The Empire Bounces Back. Lessons learned from Phantom Menace, in the hopes of saving a franchise gone sour.

Yes, "The Phantom Menace" is the fourth highest-grossing film ever. Yes, it made almost $1 billion worldwide. And yes, anybody who thinks part two of the new trilogy, "Attack of the Clones," which opens May 16, will be anything but a smash doesn’t know R2-D2 from a Cuisinart. Never mind all that. "Menace" was a gold-leafed dud for Lucas, its writer and director. It was a lame kiddie flick. The dialogue hurt. And Jar Jar—yep, see, already you’re cringing, and all we did was mention his name.