The force (and the prequels) can have a strong influence on the weak minded

Rating: 3/10 (9 July 2006)

"A special effect is a tool, a means of telling a story. A special effect without a story is a really boring thing"
George Lucas - 1983
I have come to the conclusion that the casual American audience can only pay attention to something which contains childish humor, computer generated (over used too) eye candy, useless stylized fighting, pointless action and superficial story telling. This film along with it's two older siblings is a testament to how much George Lucas has truly become one with the money hungry Hollywood machine. I couldn't agree more with what Lucas stated back in '83 (see above). I guess he doesn't agree anymore or maybe he never really believed it.
The last three installments (dare I include Jedi too?) have felt more like Lucas saying "look what I can do" or "how can I screw people out of their money by playing off of peoples nostalgia or lack of rational thought." Starting with the special editions of 1997, Star Wars started to look more like Star Wars meets The Jetsons. Pointless robots with cartoonish voices buzzing about reciting clichés of days past ("how wude", "roger roger", "exxxccuuuuuse me"). The overuse of green screen compositing reminded me of the merry-go-round cartoon scene in Mary Poppins. Though the cgi Yoda looked a little better in this installment I still prefer the puffy faced, Homer Simpson mouthed puppet used in the Phantom Menace. The acting is skin scrawling with some of the worst dialog since an old ABC after school special.
I feel the the actors cannot be blamed for this mess. In fact I think that they really tried. I'll even go so far as to say that Hayden Christiensen (spelling?) and Natalie Portman have gotten a bum wrap for their performances. They had horrible dialog to work from in the first place. There really isn't much a person can do with "This is the end of you, master" and make it sound any better. I won't get going on the unbelievably sappy talk between Anakin and Padme. Don't get me wrong, I am all for character development and emotional storytelling but that dialog was just BAD. I don't think Fabio would even wanna be on the cover of a book containing that kind of writing.
I feel that George Lucas did a great job with American Graffiti but then again he had a cast of actors that were about to become major stars and household names (along with a lead that would later earn the Oscar Best Director). Star Wars was a great follow up but much to the denial of some, it was truly a case of the right time and the right place. But I do have to give him credit for that since it helped spawn the next generation of film makers. He started out as a rogue in the industry yet eventually became what he fought against. I think it happens with a lot of film makers, much like politicians, they go in with great intentions but end of being assimilated into the Hollywood system. I truly hope that since the Star Wars cash cow has finally ended he can get back to making more meaningful material like his more idealistic days of old.
In closing, if you're looking for bad dialog, tired directing, childish humor, dime store romance, flashy yet useless dueling moves, rejects from the Jetsons, and VERY excessive use of digital effects, this is your movie. If you're looking for solid character development, good twists, tasteful use of visual effects, and story telling above the 1st grade level, look elsewhere. I was very into Star Wars while growing up but have found that these last few films have tainted my appreciation. I'm sorry if I have offended or made enemies with fans of this movie. This is simply my own opinion and not how I feel others should think.