Definately better than Episode One

Rating: 7/10 (17 May 2002)

*minor spoilers warning*
AotC was definately better than Phantom Menace for the underlying plot development, but it paled in comparison when it came to pacing, because I nearly fell asleep a few times and it felt like a long movie. Although, the fact that I didn't get much sleep the night before probably didn't help. ^^; Overall, the second movie was a valient effort in the digital filmmaking medium that Lucas used; there wasn't that many obtuse moments where the CG overwhelmed the characters and the story. At least it was used appropriately to render the vast clone armies and a grandeouse battle, much like Phantom Menace's climatic battle did. Its use to create computer generated aliens still needs a lot more tweaking to make them look like they fit into the shot; most of the times, it isn't... That was one of Phantom Menace's flaw.
In AotC, the flaw was the CG-rendered Yoda. He stood out a few times and while it was required in the climatic battle, this little tyke needed the 3D space to demonstrate his fighting prowness. If the puppet model was used in the closeups, it'd help make the battle a touch more believable than just simply impressionable. This movie is a must for any Star Wars fan as it brings to light the events that caused Act IV to VI to happen, and I look forward to the dvd release to see what was left on the cutting room floor.