Great Escapist Fun (which is what SW is all about)

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2002)

This movie is just terrific fun to watch and experience. No it's not A New Hope or Empire Strikes Back but it is Star Wars back on track again. I remember way back when - reading reviews of ANH and ESB and none ever got 'amazing' reviews. It was the public that made them 'classics'. They are so steeped today in nostalgia and pastiche that an 'untouchable' quality have been brought upon them. Most people who dislike Phantom Menace or Attack of the Clones could not have been pleased by any new Star Wars film so 'untouchable' in there minds are the original 3. I will admit the new film lacks any 'iconic' characters like Chewie or Han or a 'bad-guy' like Vader. But the story of how Palpatine is coming to power is intriguing. The action scenes are still as good as ever. The cheesy romance is necessary. It takes place amongst a fairytale renaissance dream world and this evokes their young energy, spirit and dreams.
As for acting, besides Harrison Ford (who WAS Han) the acting in any of the first three films was hardly the stuff that wins oscars. People forget that with nostalgia. Star Wars was always about a cinema experience with an enthusiastic audience that left you with a grin on your face, took you to strange new worlds, and gave you a thrilling visual ride at the same time. A this film did just that.
3 small complaints about AOTC. ***SPOILERS***
1. What did it benefit the plot that Zam Weasel was a changling?
2. The night club needed music badly
3. I could hear recycled sound effects from pod racers used for the creatures in the arena battle.
Otherwise - GREAT!