Proof Lucas Still Has It!!!!

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2005)

After seeing Episodes I and II, I was beginning to wonder what had happened to Star Wars. Would the prequel ever live up to the quality of the original trilogy?
I am happy to be able to say that Episode III equals or excels "The Return of the Jedi" (which I consider the best of the original). Like many Star Wars fans, who did not understand all the whining that Anakin did in Episode II, I was not overly impressed with the acting. For that reason, I gave Episode II a mixed review (finding it fun to watch, but not worthy of the Star Wars name). I now see, having re watched Mark Hamill's performance as Luke Skywalker in Episode IV, and finding it comparable to Hayden Christiensen's in Episode II, that Lucas wanted Anakin and Luke to take similar paths of emotional development (in order to make Luke turning to the dark side plausible). And in fact, I suspect that those who had seen Christiensen's work in "Shattered Glass" were not surprised to see him shine in Episode III.
Lucas has put together a good story, and one that succeeded in moving me at times. Among the highlights were some nice scenes of Anakin and Padme together, several particularly well done dramatic scenes (i.e. the confrontation between Anakin and Count Dooku, the "Order 66" scenes, the "opera" scene, the "turning" scene, the battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan, the "immolation" scene, and the placement of Anakin in the Vader suit).
True there are problems with Episode III. However, it has enough good going for it to overlook its faults. Like Episodes I and II, heroes escape from villains too easily (perhaps a throw back to the original trilogy in which not even one storm trooper could hit his target). The dialogue has improved only slightly; with C3PO and Yoda having the best lines. Although I have always had a great deal of affection for Yoda, unlike some Star Wars fans, I was never too keen on his fights, finding his resemblance to a green yo-yo on speed distracting. And, like many Star Wars fans, I was more amused than moved by Vader's "noooooo" (you know what scene I am talking about!).