Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones ***
Directed by: George Lucas
Written by: George Lucas (story and screenplay) and Jonathan Hales (screenplay)
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christiansen, Natalie Portman, Christopher Lee, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker
Rated PG (Just like all the other movies in the franchise, for the same reasons)
I’ve been looking forward to writing this review, and dreading it at the same time.
Like most people in my generation, the Star Wars saga is a part of who I am. I think I’m unique among movie critics in that I am as old as the series. I was born in March of 1977; Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope was released in May of 1977. I can’t even conceptualize a world that was around before we knew Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Yoda, R2-D2 and C-3PO. Star Wars was a massive part of my childhood. Previous generations of boys played Cowboys and Indians. In my kindergarten years, my friend (not a lot of kids in that neighborhood), his sister and I would play Star Wars. He and I would have arguments over who got to be Luke Skywalker and Han Solo; his sister was Princess Leia by default. When you’re that age, you don’t understand just how cool Han Solo is – Luke was who you wanted to be. He could use the Force, and, at least until Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi came out, he apparently got the girl. We would have lightsaber fights with flashlights. We had the toys. We had the Underoos. Growing up, my favorite character was Darth Vader. I can’t explain why. I remember having him on my 5th Birthday cake. I have a ceramic R2-D2 with flashing lights inside. That’s cool and all, but I really wanted a Darth Vader.
Don’t worry – I am going somewhere with this. I’m not just rambling (for once). This current trilogy is telling the story of how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. Ultimately, the story will be about Anakin’s fall and redemption. However, you’re probably more interested in the latest installment, so, here we go!
Attack of the Clones takes place 10 years after The Phantom Menace. Some things have changed in the lives of the characters introduced in Episode I – Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) has become a full-fledged Jedi Master. Anakin Skywalker (Christiansen) is still a padowan learner, 19 years old, and chomping at the bit to be respected as an adult. Padmé Amidala (Portman) is no longer Queen of Naboo; she’s a senator. Jar-Jar Binks (Ahmed Best) is a representative of the Gungans. Palpatine (McDiarmid) is now Supreme Chancellor. There is trouble brewing within the Republic – political infighting and bureaucratic muckity-muck has begun to wear away at the democracy, and many systems are threatening to secede. Amidala is one of the key loyalists. She wants to keep the Republic intact, but still hopes for a diplomatic solution. Other members of the loyalists want to grant Chancellor Palpatine the authority to build up the military in order to keep separatist systems in line. When Amidala is nearly killed in a rocket attack, Obi-Wan and Anakin are assigned to protect her. Obi-Wan begins an investigation into who tried to kill Amidala, while Anakin goes back to Naboo with Amidala. Obi-Wan discovers some very scary stuff. Anakin and Amidala struggle with their feelings for each other. The Jedi Council, led by Mace Windu (Jackson) and Yoda (voice of Oz) start digging deeper into what Obi-Wan has discovered, and we’re introduced to a rebel Jedi – Count Dooku (Lee), or, as he is known to the Sith, Darth Tyranus.
An important thing to remember about Star Wars is that George Lucas ultimately wants to wind up with one movie that’s 12 to 13 hours long. So, to really pass judgement on one episode without seeing the work in its entirety would be foolish. We all have favorite TV shows, but we don’t praise or condemn an entire series on the basis of one episode. I liked Attack of the Clones. Many people won’t.
Let me start by saying this: George Lucas is an amazing storyteller. He is not, however, a great director. He’s very good at telling a story with images, but not so good at working with actors. To quote Harrison Ford, “Dammit, George, you can write this (stuff), but you can’t expect us to say it!” The dialogue is somewhat heavy-handed, but the emotional core is dead on. You’ll understand when you see it.
The acting was average for the most part. However, McGregor’s portrayal of Obi-Wan is fantastic. As an audience, we pretty much know Obi-Wan as either an old man or a ghost. In Episode II, we see more of Obi-Wan, the man, instead of Obi-Wan, the Jedi Master. In A New Hope, he warns Luke that you’ll not find a “greater hive of scum and villainy” than Mos Eisly on Tatooine. In Attack of the Clones, we see that that’s exactly the type of place he likes to be. We also see more of Yoda – he’s in charge of training the children that enter the Jedi Academy. He’s also someone you want to remain on the good side of.
In terms of pacing, well, there’s a LOT of story to tell. Lucas is establishing the ‘universe’ of the original trilogy. This includes LOTS of detail – politics, economics, family ties, character motivations, foreshadowing, etc. When there’s a lot of story to tell, you need to take your time doing it, because there’s loads of detail that the audience is expected to remember. The ‘prequel’ trilogy is much more complicated than the episodes we’ve seen so far.
One other note: Attack of the Clones was filmed digitally. On DVD it is going to be amazing. In digital theatres, it will blow you away. Unfortunately, digital to film transfer isn’t perfect. Some of the early scenes were somewhat grainy. It was disappointing, but not distracting.
Regardless of what any critic says, you’re probably going to see this movie. It’s not disappointing in the least. It might not be what you expect, but it might be your favorite installment. I’m still going to have to say that my favorite episode thusfar is The Empire Strikes Back.
