Amazing How Critics Completely Dropped the Ball on This One. A Great Epic That Will Restore Your Faith in the Force.

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2002)

First, I am a fan of the Star Wars series. 'A New Hope' being the second movie I ever saw (when I was 6), I really did not have much of a choice. However, I am not a fan of biblical proportions. For example, although I know the Millennium Falcon will do .5 past light speed, I have never made myself up like Darth Maul. Nor do I have any delusions about the time-line inconsistencies of 'Empire' or the emotional emptiness and overuse of matte backdrops in 'Jedi'. I was also strikingly disappointed in 'Menace,' partly because it has several glaring inconsistencies with the events to come, but mostly because, despite its dazzling visuals, it was flat, with dialogue aimed at a 2nd grader, (i.e., - "Coriscant, the entire planet is one big city," told to us as we are looking at the one big city. Lucas did not trust us enough to see the train when it was 2 feet in front of our noses and felt he had to clue us in on the obvious - insulting).
(MINOR SPOILERS) Yet for all this we have forgiven him, because 'Clones' is a fast paced, visually spectacular, with a wonderful story and dialogue that, while not 'Glen Gary Glen Ross' is never embarrassing, nor out of step with the characters. Hayden Christensen IS Anakin Skywalker. I have read several critics who felt he was emotionally vapid and unable to display the facade of a Jedi with the core of a Sith. Obviously, critics no longer have to know a thing about acting to find work, because Christensen's deep seething, intense gaze and impulsive outbursts are Vader's core. You feel you are actually watching the man underneath Vader's cowl and know that this boy is on the path to evil. Christensen does a fantastic job with his difficult task and deserves accolades. The rest of the cast is also top notch and tight, obviously having a lot of fun, now that the actors have had time to get comfortable in their character's skins. The only misstep is actually Portman. She is gorgeous as Padme and can be quite the action heroine (though her nanosecond recovery from a high fall from a moving gun ship was laughable). However, she never exhibits more than a cute likability, and not enough heat to convince the audience that she is so taken with Anakin, she is willing to overlook his dark nature. Surely, the movie has its silly moments. C-3PO's mishap at the battle droid factory is simply absurd and should have been cut. Actually, the whole factory sequence has a strange incongruity to it, because there's too much going on with no visible means of management or structure. R2's sudden ability to fly also seems an afterthought to solve a minor plot problem. Another weakness is that Lucas is so concerned with visuals, he is willing to sacrifice character development. Anakin had been dreaming about his mother for months, and his delay in acting on his feelings causes him to find her just 10 seconds before she dies - too absurd by any standard. At least there are none of 'Menace's' 4-second scenes with just 1 line of stupid dialogue. However these minor quibbles still do not defeat the story's epic quality or beautifully orchestrated action sequences, which are enough to convert anyone to the Jedi Order. The story has a sweeping feel to it and a grandeur of presence that may not fit with the rest of the series, but on its own, is just fantastic. The plot unfolds to us in pieces sandwiched between glorious battles. I have also read many critics were unhappy with the political exposition. Again, I often agree with critical assessment, but here, they just DID NOT GET IT. The politics of a Republic becoming an Empire IS the plot of the series, just as important as Anakin's turn to Vader and essential to propel the story. If the Republic needs an army, do we not need to see why? Fortunately, Lucas handles these scenes quickly and smartly and they last just long enough for the audience to catch its breath before the next action sequence unfolds. All well done, and great to watch.
The grand finale that finally shows the audience why Yoda is the head of the Jedi Council, will send you spinning. It also sets up the rest of the series and gives away some future secrets. The worst thing about this movie is that it is the next to last one. My score - 8 Congratulations Mr. Lucas, you have done it. May the Force be With You.