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'Revenge of the Sith' restores dramatic fire to 'Star Wars' series

"You're all clear, kid, now let's blow this thing and go home!" Han Solo shouted to Luke Skywalker at the end of the original "Star Wars."

The saga's creative force, George Lucas, finds himself very much in Luke's place after two prequels that put him in the cross-hairs of many a disgruntled fan. But with "Revenge of the Sith," he scores a direct hit, and the movie explodes with a knockout of a send-off.

Lucasfilm Ltd. 'Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith' A Director: George Lucas Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Jimmy Smits, Frank Oz, Anthony Daniels, Christopher Lee Run time: 140 minutes Release date: May 19, 2005 Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi violence and some intense images. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer Rate "Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith"   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

To call "Sith" the best of the prequel trilogy isn't saying much, especially since I'm what is known in "Star Wars" circles as a "prequel apologist." I actually enjoyed "The Phantom Menace" and "Attack of the Clones" despite their considerable flaws. (Romance by the sea, anyone? No? How wude!)

That said, "Revenge of the Sith" is more than just a cut above Episodes I and II. It restores dramatic fire to the series, making "Sith" the first great movie of 2005.

The film opens with an absolutely spectacular space battle featuring swooping, unbroken shots and kaleidoscopic effects as Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) fight the forces of Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) and the half-alien, half-droid General Grievous.

But, as the saying goes, there is a great disturbance in the Force. Anakin learns that his wife Padme (Natalie Portman) is pregnant, but he is tormented by visions of her untimely death. The Jedi Council openly distrusts the temperamental Anakin, refusing to make him a Jedi master. Yoda tells him, "Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose."

This makes Anakin putty in the hands of the devious Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), who promises that the dark side of the Force will enable Anakin to save Padme. The stage is set for a fate from which Anakin won't escape.

Lucas does not completely escape the flaws that dogged the other prequels, namely infantile droid babbling and wince-worthy romantic dialogue. However, these moments pass by so quickly they're mere blips of annoyance that are easily forgotten. For that matter, everyone's favorite object of scorn, Jar Jar Binks, is reduced to a wordless cameo.

More problematic is Anakin's final push to the dark side, which is my one major misgiving with the movie. When Anakin turns, it seems too rushed, especially since Padme swears (as her son later does) that there is still good in him.

But even this flaw is mitigated by McDiarmid's captivating performance as the chancellor turned emperor. He makes Palpatine so seductively persuasive that the Jedi seem stodgy and clueless by comparison. As the emperor seizes power, Padme gets the best take on his victory: "So this is how democracy dies: to thunderous applause."

Portman's role is greatly diminished this time, but she makes Padme's final confrontation with Anakin heartbreaking. McGregor, too, is shattering in his spiteful, withering disdain of Anakin's fall from grace. Christensen still has a hard time sounding convincing when he has to shout, but his ability to seethe and glower makes the evil Anakin formidable indeed.

(Parents be warned: Anakin's fiery fate is shown in all its grisly detail, which may be too intense for the youngest of fans.)

Lucas' direction has grown more assertive with each prequel, and his cross-cutting between the "death" of Anakin and the birth of his children is especially moving. When Anakin finally dons the Darth Vader mask, it's not exhilarating, but irrevocably haunting.

Most remarkably of all, "Revenge of the Sith" changes the experience of watching the original trilogy. The balance feels completely different, as Vader changes from fearsome henchman to repentant father.

The sixth and final "Star Wars" movie may be imperfect and bleak, but before the credits roll, the greatest sci-fi series of all concludes with a beautifully hopeful moment that makes for a triumphant finish. As Han might say, "Great shot, George, that was one in a million!"