A big disappointment

Rating: Null/10 (11 October 2011)

The film is a noisy mess, scenes go on for far too long, the action sequences are a bore and the characters are repulsive.
It is impossible to engage with Anakin Skywalker, whether Christiansen's performance is deliberately brattish and immature or not, there is no room to care for the character as he lurches from simply one temper tantrum to another. Only Christopher Lee gains pass marks, playing his role with the necessary malevolence, although given almost nothing to work with.
In its favour, the special effects are spectacular, renderings of Yoda a particular joy to watch and William's love theme for the tortured couple is amongst his best work.
But the film seems brutish, unnecessarily violent and has an unsavoury feel to it at times, almost seedy. As if the filmmakers were in a desperate rush to prove how grown-up the movie is, this "adult" quality leaves a very bad taste.