While it's not quite what the first three were, it's on the right track. This one definitely is an improvement from `Episode 1'.

Rating: Null/10 (11 June 2002)

OK, the big question on everyone's mind is, `Does it suck like the last one did?'. Well, I'm happy to give a big `no' to that one. The new `Star Wars' film is something that's had a little momentum killer by the lackluster response to `Episode 1' a couple of years ago. Since the anticipation level seems to not be as high for this one, people will naturally go in with lower expectations. If that's the case, you should be pleasantly surprised. George Lucas helmed this one as well and seems to have learned from his mistakes with `The Phantom Menace'.
The next big question is, `Do they kill off that annoying Jar Jar character?'. Sadly, no. However, he has less than 5 minutes of screen time and seems to have `matured' a little bit. There are several times where the camera is panned to him and thankfully there is no annoying dialogue spewing from him, just that blank, goofy stare.
The most impressive part of the film, obviously, is the special effects. Technology sure has changes since the first one almost 25 years ago! While `Episode 1' had a little more style than substance and went a little overboard in the CGI department, this one balances it out a little better. The characters are fleshed out a little more and you start to see more familiar elements as they become a little more like we know them from the original three, especially with Obi Wan and Anakin. Without giving too much away, let's say there's quite a bit of foreshadowing going on here.
Next you'll probably wondering, `Is the romance cheesy?'. No more so than the Luke-Leah-Han triangle in the first three. While the one `romantic-themed' trailer had some fans up in arms about the direction of the movie, that was just a simple marketing strategy. There's much more action than romance here, folks! Besides, Hayden Christiansen is a lot more likeable than Jake Lloyd ever was and Natalie Portman has also turned into quite a beautiful woman from the younger queen that we were introduced to. They make a likeable couple and seem to have the chemistry that Luke and Leah had.
A lot of people believe that the best of the three is going to be the next one and they're probably right. There's a lot of characters that (obviously) aren't going to make it and a lot of loose ends will be tied up. Not only that, but there will be much more action and even better effects then. While another 3 years seems like a long while away, it's better than the 16 we had to wait for it to start up again.
Cool new villains, great action sequences, brilliant effects, and new twists are all things to praise about this installment. While it may not be on the level of the first three, it's on the right track. Most fans still won't forgive Lucas for the last one, but it'll at least smooth things over and rejuvenate some of that excitement you felt as a kid anticipating the next installment. Go ahead and check it out now in the theatre! You know you will anyway! There's no sense in waiting for video with this one!