(SPOILER WARNING: review contains many spoilers)

I (Josh) took two friends with me to see ROTS at a press screening today. Here's another perspective on the final Star Wars movie ever.

In short: undeniably the best movie in the franchise. The only unfulfilled desire I was left with was the near uncontrollable urge to watch A New Hope the minute I left the theater.

I remember my first Star Wars experience. I was eleven, and when my dad pulled off the freeway, the line wrapped around the movie theaters two times. Not to be deterred, after a few hours, Empire Strikes Back burned memories I?ll never forget.

I probably represent most Star Wars fans. I?ve never been to Skywalker Ranch. I don?t know very much about all the inner workings of Lucasfilm. I couldn?t name the dude who?s done all the music (I think his first name is John?). I know that Wookiees are sweet, Ewoks are almost tolerable, and Jar Jar is retarded. I wanted to be Han Solo when I grew up (not Luke) and I love Star Wars. With all of that out of the way, here?s my take:

Overall Response
It?s a great movie, it more than makes up for Episode I. It?s the perfect conclusion to the first trilogy and perfect setup for the second. (I?m told that ?real? fans love Episode 1, I just thought it was ok. I liken it to a long trek in the desert. After which any drink will seem like near ambrosia).

Let There Be Light
Let?s talk turkey: lightsaber battles are a gift from Heaven. In Episode I, the conclusion was the epic battle between Darth Maul and Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan. In Episode II, when I saw Yoda unleashed, I nearly had a heart attack because it was the coolest thing I?d ever seen. (I realize that I?m using ?cool? and ?sweet? quite a bit, get used to it.)

These past culminations are like paltry offerings compared to the delights you?ll see in Episode III. I can?t overstate this. Compare the Himalayas with an anthill. It?s not just the PG-13 rating, which is sweet. It?s the continual clash between good and evil that can only really be settled on the edge of a lightsaber. Minutes into Revenge of the Sith, you?ll hardly believe your eyes with the first lightsaber battle. Each new incarnation of the conflict is better than the last. You?ll relearn the definition of intensity.

Eye Candy. Nope ... Eye Delight
Effects: this movie is a feast for the eyes. Every stunt and effect was so spectacular, and yet it wasn?t over the top. I?m sure I?m crazy for saying it was ?realistic,? but you can go ahead and commit me. You?ll be a believer after you?ve seen it.

But is there a story?
Oh yes. And the story is sweet. Nearly all the questions are answered, and the loose ends are tied up. All the pieces are in play for A New Hope. There are a few cheesy lines, but I can?t think of a great movie that doesn?t have some. The love story is a bit forced and fake-ish and some of the metaphors were a little too simplistic for me (?I have the higher ground, Anakin?).

Emperor Envy
Obviously, everything has developed the progression of Anakin to Darth Vader. We have all walked with Anakin from blank slate to the loss of innocence to the sharp plummet to the Dark Side. But once he?s there, he wraps it all up for us. It?s obvious that Anakin was filled with pride and driven by passion. His pride in his ability is understandable, and well developed throughout the Prequelogy (is that a word?). Born of the Force, high midichlorian count, everyone tells him he?s strong in the force, etc... it?s no wonder his head swelled larger than a Hutt.

Anakin?s passions were out of control: he was too rash, too stubborn to be content, and in love. All paths lead to the Dark Side. While the love story between Ani and Padme usually left me with hoping for the next scene, at least this part of the story was told.

Once Anakin turns to the Dark Side, he starts screaming about becoming the Emperor and remaking the Republic in his own image. WHERE did this come from? More random than a game of Pazaak, these rants don?t make any sense. Sure, Anakin wanted to be more than he was, but the promises of Sidious were enough to fill that ambition. Anakin had much to learn from Sidious and he knew it.

I?m a total rookie, and I probably need to see the movie again, but Anakin just barely became a Sith, and he had his eye on the Throne. Too rushed, simply not believable.

On a minor note, I?ve read all of the Star Wars books dealing with the Clone Wars Era and my recollection is that Anakin was the superior swordsman over Obi-Wan. My memory leads me to believe that Obi-Wan had no chance in open conflict with Anakin. Looks like I was wrong- or, the story line isn?t totally consistent.

Anyhow, my beefs are pretty minor compared to how much I enjoyed the movie. I still have my ticket for the midnight showing on opening night and I?m still planning on going.

The Force definitely was with this movie. Go see it.