Episode III Reactions.

OK, I just got back from seeing the film. I won't be writing a review yet, I will be one of the later ones, I want to see it again first. But, I feel the need to give some initial reactions and feelings. This is in list form as my mind has not put them together yet in a coherent fashion.

WARNING: May contain spoilers.

• My initial like/not reaction is that I like it a lot.
• Not sure where it stands in comparison to the others, but it is close to 3 behind Empire and Star Wars.
• I liked the darker edge this film had.
• The action was spectacular, the lightsaber duels are fantastic. Probably topped by the lava planet battle between Obi Wan and Anakin.
• The opening space battle was great, but for as great looking as it is, I think it is behind those in Star Wars and Return of the Jedi.
• Hayden Christensen's performance, while still stiff, worked for me. He has this blank look that just looks off, and it sells the character for me.
• Dialogue is the best of the prequels, although Lucas cannot write convincing "love" speak. That was laughably bad.
• The face-off between Mace Windu and Palpatine/Sidious is cool, explaining the old and withered look that the Emperor sports.
• The lightsaber battle between Dooku and Anakin was a real tone setter, setting up Palpatine's reveal and Anakin's turn.
• The special effects are incredible, this is a borderline animated film, but does a great job at transporting me to another galaxy far, far away.
• Watching Anakin burn was a sight to see.
• Ewan McGregor is a wonderful Obi Wan.
• The comic relief with R2 is some of the best of the 6 films.
• Not enough Threepio.
• Jar Jar still gets a line, but little screentime.
• Natalie Portman seemed underused, but when she was, she was not that effective.
• This was the strongest score of the three prequels. I love the closing credits sequence.
• The level of violence is incredible, more than any of the othere films. Dismemberments and decapitations galore.
• Mace Windu=BMF.
• Yoda, beaten, but he will be back.
• Youngling, enough said.
• Jimmy Smits!
• They even got the midichlorians into the mix, and it didn't bug me!
• The Saga proper is over, only thing left to know is how much of the ancillary tales will we see? (Animated, TV shows?)
• Hopefully more thoughts will come.
• Looking forward to another viewing, then hopefully the review will come.

$16.5 million from midnight shows alone!!!!

Also at Blogcritics.org.