Trying too hard - 2 hours wasted

Rating: 4/10 (24 July 2008)

Hadn't got around to watching this after the disappointments of the first two, but last night I had some free time so decided to give it a try.
While this film ticked all the boxes in terms of linking everything together to episode IV, I found it was trying so hard to do this that it forgot that it was actually a film in it's own right. This gave me absolutely no empathy for the characters whatsoever and left me feeling pretty empty by the end of it. I was glad when it finished to be honest. Secondly, the acting, or lack of it. I guess it's probably unkind to blame the actors in a way as it seemed to me that the script and directing were way below par. Lastly the other thing that grated with me were the fight scenes. These really bored me with all the CGI leaping about.
On the plus side things like the cityscapes were aesthetically pleasing and it made all the connections to keep everyone happy.
Overall very disappointing. From someone who loves the original trilogy. These 3 recent additions have almost tainted my memory of them.