The Force is strong(er) in this this one

Rating: 7/10 (3 January 2005)

Well, what we can we say about The Flanel One's second part of the Prequel Trilogy?
First of all: It's a heck of a lot better than TPM, even though that's not really any standard to go by (In Star Wars terms).
Secondly: We've got an interesting lead character this time...two even! Unlike TPM, where we saw an annoying little farm boy that couldn't act (Mark Hamill in A New Hope, anyone?) and an aging Irish bloke that can only act like...well, an aging Irish bloke, we have some acting power this time around.
The dialogue is corny and badly written, as we expected, but Hayden Christensen and Ewan MacGregor actually succeed in delivering their bad lines in a way that's not too disturbing. Although "I wish I could just wish my feelings away" sent a shiver down my spine, and not in something even closely resembling a good way. *Leave the romantic scenes to the professionals George, I beg you!*
Ewan's lines range from funny "She seems to be on top of things", to Sir Alec Guinness like "You will learn your place young one." And he delivers each and every one of them with total conviction and an absolute belief that if he screws up his lines, he screws up the movie *It's not about the lines Ewan, but thanks anyway*
Hayden is something of an enigma to me when it comes to Star Wars. He steals the entire movie (and so far the trilogy) with the so-called "confession scene", which, imo, is the best piece of acting I've seen in a long time, a very long time. Compare that with his "romantic" scenes together with Natalie Portman, where he stumbles over words (maybe intentionally) and just acts awful, and you'll begin to understand my confusion.
Which brings us to the very lovely Ms Portman, who is undoubtedly a great actress. She proved herself ten times over in Leon (The Professional), but just seems lost here. The biggest contribution she makes here is showing off her well-trained abdomen. And even though it is truly a sight to behold, I expected much more power and on-screen presence from her.
The entire film builds up to an extreme climax that is, in the end, rather disappointing. The huge battle (without wanting to give everything away) between the Republic forces and the Separatists, is confusing, brutal, and entirely CG...it looks awesome. In sharp contrast to that, is the inevitable light saber duel, between Ewan, Hayden and the marvelous Christopher Lee. This is the only point where the film is surpassed by it's predecessor, because it just never really takes off. Where the duel in the end of TPM was acrobatic, spectacular, and filled with energy, here it's more like ballet, and bad ballet at that. *Look out for Yoghurt though...I mean Yoda, off course*
In the end, not a bad flick, but it could have been so much better. It sets everything up for Ep III (Revenge Of The Sith), but remains anonymous save for the fact that it's Star Wars. I don't know which is worse: To have a bad SW film I'd never want to see again, or a film that could have made it, but crashes in the corny one-liners, the terrible dialogue, with only occasional moments of greatness. Maybe Lucas has finally lost "The Touch" *Say it ain't so George!!*
Good Points: Almost no Jar Jar *Yay*
Cool new lead, who can go anywhere in the future
Some amazing effects *Hails ILM*
Natalie Portmans belly *What? I'm a guy!*
Less Points: Living Jar Jar *Boo*
Threepio with "a sense of humour" *Shakes head in despair*
Yoda on stimulants *Kinda over the top there, George*
Weak light saber duel *The rehearsals were brutal though!*