Rating- * * * * (4/5)
I am writing this review having just seen the film a few hours ago, and I’ll grant that the magic has not had a chance to wear off yet, but WOW!!! From the opening frame, I was unexpectedly floored by the sweeping visuals. I went into Attack of the Clones having heard mixed reviews but the critics I trust the most said that they were disappointed with the visual quality and acting quality of the film. The problem with the visuals was that George Lucas used Clones to advance his latest pet project, digital filmmaking. This is when a film is…well, I guess it’s not really a film…anyway it’s when a movie is shot using a digital recording process rather than transferring an image onto film. It is meant to be viewed using a digital projector and projected straight from its digital format, but since most theaters in America don’t have digital projectors the movie is forced to be transferred onto film, reducing its visual quality. Many critics complained that the film projection made the images look grainy and dark, but they were watching the film on a giant screen, not your typical Cineplex screen. I saw the film on an average sized screen and it looked amazing. It was a step above anything else I have ever seen, even Episode I, and the level of detail in the shots is just breathtaking. As for the acting and the story, I was really satisfied with the performances of the lead actors and while they may have been a bit too keyed down for their situation, the performances were at least believable, if not very moving, and were sufficient to show us the emotions that the characters were feeling as the story moved along. The story was kind of utilitarian in that it showed how things from Episode I were connected to the events that we know will come later and it doesn’t offer much in the way of symbolism. There is the continuing theme of the fall of democracy and the rise of fascism in an environment of passivity and Lucas shows us how the weakness of the Republic will ultimately lead to the rise of the Empire. There are a few scenes thrown in for pure entertainment value, particularly the scene where Padme, Anakin, and Obi-Wan are about to be executed by way of three hideous beasts and end up fighting them off. But nothing tops the climactic show down between the evil Count Dooku and Jedi Master Yoda; yes, that’s right, Yoda kicks some butt in this movie and he ain’t the Master of the Jedi for nothing. I was with a rather low-key audience and when Yoda pushed back his cloak and pulled out that light saber, the crowd went nuts! It was the single most entertaining moment in any of the Star Wars movies as of yet, probably because it is so unexpected, and it gives me goose bumps and a big smile just thinking about it. The droids are also pretty funny in this movie, although a little cheesy, and they provide some good comic relief in some of the heavier battle scenes. I like the way Lucas is setting up the transition for Episode III to shift seamlessly into the original trilogy, with the appearance of Star Destroyers, Storm Troopers (i.e. the clone army), Boba Fett, and the Death Star. Viewed in context of the entire saga, this could be one of the most important episodes, but viewed on its own it is certainly the most entertaining yet. I would recommend this film to anyone who likes action, romance, adventure, comedy, special effects, or just great movies.