Lucas Strikes Back

Rating: Null/10 (1 March 2003)

After the relative disappointment of the first prequel, much rides on this second instalment in Lucas? six-part magnum opus. Does it deliver and can it equal 'Empire Strikes Back' in the dramatic stakes?
On Tuesday, May 21st, I travelled (with friends) to see the movie at the Odeon, Leicester Square. This is one of too few venues, which has the facility to present motion pictures digitally (if it's available in the format). Suffice to say that I was excited to see, for myself, whether or not 'Clones' could deliver both in terms of dramatic and technical performance.
On the former. After the obligatory credit crawl. The camera pans up, which breaks with the convention established in the previous entries, a motif that signifies a change in tone. The colour palette and designs allude to 'Empire'. And the tense, and by turns amusing, chase through Coruscant inspires obvious comparison with 'Blade Runner' and the highly derivative 'Fifth Element' on speed! This is followed by Obi-Wan's journey to the, mysterious and enigmatic, water world Kamino. The clinical ?look and feel? of the cloning facility mines the cinema of Stanley Kubrick! Culminating in a thrilling rain-soaked encounter with bounty hunter Jango Fett on a landing platform. Jango?s eventual fate, at the hands of Mace Windu, was deserving. This hopefully drives an older Boba Fett to play a substantial part in the final prequel! He certainly has the motivation.
Anakin's 'Tusken slaughter' confessional to Padme is, arguably, almost on a par with Vader's paternal revelation! Hayden Christensen (finally getting centre stage) chillingly convinces as the conflicted apprentice. John Williams serves to underscore this pivotal scene, reflecting on what is to come with familiar leitmotifs that sound somehow fresh and new.
Christopher Lee excels as Count Dooku! His confrontation with Obi-Wan is rich with kinetic tension. Dooku's choreography shadows Vader?s thereby embellishing the series? mythology further. And this is cemented when Anakin loses his right arm during the duel - echoing Luke's loss of hand in 'Empire'. Lets hope that Lee reprises the role in Episode III.
Whilst 'Clones' is certainly an improvement on 'Menace'. Lucas is still unable to write dialogue (an affliction that is not unique to him) and the production methodology intrudes at times - too often one is aware of the layers of fx composition. Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen's chemistry is wasted on relatively poor dialogue. And a few of the later scenes are laughable!
On a technical note. The difference between analogue (film) and digital (hard drive) sources is palpable! The sound and picture is vivid and, at times, an overwhelming feast for the eyes.
In conclusion. Ultimately it was inevitable that 'Empire' wouldn?t be displaced, in my opinion, as the best Star Wars movie. But, there is much to enjoy and relish in 'Clones'. The performances, pacing and visual virtuosity are exponentially improved. Star Wars has never looked more beguiling - replete with unrivalled colours and textures. It is with elevated spirits that I look forward to the darkest, and by extension, most complex instalment: Episode III.