Hayden Christensen (an older Anakin Skywalker) is almost as bad as Jake Lloyd (the young Anakin), but luckily he is tolerable. The special effects are a little better) than in Episode I, but there is still a fair amount of politics, which might bore kids. Also, there is now a love story involved between Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman). I mean, how else will we have Luke and Leia Skywalker for Episodes IV, V, and VI? Well, this movie takes place ten years after Episode I ended, and Anakin is now a hot-headed nineteen year-old, with his own agenda: Padmé. He hasn't stopped thinking about the love of his life since he last saw her (ten years ago, he's pretty dedicated!). Things, besides the people, have changed a lot since we left off in Episode I. Unrest has grown since the conflict on Naboo, many planets no longer believe in the Republic that has stood for over a thousand years. These planets are planning to break away and form a Confederacy, which is why negotiations must be attempted. However, Senator Amidala is forced to go into hiding when assassination attempts fail twice. Following his only lead, a mysterious bounty hunter named Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison), the Jedi knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) is led on a dangerous hunt and learns a surprising truth; one that no one can explain or understand. It appears someone with plans to their own personal advantage have been plotting something for a long time, and as the wise Jedi master Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz) says, the Dark side surrounds it. It appears that Darth Sidious has a new Sith apprentice, Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). For Star Wars fans who have seen Episodes IV, V, and VI, you will be interested to know that we are first introduced to Boba Fett, Owen (Joel Edgerton) and Beru (Bonnie Piesse) Lars. Kids will enjoy this movie because it contains the grandest land battle in all six episodes (woohoo! All the Jedi in action!). I liked the performance of Leeanna Walsman as the bounty hunter Zam Wesell; she was good at portraying a tough, smooth criminal. Don't worry, Jar Jar Binks (voiced by Ahmed Best) has only a few lines this time (yay). I think this movie is definitely worth buying, and not just because it's a Star Wars film.
