Let's begin with the opening crawl. I loved it, especially the "War!" part. The only thing that detracts is the "there are heroes on both sides" line. Not only does it seem forced, but it also feels unecessary. While I understand that GL wanted to show the dualistic nature of the Clone Wars, I for one can't name ANY heroic Separatist characters. If you can, feel free to e-mail me and tell me why, and if I agree you'll be credited in the next blog entry. Onward..........

I thought the drum beat as we pan down to the Republic cruiser was a nice touch, one absent from the soundtrack. The Dun......Dun.......Dun sound really hyped up to the battle and was reminiscent of Williams' past SW work. The visuals for the battle were superb, and the length was just right. We saw enough, but at the same time the real goal was to get to Grievous' ship, not to win the battle in space.

At the same time, the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan is explored well through their cockpit chatter, and I like the scene where Anakin chooses to stop and save Obi-Wan from the buzz droids rather than continue on. This show of love and repect makes Anakin's coming betrayal all the more hurtful to Obi-Wan. Also of note is R2-D2's fighting off the buzz droid on Anakin's fighter by zapping it, one of several keynote moments in the film that showcase R2's heroics.

Lucas maintains the fast-paced action as the starfighters enter the hangar, and the move Obi-Wan pulls as he jumps out of his fighter is stunning. The two Jedi have great chemistry together as the work toward finding the Chancellor. Another great R2 moment occurs against two super battle droids, in which he pours oil on them and lights them on fire with his rocket boosters.

The elevator scene also displays the nature of Anakin and Obi-Wan's strengths, Anakin's impulsive, straightforward approach and Obi-Wan's more measured, calculated approach. I was very glad that their dialogue together effectively established where they stood before they fought Dooku; no longer Master and Apprentice, but fellow Jedi, brothers in the Force.

NEXT TIME: DOOKU, GRIEVOUS, AND CRASH LANDING