Rating: 
Summary: The true essense of what science fiction is supposed to be.
Review: Star Wars truely began a phenomenon that gave a total piece of modern popular culture. George Lucas has done a great job as a writer but a much better job in his storytelling. Since May 1977 the epic Star Wars films, which consist of hardcore galactic politics, and amazing space battles, has made millions of fans worldwide. Lucas is an artist and he uses celluloid as his medium. We have watched as several action figures were built, novels were being published, and have seen Halloween costumes were being made. That first groundbreaking film's commotion wouldn't be over though. That was just one link to the chain. Star Wars' genuis is the way it captivates you. The series has ended but has it? No, books are being created but the main pieces of the chain still haven't been put into place. The beginning of what Star Wars really is, is happening still today. After ten years since the invasion of Naboo in Episode one (formerly queen) Senator Padme' Amidala(Natalie Portman) had bounty on her head. Her ship was blown up and she was almost killed, but who did it, and was Padme' safe? Well, with Jedi Knigh Obi Wan Kenobi(Ewan Mcgregor) and his apprentice Anaking Skywalker(Hayden Christensen) she has a chance f survival. After ten years of not seeing his love Anakin Skywalker meets Padme' for the second time. He obviously is in love with her, which hugely impacts the behavior of Skywalker. But the Dark Side of the forse is clouding the good. Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz) can't even sense it. And Mace Windu is worrying about war breaking out. A new darkness is clouding good. But the peacekeepers, the Jedis are becoming extinct and very few are still around. But Anakin is deeply becoming disturbed by the dark forces. He is becoming the Darth VAder we used to know. It's all impacting his way of flirting with Padme'. But even more dark, blocking his way of the force and seducing him. This, of course is not the final chapter in the saga. We have one more link to the chain, one more piece to put in place. One more piece and we'll know the truth about what happens, and how it truely will turn out. Lucas' way of storytelling is also another reason of why this has become such a phenomenon. It will keep you guessing. Yes, I believe one of the keys to this film, this very film that changed pop culture, and gave the meaning to science fiction was that he gave an heir of mystery to the films. As simple as that. Of course we want to know what will happen nex, we know how it all turned out, but we want to know how it turned out that way. Lucas' political views and imagination definetly rub on this franchises popularity. The Star Wars films aren't only pretty battle movies but they are actually pioneering films that changed the genre forever. George Lucas is not only genuis but he is the true master of what science fiction should be. If we look at these films and explore, we find out not only the lush, beautiful special effects draw us to them but the actual impact of the genre itself, the human drama, and the suspense and mystery draw us to these pioneering films. It is amazing that one man can create such a giant universe. George Lucas is definetly one of the great storytellers. He not only brought us neet space battles, but he gave us amazing human drama that will lead us wondering. These amazing films have brang top of the line computer animators, and one of the greatest imaginations of our time, and brang them together. What do you get? Star Wars. The films have also brang great actors together. The creators of Star Wars actually introduced so many new actors. Ewan Mcgregor gives another great job as Obi Wa Kenobi. He captures the essense of Alec Guiness. Christensen also does a good job in this film. His interaction with PAdme' is amazing. I love the familiar Star Wars music. The theme is great. John Williams does a great job. Overall I would definetly applaud George Lucas, the genuis who created magic. Thank you George Lucas. You have created something that surpasses mainly any other science fiction in history.
Rating: 
Summary: Why some hate it and others love it.
Review: The only way to truly enjoy this movie is if you're a child or someone who can watch the movie looking at it through a child's eyes. For the younger generation it's easy to understand why they love it, action, special effects and cool looking creatures, and really that's all that matters to them, but if you're an adult like I am and you saw the original in the theatre chances are you've changed the way you look at movies. Me personally, I expect so much more than I did when I was a child, and obviously so do half the other reviewers here. Sure the acting is fairly wooden, the dialogue is weak, there's some really bad one liners and worst of all there's no emotion what so ever between the characters. But what I can't understand is why the originals (especially ESB) where so well rounded in terms of a great script and effects and TPM and AOTC were not. Is it because Lucas has kids now and looks at things through their eyes? who knows? It's not that they're horrible movies, but obviously the effects were so much more important than the characters, for example why have a shape shifting bounty hunter (Zam) if the effect isn't being used for any purpose, is it just about the effect? Is Lucas telling us fans to mellow out and not read into the characters so much? thing is that's what we loved about the originals, the depth of the movies! The bottom line is if you're strictly looking for entertainment with lots of action AOTC is it and deserves 5 stars, but for those looking for a movie with all the detail poured into the script and characters (like LOTR) you will be disappointed. I wanted to give this movie a single star, but while watching I always try to remember to watch it like I was seven all over again. The strange thing is everything I expected in AOTC including a "dark" feel was delivered in LOTR, well at least I can watch Empire on lousy VHS, the Star Wars movie that really matters!
