What is wrong with you people?

Rating: 2/10 (13 June 2002)

Who in their right mind could possibly vote this as one of the greatest movies of all time? I cannot believe that the rating for this film (I struggle to call it even that) is anything above a 5. Sure it is a fun romp and is much, much better than Episode I, but is that really enough?
First of all, the movie (in an effort to be witty and clever) completely destroys any mystery that the Star Wars Universe once had. During the climactic final battle in which a very prestigious Star Wars character fights a light sabre duel I heard people in the theatre laughing. This character should be reverred and respected, not laughed at in an attempt at cheap thrills.
I don't think anyone can deny the fact that the entire movie feels "dead". There is very little substance in the action sequences that makes up feel for the characters. We know that Obi-Wan and Anakin survive and so scenes that should be tense and thrilling are not. We understand that characters being introduced this late in the game are simply being set up as cannon fodder in the next film.
Adding to the sense of a frozen and life-less corpse is the dull script and even worse acting. Hayden Christensen seems confused when delivering his dialogue. He can't decide whether to stay snobbish or turn over to brooding or even show his romantic side. He changes his perspective so often you have a hard time figuring him out. Of course, we don't need to figure him out because we know he becomes Vader in the end.
Anyone who tries to refer to the Star Wars series as a "sprawling space epic" is simply wrong. There is no question about it. George Lucas has simply become pigeon-holed by the success of Star Wars and cannot even begin to consider making another type of movie. He has also become quite a cash cow as of lately. Releasing the Special Editions and then the Special Special Editions and now the three Prequel Films must be paying off. I doubt after years of being hounded by the "phantom menace" that is the Star Wars Franchise, George Lucas cares much for the integrity of the Star Wars Universe. He doesn't care about plot loops or character development he just wants the cold hard moola.
The sad thing is, we keep going to see the movies and we keep fueling his passion to make money. Perhaps Episode III will be better and perhaps not. Chances are not.