STAR WARS EPISODE II:

ATTACK OF THE CLONES

REVIEWED BY DALLAS SHIPP

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: violence, thematic elements

Rated:

Is it not every reviewer's dream to write about a landmark cinema event? Star Wars has to be the most beloved of all series films. I must say from the start that it was an honor in itself to write this review. This morning a good deal of the world woke up to celebrate what is unofficially known as George Lucas Day. The festivities of which include skipping work, school, and dentist appointments in order to stand out in the fog beside a row of urban campers in tents to catch the first showing of the latest Star Wars film. I was proud to be a part of this happy throng, and while we marched into the theater, past a small row of video cameras from local TV stations and radio disk jockeys, we cheered and chanted in anticipation for Attack of the Clones. I have not been the part of such an enthusiastic crowd since I attended the downtown premier of Godzilla 2000, the unintentional comedy of the year. These people were INTO the film. After a while I got into the crowd spirit, and knew when to applaud and hoot with everyone while the film was rolling past. Those who watch it can anticipate these parts. There were many people in my crowd with light sabers and authentic looking Jedi robes. This had to have been THE Star Wars experience. It ought to come standard with every viewing of the film.

Star Wars is a tale of fantasy, George Lucas being the author of the story. From my perspective, Star Wars is something of a serial novel. A story you read bit by bit until the author tells you he has finished it. To my mind, if you love a story, you really can't complain if the author does something with the story that you do not like. Instead, you accept the author's perspective on the story, and enjoy it for what it was written to be. The criticisms of Attack of the Clones, I think, are coming from those critics who are viewing this episode of Star Wars as a stand-alone film, which is what it is not. It is one sixth of the whole story. Therefore, I believe they should be criticized on the level of a book rather than a film series. The cinematography only gets better with every film. George Lucas is continuing to develop as a writer and director, and in my opinion, he is getting better at it every day. If someone dislikes a Star Wars film with a passion, odds are that the person dislikes the series in general. It is their loss if they don't enjoy them.

Padme Amidala has served her term as queen. She is now representing her planet of Naboo as a senator of the Galactic Republic. Obi-Wan Kenobi has been training Anakin Skywalker as his Jedi Padawan learner for ten years, but still feels that Anakin is still much too reckless to graduate from his training. Anakin resents this, but incredible events force him to lay aside these feelings. Someone wants Senator Padme dead, and is going to extreme lengths to assassinate her before a crucial vote in the senate on the creation of an army of the Republic. Assigned to protect Padme' once more is Obi-Wan and his apprentice. Anakin has feelings for Padme that he knows are forbidden for a Jedi, for a Jedi must have no emotional attachment to anyone. However, another assassination attempt forces Obi-Wan and Anakin to go separate ways in order to get to the bottom of the plot. 

Anakin and Padme leave for Naboo to go into hiding while Obi-Wan searches for a mysterious bounty hunter that is connected to the plot against Padme. Meanwhile, Yoda and the Jedi council are rendered impotent in their usual discernment into such manners. While Anakin is tormented by his growing feelings of romantic love towards Padme, Obi-Wan discovers a hidden civilization of aliens who are under orders to build an army of deadly clones for the Jedi council. An order that the Jedi council had never given. Anakin suddenly feels that his beloved mother is in danger on his home planet of Tatooine, and Obi-Wan follows his bounty hunter quarry to the planet of Geonosis, which has connections to the dark Sith Lords, and a plot to attack the Galactic Republic. 

Episode II is essentially a love story between Anakin and Padme. The romance of the film is what I liked most about it, and is what makes me think that the female audience will have a strong showing to this film. Natalie Portman is dazzling as the cautious and courageous Senator Amidala. As Anakin remarks, she has grown more beautiful since we last saw her. With her beauty came virtue, it seems. Her performance is graceful, and she will catch your eye in every scene she is in. 

Hayden Christensen was an awesome choice for Anakin Skywalker. His role is that of a tormented young man. The call of duty and the call of love tearing him apart, and eventually lead him to his destiny as Darth Vader. In Attack of the Clones we see his tragic love story with Padme that leads us to the story of his son, Luke Skywalker. His onscreen presence is demanding of our attention, and leaves the viewer with something of a haunting feeling about his character, as if we can sense the forces of his emotion clashing inside him. The fans have long awaited the moment when they could watch an army of Jedi Knights in action. Their moment has come. Attack of the Clones is full of action. Even our beloved Master Yoda picks up his light saber for an awe inspiring duel with the villain Darth Tyranus on Geonosis. No review on Episode II would be complete without the acknowledgement of the special effects. Just stop to smell for Oscar nominations here, if you would. George Lucas, the father of modern special effects techniques, continues to break new ground with his films. Episode II is filled with computer generated or altered characters, objects, and landscapes, which are all expertly done. Of course, who could not appreciate the old, familiar, adrenaline inducing glow of a drawn light saber?

Star Wars Episode II is rated PG for violence. This bit contains spoilers. For those who wish to preserve a good movie experience, I just thought I would warn you. Indeed, with the epic battle sequences and the wounds, deaths, and suffering that various members of the cast go through, I was slightly surprised that this film did not earn a PG-13 rating. Though nearly all the violence is completely without so much as a drop of blood, some of this is well of note for those of you who are considering taking your children to this film. 

Characters in this film must deal with the death of their parents. Many alien beings are killed with light sabers, though no gore of any kind is present. Padme receives a bloody scratch on her back. Someone is seen with bloody scratches on their face. Anakin says that he killed an entire camp of Tuskin Raiders, along with the women and children. Characters are severely wounded with light sabers; one has his arm cut off. Again, no blood. Still, with the traumatic content, I advise parents to use caution taking their younger children to see this film. There is no sexuality or language at all.

I have followed this film from the earliest internet spy reports, the first day of its shooting, the official photos from the set, and all through the lengthy post-production. I freely admit that Lucas has gone beyond my expectations for this film. Folks, this is a great movie. Though I don't think of the prequels as the same caliber as the original trilogy, this film is destined to become a modern classic fantasy film. Thumbs up for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. It is well worth the ticket to the cinema.

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