As I waited in line outside my local neighborhood movie theatre, I felt anxious nerves unsettling my stomach. I forced myself to eat some food, as I knew I'd need the sustinance to survive my final star wars experience.
The line wasn't long, and when they let us into the theatre, a good 5 hours before showtime (as I was going to a midnight showing) I had my pick of any good seat. While I waited for my friend to meet me, I listened to the score on my Dell Digital Jukebox. There were a few costumed fans in the theatre, including a very well done Darth Vader. My friend arrived and we attempted to pass the time with small talk and by playing cards. Finally, as midnight approached, and the theatre filled to capacity, there was a heightened level of excitement. Conversation became louder, more animated, and a few people tried to start a "Star Wars" chant. Thankfully it didn't take hold.
At 5 minutes to showtime, the preshow countdown began with the obligatory commercials, which I still despise. There was some cheering as we all knew how close we were to the beginning of the end.
As the previews began a few minutes later-I felt the nervous anxiousness again. I had tried to stay spoiler-free (as much as I could!), and I was afraid I had built up in my mind a movie that couldn't live up.
As the last preview played and the 20th Century Fanfare began, I couldn't help grinning. I had read the prequel novelization, Labryinth of Evil, so I knew where our story would begin. As the Lucasfilm title lit up the screen there were cheers, and when "A long time ago in a Galaxy far, far away..." came up, it was euphoric. More cheers and screams as STAR WARS came at us, John Williams unequaled score deafening in the theatre. As the text crawl began-I was already into it. "WAR!"...I knew it would be good.
The opening scene with the space battle didn't disappoint, and it was so complicated, I almost lost track of who was what, and where it was! The score for this opening scene was amazing as well. I enjoyed the banter between Anakin and Obi-Wan, it was evidnet thier friendship had progressed greatly. Anakin is still the younger, bolder Jedi, looking to Obi-Wan for guidance, even though he is no longer a Padawan learner. The scene with the vulture droids and buzz droids went on longer than I would have liked, but it added excitement.
After the two jedi crashed into Grievous's ship, their lightsabers blazed faster then I could follow. There was some cute action between R2-D2, and the two Jedi. The droid finally having a somewhat legitimate purpose in the story. I had been disappointed with the inclusion of the droids in Eps I and II. As the two Jedi searched the ship for Palpatine, I didn't know what to expect. What I really wanted was the scene to end so I could see Anaking and Padme reunited. I had to wait though. As the two Jedi fought their way to Palpatine, there was more humor, and I enjoyed the elevator scenes. Finally, the Jedi heroes made it to Palpatine, where they were confronted with Count Dooku, yet again.
Suddenly they were fighting. Lightsabers flashing everywhere. Palpatine watching, undoubtedtly rejoicing on the inside as Anakin slices off Dookus hands and takes possession of his lightsaber. Poor Obi-Wan gets hurt again. The guy can't seem to catch a break versus Dooku. As Anakin is holding Dooku on his knees, the two lightsabers at crosshairs at his neck...Palpatine orders Anakin to kill him. We see the first part of the struggle in him. He knows he shouldn't but when Palpatine basically orders him "DO IT" in that AWESOME (Emporer) Palpatine voice. He doesn't hesitate. He kills him. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little taken aback. The dark side peeks its head out...
The retreat off the observation deck with Palpatine was exciting and humerous at times also. Though was the humor necessary??
Then we meet General Grievous. I did not like this character. I didn't understand why he was contantly hacking and coughing. After Anakin and Obi-Wan kill all the droids in the ship, and Grievous escapes, we have the awesome crash landing onto Coruscant. The FX for that scene were amazing. The fire, the dust, the crumbling tower. I'm not a fan of the purely digital, but this part was impressive.
The next scenes finally gave me what I had been waiting for. After some celebration for the return of Palpatine, we see Anakin, and Padme, reunited. My interest in this movie had everything to do with Anakin's fall, which might be why I could care less for Grievous. We finally see a softer, happier side to Anakin, and when Padme tells him she's pregnant...well, as cliched as it was, we all know it was necessary for Luke and Leia to come about.
At this point I must interject and say I am not impressed with George Lucas's writing abilities. Upon my first viewing of this movie, I thought so much of the dilaogue between Anakin and Padme was extremely cheesy. After my second viewing it wasn't as bad.
Well, here my scene by scene recollection gets a little foggy, so I'll mention the parts that I do remember, and have an opnion on.

