The Redemption of the Prequels

Rating: 8/10 (13 December 2019)

The first two movies of Star Wars' prequel era were not at all great. People were losing hope on George Lucas' decision making and ability to create good and iconic stories he wrote in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. The prequels were doomed to be forgotten and left out by even the most hardcore Star Wars fans. But then, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith was released in the year of 2005.
RotS' story was the one story every fan wanted to know and see for their own eyes ever since the very beginning: The downfall of Anakin Skywalker and the Birth of Darth Vader. Although errors still appeared throughout the course of the film, Lucas was able to create a compelling story, and a fitting end to the trilogy, making it obviously the strongest prequel film. In this film, characters are more developed and they are given more meaning through different moments in the film. Each character serves an important purpose to the plot, and emotions in different scenes are spread differently, but in a good way. Anakin and Obi Wan's chemistry and friendship is more believable in this film compared to Attack of the Clones. Anakin's slow but sure turn to the dark side wasn't at all perfect, but as to why he did so was explained well. The Emperor's role in this film was played out well, in the sense that he was a manipulative and sinister force that devises a plan to twist Anakin's mind, and end the reign of the republic and the Jedi Order. Order 66, a gut-wrenching and painful scene to watch, was a "masterpiece" in a visual and story sense, that showed that even Jedi are vulnerable. Finally, the ending between Anakin and Obi Wan was made beautifully, and it definitely ties in this film to A New Hope.
RotS improved greatly upon what George Lucas did for the Phantom Menace, and Attack of the Clones. Politics, a "wonderful" topic emphasized in the past films were toned down, and only needed in important scenes. Visual effects have greatly improved even though some backgrounds still had that CGI feel to it. Action and lightsaber fights have greatly improved and increased, and these made the movie more interesting and fun. Although the dialogue was better, some parts of it were wooden and acting by some people were still not executed properly. But overall, this film improved a lot on the mistakes the first two prequels had.
Problems and mistakes were truly seen throughout the Phantom Menace, and Attack of the Clones. But luckily for the fans, George Lucas still found a way to make a good, suitable, and meaningful ending to the Star Wars saga. (Until Disney happened)