Highly Enjoyable, Especially With The Right Audience

Rating: 10/10 (16 May 2002)

I saw Episode II last night - or early this morning - at the midnight showing. We waited in line with other serious Star Wars fans for a couple of hours - lightsabers in hand, mind you - and then we were seated. After two hours in a theater of Star Wars fans, the movie began.
Wow.
I didn't care for Episode I. It was a kid's movie. Episode II wasn't a kid's movie. While the dialogue was a bit stilted at times, while the actors were a bit monotone at times, and while some things seemed totally unnecessary - or seemed like they needed a little more fleshing out - the movie was great. It was a vast improvement over Episode I.
Anakin's gradual slide to the Dark Side has begun. Yoda has a lightsaber. A large number of Jedi are in a huge battle. Explosions, lightsaber duels, rocket launchers, tons of aliens - it's relatively fast-paced and surprisingly good. What can be said without spoiling this movie? The audience made it even better, cheering at just the right parts. Everyone got in on it; everyone was thrilled to be there.
It was a great movie. I highly recommend seeing it.
Here's hoping that Episode III is nothing but lightsaber battles.