Entertaing space adventure

Rating: 9/10 (20 May 2002)

The latest chapter of the "Star Wars" saga is a definite improvement over episode 1.The action sequences are impressive, the story has more depth and the villains, particularly Christopher Lee as Dooku and Temuera Morrison as Jango Fett, are well played and acted, Ewan McGregor, somewhat stiff last time out, really delivers a solid and well realized performance as Obi-Wan. While a lot of the early reviews have panned the love story and the performances of Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen, I would tend to disgree,, yea they arent as good as some of the elders, but they are ok and the romance (while perhaps taking up a bit oo much screen time) is properly handled as a kindof corny flirtation between two teenagers who are both somewhat full of themselves. While the film does have its flaws (some slow sections towards the middle, some shaky character animation) on the whole it work as part of the "Star Wars" epic and is an entertaining rollercoaster ride on its own. And if you are paying attention to all the undertones if what is really happening beneath the surface, its almost a greek tragedy. I do definitely reccomend the movie. GRADE: B+