Impending Doom...(mild spoilers)

Rating: 10/10 (17 May 2002)

...If there is one feeling that this much anticipated latest installment of the famous fantasy saga leaves the viewer with, it is that. It is perhaps the feeling of inevitable doom hanging over our heroes heads that makes this film so exciting to watch.
We know that the republic is moving ever-closer to becoming a fascist dictatorship. We know that the jedi order will fall. We can see the aging effects of the dark side on the Chancellor palpetine as he inches ever closer to becoming the dark Emperor. We know that the galaxy is on the brink of a war that will ultimately ravage the galaxy, and purge it of much goodness... ...and when we see the look of anger and hatred in Anakin's eyes, holding a dead loved one, we catch our first glimpse of the wrath and malice in him, that will eventually manifest itself in the menacing Darth Vader.
It is quite chilling. And I think that is where Lucas and company ultimately succeed with this film. No jar-jar binks (mostly), no kiddy fair (save for the promise of action and adventure). The film is like a shadow of what's to come.
Is some of the dialogue "clunky", as so many have claimed? Sure, some of it is...but as I recall, the star wars saga was never credited with having brilliant dialogue (how about "I don't know where you get your delusions laser brain" or Luke skywalker's laughable shriek in the Empire strikes back, when he is informed that D. Vader is his father?).
So, yes, some of the dialogue is awkward...mostly some of the proclamations of love by Anakin. But, I thought overall, there were some very talented actors in this film. They turned in great performances, and even managed to perform bad lines of dialogue quite well.
Many people knock Christensen as Anakin Skywalker. I thought he was great, especially when he lets the darkness within him begin to show(On the desert planet)...quite convincing and surprisingly emotional.
Many people also knock the film for having a cheesy love story. So, did I think the love story worked? I thought it did. Despite some aforementioned awkward lines of dialogue, I thought it worked quite well...as well as a love story can in the star wars universe.
Great special effects, mind-numbingly large scale battle scenes, enough action and adventure to keep a 5 yr old with attention deficit disorder glued to the screen... ...and, as I mentioned, the feeling of impending doom--probably the greatest part about the film. Try watching it with this precognition of approaching darkness...its really quite fantastic.
My score: I don't rate on a number or star scale, I think that's stupid. I'll just say I thought it was an excellent addition to the unfolding saga--fun, exciting, beautiful to look at, and quite chilling.