A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, George Lucas created characters and galaxies that would change the way we viewed science-fiction epics. He rolled science fiction, fantasy, and drama and rolled them into one with enough excitement and witty one-liners that we were glued to the screen. Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Return of the Jedi all got better with each episode. Then, it turns out the three stories were just the fourth through sixth episodes of a six episode story. We were then given Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999, and now, in 2002 we are delivered Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones takes place 10 years after Episode I, and things in the galaxy are changing. Most importantly, this Episode shows us the development of some very key characters. Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is now a Jedi Knight in training under the Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) of Naboo is now a member of the Senate. Anakin and Amidala begin to slowly fall in love. Evil forces pursue the good guys. The good guys battle the bad guys with light sabers. Sound familiar? It should, it is a variation of what Lucas gave us with Episode I. This movie however excels not because the acting or story is any better, but the special effects are astounding. This movie is over two hours long, almost two and a half hours and at times it drags. I know we need to know there is a love thing going on between Amidala and Anakin, but could they have made it any more boring? A lot of this movie is mindful of Episode I, the Senate and the committee meetings and the secret bad guy.
I grew up enjoying the original Star Wars film in the 70s and 80s; they had a special excitement and magic to them. I don't feel Lucas has carried on the magic in either Episode I or Episode II. But, they are prequels so these are things I guess that we have to accept. But the one thing that I did realize seeing this film is that it is lacking emotion, lacking intensity.
If it sounds I am being negative about Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, I don't really mean to. I think I was hoping this would be the film to make me real excited and would transcend my emotions as well as my eyes. Maybe that's too much to expect from a movie but if anyone could do it I thought George Lucas could do it with this film.
The acting is very very weak in this film. What does make this film very appealing is seeing how things are going to fall into place for Episode III, and how they relate to Episode IV, the original Star Wars from 1977. The development of the story is interesting to see and as usual, Lucas takes us to new heights with the special effects in this film. The best thing about this film is Yoda! Seeing a side of Yoda we have not seen before is quite exhilarating and exciting and it is the scene that will practically have the audience on their feet.
As a well-rounded film Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones falls short but fans of the Star Wars episodes will not be disappointed. It is more interesting than the last episode, and the special effects and battle sequences are incredible to behold. If you have seen the other Star Wars films you will not want to miss this one. If you are not a Star Wars fan and have not seen all the films or Episode I, you can wait for the DVD or network broadcast.
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