It's no "Empire", but it comes pretty close.

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2002)

As soon as the music hits and "Star Wars" blazes onto the screen, you are thrown back to a time long ago, when you only knew of George Lucas from American Graffiti. This excitement builds whenever I see the intro, and I am always reminded of the first time I saw A New Hope. You realize this is going to be a great theatrical experience but then you remember... The Phantom Menace made me feel the same way too, that is, until those three paragraphs faded out of view and the movie started. Without giving anything away, I want to say full out that this film is NOT THE PHANTOM MENACE. This is old school Star Wars with new school special effects, plain and simple. We have everything, good guy gusto and bad guy brashness. From the first thrilling scenes to the final close that leaves you wanting more, I felt a tingle that kept with me long after the final credits rolled. But... with all reviews, I have to give some shortcomings. First, the characterization is better (much better) than Menace, but it still feels like Christiansen and most obviously Portman actually have to dumb down their acting skills to play these characters. They don't overact... it's just that they have traditionally played more in depth roles (Life as a House for Christiansen, and Portman's enitire catalog except Menace). Aside from this and one other shortcoming (Yoda is all animated... I miss the puppet. The puppet worked, and looked real enough. Yoda actually gives the movie a cartoony, video game feel.)The movie is fantastic. Most other performances are done extremely well, and for those who think this movie will ruin the classic star wars experience, it won't. I feel it will enhance what you already love, because like I said before... IT IS NOT THE PHANTOM MENACE.