"A presence I've not felt since...."

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2005)

(disclaimer: I'm too excited to be aware of any spoilers I might leak by accident.....read at your own risk!)
So....a presence I've not felt since I was 9 years old watching "Return of the Jedi" for the first time with my mom and brother....Darth Vadar dies and I cry! I haven't felt this way about a movie, one where it stayed with me the next day (and longer) in a loooong time. Maybe ever.....
first things first, the action was great but it had a purpose...it was dramatic, gut-wrenching (not violent), depressing and so many other things. Your emotions just run wild as you hope upon hope that somehow the inevitable ending won't end how you know it will end :-) Ewan McGregor does a great job and has truly grown into his own with the character of Obi-Wan. Hayden is head and shoulders above his previous effort (which I thought wasn't all that bad) and Natalie Portman.....oh dear Natalie....she's wonderful! Finally breaking out of the mold of the other films where she seemed out of place...your heart generally breaks for her.
All the supporting actors turn in superb roles as well: Samuel L, Jimmy Smits, heck..even Yoda gave a great performance...and he's not even real! But, no doubt...Ian McDirmaid was unbelievable as the Emperor! Total slime from top to bottom. He transforms from a sweet, old grandfatherly man right before our eyes to the worst thing in the universe...completely evil, 100% sinister! Give him the Oscar!! (OK OK, we know that isn't going to happen)
So, in closing, in order to enjoy this film you must do three things:
1.) suspend all reality 2.) relax 3.) enjoy the film as a FAN and not freakin' Roger Ebert
then you should do just fine! The best was certainly saved for last! Enjoy everyone!!