Attack of the Clones

Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones 2002

A Jedi Shall Not Know Anger. Nor Hatred. Nor Love.

2002

Genres:
SciFi, Action, Fantasy

Starring:
Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee

Summary:
When her life is threatened by mysterious assassins, Senator Padme Amidala (Portman) is assigned the protection of Jedi apprentice Annakin Skywalker (Christensen). Annakin returns to Amidala's homeworld with her where the couple begins to form a strong bond despite Anakin's growing impatience and arrogance.

At the same time, Annakin's mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) has stumbled onto a secret in a hidden corner of the galaxy. In this place he learns of the existence of a secret clone army being developed at the command of some unknown agent for the Republic's use. Obi-Wan pursues a mysterious bounty hunter and his son to a nearby planet where he meets the man behind a growing rebel faction, Count Dooku (Lee). It is only with the help of his fellow Jedis that Obi-Wan, Annakin, and Amidala are saved.

Response:
I really don't know where to start with this movie so I'll just pick a random element and go from there. Ok, the acting wasn't that great. Natalie Portman is a wonderful actress so I really don't understand why she is so wooden in this movie. I know her character is supposed to be reserved and professional, but really, how professional is it to wear that backless number around a teenager you know has a crush on you? Portman's talents are wasted in this movie, and she is used as nothing more than a pretty doll to dress up. It should be said, however, that some of her outfits stand to become as famous as Princess Leia's gold bikini in Return of the Jedi.

Hayden Christiansen does alright as Annakin, but the character is just so annoying it's hard not to blame Christiansen. Yes, we are supposed to begin to notice flaws in Annakin's behaviour on his journey towards the Dark Side, but does he really need to whine that much along the way? His arrogance is not threatening; it is pathetic and infantile.

Considering this is considered the "love story" of the Star Wars movies, it was quite lame. The chemistry between Portman and Christiansen was nonexistent. It was ridiculous to believe that the stately and supposedly mature Amidala would fall for the whiny teen Annakin. I really did cringe during the cliche frolic-in-the-field-and-accidentally-fall-on-top-of-one-another scene.

Having said all that, let's get serious. This is Star Wars, and nobody is watching it for the acting. It's a great ride with awesome special effects and stunning action sequences. Most of this movie was done in front of a blue screen, but the actors are blended together gorgeously with amazing digital creations of landscapes, aliens, and spacecrafts.

The plot gets a bit confusing as a lot of new characters are introduced, and the political factions of good and evil are hard to follow. However, the plot was saved by the fact that old secrets are revealed and some of our past favourites get some screen time. C3PO and R2 have truly amusing scenes, and the origin of the infamous bounty hunter Bobba Fett is revealed. Since he is no longer hampered by his old muppet body, Yoda has a moment in which he seriously kicks some ass thanks to a complete computer makeover. It's completely over-the-top, but George Lucas has lots of money, Star Wars is a cult hit, and-- let's face it-- we'll always love it.

Point Blank:
Over the top, but still pretty damn good.