Wow. Amy hit so many things on the head--I feel a lot better (less irresponsible) about not having put my own fanboy thoughts up before now.

I too believe the flick requires repeat screenings. You know, that first time through you're matching the cinematic signifiers to all those signifieds in your own head that are demanding representation match the images in your own brain. Until I saw the "Vader Rise" bit from the trailer, I was fully convinced Lucas would actually use all that stuff about Anakin's facility with electronics--so carefully reiterated throughout the first two prequels--to construct an amazing, climactic scene where the mortally injured Vader uses the force to pull metal and technology from his evironment and safe his own life by constructing that environmental suit we so know and love. I was totally convinced this is where Lucas was heading. Having Palpatine oversee a relatively simple process was just plain depressing. The first time. And, like Amy, I cringed when Vader, um, screeched at the ending. Just awful.

At least, so I thought, until I'd seen the movie three times. Each time, I loved it more.

My problems with dialogue (the romantic stuff), tone (the comedic first 30 minutes), and action (that busty Twilek dies way too fast) faded into the background. Now, I consider Vader's roar as consistent with the voice modulator that likely prohibits either really loud or really soft speech. We want him to roar, but his suit is already shaping and restricting--molding--his mode of expression. And I now see what on a first viewing seemed like Ewan McGregor's bad acting as appropriately restrained emotion. As a Jedi practiced at detaching himself from affect, he's not really free to weep when he comes across the slaughtered younglings, etc.

It’s all has to do with context, I suppose. Once you get past those expectations twenty-seven years in the making, you’re freed up to enjoy what’s there.

I still wish Anakin fought his conversion more after Mace Windu's death, but character motivation here makes sense--Palpatine's work has been elaborated at length, and Anakin's hubris makes him quite the willing receptacle for the evil chancellor's whispered lies and innuendo. And I do really think Padme is just horribly lit in that balcony scene where Anakin’s going on about how beautiful she is. Her face looks shiny and plastic.

But, this is an amazing film because of its central themes and their (usually) effective execution. More on that in my own entry . . .

By the way, I think Anakin's lustful leer in Episode II appropriate because, like a few other uncomfortable moments in the film, it helps establish the shadow gradually lengthening behind this young padawan. Sure makes one squeamish, though, I’ll readily admit.