About the dialogue

Rating: 4/10 (19 May 2002)

First, let me just say that I enjoyed this movie a lot, not quite on the level of Episodes IV, V and VI, but I enjoyed it a bit.
But I have to complain about the dialogue, and more specifically about the people asserting that "the dialogue stunk in the first three movies too."
Ahem. The dialogue in the first three movies most certainly did not stink. This movie doesn't have anything that approaches the level of dialogue from various points in the first three movies, such as:
Han: I thought you liked scoundrels. Leia: I don't...I like nice men. Han: I'm a nice man. (kisses her)
Ben: Just myself, the boy...two droids...and no questions asked. Han: What are you, in some kind of local trouble? Ben: Let's just say we'd like to avoid any IMPERIAL entanglements.
Han: Listen, I had everything under control until you let us down here! Luke: Could be worse. (large rumbling noise) Han: It's worse.
Darth Vader, at the opening of ROTJ to Commander Jerjerrod: I hope so, Commander, for your sake. The Emperor is not as FORGIVING as I am.
Anyway, the dialogue in the first trilogy just had a better sense of playfulness; these people seemed like people. Even out in the middle of space, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker seem like regular people, as does Obi-Wan Kenobi, even if he comes across as a little sad. The characters here mostly serve plot rather than acting like people; as much as the effects and plot contributed to the success of the first three movies, the comradery between Han, Leia, Luke, Chewie, Lando & the Droids really shaped how we felt about these movies; they seemed like a family of people who we could admire and be friends with. Han & Luke seemed like friends. That comradery hasn't been established in I and II - Obi-Wan & Anakin don't have a particularly strong relationship, and Anakin & Amidala come across as forced more than anything else (save for the Gladiator scene, when the 3 more or less come together.)