Don't clone the groans

Rating: Null/10 (31 May 2002)

Overall, I enjoyed Episode II but if the whole series of six films is to gel, then Episode III must be better. In my opinion, episodes 1, 2, 4 and 5 (forgetting Return of The Jedi for a moment), each get better than the one before. Therefore, the first is pretty average; the second much better; the fourth (the 'original') better still; and the fifth (Empire) the best, in my opinion. Then it deteriorates with 'Jedi', but only back to the standard of 'Clones', which is very good. The main flaw in this new episode is that the film is just too long. Twenty minutes shaved off could have tightened it up a heck of a lot, but it does drag in the middle. I agree with a lot of reviewers that the love affair between Annakin and Padme are drawn out. The thing that saves it is the haunting music of John Williams, which I feel is his best in the series. But I have heard it said that when you start to really listen to a film's score whilst watching the movie, your attention is waning. That aside, the majority of the movie is good fun. At last, I enjoyed Ewan McGregor's performance. He is the mainstay of this in a similar, but not as superb, way that Harrison Ford was in the earlier movies. Unlike others, I didn't actually like Christopher Lee in this. It follows too hot on the heels of his part in the 'Rings' film. The flaws are outweighed by some great action and inventive set-pieces. And C3PO is very funny. I'm glad he turned up when he did. And finally, in the face of some terrible dialogue, Natalie Portman is shaping up to be one of the most beautiful women in the world. Hard to believe that someone so plain as Princess Leia could be produced by her! 7 out of 10. Episode 3 needs to be even better to justify three prequels.