Distractingly Weak

Rating: 5/10 (28 February 2003)

Attack of the Clones is a film of wasted potential. Wooden acting by the poorly cast Hayden Christiansen doomed the first half of the film. He made Anakin Skywalker boring and unmemorable, which is a shame, since his is the most important role in the six movie story arc. As Anakin, he is nothing more than a frat boy leering at Natalie Portman's Senator Amidala, who chose a strange wardrobe for trying to discourage his attentions.
The shining star of this film (in the realm of human actors) was Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi. He gives the first half of the film its own interest, and provides both humor and action in the second half. Like Qui-Gon before him, Obi-Wan is a true Jedi Knight, and gives us our best glimpse at the Jedi in their prime.
The image that most viewers have taken away with them, however, is Yoda in action. Although tending heavily towards CG overkill, his role in the film is arguably the best moment in the prequels thus far. This is a shame, because Anakin's fall has been reduced to snippets of subpar dialogue.
I feel that Attack of the Clones is the weakest entry yet in the Star Wars saga, and the blame can be equally distributed between George Lucas' dialogue and Hayden Christiansen's inability to act. Sadly, both of these will be present in full force in Episode III. May the Force be with us all.