It has expertly crafted action sequences and grand digital design, but is overlong and lacks a soul. Grade: C Plus or B. Depends on your perspective.

Rating: 6/10 (2 June 2005)

"Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" is one of those movies that disappoints you. It's not a bad movie, but not quite a good one either. It's just sort of in between. George Lucas' middle chapter of his prequel trilogy of the "Star Wars" saga is perhaps the least of the six movies. Oh, most people will say it's a much better film than "The Phantom Meance" and in away, it is. There is no annoying Jar Jar Binks or Jake Lloyd. The endless dialog scenes of "Phantom" are no longer evident and the movie is much more action-packed. However, I felt there was no tension or real excitement in the picture. The imagination and wonder of "Phantom" was seeing bizarre new worlds and strange new aliens, villains and heroes.
Midichlorians were introduced in "Phantom" and Darth Sidious and Darth Maul were intriguing baddies. The classic racepod sequence was truly exhilarating and for the first time ever we saw how badass Jedis really were in their prime existence. There was even a human element in it with the way Anakin is torn away from his home in order to be a great hero. Like Alec Guiness before him, Liam Neeson brought some needed class to the picture. And it was obviously a kick to hear Ewan McGregor speak in the exact same vocal tone of Guiness. Say what you want about the Gungans and the silly race announcers, but Lucas seemed inspired to bring a whole new "Star Wars" to life with fully computer generated characters. The quadruple simultaneous climactic battle was pure tension-filled brilliance at the end of the picture.
"Clones" is obviously better directed than "Phantom". What it lacks is the excitement and awe from the first film of the "new" trilogy. With the exception of McGregor, the acting is actually worse than what was seen in "The Phantom Menace". Peter Travers said "Clones" has cool gadgets and cooler villains and this is correct. I loved the chase sequence that starts the movie. I loved the sequence on Kamino when Jango Fett tangles with Obi-Wan Kenobi and the cat-and-mouse chase that ensues. The visuals are awesome, but lack the freshness of what had come before. I do appreciate the "Film Noir"-esquire approach Lucas gives to Obi-Wan's part of the story (which is a mystery clouded in rain and darkness), but the romance between Anakin and Padme is horrible with bad writing all across the board.
The sequence in which Anakin discovers his mother's fate and then turns bad feels a bit rushed. And although the action sequence in the droid-processing factory on Geonosis is technically competent, it's a little to video game-ish, in my opinion at least. George's need to do a "Gladiator"-type scene is worth watching. But, when the Jedis do come to the rescue of Anakin, Padme and Obi-Wan, the battle is abit underwhelming, I was expecting much more. The great Christopher Lee (best known as Sauron to all you LOTR fans) brings a classy screen presence as the villainous Count Dooku (a.k.a. Darth Tyrannus). When the movie seemed to come to a close, all hell breaks loose and it starts all over again as Yoda and the Clone Army come to shut down Dooku and his Seperatist Movement.
At this point, it seemed that the picture goes into overkill. Sure, it's a great visual scenario. Aircraft and ground troops and tanks fire missiles and laser blasts trying to annihilate one another as the Clone War begins(which was talked about first in "A New Hope). But something quite isn't there, which is a sense of urgency or tension. We sense that we're going through the motions of watching computer generated images wreak havoc (though it's done very well). The climax of "Clones" does conclude with a great lightsaber sequence between Dooku, Obi-Wan and Anakin (Dooku: "Master Kenobi, you disappoint me. Yoda holds you in such high-esteem. Surely you can do better!!") But, why, oh, why George!! Yoda!! Why??!!! John Williams' score is great, epic and sweeping. I love the movie, but I don't. It's very well made, yet lackluster when you consider that it is a "Star Wars" movie.
Overall, it's a great ride for those not expecting much, but disappointing for those expecting more. Die-hard "Star Wars" fans will love it, those who aren't will have mixed reactions. It's worth watching more than once.