Better than Episode One--but takes itself too seriously

Rating: 7/10 (9 May 2002)

I actually debated whether or not I would EVER see this film, after the trailers seemed heavily weighed in the romance direction, but seeing an advance screening convinced me that there is still hope for the franchise.
Not as weighed down by exposition as was Episode One, ATTACK OF THE CLONES still suffers the great fault of the first film: It just takes itself too seriously. Within ten minutes, I felt as though I were embroiled in some game of Dungeons and Dragons, the techno-jargon and suspicious whispering that have replaced the casual banter of the original trilogy (where, oh where, has Han Solo gone?) were almost enough to make me regret my decision to buckle in for the full two and a half hours. But then, wonder of wonders, I got caught up in a chase scene in which Obi Wan and Anakin get to show off their ridiculously super-Jedi powers and, gasp!, some off-the-cuff chit-chat!
In short, the romance stuff is awful, though not as embarrassing as good ol' Jar-Jar, whose cameos are blessedly brief. As you've no doubt heard, it's time for Yoda to shine, and for us to learn about the parts of Anakin's past that are going to get him into the black mask. Sure, a lot of it is heavy handed, but I think all six films fall under that criticism--mythology isn't the most subtle of genres.
Be prepared for the appearance of characters you may have been waiting for...and some other surprises (one of which, regarding R2-D2 in a scene out of INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM, I found to be something of a cheat). And if the guy sitting next to you is laughing at dialogue you may not find funny, take some advice I wish Georgie Lucas would listen to: Lighten up. It's a movie, not a science. That's why we love it, and that's why we're asking for more.