Who's sorry now?

The apology: “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith”

Why apologize?: The first two films in George Lucas’ “prequel trilogy” were monster hits…but beloved only by kids young enough to tolerate the creepy minstrelsy of Jar Jar Binks and ignore the laughably solemn dialogue. Older fans who grew up with the original films demanded Lucas’ head on a pike.

Did it work?: More than anyone who completely gave up after “Attack of the Clones” could’ve anticipated. “Sith” falls short of “The Empire Strikes Back,” but it shares with that second (or fifth?) entry an operatic sense of impending doom. “Sith” didn’t match the box office of “The Phantom Menace,” but restored some creative balance to the Force.