FATHER WAS A BACKSTREET BOY

Rating: Null/10 (20 May 2002)

***SPOILER WARNING***
STAR WARS: EPISODE II  ATTACK OF THE CLONES (2002) ***1/2 Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz (voice), Temuera Morrison, Pernilla August, Jack Thompson, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Ahmed Best (voice), Jimmy Smits. Fifth film in the franchise and second in chronology of the `Star Wars' saga picking up with a young adult Anakin Skywalker (brooding Christensen) reunited with destined-to-be lover Senator Amidala (porcelain beauty Portman) attempting to thwart the ongoing dark presence of The Force with a plan of incorporating an invincible army to enslave the galaxy all thanks to Jedi gone bad Count Dooku (evil icon Lee) with the aid of his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor in deadpan delivery good-humor) and a plethora of old friends ( including Jedi master Mace Windu (badass Jackson), robots R2D2 and C-3PO), new enemies (the Fetts, Jango and Boba) and amazing worlds to explore. Filmmaker George Lucas' astounding vision continues to overwhelm while his lesser talent  writing credible dialogue (with co-writer Jonathan Hales)  hinders the audaciousness of cutting edge digital video, computer generated characters and landscapes and some kick-ass battle sequences (ancient prophet Yoda taking on his former student Dooku is one for the film vault) which make it all worth while. All we have to hope for is nothing but darkness in the last chapter with Vader-in-the-making mythology complete.