Lucas has redeemed himself

Rating: 9/10 (16 May 2002)

Like many Star Wars fans I was deeply disappointed with The Phantom Menace. However, Attack of the Clones has completely restored my faith in the series. AoTC is a darker, more complex tale than its predecessor. This installment provides Star Wars fans with what we want to see -- action. Anakin (Hayden Christianson) and Obi-Wan's (Ewan McGreghor) exploits are on
full display in this film and they will not disappoint. Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) finally gets off the Jedi Council's couch where he sat during TPM; Mace beautifully wields his purple lightsabre and shows us why he is a venerated Jedi Master. In fact, we finally get to see an entire legion of Jedi Knights doing what they are supposed to do, defend the galaxy.
But what good are heroes without villians. AoTC introduces two very compelling bad guys. Jango Fett is a bounty hunter who proves to be a formidable adversary. Fett employs toxic darts, concussion grenades, a missile and a grappling hook during his battle sequences. Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) is chilling as a former Jedi who has fallen to the Darkside. He pulls out all the stops against Anakin and Obi-Wan.
In fact Dooku is so powerful that only Yoda can successfully stand up to him. Yes it's true! After 22 years of speculation about the extent of Yoda's power, we now know why Yoda is the most powerful of all Jedi. The little green guy can do much more than foretell the future, dispense advice and free X-Wings from mud puddles. Yoda, when left no peaceful alternative, can fight. In the most exhilerating sequence in the Star Wars saga to date, Yoda and Count Dooku engage in one hell of a great battle.
Besides the action there is also romance between Anakin and Padme. The romance was a little bit corny but nonetheless it works. More importantly, the quiet moments in the film provide an opportunity for Anakin's character to develop, foreshadowing his inevitable transformation to Darth Vader.
AoTC delivers what Star Wars fans expect and deserve from the series. In Episode II: Attack of the Clones, George Lucas and company return us to our favorite "galaxy far, far away" for a fantastic adventure.