Now THAT's More Like It...

Rating: Null/10 (17 May 2002)

Attack of the Clones is roughly Avogadro's number times better than Phantom Menace. The story unfolds to a much higher standard in this chapter of the epic trilogy of trilogies...we get to see many "historical" figures and previously vague references made in the latter trilogy are fleshed out for us for the first time. Of course, we still have to be bored to tears by flat acting in the romance aspect (although I must say that Padama's outfits were "sheerly" amazing...pardon the pun), which has no business in a sci-fi action flick but, for the sake of understanding where Luke and Leia came from, it is something I can deal with...
The visual effects were the best I have ever seen and the sounds were amazing (look no further than the seismic mine explosions when Jenga and Boba Fett are playing cat'n'mouse with Obi-Wan)...and the fight sequences were wonderfully choreographed if not too short!! The Yoda vs Count Dooku scene after Anakin loses the two-saber duel was completely unexpected and downright hilarious...I think a stranger said it best as we were exiting the theater: "Yoda is one bad little dude".
Over-all, I'd give the movie an 'A' for it's plot, visual/audio effects, costumes, and creature/transport innovation...it would have gotten an 'A+' if Jar-Jar's head exploded immediately after the opening credits. This movie didn't waste time trying to appeal to under-10-year-olds like Phantom Menace did...Lucas finally figured out that the kids are gonna love it regardless of whether or not there is some Mickey Mouse character to relate to or not...this is Star Wars, baby...in the end, you always have Yoda, R2, and 3P0 for the kids...and I especially liked the way that they made Yoda the kiddies' icon in this one...who wants to bet that Boba Fett kills Mace Windu in episode 3?? If I only read the books... :)