Jedi Mind Tricks

Rating: 3/10 (20 May 2002)

I watched this movie having been told by someone I trust that it was almost as good as the first Star Wars (episode IV, not episode I). I don't trust him any more.
The best way to see this movie is with low expectations. You will then appreciate the few good bits rather than being constantly disappointed by what might have been. One such good bit is a bar scene in which Obi Wan casually uses a Jedi mind-trick in a throwaway way. This is good because the deadpan delivery is funny and it demonstrates the hidden power of the Jedi in a convincing way.
Unfortunately, the Jedi don't convince so well in the rest of the movie. One can only suppose that the Dark Lord of the Sith has such mental power that he is pulling everyone's strings throughout. That would explain the wooden acting and the risible plot. Would you believe Jar Jar Binks as a Senator? And not just just any Senator but the key one who proposes that Palpatine should be made Galactic Dictator?
Apart from cultivating low expectations, my other tip would be to take a popcorn break when you find the action flagging in in the middle and take your time. You'll be tantalised by the thought of what you might be missing and so will enjoy picking up the thread again without actually having missed too much. The movie could easily stand having 30 minutes cut out of it so you'll benefit from your DIY editing.
Me, I'm a masochist and sat most of it out until a bursting bladder made me see sense. I don't know what I missed and I don't care. I did come back and watch the rest though, even all the credits. I can therefore tell you that there's a character called "Sleazebaggano" in the movie. If you find this funny, then this movie's for you.
Another character saddled with a lame name is Christopher Lee as Count Dracula, sorry, Duckula, sorry, Dooku. He carries it off well though and is the only actor with any screen presence. He still doesn't match the terrifying menace of the original Vader though. How we get from the infant prodigy and sappy teen to the booming voiced ogre of the first movie is still a mystery though. If the next movie can at last make the transition convincing then that will indeed be an impressive mind trick.
Andrew