Building Blocks & Midichlorians

LEGO Star Wars (Xbox, PS2; $39.99; Rated E; www.legostarwarsthevideogame.com)

(four stars)

For a cheaper and more enjoyable “Star Wars” experience than the "Episode III" game, Padawans should really save their ten bucks and pick up “LEGO Star Wars” instead.

Uncle George, never wanting to stop the colossal marketing machine that is “A Galaxy Far, Far Away,” licenses the prequels to LEGO and results in this adorable and extremely fun title.

Playing through all of the… ahem… timeless moments of Episodes I, II, and III is far more enjoyable than watching “Phantom Menace” or “Attack of the Clones” again. Not anywhere close to taking itself seriously, the game proceeds without any voiceovers or dialogue; instead substituting comedic timing and animated violence for a Loony-Toons-meets-Lightsaber experience.

Trust me. Once you see how cute little Darth Maul looks when he fires up his double-bladed lightsaber with his fingerless LEGO hands, you’ll wonder why you ever played one of those “serious” “Star Wars” games.

As an added bonus, all three movies can be played through with any of the thirty unlockable characters. If you’ve ever wanted to see how Jar-Jar and R2 would fare against legions of Clone Troopers- well, now is your chance.

Sure it’s a kiddy game, but damn if it’s not one of the best “Star Wars” games to come out since the prequels started in ’99.