Breathtaking visuals

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2002)

If they gave Oscars for eye-candy then George Lucas would already be getting a space ready on his mantelpiece. Episode 2 provides a series of backgrounds, landscapes and scenes that serve up a rich, deep tapestry of colour and vivid imagery.
Lucas has both a problem and a boon with the plot - we already know largely what has to happen to the principal characters, so the fun is in how we get there. Episode 2 definitely serves to make one strongly anticipate the third installment, with the scene set as it is for Anakin's final descent to the dark side.
This leads to the inevitable question - if this series had not been going strong for 25 years, would this film be so popular? Well, the acting is not as bad as has been made out - Anakin's character is well played (although not overly likeable or sympathetic) and the other performances are solid. The dialogue is not award winning but serves its purpose.
The major problem with the story is why Anakin and Amadilah fall in love - there is no chemistry there at all and for the most part Anakin is quite unpleasant.
At the end of the day however, one can simply sit back, soak up the visuals and enjoy two of the finest moments of the series that allow C3-PO (humourously) and Yoda (violently) respectively to take centre stage.