James Chappell's Rating & Review:

Directed and Written by George Lucas
Starring Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Daniels, Frank Oz, Kenny Baker and Christopher Lee
USA, 2002, 124 minutes

     Immaturity is a common (but not universal) trait amongst Star Wars fans. They will defend each and every one, regardless of quality. They will defend them with vigilance. One cant help but wonder why. What is it about Star Wars movies that make their fans so avid? The answer couldnt be simpler: "They are Star Wars movies". I have to concede that the original trilogy provoked the same kind of reaction from myself upon their original release, simply because of the sense of wonder they bestowed upon me. However, I have grown up and as a result have learned to respect the opinions of others. I will defend the movies no longer. The plot of the original trilogy, whilst wondrous in an epic and mythical sense, was hampered by lazy performances and leaden scripting. The OT was also laden with an over reliance on coincidence eg. what were the chances that Luke and Leia (without the convenient benefit of plot-hole filling prequels)were actually brother and sister. I will not, however say that I do not still enjoy the OT. The wonder is what is important, and what creates that wonder is imagination. Lucas conjured up an amazing visual feast and a myth that transported you to another time and place. Lucas was a visionary who even had the courage to step back and relinquish the directorial reins to someone more able.

     Now, the ego has grown. Now we have Lucas the marketing machine. The critic proof director who now uses Star Wars as an exercise in mass marketing. Every creature, vehicle and weapon appears on screen as if advertised for sale, echoing (albeit with a lighter tone) Edward Nortons anti-consumerist critique of IKEA in "Fight Club". This almost serves as auto-critique. Were it not for the fact that every creature, vehicle and weapon brims with inventiveness and imagination, existing against stunning visual beackdrops, Episode 2 would collaspe under its own weight. The action scenes bear fruit to this statement. The opening chase through the spectacular city-planet of Coruscant is as beautiful as it is exciting. The chase through the asteroid field echoes its Episode V equivalent. The only difference being that a dramatic musical score is dropped in favour of earth shattering sound effects every time Jango detonates a seismic charge. And nothing...absolutely nothing in this world can prepare you for the final third. Action sci-fi has never been exciting as when hundreds of Jedi (lighsabers drawn, naturally)storm a huge colleseum to save our heroes and battle the seperatist droid army. Then the clones enter. Then fever pitch increases. Then they take to the air for a chase scene. The pitch increase more. And then, in what must be one the lightsaber duel to end them all, Yoda busts some serious moves and kicks some serious booty. Laughs and excitement came in abundance.

     However, Lucas could get the same results as producer alone. He owns Lucasfilm for christsake!! Vision costs money, and he controls the money. He could ensure his vision is up on the screen regardless of who directs and writes. Why do I say this? Because when it comes to handling actors and writing scripts he is less of a man! Everything uttered word feels forced. Every emotion feels false. Worst of all both seem to exist only to forward the story onwards to Anakin's turn to the dark side and the fall of the Jedi and Republic. They exist as a means to an end. The worst culprit of all is the romance, which feels as far removed from love as one could imagine, existing only because Luke and Leia must be born. The only elements that emerge unscathed are the political manoeverings of the reptilian Palpatine and the somewhat sympathetic disillusionment of Count Dooku. They are the only elements of interest that exist between the astonishing set pieces. On that note I beg Lucas to swallow his pride and allow another to direct. That other could allow Episode 3 to cement status as the Star Wars film to end them all.

     I am happy to say that despite its shortcomings AOTC is still a very enjoyable experience. Even if it has a mechanical, pre-determined feel we know that thesping is not what Star Wars is about. It is about excitement, wonder, and the child inside us. If only the child inside some of us stopped taking it so personally when somebody slates a Star Wars movie. Let others dislike what they will. Let it be their problem that they don't like Star Wars. Maybe then some of us willgrow up.

©  James Chappell  2002