A fantastic and worthwhile addition to the series.

Rating: 10/10 (13 December 2004)

This film is, in one word, fantastic. Though unevenly paced in the first reel, the story being laid out is new and intelligent, though laid in a familiar land. This is no small feat, considering Lucas is presenting the back-story of a movie series that countless fanboys have written in their own minds for the last two decades. A very vocal minority left the theaters disappointed. Why? Because they suffer from terminal impatience. Unlike the original Star Wars (now Episode IV), Lucas knows in this endeavor that he will return. As a result, he feels no need to wrap everything up into one giant package. There is no darkness in Anakin yet, though we know his future is bleak. This is the golden age, where the heroes fail to see the enemy right before their eyes...because no enemies have challenged them for 1,000 years. The Jedi are revealed to be flawed, suffering from terminal hubris and complacency. Lucas uses key moments of dialogue (paired with another fantastic John Williams score) instead to give hints of what is to come.
We don't get the answers we expect, and for that reason alone I applaud the film. A precious few foresee the danger in Anakin, a cute and precocious boy who wants only to do what's good and kind. It's a shame when you know that this innocent child is going to become the terrifying creature known as Darth Vader.
I highly recommend watching this, even if you have already passed judgment on it. Watch it with an eye tuned for the single greatest exercise in dramatic irony since Citizen Kane. Watch it also for echoes of Return of the Jedi, and you see how Lucas makes the two work as incredible bookends.
But most importantly, watch it as you watched the originals. Innocent, unknowing and full of wonder. Forget all the Joseph Campbell, "Cultural Impact" and your dusty action-figure collection. Lucas is telling a story and constructing a world, not curing cancer or getting you a date.