Feature Review: Star
Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones
Written by: Brian
Orndorf
Rated: 10/10
I’ll say it with pride: I really enjoyed "Star Wars Episode I : The Phantom
Menace." It’s an unpopular opinion, and one that arouses bitter disagreements,
but the 1999 installment of George Lucas’s sprawling space opera was a cheerful and
agreeable spin around the "Star Wars" universe. It was a roller coaster ride
that rarely let up, and the entire movie was such a joyful experience that, if not
perfect, at least had the guts to lay out formidable plans both narratively and
technologically, and accomplish them with seeming ease. If "Episode I" was a
mammoth cornucopia of sugar-coated amusement, "Episode II" is a uncompromising
toothbrush handed over after three long years of cinematic tooth decay.
It’s been ten years since the events of "Phantom Menace," with young
Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen, "Life As A House") now grown up and
quickly mastering the Jedi arts. Anakin, and his teacher, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor),
have been summoned to Coruscant (which looks like modern-day Toyko for some reason) to
protect the former queen, now senator, Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) from assassins who
want to end her political career. Anakin is asked to accompany Padme as she returns to her
home planet of Naboo to hide from her enemies. Anakin has deep romantic feelings for
Padme, but as a sworn Jedi, he is forbidden to act upon them. Across the universe, Obi-Wan
stumbles upon a plot in which an evil Jedi master (Christopher Lee) is using the DNA of
Jango Fett (Temura Morrison, "Once Were Warriors") - you might remember his son,
Boba? - to fashion a huge army of clones to defeat the republic once and for all.
"Phantom Menace" was fun, "Attack Of The Clones" is not. At least
not in any of the familiar ways that I’ve come to expect from Lucas and his risk-free
approach to these films. He’s building a huge narrative arc with this new trilogy,
and "Clones" serves the same function as 1980’s "The Empire Strikes
Back" did. Both films are the dark sections of their respective stories. The tales
where the good guys get the stuffing knocked out of them, and the bad guys win in the end.
To the relief of many, I’m sure, "Clones" take its universe much more
seriously than "Menace" did. It uses this chance with the more complex, darker
plot to play up all those wonderfully nightmarish images and characters that I’ve
come to love from "Star Wars." I also enjoy the lighter side of the saga, but
"Clones" has more on it’s mind than Jar-Jar Binks (whose screen time in
"Clones" is alarmingly tiny) and pod races. "Clones" takes on
weightier subjects such as forbidden love, evil and malevolent Jedi masters, and of
course, Anakin’s violent spiral into the dark side of the force. Lucas also begins to
play up the angle of the Jedi’s ultimate destruction, and the looming shadow of Darth
Vader starts to form in "Clones." That alone will slap the Jake Lloyd right out
of you.
There’s much more texture and story to "Clones" making it a much
different moviegoing experience, especially for the younger fans of "Menace."
But I like where Lucas is taking this story. I like the epic way in which
"Clones" unfolds, using separate corners of the "Star Wars" galaxy to
add the much needed contrast to the narrative. I welcome how Lucas manages to create
absolute CGI mayhem without ever losing focus on the bigger points of the scene. I loved
the romance between Padme and Anakin, and how it is strung along (helped greatly by John
Williams’s opulent "love theme") all the way through the picture, up to the
ambitiously poignant climax. The constant foreshadowing of the other installments is also
a nice touch, from an unusually wicked joke (Obi-Wan to his zealous student:
"You’ll be the death of me, Anakin"), a glimpse of a planning-stages Death
Star, and the introduction of Episode IV’s Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. Lucas also
deserves credit for taking the beloved Yoda character (now fully a computer effect, to a
degree that isn’t all that promising) and giving the little green guy a lot more to
do in "Clones." There won’t be a dry seat in the house once Yoda pulls out
his lightsaber in the film’s climatic final battle. It is the film’s most
spectacular, and spectacularly outrageous moment.
