A powerhouse movie with full "Force"!! (possible spoilers)

Rating: 10/10 (19 May 2005)

Over twenty years ago, George Lucas created a movie that many felt would fail or at the very best gather only a small audience. Alas, Star Wars has become an empire in itself. Star Wars fans the world over drooled with anticipation when word of Episode I broke out, and it's monumental success was a testament to the power of the series. Episode II was also very good, very successful...yet it somehow lacked a little bit of the power that made Episode I so successful, despite (or maybe in spite of) the likes of Jar Jar Binks. Now George Lucas has brought us the chapter we have ALL been waiting for ever since Episode I came out: the actual visualization of Anakin Skywalker following the darkened path to his own doom. Taking place maybe 5 years or so after Episode II, Pademe' is pregnant with the twins we know will be Luke and Leia. Count Dooku and General Grievious are waging war on the Jedi Council and in the beginning of the film, they've got Senator Palpatine held hostage. Most of us, however, don't buy any of this for a second. We know, or perhaps only suspect, that it's all a set-up in Palpatine's elaborate plan to gain total control of the senate and turn it into his Galactic Empire. Anakin, meanwhile, has nightmares predicting Padame's death, and he's willing to do anything to save her. Even if it means learning the ways of the dark side of the force. Palpatine senses this and seizes on it as a grand opportunity to turn young Skywalker into his newest and most powerful apprentice. I'm not going to say much more here about the story line (I'm trying to stick to basics)but I will say that this was definitely one of the very best movies I have ever seen, and certainly a powerhouse landmark in the Star Wars series!!! We all know that we'll get to see Anakin and Obi-wan duke it out with their sabers; we also know that at some point Anakin will meet his near-fatal end on a planet consumed by lava pits, and that this will ultimately lead to his transformation to the infamous and world-renowned figure that is DARTH VADER. A wonderful movie, great story line, awesome action scenes. I do have to admit that a few of Anakin's lines before the final duel with Obi-wan are served a little stiff, but overall Hayden Christensen IS Anakin Skywalker and he does an incredible job in the role. Certainly no one else could do it better! The acting is incredible, the plot is dark, of course, but George knows where to draw the line to avoid offending anyone. Still, it's painful at times to watch Anakin stray to the dark side; he sacrifices so much for it. But we also hugely anticipate seeing the black mask of Vader that we know and love so well! 10 stars!!!