That's more like it.

Rating: Null/10 (17 May 2002)

Here's my quick and spoiler-free take on the new Star Wars movie: It's good. Very good. Far from perfect, and not as good as the first two films, but better than the last 2.
The usual Lucas deficiencies are present: Sometimes awkward dialogue, mediocre to poor acting (Christopher Lee and Frank Oz provide the film's best performances) and the blatant swiping of scenes from other films (THE SEARCHERS again, this time). The romantic sequences between Hayden Christensen (who's awful) and Natalie Portman are the cinematic equivalent of a toothache.
However, this time Lucas drowns out those flaws in a flood of eye-catching, edge-of-your-seat action sequences that dominate the final two-thirds of the film. The tone this time around is darker, more downbeat and less kid-friendly than the last 2 films (a return to the tenor of EMPIRE STRIKES BACK). In a bold choice, Lucas allows Anakin to be portrayed as an arrogant jerk most of the time -- troubled and somewhat sympathetic, but not warm or wholly likeable; clearly, Anakin is on his way to becoming Darth Vader. (If only Lucas had cast an actor in that key role, instead of Christensen.)

Also, Lucas does a masterful job of putting to good use the wealth of characters introduced in the previous film, as well as new ones we meet here. Mace Windu and Yoda are especially prominent. Lucas even uses Jar Jar Binks wisely. He's not in the film much, but he contributes to a pivotal moment. How he's used in this short but key sequence almost redeems his presence in PHANTOM MENACE. There's a lot less comedy in this film than in the last 2, and most of it is actually funny (thanks to our old pal C3PO). And, as you'd expect, the f/x are staggeringly good.
Episode II is also loaded with little tidbids for geek boys like me. We watch situations develop, see for the first time locations, meet characters and glimpse other elements that we recongize will become important later. I don't want to give anything away. Let's just say that if you're a big fan, there's tons of stuff in here for you.
Oh, and one more thing: Yoda kicks ass.