The best of the bunch

Rating: 9/10 (30 June 2005)

There are few films I love enough to go see them twice at the cinema but this was one of them. What a stunning, exhilarating, thunderous end to a mediocre trilogy. Not only is this the best of the newer films, it is the best of all the Star Wars films. Something I would not have believed Lucas able to pull off.
It's a lot crammed into 2 hours and 10 minutes, but it doesn't seem at all rushed. It has structure and flow and pace. It has such an atmosphere that is perfect for this film. It's dark, brooding, despairing, it has none of that lighthearted humour of the originals.
Anakin, the tragic hero of the piece is just...breathtaking. Christenden does a fantastic job embodying the struggle, internal conflict and eventual turn of Anakin. The transition to evil may have been slightly fast, but don't forget, he thinks he has no other choice. He sees himself responsible for Windu's death, his trust in the Jedi has been shaken so he does not know how they will respond. And the Dark Side he sees as the only way to save Padme.
All the actors were fantastic, Palpatine in particular. The guy should get an Oscar. Portman does well, though her character is softer in this film, but we can put that down to the pregnancy. The ending between her and Anakin was gutwrenching as was the mindblowing lightsaber fight between Anakin and Obiwan. The final moments between these two ("You were my brother...I loved you!") are for me perhaps one of the most memorable scenes in cinema.
Despite the fact we know what will happen, this does nothing to stop the lack of tension and buildup. This is a film where we are asking not 'what?' but HOW? The fact the Anakin is lured to the Dark Side for love of his wife makes it so much more poignant and tragic than a mere lust for power. The fact that the prophetic dream is a self fulfilling one makes it equally sad.
There were some parts that could have been better. Scrapping Padme's 'You're breaking my heart line' for a start. Did not like the fact that Chewbacca was computer generated. Maybe it's jut me but there was something more endearing about Chewbacca from the originals.
This film answers all the questions and leads us nicely to A New Hope. All in all, an absolutely stunning film. The score was beautiful and had me close to tears - always the mark of a good soundtrack. The haunting vocals where Padme is stood at the window and Anakin in Jedi council chamber is especially moving.
Star Wars episode 3 isn't a perfect film, but it comes pretty damn close. Thank you George Lucas.