The end of a visionary saga (CONTAINS SPOILERS)

Rating: 10/10 (28 May 2005)

After 28 long years of box office success, the Star Wars saga has finally reached its end. In 1977, George Lucas would release a film that has been considered to be the most successful film series of all time.
That film was called "Star Wars." In recent years, buffs may recall the release of two prequels that were a little less than "glorious." Those prequels were Episodes I and II, titled "The Phantom Menace" and "Attack of the Clones," respectively. (Reviewer's note: My reviews for all of the Star Wars films begin tomorrow, starting with "The Phantom Menace" and ending with "Return of the Jedi.") The last prequel, and last film in the saga, was released last Thursday, reeling in what I could imagine to be well over $100 Million by now.
Once again, I must stress this point out: This review will contain several spoilers, as I will be going in-depth with this review.
The Clone Wars are ending after three years. Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor), now a Jedi Master, has been sent by the Republic to bring down Separatists Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) and Droid General Grievous. However, Obi-Wan and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker (Christensen) have learned a horrid secret--Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDarmid) is corrupt and Coruscant is under attack! In the beginning dog fight, there is a wild, engaging dogfight where we learn Obi-Wan and Anakin are trying to rescue Palpatine, who has been captured by Count Dooku. When Obi-Wan is knocked out of battle by Dooku, Anakin fights him to the death until Dooku is brought down and killed by Anakin. This is where the corrupt mind of Palpatine comes into play.
Anakin is growing closer and closer to the dark side of the force. Little by little, Palpatine brings the Republic to an Empirical regime, and as Obi-Wan takes off to go after Grievous, Palpatine requests to speak with Anakin several times. He becomes closer to Palpatine, but while getting closer, he has nightmares of his pregnant wife-in-secret, Senator Padme Amidala (Portman), dying during childbirth.
However, as Anakin gets closer to Palpatine and his teachings, he reveals to Anakin that he knows the force--and the ways to the dark side and how to use it to advantage. Anakin reports this to the Jedi Council, and Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) places Palpatine under arrest. Palpatine is captivated by the dark side, and fights Mace Windu in battle.
Anakin arrives in time to see Palpatine down on the ground, wickedly old-looking because of the dark side. Anakin obeys Palpatine's order over Mace's orders--and Mace Windu dies in glory, in an attempt to save the Republic.
Anakin is in a panic, knowing he has broken the Jedi code by killing another Jedi. So Palpatine offers a chance to teach and train Anakin the ways of the dark side. Anakin bows down and accepts. He is dubbed "Lord Vader." As a code to all of those of the dark side, the Jedi begin to drop like flies until only two good Jedi are left: Yoda (Frank Oz), and Obi-Wan. Yoda feels a strong disturbance within the Force, and sees visions of Anakin joining the dark side. Obi-Wan doesn't believe it, until he sees it on the recorded security holograms. Padme is heartbroken by hearing it as well.
Kenobi has no choice at this point but to face Anakin--who has been like a brother to him--and fight him to destroy the evil inside.
And through all of this, Palpatine crowns himself Emperor and gets rid of the old Republic and begins a new Galactic Empire.
All I can say is this is the most intense of the Star Wars films, and the most mature. The movie blends drama, suspense, and the same IL' Galactic fighting we are used to.
There's even some familiar faces from past films, including a brief screen second of Jar-Jar Binks. We also see Chewbacca, with Peter Mayhew proudly returning to the screen once more.
And who could forget, Darth Vader? MOVIE NOTE: When I said this is the most intense of the Star Wars films, I meant it. This is a Star Wars film more well-suited for the 13 and older crowd. Maybe I'm just exaggerating.
FINAL THOUGHT: When the film began, people stood up and cheered. It was cool! Hoever, I found myself in tears in the last half hour. Not only because of the movie, but because of the fact that this is it, there's no more new Star Wars. So thank you, George Lucas, for the excellent films, and goodbye forever, Star Wars! OVERALL: 10 OUT OF 10