Much better than Episode I

Rating: 9/10 (16 May 2002)

***Warning: Minor/Moderate Spoilers*** The underlying problem with reviewing any major "franchise" movie such as Star Wars is you'll always have two kinds of reviewers. Some will be absolute, die-hard fans, and they will overlook any and all flaws in the movie. And others will play the devil's advocate, and dog the movie for flaws that they would otherwise overlook in any other summer action movie.
All that not withstanding, I must say I was much more impressed with Act 2 of this line of Star Wars prequels than the first one. Performances varied across the board this time... Natalie Portmann (Padmé Amidala) and Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker) both played quite well independently, but the two have virtually no on-screen chemistry. Their relationship seems driven not so much by love, but by the necessity therein to retain the continuity with characters in Episodes 4, 5, and 6. (such as their kids, Luke and Leia)

The student-turned-master Obi-Wan Kenobi is probably one of the better performances by Ewan McGregor, being able to portray his character with a much more serious air than the first movie. (to Anakin: "I have a feeling you're going to be the death of me")
Christopher Lee, notable for doing an awesome job as Saruman in Lord of the Rings, once again delivers a decent performance as the villain Jedi, Count Dooku. (And a duel between him and the now-butt-kicking Yoda had the whole auditorium cheering)
As for the action scenes, this movie was quite mind-blowing. It seemed a lot of times as if the game was seeing how many special effects could be displayed on-screen at a given time. And a "Gladiator"-style duel-turned-battle toward the end will prove quite entertaining and memorable.
Enjoy the film, and may the Force be with you
-Juansmith