But that doesn’t mean Lucas has completely changed. The man still has a penchant
from some pretty flat dialog, even with the help of co-writer Jonathan Hales, and it
doesn’t help the performances. Hayden Christensen does a fine job stepping into the
tiny shoes of young Jake Lloyd. His realization is tricky, as he must play the future
Darth Vader, yet remain appealing enough to sell the Padme courtship. Christensen balances
the two nicely, and I hope he’s allowed to stick around for "Episode III."
Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor seem more comfortable in their respective roles, and
even get a rare opportunity to show off sides of the characters (him: humor, her:
personality) we haven’t seen before. Also given more to do this time out is Samuel L
Jackson, looking like he’s having a blast as a purple-lightsaber-wielding master
Jedi. All of the cast still share that slightly bewildered look as they often play to
nothing (sets and entire characters were added after shooting ended), and the CGI often
leaves them out to dry during the more emotional moments. And does this matter? Not
really. This is "Star Wars," after all, not "Macbeth." As long as you
show me Slave-1, a bad-ass Mace Windu telling the bad guys that "the party’s
over" before proceeding to show them what he means, and some serious lightsaber
action, I’m willing to forgive the less than competent elements of
"Clones."
"Attack Of The Clones" should go a long way to win back bitter fans after
"Phantom Menace," but more importantly, it provides another winning chapter in
this consistently surprising saga. I ask now what I asked in 1999: Do we really have to
wait another three years?
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Comments (add your own at the bottom):
Date/Time of Posting: May 09 2002 / 21:12:53
Name = Super Jawa
E-mail = defstoner18@hotmail.com
Subject = Good review
Comments = Great review man. I'm glad someone shares my thoughts of the
underrated Phantom Menace.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 00:01:00
name = christopher
where = jacado007@aol.com
Subject = cant wait
comments = Cant wait to see it I know it will be great thanks for the great review.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 03:46:30
name = Clonetrooper
Subject = Great Stuff
comments = I enjoyed Phantom Menace as well. I look forward to Attack of the Clones!
Excellent Review my friend.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 08:58:06
name = Kevin Crawford
where = kcrawford@tymeit.com
Subject = AOTC review
comments = Its is so nice to read a review from someone with an open mind. A lot of people
liked Menace, and I'm sure even more will like Clones.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 09:04:03
name = Me
Subject = Fantastic
comments = I so completely agree with you. The movie is absolutaly great. Excellent
review.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 09:07:54
name = Notorious-d187um
where = notoriousd187@aol.com
Subject = Nice Review
comments = Though you seem to be easily entertained by Episode 1, I think that your taste
in this kind of movie has evolved into some maturity. I haven't seen the movie at any
private screening but, I read similar (positive) reviews from other sites that made
similar (positive) points. Bwa ha ha ha ha!!!!
I'm sure "Attack of the Clones" will be a fun ride for all people, especially
young teen girls that would just love to hold Anakin's 'lightsaber'. After all, he is one
of Teen People Magazine's top stars under 25 yadda yadda yadda... well I'm done with my
rant. I talked too much. Peace.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 09:23:18
name = Dominik
where = dom@choc.com
Subject = CLONES
comments = Menace was alright but Clones, with the birth of the Empire KICKS ASS!!!!! I
will definitely see it at least 10 times.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 09:27:04
Name = Renderking Fisk
where = renderking@yahoo.com
Subject = Good times
comments = A chooch I work with a few cubes down the cell block was gushing over the bad
review EpisodeII received in the NYTimes. I, had to break his heart when I told him I'm
only concerned about what fellow fans think. All I need to know about someone is what they
think if George Lucas.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 10:28:11
name = J. W. L.
where = lanedawg2@yahoo.com
Subject = EPISODE II:A TRUE EPIC OF OUR TIME
comments = I honestly think that this movie is one of the most thrilling and exciting
stories in the Star Wars Saga. I love and cherish every movie from the series but I know
that I will marvel at the character building in this story. Anakin is a realistic
character. He's like a teenager that would live in reality having the rush for exciting
and adventure. Wanting to have things go his way but instead they go the opposite. I knows
that he's good at what he does and he wants the world to know it. Most of all, he wants
his mentor to see that he is doing the best that he can and wants him to see it as well
and gets "you could do better" type of lectures instead of encouraging words.
