The Bridge begins...

Rating: 7/10 (22 June 2005)

STAR WARS: ATTACK OF THE CLONES is a wonderful romp through the STAR WARS universe. Some of the best overall action scenes in the series take place right here. But the film feels like it was cut in half... because it was. This is not a movie in and of itself: it is the first half of a movie that is *not* completed in the next STAR WARS movie (REVENGE OF THE SITH) -- it is completed in the absolutely fantastic Cartoon Network Clone Wars shorts (both the First and Second series).
If you watch the movie, then watch the two cartoon series and think of this as one, very long (approximately 5-hour) epic film, then this probably deserves a rating of 8 (maybe 8.5 overall). But as a stand-alone film, it is just slightly lower -- I gave it a 7.
ATTACK OF THE CLONES continues the saga started in Episode I; and begins the real bridge that needs to form from the prequels (I, II, and III) to the original trilogy (IV, V, and VI). In that role, it serves admirably.
All of the same problems that exist in the other Star Wars films exist here -- but this is the first time Ewan McGregor really shows that he can play the part of Obi-Wan Kenobi. His performance is outstanding; as is the sheer presence of Samuel L. Jackson.
The story line is a bit more evident in this film than it was in THE PHANTOM MENACE. And by the time you see REVENGE OF THE SITH -- if you really examine it, the story line in Episode I becomes more clear. Overall, this is an excellent stepping stone for the STAR WARS saga.