The saga is now complete.

Rating: 10/10 (14 May 2005)

I was able to enjoy one of the few charity premieres of this film here in Denver.
A note about the nature of Revenge of the Sith: I believe the average person will hate this film. Why? Because it's the darkest, most horrific, and most gruesome extreme in Star Wars. Anyone who hasn't seen the other films and goes to see this one will lose all hope for the saga, throw down their hands and say "no more  I can't take anymore of this depressing series of films." Everyone I've talked to who has seen it can't generally decide how they feel about it. Many walk out utterly depressed because, after all, Episode III is a tragedy, a prime element in mythology. And because they don't know how to admit their depression, they automatically assume they were disappointed in the film. They ultimately blame it on who or whatever they can, Lucas himself in predominance.
This film wasn't intended to uplift its audiences like the other five; this film was intended to tie up the story line and finally provide a polar opposite emotion to audiences everywhere, a much darker and more gruesome feeling that, I believe, greatly enhances the beauties, optimisms, and hopes that are presented in the original trilogy of films (Episodes IV-VI).
Overall, I believe Revenge of the Sith was produced to make the other films that much better, stronger, more beautiful. And for this reason alone, I absolutely love Revenge of the Sith. I love it, and it made me love Star Wars even more that I already do.
For those of you who haven't seen the other films, you're screwed when seeing this one, but I strongly advise you watch the other films afterward, don't loose hope, because you certainly wont be disappointed by the whole series.
A few technical notes about Revenge of the Sith: I'll have to get back to you on this in detail after I see it two or three more times, but, here are my overly critical observations in regard to the cinematic nature of Episode III:
Acting and Characters  the ultimate drawback to this film I believe. However, in perception, I don't feel it any worse than the other five. But I think that the extreme emotions presented in this one significantly accentuate any lack in talent in this one. *Hayden Christensen*, I believe, did much better this time around than he did in Episode II, and freshly feel that he is wholly appropriate as Darth Vader. *Ewan McGregor* will not disappoint, as he upholds his performance consistently throughout the prequel trilogy, and also makes Obi-Wan that much more, excuse my language, "bad-ass" in all of these films. *Natalie Portman* disappointed me a bit, but given the extreme nature of emotions demanded of the role of Padme in the film, I merely give her credit for trying. *Ian McDiarmid* - all I can say is "oh man." By far my favorite actor in this whole movie, the man completely turned my negative opinions around for the Emperor in general. His performance was great, believability was almost flawless, and his overall presentation was inspiringly sinister. The Emperor is the ultimate villain. *Yoda*, whether it be Frank Oz's lovable performance or not, completely redeemed himself in this film. I hated him in I and II, but the way he was written, his actions, his dialogue  all his Episode III attributes make him a great character once more. *Everybody else* wasn't in or lived through the film long enough to care.
Visual Presentation  Effects are great, lighting very appropriate, and overall visual presentation outstanding.
Story  Amazing. It wraps up everything flawlessly. The only two things that disappointed me were the fact that I still don't understand why Yoda exiles himself and the fact that Obi-Wan wasn't called "Ben" before the end of the film. I am completely satisfied by this film's ability to tie up the saga for me. The saga is now complete. Everyone can see this and enjoy its pure storytelling essence.
Other comments  I was wholly disappointed in the composition of characters and locations in the film. Star Wars always offers a wide range of expanded character implementation, and Revenge of the Sith generally deprived us of that. Most characters and locations within were hardly alluded to at all. The Wookiees had, at most, two minutes of screen time. Every Jedi beyond Anakin, Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Mace were lucky to have a shot or two at all, and those that featured their own very short scene (probably a death scene) should be praised. This film was about Obi-Wan, Anakin, and the Sith. If you can think or want to see anybody else in this movie, don't try. The story's focused on them, and even the sequences like the space battle, and other battles for that matter, feel mostly like background material rather than prominent plot composition. As far as locations go, there are 11 or more planets featured in the film, but 8 of those are lucky to have more than 30 seconds of screen time.
Another thing that I have to say is "Order 66." If you know what this is, fine, I wont spoil it to anyone, but the montage of sequences featuring this particular plot point almost made me cry, both in beauty and in sadness. It was great, and of my top five favorite scenes in the film.
After all of you see the film, we can chat more. Most of the beauty in this film lies in content that should not be spoiled.
My advice to all is to sit down, take this bad boy in, and appreciate it as a critical piece in the whole Star Wars puzzle. Revenge of the Sith is dark, depressing, however simply awesome in its own right, but it's nothing without the other films.
Star Wars, I love you.