I saw Star Wars: ROTS today. It's very good.

[bluestateguy]

It is deficiently the best of the 3 prequels. I still have to say that the originals are better movies, but Revenge of the Sith comes close to the quality of the original movies. The dialogue is rather mediocre, but that's an improvement over episodes I and II. For some reason, I can't help but think that the part of Padme was never the best role for Natalie Portman, who is otherwise a fine actress. She sometimes seems like her heart is just not in it, as she delivers nothing more than a competent performance this time. Ewan McGregor and Ian McDiarmind were perhaps the strongest and most convincing, demonstrating a real character development since the Phantom Menace. As for special effects, George Lucas outdid himself this time. I didn't think it would be possible to exceed the work of the other 5 movies, but somehow he did. It was a pleasure to watch, and I enjoyed seeing glimpses of planets that we had only been hearing about for years: Kashyyk and Alderaan. Putting aside any political overtones of the movie (which I think some people overemphasize), we really see how good people can be turned to evil. Of course, this is a movie for which most of us know the eventual outcome, so it's hard for Lucas to really deliver a surprise--much less anything on the level of the Empire Strikes Back's revelation of Vader as Luke's father--but the story is still exciting, engaging and in the end, tragic.

[Capt_Nemo]

1. Lucas could have made

an "entertainment grade Godfather movie" with this story and somehow
he managed to make a mess of it.

Still, there are the scenes with Chancellor/Emperor Palpatine
(or should I say Dick Cheney?)

Could have been a better movie and that would make its very relevant
political message more effective...

[hertopos]

2. I saw it last night and it changed my view of Star Wars...

Ok, I can pick on details but at the end of day, it was a very intense experience to say the least. If only, I did not read any reviews, it could have been even better.

'Major Major Spoiler Alert."

**********************************************
First of all, the movie really changed the way I see Darth Vader now. From now on, I see Darth Vader as a desperate and trapped soul than an abstract evil. I think the way I see the Ep 6 will change quite a lot, not to mention the munch deeper texture of Ep 5 final confrontation.

Second, I was really thinking about why Obi-One won. I discussed about this with my husband ( who is a serious Star Wars geek). I pretty much convinced him that Obi-One 'intentionally' exploited Anakin's over confidence. I also thought Jedi's way to stop fighting when others became incapacitated, sometimes seemed more cruel than just finishing it.

Thirdly, I think Darth Sidius wanted Anakin to be like that as a complete subordinate. Remember Darth Sidius killed his mentor. Anakin was planning to do eventually take over his new master. Unlike Jedi, there is no trust or friendship between Master and Apprentice. In addition, Padome would have been always an obstacle for Anakin's complete Transformation to the dark side. Anakin was a chosen one. His power can exceed Sidius once he learn master's tricks. Deformed and without any limb of his own, Anakins power will be much under control.

Now, Lucus created a pop mythology with serious depth. I also call Star Wars as a space opera rather than SciFi in its original spirit. I like 'real' opera and the another great part of movie was the mus ice score. It was most operatic sound track I ever heard.

Unlike many people, I don't see too much parallel between Ep III and God Father. Ep III is much darker than God Father. I want to talk more but I have to go. Well, I can add one more thing. If I would pick one particular literature to compare, it reminded me of the tragedy of Othello as far as Anakin was involved.

Poor Darth Vader, he is a living dead. OH, Hayden Christiansen was great. ( Yes there were some not so great delivery ) He carried the gravity of the tragedy at the same time he grew into very attractive young man very different from teenage brat in EP II.

Yoshiko

[VelmaD]

3. re: Obi-Wan not killing Anikin when he had the chance...

that is explained in more detail in the novelization of the movie. It wasn't out of cruelty. It would take time he didn't have to work his way down the slippery slope Ani was on...time he didn't have if he was going to avoid Darth Sidious, who he could sense heading toward the planet, and save Padme. He left Ani's fate to the will of the Force.