Above average but could of been better

Rating: 8/10 (6 June 2005)

(Small Spoilers) First I have to say that if you are in Sydney, you have to see this film at Fox Studio cinema with the Digital Projection, the only one in Metro Sydney apparently. The transfer to 35mm gives the skin tones an odd Pinkish/Orange color. The digital has correct skin tones but the clarity and colour of the digital effects is fantastic.
It's mainly agreed that Revenge of the Sith is a lot better than the previous two films. It's almost like Lucas Films actually read and fixed some of the issues I had with the previous film. There is more taunting dialogue with the light saber battles. Some of the acting has improved. The storyline was first priority. I loved how the Lava planet of Mustafa is a metaphor for Hell and Order 66 is link with the Satanic act to kill all Jedi.
But there was definitely things that could have been improved. They could have replaced Natalie Portman as Padme. She just didn't have the stage presence being so short and girlish. I had a hard time believe she was Princess Leia's mother. It needed someone with a bit more attitude and presences.
Hayden Christensen's acting is still wooden in parts although I have to admit it is better. They could have easily replaced him as well assuming this film is three years after the previous film. Just uncharismatic. There was no intense chemistry between Anakin and Padme unlike the courtship between Leia and Han Solo.
Everyone knows Anakin gets chopped up by Obi-Wan at the end which is why he needs his Darth Vader suit. But I felt after such a great lightsaber battle he ended up biting the dust too easily. Same goes with the battle with Count Dooku.
I also find it hard to believe that Mace Windu almost killed Darth Sideous, only being stopped by Anakin, but Yoda had trouble finishing the job near the end of the film. As well it wasn't plausible that Padme suddenly dies in childbirth.
And why doesn't Obi-Wan remember C3PO and R2D2 in Episode IV? These were Anakin's droids. Was he just pretending he didn't know to keep Luke in the dark about his relationship with Anakin? My final gripe is that Hayden Christensen should not have been the one to walk in the Vader Suit. It just didn't look menacing. It looked like a kid playing dress ups. The original Darth Vader was a 7 foot tall bodybuilder.