Star Wars is alive.

Rating: Null/10 (20 May 2002)

After a dry and somewhat sterile Episode I which alienated many fans and potential new ones with introducing a character that has becoming much reviled in movie history by the name of Jar Jar Binks, George Lucas finally remembered the formula that made the first trilogy a success. For the first time since the Empire Strikes Back the trilogy really focused on the mysteries of the Force and really gave viewers a gutsy well written story. I have read critics who have lambasted the movie as having campy dialogue and less than stellar acting. I am a regular movie goer and know the original trilogy by heart and if the reviewers that were critical of this movie had actually watched the movie as a continuation of the same story or a preface to the original series, those reviewers would see that this movie comes much closer to the vision of the earlier movies. Lets face it folks, when it comes time for the Academy Awards, the Star Wars movies win on technical merit as well as musical accompaniament. I am sure these same critics are the ones that complained about the Lord of The Rings as a chase movie. Well duh, if they had read the book, they would have known that.
Episode II is a fantastic glimpse into a universe and history that anyone familiar with the Star Wars universe would really like to see. Many questions that have caused fans to wonder about have finally begun to be answered. The movie does a good job dropping your jaw at how various characters from the Old trilogy are related to people and events in the new trilogy. Origins of some of the conflicts and characters are explained in greater detail, helping fans to better grasp the vastness of the storyline laid down by Lucas. Many people, myself included have felt that Episode I really seemed disconnected from the original series as it seemed more like a fantasy film gone amuck.
Even some of the humor in Episode II which does contain plenty considering some of the darker nature of the subject matter is amusing and is capable of introducing irony into the sequence of events for those viewers familiar with the events that take place in the old trilogy. Lucas is not afraid to have a character make a comment which is funny but at the same time carries a much deeper meaning to it. There is one scene where Obi Wan Kenobi is chasing after Anakin Skywalker and makes the statement "why do I feel like you will be the death of me someday", for the ironic twist is that Darth Vader ultimately DOES kill Obi Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars. Episode II recaptures the magic of the films and left me hanging on the edge of my seat to see the third installment which hasn't even begun filming yet.
My children are 9 & 4 and between the three of us we thoroughly enjoyed the movie and left feeling excited. Even my 4 year old was left staring at the screen being caught up in the action sequences. There were only a couple of times in the movie when dialogue that was intended for more mature audiences left the younger kids antsy and a bit bored. Thankfully these scenes while important to the story do not last very long between the action sequences.
I would like to tell any of the critics of this movie that those criticisms are unfounded and they need to rethink their concept of what makes a movie entertaining. I heard people in the theater cheering and laughing all the way out the door of the theater because they had FUN! This is not a Shakespearean tragedy nor should a reviewer go into a movie always looking for a reason to dislike a movie and appreciate it for what it is.