A Lot Of CGI And Bad Acting Leads To Mixed Reviews

Rating: 7/10 (8 September 2015)

Let me start by saying I'm not a big fan of the Star Wars prequels. I grew up on the originals, and expected so much more. The originals had so much effort go into them from the creation of miniatures, special effects, and the chemistry from then unknown actors. It was magical, and changed movie making from then on. Those three films made George Lucas as well as Harrison Ford rocket to success. When the prequels came out though I was SHOCKED. I thought, "Lucas what have you done"? From creating a masterpiece at first; but the prequels-What were you thinking.
Attack Of The Clones was O.K.; but that's it. I gave this movie a 7 but would of given it a 7 1/2; because I liked most of the story. The acting was a bit lame, the chemistry between the two main actors wasn't there. I think Portman tried; but Hayden Christensen is just not an actor. I still wonder how he got such a big role, in a major movie? The supporting cast Obi-Wan( Ewan McGregor), Jango Fett( Temurea Morrison), Mace Windu( Samuel L. Jackson) and Chancellor Palpaline( Ian Mc Diarmid); did a pretty good job.
The story however is actually good, at least it was to me. After the failed assignation attempt on Padme Amidala; Kenobi and Skywalker are assigned to protect her. One night Jango Fett hires Jem( Leeanna Walman) for a second assignation attempt. Fett gives Jem some type of poisonous centipedes. The deliver a lethal sting to it's target. Jem travels to Padme's sleeping chamber; and drops them through her window. This alerts Kenobi and Skywalker thus saving Padme. They then go after the assassin, When Skywalker learns that the assassin is a changeling he alerts Kenobi. They both check out a bar and find her; chasing her into the streets of Corusant. Kenobi and Skywalker ask her who hired her for the job? She keeps silent at first then starts to tell them. When she starts to say it was a bounty hunter, she is killed by a toxic dart. Kenobi is curious and needs to investigate more on the dart, to see who could be responsible for the assassination attempts. He goes to see his old friend DAX at his diner. Dax looks at it and says it's a Kamino saber dart. He explains to Kenobi that it comes from those Cloner's on Kamino. It has distinctive marks/symbols that gives it away. When Kenobi finds this out his new assignment is to travel to Kamino and investigate more.
Anakin has a new assignment to take Amidala back to her home word of Naboo. There Anakin is to protect her; and keep her safe. To me this is were the story gets sappy and boring. Padme and Anakin get to know each other more; and begin to fall in love. While on Naboo; Skywalker keeps having dreams about his mother. He tells Padme this and tells her he has to go back to Tatoonie. He fears his mother's life might be in danger. Once the two are on Tatoonie, Anakin finds out his mother is no longer a slave. She is married to Cliegg Lars(Jack Thompson). Anakin and Padme travel to Lars' homestead. There they meet Cliegg, Owen(Joel Edgeton) and Beru(Bonnie Piesse. Cliegg begins to tell Anakin the story about how his mother was captured by the Sand People. Cliegg fears that she is dead, but AnaKin has his doubts. He tells Padme to stay with the Lars' because he is going to rescue his mother. Even though Anakin tries to save his mother it's too late. He brings her back to the homestead to bury her. This part of the movie is interesting, because we begin to see Skywalker's transformation to the Darkside. He is showing out of control rage, hunger for power, and lack of emotional control. Hayden's drama queen acting makes the scene somewhat laughable, UGH.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan gets more answers while on Kamino; especially when he meets Jango Fett. When Kenobi starts to leave he and Jango get into it. For awhile they fight, but Kenobi is able to put a tracking system on his ship; Slave 1. Obi-Wan tracks Jango to Genosis; and sends a signal to Anakin. The message is sent; but Anakin is on Tatoonie. When Akakin and Padme arrive on Genosis, they along with Kenobi are scheduled for execution. Count Dooku( Christoper Lee) pulls off a brilliant performance even though it's small. Genosis is where The Clone Wars begin, the rise of The Empirestarts ; and Boba Fett takes the place of his fallen father. He will become of of the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy.
The Clone Wars is better than The Phantom Menace; because there is less Jar Jar. The things that hurt this film was the over the top use of CGI; and some bad performances. I am so glad Padme's character is tough in Episode 2, because in ROTS she does a 360. To me CGI is O.K. in some of the film; in fact some scenes can't be done without it. When a film relies heavy on it or does it all in CGI, it takes away from the movie magic.
THX, Kris L. CocKayne