This movie will surprise you (if you get past the first two)

Rating: 8/10 (15 September 2011)

I have to admit, looking at episode 1&2, this was the best we could have hoped for. If the storyline doesn't impress you then maybe the scope of the movie will.
This is still nowhere near as good as at least episode 4&5, but Revenge of the Sith definitely surpassed expectation (which may mean a lot or nothing to some people). I look at it kind of like Rocky 3; bigger, but nowhere close to the original.
Of course, in order to be content with this movie, many star wars fans would need to look past episode 1&2, something many people aren't willing to do. For that reason, I understand their point of view.
This film is still filled with many reminders that this is still part of the prequels. For one, the romantic dialogue between Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman is still quite painful to watch. The lack of chemistry is quite obvious. George Lucas was never good in this department (at least in the prequels). At least the padme/anakin relationship was pushed to a secondary storyline.
There are many other examples of disappointments in this film (inconsistent character development, Padme dies by loosing the power of love, Anakin looses the battle by standing two feet lower than Obi-wan, Darth Vader throws a temper tantrum, to name a few). It's important, however, to look past these and actually see a good movie behind it.
For one, Ian McDiarmid was incredible as Palpatine. He stole almost every scene he was in. Ewan McGregor, the only real steady actor throughout the prequels, turns in a good performance. Even Hayden Christensen, who I don't care for at all as an actor, does better in this movie than I expected.
The story line was also quite engaging. Where Lucas's writing talent lacks in romance he makes up for in politics. Lucas was able to create a competent storyline involving Jedi politics and the sith takeover of the senate. There were many eemotional scenes throughout. The order to extinguish the jedi was a moving spectacle and Obi-wan heated exchanges with Anakin was also more engaging then I would have anticipated. The concluding scenes were also powerful with the emergence of Darth Vader and the realization that all the pieces were falling into place. The ending took place cleverly on Tatooine featuring music many fans will recognize from episode 4.
And talk about battles! Actions buffs will have plenty to rejoice about here. Apart from the clone battles, there were many lightsaber duels including Obi-wan vs Grievous and Anakin vs Dooku. The main battle between Obi-wan and Anakin was slow in some places, but I believe they did a great job and the result is likely the best duel in the saga. And come on, who didn't want to see Yoda and Lord Sidous have an all out, no holds barred, lightsaber and force duel? These fights might seem as gimmicks to inflate the impact of the film, but at least they succeeded if that was the case.
Revenge of the Sith is without question the best of the prequels and Star Wars fans would be missing out if they didn't at least give this movie an honest chance. I actually think it tops episode six, a remarkable accomplishment in itself if that is the case (IMDB doesn't agree with me but Rotten Tomatoes does). If you put up with the first two, you should at least give this a try.
8/10