Attack of the Cliches

Rating: 7/10 (4 December 2003)

***SPOILERS***
Episode II of Star Wars portrays young apprentice Jedi, Anakin Skywalker coming of age during the power plays and struggles of governments in the now disintegrating Republic. Against this backdrop we see his search for identity and his inner struggle between good and evil being played out with the added difficulty of coping with his special powers as a Jedi. In addition he is given the responsibility of guarding Senator (formerly Queen) Amidala of Naboo whom he is hopelessly and overwhelmingly in love with.
Meanwhile his Jedi Master, Obi Wan Kenobi, uncovers a plot to use cloning technology to create an army to defend the Republic against an army of droids created by the Sith (the Dark Side's jedi's). Once this is revealed and the Senate approves the use of the clone armies it's time to make good on the movie's title! And when it comes to computer graphics and animation AOTC really shines. The action sequences in this installment are some of the best. And while the plot is quite complex and filled with every Star Wars cliche imaginable the over all effect is a highly entertaining good old fashioned action/adventure plus some insight into the main characters, making a more than satisfactory addition to the unfolding Star Wars saga.