Reviewers give latest Star Wars flick thumbs up

Natalie Portman (C) as Padmé Amidala and Hayden Christensen (R) as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith has lived up to all expectations.

At least, that's what the reviewers are saying.

Most of the public won't get to see the film until it opens nationally on May 19.

"It remained very true to the original starting point of Star Wars all the way back in 1977," SBS Movie Show reviewer Megan Spencer said.

"It fills in all of the blanks that people have been waiting for for such a long time. So I think it will certainly satisfy fans."

The much awaited Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is the latest and final episode of Star Wars, ending the saga that began 28 years ago.

The George Lucas-directed films have sold almost $US3.4 ($NZ4.71) billion worth of tickets at global box offices.

In Episode III, which is set in a period preceding the original Star Wars, Christensen's character, young Jedi knight Anakin Skywalker, is seduced by the promises of power and temptations of the Dark Side.

Says In Film Australia reviewer Luke Buckmaster: "George Lucas' bombastic space soap opera thunders through its sixth instalment in Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, a dazzling and gorgeously rendered send-off to one of cinema's most beloved science fiction franchises.

"In this eclectic mash of superhero ethos and digital wizardry, Lucas at last rekindles his ability to tickle the imaginations of his viewers, a gift which has remained sadly dormant in his career for the good part of two decades."

Buckmaster gives the film four stars out of five.

Revenge of the Sith will be the first film in the Star Wars series to carry an M rating when it is released later this month.

That means the film is recommended for mature audiences because of its "moderate science fiction violence".

"Fundamentally they are kids' movies," Spencer said of the ratings classification.

"But the jury is out for me on the ratings.

"It is quite dark so it could scare kids but then again children are a lot more sophisticated and play far more violent video games now, so perhaps the censorship board needs to catch up with that a bit more."

Several scenes in the film show Anakin Skywalker (Christensen) murdering Jedi, who he now considers to be his enemy.

And Star Wars creator George Lucas himself has warned audiences that the film won't be suitable for younger children.

As with the previous two Star Wars films, Attack of the Clones and The Phantom Menace, Revenge of the Sith was shot in Australia and also stars Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor and Samuel L Jackson.

"(Lucas) brings the Star Wars saga to a rousing and satisfying conclusion," Urban Cinefile reviewer Richard Kuipers said.

- AAP