I openly admit it: I have never been wild about the `Star War' films.

Rating: Null/10 (13 May 2002)

I openly admit it: I have never been wild about the `Star War' films. I watched them as a child and saw them again when they were re-released on video. Part 4 was cool, 5 even better, and 6 I found a little annoying to be honest, but still they were over all satisfying. `Star Wars Episode 1' on the other hand proved to be a so-so introduction to this franchise, with an alright storyline and further more beautiful special-effects, it kept me watching and somewhat interested the whole way through. I admire the complex universe George Lucas has created, and can completely understand how it has captured the imagination of it's legions of fans, after all it goes without saying this film franchise was a milestone for modern cinema. I hope you have an idea of where I'm coming from. Having said that, I can't say this installment offered much aside from more effects, more battles, and another half-assed script.
I will have some spoilers in this review, nothing crazy but I know `Star Wars' fanatics will want to stay pure until their first viewing. Here goes, it's been 10 years since `Episode 1' and we find out that someone is attempting to kill, Amidala (Portman), now a senator. Enter Obi Wan (McGregor) and Anakin (Hayden Christensen), whom are ordered to keep the Senator safe. Upon re-introduction after such a long period of time Amidala is taken back by how `grown up' Anakin looks, and he, now having gone through puberty, can appreciate the beautiful woman Amidala has always been. Shortly afterwards an intruder's plans to again assonate the senator are foiled by the Jedi's, leading to their decision to split up to better protect her.
From that point on I found it useless to even try and make sense of all their political discussions but I did keep up, even if it did drag on for what seemed to be more than half the film. Now supposedly in that time Anakin and Amidala manage to fall in love, proving this film just doesn't have any strength other than its effect montages. Dumb-ing down the script with lines such as `I can't breath' when Anakin describes his affections, or when he says `I wish I could wish away my feelings' in response to his love denied, is something that occurs throughout the film and in fact gets worse. I find it funny that even in such a vast and unknown universe filled with such varied and amazing creatures and characters, people still manage to speak so pretentiously. Obviously these are Lucas' words, not the characters. In the later parts of the film it is almost non-stop action ranging from a not so spectacular Gladiator-Style spectacle, to a full fledged civil war, and a fight scene between the Big Bad Villain and Yoda?? This guy had been limping the whole movie, it seemed like a joke he would suddenly whip out into action (expect this scene to be parodied in a 4th installment of `Austin Powers').
Did I mention how bad the dialogue was? Man was it bad!! Here are a few more lines from the film. `I truly, deeply love you' says the Amidala to Anakin in the midst of hectic battles, and with that he finally realizes it. Great! What does Mace Windu (Jackson) say when he comes to save the imprisoned Obi Wan, Anakin and Amidala `This party's over!' Are you laughing yet? I surely was, and definitely was not alone. Now do I think that this dialogue will ruin your experience while watching this film? I highly doubt that, seeing as we've become accustomed to such crap by now, most of you will easily let it slide and let the hype of finally seeing the movie take over. I want everyone to watch it again in a year and then tell me what you all really think.
Now for the cast, comprised of fine actors, does a very good job with this sloppy material. Hayden Christensen is great as Anakin and shows us his inner pain incredibly well, definitely not given enough to do here, but expect to see far better work from this guy in the future. Natalie Portman lit up the screen and is cute as ever, hopefully she uses this exposure to get herself into better pictures. Sam Jackson is slick and cool but doesn't do much else, and Ewan McGregor has some nice action sequences but that aside he is just giving Anakin advice the whole movie.
This story just never came together for me, and I found myself laughing about it once it was over. Will Star Wars fans be satisfied just because they get to see a continuation in this franchise? This film needed more work where films like this always do, in the script!! The visuals will surely blow you away; though some scenes are so full of CGI I began to get sick of them. Still I will go back to see this film with my friends and see what their reaction is to this movie. It definitely kept me entertained, but mostly for all the wrong reasons.