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Phew. Well, we’ve just got back from seeing Episode III, and it was everything I’d hoped it’d be.

It was also everything I feared it would be, but that’s beside the point. We knew there’d be the appalling dialogue, the no doubt frustrated actors doing their best for the director. It can’t be any coincidence that Lucas had nothing to do with Empire strikes back or Jedi, beyond writing the basic screenplay.

To an extent he’s put the first two films behind him. Helped of course by having to “just” deal with the appearance of Vadar and the destruction of the Jedi. Nice and easy, and he certainly delivered everything we wanted. Lots of action, a reasonably straightforward plot-line, some great special effects, cameo entrances (yay chewbacca!) and tying up all those loose ends (”Wipe the protocol droids memory”. Handy!)

All in all, a great evenings entertainment. Great fun. Much darker, but so much the better for not having to pamper to the youngsters. Some very delicious manifestations of evil to help matters along, and of course the obligatory Yoda-kicking-ass to get the audience going.

My particular favourite part was watching the not-so-subtle change in the “technology”. As the film progressed, I noticed the prevalence of white space-craft interiors, particular buttons and control systems, all very much at odds with the earlier part of the film and the proceeding two episodes where the wizzy effects were very much the order of the day. In the penultimate shot, as Darth Vadar appears in his outfit for the first time, to see the Death Star being built, the uniforms of the crew matched those in Episode 4 perfectly. Far too many viewings of the original over christmas to have missed that… If you struggle with the clunky dialogue, cast your eyes about the shot and enjoy it. Assuming you like that sort of thing!

Official website here. Also worth remember you can get one ticket free thanks to the excellent Orange promotion on Wednesdays, if you’re a customer of theirs that is. Helps in the cost of the popcorn of course!

Update : Rumours about a prequel prequel. The story of the overthrow of the Sith. Interesting. Better than some Han Solo and Leia love-in!