Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones - movie review with 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 mix of the ominous view of vast numbers of stormtroopers and star destroyers with the happiness of Anakin's and Padme's new relationship leaves you wishing desperately that Episode III isn't a long three-year wait away.

There were numerous scenes that I especially loved, like the training scene with the young Jedi children, using the same devices with which Obi-Wan Kenobi first taught Luke Skywalker. I also loved the clone factory, the various views of them as they developed, and the realization that these clones are what eventually become the first generation of stormtroopers. I found the scene of Obi-Wan in the asteroid field particularly exciting. We know that he must survive, but we still feel the peril he's in. I really enjoyed the execution scene on Geonosis, which reminded me both of the Romans throwing the Christians to the lions and the rancor scene in Jabba the Hut's palace in Episode 6. From this scene forward, the film races to the end, getting more exciting and amazing along the way, first with the Jedi fighting the army of battle droids before help comes in the form of the stormtroopers, including our first glimpses of the star destroyers and the reference to the Death Star, then the lightsabre battle between Count Dooku and Obi-Wan, then between Dooku and Anakin (how cool was it watching Anakin use two lightsabres?) and then the more intense battle between Dooku and Yoda.

One of the things I particularly liked about the film was in trying to figure out the relationships and figuring out whose side everyone is on. Who is involved with whom, and who knows about what? We have been so conditioned to rooting against stormtroopers that it's almost shocking when we see Yoda commanding and leading a squad of them. And yet, who do we root for? The stormtroopers because they are helping the Jedi but who are eventually used by Palpatine to control the galaxy? Or do we root for the battle droids, the enemies from Episode I, who are supporting the Trade Federation, who are ready to ally with Count Dooku, who ultimately serves Palpatine? It's a no-win situation, something that the Jedi Council, even in their wisdom, have not yet figured out. Jedi are indeed entirely fallible.

The introduction of Jango Fett is interesting because of the role he plays in the various scenarios, but also because of the appearance of Boba Fett and the revelation of Boba Fett's creation. I also liked learning about the various teacher/apprentice relationships revealed among the Jedi and the successfulness or failure of those pairings.

We are introduced to another new planet in addition to Geonosis. Kamino is the ocean/rain planet, almost the polar opposite of Tatooine, but Obi-Wan's arrival on the planet with his ship and an R4 unit is reminiscent of Luke's arrival on Dagobah. Unlike Luke, though, Obi-Wan's arrival is completely expected, though mistakenly so. The aliens who inhabit the planet, though, and the corridors they walk, were much more like the effects in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" than I would have preferred.

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.

And speaking of familiar planets, the return to Tatooine as Anakin searches for his mother was a terrific payoff. The view of the Lars moisture farm brought back so many memories, almost like returning home (and there was even blue milk!), moreso with the revelation of Shmi Skywalker's relationship to the Lars family. At least the question has finally been answered regarding whether Owen Lars is really Luke's uncle. We'd already been told about the viciousness of the Tusken Raiders by Obi-Wan in Episode 4, and we saw them in Episode I taking potshots at the pod racers (a scene which I actually found amusing), but I don't think we'd been prepared for their treatment of Shmi. Her dying in Anakin's arms was one of the most effecting in the film, rivaling Qui-Gon's death in Episode I, and, as expected, the circumstances of her death are what propel Anakin to take his first step toward the dark side of the force.

There are of course cool new ships and apparati. I particularly liked Obi-Wan's new ship and the detachable hyperspace apparatus. And the new Super Battle Droids were cool. And of course, the return of the destroyer droids. Love those things. The seismic charges used by Jango Fett and their effects were pretty cool too.

I'd heard much scepticism about the all-digital presentation of Yoda, but his use in the film is seemless and indistinguishable from his prior appearances. He has much more articulation to his face, and the final combat with Count Dooku would be virtually impossible otherwise.

While the special effects were generally up to ILM's usual excellence, I found a few effects to be rather disappointing. The character of Dex seemed very CGI, and it was obvious to me that Obi-Wan was not in fact hugging him but rather, thin air. In the meadow scene with Padme and Anakin on Naboo, the background mountains and waterfalls felt very much "painted in".

The only serious problem I found with the film was in the developing love affair between Anakin and Padme. It's awkward in some respects like Han's and Leia's, but Han's and Leia's evolved while they were involved in other endeavours (ending up on the same escape ship, being trapped in the asteroid field, etc.) whereas Anakin and Padme are really doing nothing else, and the potential love affair is much more explicit, including a discussion about the relationship. I found the scene where Anakin declares his love to be very awkward - whether that's in the writing or the delivery, I'm not sure. For story reasons, the development of the love story is of course necessary, but like the prior love story, I found it to be the least interesting part of the overall story.

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. My favorite is the flowy pastel dress she wears when we first see her and Anakin in the Naboo hideaway.

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 the scene of his mother's death. 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 his final battle with Dooku. 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. And how exactly does one become a "former Jedi"? Does one just resign?

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. I thought the sequences where 3PO changes body parts was hilarious, and he gets a couple of good one-line puns in while R2 is trying to put him back together. But what's with R2's ability to fly, and why does he no longer have that ability by Episode 4?

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 given that Smits plays Bail Organa, 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 - like Luke's theme, Vader's theme and Duel of the Fates - 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've pointed out, 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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