2002's Answer to Empire strikes back.

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2002)

The force is definatly with this film. The only bad thing that can be said about Attack of the Clones is that some of the scenes seem a bit rushed. You can understand why though. Episode II had to show Anakin Skywalker's first steps towards the Dark side, show his ever growing love for Padme Amidala and show the beginnings of the clone war referred to in A New Hope. Attack of the Clones is literally none stop action with a great plot.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and his padawan learner, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) are assigned by the Jedi council to protect Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) after an attempt on her life is made by an unknown personnal. When Padme - now a senator - gos back to her home planet of Naboo, Anakin gos with her as her bodyguard while Obi-Wan investigates into the murder attempt. Both he and a the Jedi are in for some surprises. Although I thought that Phantom Manace was a very good film, Attack of the Clones is loads better than it. Any gaps left empty in Episode I are filled in Episode II. The relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin is a lot more intersting than that of Qui-Gon Ginn and Obi-Wan in Phantom Menace. Wheras Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were always very serious, Obi-Wan and Anakin are always sharing sarcasm. George Lucas packs as much as he can into Attack of the Clones, but be warned. Like Empire Strikes Back, Attack of the Clones doesn't really end. It seems to have - like Empire- a "TO BE CONTINUED" ending. SPOILER ALERT MAY FOLLOW. In Episode III we still have yet to see the birth of Luke and Leia, the wipe-out of the Jedi, Anakins full tranfer to the Dark Side, Senator Palpatine to be revealed as Darth Sideous (later to become Empororer Palpatine)and that long awaited duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan which ends in the demise of Anakin, and the birth of the Darth Vador we all know. Personnally, I think that in Episode III , Padme will be pregnant before Anakin turns to the Dark side but won't give birth until aferwards. Everyone will know of Luke's birth, even Anakin. Leia, on the other hand, will only be revealed by Padme later on to Obi-Wan who will then hand her over to Senator Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits). Meanwhile, Palpatine will give his prophecy of Luke being the actual chosen one to Anakin. Anakin will be instructed to take Luke and train him in the ways of the Dark Side. Anakin, however, will not be able to take Luke as Obi-Wan will have already handed the new born baby over to Anakin's step-brother, Owen Lars. Anakin's frustration will lead him on to kill Padme who has not told him of the wherabouts of Luke. Obi-Wan is too late to save Padme and realizes that in order to protect Luke and Leia, he must kill Anakin. I wonder if all this WILL ACTUALLY happen in Episode III, but for now we have an excellent Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.