From a previous hardcore Star Wars fan

Rating: 7/10 (19 May 2005)

This is a showcase for effect makers. Bigtime. If I were to vote on the special effects alone it would be an easy 10.
The problem with this movie, compared to the first 3 episodes (or last 3, whichever you want to call it) is that it doesn't seem to have the credibility it needs to be really top notch. Hayden C is not doing a great job as Anakin in this episode (especially when it comes to the point where he is supposed to be evil) and there are a few major cutting/editing flaws from my point of view. Some parts should have been elaborated more on, some are just too long and pompous.
The story is a bit too ... easy to detect the direction of. Of course, it's hardly a secret that Chansellor Palpatine is the good old sith-lord we all learned to love/hate, but they could have made that path a little less obvious in this picture.
I do want some 'oohs' and 'aahs' in a movie and this really didn't give it to me. I rank this as #4 in the series of 6 episodes of Star Wars, behind episode IV, V and VI, but ahead of I and II.
It's definitely a must-see movie for all that have seen and loved the previous movies, don't get me wrong, but it could have been so much more. In general I am fairly disappointed with these 3 last SW movies seeing the aw I have felt the uncountable times I've seen the first 3.
Oh, by the way, the music score; Excellent as always!