Too long/much/slow/little/funny

Rating: Null/10 (27 May 2002)

Warning: Possible Spoilers in this article
First of all: I have been a fan of Star Wars since 1977, but being a fan does not mean I cannot be critical about the movies, right? Don't give me that "a true fan will thoroughly like everything". I don't buy into that philosophy.
The movie was good entertainment, I don't regret spending my money, and I spent a nice couple of hours at the cinema.
Still, it was too long - too many scenes that made me feel like being trapped in huge ad for a future video game. I especially resent that!
Too much was cramped into the pictures. I'm sorry, this is supposed to be amazing in the way of "look what we can do", but again, it was like being forced into an advert for Lucasfilm.
Which brings me to too slow and too little. The movie's story was sometimes not driven along at an even pace but blocked by unnecessary scenes (it was sad to see Shmi Skywalker die but what use was that scene? To start Anakin on his mass murderer path? Waste of actress, if you ask me).
Too little care was taken with the story. It was left hanging when it could have been going forward, we got to see Christopher Lee buzzing around on a Vespa motorbike (the space-age version) and flying in his space ship through canyons of industrial building-thingies, just to tell his master that the war had started - what for? We already knew that.
Too funny ... I'm sorry, but that lightsabre fight between Yoda and Dooku left me howling with laughter. It was like seeing a frog with rabies attack an elderly gentleman. Yoda as a character was nicely developed in the movie, but that scene spoiled it all for me. I still reel when remembering it.
For personal reasons, it was good to see Jack Thompson (Cliegg Lars), then there was the gifted Ewan MacGregor, and both were under-used.
So please, Mr. Lucas, in the next movie, less special effects (there'll still be enough left) and try to use the really good actors you got yourselves there. Less puppy love talk and take greater care with the story. We know you got the talent to pull it off! Please do!