Here We go Again

Rating: 6/10 (17 May 2002)

Brilliant Images and terrific sound, even more so if you see it in a digital theater, help bring this film to life. Therein lies the fault. this film, despite all its wonderful technological Prowess, ultimately yields a HIGHLY unsatisfying experience for the viewer.The film's attempts at humor go overboard, and the style grows quickly stale. The History, such as it is, is presented as well as can be expected, but, there are times when I, at least, couldn't help but think that it seems as if LUCAS has tinkered with what has already been established.Looking at the story, what little there is, one YEARNS for the middle chapter of the first trilogy, one wants the WONDER of A NEW HOPE, the CAREFREE attitude of RETURN OF THE JEDI. You will not find that here. Instead, you get Anakin Skywalker, whom from the older films, we know will one day become known as DARTH Vader, reduced to a typical teen suffering the WHINIEST form of angst. Even the Defining moment in the Film, Which serves to let the Viewer see the EXACT turning point in his life, is a bit of a letdown, due mainly to the fact that HAYDEN Christensen, who portrays him, has next to no acting ability. He is in fact, as banal as Jake Lloyd, who performed the role in PHANTOM MENACE, and once more, Natalie Portman shows that, while a Beauty, she cannot overcome her surroundings, and NEVER once rises above the material or her on-screen partners. Even R2-D2 and C3po are given short shrift. Yes, they play a somewhat larger part in this, but, what screen-time they get is wasted. Christopher Lee, always a marvelously Unique actor, seems uncomfortable in his role. EVEN YODA seems to have problems....Quite a feat, considering it is an entirely DIGITAL creation. The annoying JAR JAR BINKS....and this may be considered a spoiler, it may not, plays a VASTLY reduced role....yet one cannot help but get the impression that, perhaps LUCAS, if not winking at himself, which HE COULD be, I suppose, is rather, stuffing the atrocity down our collective throats once more? but, I digress. The point is, If you love Star wars, see it. If you love Star Wars, know it is not what it used to be. There are more Problem in this film than I have room for here, but.....I was VERY MUCH LET DOWN.