Lucas grows up (again)

Rating: 9/10 (15 May 2002)

This is it, it has begun. The happy light sabre fighting of The Phantom Menance (1999) can be well and truly put to bed. The seeds were definitley sewn in Episode I, but now they are beginning to grow. Visually as you would expect the film is an treat. The casting, no matter what you may read, is also BRILLIANT. Everyone slides into their roles perfectly, Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor were already prepared for what they have to do, but the revelation is Hayden Christiensen(sic) he is the "loose cannon" and "big headed" Jedi who is learning his trade. I won't spoil the story as I'm sure you will all be piling in to see it anyway, just to say. The last 40minutes are brilliant, and if you thought Lord Of The Rings left you hanging on a thread then prepared to be excited for the next three years.
Everyone questioned Lucas after 1999's effort, but this is true, proper STAR WARS. Sit back and relax for 2hrs 26mins, you will get a shiver down your back when you see "Episode II...The Attack Of The Clones" scrolling up the screen!!!
****1/2 (out of five)