What a disappointment.

Rating: 3/10 (18 April 2006)

Now, upon seeing this at the cinema, I came out of the theatre feeling a little underwhelmed by it, but enjoyed it nonetheless. However, it was only when I watched it again on DVD that I realise how much of a colossal wasted opportunity this really was.
George Lucas is the only person to blame for this, which may seem harsh, but given the resources and creative brains available within the movie industry, it is so utterly astounding that he managed to completely ruin the franchise through the latest two severely mediocre films (by this I mean episode 2 and 3, not including 1, for which I will explain later). But I know why, and it is so sad that these films were made to be examples of the latest 'technology' on offer to filmmakers. Yes, I am talking about the birth of the digital age, and it seems that George Lucas has been well and truly seduced, brainwashed into thinking that digital technology will enhance the movie experience. No it doesn't, and No it hasn't. He has made such an astronomical mess of episode 3 (even more so than 2), that he's rendered it almost unwatchable, and difficult to generate any of the visual emotion that was created with the original trilogy, and in Episode 1.
I felt that people unnecessarily gunned down the Phantom menace, but I urge you to watch it again, as it clearly the superior of the three latest offerings. Even in 1999, 16 years after ROTJ, George Lucas didn't have as much CGI manipulation as is available now, and as a result, had to almost make do as he did with the original trilogy to achieve the 'same' results. Therefore the film doesn't rely on the CGI as much as E2 AND E3 simply because there wasn't as much available, and as a result totally captured the essence of the original trilogy. It relied on acting, sets, costumes, props, puppets, and traditional film - all the ingredients necessary to create the fantastical and magical film that Star wars is all about. Instead we saw a complete barrage of CGI to the point where it looked like I was watching a video game. Literally everything was superimposed, and I mean EVERYTHING. Even the Jedi somersaults weren't real. Why bother with actors. You may as well turn it into a cartoon. I can just about put up with Jar Jar Bink's popping up every now and then , but I simply cannot forget or take my mind of the false environments created by CGI. There is no CGI available, and never will be, that can create or be a substitute for seeing something real, even if it is a £4.99 puppet head bought from the local supermarket. I thought Lucas would've learnt from his mistake with episode II, realised it was awful and gone back to traditional methods. Maybe he thought it was good? Filming on digital doesn't create the same look as traditional film and it is so glaringly obvious. Why George Lucas didn't notice this, or realise, is criminal. Yes using film costs more and is less resourceful, but this to me is an example of total and complete impatience on Lucas' part. Of course the movie will be made quicker and 'on time', but its at the expense of creative flair and quality of the movie, and ultimately, the franchise itself.
So the visual emotion and magic of 1,4,5 and 6 are well and truly gone, CGI has infiltrated Lucas' head and completely brainwashed him. But I don't just have an issue with the methods used to make the film. The whole thing was all a bit predictable. Yeah we knew what was going to happen but someone needed to get hold of the script and be a bit clever. I think with all the brainwashing of CGI George Lucas has forgotten the basic elements of film making altogether. Good Acting and Creative flair will always prevail. Its Just a shame Episode III is finished and now, .....well.... thats it.
George Lucas has stated that he will never make another movie using traditional film. God help us.