Exhibitors Rate “Clones” Higher than “Phantom Menace”

After watching screenings of Star Wars: Episode II–Attack of the Clones on Thursday night, theater owners rated Lucas’ fifth installment as “significantly improved” from Star Wars: Episode I–The Phantom Menace, Variety reports.

Considering The Phantom Menace scared up more than $431 million at the box office during its 1999 run, it looks like the Star Wars saga may build on the momentum started by Spider-Man‘s record-setting weekend debut of $114 million.

Exhibitors especially raved over Clones‘ special effects, including fight scenes by the little green Jedi master himself, Yoda, who has never been shown fighting before.

Star Wars: Episode II–Attack of the Clones opens Thursday, May 16, in approximately 3,300 theaters.