Jackson Free Press

There will never be another "Star Wars" movie. Said aloud, it's a strange, almost sad statement to consider (even for a lesser fan), one that signals a further widening of the void in the magic and imaginativeness of American cinema. George Lucas' grand, visionary space opera, which has spanned three decades and garnered limitless adoration, concludes with last week's release of the series' final chapter (the third chronologically), "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith."

Returning to the darker style that pervaded "The Empire Strikes Back," "Episode III" is a remarkably compelling, dazzling conclusion (of sorts) to the "Star Wars" films, one that is certain to satisfy both casual and long-term fans.

"Revenge of the Sith," completing Lucas' six-film series and serving as the bridge between the recent prequels and the 1977 original film, provides the answers to the mammoth "Star Wars" mythology's most urgent lingering questions. How is Anakin Skywalker seduced to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader? How does the tragic downfall of the Jedi Order occur? How are twins Luke and Leia separated? Though some intentional mystery remains within the sextet of films, Lucas delivers the answers fans have been awaiting, and the events of the series' third and fourth chapters match up as seamlessly as possible.

"Episode III" opens with a rousing, triumphantly executed 30-minute action sequence that finds Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, "Big Fish") and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen, "Life as a House") rushing to the aid of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid, "Sleepy Hollow") at the height of the Clone Wars begun in "Episode II." After saving Palpatine's life from his captor Count Dooku (Christopher Lee, "The Lord of the Rings"), Anakin becomes close to the Chancellor, who appoints him as his personal representative on the Jedi Council. Anakin's secret wife, Padmé, (Natalie Portman, "Closer") reveals her unexpected pregnancy, and Anakin is soon plagued by nightmares of her torturous childbirth.

The primary narrative thrust of "Sith" is Anakin Skywalker's descent into the dark side of "the Force," his abandonment of his life as a Jedi and its tenets, and indulgence in his most negative emotions. He learns the story of Darth Plagueis, a very powerful Sith Lord who was able to control the life and death of others, and becomes consumed by desire for such unnatural powers. Anakin's mistrust for his superiors in the Jedi Order and his temptation by the sinister Darth Sidious soon result in the upheaval of the peaceful, democratic Republic, setting the stage for the films that comprise the series' second half.

Lucas' depiction of Anakin's seduction (and Christensen's portrayal of it) is more delicate and masterful than any of the film's visual effects, and it carries an almost boundless tragic resonance.

Because audiences doubtlessly have at least a vague idea of what takes place in "Episode III," the story is virtually devoid of dramatic tension. Those characters who survive the film (and those who don't) are already known due to their appearance (or lack thereof) in the later films, and very few of the picture's plot points benefit from the element of surprise. Lucas knows this, of course, and the film he has crafted compels the audience along its tragic and sinister path with all the dread and inevitability of a Greek tragedy. More than ever, his characters feel genuinely fated to their decisions, and the final act of "Sith" delivers a stunning emotional punch greater than that contained in any of the other films.

The two earlier "Star Wars" prequels, 1999's "The Phantom Menace" and 2002's "Attack of the Clones," were attacked my many critics and bemoaned by some fans as being dramatically and tonally lightweight. By comparison, there's almost too much going on in "Episode III," and its intensity is demonstrated by its PG-13 rating (all of the other episodes in the series have been rated PG). Indeed, "Sith" is much more violent and upsetting than the other installments have been, but it is so by necessity.

With "Episode III", Lucas has capped off one of cinema's most stirring fictional worlds by creating one of the year's most entertaining and well-made films.