Finally...A Worthy Successor

Rating: 8/10 (18 February 2012)

When it was announced in the mid 90's that new Star Wars movies would be made, THIS was the one I wanted to see. Not the actual fall to the dark side that we know is coming, but to see a Star Wars film that lived up to what had come in the original trilogy.
After the underperformance that was Episodes I and II, one would have to think that George Lucas finally sought outside help to prevent this entire trilogy from falling to the dark side itself. Lucas did admit that his buddy Steven Spielberg had helped on a particular action sequence, but you have to really wonder if this old friend had more input than just that.
Episode III just works; that simple. Perhaps the plots of the first two entries in this new trilogy felt forced, to say the least, but here they feel like they are allowed to progress naturally to the point that we all know it's getting to.
Rumor has it that Lucas had some help with the actors this time around, and if true it shows. The dialog is much more polished and the performances seem much less wooden and actually like flesh and blood...and midichlorins. The humor is spot-on, effects breath-taking, and turns in the story are relatively believable. There is a notable darker tone to this movie, and it is understandable and appropriate.
While I saw both Episodes I and II twice in the theater on their initial runs, I saw this one five times. Yup, five. I loved it each time like I did when I saw the original trilogy. My friends and I felt like we were six again. I remember thinking that if only Lucas had done with the first two what he has done with this one, what state would the Saga be in now?
If you struggled to get through the first two in his new trilogy, this one will make it worth your while. THIS was what I wanted to see when George Lucas announced "We're making new ones!" Episode III, I consider it third best of the entire Saga ahead of "Jedi."