No, it isn't any better

Rating: 3/10 (22 May 2005)

Just as poorly conceived, acted and executed as the first two prequels, the groundswell of support for the latest and (let's hope) final installment in the Star Wars saga can only be chalked up to desperation on behalf of the faithful, desperate to restore luster back to the faded crown of George Lucas and company. As much as one wants to like Episode III, alas, it is just as terrible - a complete failure as a screenplay, loaded with needless scenes and characters, long stretches of tedious action sequences that do nothing to further the plot, more awful CGI and lousy dialog. Even the film's concluding third act wastes most of the opportunities readily inherent in the material - how could such a sure-fire moment as Darth Vader at last donning his helmet have been so squandered? Another mess. Thank god it's the last one and hopefully Lucas will not return to commit more crimes against cinema in the future.