Good overall, but has some problems

Rating: 6/10 (9 June 2002)

It's hard hot to notice the wooden performances by Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen (the worst offender here.) They have no on-screen chemistry. Jimmy Smits is sadly miscast and looks very much out of place. Samuel Jackson- normally very good- also looks vaguely out of place. Christopher Lee, however, is brilliant here, and is an inspired choice.
First half of movie's story line is muddled and difficult to follow.
Plot seems to go off on tangents. It is nice to see, however, who will become Luke Skywalker's parents.
The last third of the film saves it, as you see the inception of the Death Star and some incredible battle scenes. The camera work and special effects are spectacular, as are the panoramic views of the gladiatorial arena and the massed clone armies.
To sum up, the movie could have been so much better were it not for some very middling acting and some unfocused storytelling.