At last, Lucas pulls one out of the hat

Rating: 8/10 (22 May 2005)

And so, after all the hype and two flatulent films, George Lucas had one chance to gain relief from the hounds on his back. After watching his final effort, only one word sprung to mind, redemption. For the first time Lucas has managed to get a compelling plot. Even though we now what has to happen, Lucas' how and why is actually interesting. However, the dialogue is appalling, but more of that later. Lucas' direction is also much improved. He has created a complete world and manages to get away with the highly political opening in a way that he didn't even get close to in his previous two efforts. He manages to carry a very heavy and filled storyline very well and he has reached new heights of technical achievement. But, above all, he has actually created sequences that are highly emotive, moving and wondrous pieces of cinema. These are mainly in three places. Firstly, the murder of all of the Jedi throughout the galaxy is superbly well done. Secondly, the inter-cutting of Yoda's duel with the Emperor and the fabled duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan is fantastically well made. Finally, the inter-cutting of the creation of Darth Vader, suit and all, and the birthing of Luke and Leia and the imminent death of their mother is beautiful. But it is mostly the tying up of the loose ends that gives this films its charm. But, these sequences wouldn't be half as effective if was not for John Williams' superb score, David Tattersall's awe-inspiring cinematography and ILM's spectacular special effects. However, there are pieces in the film when the editing is hard to follow, but apart from this minor slip-up, the films beautiful feel and look is unquestionably a wondrous technical achievement. Even the acting is improved. Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen are all markedly improved, especially McGregor whose performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi is nearing brilliance, but unfortunately it remains sadly short of Alec Guiness. Ian McDiarmid is wonderful in his slightly eccentric performance of his crucial character, whilst the supporting cast is brilliant, in particular Jimmy Smits. However not even James Earl Jones, in his fleeting appearance as Darth Vader, could deal with the woeful dialogue, at times. Words such as "Younglings" make far too much of an appearance and the final "Nooooooooo!" of the series almost destroys the scene it is in. For the disillusioned, this film could save their faith in the series. It is the darkest of the six and possibly my second favourite, and it is pulled of with great panache and style.