[Cue heavy breathing and tight-fitting leather uniforms.]

Yes, it’s George Lucas’s latest installment of his Star Saga.

Now Episode I was laughably bad shite, Episode II (Send In The Clones) was marginally better, and initial reviews indicate that Episode III may actually be watchable. However something caught my eye from a generally positive review by Kevin Smith:

[…] after cutting his legs and arm off, [Obi Wan Kenobi] leaves [Anakin] Skywalker* burning alive on the shores of a lava river, with Anakin spitting venomous sentiments at his departing mentor), this flick is so satisfyingly tragic, you’ll think you’re watching “Othello” or “Hamlet”.

(* Anakin Skywalker = Darth Vader for those of you struggling to keep up.)

I understand that Lucas cleverly uses archetypes and heroic myth to plot his films… but it sounds like he’s been more recently referring to Terry Gilliam (himself no mean exponent of folklorish archetypes). Remember that bit in Monty Python And The Holy Grail? The bit where Arthur, after cutting the Black Knight’s legs and arms off, leaves him spitting venomous sentiments at his departing tormentor?

Here’s a bit from the actual script which rather proves my point:
OBI WAN: Now stand aside, worthy adversary.
DARTH VADER: ’Tis but a scratch.
OBI WAN: A scratch? Your arm’s off!
DARTH VADER: No, it isn’t.
OBI WAN: Well, what’s that then?
DARTH VADER: I’ve had worse.
OBI WAN: You liar!
DARTH VADER: Come on you pansy!
[etcetera]