My initial reaction to seeing the film. This is legnthly, but I will try and be succinct in my writing.
This movie is both emotionally and physically draining. I am probably not alone in the opinion the level of intensity and emotional impact in Episode III is what the first two prequels should have been like as well.
Things I really liked:
George Lucas surprised me in that he did go into a little bit why the Sith hate the Jedi that is usually reserved for novels and extended universe canon (like the Knights of the Old Repulic video games and the comics and novels).
He addressed it in how Anakin and Obi Wan represent their respective points of view and where and with who their respective alliegances lie.
For those who don't follow the extended canon, the Sith have always hated Jedi because they believe Jedi teachings (the Code) make them weak. Bsically, if you have the power of the Force, why not use it for good or ill? Sith believe passion is what gives you strength. Not denying things like love, power, anger, etc. Ironically, or logically, this kind of belief system tends to collapse on itself since ALL Sith then believe they should be the ones to rule... Even within their own ranks, I.E. Anakin plotting to overthrow the Emporer... And thus they turn on one another and there is no real stability... The very thing Anakin and Obi Wan wanted with an end to the war.
I was glad to see this aspect of what the Sith really are put into a SW film because up until now, even in the OT, all they really is is the big-bad, evil empire... But we never knew how or why it is (was) so "bad" other than they kill those who oppose them. I think this movie validates the Empire in the OT and am glad GL didn't give the Sith "cartoony" reasons for wanting to sieze power, I.E. they are "eeevvvilll".
The other main thing I liked were the realistic reactions the characters had to the events around them. Especially the Jedi Purge and the unveiling of the Empire.
Unlike the first two prequels, you felt the true gravity of the situation in how Obi Wan and Yoda reacted vs. the first and second film where a lot of the emotions and dialogue was either forced, cheesy or non-existant. This is a key aspect the prequels should have paid more attention to and perhaps they would have been better recieved because this is the main thing missing from the first two films: real human emotions and more importantly, reactions.
I also liked the little details that were put in to bridge Episode III with Episode IV and the OT.
The biggest one is that it is revealed Obi Wan was basically assigned to watch over Luke at Master Yoda's request. That makes his presence in A New Hope more relevant and adds another layer of depth to the entire saga.
I also really like how we got to see what a bad-ass warrior Obi Wan was in his prime. This also adds more depth to the OT when you rewatch those films because we have now experienced some of the things "Old Ben" talks about and have a shared history with his character. It is very rare for anyone who creates fiction to be able to do what GL has done in terms of a "shared experience" and it literally can make exposition of a character be a few lines yet mean so much more than what is said:
Liea: General Kenobi. You served my father in the Clone Wars. I am in need of your help.
I also like how Palpatine transformed from a mild-mannered Chancellor into the Hellish Sith Lord we all love to hate. I had my doubts about how threatening he could be, but when he flew across his chamber and impaled Kit Fisto, and brutally slaughted the other Jedi Masters that really set up his character to where you knew he wasn't a joke. I give props to GL because Sidious really is a Devil/Satan-like figure whom Anakin sells his soul to when he reveals himself.
Things I didn't like:
Some of the special and visual effects were just for show.
A perfect example is the Obi Wan/Anakin final duel. It was impressive, but most of it was a lot of lightsaber twirling and who could look cooler doing it. In a real sword fight, the object is to kill your opponent and that involves keeping your guard up, perrying and blocking and looking for just the right moment to land a fatal kill shot (either high guard or low). Realistically, that sword fight would have been over in a few moments if it was fought like it would have been in real life, but I am willing to cut GL some slack because it did look cool with all that saber twirlin'
Some of the scenes came off unintentially comical.
Prime Example: The newly constructed Darth Vader asks about Padme and then screams "Nooooooo!" as he points his fists to the sky :lol:
Half the audience burst out lauging because it did come off like a Mystery Science Theater 3000 scene. It was just so over-the-top that you couldn't help but laugh and I know it was supposed to be one of the more emotional scenes of the film.
Anyway...
Is this a good movie? Yes. It is it he best movie of the summer? Probably not. And this is coming from a SW fan who has literally grown up with the OT and now has seen the entire saga complete. Do I recommend this film: Yes. I recommend it because I think there is a cautionary tale that is very relevant to what is going on in a certain country right now that also calls itself the Republc and the dangers of how absolute power corrupts absolutely and if young people can take that to heart between all the cool lightsaber duels and space battles then GL has done his "duty" as a storyteller: both entertain and educate even in a non-intentional way.