Highly flawed, but still effective

Rating: 7/10 (23 May 2005)

Do not get the idea that "Revenge of the Sith" is a perfect movie. There are both issues that Lucas failed to confront from Episodes I and II that, unfortunately, still exist, and there are definitely questions about areas that are introduced in this movie. Nevertheless, "Revenge of the Sith" is still by far the best of Lucas' three prequels, and it does set the stage well for what is to come in what became the masterpieces of the saga.
Among the problems with "Sith" is the still toxic dialogue between Hayden Christenson and Natalie Portman. Lucas still believes a positive exists in Christenson's inability to act, and he exploits it for the second straight time in trying to get him to form an affective relationship with Portman, whose true acting talents are somewhat hidden when she speaks with him. The words and phrases remain corny and disposable, and are easily forgettable. Lucas does have the common sense, fortunately, to add weight to Christenson's lines, so he doesn't remain some over-actor who brings down everybody else while happening to look good using a light saber.
While Lucas does do a fine job of explaining how every factor leads to its state in Episode IV, making the transition from modern prequel to 70's sequel easier, there are still questions that a typical viewer would bring into focus. Why does a Jedi win a fight using, for example, the ability to repel or attract large objects from long distances, and yet, seem to abandon and forget this ability while fighting a following opponent? How does Yoda make the transition from saber-bearing warrior (as he also was in Episode II) to, after only 19 or so years, a wise yet feeble, ready-to-die, ancient creature? These are only a few of the "problems" I noticed, that Lucas seemed to either ignore or forget to address entirely.
Despite its shortcomings, Lucas does what he can with an already-created past and future, and winds up with a respectable and surely enjoyable film. "Sith" does well to recover the path of the original three that was lost in the creation of I and II, and it reaches the dark levels required of a plot of its substance. Lucas' creation, most likely his last containing Wookies and droids, is not perfect, but it gets its point across, and with emphasis to spare. May the Force be with you.