Thank the Maker!

Rating: 9/10 (25 May 2005)

An excellent finish to the prequel trilogy. Episode III is a staggeringly great film where all questions are answered and the universe we know and love is expanded upon with new planets, creatures and vehicles as it segues into the original trilogy.
Ewan MacGregor stole the show for me in his third outing as the venerable Obi-Wan Kenobi. His performance was simply fantastic and without a doubt his best in the role. The emotion in his face and actions at the end of the duel with Anakin Skywalker is absolutely stunning and heartfelt.
My biggest disappointment was the minimal use of General Grievous. Although his brief battle with Obi-Wan was most impressive, we didn't get to see the General in near enough action as I had hoped for. The Clone Wars cartoon left the impression of a far more deadly and imposing villain, but in the film he comes across as sickly and cowardly even. Not only that, but he doesn't even live up to his reputation and kill one Jedi! The action was spectacular if a little unfocused. It all went by way too fast. Most notably, the battle on the Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk got very little screen time. I also wanted to see more of the opening space battle. It solely followed Anakin and Obi-Wan weaving throughout the mêlée, but I would have preferred to see more action between the Separatist droids and Republic clones populating the massive ships.
These complaints are heavily overshadowed however by the film's strengths; the dazzling work by ILM, the consistently brilliant musical score by John Williams and the promised dark tone that prevailed throughout this cinematic tour de force. I am deeply saddened this weekend that in all likelihood this will be the last Star Wars film ever and the fact that my anticipation for any future movie will probably never exceed that of Star Wars: Episode III  Revenge Of The Sith.