Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
The war between the Republic and the Separatists continues as Chancellor Palpatine has been kidnapped by General Grievous and Count Dooku. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) comes up with a plan to rescue him and with the overwhelming help of Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), does so. While Anakin feels proud of what he's done, he's troubled by visions of Padme's (Natalie Portman) impending death after her pregnancy. The comfort he finds comes from the Chancellor himself, who tells him she could be saved if he learned the teachings of the dark side from him. Anakin is utterly confused at this point, but trusts his feelings to go to Master Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) with his findings. When Windu takes his information and runs, Anakin feels used and abandoned by the Jedi, pretty much completing his move to the dark side and his allegiance to Darth Sidious.

Starting out, "Revenge of the Sith" was headed down the mediocre path set forth by George Lucas' first two efforts. Special effects that wow us but do nothing for the story. Cringing romantic scenes between Padme and Anakin (I still say it doesn't look right). Anakin continuing to be the whining and pouting teenager he should have left behind from "Attack of the Clones" (ohhh, they won't let me become a Jedi master...boo-hoo). But while Anakin's move to the dark side had ramifications for the Jedi in that galaxy, in this one, it did wonders for the film. Finally, Christensen gets comfortable and looks the part Lucas meant for him to play. The story becomes crisp and compelling, never needing an overwhelming space battle or two armies going at each other to keep our attention. Instead, focusing on the conflicts between individual characters was the best route and they produced some great lightsaber scenes. Anakin's transformation in the end sends enough chills down your spine and all the loose ends that connect this episode to the fourth one are refreshing to see. So at last the puzzle is complete, and what a final piece it is. 3.5 stars