> George Lucas is not the greatest director of actors and his dialogue is often clunky. American Grafitti is probably his best in that regard but none of the Star Wars movies are very strong in that area. . . . Just watch some of the scenes in "A New Hope" and you'll see some poorly delivered lines, particularly before the X-Wings leave for the Death Star Battle.

The acting is most definitely spotty. The thing is, it's spirited, and the dialogue is memorable. "Star Wars" is one of the most quotable movies ever made. Lines like "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?" and "Watch your mouth, kid, or you're gonna find yourself floating home" and "What an incredible SMELL you've discovered!" are wonderful. They're not cliched or strictly plot-serving at all. They define interesting characters, and the delivery is fresh, if not always perfect.

Contrast with Episode I. There basically aren't any lines like that in Episode I. There isn't any rivalry or tension between the characters. Even Yoda, who was pretty lively in The Empire Strikes Back, is Yet Another Mask of Solemnity in The Phantom Menace.