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This film is about what made Episodes IV, V, and VI into what they are all about. In the end we realize that after six installments, Star Wars is about the tragedy and redemption of Anakin Skywalker. Ultimately I think we're supposed to realize that Anakin Skywalker is a demi-god, and a failed demi-god at that, of the Force, born of the Force, and led to the dark side by an essence of pure evil and becomes Sith lord Darth Vader. He in the end achieves his redemption and is reborn through his offspring, and as the prophecy fortold, Anakin Skywalker, The Chosen One, brings balance to the Force. This particular film is about the tragedy of Anakin's fall into darkness, which leads to the rise of a dictatorship and the defeat of democracy. Overall I think it was visually and musically well-done, as much as people like to rag on the performances and all that.

Now that many years have passed since the first release of Episode IV, George Lucas was finally able to get his vision of the beginning of Star Wars on film. In many ways I'd say it's just as fully realized for George Lucas as the very first film people fell in love with. Technologically, it's quite a feast, from visuals to sound, particularly the podrace scenes. The problem with something like Star Wars is that people expect to be blown away just as much by (or more than) this one as they were with Episode IV. I think if people took Lucas' whole vision into context they'd come to appreciate each installment more.

Some don't like what was done with this film, but in the context of all six installments I think it was a decent conclusion. I also want to highlight this episode has one of the greatest cinematographic moments in the six installments, when Darth Vader decides to test Luke Skywalker's faith and use of the Force, to lure him to the dark side.