Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones
20th Century Fox, 2002
Directed by George Lucas

$$$1/2

The familiar-looking opening crawl of Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones tells us there is unrest in the Galatic Republic. The same could be said of the fanbase for George Lucas' epic saga. When Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace arrived in theaters three years ago after 16 years of anticipation, it seemed there was no way the film could live up the hype, and – as we all know – it didn't. Now, three years later, Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones arrives with much lower expectations. The lower the expectations, the easier to fulfill them. Nevertheless, this movie succeeds. If Lucas needed to hit a home run to win back the audience, well, he doesn’t do that. But he’s hit at least a triple.

Unlike the last movie, which seemed aimed squarely at kids, this installment is more for grown-ups, and that's a step in the right direction since the diehard fans who grew up on Star Wars are now pushing thirty. Right away, the tone is darker, more ominous. Ten years have passed since the last film, and it is a dangerous time for the Galatic Republic. The movie opens with a failed assassination attempt on Senator Padme Amidala (her term as Queen has expired). Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), are dispatched to protect her, reuniting the three for the first time since the events of the last movie. We quickly learn that Anakin has had the hots for Padme all this time, but those feelings now conflict with his duties as a Jedi warrior. Teenage Anakin is quite a badass – as we see in a thrilling chase through the skyways of Coruscant – but he's also quite a whiny brat. It seems teen angst exists even in galaxies far, far away. But I guess the kid who is going to grow-up to be Darth Vader should not have a completely happy upbringing.

Aside from adolescent drama, the saga moves into other new territory as well, namely political commentary. There is much intrigue involving the creation of armies and a clever power play by Chancelor Palpatine. As a result, there’s also a lot of talk, and that's sure to have some of the youngsters running up and down the aisles (they were at the screening I attended). But it also allows Lucas to slip in some philosophical musings on the nature of power and political corruption.

But the new explorations don't stop there. To borrow a phrase from another great Sci Fi series, we're treated to strange new worlds and new civilizations. That includes a boatload of new alien creatures, each seemingly inspired by far more imaginative minds than those created for The Phantom Menace. We also get to see a lot more of Coruscant, the vast, planet-sized metropolis that was only glimpsed in Episode I. And it's worth the wait.

One creature we don't see much more of is Jar Jar Binks. The much-maligned Gungan is thankfully left on the sidelines for most of the film. The other returning cast members are, for the most part, better used than in the last chapter. McGregor, in particular, truly comes into his own as Obi-Wan. For the first time, we can start to draw a line between this portrayal and the Alec Guinness version we saw in the original trilogy. For Natalie Portman, this time around, her character is all grown up. That mostly means she gets to wear much more revealing outfits.

Samuel L. Jackson's Mace Windu also gets to see some action outside the Jedi council chamber. And Yoda, now digitally created (but still voiced by Frank Oz) gets more screen time than in any previous film. Those who’ve been waiting more than 20 years to see the little man whip out the light saber finally get to see why he is truly the master. See that, you must. It's worth the price of admission, alone.

The good guys aren't the only ones who stand out. This movie also has a good villain -- something the last film lacked (Darth Maul was nasty looking, but he didn't say much). Christopher Lee's Count Dooku, on the other hand, is a guy you can really revile.

Other improvements are seen in the screenwriting. In my review of Phantom Menace, I said Lucas should get some help. And he did, in the form of Jonathan Hales. The result is humor that more often hits the mark. There are some really good one-liners this time -- like when Obi-Wan complains his brash pupil, the future Darth-Vader, "will be the death" of him.

One thing Hales can't help with though, is the love story between Anakin and Padme. It just doesn't work -- not even with the support of a gorgeous new love theme by John Williams. There seems to be no rationale for Padme falling for Anakin, except for the fact that we know they’re destined to be the parents of Luke and Leia. The flat acting by the young couple doesn’t help, either.

But those flaws are easily forgiven when we get to the spectacular finale, in which we're treated to the awesome sight of an army of Jedi in battle. The fighting takes place in a huge Roman Coliseum-type arena, and there's so much action it makes Gladiator look like a Merchant-Ivory film. This time Lucas' finale also gives us one battle at a time – an improvement over the intercutting clashes of The Phantom Menace which served only to lessen the impact of each sequence.

By the time the movie is over, you're psyched for Episode III. In other words, the movie has done its job.
(c) Copyright 2002