The Star Wars franchise is probably one of the longest running and successful sagas of all times. George Lucas’s Episode III (the third instalment of the prequels and the overall sixth instalment of the franchise) picks up three years into the Clone Wars as separatist droid armies continue their assaults on the Republic. The opening battle sequence of the movie is a particularly well crafted one. Jedi Knights Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and his protégé Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) embark on a rescue mission to save the kidnapped Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from the hold of General Grievous (voiced by Mathew Wood).
Later on, Anakin Skywalker is disturbed by visions of the death of his secret wife Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) during childbirth. Determined to save his wife at all costs and convinced that the Dark Side of the Force is the only option that can enable him to do so; he gradually flits towards the Dark Side under the sinister guidance of Palpatine. Palpatine has his own axe to grind and subtly directs Anakin’s annoyance and resentment towards the Jedi council. As Anakin Skywalker continues his journey towards the Dark Side of the Force, he is willing to put everything he has believed in at stake. Anakin unhesitatingly kills off young Jedis in the Jedi temple and silently watches as the Jedi masters are persecuted one by one. When Obi Wan Kenobi unearths Anakin’s true intentions and Palpatine’s baleful nature, he realizes that he has no choice but to face Anakin in a duel which can only have one winner! Anakin barely survives the battle, only to emerge as the malevolent and powerful Sith Lord Darth Vader.
The movie provides a very smooth transition to Episode IV, the 1977 Star Wars movie which actually started the franchise and won it myriad fans! Superlative special effects along with a brilliantly consistent storyline add up to make this one of the best movies of the year.