Disappointing

Rating: Null/10 (7 November 1999)

Disappointing is the only word to describe the most over-hyped movie in the galaxy. I waited until mid-summer to see the movie, not wanting to be trampled by all the geeked-out mega-fans. This is an example of special effects run amok, with so many monsters and beings filling the screen you soon give up trying to look at them all, the novelty completely gone within 10 minutes. Bad casting and poor acting are my major gripes with the film, however, with not one role being played by an appropriate actor. Natalie Portman was positively wooden, as if the experience of being in "Episode I" had frightened her into utter stiffness. Darth Maul, the only character with some intrigue, is barely in the movie. The one sequence that woke me up was the pod-race, which reminded me of George Lucas' love for hot rods and drag racing, and made me wish he would go back to making movies like "American Graffiti", with wonderful, real people, cool cars, and not a monster in sight. And I won't even get into Jar Jar Binks...