The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Rating: 6/10 (17 May 2002)

As much as I would love to be able to say that Attack of The Clones is as good as the original three in the series, I sadly cannot. And even more dissapointing is the realization that the prequels will never reach the type of cinematic enjoyment that the first three did. It's just not going to happen. But don't get me wrong. Attack of The Clones is not a bad movie. It is much better then the Phantom Menace and gives us much more insight into how the Republic falls and the Empire takes over. THE GOOD: Every scene with Palpatine is awesome. Watching the character continue to manipulate the Jedi is fun to watch and you can tell that Ian McDiarmid is having fun playing the character. His early scene with Anakin gives us insight into the relationship the two have built since we last saw them in The Phantom Menace and when Palpatine talks about how he loves Democracy and loves the Republic it is develish evil we hear in his undertones. When Palpatine finally reveals himself as Darth Sidious in Episode III, it is going to be an awesome moment. Anakins slaughter of the Tusken Raiders camp is cool and his scene after where he tells Amidala what he did is easily the best acting scene in the Prequels. We finally see Darth Vader in Anakins eyes and it is very compelling. Also memorable: The chase through Coruscant, Kenobi vs. Jango Fett, The Battle Scene at Geonosis, parts of the C-3PO and R2-D2 antics during the big battle scene, watching Count Dooku escape on his scooter across the desert as he is being followed by Anakin and Obi Wan (am I mistaken or did the soundtrack have undertones of the Wicked Witch of the West theme from the Wizard of Oz as Dooku is on his broom err scooter.). The BAD: The two most difficult things for a director to convey are tone and subtlety. Lucas fails to convey both of these. Sadly this movie that should be full of energy and emotion is dead. Instead of experiencing the movie with the characters we are observers. This is mainly due to the weak dialogue and stale directing by Lucas. The Flanneled One is much more interested in computer effects then he is in character development. This is the biggest missing ingredient that seperates Episode I and II from the first three. Also, the editing choices in the film were questionable at times. There is little to no tension built through out the story. It never builds to anything emotional, it just moves on to the next scene, the next plot point. Some scenes should have been cut out all together. The UGLY: Anakins scene with Amidala by the fireplace is truly horrible. The writing is sophomoric and its really quite embarrassing for both actors. Lucas then follows this scene with what has to be the worst scene of the movie which is Anakin having a nightmare about his mother. This scene would have worked if Lucas would have shown us a glimpse of what his dream was about and it would have served to re-aquaint the audience with Shmi before we see her death scene. Sadly, no one mentioned this to Lucas and the scene plays horribly. I saw the movie twice on opening day and this scene got laughs both times. All in all the movie has a lot more good in it then bad. However I couldn't help feeling that as Palpatine and others watch the Clone Army board the Star Destroyers and The Imperial March is playing it should have been the emotional climax of the film instead of just another visual spectacle. 7.5 out of 10 but I'll round it up to 8 since it's Star Wars :-)