Rating: 
Summary: A waste of time.
Review: Much has been said about the miserable story and acting elements of Star Wars Episode I, and Episode II has fallen even deeper into the spiral. This entry is inferior even to Episode I on all fronts. Narratively, Episode II is a complete mess, a hodgepodge of thin characters, some vague sense of a conspiracy, and logical aberrations (for example, why would Jango Fett be the basis of the clones?). The ending, where the writers arbitrarily give the good guys a massive army to win the day, is especially ridiculous. Visually there is nothing to match the stunning pod race of Episode I, which was a knockout even on the small screen. Attack of the Clones is slow, ponderous, with action sequences that don't pass the mustard at all. Part of that problem is the fact that without the gallant Liam Neeson (not to mention not a single character comparable to the cast of the original Star Wars films), there isn't a character sympathetic enough to make me interested. Natalie Portman and Hayden Christenson give completely wretched performances; Christenson is even more annoying and shallow than Jake "I'm so cute" Lloyd in Episode I, succeeding in soiling the character of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader even more. *Now* it should be easy to think of Darth Vader as a "crusty old man", in Kevin Smith's words. But at least Christenson can claim inexperience -- Portman's failure is even more despicable considering she's been acting for nine years now, and she's been progressively getting worse. Since the entire film is supposed to focus on this relationship, the atrocious performances of the two actors just sinks the film. Ewan McGregor is even more crippled than in the first film. Obi-Wan has become a thoroughly stoic, uninteresting character here, thus preventing McGregor from putting in the youthfulness and exuberance as in Episode I. His turn in Episode II ranks as his stiffest, most inexpressive performance ever -- he's better than that. I would have enjoyed this film a little more if the action sequences and visual spectacles could match up. No luck. Without the acrobatic wizardry of Ray Park, who as Darth Maul had been Episode I's secret weapon, Episode II's action elements are simply not interesting. The sight of the rows of clones and droids stops being impressive awfully quickly. In the end, there's only one scene that works -- Yoda's lightsaber duel with Count Dooku. And even then, the idea is better than the execution. George Lucas misses a chance to wow us here; instead of designing a lightsaber duel that mounts and builds, he's content to let Yoda flip around for about 30 seconds, then get out without any sense of conflict or tension. It looks pretty neat, but there's no emotional impact. Episode II is playing in New York right now in IMAX format, but I'm glad I saved my money and rented it. There's nothing here that a bigger screen format can rescue from the junk pile. It seems Lucas has one more shot at preventing himself from completely despoiling his Star Wars legacy, but I have a nasty feeling Episode III will once again disappoint. A crushing, ignominious bookend to a pop-culture legend.
Rating: 
Summary: Ho-hum Sequel
Review: I know that I will incur the wrath of many Star Wars fans by writing a negative review of the movie, but it is really nothing memorable. It seems like Star Wars just no longer has the creative gusto that made the first three films so good. Lucas himself took the reins for this one, and it has been said to death, but rightfully so, that his skill at directing actors is nebulous at best. The obvious crowd-pleasing Yoda light-saber sequence is most likely the only thing one will remember from the movie, as it contains precious little emotional, visceral, or intellectual content. First, the abundant use of CGA and special effects. Once the beautiful special effects were in existence to enhance the telling of a story, but they have now become themselves the focus of the film and the story becomes the clothesline on which to hang stunning shots of all sorts of halls, caverns, and environments. In the first three Star Wars movies, the emphasis was on the characters and the story, with environmental shots interspersed to add to the exotic flavor of the films. In the latest film, though, Lucas becomes clearly self-indulgent by including one breathtaking panorama after another, and although the technical merit is unreproachable, there is more than just setting to a movie. Next, the content of the film itself. The acting is shaky among the leads. Hayden Christensen is Anakin, growing more brash and arrogant by the day, despising Obi-Wan's tutelage and wanting to break off from his mentor. At the same time, Anakin is falling for Padme, even though love is not permitted in the Jedi code. One can immediately see the complex issues that could be explored here: love, duty, rebellion, and how they all play together. Instead all we get is a plodding story with Anakin reflecting on his misfortune and falling in love with Padme, but without any sort of inner anguish, conflict, or even any action that would indicate the intoxication of his love for her. He falls in love with the amount of passion that I would pay my utility bills with. Having mentioned Padme, Natalie Portman gives a decent performance reprising her role as the queen-turned-senator. Ewan McGregor is excellent as Obi-Wan, losing himself in the role. Samuel L. Jackson's character is a bit ill-defined, but he does have a killer lightsaber battle. Ah, George. Although he has been bashed by everyone for his directing, people seem to forget that he directed the original Star Wars. He can do it. But it is strange that we get something from Lucas so shallow. Where The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars, and even Return of the Jedi (but mostly Empire) were mythical and drenched with exuberance and passion, this film feels like it is just an afterthought, fulfilling a purpose. That's a shame, because the story is good and with all that money for special effects, maybe George should have called one of his pals in the directing business. Lucas is a jack of many trades as far as films go, but directing perhaps isn't one. Film editing, certainly (Raiders of the Lost ark ending was his brainchild), as well as countless production triumphs show his knowledge of the technical aspect of the film, but as for the other aspects, like acting, he is out of his league. Not that there is nothing at all to like about the movie. The scenery is beautiful and the lightsaber battles are intense, the story is somewhat engaging in spite of its treatment, but one watches the film with a sense of the potential all of the parts held. The first three films are delightful and profound, this one, much like Episode 1, is shallow and pretentious with too many special effects. Die Hard Star Wars fans will eat it up, but casual fans and outsiders beware, it might not be the movie you expected or wanted it to be.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars 2
Review: Episode II is a perfect addition to the series. I loved the way certain questions from the other movies were tied into and answered in this one. I think George Lucas has a phenomenal imagination, and his depiction of Anakin as a young adult is exactly the way I thought it should be. The love scenes were awkward/wierd. It seemed like Haydon was trying too hard to act. Other than that, I thought this movie was 5-stars all the way.