The movie really got going when Anakin visited Palpatine, and Palpatine told Anakin he wanted him as his liason on the Jedi Council. We saw a flash of Anakin the whiner when he was told he wouldn't be a master. And was it my imagination, or did Obi-Wan almost looked pleased about the situation??? Seemed a little out of character for me.

Now we go back to the cheesy writing, the whole balcony conversation between Anakin and Padme about his love/her love...lame. Not as lame the 2nd time, but still pretty lame. What I did like about this scene was the intensity that Anakin watched Padme. It was so easy, from this point in the movie, to think that his love for her would be his downfall.
At this point I also must take time to mention the costumes. I thought Padme's costumes were beautiful, especially the blue night dress she wore .
After Anakin'ds dream of Padme's death, we see even more, how his love for her would be his downfall, and we see why the Jedi forbid possession, and attachment.
The next scene with Yoda advising Anakin is also good for insight. As Yoda tells Anakin to rid himself of things he's afraid to lose. I know it won't happen. He would never rid himself of Padme.

The turning point in the film is after Obi-Wan tells Anakin the Council wants him to report on Palpatine's dealings. When Anakin visits Palpatine at the space opera, the transition starts to take place.
I loved the Sith myth (haha that rhymed) of Darth Plagous (sp?). The power to keep someone from dying. Anakin was hooked in, line and sinker.

Again forgive me if I am not going in order, I can't seem to remember which scene came first-the editing was too fast!

When Obi-Wan is determined to be the Jedi to seek out Grievous, I could sense the jealousy in Anakin, and their final conversation, with Obi-Wan giving Anakin recognition as a great Jedi, I knew it was too little, too late. I think Anakin appreciated the words, but he'd made his choice. And he wanted more power than the Jedi Council would give him. Hence his statement to Palpatine earlier, "I know there are things about The Force they aren't telling me". And when Anaking confronts Padme with his fears, "I'm not the JedI I should be"..."I want more". She should have seen it coming.

One thing I didn't understand, at this point in the movie, Anakin has a jealous reaction because Obi-Wan had been in the apartment, and PAdme says it's because he was worried about Anakin...the way the dilalogue was written it made it sound like Obi-Wan knew about thier relationship. I didn't like how that part played out.

I really liked seeing Obi-Wan on his own, and completing a mission without having to be rescued by Anakin, as it seemed he had to be many times before. I thought his fight with Grievous was great (though I didn't like the lizard looking thing he rode, that was kind of wierd). I was glad Grievous was killed right away, as he was a fairly unneccessary character in the scheme of it all.

So-it's the turning point in the film, up to know it's been a little drab, then we see Obi-Wan leave, and Anakin struggling. When Mace and Anakin see the message that Obi-Wan has confronted Grievous, Mace sends Anakin to Palpatine.
And here the movie truly begins. Anakin finds out Palpatine is Darth Sidious, even though we all knew (at least I assume people know!) this, it was great to see his reaction. The two of them circling eachother, Anakin with his lightsaber drawn, and Palpatine, twisting Anakins thoughts by mentioning his knowledge of him and Padme. I loved the scene.
When Mace takes some other Jedi to confront Palaptine, the charade is over. And Palpatine doesn't disappoint, easily killing three Jedi, and having a decent (if not SLOW) duel with Windu. I think that Palpatine's force skills have less to do with using a lightsaber, and more to do with reading the future and his ability to influence others.

My favorite scene

Anakin sitting alone in the Jedi Council Chambers. Padme sitting alone in the apartment. There are no words, just haunting music. Anakin stands and looks to the window, to the building where Padme stands and walks to the window, herself looking out to the Jedi Temple. They each stare, obviously each of them in the others thoughts. The tears that slip out of Anakin's eyes, as he realizes he has to stop Windu from killing Palapatine. Anakin chooses his love for Padme over his allegiance to the Jedi. Padme, I think senses his struggle, but isn't clear about what, or why. And as Anakin runs out of the Jedi Temple, we know he has made his choice.

This scene was my favorite because there was no need for dialogue. It was all done with the music, and the acting. Simple emotions. It was heart-wrenching to me.

So-Mace Windu and Palpatine are dueling, and Mace has cornered Palpatine (who is doing a fine job of acting fearful and old). In rushes Anakin, and there, he reveals his true intentions, Mace can't kill him because "I need him!".
And with that, Anakin disarms Mace, literally. Then out comes Palpatine's highest ranked ability, Force Lightening. Poor Mace, a horrible death.
There is still a small struggle inside Anakin, as he realizes what he's done, and he can't bear the emotions of it. But Palpatine plays off it, and by the end of the scene, Anakin has pledged himself to the dark lord, and been given his name, Darth Vader.

