Lucas has made a Star Wars film for adults...

Rating: 7/10 (16 May 2002)

Star Wars Episode I was made for kids. I firmly believe children will hate Episode II. It is the anti-Phantom Menace, and not a kids' movie at all. It isn't action-heavy. It has a lot of plot and dialogue, foreshadowing, and mystery to it...and romance (I fear more than a lot of people can stand). ATTACK OF THE CLONES is quite a film. From a technical standpoint it is superb (although I'm sure I prefer a puppet-Yoda to a CGI-Yoda). It does have a few magnificent action scenes. Its not what you'd call a "fun" movie, though. The original 1977 STAR WARS ("Episode 4") film was fun, as was RETURN OF THE JEDI and THE PHANTOM MENACE. ATTACK OF THE CLONES fits in better with EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and is a very dark film. (How this movie didn't get a PG-13 is a mystery up there with the Kennedy Assassination and Jack the Ripper.) It has doses of humor, action, and fun, but those elements are overshadowed by the suspense and mystery of it. If you go into the film with that mindset, you'll enjoy yourself and be quite pleased with ATTACK OF THE CLONES. If you're expecting another Episode 4, you'll be disappointed.