Much better than Episode I

Rating: 5/10 (16 May 2002)

***Spoiler warning***
After Episode One I thought the Star Wars realm would never recover. Yes, George Lucas likes to showcase all the special effects ILM can produce and, Yes, Mr. Lucas couldn't direct a romantic scene if he had help from The Force, but on the other hand, this is a much more exciting movie than the last one! Like he overdoes the effects, he also overdoes the romantic scenery (lakes and waterfalls and meadows! I expected Maria Von Trapp to start singing 'The hills are alive with the sound of music' anytime...), but the lightsaber fights are excellent. Everyone has a go (even Yoda) and of course Anakin loses a hand (like Luke lost a hand in 'The Empire Strikes Back').
Hayden Christensen plays Anakin as a spoiled brat, with a violent streak and thereby lays the groundwork for the next installment where he will become Darth Vader. Ewan MacGregor gets the flex his muscles as Obi Wan Kenobi gets a bit more action and Natalie Portman is just simply gorgeous as her Senator Padmé Amidala never wears the same gown twice (and isn't it wonderful that even when you're travelling as a fugitive, you can still find the time - and the hairdresser - to get your hair done!!!).

This is definitely one for the freaks, like me...