Return of the Spectacular

Rating: 8/10 (9 June 1999)

It was certainly a feast for the eyes: the costumes, sets and locations. What an imagination! The effects were truly breathtaking. While I don't generally watch films for the special effects, something definitely has to be said for this one. The technical wizardry involved in making this epic must have been something of a phenomenon in itself.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the film is the pod-race. It was reminiscent of another epic -- Ben Hur -- although without the obvious contemporary references. The similarities there are quite compelling.
The real flaw in the film I believe, is the dialogue or lack of it. It lacks the snap and go of the previous films or the recent Matrix. But perhaps it's unfair to compare it with the other sci-fi rage of the season which was doing something quite different. The dialogue, it seems to me lacks the intellectual depth and sophistication of ideas which drew me to The Matrix. But perhaps that will come later in the sequels.
But then I did not go and see this film for that reason. Star Wars is and will always be a good old fashion adventure film about the battle between good and evil.