My review of STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES.
Things have been really hectic for me lately, so I apologize for the lack of updates and things, so now that I have some time I would update some news and things on this site, I feel the best place to start is here with my review for the new Star Wars movie, Attack of the Clones.
'Clones' I think is a much deeper film than it's predcessor in the prequel trilogy, The Phantom Menace. Much of 'Clones' is based on adult relationships and emotions with one another, and gives the story substance that 'Menace' lacked in many ways. This film takes a more serious turn than 'Menace' did, and you feel as if you understand the characters, particularly Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) as he begins his descent to the Dark Side. The overall story in 'Clones' is far more structured than 'Menace' was, and after three viewings, I place this as my 2nd favorite Star Wars film, following only Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back being my favorite.
The Phantom Menace was simply about subtle manipulation, about one man's personal ambitions and how he was able to create a conflict that didn't really exist to further his own ambitions. Attack of the Clones builds on what The Phantom Menace started, and consequently makes 'Menace' a better movie because you begin to understand how Darth Sidious has manipulated the Republic, and in the long run, you already know what is going to happen, the treat is seeing how it gets there.
Senator Amidala (Natalie Portman), former Queen of the Naboo has really shown a lot of character progression since Episode I. She has shed the makeup and the accent in favor of a warmer personality. She is torn between duty and emotion in this film, which I think is one of the strengths of her character. She actually showcases this as a weakness, and at a very crucial moment in the story, she makes the choice that I wouldn't have expected. In 'Menace' she would have chosen duty without a second thought about it, here, she isn't so sure. HOWEVER, I feel that the chemistry between Portman and Christensen is a bit stale. They never quite seem to match up, when she shows emotion for him, he is off someplace else, and vice-versa.
After a failed assassination attempt on Senator Amidala, Anakin Skywalker and his Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are sent to protect her. They manage to foil a second attempt on the Senator's life that ends up seperating Master and Apprentice, with Obi-Wan looking for the assassin, and Anakin protecting Amidala. Obi-Wan soon uncovers a plot about an army of Clonetroopers that is being grown for the Republic on the wayward planet of Kamino. Obi-Wan learns that the genetic sample of the clones was taken from a bounty hunter called Jango Fett (Temeura Morrison). Obi-Wan and Jango Fett repeatedly have battles with one another until the film moves into it's third act where Obi-Wan is captured on the rocky planet Geonosis. McGregor was born to succeed the late Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his transition from prequel to classic trilogy should be seamless. Ewan McGregor steps into his elder's shoes so well that you would think that Alec Guiness may have found the fountain of youth.
The third and final act of the film features the event that fans have been salivating to see since Episode IV: A New Hope was released in 1977, the Clone Wars. This film marks the beginning of the end for the Republic, and you can actually see the birth of Palpatine's evil Empire. In fact, at the end of the movie, John Williams' score for the movie blatently places the Imperial March right in your face, something I was happy to hear. When you hear that familiar piece of orchestration, you know something bad is about to happen. It's really nice in this film to see that Jedi Master Yoda is a main character and not just some stand in character like he was in 'Menace'. Yoda does things in this movie, big important things, and for the first time we get to see why Yoda is THE Jedi Master. The all new CG Yoda is impressive and gives him a wide variety of facial expressions and motions that were inhibited by the puppet.
I really don't want to say too much more, because I don't want to spoil this movie for anyone who wants to see it but hasn't. I would have to say that all in all Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones is a great film, it's fun to watch and has much more good qualities than bad ones. The bottom line is that 'Clones' is the best since Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back.
Rating: A
