, the Xbox 360's entertainment hub (yes, you can listen to your iPod, watch your movies, record television, share your pictures, sell your virtual wares to other vid-game friends) which takes the next step with total wireless game play (no more wires for those controllers) and transforms it into a system you only turn on now to play a game into a true home HD appliance.
The PS3 has upped its power even more than the Xbox 360 and integrated the upcoming HD DVD technologies into a system that looks more like next generation game system than next generation appliance. On the whole, Xbox 360 games look like less of an advance than what's being demonstrated this week at E3 on the PS3. As for the Nintendo Revolution -- there's not much being shown or said besides the fact that you can plan on another Mario and another Link coming your way sometime next year.
On the whole, there was surprisingly...no real surprises at this year's E3. Games being demonstrated on the floor seemed like more of the same (Madden '06, Conker Live and Reloaded, James Bond: From Russia with Love, The Chronicles of Narnia, Virtua Tennis and much much more.) Sadly, LAist found themselves less than patient in testing out the games that are simply, sequels of previously and more successful originals.
Which is a perfect segue into Revenge of the Sith.
A sequel? Yes. A better sequel? Yes. A success? Most definitely. Revenge of the Sith is a bad thing (very very bad) wrapped up in a good wrapper (in that it ties up all the loose ends). Visually, there's no question that it looks the best. Story wise, there's no question that it wraps everything up in a satisfying way. But dialogue wise, well, we'd better just keep our mouth shut on that one.
On the whole, though, LAist found Revenge of the Sith to be far more entertaining than the previous monstrosities hurled out via Lucasfilm, and the reason is simple. Action action action. Lucas has finally returned the trilogy to its roots -- minimal story (good vs. evil) against a backdrop of wild action sequences, swashbuckling sword fights, and forbidden love. It delivers on all counts, and as long as you don't ask too many questions (because, believe us -- some don't have answers), you'll be as satisfied as you usually are after a nice burger, fries and shake at your local burger joint.
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Basically, you'll still be hungry.
But if LAist had to choose, and we know you're asking us to -- we go with Revenge of the Sith. It delivers. It entertains. And it won't give you carpal tunnel syndrome.
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