effects orgy, entertainment starved

Rating: 1/10 (30 November 1999)

Considering that George Lucas has not directed a feature in 22 years, it's not surprising that while, SWTPM, has its share (more than its share) of effects, it's very short on plot or acting. Most of the actors looked confused and more wooden than the robots they communicate with. (Samuel L. Jackson looks to be in the wrong movie entirely.) It's a shame that someone with the vision of Lucas has so little ability to see that vision come to life. In two or three years, the film will be completely forgotten. In fact, during the screening I saw in Hollywood, the audience pretty much went to sleep after their initial excitement at the first twenty minutes or so. The loudest reaction was for C3PO and R2D2. Truly a disappointment and not a very worthy sequel to such a film as "The Empire Strikes Back", which was really a breathtaking film.