A fitting end to an amazing saga

Rating: 10/10 (19 May 2005)

WARNING, SPOILERS BELOW...
Having been a Star Wars fan ever since I first saw Episode IV, back in 1977, when I was only 4, I'd been looking forward to seeing Anakin's descent to the Dark Side for some time, and this certainly didn't disappoint!
I thought the subtle approach of Palpatine in snaring Anakin was excellent. Although some people have been of the opinion that this seemed rushed, I think you've got to look at the bigger picture, (i.e. look back to what may have seemed to some to be throwaway scenes and one-off comments, back in Episodes I and II). If you recall, at the end of Episode I, Palpatine says that he will be keeping an eye on Anakin, then in Episode II, you see Palpatine massaging Anakin's ego by telling him he can become the most powerful of all the Jedi. He's therefore been slowly working his way into Anakin's innermost thoughts for some time, and certainly upped this insidious (no pun intended) process during the three years or so between Episodes II and III. The section of the movie that concentrates on Anakin being turned to the dark side is merely the end product of years of manipulation by Palpatine.
Certainly one of the standout moments for me was when the Jedi were turned on by the Clone Troopers. I found this quite poignant, as you really got the sensation that the stain of the Empire was spreading, that this really was the end of the Jedi, and that a great age was coming to an end.
The climactic duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin was also superb. Although everyone in the cinema knew what the outcome would be, it was nevertheless enthralling. The setting was also suitably hostile and spectacular, and really made you feel that this was without doubt, a duel to the bitter end between the two lone protagonists.
There were so many good elements to the movie that it wouldn't be fair to list them all here, but there were many parts where the audience clapped, laughed, gasped or cheered, and I feel the magic of the original trilogy was certainly present.
There were a couple of parts that I felt could have been a little better, (midichlorians were mentioned again much to my dismay, the relatively short screen time of the Wookies, and there was one small part where I thought Palpatine's suddenly aged face looked a bit rubbery). However, apart from these and a couple of other moments I won't go into here, I felt the movie was all I had hoped for, and a lot more.
When you consider what a big task it was to ensure Episode III not only kept the feel of the prequels, but also (and even more importantly), set the scene for Episodes IV, V and VI, I think the film is nothing short of a masterpiece.
There were so many potential pitfalls that could have been the downfall of this movie, but all credit to George Lucas, he has avoided these and made certain the saga ended on an exceptionally high note.
Very well done to all involved, you've certainly made a 32 year old kid very, very happy!
(NB - I would definitely recommend watching the excellent 'Clone Wars' cartoon series. This also adds to the whole Episode III experience, and will probably answer a couple of questions you may have about the movie.)