The Greatest Installment Of Star Wars

Rating: 10/10 (16 May 2002)

I really want you to believe me, but I know you won't, because what I'm saying is ridiculous, but, hand on heart, that's how I feel right now, Attack of the Clones is not only the greatest single instalment of Star Wars I've had the pleasure of seeing, but the best damn 2 hours I have spent in a movie theatre. It helped of course, that the movie theatre I was in, was London Leicester square, the night of May 15th, the official Public Premiere of the movie, yes that helped, the gang of guys dressed as rebel pilots, and the cardboard jango fett, that helped too, not to mention the appearance by Anthony `C3PO' Daniels and Rick `Da Man' McCallun, sure all these things were contributing factors, least not forget to mention the amazing Digital projection and the sound, all these things are fillers, gloss, a little nibble of bread before the roast dinner, and what a roast dinner my friends, what a roast dinner. From the moment the camera pans up instead of down after the opening crawl appears on screen, this movie feels different, we linger on shots, we flow with the crowds, I get to analyse the buildings as they beautiful cut threw the clouds, I admire them, my heart swells. I was so scared that I knew too much about this movie, id bought the graphic novel, read the script, read the SCRIPT, but nothing, nothing prepared me for the sheer joy and wonder I saw on that beautiful digitally projected movie screen. I loved every single digital frame of this movie, every single one, this movie is destined to be watched by me hundreds, no, thousands of times. Attack Of The Clones excelled in every single aspect I could every judge a movie on, storyStory, I loved it, I loved seeing the clones conception, I loved seeing what becomes of Anakin, how all these things are set in motion, how the Emperor will tempt and convert him, how OBI-WON will live on after death, all the clues are here. The Acting, this has seen the most criticism, and you what, I don't understand what people are talking about, even if, even IF, you thought the acting was bad, the whole love section of the story, its gone even before its started, its quick, its painless, and It didn't bother me at all. Hayden Christenson was so much better than I was expecting, There are two stand out moments for me in this movie, and both of them are the brilliance of John Williams mixed with acting I never thought I would get the pleasure of seeing in a Star Wars movie, the first, the moment Anakin looks down at what the tusken raiders have done to him, and looks up, the music starts, we know the s**t is going to hit the fan, and then BAM! Chaos. The second, Anakin's painfully poignant and haunting confession, over the top of the Imperial March theme, and you know, you know that mask is only another 4 hours away, and the worst part is, you can't wait. I'm not sure I actually have words for how fantastic that end battle is, but the seamless blend of CGI at last with live action is incredible, are those Clone Troopers Real/CGI? Do I care? Hell no, I was having too much fun, I loved the Obi Won/Anakin confrontation here, no one seems to be talking about it, by I was on the edge of my seat, I half expected Anakin to start waving a lightsabre in old Obi Won's direction, but no, Lucas is saving that for later, you big tease. And yes the Yoda fight scene, this prompted the loudest roar in a cinema I've heard, well ever, every fan knew it was coming and now, now it was time, now it was time to see the Master lay the smack down, and prove why he's at the head of that council. As soon as Yoda force pulled his sabre out of his belt, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE around me was in geek spasms they were having TOO much fun, TOO much, and the moment Yoda picks up his walking stick at the end, after running rings round Dooku, fantastic, brilliant, comedic genius. This movie promised everything and delivered, I can't wait for Episode III, its going to be the longest three years of my life.