Lucas resets fractured Star Wars trilogies

Rating: 10/10 (22 May 2005)

Some Spoilers -- but few real details.
Finally Lucas doesn't get carried away with special effects or the creation of nonsense creatures (read "Jar-Jar") enough to construct a real storyline that is believable and answers all the questions as to "how" and "why" with the all the main characters leading into New Hope. He does this with above average skill in most places and in some places with some masterful strokes in cinematography (esp. near the end as scenes are interlaced and switched back and forth between Padme's birthing of the twins and the final "construction" of the Darth Vader we knew in the last episodes.)
As other reviewers have observed, Lucus even pays attention to the "little" details such as showing Padme with the double-bun hair-do (a la Princess Leia), pre-X-wing fighter models, pre-Storm Trooper clone suits, pre-Tie fighter models and more. "Why" and "how" Anakin becomes Darth Vader (which just the sub-plot of his character flaws goes back to at least Episode II) is believable, as is his defeat and the wrecking of his body and facial distortions (seen in later Episodes) at the hands of Obi-Wan. There are even explanations for the Emperors contorted features, his being a/the Sith Lord (in charge of the senate), his knowledge of the Force, etc. All of which have been missing (or conjectured upon) for 5 other episodes. So though I think everyone knew the Sith Lord was Palpatine the entire time -- this really hasn't been a mystery -- HOW has never really been explained until this Episode. Even "Jar-Jar" was skillfully put in his place (and put to rest, I might gleefully add) in a simple and thoughtful way.
In short, as others have said Lucas has completed redeemed himself by tying the two fractured trilogies together in a very compelling way, using a real storyline and yet still with spectacular special effects. He has restored order to the Star Wars universe and we are now left with a completely believable two-stage trilogy of Star Wars albeit still with the lesser two Episodes I and II still attached; but somewhat (and thankfully) redeemed with this installment.
If you've been hurting from the last two installments, the antidote is at your local theater now.