Another bust from George

Rating: Null/10 (23 May 2002)

I'm sorry, but this film featured some of the worst screen performances I have seen since "Plan 9 from Outer Space". The acting by the two leads, Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman, is laughable, and many in the audience I saw it with did just that. It was that pathetic. Even Ewan McGregor, who normally is a fine actor, fell on his face with his leaden lines. You could hear his attempts at humor falling like so much dead weight in the silence of the audience. While the story in general is interesting and it's fun to see how all the pieces fall into place, the absolutely amateurish quality of the writing can't be covered up by any amount of special effects (which, though excellent, are as usual way overdone). If you must go see this, go with low or no expectations, and you won't be disappointed. If, however, you really don't want to waste your money on making George even wealthier with no payoff for you, then go rent "Dark Star" by John Carpenter to see how to make an excellent, hilarious movie with no budget at all.