Wait and decide for yourself...

Rating: 9/10 (3 June 2002)

I had read the comments of quite a few people (mostly professional reviewers) before seeing this film, but now having seen it I've learned once again...wait and decide for myself. I saw this with my two sons and my husband. My husband and younger son were seeing it for the second time. Since my husband almost never goes to movies, this alone is a high endorsement for what turned out to be an exciting, action packed fun movie! My older son, as we left the theater, proclaimed the movie to be "awesome...the best!"
And I loved it too! I had heard criticism for the acting, but come on! We all saw the original three Star Wars movies. If you came for the acting, you were bound to be disappointed. Star Wars has never been about acting. In all five Star Wars movies to date, the acting has been OK, adequate, good....this one was no different. But it was hardly terrible...in fact, I was very happy with it after what I'd been led to expect by disgruntled reviewers!
One of the things Lucas does best is to show the women as strong and instrumental...not simpering in a corner waiting to be rescued. Padme is no exception to this and one of my favorite parts of the movie was when, in the arena, she takes on and defeats her monster all on her own without the help of the Jedi (the force is with her as well!). Star Wars has mastered the idea of the focused and powerful woman as Star Trek has never been able to do. Star Trek always ends up falling back on cliches with women ending up being sex symbols or mother figures. Not so in Star Wars...these women rock!
This was a very satisfying movie. I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to Star Wars III now. It was a fun family afternoon of entertainment. How often do you get that any more?