Review by Calvin Trager

May 7, 2002

The credits of the last trailer end, the screen momentarily goes black and then the unmistakable drum roll of the 20th Century Fox theme fires up and their spotlight logo unfolds. The neon Lucasfilm logo appears, to be replaced by a black star-field. The horns fire up, and the latest chapter in the Star Wars saga is underway. There's a momentary feeling of giddiness, but it's nothing like it was for Episode I. Maybe it's the fact that it hasn't been anywhere near as long a wait between films. More likely it's the fact that expectations have been tempered by Episode I. The level of general awareness is also a little bit lower this time, as the advertising and tie-ins are at a far lower level than they were for the previous film.

However, on reflection after leaving the theater, there is one major difference between the two viewing experiences in that, while Episode I failed to leave me thirsting for more, Attack of the Clones finishes with an undeniable need to see Episode III. The three years are going to seem much longer this time. This film receives a definite thumb's up, more worthy of repeat viewings than Spider-Man, in my perhaps-skewed opinion.

Oh. You were hoping to read something about what transpired during the two-plus hours in between the floating billboard scroll and the walk back up the aisle to leave the theater? Hmmm...what happened was perhaps a satisfying Star Wars movie, as opposed to the empty feeling of Episode I. A movie that needs far fewer apologies made on its behalf than Phantom Menace required. A movie in which the action sequences are not only jaw-dropping for their visual spectacle but also serve to move the plot forward. A movie where the Star Wars fan is rewarded with name-dropping and bit appearances of some of the supporting characters from the New Hope saga. A movie that often manages surprise in content as well as execution.

While the movie still has sequences that look and feel entirely unreal, what was not noticeable is the fact that the entire movie is digital in origin. If one hadn't read the press surrounding Lucas' decision to use high-end digital cameras involved in the making of the film was the manufacture of the actual prints for exhibition. CGI backgrounds and effects still have "that" look, but the actual actors look as if they were filmed using traditional film.

The set-up is that Attack of the Clones occurs ten years after Phantom Menace. In the decade that has elapsed, the cast of characters has gone through evolutionary changes. The most obvious change is that Hayden Christensen has replaced Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker. Amidala is no longer queen (having served her two terms), but is instead Senator Amidala. Beyond the simple plot point, the change to Senator means an end to Natalie Portman being handicapped with the nearly-insufferable accent from Episode I. Apparently that speech pattern was Queen-speak, as a short scene with the current Queen of Naboo demonstrates. Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan has moved closer to Alec Guinness's portrayal of the role, with the character having made the role reversal from brash young apprentice of the Phantom Menace to being the teacher and mentor to Anakin. On a similar level, Yoda is a completely CGI character for the first time. The portrayal is at minimum acceptable and at times very impressive, as it allows for the character to be shown performing physical feats that would have been impossible with the previously-used puppetry techniques.

One returning character that has been the subject of much discussion since his less-than-universally appealing debut in Episode I is Jar Jar Binks. Jar Jar is indeed back, but has much less screen time and seems to have mellowed a bit in the decade that has elapsed. It would seem that Lucas listened to the critics of Jar Jar, but at the same time decided not knuckle completely under their will.

As some have feared, there is indeed a love story central to the plot line of the movie. The two leads carry out a restrained courtship, as the plot line demands. Freed of the restraints of being Queen, Natalie Portman's Amidala is a believable object of affection. Hayden Christensen fares more poorly, as his portrayal is less appealing. This aspect of the plot line does slow the movie a bit, but is not unbearable.

At the same time, there are plot lines involving the Jedi Council and the Senate, as well as Obi-Wan Kenobi off on a solo trip. Fans of Boba Fett from the original trilogy should be thrilled with the weight of the plot line given to him, as well as his origins.

The movie progresses on parallel plot lines until all the major players are reunited for the final act. The advertising to date touches on only part of this progression, with the shot of the grand showdown between Jedi and opposing forces. The happy news is that as amazing (or perhaps over-the-top CGI, depending on one's viewpoint) as the sequence is, it is only part of the final act.

The final act is simply amazing in offering the best of what the Star Wars movies have delivered over the years. Light sabers flashing, huge battle sequences and, unlike the end of Episode I, sequences that surprise as well as delight. While the end of Phantom Menace seemed to be a retread of New Hope, the end of Attack of the Clones tantalizingly moves the story line forward with events and pieces of information that were not expected. This is probably not the best way to try to get my point across. There are scenes that are completely plausible within the "rules" of the Star Wars universe but were still surprising to see. While the ending of Episode II is more satisfyingly complete than the ending of Empire Strikes Back, there are enough questions raised to make Episode III eagerly anticipated. This is in stark contrast to the feeling that most viewers had after Episode I (assuming that they had driving interest in the series left), which was to see Episode II to see if Lucas could right the ship.