Has a Bit of an "Episode I Syndrome", But It's a Mostly Fair Improvement

Rating: 6/10 (4 March 2009)

Back in 2002, it was tough to go into theaters for Episode II: Attack of the Clones and be full-heartedly excited. After the overall less-than lukewarm reception The Phantom Menace garnered, Star Wars fans were left unsure if the next prequel could manage to even come close to being an improvement. In some ways, Attack of the Clones doesn't feel all that different from its predecessor; in-spite of a number of changes made.
The story has a very similar format to that of The Phantom Menace, with two main story lines existing simultaneously (while occasionally intertwining with each other). First is the more politically-involved plot which begins with an assassination attempt on Amidala and an attempt to find the assassin along with the introduction of a later character's precursor (Fett) leading to the clones introduction to the mix. The other main plot present is Anakin and Amidala's love for each other, which I'll get to later on (since it's determined by the characters more than the storyline itself). In regards to the plot involving the clones (leading to the Storm Troopers), it's sufficient enough and is carried well throughout the film. Other small story tidbits are tossed in, but they tend to feel like they were tossed in simply to link the two trilogies together (such as the Death Star's conception).
As with Episode I, Attack of the Clones' characters either feel weak or well fleshed out. Obi Wan Kenobi is given more much-needed exposure and his character is a lot easier to like this time around (with a mostly solid performance from McGregor). The supporting characters feel sufficient enough as well, with Christopher Lee as Count Dooku being a clear standout.
However, the characters in Amidala and Anakin (especially in regards to their acting and dialogue) is where the film begins to fall apart. The main reason for this is that Hayden Christensen's acting is simply awful. Essentially, watching and hearing him talk on-screen here is like watching a soap opera. His voice and line deliveries will either make you cringe or say "wow" in explanation. If there's anything that can be praised in Christensen it's that he's good at emoting when silent via facial expressions (so the scene where his mother dies works well enough).
Unfortunately, Christensen's awful acting as Anakin makes the love connection between him and Padme feel misplaced. For most of the scenes in the beginning where he's talking to her she seems to react with a "wow, what a (insert demeaning/derogatory term here)" kind of look on her face. And while Portman had a good screen presence with a solid performance in The Phantom Menace her acting her feels rather off, especially for her character. Another key complaint that can be attributed to both performers in the film is how they're left delivering these absurd, cheesy lines that feel like knock-offs of Shakespearean writing (giving the film an awkward, cheesy feel, respectively). For almost every scene of dialogue interaction between the two there's at least a couple lines that feel so melodramatic that it becomes so easy to be taken out of the picture.
On the other hand, when the film isn't (lousily) trying to express and tell the love story it actually manages to be fairly decent. This can mostly be attributed to the action and build-up to the last thirty to forty-five minutes. By the time Obi Wan lands on Geonosis the film becomes a little more engaging since the focus moves towards the conflicts that are about to unfold and away from the unconvincing romance story.
If it isn't implied enough by now, then it should simply be said: Attack of the Clones has excellent action and has impressive effects even by today's standards to support it. The ensuing battle between the clones and the droid army is one of the most intense and entertaining scenes in all of Star Wars and has a great, light feeling of nostalgia. Even by today's standards, the special effects are very impressive and top of the line, which only help to make the action all the more enjoyable (along with how they're capture on-screen excellently).
One light compliment that can be given is that the film ends on a good enough note. When the score kicks in at the end with the clones marching into their ships upon the words "begun the Clone War has," chills are almost inevitable. While this does give the film a bit of a cliffhanger ending in regards to the Clone War, it manages to end on a fairly smooth transition to where it doesn't feel rushed (like some key parts of the pacing through the film).
Attack of the Clones is, if anything, a slight though debatable improvement over its predecessor. While the plot, action and effects have improved, the characters and pacing are still glaring stains on the once majestic material. There's a decent enough film to be found here, though you'll have to look past the horrible love scenes to find the true film here.