That is mostly in reality. One thing that is special about the story as well is the simple
fact that Anakin is caught in a situation when he is in love with someone and it is
against his order of living. You can compare it to various religions in the world. He
wants something that is in complete violation of what it is that he's affìiliated with. I
think that whole itself is something unique to the storyline and there nothing that anyone
can say negative unless they themselves can make and improve with the same zest and
thrills that George Lucas.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 10:29:21
Name = lou
where = lou78m@aol.com
Sub = star wars review
comments = wow, i cant wait for the ep II now! i liked menace also ___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 10:43:32
name = rein van appel
where = rein.van.appel@planet.nl
Sub = star wars ep 2 review
comments = I'm glad that somebody openly admits that he liked ep 1 (don't forget that you
and the 1b$ audience had somehow the same feeling). Reading all the reviews popping up on
the net again you get the view of parrots talking the same languages and not letting flow
the personal experiences. Your review is something different. Keep up the good work!!!!
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 10:44:46
name = Karl
where = realfunkykrw@tiscali.co.uk
Subject = Great review
comments = I too loved The Phantom Menace. I think we all knew that the scene would change
with Episode 2. I thought the review was really good and can't wait to see all of this for
myself next week!
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 11:19:37
name = Siggi Holmes
where = siggibal@hotmail.com
Sub = Fantastic
comments = The Phantom Menace was great, and you state that allegation perfectly. ___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 11:28:21
name = David Bertoni
where = dbertoni@maine.rr.com
Subject = Uh oh. A review from someone who liked Episode I.
comments = I remember my first viewing of Star Wars: The Phantom
Menace. Not since Short Circuit II and The Goofy Movie had I found myself
yawning and looking at my watch so early into a movie. And not since watch an
insipid documentary about dangers of drunk driving in 8th grade did time seem to move so
slowly. Well, I watched it again last night on Fox Television. Guess
what? I now know exactly how to get to sleep on restless
nights. What a snoozer. The acting was atrocious (that kid!), the
dialogue was insipid, and even special effects grew wearisome (exactly how many sea
serpents of increasing size posed no harm whatsoever to our protagonists?). You
pick a person who actually like that awful flick to review Attack of the
Clones? I am aghast. ___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 11:33:57
name = Slim
where = fso@mcbainrocks.com
Subject = nice!
comments = finally, someone knows how to rate a Star wars movie! ___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 11:47:14
name = pina
Subject = tpm
comments = i also like menace a lot.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 11:59:00
name = christophe
where = jedi5@wanadoo.fr
Subject = cool review
comments = there seems to be a consensus around AOTC.... Some say the story's too complex
but hey do you prefer "how the bad guy is jere... gotcha!!") .. Also CGI might
appear at times lifeless but this is the dawning of a new brand of film making..... Also I
never lost faith in Lucas after Phantom since I really enjoy the film as it is for me an
introduction.... Send in the clones!!
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 11:59:03
name = Justin
comments = Great review, thanks for posting. Any way you could invert the color of the
text that gives away a little too much?
