Not Deserving of All the Hate

Rating: 7/10 (30 June 2019)

Introduction:
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones is easily the most despised of the Star Wars films. But does it deserve that title? I don't think so. And I don't care what people claim. Sure, it's on the bottom of every Star Wars movie ranking list, but does that change my opinion? No. Attack of the Clones is a seriously underrated film, and a film deserving of a lot more praise than it gets.
Defense:
Many people complain about Anakin's characterization, the overuse of CGI, the film's dialogue, and that the film is apparently boring. But I don't think any of that criticism is valid. Now, let me explain it all more thoroughly and debunk the regurgitated arguments against the film.
The most common criticism is against film is the performance of Hayden Christensen. I've said this on numerous occasions, and I have to say it again, I think his performance was great. And in the context of the character's story and the way he's written, the performance makes sense. Anakin was born in as a slave, and in the previous film, the Jedi took him out of that slave life. And took him away from his mother. They also forbid him from doing many things, like showing emotion, and they didn't let him interact with Padme, a person he was infatuated with for quite some time. Not allowed to show his emotions, he was forced to bottle up his feelings.
And now, getting visions of his mother, who hasn't scene in a while, possibly dying. As well as finally meeting Padme again, for the first time in years. So when people complain about him acting awkward around her, it's because he's talking to a girl he likes, and has liked for years. Also, Anakin never really learned how to talk to people who weren't Jedi. So for people who complain that Anakin doesn't act normal, it's because he never learned how to. With the performance and writing, makes sense for him to act the way he does, all monotone. And him few spurts of emotion make sense as well.
And many also criticize the acting of everyone, and I disagree with this complaint. The acting in the Original Trilogy, was quite hokey and doesn't hold up. But people don't hate on that. It's okay to criticize it if you don't like it, you just can't be a hypocrite.
Many also hate the apparent "overuse" of CGI and computer effects. I never got this criticism. At the time, the CGI looked great and was revolutionary, and sure it doesn't hold up today, but of course it's gonna age. The Original Trilogy had effects that were ahead of their time. But those don't hold up either. And that's fine, those movies are still great. It's just a fact that some aspects of a film will age. Great films coming out today that use computer effects, wait 10 years, they'll age. Avengers: Endgame, a great movie, came out this year, and uses just as much CGI, but do people complain, no. Again, don't be a hypocrite, and be consistent. Apply everything to the same level of scrutiny. And honestly, I like the decision to add as many effects as they did. It gives a film a look that's different from the Original trilogy, but still something that looks like Star Wars film. And it was a bold choice on Lucas's part. Effects age, but do know what doesn't age? Good writing. And trust me this film has it.
And most criticize this film's dialogue. Similar to the acting, the Originals had dialogue just as bad. But of course, people forget about that. And I know, many might be asking about the line. "I don't like sand.", I think the parodies and spoofs of that line, are very funny. But the line is not that bad. Sure it's been made fun of, but it's just one line. That kind of has a poetic meaning to it, as Anakin was born on Tatooine, a sand planet, where he was a slave. Not having the fondest memories from living there, he would probably grow a hatred for anything that reminds him of that planet. And yes, I groan at the line. But it's not as bad as most claim.
Another common criticism with it is the apparent fact that the film is "boring". Every reviewer on the Internet has vomited out this poorly thought out argument. But, they never explain it. Is it the romance? Is the action? What is it? In every prequel hate video that I've watched, it's never been explained properly, so it's a little hard to rebuttal. I was never bored watching it. Considering the invalid and ridiculous criticisms I've debunked, I think it's boring to them, because they weren't paying attention to the film, which is what all the haters do.
Conclusion:
Many people believe that it's a fact that the prequels are bad. No, it's all opinion. It's all objective. And if this review didn't convince you to view the film the way I do. That's fine, I don't ask you to like this movie. I just want you to know my opinion. Because I use to hate this film to. Because of what Internet reviewers claimed about it. But upon recent reevaluation. I realized the film is not that bad. So I ask you to think for yourself. Do you hate it because you think it's bad? Or because the Internet told you? I asked myself that, and came to my conclusion, and you should come to yours.