My Review Of Attack Of The Clones

Rating: 10/10 (16 May 2002)

Just got back an hour ago! The cinema was packed! When I say packed, I mean packed! I went for the 9:00pm showing, but I turned up at 8:00pm to be safe. There was already a massive queue! But luckily most of the people went to the top left hand side of the cinema, so I got a lovely back row seat on the right side :D
Well where do I start!? Well I'm think I'm going to have to start with the 2 actors that shine through out of all the cast; Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen.
Don't believe all the rubbish that the reviewers have been saying about Christensen's acting ability, it's complete rubbish. I was shocked at actually how good he was! You know when you watch a film and you can see they're acting? Not here! He does all the tones, facial expressions, EVERYTHING perfectly; completely believable! (I studied performing arts for a year, I know how difficult it is). With that little bit of cheekiness, strong will and evilness in his eye, it is easy to see how he becomes Darth Vader. Hayden is one of best actors I have ever seen. I'm shocked that he has never done any film work pervious to Attack Of The Clones!
Secondly Ewan McGregor. He was absolutely fantastic! I would go as so far as to say, that he was actually better than Alec Guinness! He brought a humanness to the role, very genuine. Like what I said about Hayden. Ewan is undoubtingly one of the finest actors I have ever seen also.
The chemistry between Christensen and McGregor is both fabulous and comical.
I have to say I didn't find Natalie Portman's performance very outstanding. I think she has proved in this film that she is just a run of the mill Hollywood actress. It is easy as an actor or actress to do roles that are at one end of the emotional spectrum. I know from my experience that it is easier to do characters that are at one end of the spectrum. You know, like really happy or really sad, a drunk, a nurse... you get what I mean? They are the parts Portman has played in the past. It is a lot harder to play a flat part. Portman's role in Attack Of The Clones called for a more natural form of acting, which takes more acting ability, and unfortunately, unlike McGregor and Christensen, I don't think she managed to pull it off. There was one cringe worthy part where she looks over Obi-Wan's (McGregor) shoulder, supposedly surprised to see Anakin (Christensen). It was a pretty bad piece of acting from her :\ But besides that she was good in the rest of the film.
The chemistry between Anakin (Christensen) and Padmé (Portman) was extremely convincing. Just the way they looked at each other, and kissed. It was SO convincing it makes me wonder if there was actually something going on behind the scenes with Christensen and Portman.
There was some very funny classical lines from C-3PO (Daniels) that had the whole cinema giggling.
So what was the best part of the film? Well Yoda (Oz) kicking butt of course! :D There was a look he gave to Count Dooku (Lee) that made the whole cinema roll with laughter, and again when Yoda (Oz) began fighting Count Dooku (Lee). This little green thing bouncing about with a lightsaber, hehe :) Then at the end he picks up his walking stick and hobbles again. Hehe :) It was very funny :)
At the beginning I was a bit dubious about the animation for Yoda (Oz). But it seemed to be a lot better towards the end of the film. Which makes me wonder if they had 2 different animation teams working on him. *shrugs*
The background graphics throughout the film were amazing - as always. All those tiny details you don't even notice.
There is one part, where Anakin (Christensen) is having a lightsaber fight with Count Dooku (Lee). That was just breathtaking. The way the light from the lightsabers reflects on their faces. The way it should have been when Luke fights Darth Vader, but they didn't have advanced enough technologies back then.
So overall what do I rate it?: - 10 out of 10!!! :rollin
But if you are going to be all critical of graphics and script etc, then I would give it: - 8 out of 10
But as a complete film definitely 10/10!
It has now made the #1 slot in my favourite Star Wars films. It has also reached my favourite films ever list! It's amazing that it was all filmed completely digitally!
Highly recommended people! Go see!!!