A definite step backward

Rating: 6/10 (27 November 2002)

This film came so long after the first group that many of it's viewers had never seen the first 3 episodes. The film is a step back in time and shows some of the characters at an earlier time than the previous 3 episodes. However, it's also a step backwards in quality. The script in this one is strong, but that strength just doesn't come across on the screen. Don't get me wrong...it's still a really good film, but it just isn't "great" like the first 3. Perhaps our judgment is clouded by the fact that Lucas made everyone mad by making us wait so dadgum long for this film to appear. But at least the acting is marginally better than it was in Episode 1 and it is overall slightly better, but it still lags behind its older brethren. And that stupid Jar Jar is still in there.