Why I can't stand Star Wars Episode II

"Mark & Brian" (of the "Mark & Brian" Radio show on KLOS) were talking about Star Wars Episode III today and brought up the one HUGE reason I could not stand Star Wars Episode II.

Hayden Christensen


Although decent in "Life as a House", Hayden Christensen is GOD AWFUL in Star Wars. I lived through Episode I and the whole JAR-JAR BINKS disaster. I bought STAR WARS I on DVD. I have YODA sitting in my office. BUT... This whole Hayden Christensen playing the one character in Star Wars that we all want to fear and loathe and I can only LOATHE him; not because he's Darth Vader but because he's just a CRAPPY-ASS actor.

I preface this with the note that I am feeling bitter for some reason today...

Hayden Christensen, god help him, will get more roles in more movies someday. He better be great at auditions because this sample of work is just pathetic. And maybe, a real representation of how he can act.

Okay. I have to pull back on my rant a bit because of the cast around him.

Samuel L. Jackson, Ewan McGregor, Jimmie Smits all exude acting ability. They ARE actors. Natalie Portman drips of beauty. Not much of an actor, but a sense of screen presence that can captivate almost anyone. Surround Hayden Christensen with this group and make him the 'main guy' and he definately gets overshadowed. And from what I hear, George Lucas isn't an actors director. (if I'm wrong, that's just too bad for Hayden because I trust Lucas' direction more than Christensen's acting abilites). Give Samuel Jackson and Ewan McGregor screen time - you don't need alot of direction. They're seasoned. But somebody like Hayden Christensen needs ALL THE HELP HE CAN GET! And yes, so does Natlie Portman. A smart girl but only a decent actor who needs a director.

Hayden Christensen was surrounded by talent which makes him look... well... like a BIG TIME HACK. But what makes it worse for him is the fact that YODA was a better actor on film in Star Wars Episode II than Hayden could ever hope for.

If I'm expected to sit through two hours of a movie, give me something to marvel at. We're past the exciting Star Wars CGI and graphics... Give me something. Like acting.

And that's why I can't stand Star Wars Episode II and can't pay money for the DVD. If you're willing to donate it to my collection, my kids would probably enjoy it. But unless its on TV... it ain't getting into the house.