Incredible Looking Movie !

Rating: 8/10 (23 May 2005)

After reading reviews from professional critics, I was prepared for a massively disappointing experience but for the most part ROTS delivered and in a couple of instances exceeded my expectations. Yes the dialogue is clunky and has little of the energy and wit that Episodes 4,5 & 6 enjoy but I suspect this may have more to do with the actors ability to deliver in these episodes compared to their later predecessors (huh ?). Instead, visual gags abound and I particularly liked R2D2s newly acquired dismount skills that defy continuity for Eps 4,5 & 6 as we see him leave his seat in the fighter like a cork out of a well shaken bottle of Moet. The film does look stunning with flawless CGI and at times breathtaking city vistas. The opening battle sequence has a a depth of movement lacking in the previous movies and gets you reaching for the slow-mo button to take in all the fabulous detail. The story holds absolutely no surprises thanks to the 100% saturation the marketing of this movie has achieved but that does not spoil the experience and it still does enough to hold your attention as Anakins life makes a date with destiny and a natty black rubber and pvc ensemble. This is a far from perfect film and personally I think Ep 1,2 & 3 took far too long to get to what was for me the strongest and most interesting part of the story. Even in this final piece of the jigsaw, the really interesting stuff happens in the last 15 minutes of the movie and I could have done with one less location at the front of the movie to make way for more screen time for Anakin in his new found role. Despite all this, the film is a blast and I'm sorry that it's all over. Anyone for Episodes 7, 8 & 9 ??