h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

T'was a boring, slightly hung over Sunday afternoon today, so I decided to go see the latest dollop of the Star Wars saga, and you know - it wasn't half bad. It was certainly a whole bunch better than the last two, and it does tie things nicely together ready for Star Wars, episode 4, A New Hype, or whatever it's officially called now.

Same letdowns as last time - plastic acting (would someone please strip Natalie Portman of any acting accolades she may have received over the years), abysmal dialogue and way over the top CGI (what *was* that lizard thing all about???) but loads of fun and definately darker a-la Empire Strikes Back. In fact, very like Empire in all the right ways - it's action right from the start, and frankly (and I don't think I'm giving anything away here) the bad guys win. The most impressive thing for me though is that at the end of it I really have a good appreciation of the political landscape that the first trilogy is set in. I was also really impressed at how believable Ewan McGregor and Hayden Whatesseesnameennen were as young Alec Guiness and the father of Mark Hamill, in terms of look, mannerisms etc. They've obviously worked hard on that aspect. I don't think I'll be spoiling anything when I say I spent most of the movie wondering where I'd heard the name 'Organa' before.....

So, far and away the best of the prequels, and possibly even worthy of a DVD purchase to sit next to the original trilogy on the shelf.... Neither of its predecessors warranted that, that's for sure.

I now return you to your normal programming......

OI! What you doing up at this time of night?

Zantic