The first time I saw the movie, this scene seemed to be rushed, and Anakin accepted his failure as a Jedi, and pledged himself to Palpatine with almost no resistance. But with my second viewing, I thought it was actually not that fast, because Anakin had been on the slippery slope for years. Running in place, trying to get to the top, and keeping himself from hitting the bottom. At this point, he stopped running, and he hit the bottom. I also liked how Palpatine gave him his Sith name. And how there was a slight pause, as if he were considering what would best suit Anakin. Darth Vader. Hearing the name spoken gave me chills. And as sad as it really was, I was ecstatic that the movie was finally progressing.

It was terribly sad when Anakin obeyed Palpatine and slaughtered all the Jedi in the Temple. Even the children. That was very sad. And the intercut scenes with the various Jedi being cut down, and Yoda's reactions, were awesome. I was so sad to see these amazing Jedi murdered by Clone Troops who minutes ago were following orders from the Jedi. I was especially sad when Ki-Adi-Mundi was killed. He was one of my favorite Jedi Master!
And Yoda, the true Jedi Master of all Masters, was the only one able to defend against his attack, and kill his attackers. It was sweet when Chewbacca gave him a ride on his back. I giggled. A light moment of levity in a movie that had been so serious in previous scenes.

And Padme's upset breakdown over the attack at the Jedi Temple, which she can see from her apartment. Poor woman. But when Anakin returned, Padme's fear for Anakins life was very touching, and as Anakin left to go to Mustafa, he tells Padme several times, "wait for me"...does he sense she'll leave??? I got a little confused about what that was supposed to mean.

Anakin arrives at Mustafar, full on sith lord. He slaughters the Seperatist leaders with no second thoughts. He has abandoned Anakin Skywalker. The yellow eyes and the angry looks again gave me chills. But his tears as he stared at the expanse of lava weren't lost on me either. He was still struggling, I think.

Another tragic (it's all tragic, and I feel redundant using this word again!) was Obi-Wan's discovery of Anakin as the murderer of the Jedi. His plea with Yoda not to send him to kill Anakin was honest. And when he confronted Padme about where Anakin might be, you could see the struggle in her eyes too.

When Padme landed on Mustafar, so save Anakin, for a moment it seemed she might succeed. Anakin broke through the Darth Vader persona. But his lust for power, his attempt to lure Padme to join him, saying they could rule the galaxy together, broke her. Then, Anakins jealousy of Obi-Wan brought Darth Vader back to the surface. Padme's reaction to Anakin's declaration of world domination was so real. Her tears and her dialogue were perfect (Natalie Portman and GL deserve proper credit here).

The most shocking turn of events were Anakin choking Padme, and his furious screams at Obi-Wan. This scene and the ones that followed were so completely intense. Even though I knew Anakin would live, and that Yoda wouldn't defeat Palpatine, it was horrible to watch. Yoda suffered, and Anakin really suffered when Obi-Wan finally defeated him. No legs, no arms. Burnt.
"I HATE YOU!"..."You were the Chosen One!"..."You were like a brother!"..."I LOVED YOU!"
WOW
Then Obi-Wan takes Anakin's lightsaber. And twenty years later, he gives it to Luke. I rejoiced at that tiny tidbit, that incredible bit of continuity.

I think it's safe to assume that Anakin had learned to keep himself from dying, no way would any other person have survived three of their limbs being severed, then being completely burned, if it weren't for The Force. Anakin had mastered that ability, and when Palpatine found him, and he made the statement that he's still alive, I think that is what he was alluding too. He was still alive because he had learned to keep himself that way. Obi-Wan, had he finished him off...

And Padme, even after Anakin tried to strangle her, she was still worried for him...so sad.

The construction of Darth Vader as we know him from the OT was incredible to see. The silence as the mask was attached, and the breathing...whoa.
And when Palpatine lied to Vader about his rage killing Padme, his scream of NO! sealed the deal, Vader was his. And Palpatine knew. Hence the evil grin.

The revelation of the twins, and the birth was also very emotional. It was kind of cheesy how she named them as they were born, but Obi-Wan was great as support, being there for her.

Our final view of Darth Vader, looking out the window at the Death Star under construction was also a great connection to ANH. And as the babies were split up and taken to their respective homes, we were able to see another Twin Sunset on Tattoine.


~Overall I loved this movie, the beginning was a little slow, and somewhat cheesy, but as the movie progressed, the action and emotions were raised, and by the end you didn't know what had hit you.

I can't wait to view it for a third time.

Thank you for reading! I had no idea I would write so much!