Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)May 17th, 2002
"Attack of the Clones" – A Prelude to Better Things to Come
by Homer Yen
(c) 2002
The original Star Wars film redefined movies for my generation (and was voted as one of the 20 best science-fiction films in a recent issue of Wired). But it seems unmistakably clear that our movie-watching tastes have evolved considerably since the Luke/Leia/Han generation. And that's the issue I have with this film. While it maintains the overall spirit of the Star Wars legacy and the sense of swashbuckling chivalry of the other films, it's like a little boy that never grows up. Meanwhile, the rest of us have grown up, and we will subsequently ask for a more-developed story, crisper action sequences, more drama, better characters, and even a darker subtext. After all, Anakin is sliding towards the Dark Side.
And so am I, for while I'm not disappointed with this film, I'm not happy with it either. There are individual sequences worth noting. But, the overall feel was clunky, cluttered, and even exhausting. "Attack of the Clones" needed to be more focused while ratcheting it up a notch to be more effective.
In Episode II, a separatist movement led by the mysterious Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) works to undermine the stability of the Republic. With civil war looming, the Jedi do not have enough resources to keep the peace. Meanwhile, 10 years have passed since little Anakin Skywalker (now grown up and played by Heyden Christensen) was accepted as Obi-Wan's (Ewan McGregor) young Jedi apprentice. As Anakin's strength and skills grow, so too does his arrogance. And an annoying component of this film is that these two come across blatantly as an overprotective father and a tempestuous and whiny son. Perhaps it's better that they split up for most of the film. Obi-wan is assigned to pursue an assassin that is working in league with Count Dooku. Anakin remains behind to protect Senator Amidala (Natalie Portman) while rekindling their friendship and perhaps more.
Anakin is impulsive, plagued by issues of adolescence, which plant the seeds of the Dark Side of the Force. For example, his mind is bent on vengeance when somebody special in his life is taken away from him. The Darth Vader-to-be character is most effective during these sequences. The portrayal is stirring and edgy.
Unfortunately, his character and much of the film is sabotaged by his romance with Amidala. You can't blame young Skywalker for taking an interest in someone who resembles a nymph. But the problem is twofold. With the amount of hype surrounding this movie, there is no way that their relationship can meet our expectations given our evolved movie-watching tastes versus the Star Wars spirit. Also, the script needed to do more with the forbidden relationship by adding more agony, yearning, or fear of loss.
Yet, there certainly are enough visual sequences that make it worth watching. Imagination runs wild on the screen from the architecture to the intergalactic creatures. You'll be impressed with a chase through an overcommercialized and overindustrialized city, another chase through an asteroid field, and a climactic battle pitting Jedi forces against the forces of evil. And to see Yoda finally do something worthy of his revered status OTHER than talk in fragmented speech patterns will certainly entertain you. The next film promises more mayhem and conflict. I'm looking forward to the next movie, because in my grown up opinion, I want a bigger taste of the Dark Side.
Grade: B-
S: 1 out of 3
L: 0 out of 3
V: 2 out of 3
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