Better than Episode 1 - but still doesn't cut it as "good" **spoilers**

Rating: 4/10 (6 December 2002)

**spoilers may be contained in this review**
This movie was better than Episode 1... let me clear that up. On the other side of that coin, however, the improvement may have been to there being more action, and hence, less bad writing and acting.
Starting off with the appearance of the film, I'll say it's an improvement, though I agree with other reviewers in that it's too "clean". It looks, quite frankly, artificial. Lucas seems to not realize that the trick is not to overwhelm your viewers with special effects, but to integrate them in such a way as to enhance believability.
Then again, the target market of 10-and-under-year-olds who will pump their parents for the most SW toys probably don't care.
The score is like every SW movie, and like every John Williams score. Not much to say there.
The acting... well... the acting suffers. Everyone seems disinterested or distracted the entire time, and none of the characters are engrossing. It's as if all the actors are waiting for lunch or recess or something.
The overall effect is that of a movie like Waterworld, where alot of money was spent, but the payoff was absent. Some scenes, like combat, were fun to watch. However some, like the "romance" scenes were painful. One more stilted-bad love line and I'd have to drill a hole in my head to relieve the pressure.
Overall, a step up from the overflowing basket of crap that was Episode 1, but still not what I'd consider a "good" movie. This movie is perhaps an excellent example of mediocrity with money at its finest.
Lucas can continue laughing all the way to the bank.