Could have been better - yes, lamest of the three - no

Rating: 8/10 (5 August 1999)

Yes, the movie could have been better. I don't agree that the veteran acting was all that spectacular. Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor are accomplished talented actors and they didn't seem to have any motivation for the scenes they were in. They tried hard. I give them points for trying. But "try not do or do not there is no try" as a short alien with big ears might say.

On to other things. The obvious racial stereotypes. I really believe that Lucas did it on purpose. He is saying look at how silly stereo typing racial and ethnic differences is. Perhaps he is trying to make that point. I think that despite the fact that you could not understand him, JarJar provides comic relief that is needed. No one complained that Chewbacca and R2-D2 couldn't speak an understandable language. Why do they complain now?
The acting that was good Natalie Portman, who I had the honor of seeing shooting her current movie the other day (along with Ashley Judd), was good. I am not sure what Lucas is think though because Queen Amidala is about 14 or 15. Natalie Portman is about 17. The time between Episode One and Two is said to be about 15 years. That means no Jake Lloyd but still Natalie Portman. I wonder how they will get around that. Pernilla (Ms. Skywalker), was also impressive as someone who can see that her son has a destiny that is great. I don't get the whole there was no father thing but I am sure everything will be explained.
In the end before anyone can pass judgement on this one film they should remember this is 1 of 3 which is really 1 of 9 given the Timothy Zahn books. If the character development was less than adequate remember Obi-Wan (Ben) Kenobi from A New Hope was not developed very well either. There are lots of questions. I liked the movie. When I start to think of the flaws, I remember that 1 I couldn't do any better writing/directing and 2. All will be explained in the next 2 films.