Maybe the best of the series.

Rating: 10/10 (17 May 2002)

After seeing it twice I can honestly say that "Attack of the Clones" might be the best Star Wars film to date. It's at the very least just as good as Empire Strikes Back which up to now was hands down my favorite Star Wars film.
Sure at times some of the performances are a bit wooden but the acting in the original trilogy wasn't exactly Oscar caliber either. The story is more intriguing than the one in "The Phantom Menace" and I found myself caring more about the characters this time around. The standout performance in this movie comes from Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan Kenobi. He was the best thing about "The Phantom Menace" and I thought that he was even better in the role this time around. Christopher Lee is also pretty effective as Count Dooku although he doesn't have much screen time.
Some may be turned off by the romantic scenes with Anakin and Padme but I actually enjoyed them even in spite of the fact that some of the dialogue was too sappy and overdramatic. The background scenery is real nice and at the same time John Williams excellent love theme helps to give these scenes a boost. I also thought it was pretty effective in how some of the music from the previous films was used during key scenes.
Some of the most spectacular moments come during the final 40 minutes when the whole Jedi Council is seen in action. And Yoda provides perhaps the most exciting two minutes out of the whole entire Star Wars saga. Yoda got a huge response from the people in the theater.
It was also nice to see C-3PO and R2-D2 together again on screen. 3PO has a few really hilarious moments. Even Jar Jar Binks was used well this time around with a brief but significant supporting role. So those who hate the character will not have to tolerate him for that long.
The ending of Episode II sort of has an Empire Strikes Back cliffhanger style ending that should leave most Star Wars fans anxiously anticipating May of 2005.
I think that most of the critics who are ripping this movie apart just don't know how to have a good time at the theater anymore.