Don't be too impressed with this technological terror...

Rating: 5/10 (13 June 2005)

you've constructed, George Lucas. The ability to create entire scenes with CGI wizardry is insignificant compared to the force of a good script. (With apologies to Star Wars IV--A New Hope)
After seeing this CGI stroke-fest, I was impressed with the special effects. If only the movie affected me in a special way like A NEW HOPE and EMPIRE.
As a movie it was entertaining---but like the first two prequels I was glad when it was over... George Lucas seemed to be trying to fit TOO MUCH into one movie...if they had morphed PHANTOM and CLONES together, and tacked on a little bit to show more about the early days of the EMPIRE/REBELLION---we would have had a great trilogy...
The lightsaber duels dominate this movie like none other in the series...(although the character of General Grievous should have been named General Gratuitous--he serves no purpose)...the final duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan is a classic...
What this movie and prequel trilogy miss are "SCOUNDRELS"... fun characters who's destiny isn't obvious. You didn't know Han was going to come back and help aid Luke in the Death Star raid, just as you didn't know Lando would turn from turncoat to a leader in the Rebellion. There were no "WILDCARDS" in this three-pack.
In the prequel trilogy...all the characters are written as nothing more than plot-propellers...It was amazing to see the cast list and ask myself, "did this character have any lines?" Problem is when they did have lines, a great many were groaners...
The only part that tugs on the heart is Obi-Wan's remorseful lines after the duel with Anakin...you feel his emotion...
Just as I felt sadness leaving the theater---such potential wasted. Mr. Lucas, you were the chosen one. You were supposed to defeat lazy formula movie making, not embrace it. Enjoy life inside the helmet.