The Official Matthew Reilly Homepage

God, where to start? As everyone who knows me knows: I'm a big Star Wars fan. I find all the films (even Ep I) hugely inspirational. In particular, I love the 'depth' that George Lucas has given his universe - it is used, battered, possessed of a history.

So. An overall opinion of Episode II: I thought it was a visual feast, and definitely better than Ep I, but with several howlers that just detracted from the overall experience.

THE POSITIVES...

I loved KAMINO and THE CLONE ARMY. NATALIE PORTMAN was once again sensational, she's got style and charisma and I just love watching her kick butt in the action scenes. CHRISTOPHER LEE almost stole the show. He was just fantastic - a real actor.

And then there was JANGO FETT. He did steal the show for me. In fact, like Darth Maul in Ep I, I felt he deserved more screen time and more fight scenes. George Lucas set Fett up so well: as a human fighter who by virtue of his superb battle skills (and self-made weaponry) could give a Jedi a run for his money. And then he just disappears, to return briefly at the end. Such a shame.

THE NEGATIVES...

But then the negatives. First, THE ACTION SCENES. As anyone who has read my books will know: I love action. But the action in Ep II is just, well, kind of hollow. It didn't set my heart racing. The asteroid chase with Slave-I: ho-hum. Obi-Wan's escape from Jango Fett: same as Han Solo's in Empire. The execution scene in the arena: the creature effects were weak (for a Star Wars film) and, frankly, the Sarlacc Pit scene in Jedi was better.

The JAR JAR issue. Unlike many others, I don't mind Jar Jar as a character. But are we now to believe that the cataclysmic decision to make the Chancellor a dictator came down to...him? Hmmm.

Oh, and remember how in Episode I everything revolved around the Queen of Naboo (as a well-respected impartial person) proposing a vote of no-confidence in the existing Chancellor...well, now in Episode II it revolves around the Senator for Naboo (as a well-respected impartial person) proposing the granting of emergency powers to the new Chancellor. Two films, same plot device.

THE BIGGEST NEGATIVE...

Overall, the biggest negative for me was this: Episode I and Episode II should have been one film. By the end of Episode I, Palpatine had schemed himself into the Chancellor's chair. By the end of Episode II, he has got the republic to give him an army. With sharp writing and tough editing, all this could have been done in one film.

Okay. Now I know what you're thinking. You're thinking: "All right, Reilly. Them's big words. You can say all that, but until you show that you can do better, you have to live with what Mr Lucas gives you."

Certainly. But as I have said elsewhere, I would love to help write Episode III, especially the action scenes. If anyone out there reading this has links with George Lucas or Rick McCallum, please pass on my offer. (Let's harness the power of the Internet, people!)

And if they say no, then I might just have to do better. I've been thinking about doing a space saga, something bigger than anything that has ever attempted...

I love the Star Wars series. And I find no greater inspiration for my own work than Mr George Lucas. But the prequels thus far have been disappointing. I'd love to see Episode III end the series with the biggest brassiest bang of them all.

Whatever happens, I'll still be first in line to see it.

Geez, after that diatribe, what else is there to say? There are a couple of things that have come up in emails lately:

I've been getting more and more emails from people seeking writing tips. The thing is, I only have one big tip:

That's the biggie. Pure and simple. Personally, I love thrillers and action-adventure stories. I also love twisting, plot-oriented stories. So that's what I write. I prefer to see my characters react to the convolutions of the plot, not to explore their inner lives. So that's what I write. As such, I never get bored. Nor do I get that "I just can't sit down and write the damn thing" feeling. (I hear this phrase a lot from people who write to me).

I've even had some people write to me saying, "I want to write a book. Tell me how." Sorry, but that is something I just can't do. That's up to every author to figure out for him or herself!

Another common question. In all honesty, I've never really been a fan of fantasy books. Just never got into them. As for sci-fi, Contest is about as far as I'd go -- and it's more "movie-style" sci-fi than traditional "Asimov/Clarke novelistic" sci-fi. That said, as mentioned in The Diatribe above, I have considered a sci-fi saga for the screen, and when I finish this book, that screenplay (or screenplays) beckons.

For American readers wanting Contest before it's U.S. release in 2003, go to Amazon's UK outlet www.amazon.co.uk. I can guarantee they will have it there.

Well, I'd better get back to the keyboard.
Take care. And as always, keep reading!