Maybe I Need To See It Again...

Rating: Null/10 (20 May 2002)

Um, it was ok. For some reason, the Anakin/Padme romance didn't click for me. And let's face it, that's what this movie really turns on. And if you don't buy that, the rest is hard to swallow. What in the world does she see in him? She: a young but experienced Senator, and ruler of a planet. He: an immature, mixed-up, narcissistic, teenage Jedi wannabe. He almost made me long for the kid in the first movie! It isn't until after he slaughters the sand people camp that she pledges her love. No wonder Leia likes scoundrels...she gets it from Mom! And the scene where Anakin's mother dies...I almost laughed it was so cliched. It's a good thing it wasn't a wide shot, or I'd half-expected her feet to fly up at the moment of truth (a la Shemp of the 3 Stooges).
The movie is kind of confusing and does drag a bit. A 2nd viewing will probably clear things up, but I'm still a little unclear on Count Dooku, where he came from, and how creating clones helps Senator Palpatine. I THINK it's because Palpatine is using the "clones are needed to protect the Republic" argument, when he actually plans to use them to overthrow it. I have a feeling a "Special Edition" will come out in the future with new scenes and new editing to make this movie more comprehensible. If so, I hope they throw in some scenes to make Anakin more appealing. And I'd gladly throw away some of the high tech special f/x for better characters, truer emotions, and a more comprehensible plotline.
I'm going to go see it again. That helped with "The Lord of the Rings", which was a much finer movie. Although, even THAT wasn't quite up to the original "Star Wars" and "Empire" (forget the "Jedi" furball fiasco). Note to George: if Lawrence Kasdan and Irwin Kershner are still alive, let THEM handle the 3rd flick! Heck, even if they AREN'T alive, let them handle it! I was between my junior and senior year in high school when "Star Wars" first came out, and I can tell you from experience and seeing audience reactions that neither one of these new episodes comes close to measuring up to the first 2 movies in this series (SW and TESB). People walked out of those movies in awe of what they had just seen. If these movies were as good, they would easily surpass "Titanic" in theatre grosses. 6 out of 10.
Oh yeah: Yoda kickin butt was almost worth the price of admission! THAT was cool!