I admit, I went into RotS with my expectations lowered. I told myself I was going to see how the story played out, and that I would sit through the treacherous dialogue to see Obi-Wan and Anakin duke it out once and for all. Well, I was pleasantly surprised, and overwhelmed by this cinematic masterpieces that eclipses both A New Hope and Return of the Jedi. Only twice did bad dialogue threaten to destroy the credibility of the scene, but quickly it is overcome with emotionally charged conversations and great acting.
War has spread throughout the Republic, as Separatists led by the Sith Lord Dooku and droid General Greivous attempt to break away. They have kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine in an attempt to gain leverage. It is no secret to the audience that Palpatine is actually Darth Sidious, the Sith Master. But the Jedi council does not know of this, and first to his rescue is Obi-Wan Kenobi and his padawan learner, Anakin Skywalker. The movie follows Obi-Wan and Anakin, as they grow farther and farther apart. Very interesting is Anakin's descent to the Dark Side, which makes his character a very sympathetic one. It's tragic, what happened to this young man. My only complaint is that I almost saw him and Darth Vader as two different characters, even at the end of this movie. That isn't the movies fault, it's the fact that I've known Darth Vader all my life.
The action in this movie is top notch, and puts the first two prequels to shame. The opening dogfight is eye candy if anything, but that can hardly be said about the rest of the movie. Watching an army of Wookiee's defend their planet is something just about everyone wants to see. This is the final Star Wars movie, so the climactic battles are really the high points of the movie. Yoda vs. the Emperor was excellent, and almost heartbreaking to see Yoda beaten and fleeing. Sure, we all know it's coming, but it just isn't Yoda. I think everyone wants to see Obi-Wan vs. Anakin, and this fight does not disappoint. It reminded me of the fights between Luke and Vader, they were emotionally charged, unlike the flash of the first two prequels. We can almost see Obi-Wan's heartbreaking as he fights Anakin, but at the same time, he knows what he must do.
This films brilliance becomes apparent about halfway through the movie. You will recognize the scene immediatley. The last few moments of the film show Vader coming into his prime, and of course, the birth of Luke and Leia. The final scene, down to the last shot, is absolute perfection. It's where I came in. Where we all came in. Star Wars has come full circle.