Just as bad as Episode I

Rating: 4/10 (19 May 2002)

I am amazed so many people find this to be the "redemption" of the series. Everything I disliked about Episode I is still alive and kicking in this entry. I firmly believe Lucas has misunderstood what made his original trilogy so popular and timeless: good characters. These cardboard cut-outs of heroes and villains are simply set decoration for the real stars: the effects (which I thought were rather poor...it was like watching a video game). Anakin has to be one of the most unlikebale character on celluloid. Is anyone going to care when this kid goes bad? No way. Let him have it. I can't stand him. I read a review which brought up a great point: imagine if Anakin were a Han Solo type brimming with charm. Watching a character like that become seduced into the dark side would be far more tragic and interesting.
Acting has never been the strong point in a Star Wars film, but it's reached new lows. Given the caliber of actors Lucas has employed I must assume the corniness of the film is from bad writing. The dialouge in this film is vomit inducing. I cared for none of the characters, nor did I find the story that good.
What this new trilogy is missing is a good bad guy. Don't say Palpatine. That guy is given nothing to do. No, what I mean is a good Vader type antagonist. What they should have done was kept Darth Maul around through the first three films instead of killing him off. Replacing that very un-intimidating Dooku with Maul would have made this film much better. Just some consistancy is all I'm looking for.
The pacing in this film is more akin to the original trilogy...it actually feels like a Star Wars film. But I will NEVER compare it to any of the films in the original trilogy. It simply does not begin to compare. Many say with this film Lucas has made up for the mistakes of Ep. 1. I say he's dug himself even further into a hole. I don't expect much out of Episode III.