Where Have I Been? Oh, and another Star Wars Review

I’ve been busy stripping this past month.

Oh, you didn’t know that yours truly is starring in the Runaway Stage musical production of “The Full Monty” at the 24^th Street Theatre in Sacramento? Well then, allow me to shamelessly self-promote: it’s fantastic, it’s hysterical, and it’s running every weekend in September. (Details at runawaystage.com)

It’s so good, in fact, that I almost completely forgot about video games all together. That is, if it wasn’t for the Xbox 360 I keep in my dressing room to play during intermission.

Hey, I’ve got to keep limber for that final strip scene.

And so here’s what I’ve been playing in between acts. Thankfully I haven’t missed an entrance yet, but there still a few more weekends to go…

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (Xbox, PS2, Gamecube; $39.99; Rated E10+ for Cartoon Violence; legostarwarsii.com)

(four and a half stars)

The original “LEGO Star Wars,” a sleeper hit of 2004, gets a follow up that’s much deserved. Now, instead of playing through the Star Wars trilogy that most people would rather forget, fans get to blast their way through cutesy, miniature versions of the Classic Trilogy that burrowed its way into our hearts long ago.

Lucasarts, who let the publishing rights go for the first “LEGO Star Wars”- believing the game to be a throwaway title, was wise enough to retain rights this go around. A wise choice, since “LEGO II” retains all of the quirky adorableness of the first title, but chocks it full of the characters we know and love.

The original title had a great sense of humor, always poking fun of the sanctified source material. It never took itself seriously, and instead cashed in on physical comedy and the angular nature associated with creating the Star Wars universe out of LEGO building blocks. That humor returns in “LEGO II” almost immediately upon the first iconic scene from Episode IV when the Rebel Blockade Runner is swallowed into the Imperial Star Destroyer, followed shortly by a glimpse of Imperial Stormtroopers bathing in a hot tub, with blue Speedos stretched over their full armor.

Hey, even clones have to kick back and relax every once in a while.

The lightheartedness of “LEGO II” is what makes the game so darn endearing. All of the sound effects and musical score from the big screen are here, and yet the goofiness of it all makes the story feel fresh and exciting again- much moreso than just another hi-def retread of Episodes IV, V, and VI.

The “LEGO Star Wars” series is all about fun, so even if you lose your life, you’ll start right where you left off, with only some LEGO currency taken away. This currency, which can be found in blasting apart just about anything or anyone, goes to an overall total that can be used to purchase extra characters, hints, or cheats.

Over 30 characters and vehicles are unlockable and the ability to replay any completed level with any unlocked character means that you can team Luke and Vader together for a father/son frag-fest, or delight in feeding Ewoks to the Rancor. In addition to just playing around, different character combinations in replaying levels will give players access to new areas and even more unlockables.

Because of its atmosphere, “LEGO II” makes for a great title to play with those non-gaming friends (or wives) of yours; and the drop-in, drop-out co-op multiplayer mode makes it easy for friends to join in on the fun. Plus, “LEGO II” implements vehicle combat and creation, meaning you can not only build your customized X-Wing fighter, but fly it as well- very fun stuff.

Really, you can’t go wrong with a game like this. For fans of the series, it’s a must have, especially now that both of the trilogy’s have been LEGO-tized.

May the Farce be with you.