"That's a nice-a donut."
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Despite some harsh criticism, George Lucas carried on and continued his space opera in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. It is about 10 years after the events from The Phantom Menace, and things in the galaxy far, far away have gotten even more tumultuous. There are a growing number of rogue planets that are leaving the Republic, and a bounty hunter is dispatched to assassinate Padme Almidala (Natalie Portman) who has since been made a Senator since Naboo has term limits on its democratic monarchy. Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are sent by the Jedi Council, at the request of the mysterious Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid in a sinister turn), to protect her. Another attempt on Padme's life follows, and Anakin and Obi Wan split up - Anakin to serve as her personal protection (and potential suitor) and Obi Wan to seek out the origins of who or what was behind the foiled assassination. While Anakin is putting the moves on the Senator, nearly twice his age, Obi Wan is uncovering a deep plot that involves an enormous army of clones. Throw in a mysterious Sith lord (Count Dooku, played by the great Christopher Lee), and it is clear that the universe is edging closer and closer to a cataclysmic war that could change things forever.
Of course, some things never change. Though I should note that I feel that the overall quality of the Star Wars prequels has gotten a bum rap, it is hard to defend some of Lucas' dialogue. Easily the most notorious is this disaster, a very poor attempt by Anakin to seduce Padme: "I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere. Not like here. Here everything is soft and smooth." The acting is generally adequate, though I must single out the boy who plays a young Boba Fett as being rather appalling. As with The Phantom Menace, some characters are underused. We get to see more of Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson), but it is more of a tease, as his character is very under-developed.
However, there are certainly some improvements in Attack of the Clones compared to Episode I. For one, there is less Jar Jar Binks - although his stupidity is quite cringe inducing in one important scene. There is also less politics and inane discussions on trade routes or things of that nature. In general the plot is more focused and sure of itself. The action sequences are first-rate, though there are fewer space scenes relative to other films in the Star Wars canon. But a lightsaber battle with the great Yoda during the climatic scene is marvelous. And some of the new creatures that have been created are a delight to watch; I especially like Dex, an offbeat four-armed character who is old friends with Obi Wan. Additionally, the scenes where Anakin and Padme return to Tatooine are rather compelling, and certainly a precursor of things to come in Revenge of the Sith. While once again, it is perhaps more of a filler until the main course, all-in-all, Attack of the Clones is a marked and worthy improvement on The Phantom Menace.
The Verdict: B+.
Michael Bentley 3:27 PM
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