Rather disappointing

Rating: 5/10 (22 May 2005)

I loved the classic Star Wars Trilogy, even the revamped versions that were released on DVD last year. I loved the first part of the 'new' trilogy, but was disappointed by the second one. Now the third and last installment in 30 years of Star Wars was supposed to draw a satisfactory line under the story. Did it succeed? Only partly. Technically, the movie is on top and beyond. The special effects are state of the art and blend completely into the movie, unlike 'The Phantom Menace', where the CG scenes stuck out somehow. The opening scene is one massive fireworks of action and effects. Well done so far.
However, sitting through the movie left me in some rather unsatisfactory emptiness. The whole film seems rather cold, lacking the emotional quality of the 'classic' Star Wars movies. The acting is clumsy at best, amateurish at worst, the only actor that really seems to try is Ewan McGregor in the role of Obi Wan. He is also the only one to fill the shoes of his classic counterpart Alec Guinness. Hayden Christensen has been grossly miscast, he does not fit the role of Anakin Skywalker, nor does he fill the character with life. The character of Padme has become the damsel in distress, whining all the time she makes me want to throttle her. I almost wish they had included more of Jar Jar Binks to stir up the film. But that's not even the greatest disappointment. Storywise there is nothing - I repeat: N O T H I N G - even slightly surprising. Every story element could be predicted just after having watched 'Attack of the Clones'. Seriously, did George Lucas not have the ambition to end the Star Wars Saga with a big bang? It almost seems he got tired of the whole crap and just wanted to end the thing somehow.
If you're into Star Wars, obviously you have to see this one to know how it all ends. But take my advice, don't book the best seats at the best times. Go when the theater is not that busy and the prices are a bit lower. Or wait until the DVD comes out - I predict the 'new' Trilogy box set will be out right in time for this year's Christmas. If you haven't seen Star Wars in the past, there is no good reason to start with this one. 5 out of 10, 4 of that go to Ewan.