Salvaging the trilogy

Rating: 3/10 (19 May 2002)

After being thoroughly disappointed with "The Phantom Menace", I had come to the conclusion that Lucas was in a very undesirable position of having to deliver a knockout punch with Ep II - or possibly face a failed trilogy.
So, I came into "Attack of the Clones" with extremely high expectations - knowing Lucas had to deliver.
After watching the movie, the very first thing that came into my mind was that this was easily the most complicated Star Wars plot of all of the Episodes - easily. If I had been 8 years old in the theater watching this film (as I was when viewing the original Star Wars), then I would definately had been confused during this movie - and I have NEVER been confused during a Star Wars movie. The plot is quite complex.
However, that is a good thing. The plot needed to be complex when considering the nature of the storyline. This film is taking on the difficult task of explaining how the Star Wars universe went from being a democratic Republic to a hardened dictatorship-based Empire. That's not something you can explain without deep plots that might not make immediate sense. However, the more you think about the plot and the more you realize the level of political back-stabbing that is going on by Palpatine then you realize this is very well written script.
Sure, there are awkward moments. The romance is clumsy & extremely awkward. But who cares ? I mean, is that REALLY what you go to see a Star Wars movie for ? The only reason the romance is so prominant here is because it carries such important consequences in the next trilogy (Luke & Leia).
As far as the action scenes go, I just do not see how anyone could ask for more in a film. The visual effects are just overwhelming. Even two viewings of this film would not be sufficient in appreciating the effects. They are just that extensive.
So, in the end when judging this movie you have to ask yourself : am I looking forward to Episode III ? I believe after seeing this film you will be, and therefore Lucas succeeded.