__________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 12:20:32
name = Darth Maul Reloaded
where = ben4real2u@hotmail.com
Subject = 5 Star Review
comments = Yes!Yes! A correct review. The Phantom Menace was a letdown but still a great
piece of film. Attack of the Clones will silence the critics and lead us onto the best
film of the saga: Episode 3. PS GREAT REVIEW
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 13:51:52
name = Adrian Morris
where = amorris@shellvacationsllc.com
Comment = here is a decent review
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 15:51:43
name = James
Subject = TPM
Comments = I LOVED The Phantom Menace!!! To this day it is my favorite
film. Very entertaining.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 17:07:37
Name = Paul Famous
From = GrandMastaSexay615@hotmail.com
Subject = Great review
Comments = I agree. Episode 1 was awesome, action packed, and had the coolest bad guy,
coolest jedi, and coolest lightsaber fight ever. All the fat greasy star wars
idiots who write bad stuff are fat and greasy. Episode two is going to be
awesome, if not the best. I cant wait to see yoda in action
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 19:18:17
name = Darth23
Subject = I loved Phantom Menace too!
Comments = Finally a review that doesn't start by trashing Episode 1!
I can't wait to see AOTC to judge for myself.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 19:55:06
name = Belle
email = joieimani@prodigy.net
comments = Loved the review, and you're right I really loved TPM, it's the type of film
that actually gets better with veiwing, because you can see where it's heading. Thanks for
having some courage and saying you like it too.
___________________
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 /
20:06:43
Name = kevin
Comments = Yoda. He is the best thing in the movie. He is the best thing in the
movie. A little green guy going against a tall person, and holding his
own. He is the best. YODA!
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 21:49:52
Bame = Daniel
where = danielm@herzeleid.net
Comments = i loved menace as well.. i cant wait to see aotc on the 16th
============
Date/Time of Posting: May 10 2002 / 22:26:44
name = slayer
comments = AOTC looks set to be a great movie, even though there is a love story. but hey this is star wars REMEMBER.
============
Date/Time of Posting: May 11 2002 / 00:04:36
name = Rocky
where = Rocket13531@hotmail.com
Subject = Good Review
comments = You know, after reading scathing reviews of ESB and AOTC from NY Times, it's hard to believe that we may be able to trust a critic ever again. I respect you for your stance on TPM, I enjoyed the movie and while I still cringe at sound of Anikan's "Yippie" I still jump with glee in Darth Maul duel scene. So everyone, lighten up. If we judged movies based solely off script lines and actors, I think there would be plenty of reasons to dislike the Original Trilogy. The problem is, no one rates movies like that if there just trying to sit down and enjoy a movie instead of analyzing it. Well, that's it, sorry for taking up so much space.
============
Date/Time of Posting: May 11 2002 / 00:16:44
name = Anthony P Roy is mint
where = attackoftheants@hotmail.com
Subject = THE CLONES ARE READY TO ATTACK
comments = Yo my names AntP and I have read the attack of the clones book 3 times already. I thought the story was minted and so are most of the reviews.The first time I saw TMA I thought it was mint but the second time I realised all the s*** acting and stuff.
============
Date/Time of Posting: May 11 2002 / 00:18:03
name = theo
where = theomv@aol.com
Subject = Clones
comments = This is cool to see people that like phantom. Clones will be great.
============
Date/Time of Posting: May 11 2002 / 05:56:15
name = Casper
Subject = funny
comments = As usual critics are negative about the movies (as always) so it's nice to see the average persons do like Ep2. The Movie critics seem to live in their own little world - not ours :)
============
Date/Time of Posting: May 11 2002 / 06:02:54
name = merlin
where = stehud@excite.com
Subject = Menace
Comments = Those people who didn't like the Phantom Menance to me, have lost their sense of wonder, creativity and imagination - missing the point entirely that the films are supposed to reflect the Repulic Serials of the 30's and 40's. Phantom, like all the others in the saga, had twenty times the effort placed in it than 33 American Pies, and all the other Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer with Freddy & Jason VII types of shit we get subjected to on a weekly basis. People must remember that Lucas is not only cleverly weaving a new mythology for the cynical youth of today, but changing the way films are going to made in the future. If only Hollywood would give one tenth of the imagination he's poured into these films into their tired efforts we'd all be better entertained!
