A.O. Scott, The New York Times:

This is by far the best film in the more recent trilogy, and also the best of the four episodes Mr. Lucas has directed. That's right (and my inner 11-year-old shudders as I type this): it's better than "Star Wars."

Anthony Lane, The New Yorker:

The general opinion of “Revenge of the Sith” seems to be that it marks a distinct improvement on the last two episodes, “The Phantom Menace” and “Attack of the Clones.” True, but only in the same way that dying from natural causes is preferable to crucifixion.

Hee. Love Anthony Lane for the excellent burn. I've not seen it yet, so can't comment, but that kind of bitchery is funny to me. (Until it's my script.) "Empire Strikes Back" is the best one, anyway.

"Empire Strikes Back" is the best one, anyway.

And the one with the least amount of Lucas involvement. Coincidence?

Personally, I don't think Anthony Lane's set foot in a movie theatre since he fell asleep watching RotK (which is the only explanation I can think of for the utter moronic incoherence of that "review"). He needs to stop trying to prove to everyone how clever he is and get back to reviewing movies, which he used to be rather good at.

From the NY Times review: (whitefonted, although it's just two lines of dialog so I'm not sure if I need to...)

Darth Vader, already deep in the thrall of the dark side and echoing the words of George W. Bush, hisses at Obi-Wan, "If you're not with me, you're my enemy." Obi-Wan's response is likely to surface as a bumper sticker during the next election campaign: "Only a Sith thinks in absolutes."

Over the top? Maybe. But I like it (at least until I see the actual scene).

That New Yorker review was a masterpiece of bile. "Break me a fucking give." Glorious!

I love the sentence Only a Sith thinks in absolutes.

Only? Really? Are you absolutely sure?

Only? Really? Are you absolutely sure?

Heh.

There are two types of people in the world: those who think there are two types of people in the world, and....

I think Anthony Lane was wearing the cranky pants when he wrote that reveiw. (Probably when he saw the movie too.)

I agree with some of what he says, but his thesis seems to be, "Everthing in the Star Wars movies is stupid."

Although I'll have to see if I can incorporate "Break me a fucking give" into everyday conversation....

I think I need a "Break me a fucking give" icon.

Although, wouldn't Yoda be more likely to say, "A fucking break give me"?