George Lucas, director of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith, clearly didn't heed Julie Andrews' advice when, in The Sound Of Music, she sang: "Lets start at the very beginning, a very good place to start."

Because nearly 30 years ago George decided to start his epic space saga in the middle.

We've had two sequels and two prequels, and now the final piece of the jigsaw is in place, with probably the most eagerly anticipated film of all time about to hit cinema screens.

It's been a rocky ride for George. Many would argue the farce was with us for the last two films but the Force is strong with this one. It's a dark, often scary, pulsating rollercoaster ride; it's not without its faults, but everyone should go home happy.

Revenge Of The Sith begins spectacularly enough with a breathtaking battle in space.

The Republic's Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) has been taken hostage by droid army leader General Grievous and Jedi knights Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) are on a rescue mission.

They save Palpatine, but Grievous escapes and prepares for a final assault against the Republic.

Meanwhile the once powerful Jedi Council has concerns over Palpatine's role in the political set up.

And young Jedi Anakin has his own set of problems. Learning that he is about to become a father by secret bride Padme (Natalie Portman), he is confused about his own feelings about the current hostilities, his own disillusionment and anger, and the increasing influence of Palpatine and his insistence that Anakin courts the dark side of the Force.

For Star Wars' considerable fanbase, this is the moment we witness the transformation of Anakin as, seduced by evil, he becomes Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith who seared himself into the memory of filmgoers 30 years ago.

This is about as momentous as movie events get, but while Revenge Of The Sith is a good film, it's not a great one. On the plus side, the action sequences are stunning, with Lucas making full use of the latest digital technology.

And there are some memorable highlights the betrayal that sees nearly the entire Jedi army wiped out; the climactic lightsabre duel between former friends Obi-Wan and Anakin; and the scene which sees the Star Wars golden boy become a monster dressed in black.

But... while Lucas may be good at the digital stuff and the pacing of the action, he is is not so hot on directing people. The dialogue remains awkward and clumsy something that has dogged the previous five films and he struggles to get the best out of his actors, with Christensen's range stretching from sulky to a little bit cross, and McGregor acted off the screen by a pair of tin robots.

It makes it difficult for the film to engage its audience emotionally, which is crucial for this final instalment.

That's not to say there isn't breathless anticipation as the final scenes come into play and certain characters Obi-Wan, droids C3PO and R2D2, Jedi master Yoda, Darth Vader slot into place, Padme gives birth to twins and... well, dust off that old video of Episode IV and start at the very beginning. Or is that the middle?

8/10

By Stephen Webb