George Lucas still cannot write or direct actors

Rating: 7/10 (19 May 2005)

fantastic fight scenes and CG, etc.
visually dazzling, the fight scenes were terrific, but the script stunk. Ewan McGregor's talent ostensibly saved the movie from being an over budgeted sci-fi bunk.
Natalie Portman, who has proved herself a worthy actress for well over a decade now, comes off as B actress. her lines are stereotypical, misogynistic crap. Hayden Christensen lacks any sort of charisma, and that is no fault of his own.
at most points the dialogue is only a necessity to move the action along, which works great if you are Kurosawa, which Lucas pays homage to, but is certainly not.
the film ends the mythic Star Wars cycle, so it is not aporetic, but it is a trifle anti-climatic. i guess only in the sense that you know, being a prequel, what the outcome will be.
the Darth Vader metamorphosis, which is the raison d'etre of the film, could have been more in depth and protracted in its extrapolation.
but the film was highly entertaining, and certainly better than the rest of the Star Wars films with the exception of the novelty of the original, a NEW HOPE EPISODE IV.
enjoy the show!