============
Date/Time of Posting: May 11 2002 / 22:13:46
name = benno
Subject = seen it
comments = I just saw Ep2 this morning at a 20th C Fox preview. Wow. It is so far above Ep1 (which I thought was great). The "love" scenes are well placed, Anakin definitely shows anger greater than any other character in the series and he convincingly pulls off the smugness of the hotshot jedi. There is humor which isnt embarrassing to the actors or the viewer and some subtle little odes to classic films. The definite highlight is YODA however - and without spoiling it, he shows why he is the Master and why the walking stick isnt needed. I just cant wait for the real release in a few days to see it again. 10/10.
===========
Date/Time of Posting: May 11 2002 / 23:51:24
comments = This reviewer is either a plant or a Star Wars whore.
===========
Date/Time of Posting: May 12 2002 / 08:22:47
name = Darth Sidious
where = darthsidious32@fanforce.net
Subject = AOTC will be awesome!
comments = I totally agree that The Phantom Menace was a great chapter
to the Star Wars Saga and that it was a lot of fun. But I think AOTC
will still be fun, just in a darker way. It's going to be THE movie of
the summer!
I can't wait to see Darth Sidious in the end! No one ever talks about
that. He's my favorite character of the saga. He's the most mysterious,
and the most intelligent bad guy ever - starting from being a Senator,
then Chancellor, and lastly the Emperor! I can't wait until he reveals
himself as Palpatine! And I can't wait to see this dang movie!!! :)
===========
Date/Time of Posting: May 12 2002 / 21:53:34
name = John Brandon Edwards
comments = Wow, so many people admitting to liking Phantom Menace. I
enjoyed it also, and to this day can't understand why so many hate it
and have to pick it to death like a bunch of ravenous vultures. If
anything was wrong with Phantom Menace it was the corny merchandising
and avertisements like potato chip bags and soda cans, but not the movie
itself. I enjoyed the review of Attack of the Clones posted here and
have read many other positive reviews (as well as some overly nit-picky
negative ones). Orndorf obviously knows what Star Wars is all about. I
can't wait to see the film.
===========
Date/Time of Posting: May
13 2002 / 13:53:45
name = girlfriend's sister
Subject
= Great Review Man!
comments = well done B. I do enjoy all of your reviews and you best be
thanking the maker you liked it or Lizzie would have had to open
"the" can of whoop ass....
nice review my friend.
===========
Date/Time of Posting: May 16 2002 / 19:59:09
name = lynn
where = sandsmomld@go.com
sub = Great Review!
comments = Thank you for defending Phantom Menance! I believe
that only true Star Wars fans appreciate and understand the greatness of
these movies. I can't wait to see Ep. II
===========
Date/Time of Posting: May
18 2002 / 11:32:11
name = jake
where = jake_pua@hotmail.com
subject
= I love EP2
comments = I just love attack of the clones! and it really bugs me how
some people try to act all superior and into more artsy film by trashing
AOTC and TPM, I mean admittedly they're not Oscar caliber but hey we're
not expecting them to be such so back off with the criticism, lets see
you try to create your own star wars. ha!
===========
NEWST! Date/Time of Posting: Jul
02 2002 / 18:45:45
name = Allison
where = alimooka@your-house.com
Subject = Rock on
comments = What a breath of fresh air. People who 'get' Star
Wars.
Thanks for this review. I loved Attack of the Clones, and I
loved the Phantom Menace.
===========
Date/Time of Posting: Oct 05 2002 /
07:41:10
IP Address: 195.93.48.14
name = Adam
where = jedimasterhogan@AOL.com
replyemail = music and story
comments = IN MY opinion this star wars surpasses the rest in every
possible way the anakin and padme theme and across the stars theme where
quite poosibly my favourite and most beautiful tunes ive ever heardon a
film. the story is only surpassed by the incredible special effects i
could go on for hours but thats it.
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