Recycling is not good in the movies

Rating: 4/10 (20 May 1999)

This was a disappointment. There was far less imagination after a decade to plan than Lucas demonstrated in the few years between the first three movies.
Too much was recycled. A final fight sequence which happens (again) of a set of narrow scaffolds surrounded by power plants and deep wells. A triumphant march at the end where the warriors are rewarded.
There was too much wasted effort and not enough of the elements that work (such as the Jedi Council). I especially disliked the way the identity of the emperor was heavily telegraphed (foreshadowing with a brick).
I had no complaint with the special effects, the acting, the casting, or any of the rest. My problem is with Lucas. With a decade to plan, there should have been fresh ideas. Maybe he is saving them for the next two movies.