"OK Hayden, Scene Three, Take 87"

Rating: Null/10 (5 June 2002)

We all know what happens in the movie, so let's skip that part. Great sets and effects; terrible acting (especially on the part of Hayden Christensen as Anakin); weak dialogue. Lucas might have gotten away with the lame dialogue had he made up for it with a good lead actor, but no such luck.
Just as a great actor can bring out the best in other performers, a poor actor can drag talented performers into mediocrity. In his shared scenes, Christensen pulls otherwise competent professionals (MacGregor and Portman) right into the latrine, and threatens to do the same with the entire production.
What made Lucas all of a sudden think he could give the lead role to someone who probably can't carry his own groceries, let alone key parts of the movie? Many of the scenes seemed worn and flat, as if they were Take 87, and Lucas had decided that "this is the best we'll get".
In all fairness, Christensen isn't the only talent-free member of the cast. Compared to Jango Fett's kid Boba (Daniel Logan), our Anakin is Sir Laurence Olivier.
Portman shone in her scenes that didn't include Christensen; Christopher Lee was his usual excellent self as Saruman, er, Count Drac....., er, Dooku. The usual competent performances from Frank Oz as Yoda, and Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine/Darth Sidious.
The real stars in this movie were the special effects. Gorgeous and lush visuals, from the Federation city, to the clone planet, to the ending battle scenes. Here's where Lucas really shines--too bad the leading man and the script let him, and us, down.