Best Movie of 2002

Rating: 10/10 (14 March 2003)

For all the accusations that this is just special effects, Attack of the Clones is actually the most emotionally complex Star Wars film yet. This is not simply a case of heroic rebels vs. evil empire, but flawed heroes becoming embroiled in a conspiracy.
Anakin Skywalker, unlike other Jedi, has already formed an emotional connection before he started his training, to his mother and to Padme, as we saw in The Phantom Menace. His obssessions lead him to good, such as his compassionate defence of Padme, but also to evil, as in his massacre of the Sand People after the death of his mother. What is interesting is that Lucas has revealed that it was love, not hate, that started Anakin on the path to the dark side. His love of Padme sets him against the Jedi, and becomes twisted. Hayden Christensen is perfect in the role, the dark side of the golden boy hero played by Mark Hammil in the original trilogy. Natalie Portman has matured into the incredible actress we all knew she would become.
The finale is exhilirating, but it has its own dark edge. This is no grand victory, but rather the beginning of the civil war that will bring the Emperor to power. The Jedis are unwitting pawns in their own demise.
I loved this movie, and I eagerly await Episode III. Reading some of these comments, sometimes I think the Mets have better fans that George Lucas.