Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones


  The second of the Star Wars saga has more in common with the Empire Strikes Back then any of the other chapters.  And this is a good thing.  Following the more juvinile and uplifting Phantom Menace, Clones deals with the now 20 year old Anakin Skywalker and of course the dark side.  Also making apearances are Jango Fett and his son Bobba in a nod to the popularity of the character.  The main character here though is with a doubt Obi Wan Kanobi, who was a tad disapointing in the Phantom Menace. Not to be left out though is Yoda - Who is no doubt the best actor in the movie and who has one incredible light saber duel.

  The plot deals mainly with Obi Wan and Anakin protecting Padme Amidala.  There is an assasination attempt by Jango Fett, which leads Obi Wan to discover a clone army in a system that has been mysteriously removed from the archives.  Introduced in this movie is Count Dooku - who is trying to destroy Amidala and the Federation.  But the plot truly takes a backseat to the overwhelming beauty and scope of the special effects and sets.  This is not altogether a bad thing.

  From the opening scenes on Courisont to the water planet and the arena scene on Tatoone this is the most awe inspiring of all the Star Wars movies.  The chase scene on Courisont is one of the most thrilling and eye popping chase scenes ever seen.  The whole city seems extremely real and very frightning.  Nothing else in the film can quite compare with this but the water planet is close.  The planet is inhabited by some Spielberg type aliens who are growing an army for the Republic.  Seeing special effects on this level makes you wonder if they can go any further.

  Though the movie is most assuradly driven by its special effects the actors are quite enjoyable in their roles.  Han Christianson makes an excellent Anakin Skywalker displaying the anger that will lead him to dark side.  And Natalie Portman is equalling charming as Padme Amidalla.  Though it is funny how much Anaking has aged from the first film and she hasn't.

  If there is any major flaws here, and there is quite a few, it is with the dramatic flow of the movie.  Scenes are allowed to run on too long.  Possibly to compliment so many great special effects scenes the movie is slowed to many times.  At nearly 2 1/2 hours the film plays like an epic without a strong naritive drive.  It may have been better at 1 1/2 hours.  Thats something I will debate when I get it on video.

  Certainly Clone's is a must see movie on video but must be seen on the big screen to fully apreciate the scope and detail of the universe that Lucas has created here. 
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