I'm Back on Board The Star Wars Love Train

Rating: 9/10 (19 May 2002)

Episode I derailed my almost unshakable faith and love for the star wars universe. It's funny actually, because I didn't hate Episode I, it just got old for me... I wanted more, and I felt Lucas dropped the ball. Jar Jar was disappointing as a whacky alien sidekick, and made chewbacca's wookie light shine even brighter. Now that I think about it, Jar Jar is a permanent skidmark on my darth vader underoos, and I say that with conviction.
However, Episode II is absolutely heads above Episode I, and may even break into the rankings of the original series. I think comparing the two series is a terrible trap to fall into, though, so I won't travel down that road. There's simply too much nostalgia with the original series... and I hold the first three films far too dear to my heart to make a fair comparison.
AOTC delivers on several fronts, and faulters (but doesn't collapse) on a few others. The FX are what you would expect, and the dialogue is... sigh... also what you would expect, but that ultimately doesn't matter much. If the storyline to AOTC was a woman, it would be a real sexy vixen. The plot is well developed and executed, and since a good story is undoubtedly a powerful ally, it makes even the most mediocre
acting passable, as long as it advances the plot. I can't think of one scene (even the love scenes) that i would consider unnecessary or superfluous. That's a really important point to make, and I think even the film's detractors would agree with me on that point. Hayden
Christensen's portrayal of Anakin is solid, and Ewan Mcgregor really begins to fill out the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in this installment.

Natalie Portman seems a little too diametric with her acting: at some points she's stiff, at others completely at home with the role. C3PO turns into a veritable comedic whore unfortunately, but still manages to pull off a few memorable quips. Christopher Lee is spectacular in this chapter, and is a very, very welcome addition to the growing fold of star wars actors. In a sense, his character completely makes the movie for me, especially when he's on-screen with yoda (wink wink).
This is how it all pans out:
Ups.
1. Story Line, Story Line, Story Line.
2. Christopher Lee's Count Dooku and Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan
3. Awesome FX and a completely beautiful and superbly realized worlds.
4. Yoda.
5. The avoidance of complete butchery of the romantic subplot.
6. Oodles of action.
7. Mace Windu.
Downs
1. Stiff acting from portman and less frequently, from christensen.
2. Whoring of C3PO as a Jar Jar standin during the climax.
3. Jango's destruction was a bit too simple, but badass nonetheless.

Either Ors
1. Did Obi-Wan kick enough ass? Questionable.
2. A little short on humor?
3. Yoda's dialogue a little... unnatural? Odd delivery?
You decide.
In the grand scheme of things, AOTC is a true winner and a great film. I refuse to rank it, but tend to feel that it's far superior to

Episode I in about every aspect possible.
Do See. A-.