In Defense of Star Wars

Rating: 7/10 (21 May 2002)

This is an above average movie. A lot of the reviews here seem to be emotional knee-jerk responses more than thoughtful comments.It does live up to decent-movie standards but it doesn't accomplish the nearly impossible task of living up to is it's hype. I think this is why there are so many over-negative reviews.
I do think this film was made to indulge a filmmaker who just wants to keep telling his story. It is an interesting one and you can't blame him for trying `capture the magic' of the first three films. Of course, that didn't happen but we did get a good movie out of it.
This film had an exciting story and a lot of pretty pictures. I don't know if all the animation was necessary but it wasn't overly distracting. I gave this movie a 7 because it's good. It's not great but it's definitely ahead of the curve.
Many blast this movie calling it `truly horrible in every aspect' or saying the pod race was to `apease uncultured masses that are hungry for action no matter how absurd'. Considering there are movies out there like `The Fast and the Furious', `Rollerball' and `Collateral Damage' I think calling Star Wars Episode I the worst movie ever is way out of line.

I also think knocking this movie for having `action' is ridiculous. While I do agree that over-the-top, everything-blows-up type movies are silly, this movie IS a space adventure. Things SHOULD go `woosh', `boom' and `zap'. In fact, the special effects are a huge contribution to the legitimacy and appeal of the original movies. Besides, movies tell stories with moving pictures, without action you might as well make a radio play.

As far as this movie having `blatant racism'. with Soul Brother Jar-Jar and the `devious but clumsy mechanations of the evil Asain trade guild'Get a life.
One potentially valid comment I've heard is `the biggest movie disappointment of my moviegoing life'. With all the Star Wars hype, this movie was bound for disappointment unless it had a cameo from Jesus and included a free Super Bowl ticket.
I liked this movie.