STAR-bound cinemagoers packed into Worcester's Odeon just after midnight to test the force of George Lucas' latest offering.

The city was one of the first places in the country to screen Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones to a storm-trooping army of fans.

And according to the Jedi-wannabes, the film should not be palmed off to the dark side just yet.

"It's very good with a blinding start," said one, after last night's 12.01am showing.

"But although its far superior to the Phantom Menace, it's nowhere near as spell-binding as the other three.

"It's a long film, and the momentum did break down on a number of occasions."

The film's visual effects, however, were given an overwhelming thumbs-up.

"Despite the vast number of blockbusters out this summer, it will still be the most spectacular film this year."

Set 10 years after Episode I, the latest epic sees Anakin Skywalker under the instruction of Obi Wan Kenobe, now a powerful, but arrogant, Jedi.

The tights-clad knight feels constrained by the ways of the Jedi which conflict with his powerful emotions regarding Senator Amidala and his mother.

It starts powerfully, with Obi Wan, a bearded Ewan McGregor, and Anakin, Hayden Christensen, being sent to protect Senator Amidala, Natalie Portman, after an assassination attempt.

But after a phenomenal chase sequence, the film loses momentum as it splits in two.

First, there is the love story where Anakin is sent to guard Amidala in a part of Naboo that looks suspiciously like the Swiss Alps in the Sound of Music.

Then, it turns into film noir as Obi Wan is dispatched on a mission to investigate the assassination attempts.

As Obi Wan's investigation leads him to a mysterious ex-Jedi, Count Dukoo, a villainous Christopher Lee, Anakin is driven to help his mother back on Tatooine who has been abducted by Sand People.

The tone of the film is dark and ominous, paving the way for things to fall apart in the final episode.

It will appeal to fans of the saga's other dark installment, The Empire Strikes Back.

Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones is on general release from today.