moderate story, great execution

Rating: 8/10 (7 July 1999)

I think it was in May ('99) that I SAW STAR WARS FOR THE FIRST TIME. It was just after my 18th birthday and a friend who was SHOCKED that I had never seen it (except "about 15 mins of Return of the Jedi") lent me the first three tapes and I watched them straight. Mesmerising stuff. Totally captured me for 6 hours without so much as blood, guts or a nookie in the closet. Anyway, I wasn't fanatical about it when it came out so I didn't mind if I didn't see it for ages and ages after it had been released (so it would come off the 'no free list' and I could be a cheapskate and use one of my free movie tickets) but some friends invited me to the movies...
All I have to say is - WOW. I think only George Lucas can turn such a moderate storyline into such a great execution of colour, light, fantasy and galactical scope. The only thing I didn't like was Jar Jar Binks because it took me too long to understand what the hell he was saying. Jake Lloyd was better than the criticism he received although he did rely on the other actors (ie the real ones like Liam, Ewan and Natalie) to take him through his role. Nevertheless, it was a fun ride and now I hope to hell the merchandising will get off this fun ride before I throw up.