"Star Wars: Episode Two: Attack of the Clones" rewards audiences

Rating: 8/10 (8 March 2008)

Writer & director George Lucas takes more chances in "Star Wars: Episode Two: Attack of the Clones" than he has since his first sequel "The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980. The second prequel in the popular Twentieth Century Fox film franchise surpasses the adolescent antics of "Episode One," but defies expectations. First, Lucas and co-scenarist Jonathan Hales of "The Scorpion King" weave a darker, thematically richer, far more elaborate tale of deception and intrigue. Second, the stormy relationships between Jedi wannabe Anakin Skywalker (newcomer Hayden Christensen whose striking resemblance to James Dean adds to his stature), his Jedi mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor of "Trainspotting"), and Senator Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman of "The Professional") lack both the usual charisma and warmth. Third, while some "Star Wars" fans may rank "Episode One" above "Episode Two," the latter neither panders to instant gratification nor glib evasions of moral obligations as in "Spider-man." New characters bristle with greater ambiguity, and a serviceable storyline contains enough surprises. For the record, "Episode Two" occurs ten years after "Episode One." During that decade, Obi-Wan has instructed hot-tempered Anakin in the ways of a Jedi knight. Senator Amidala, previously the Queen of Naboo, lands on the planet Coruscant to address the Republic about the political unrest in the galaxy. Predictably, assassins line up to kill Amidala. Jedi Master Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson of "Fresh") appoints Obi-Wan and Anakin to serve as her bodyguards. Basically, "Episode Two" begins as a mystery thriller, and then chronicles Anakin's forbidden romance with Amidala on Naboo and his tragic descent to the Dark Side.
Obi-Wan's relentless pursuit of bounty hunter Jango Fett (Temeura Morrison) leads him to a rain swept planet when he discovers a secret clone army. Meanwhile, Anakin and Amidala sneak off to Tatooine, where Anakin's emotions overwhelm him during his search for his mother.
Lucas and Hales clone scenes from their favorite films as well as previous "Star Wars" extravaganzas. Anakin's exploits with his mom's captors resemble the classic John Wayne western "The Searchers" (1956), while an attempt on Amidala's life recalls a similar incident in the first James Bond epic "Dr. No" (1963). Clocking in at two hours plus, this far-fetched, formulaic fantasy piles on so much exposition (info you don't know about the plot) that you need a legal pad to alleviate confusion. Sadly, Lucas lets these loquacious interludes linger longer than necessary, but he redeems himself with several acrobatic, gravity-defying, light-saber combat duels featuring some unlikely participants.
Pictorially stunning alternative world as well as the ingeniously orchestrated action that foreshadows the outcome of the original trilogy make this outing not only entertaining but also off-beat for a summer release. "Star Wars: Episode Two: Attack of the Clones" rewards audiences with dazzling state-of-the-art digital special effects, gladiatorial combat with monstrous beasts, and the incomparable Christopher Lee (the Hammer Studios' "Dracula") as the sinister Count Dooku. Indeed, he registers his presence strongly. Altogether, while the long-winded dialogue scenes slow down the action, George Lucas manages to strike an agreeable balance in "Episode Two" between the merchandising and the melodrama.