"Attack of the Clones" could use a few real humans

Rating: 6/10 (16 May 2002)

Although it is a better film than its shallow predecessor, "Attack of the Clones" still strangely lacks the brilliant direction and strong characterization of George Lucas' work of old. It succeeds better not because of a tighter plot (it isn't) or better acting (it's not), but probably because of the arrival and added depth of a more mature Anakin Skywalker. Although slightly wooden, the older Hayden Christensen brings somewhat more to the role than the much younger Jake Lloyd in "Phantom Menace".
More adult characters aside, the plot and dialogue are almost as formulaic and workaday as those of Episode I. George Lucas was once a master of the accidental hero, a common element of virtually all his previous works. "Attack of the Clones" is a tragically-missed opportunity to tell the story of a very human character, seemingly destined for greatness, who instead falls victim to circumstance and expectations, an potential hero gone astray. The story of his downfall could have been rich and complex and captivating. The feeling instead is that none of the characters were particularly inspired by the work they were doing. These normally fine actors read their lines as if they and the director could all hardly wait to get to something else. They are painfully uninspired by either script or direction.
The special effects in this film are somewhat improved after "Phantom Menace". Jar Jar makes an unfortunate return to the silver screen, but his and the other computer-animated characters are much more sophisticated this time around. It's a pleasure to see Yoda drop his cane to pick up his light saber and give one of the villains a strong education. Many of the other special effects are quite brilliant.
Only one film remains as a chance for redemption of the Star Wars epic and George Lucas' reputation as an excellent character director. As Yoda put it a long time ago in a simple-but-inspiring movie far, far away, "There is another."