After the marching sound and announcement of the now-3D version of Twentieth Century Fox logo, we see the black space smattered with thousands of stars and blue lettering stating, "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... Then the Star Wars logo, simultaneous with John William's rousing score bursts out of the screen. We are in for one of the greatest adventure boys and gals.

At least that's what I thought when I sat in the theatre, three rows away from the screen, back in 1999 for Phantom Menace - the legitimate first episode of the Star Wars series. I came away slightly disappointed. I am not, what you'd call, a cultist. I loved the first three films, for the fun of it. I know the main characters, but not the smaller characters that attained cult status. It was same fun factor I came to expect in Phantom Menace, but.... well, you will find it when I write comments on Phantom Menace. Now, what do I think of Attack of the Clones? Magnificent.

Fun was what I was looking for, and it delivered. Lucas, I believe, have sat up and took notice of the critics and the audiences grouses. He responded by reducing that ridiculous Jar-Jar Binks' screentime and increasing the action. Oh yes, there is romance, but they are intercut with enough suspense and action sequences that you don't really get bogged down.

The story takes place ten years after the first episode, with Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), now an older teenager, all ready to wear his Jedi suit. But 'wait!' says his Master, Obi Wan Kenobi, played with more confidence by Ewan McGregor. The latter feels the former is too headstrong and emotional to be a full Jedi. Still, he allows Anakin to be on his own when he is assigned to be Senator Amidala's (Natalie Portman) bodyguard. Of course, everyone knows that he will fall in love with her. Here, lies the film's weakness, but which as I said earlier, can be overlooked as a minor irritant. The worst part of it is Anakin, the great Jedi-to-be and Amidala, a great senator in her own right, ending up mouthing corny lines (more nauseating than the ones in Titanic, believe me). Like it or not, they are going to end up in each others arm and that is something we all know; and this helps to convince us that these two are in love.

Fans of Star Wars (guess I am, now) are treated with many visuals and dialogues referring to the earlier films. There is Jango Fett, the bounty hunter and father of Bobba Fett, Luke's uncle and aunt, the blueprint of Death Star (I'm raising my eyebrows twice, here) and line like, "I have a bad feeling about this". In one scene, Obi Wan casually says to his arrogant student, "Someday youll be the death of me,". Fans will find this line to be very eerie.

The best thing about this movie, since I always pay particular attention to acting, is the De Niro =>Brando = Don Vito Corleone thing going on. First, you have McGregor in a role played by Alec Guinness in the first three movie as the older Kenobi. McGregor is getting there. He even beginning to look and sound like Sir Alec. His scenes are easily the best in the film. His are the moments where your adrenaline gets pumped and your breath stops. Be careful with that, mates.

Then, you have Christensen as soon to be Darth Vader, everybodys favourite bad guy. Here you need plenty of conviction. He is arrogant, cocky, stubborn and very emotional. All pointing to the dark side. Fine. But in that dark suit, with James Earl Jones voice? The grandeur and the nobility even in the shadow of darkness? I think not. But I am being unfair. This is the teenage version of Vader. He hasn't really grown up. We shall wait for Episode Three and see what happens. Don't get me wrong. I liked what I saw onscreen, Hayden's performance and the characterisation, I mean. But when I get back and think about that towering, dark, heavy-breathing figure that stole the show in all three earlier movies, I say, "Nah! Not the same person."

The biggest delight in the casting is the inclusion of Christopher Lee. I think he is one of the most under-rated actors of his generation. Till today, he is pissed with the association made by the media and the audience with Dracula, the role he helped to define. I agree that he is more than that. But his past performances makes EVIL come easy in this movie. You guys must have seen him as Saruman in the first Lord of the Rings movie last year. Here, playing Count Dooku, he is the prototype for Vader. Minus the helmet, he looks every bit evil and menacing like Vader. Pity, his screentime was not as big, but the ending points out differently as to what will happen in the third episode. My guess is there is more of Count Dooku in the final installment.

Finally a word about the special effect. It is every bit as delightful and groundbreaking as the first movie back in 1977. The aerial car chase, the speeder, the saber light war involving some of the Jedi dudes you had never seen (hey, there was even a couple of Jedi babes), the explosion, everything. Its all there and guaranteed to make your rear to go right up to the edge of the seat. The CG is well used. Here and there, you may find heavy trace of animation, but if you are really into the story, you will forget it.

I looked for fun, and I got it. I think this is easily the best Star Wars episode since Empire Strikes Back. Forget about Jar Jar Binks, thank god there were no Ewoks.

Additional notes - 30/05/2002

I saw this film again, under the pretext of looking for more details like the Millenium Falcons (Star Wars fans know what it is) which allegedly made their appearance here. I never got to see it. An excuse to see it again, but I felt enough. Second viewing brought out more faults to my eyes and especially ears. I didn't know the dialogues were this bad. Come on, I am sure Lucas can hire someone who can go uncredited to polish it up. Maybe he wanted it to be corny and cheap like the title - which is intentionally a tribute to the old B-grade Sci-Fi movies.

Viewing again, I find that the Jedi knights are muddled lot too. They don't precisely practise what they preach. For example, for a Master Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan should not be afraid to fly. He makes mistakes  - no wonder Vader killed him easily. Yoda keeps worrying all the time, that I wonder how can he teach his students with a clear mind. Hmmm....complaining too much I am.  Buzz off I better.