The end of George Lucas' "first" trilogy Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith isn't much better than its predecessors. The film has great special effects in the battle scenes. The concluding light-saber battles are fantastic. Yet once again, without any real characters to care for, the film is just another OK action flick.

In this final installment, young Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker falls from grace to become Sith apprentice Darth Vader. Once again hindering the film is Heyden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker. Christensen just can't get his hands around the epic proportions he is portraying: a man on the edge, facing the decisive moment in his young life. Does he choose the light or dark side of the Force? Christensen just isn't up to the task in portraying the conflicts raging in young Skywalker.

The Clone War rages on. The Separatists have risked everything. The leader of the droid army General Grievous has kidnapped Supreme Chancellor Palpatine during a huge battle in the skies above Coruscant. Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan MacGregor) and Padwan Anakin Skywalker pull off a daring rescue attempt. Just as the Chancellor is safe, Count Dooku/Sith Lord Darth Tyrannus (Christopher Lee) arrives on the scene. During the battle, Kenobi is rendered unconcious. Skywalker battles the Sith Lord. Skywalker wants to bring Count Dooku to trial. Chancellor Palpatine quietly "urges" Skywalker to kill Dooku. Skywalker gives in to his growing hatred and kills Dooku. His descent into the darkness begins.

Returning to Coruscant, Skywalker's life gets even more complicated. His mother is dead and now he gets even more shocking news. His wife-in-secret Padme Amidala is pregnant. Skywalker faces expulsion from the Jedi Order for his indescretion. Pregnancy is hard to hide, especially in a Senator of the Republic. Sooner or later, their secret will come out.

To thank Skywalker for saving his life, Palpatine begins meeting privately with Skywalker. Palpatine slowly reinforces Skywalker's jealousy, pride and hatred. Palpatine knows about Skywalker's mother. He begins sowing "seeds" that a very powerful Jedi once discovered the power to bring someone back from the dead. This power is not available to a regular Jedi. Only someone willing to embrace the darker side of the Force can wield this power. Skywalker vows to become the most powerful Jedi ever so that no one will ever die... except those who deserve to.

Skywalker becomes more and more conflicted between Jedi and Sith. Due to his growing relationship with Palpatine, the Jedi Council orders Skywalker to spy on the Chancellor. Count Dooku may be right... the Republic may be under the control of the Dark Lord of the Sith. Palpatine knows what is going on and he uses the "devious" methods of the Jedi to sway Skywalker to his beliefs.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is not on hand to see the changes in Skywalker. He has his own hands full tracking down General Grievous. Kenobi chases Grievous to his home base and engages him in battle. In a spectacular fight sequence, Grievous opens his cloak to reveal four mechanical arms, each one wielding a light-saber. Kenobi has his work cut out for him.

The story comes to a head when the Jedi have enough information to arrest the Chancellor. The Chancellor was freely voted into office by the Republican Senate. The Jedi will need to tread lightly. Discretion is key. The Sith Lord has the upper hand and kills three Jedi before being subdued by Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson). Skywalker arrives on the scene during the struggle which leaves the Chancellor horribly mangled. Skywalker wants the Chancellor arrested. Windu knows the Chancellor is too powerful and too well connected. He must be killed. Skywalker distracts Windu just enough for the Sith Lord to strike killing Windu. Skywalker knows there is no going back. He swears allegiance to Palpatine and the Sith Lord Darth Vader is born.

Star Wars Episodes I, II and III are a tough prospect to pull off. The audience already knows how the story will end. Suspense goes right out the window. James Cameron was talented enough to direct Titanic. Cameron combined the horror of the famous ship sinking with fleshed-out characters, human characters the audience can sympathize and identify with.

Director George Lucas has a flair for a spectacular vision, from a technical standpoint. He fails in character development. Lucas tells his tale in a straight forward, by-the-numbers manner. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is a great action movie but not much fun.