Amazed & Disappointed *WARNING - SPOILER*

Rating: Null/10 (19 May 2002)

**WARNING - SPOILER CONTAINED**
This is the movie that has been long awaited by Star Wars fans since Obi-Wan mentioned the Clone Wars way back in Episode 4. For those Star Wars fans who are true to the text of the chronology, not just the movies, do not expect much from this film. Sure, there are those moments where you get to link pieces together, but then there are moments when you will be stunned by the complete lack of adherence by Lucas to his own folklore.
I feel that the screenplay is desperately missing the guidance of Lawrence Kasdan. He wrote 'Empire' and 'Jedi' and his influence, looking at this, seems to have made all the difference.
Look out for the moment Mace Windu becomes John Shaft with the memorably stupid line "The party's over" while holding his saber to the throat of a bounty hunter.
Yoda becomes a saber wielding pinball in a moment many Star Wars fans have probably been waiting for but should've never happened as it turns out to be the most ridiculously farcical scene in the film. He duels a Sith. the lead up to which looks like it was inspired by Mortal Combat, full of stupid posing and macho talking.
George Lucas proves himself to be romantically inept with tender love scenes pulled straight from midday soap operas; a plummet from the quality of similar content in THX-1138. One particular moment where Padme declares her love for Anakin saw the entire theatre burst into laughter. not complimentary.
Although Jar Jar is no longer falling about for cheap laughs, Lucas has suitably found another source for comic relief during intense battles in C-3PO. Watch the droid make dumb comments and ruin a complete battle scene. For what purpose, I have no idea.
In fact, the droids from the original trilogy are pretty much introduced here so they can lamely save Amidala from a hopeless situation. In one instance, R2D2 fails to save Amidala when a nemesis manages to sneak up on her. He emits a light but doesn't SEE anything, at which point all the Star Wars fans are screaming "But he has sensors that picked up Sand People miles away in Episode 4!".
But while these are all annoying to the overall experience, Lucas does show that he still knows what he's doing.
A fantastic chase through Coruscant is visually amazing and paced with the skill of the Lucas of old. The chase ends with Obi-Wan proving yet again that barflies shouldn't mess with him! Look here for an excellent homage to Bladerunner.
Another great scene involving Obi-Wan is a fight with the bounty hunter, Jango Fett. Particularly impressive are the ways Obi-Wan gets around not having his light saber. a great example of a hero overcoming adversity without catching a break.
In short, it is visually amazing. Fantastic special effects. Computer geeks and FX nerds will be in heaven! But, for a man who has made it his life's mission to snub Hollywood and remain independent, Lucas has produced something which could have easily spewed out of the lamest of Hollywood's blockbuster machines.
It left this Star Wars fan bitterly disappointed.