The Force is with us in EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH, the final chapter of the six-part STAR WARS series, which began a long time ago (1977) in a galaxy far, far away... and is now complete in its cyclical perfection. This visually awe-striking kaleidoscope of interplanetary imagination features the unmatched digital animation and special effects of George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic. With pink and orange skies casting a golden sheen over magnificent landscapes through which space ships dart and light sabers flash, the spectacle of the film, while hypnotizing, is but a complement to the intense, crucial plot. Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) remains the Jedi apprentice of master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). Battling dark forces that threaten the Republic, the duo quickly eliminates enemy Count Dooku (Christopher Lee), and Anakin proves--as he states more than once--that his powers have doubled. An intimidating warrior with superior knowledge of the Force, Anakin becomes the pet of Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), who is connected to the dark side. Meanwhile, Padme (Natalie Portman), the senator and former queen who is secretly married to Anakin, is pregnant, and Anakin is tortured by dreams of her dying in childbirth. With Obi-Wan on Utapau battling cyborg General Grievous (Matthew Wood), and Yoda (Frank Oz) joining the Wookiees of Kashyyyk, the sage warnings of the Jedi council (Samuel L. Jackson, Jimmy Smits) go unheard by Anakin. His moodiness and glowering are a clear precursor to his inevitable, terrifying metamorphosis into Darth Vader, the dark leader of the evil Empire who haunts the remainder of the series. John Williams's famous orchestral score with its thunderous marching themes adds more continuity, with refrains reminding viewers of STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE, in which Padme's children Luke and Leia take charge.

Cast List