Be fair y'all

Rating: Null/10 (11 September 2003)

I love this one, some "critic" says the only redeeming features to Attack of the Clones are that it has an interesting storyline and that it has nice action and special effects. Erm, what more do you want? How many action films has anybody out there seen that actually have an original plotline and one that makes you think? I can think of a handful (mission: impossible, the matrix). Special effects are the backbone of any top action film and this one tops them all (apart from aforementioned matrix).
Seriously, this film needs to be cut some slack. Episodes 4,5 and 6 came out decades ago, and really weren't all that much better. How is Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker any more convincing than Hayden Christensen (as Anakin) in this installment. Yes, he had energy, but he couldn't deliver a line to save his life. The only decent acting performance in the original movies was Harrison Ford. Ewan Mcregor is just as accomplished in his role as a subdued but ultimately caring jedi mentor. His frustration at Anakin's arrogance and the fact that he has to some how live up to his own mentor Qui Gon Jinn is portrayed brilliantly - and oh so subtle. Awesome performance from him. Portman and Christensen were acting like pieces of wood, and Savage Garden definitely had a role in the script, but as I've pointed out, nobody in the originals really acted all that well either, how can anybody be expected to act well here?
The visuals were great though. Yoda is king, although i agree that lightsabre scene does get old very fast. I still want to be a jedi knight after watching this film. And i think that is the measure of both this episode and the Phantom Menace. Neither, apparently, live up to their legendary forebears because those are held in some nostalgic aura that really doesn't recognise the fact that they weren't THAT good as films on their own. To try and rate them as such is an exercise in futility. Star Wars is all about the feel. Watching the originals you just wanted to be able to pick up a lightsabre and kick some butt. These films do nothing to dent that, in fact they come in even higher because of the special effects everyone wants to talk about. Come on people give Lucas a break.....bring on Episode 3!