Darth Vader strikes back again!

Rating: Null/10 (2 June 2005)

Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith Director: George Lucas Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson and Jimmy Smits
*
For most of the past seven to eight years since Episode 1: The Phantom Menace was released, most people have been rather upset with the prequel trilogies. While I had to admit that The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones weren't as savvy and awe inspiring as the old trilogy, I always said, "Episode 3 will be better because what was lacking in Episodes 1 & 2 was the presence of Darth Vader."
And true enough, Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith proved to be one of the greatest cinematic experiences I've encountered. And interestingly enough, it wasn't only Darth Vader who made it so good.
There are three aspects of Star Wars that needs to be discussed, the storyline, the acting, and the effects in general.
The storyline is predictable in a sense that we all know what's going to happen. Episodes 1 & 2 had been setting up the Episode 3 to bridge with the old trilogy, and in that regard, George Lucas has succeeded marvelously. While Anakin Skywalker's (Christensen) journey to the dark side is the centerpiece of the story, Lucas paid a lot of attention to the other centerpieces of the story ie. Obi Wan Kenobi's journey from being a mentor and friend to judge and finally becoming the exiled guardian of Luke Skywalker that we see in Episode 4 - A New Hope. Another good example is Palpatine's rise to power. One would imagine and wonder how would a Sith Lord come to power without political hassle. Well, this show has it all. It tells all, it shows all, and it ties everything up in terms of the storyline.
The acting has improved dramatically as well from the first two films. Hayden Christensen, while still rather dull and un-engaging in some scenes has at least managed to pull off fairly convincing expressions in the key moments of the scenes, particularly in the building tension between him and his mentor, Obi-Wan. I must give my kudos to Ian McDiarmid as Chancellor Palpatine, who came across as truly insidious with his schemes and yet sounding charming and sympathetic enough to lure Anakin to the dark side. Ewan McGregor perhaps is the star of the show, for with every line he delivered, there was a lingering thought that suggested "hey, he kinda sounds like Alec Guiness..."
While acting was one of the tools employed to bridge the two trilogies together, special effects was employed as well. Ewan McGregor looked amazingly like a young Alec Guiness, and Anakin Skywalker had the look of Luke Skywalker turned evil. Things like the Corellian Corvette, Tantive 4, in which Princess Leia appears in Episode 4, was heavily used in this film to provide continuity. And not forgetting the moon sized Death Star. In another smart move, Grand Moff Tarkin (formerly played by Peter Cushing in the old trilogy) also came across as Grand Moff Tarking, and the resemblance is striking.
In terms of the digital effects, it's a roller coaster ride from start to finish. Not only are the effects more sophisticated and detailed, it efficiently captures the atmosphere of the film with every frame that passes. Every planet, every clone trooper, every little set, were painted with so much detail it almost felt like the audience was one with the Star Wars galaxy. Revenge of the Sith is by far the most advanced technological success in the film industry to date.
Kudos to George Lucas especially for his efforts in establishing continuity throughout all six films. Little phrases in the show, while contributing little to the storyline, gave added weight to the credibility of six films. Just one example, where a fighter pilot said, "lock S-foils in attack position", which is reminiscent of Star Wars 4 when Red Leader said the exact same line before invading the Death Star and in Star Wars 6 when Wedge Antilles (Denis Lawson)said the exact same line as well.
Watch this film! If you are a fan, this film will send you into nostalgic submission with every reference to the saga as a whole, and you will feel the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker echo through the galaxies for many many years to come. If you're not a Star Wars fan, well, the time is now!
The Force is strong with this film - 9.5/10