Worth staying up for, mos def :)

Rating: 10/10 (15 May 2002)

I've just seen Ep 2 at midnight on the morning of May 16, and it was worth it. I won't try to describe the film's storyline as *you'll see it very soon* (old jedi mind trick :), I just want to alleviate fears of Phantom Menace syndrome. The title, Attack of the Clones, really is the only stinker in this film.
Hayden Christiansen is so-so as Anakin, but you can see him trying to act way above his current talent at one important tragic scene. Natalie Portman has ditched that awful faux-English accent she sported in the last film, and does alright considering Lucas's famed lack of emotive directing. Ewan Macgregor is good as Obi Wan, full of wry looks and showing the ability to carry the subplot that will come to fruition in Episode 3.
The love scenes (or indeed any scene just between Amidala and Anakin) are reassuringly clunky but not too cringe inducing, the effects are as you'd expect from Industrial Light and Magic, though there is definitely the influence of Ridley Scott's Gladiator towards the end. Lots of actors, some new to the story like Jimmy Smits, have little to do but speak some bad dialogue in wait for the next film.
Coruscant looks beautiful, and the scene for some of the most breathtaking effects I've seen. A debt has definately been paid to Blade Runner and The Fifth Element, and you really feel part of the city as opposed to the rather staid wide setting shots that were dished out in the previous film.
Yes, someone says 'I have a bad feeling about this'. Yes, as many people have already stated, YODA ROCKS. The wars in this star wars movie are executed fantastically, with the action focused on one battle rather than flitting between two inequal scenes. And Threepio for some reason is given some great jokes! I'm not complaining, and you won't be either. I'm off to get some sleep...