Yin AND Yang

Rating: 6/10 (6 July 1999)

I have been a rabid fan of good sci-fi since the 50's; books for the most part as they delivered so much more in the past. I have been overjoyed at the stunning developments over the years since the days I sat in a darkened old Packard in a drive-in and watched the new releases of "Forbidden Planet" and "20 Million Miles to Earth". What is accomplished today is simply stunning by comparison, truly visually brilliant. Too bad better stories couldn't be written.
Yes, I was disappointed. A Saturday with an Asimov novel would have been better spent. Still, there was entertainment value here, just don't expect high-art, especially if you are not a sci-fi fan. In fact, if you are not a sci-fi fan you doubtless would feel cheated.
As a die hard fan of the genre, I could find things worth watching. Ewan McGregor can be much better than he was allowed here, just as was Neeson and the others. Still, Mr. McGregor could be really good in sequels if better stories were fleshed out. He is very entertaining to watch in other films. A real waste of talent here with these two. Liam may be better off for having been killed off.
Natalie Portman is very talented and turning into a lovely young woman, but I hated her in the terribly hideous Queen's garb. She looked more comfortable, and more convincing in the simpler dress she wore on the dusty planet following Ewan and Liam (BTW, can't these people visualize more planets that do not look like the African desert, or better yet, something really original.). The sets and effects created for her home planet were the only ones worth watching of landscapes. And just what is the idea of using an obviously juvenile actress to play the Queen, kiddie appeal? Nothing against Natalie, but I think a more mature actress would have been much better for the story.
At first I thought, what could Mr. Lucas have been thinking when he created the Jar Jar Binks character? Then I realized he must have been setting us up for the sequel. Everyone hates this dweeb so much now that great emotion can be generated with a turn around in character or at least a particularly grisly demise. That is right George, isn't it?
Film makers have to plow a new field to find ground fertile enough to make me dislike a sci-fi flick, but here they almost succeeded. The fact that I can away convinced that I could make a film ten times better with an antique script didn't help, either. As for the rest, I hope it fades away quickly as I'm about to gag on the merchandising, which isn't deserved, BTW.
The bottom line: If you love anything resembling sci-fi, this film will at least entertain. If you aren't a real die hard fan, look for a bargain basement theater with sharp discounts. It's still worth the big screen for the effects.