Rating:
Summary: Worse Than Bad
Review: Let's face it, Episode I was tolerable, though it clearly showed that Lucas had lost touch with his fans, with science fiction, and even -- sadly -- with his own story. But Episode II is just miserable. A pointless and predictable story, miserable acting, a poorly conceived and executed world -- all despite lavish special effects and some cool action sequences. If it wasn't for the Star Wars legacy, no one would watch this or give it more that two stars. Almost as bad as (the new) Planet of the Apes, and not even as good as Lost in Space (the movie). Rent it if you must see it (as I suppose we all must) but don't buy it.
Rating:
Summary: George, how could you?
Review: A "Star Wars" fan of 25 years' standing, I nearly fell asleep watching this visually sumptuous drivel. Fantastic settings and nonstop effects do not a movie make. Even "Return of the Jedi", the weakest of the original trilogy, had a better storyline than this. The series has hit an all-time low--and after "Episode I: The Phantom Menace," that's saying a lot. Ewan McGregor looks as though he's having more fun playing Obi-Wan than he did in "Episode I," but unfortunately Obi-Wan isn't the main character here. The now-teenaged Anakin is--and he's scripted, directed and acted horrendously. The central love story between Anakin and Amidala is an embarrassment--I actually sunk down into my theatre chair as these two traipsed around otherwordly vistas that looked suspiciously like the Italian countryside. Aside from McGregor, Christopher Lee as Count Dooku and a display of prowess from Yoda, a few passable action sequences and a mass of CGI visual effects are all this travesty has going for it. George, I hope you do better with "Episode III."
Rating: 
Summary: THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!
Review: While still plagued by an ungainly number of cringe-inducing scenes, ATTACK OF THE CLONES still rates a big improvement over the mind-numbingly awful kiddie-fest that was PHANTOM MENACE. The addition of horror-great Christopher Lee in a pivotal role livens things up considerably, as does Ben Kenobi's spectacular duel on the water planet. Samuel L. Jackson was wisely given more to do this time around, and while the Annakin-Padme romance largely falls flat, ATTACK OF THE CLONES is the most satisfying entry in the series since THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, (while still falling short of that film's magnificence).
Rating:
Summary: Anakin
Review: When the movie first came out I was sooo excited I didn't realize Anakin was such a whiner!!! Now that I've watched it more objectively I find Anakin really annoying! Jesus, this is supposed to be the future Darth Vader!!! I'm knocking off a star because of whiny Ani! The movie is still worth it, specially the Yoda fight sequence. For all fans that want a little extra from this DVD go to options (on disk one), press 11 3 and 8 , you'll be able to see the hidden movie bloopers from there (Also available in Episode I), just tell your kids you're in tune with the force and that's how you found it.
Rating:
Summary: Outshines SWE1
Review: I saw "Star Wars Episode 2" (SWE2) five times in the theaters. Twice in digital and three times in analog. I was impressed with the quality. That quality is also apparent in the transfer to DVD - very crisp. The cinematography of many scenes is outstanding. As for the plot, some people prefer SWE1 to SWE2, but I prefer SWE2. The romantic link is necessary, but it is not overdone. There is plenty of action and filling in the historical gaps, as well as hints into the future. The acting abilities are very good, although the fighting might not quite be up to par of Darth Maul in SWE1. However, that is realistic (as realistic as fiction can get). If you liked SWE1, you must see SWE2. You might like it better!
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