Great effects but the cartoons had more dimension.

Rating: 4/10 (22 May 2005)

George Lucas has said 40% of the plot material from the arc of the first three episodes was covered in I and II, and 60% was covered in Sith. This could explain why the first two movies moved so slowly and this edition felt so rushed.
What Lucus SHOULD have also said is that 80% of episode III was covered in "The Clone Wars" on Cartoon Network. He should have also mentioned that the characters were BETTER in these animated shorts than his CGI film.
That said, I was sorry to see that they could not afford to use Natalie Portman and had to resort to a cardboard cutout instead. The character that she worked so hard to develop in the last two movies was sorely needed in this one. Her strength and personality were noticeably absent. Then again, as an actress, so was she.
Instead of making a movie that could stand alone, Lucas spent the film tying up loose ends and setting up the next series' "surprises." That was the sole purpose of this chapter and I was sorry to see that. (although I did like the "cameo" by Grand Moff Tarkin in the end. Although he was not "Grand" yet.)
We all know what the surprises are ("Luke, I am your accountant!") Lucas should have done more of what he did in "Empire Strikes Back." Drop hints and implications instead of showing every setup in detail. Now when Yoda says, "No, there is another," we will know what HE means and wonder why Obi-Wan Kenobi doesn't. Too long under the suns?
Every setup for the next trilogy did not need to be shown. If you watch the series from Episode One it will be like watching "Usual Suspects" backward.
"What's the big deal? Everyone knows that!"
Lucas has removed all the mysteries from the "second" trilogy. Even so, they are worth watching over again and the next generation should start with those. As for the first trilogy, it is an interesting historical footnote that you might watch in film school.