The Force is strong with this one.

Rating: Null/10 (16 May 2002)

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS I found this film infinatly better than The Phantom Menace. The people knocking this film are at fault here. This film succeeds on every level for me. The acting is not all that bad. It has never been a strong suit in any of the films despite having some great actors in them. The dialogue is another thing that is not always that great in any of the previous films. I thought that Hayden was quite good as Anakin. Sure some of his lines are cheesy, but you can't fault him for that. He excels in the scenes where he is allowed to show his arrogance and anger. Ewan McGregor was a little more comfortable with the Obi-Wan character this time around. If I were to change anything it would be the Obi-Wan/Jango Fett duel. It could have been longer. The conveyer belt scene just seems to commercial in the way of you know it will be part of a video game. The arena battle although was excellent I would have shortened it to make the Count Dooku/ Obi-Wan/Anakin/YODA battle longer. When it comes to that scene I will tell you that Christopher Lee is a much more menacing villain than Darth Maul. Secondly Yoda proves that big things come from small packages. A real crowd pleaser at the showing I just saw. Natalie Portman was given a better role. She no longer needs to be so stuffy as the Queen of Naboo. Again it isn't her fault for bad lines. Jar Jar Binks is there, but mercifully not much. C3PO is back in the form that you know him from the originals. With more than his share of corny puns. I would have to say that overall I enjoyed this film. Even the first hour that many are saying is slow. It may not be action packed, but it is still interesting. Things are falling into place. and it was great to see Obi-Wan following clues to find Jango Fett and all the things that come from finding him. If anything is missing it would be a Han Solo like character. The wise cracking devil may care attitude is not seen in this film at all. Another thing is the lack of any really good quotes. With the exception of two given by Obi-Wan. "Good Job" as seen in one of the trailers and " One day you'll be the death of me Anakin".
If I were to rank the films as of right now I would have them in this order. 1.The Empire Strikes Back 2.A New Hope 3.Attack of the Clones 4.Return of the Jedi 5.The Phantom Menace Still I will anxiously await Episode III. To which if all goes to plan will be the darkest of the saga & hopefully the best. I can't wait.