Great Movie -> Star Wars Or Otherwise

Rating: 9/10 (16 May 2002)

I read almost all of the reader reviews (without spoilers) that I could before going to see Episode II. I went in with a sense of dread, half expecting to be full on let down by the latest installment of the Star Wars saga. I had many key phrases from those reviews dancing through my head. I looked for the "wooden lines" spoken by the actors, I looked for a "jumbled" or "muddy" plot. I looked for everything that I heard was bad.... and it wasn't there. This movie returns the series to the Star Wars that most people know and love. I must admit I'm a Star Wars fan, but you can lump me in the category of people that did not like Episode I (at least the first time I saw it). Episode II delivers everything I hoped for and then some.
Although I am a Star Wars fan, this movie is a good movie in its own right. If you haven't seen any other Star Wars movie, and you're not cynical about the series because of nerd-dome that is a lot of times attached to fans, you'll still like this movie. Lucas creates a universe of characters and places, he sticks to it, and it's immersive.
I don't want to say anything specific about the film because most of the plot points have already been leaked out and the things that dropped my jaw may not drop yours. My best advice is to see Episode II (cheap prices if necissary) and judge for yourself. I honestly think the vast majority of viewers will not be disappointed. I also think that the vast majority of Star Wars fans will hail this as one of the (if not the) best installments into the Star Wars saga.