Return to form for Lucas with Episode III

Rating: 9/10 (24 May 2005)

Story: With the clone war still raging. Anakin Skywalker becomes torn between ideals.
Review: Well as I said last night, I viewed it last night in its entirety. Simply put, this film blows away Episodes 1-2 and for me. This is probably the 2nd-3rd best film in the overall franchise IMO. I mean let's go back to 1999 when Episode 1 was released. Certainly, there were ridiculous expectations going into that film and without question, some excruciating pressure for Lucas going into what was going to be the prequel trilogy. Now opinions differ on Episode 1, while I don't believe it was the worst in the series, it certainly wasn't the best. For me, it just didn't feel like the well orchestrated soap opera that was present within the original trilogy. Most people label Episode 1 as the worst, obviously up to argument.
Flash forward to 2002 when Episode 2 was released. Not only was Lucas dealing with pressure from people who threw Episode 1 under the bus, but the fan base as well. Yet like Episode 1 IMO, Episode 2 seemed to fall flat on many levels. It just didn't feel like a Star Wars film through and through. While I believe Episode 1 was not the worst in the series, Episode 2 for me clearly gets the nod of worst in the series IMO. It was even more flat than the first, and the acting was much staler.
So flash forward 3 years later, he we are with Episode 3. The expectations couldn't have been higher for Lucas to deliver. The previous 2 entries had been slammed and rightfully so IMO. Now the pressure was on for him to accurately portray the downfall of Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi's extermination as a whole, etc. This is when he finally delivered big. Onto the review.
Acting: Even though I said going into this review that this movie was superior to Episodes 1-2. This area, which has been targeted throughout the prequel trilogy as its overall weakness, reared its ugly head again. I'd say it was a tale of two different movies in terms of the acting. The first hour or so of this movie, everyone seemed rather stale. It felt like Episode 2 all over again. However once the movie picks up, the acting goes up afew notches. Hayden Christensen was much better in this film than his debut in Episode 2, especially in the later parts of the movie. Natalie Portman was rather average though, maybe from the very beginning I just didn't see her in the big picture of the franchise overall. That said, she was decent in this film. When she had to be, she was better than average it seemed, again especially towards the end. For me however the steal of the show was Ian McDiarmid as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. His character went from being the innocent democratic chancellor throughout the first half of the film to a diabolical, politically persuasive and ultimately seductive snake in his attempts to recruit Anakin Skywalker to the dark side. Everyone else in their small, however important roles served their purposes. Overall while again not a strong suit of this prequel trilogy, the acting in this for the most part was better than Episode 2. Overall a grade of 8/10
Dialogue: Much criticized like the acting, the dialogue throughout the Star Wars Franchise was usually always designed to be creative, fresh, etc. However much like Episode 2, this film falls flat in terms of overall dialogue. Watching some of the conversations and occasional, however sparing one liners in this film was enough to put me to sleep with its lack of originality. Disappointing as is because it was a strong point of the original trilogy. That said, that was a different trilogy. Overall a grade of 5/10
Atmosphere/Setting: Very much a strong point in this movie as it usually is within the franchise. The elaborate buildings, the mysterious planets, systems, etc. The alternate life forms that go with those areas. It's always been a creative, relatively fresh universe when pertaining to the overall franchise. Always something different to look forward to in terms of atmosphere/setting with these movies. As far the overall mood. In the beginning, the film starts off with sort of a light heartened theme; however that quickly goes away as the atmosphere goes dark rather quickly and carefully. Overall these areas have usually always been strength when pertaining to Star Wars. This film was no exception. Overall a grade of 10/10
Directing: Arguably the best job done by Lucas to date. Especially with the later stages of the film as it grows overwhelmingly emotional, dark, etc. I almost, keyword being almost cried during the later stages of this movie. Usually it takes a lot for me to become emotionally involved in a movie. However when I do, I know the director definitely did some good work. Episode 3 unlike the previous 2, especially Episode 2, flowed quite nicely. As I said before, starting off with a sense of security even during wartime, followed by an emotional, action packed roller-coaster leading towards the finale. Overall easily Lucas' best job when pertaining to the first 3 films of this trilogy. Overall a grade of 9/10
Overall: After much anticipation, certainly mixed expectations for the majority of fans who didn't have a clue of what they were getting after what transpired with Episodes 1-2. I can say rather easily that; this film was the best in the prequel trilogy, arguably top 1-2 if not 3rd best film of the entire franchise and finally that I have restored faith in Lucas. After all of the criticism, anticipation, expectations and sub par first 2 entries. This film delivered big IMO. I recommend it to any casual moviegoer or Star Wars fan in general.
My Final Rating: 32/40 for a grade of 80