very good, maybe the best

Rating: 9/10 (19 May 2005)

Okay, so there's a lot of people who have problems with this movie. First, I will address two common criticisms I have come across. Then I'll offer my own criticism, but then take it back and conclude with a rather audacious claim. I apologize if my thoughts ramble a bit.
First, someone asked "are we just supposed to accept that Anikan is much stronger than Dooku now?" The answer is, yes, we are. The whole point of the opening sequence is to show you what has become of Anikan in the three years since we saw him last. That Anikan dispatches with Dooku as he does is intended (I think) to be an eye-opener, intended to contrast sharply with the way the previous movie ended. And in my opinion it was very, very effective. Moreover, there is no other way, cinematic ally, to achieve this turnaround. If we are to see Anikan turn into Darth Vader, we cannot start the film be seeing Anikan reach the height of his powers (i.e., seeing Anikan turn into Anikan). Unless, that is, we want a 4 hour movie.
Second, the acting, like all Star Wars movies, is not especially good. However, going into the theater knowing that--having read the reviews--I was pleasantly surprised. It was not as bad as I had feared. It really wasn't. I wholeheartedly agree with one reviewer who said that Lucas somehow takes a brilliant actress like Portman and makes her seem stiff. What a wasted opportunity to add real genius to the whole series. But, on the other hand, there were enough very believable moments (Obi-Wan's cry to Anikan at the end of the picture is as good as any in the two trilogies) to tide you through. And, more importantly, as always, the power of story is enough to move you, regardless of the actors.
The only problem I had with the film was that I was unsure when, exactly, we (the audience) were to arrive at the dreaded realization that Anikan has become Vader. Was it at Windu's death? Was it in the temple? Was it on the landing platform with Padme? As I was watching Anikan, I was wondering, "now is he Vader?" Then again, "okay, now is he Vader?" Unfortunately, the transformation came in a piecemeal fashion so that we were not given the gratification of a definitive moment.
That said, I nevertheless did come away without wondering "how did that happen?" The transition was not depicted flawlessly, but I certainly understood why things turned out the way they did. (Plus, it is unfair to say there were NO definitive moments--the mask and Vader's first breath was great, as was Vader's yell and anger that imploded the things around him.) What's more--and here's where I turn into a heretic, a sinner, a treasonous scoundrel--I actually think this may be the best of ALL the Star Wars movies. The reason is this: it adds so much more meaning to all that happens in the first trilogy. Watch the original movies after seeing Episode III and see if your whole perspective isn't changed. The perfect example is the ending: who among us who did not get goosebumps (or tears, even?) when Obi-Wan handed Luke over to his aunt at the end of the movie to the main "Luke-them" (music) of the original Star Wars? Now, go watch the first movie again and pay attention to how you feel when you first see Luke (not to mention when you first see Vader, or when Vader and Leia come face to face).
In short, the new movie--and the whole second trilogy in general--have given new power to the originals, and for that deserves to be revered.