The one we've all been waiting for!!!

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2005)

I was seven years old in 1977 when Star Wars first came out, it was the movie that is responsible for my love of cinema. I don't consider myself a Star Wars geek, but I really have always loved the Star Wars universe. For the last 6 years it has been uncool to love Star Wars. The hammering of Episodes I and II was I thought, unfair. I have to agree that they aren't as memorable as the first trilogy but the public in general put expectations on this new trilogy that were virtuously impossible to meet. Now comes Episode III, the one that logically would have to be the best one of the new series. And without a doubt it is!!! Every Star Wars fan had in our heads what this one should have been, and I have to say that except for a couple of quibbles, this film blew me away. It is easily the best film since Empire, George Lucas saved the best for last. He brought a closure to the story that is satisfying and sad. Sad because according to Lucas he won't do another film. He has announced that there might be a TV series, but I for one can't imagine liking a TV version of this story , it belongs on the big screen.
It is pointless to describe the story, we all know that Anakin turns to the Dark Side and becomes Darth Vader. The journey is what counts. The tone of this film a appropriately dark. Lucas treats this transformation as a tragedy, I truly thought that when I would see the Darth Vader suit again that I would love it, but the moment is treated as being profoundly sad, more as the death of Anakin, than the "birth" of Darth Vader The whole first hour of the movie belongs to Ian Mcdormaand as Palpatine/Darth Sidious. He delivers the best performance of the movie, he makes his character into a pseudo Shakespearean villain, playing on Anakin's fears in order to turn him to the Dark Side. Hayden Christensen has been panned for being to whiny as Anakin, he doe a good job of displaying confusion and fear here, he is better here than in Episode II, but I do agree with the idea that he doesn't exude the menace that one would like to see for this role. He is good but not great. Ewan McGregor is great as Obi Wan, he gets more to do in this film. The only real problem for me was the scenes between Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman. They lacked chemistry and the dialog felt painfully strained. Lucas may be a genius storyteller but he can't write a good love story to save his life!!! It doesn't ruin the movie though. What finally comes into the film that was lacking in Episodes I and II is emotion. the final hour of this film is at the same time enthralling and sad. The moment that we see the Darth Vader suit and mask, Lucas treats it as a sad moment. I thought that at first sight of it that the audience would break out in applause, not a whimper. Anakin's dissent is truly disturbing, and even though his dialogue isn't the best, Lucas gives us a final hour that is truly disturbing and memorable. Visually, what can be said but WOW!!! It is truly rare these days to be impressed with what is on screen but Lucas and ILM outdid themselves this time. You can't look away from the screen because you may miss something. The opening action scene is the best battle scene of all six films. All in all, this is the film that I wanted to see, I feel that Lucas will vindicate himself against his doubters with this one. He has in the six films taken me on a wonderful journey. I am just sad that its over!!!
Grade: A-