Author: EVula
Date: 6/1/02
Rating: 9.0
Movie Rating: PG
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Why am I even bothering to write this review? The people that frequent this site probably have already seen this movie (multiple times, if I know you guys well enough). So why am I doing it? Because it's my website, dammit, and I'll do what I damn well please. :P
Let's start off by saying something: This is a Star Wars movie. None of that stupid Episode 1 shit, this is the real deal. That means you have to take the bad with the good because, hey, let's face it, the first three Star Wars movies weren't Oscar-winning gems (don't get me wrong, I love those movies, but facts is facts).
The plot builds upon what Episode 1 set up: dissent in the galaxy between groups (like the Trade Federation), the Republic changing into something that much more familliar to Star Wars fans, Anakin showing emotions that would easily turn him to the Dark Side, etc. I don't wanna give away too much, just in case you haven't seen it, but I do wanna say that you get to see the origins of several standards from the first three movies.
The special effects in the movie are awesome, without a doubt. The final battle scene, which shifts from a massive Jedi battle (which is really cool) to a massive droids vs. troopers battle and climaxes with a lightsaber duel between Count Dokoo and Obi Wan, Anakin, and Yoda (in that order, not all at once). Great action.
The plot makes a lot more sense than the first one did, although in retrospect, Episode 1 did set up a lot of the things that makes Episode 2 so interesting. You get to see Palpatine's shift from a warm, fuzzy nice guy into someone who is a bit more sinister (think Emperor), and you get to see just how exactly his takeover occurs. It's really interesting, and there are tons of teasers about how things will end up.
However, not everything was perfect. The interaction between Anakin and Pademe... ugh. Anakin is really creepy (he talks about how he's dreamt about her for the past 10 years... if that's not obsessive, I don't know what is), and he keeps leering at her like some dirty old man would look at a young female. Their interaction when he isn't dreaming of banging her, though, isn't too hot either, and it seems kinda forced. The scenes where they confess their love is just kinda pathetic... Cara and I can get more passionate than that when we're just joking around. That's not good.
Some of the other dialogue needed some work, but when you think about it, the Star Wars series isn't exactly well-known for it's constantly deep dialogue. It's a forgivable sin, in my eyes.
All in all, this is an enjoyable movie. Flawed, but if you enjoy watching it, that makes it all better, so why dwell on it?