The shroud of the Dark Side has fallen and it's great!

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2005)

Firstly, just like to say that I've been here from the beginning. Star Wars (EP IV) was the very 2nd film I ever saw at the age of five way back in 77 and I've been captivated ever since. Empire is my favourite but I love all the other films in equal measure, even Jar Jar (hey give me the Gungans over the Ewoks anyday!) Now to Episode 3. I stayed away from all major spoilers for this final film after reading too much about AOTC and ruining most of that film for myself when I saw it. The review will have spoilers so please do not read if you've not already seen the film.
I was genuinely surprised how dark Revenge of the Sith was. Way darker than I had suspected (even with the 12A rating over here in the UK) Loved the beginning rescue of Palpatine, the R2 gags actually funny instead of the groan inducing 3-PO gags of EP2, the banter between Obi Wan and Anakin now more brotherly intone compared to their relationship previously and the continuing signs of darkness in Anakin with the execution of Count Dooku.
From there, the film slows down and we begin to see more manipulation of the Senate and the Jedi by the Chancellor. This film really does belong to Ian McDiamid as he goes from the subtle villainy that we've seen in the prequels to the full blown, evil Emperor of that we've already seen in Jedi. The scene at the Opera between Papaltine and Anakin (an greatly improved Hayden Christensen) where he begins to lure our flawed Jedi hero with tales of old Sith Lords and holding back death is superb and wonderfully acted.
It's from here that the darkness really starts to flow into the film. Lucas has muted the colours and brought down the lighting that you really start to feel the darkness falling. The scene with Anakin and Padme both staring out across the city from separate buildings is wonderfully shot. The sunset giving you the real sense that twilight is about to fall on the republic and the Jedi. At first viewing I felt the turning point of Papaltine being unmasked as Darth Sidous and subsequent fight with Mace (Samuel L Jackson) was too underplayed but it was only after a second viewing that it clicked for me. Too have overplayed the crucial scenes of Anakin turning to the dark side would've lessened the impact. After all, no-one turns evil overnight and on 2nd viewing this subtle approach to his turn makes it all the more chilling and tragic, shadowing what we've already witness in EP2, that he's afraid and unable to let go of the people he loves.
From this point on, the film goes into dark overdrive as Order 66 is given, the Jedi wiped out and the republic dissolved into the First Galactic Empire. The scenes of Jedi across the galaxy slowly being betrayed by the Clone Troopers they were leading really pack an emotional impact and it's a credit to John William's excellent score that you really feel what is unfolding on screen. George's son, Jett, has a wonderful little cameo during these scenes. He plays a Jedi youngling who dies valiantly fighting off marauding troopers at the Jedi temple.
Obi Wan and Yoda find out the betrayal through the help of Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits actually given something to do this time round) and decide to destroy the Sith and his new apprentice. These final climatic scenes are wonderfully acted by McGregor, Portman, Oz, Christensen and McDiamid. Its here that Anakin is truly lost. You really feel for Padme as she loses a husband and father to her children when he thinks she has betrayed him to Obi Wan. Ewan McGegor is on top form here as he shouts at Anakin over what he has become. The following lightsaber duel between Obi Wan and Anakin/Vader plays simultaneously with Yoda and Sidious's fight in the Senate. No Star Wars fan will be disappointed by these climatic duels.
Its here that Lucas is back at his best, slowly wrapping up the prequel trilogy to the point where it all began. If you are a fan of these films, you may even have a lump in your throat or a tear in your eye as it all falls into place with the birth of the twins, the death of Padme from her broken heart and the true birth of the dark lord of the sith, Darth Vader. I've seen several reviews since seeing the film that say the Vader scene is ruined by his cries of anger over what has occurred. For me, I couldn't disagree more. The scene plays better and makes it all the more tragic, giving the scene a true emotional impact.
I've left loads out, I've not even mentioned General Grievous (the superb Vader prototype droid commander) and Obi Wan's battle with him or the journey to the home of the wookies. Some things are left unanswered, the Sifo-Dyas question regarding the clone armies from the last film and how Qui Gon has attained immortality through the Force but I'm sure these will be answered in the novel or the forthcoming DVD. All I say further is that I can't wait until I see it again. And that there can be no higher recommendation than that, can there.