More boring than George Lucas's check shirts

Rating: 4/10 (14 May 2003)

Considering the effort and technical expertise that went into making this film, it's exceedingly bad. But what else can we expect from a man who, at this stage in his career, clearly doesn't want to make worthwhile films anymore? When the screen isn't filled with beautiful CGI, it's graced by some of the most wooden acting seen, well, since The Phantom Menace. Natalie Portman is her usual pallid self. The young Darth Vader (Hayden, stop frowning so hard! You'll hurt your face!) has all the menace and presence of character from 'Dawson's Creek'. Ewan MacGregor seems lost in his role and his accent is an utterly stupid attempt to mimic Alec Guinness. On the plus side Christopher Lee wanders in an blows the rest of the cast off the screen. He doesn't even need to speak. Unfortunately, he soon has to make way for some interminable 'action' sequence and the computerised juggernaut comes back to life. What is the point of this film? To give Star Wars fans closure? To add to the sum of human happiness? To demonstrate that computers are indeed very powerful these days? Or is it merely a tedious, shallow money-making exercise designed to strip mine the wallets of the unwary worldwide. Do yourself and the world a massive favour: avoid this vacant marketing ploy. They are trying to steal your money.