Behold the return of the Force

Rating: 9/10 (16 May 2002)

The only thing that could possibly have pushed this film farther towards perfection is if Lucas had titled it in a way that let us rearrange the letters in the title to call the film 'Complete Redemption and Deliverance'. Episode I soured many fans, despite it not being entirely worthless--there were good parts in it, and overall it was a decent movie. But anyone who insists that it had no weaknesses whatsoever is quite possibly due for a cat-scan.
Rejoice.
Unquestionably, a complete lack of weaknesses is the case with Episode II.

The acting isn't as campy. Shakespearean at times, but never strained.
The raw passion between Portman and Christensen would have prompted me to have somebody quietly keeping tabs on them off the set--with a set of rings at hand.
Lucas has made every scene's purpose and story foundation solid enough to shame Mt. Everest. Characters don't just do something. They have a deeply moving reason behind what they do--and it's always a reason that would probably drive you or me to do the same thing.
Every frame, every image, every picture of an idea that graces the screen is part of the story. Lucas isn't showing off ILM's latest and greatest; he has taken them up arm in arm and given us the product of two master storytellers weaving a magnum opus.
Passion, beauty, grief, unreleaseable pain, tension, unimagineable energy--all of these threads are perfect, seamless, and awe inspiring to behold. They will leave to you ecstacy of a story so rich and powerful your very soul with reverberate.
George Lucas, I bow to you as a man I respected, lost faith in, and have regained an endless, profound admiration for. The Force is with you once more, and you have shared it with us all.