I think Episode II will take alot of people by suprise. Sure, no movie could have delivered up to the expectations built for Phantom Menace, but it fell far short of its goal. I would say that it is probably the 3 best of the 4 Star Wars movies that are out now.
Episode II has much lowered expectations this time around, and by the looks of things, this could be right up there with Empire Strikes Back. Having read the online scriptments and listened to the recently "released" soundtrack, and having seen the trailers; I feel Im quite prepared to make a good analysis of the movie's potential. Seeing Jar Jar with 5 lines throughout the entire movie is a big upgrade; but really what will take people is the shift in tone from this movie compared to the last one. Instead of innocence and well being, we are really starting to get into some conflicts.
No longer is the focal point of the movie an 11 year old and a 14 year old. Its a more mature movie, set 10 years after Phantom Menace. This time around there is much more action, much more conflict, and really a more interesting story. Anakin is drifting towards the dark side in this one, no longer just an innocent little boy. He is arrogant with his powers, and he doesnt want to listen to anyone. The Anakin-Padme love story looks good, certainly a change from the Han Solo-Leia love story. Importantly, it gets you more involved with the characters, something the Phantom Menace seemed to have trouble doing. Of course, the dark shadow of the impending tragedy between Anakin and Padme ominously hangs overhead, showing itself fully in the middle of the movie during the "Tusken" scene. The ending will be bittersweet, as you see them coming closer and closer tragedy.
Like I said, the action will be outstanding. The pod race was pretty good, and the Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon vs Darth Maul fight sequence was amazing, but the space battle was cold, and the Gungan fight had too much Jar Jar to take seriously. In this one, the action almost fully centers around the Jedi. Obi-Wan versus Jango Fett. Mace Windu versus Jango Fett. Obi-Wan and Anaking versus Count Dooku and then Yoda versus Dooku, both of which bring back the timeless talking during lightsaber fighting, something not there with Darth Maul. The hundreds of Jedi in the arena fighting against battledriods, super battledriods, and Genosians. Then the clones come in to join what looks to be the most massive fight sequence ever.
50 more days...
