Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones - movie review without spoilers (May 2002)

The much anticipated next chapter of the Star Wars saga hits the screen, and the fifth in the series does not disappoint. Relying mostly on its trademark action sequences, but also filled with moments of humour, the new film also includes a mystery that needs to be unraveled, a mystery that threatens the very foundation of the Republic. Ten years have passed since the events of Episode I, and Anakin Skywalker's and Padme Amidala's paths again cross. Palpatine is now the Supreme Chancellor of the Senate, and the former Queen Amidala is now Naboo's Senator. From the opening crawl (which I remembered from the beginning to watch this time, unlike with Episode I, where it took me a few seconds to realize that I had to actually read the crawl because I didn't already know exactly what it said) to the last shot, you are immersed into the familiar Star Wars universe, but everything is not as it seems. Alliances and loyalties are in question, challenging the established conceptions of anyone familiar with the Star Wars universe. The film doesn't end as abruptly as the middle chapter of the original trilogy, but the ending mix of ominous tone and happiness leaves you wishing desperately that Episode III isn't a long three-year wait away.

There were numerous scenes that I especially loved. If you want to know what they are, read the spoiler review.

If you want to know my favorite aspect of the film, read the spoiler review. I did like learning about the various teacher/apprentice relationships revealed among the Jedi and the successfulness or failure of those pairings.

We are introduced to several new planets. If you want to know anything about them, read the spoiler review.

I loved seeing more of the Coruscant city life and the streets of Naboo. We'd become familiar with both planets to some degree, but not to the extent as with the planets in the first trilogy.

There are of course cool new ships and apparati. If you want to know which ones I liked, read the spoiler review.

If you want to know about some of the more minor problems I had with the film, read the spoiler review.

The only serious problem I found with the film was in the developing love affair between Anakin and Padme. If you want to know the reasons why, read the spoiler review.

Natalie Portman ("Anywhere But Here" and "Where The Heart Is") is excellent as Padme. I thought she was pretty good in Episode I, but since I've seen her in several other films in the interim, I have come to respect her as an actress more and more. She does a good job of conveying both sides of Padme - the young Senator who knows her responsibilities and obligations and is not afraid to get involved nor of the consequences that may arise and the young girl who finds love for the first time. Her portrayal of Padme makes it very clear where Leia gets her spunk from. In Episode I, Portman sported a more formal, awkward accent as Amidala but a more casual, easygoing accent as Padme. In Episode II, the formal accent has been dropped. The many costume changes remain, though, and she performs another virtual fashion show, though I liked many more of these dresses than the ones in Episode I. If you want to know my favorite of her new outfits, read the spoiler review.

Hayden Christensen ("The Virgin Suicides" and "Life as a House") does a fine job as the teenage Anakin, though I do think he is outshined by Portman. I don't think there were as many subleties to his character, though he does an excellent job in a particularly difficult scene. He also convincingly conveys the impatience and arrogance of Anakin, who is headstrong and somewhat resentful of Obi-Wan's instruction. Anakin is basically a teenager who feels like he's an adult and rebels against the authority of a father figure, but this teenager with confusing and conflicting feelings also has strong Jedi abilities.

Ewan McGregor ("Trainspotting", "Emma", "Moulin Rouge" and "Black Hawk Down") was terrific as the older Obi-Wan Kenobi, struggling to keep his promise to Qui-Gon Jinn, but unable to control his over-confident apprentice. There are a number of action sequences that look to have involved a lot of physical work. He is especially impressive in the final battle. There was some part of me that had to work to fit McGregor in as Obi-Wan again. Having been on a "Moulin Rouge" obsession for some time now, it was hard to disassociate him from that film and the character of Christian, but the beard and longer hair helped, as did the re-viewing of Episode I just days before seeing Episode II. I wasn't so much expecting Obi-Wan to break out into song and dance.

Samuel Jackson ("Jurassic Park", "Pulp Fiction", "Die Hard: With a Vengeance", "Rules of Engagement", "Shaft", "Unbreakable" and "Changing Lanes") was fine as Mace Windu, who has much more screen time and involvement in this film than in Episode I.

I thought Christopher Lee as Count Dooku was excellent (and he made a pretty good bad guy in "Lord of the Rings"). He did a good job of keeping us guessing about Dooku's motives, though I'm unclear as to what position Dooku generally holds.

While there was limited interaction between R2D2 and C3PO in Episode I, this film shows the beginnings of the relationship between the two that we know so well. Like re-visiting familiar friends, it�s great fun to watch them together.

Jimmy Smits (TV's "L.A. Law" and "NYPD Blue") has an almost cameo appearance, much like Samuel Jackson's appearance in Episode I, but I expect he'll have a much larger role in Episode III.

Unlike in Episode I, Jar Jar Binks makes only several short appearances, but his actions have severe consequences.

The score is composed by John Williams, of course, and it's interesting to hear how he weaves many familiar themes into the new film.

A definite recommend. I think this film would be harder to follow for anyone who has not seen Episode I, but even with the problems I had with the film, I think there's a lot there for even the casual Star Wars fan. I know I'm seeing this film at least three times on the big screen.

For the spoiler review (no non-spoiler review is available) of Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace, go here.

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