Not quite what I had hoped for

Rating: 10/10 (20 April 2000)

This was the most anticipated movie of all time, period. No one knew exactly what the movie would be about, only that it would lift a curtain of Darth Vader's past.
This movie was WAY to hyped. I mean in a big way. But who could blame anyone? This wouldn't just be another new movie release. It was the next installment in the Star Wars saga.
Being a very big fan of the original trilogy, I also got caught up in the hype. I was sure that this movie would be the greatest event in motion picture history.
Boy was I disappointed.
Firstly the story itself isn't that good. Most of the movie concentrates on politics and debates. Come on! This isn't Star Wars! I want action and adventure! Not a bunch of people sitting around and discussing some issues about a trade federation.
Although there is a few action-sequences in it, they don't really impress me that much. The last scenes with Darth Maul and the two Jedis is in my opinion the highlight of the movie.
Secondly, the characters are a bit thin. You don't really get to know them that well because the movie switches scenes every two seconds. And that's a petty. A big part of the excitement of the first trilogy, was that you felt that you went through the adventures with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker etc. Because you cared for them in some way.
But I don't care much for the characters in this one. The actors does a pretty good job, especially Liam Neeson, who I think was too good for the part. He didn't have much to work with.
One actor I really didn't like in this movie, was Jake Lloyd. Okay he's just a kid, but he's an actor too. Many of his dialogues sound forced in some strange way. He's not convincing. Darth Maul really had great potential but he didn't appear in that many scenes. And he almost never said anything!
But the character I hated the most, was Jar Jar Binks. I find him incredibly annoying and stupid. I know that the movie is primarily targeted at children, but this is just too much. He's even worse than those Ewoks!
The effects were astounding, although a bit cartoony in some places (the battle between the Gungans and the Battle droids). The incredible Pod-race was a work of art. Although I found that segment a bit needless.
John Williams' score is very good. But I must say that I liked the original music from the first movies better.
All in all a bit of a disappointment. It's not a bad movie, it just got too much hype, and it didn't deliver.
But I think I will look at this movie differently, when I have seen the next two prequels.
I rate this movie 7 out of 10.
Here's for Episode II then, and George - please leave out Jar Jar Binks...