The Magic is Gone ... (Spoilers)

Rating: 5/10 (27 May 2002)

The comment I read most frequently in reviews about AOTC was that it was an improvement on shoddy Episode I. Although this is true, that is not a compliment. That statement only draws more attention to the ways in which both Episodes I and II do not have any of the magic that made the first three films the classics that they are. No one should be fooled into thinking that doing better means succeeding or that big grosses mean high quality.
That being said, I do not even think the technical aspects redeem AOTC. I think CGI looks like animation, and prefer the primitive effects of the originals. The acting (in general) is horrid. Poor Hayden shifts moods so quickly that I was baffled as to Amidala's attraction. Even Natalie Portman disappoints with an expressionless voice. It seems that George Lucas' morals must be slipping as he uses her as a pretty prop, dressed rather like Britney. Characters from the originals (most notably C3-PO, R2-D2 and Yoda) add highlights and moments of humor, but they are given so little to do that their affect is minimal. Even talented actors like Ewan McGregor and Samuel L. Jackson are not given the screen time that could have saved this ailing movie.
I would urge you to save your money. More than anything, I was sad when I left the theatre. Sad because I know now that the magic that was "Star Wars" will never be captured again. You will be better off (I know I was) renting the originals and forgetting that greed attempted (and failed) to tarnish their legacy.