Well, as an 'old-school' Star Wars fan (Saw Star Wars when originally released in '77, first day, first show, and all summer long after that. I was 10 years old) I think I can safely say that Episode II just doesn't measure up. Was it a bad film? No. But it didn't have what made the original trilogy the classic sci-fi epics they are today, and were then. Why do I say this? Because LucasFilm is now a household name. When it comes to special effects (Industrial Light & Magic), fantastic sound (Skywalker Sound and THX), and digital post-production (again, ILM), they have no equal. And they show off all that talent in Episode II, without question. But the energy is gone. The raw drive of a young filmmaker on his first major motion picture isn't there. Instead there's a showcase of digital wizardry, briefly interrupted by live actors. As much as it tries, it can't focus on them. It's become about the effects, not about the people or the story. There's nothing there to make you feel for the characters...to make you relate to them. How many of we 70's children wanted to be Han Solo after seeing Star Wars for the first time (or second, or fiftieth)? Or Luke Skywalker? or even Darth Vader? Just isn't there anymore...wasn't in Episode I, wasn't in Episode II. I felt no sympathy for Anakin, no concern for Amidala...nothing. I walked out of the theatre with few thoughts, and every one of them were on how great that effect was, or how well that digital sequence was done. That's not a good movie. That's good eye candy. Now, there's only one more to go. One last chance for George to look at his work and go not for the eyes, but for the heart, and the mind, of the viewer. To take us not forward, but back. Back to a time when movies were the magic of people, not technology... Help us Obi-Wan Kenobi...you're our only hope... May The Force be with you... CT