I've had the opportunity to see it twice already, taking in a midnight showing early this morning and back to the theater again this afternoon for an encore viewing. It was truly entertaining, and far better than the previoius Episode I and Episode II prequels. Many excellent battle scenes and special effects eye candy, minus the annoyances of Jar Jar Binks in Episode I and the incessant whining of a younger Anakin Skywalker in Episode II.

I'll not say too much as anything I write here is a spoiler, given the nature that it is a prequel, afterall, so most all who are familiar with the George Lucas Star Wars movie realm know where this story is headed. In this installment, it's the big schism that erupts between light and dark, and Mr. Skywalker is transformed into Lord Darth Vader. However, it's Ian McDiarmid who plays Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who steals the show, putting on a performance far more stellar than any other on the cast. Every line he spoke or facial twinge he displayed was indeed epic.

It was thrilling viewing, for the simple fact that even though you know how things are going to play out, you still view in anticipation of subsequent action.

Even if the science and technology presented in the movie are comical anachronisms or even if its just a sorry George Lucas pushing one of the most downer and anti-modernist messages of all time.

Of course, there was some hullabaloo about Star Wars being a piece of anti-Bush propaganda. I didn't get that from my viewing, it just seemed like standard fairy tale story schlock dressed all up with snazzy special effects, lots of battle scenes and eye catching CGI.