Brilliant

Rating: 9/10 (17 May 2002)

I've just got back from seeing Attack of the Clones, and right now I am having trouble deciding on what to write. So what follows will probably be just fragments of things I happen to remember.
I personally enjoyed the last star wars film (The Phantom Menace) - although it was slow and clunky in places, it was fairly entertaining. However AOTC is far superior in every way.
AOTC moves fast from the off, with an attempted assassination on (now Senetor) Amidala and soon after a thrilling chase through the skies of Courescent. Despite a little slowdown in places (only a LITTLE mind you) things never let up for a second, and it is never less than completely entertaining. George Lucas really has poured imagination into this film (just look at the fantastic array of vehicles in the climactic battle), and it shows.
There were concerns that AOTC would be turned into a romance (although there is certainly nothing wrong with that sort of thing) - but trust me, it hasn't, the the relationship between Anakin and Padme develops and they fall in love during the story, but it doesn't dominate the film and works well in my opinion.
It has to be said, Lucas is not the greatest script writer in the world, and the dialogue isn't exactly of award winning standard. The acting is better than in the Phantom Menace. Ewan MgGregor is good as Obi-Wan (better than in the Phantom Menace), and Hayden Christiensen made a decent Anikin. Natalie Portman (Amidala) has lost the overly extravagant hair styles and costumes of Episode One (although they were nice). A noticeable change is that Portman shows a lot more skin in this film......such as when near the end her costume is conveniently ripped right around her stomach. However thankfully she is a lot more than something to oogle at for two and a bit hours, her character has guts and determination, and is one of my favourites from the film. Also I must say I liked the way Anikin was shown 'losing' it from time to time, being rebellious, arrogant, cocky and rather shockingly slaughtering an entire village of women and children (Tusken Raiders - mind). Whens the last time in a Hollywood film the hero did that?
Where AOTC really excels is in the action, there is a constant stream of things going on from start to end. It really is incredible just how much happens in this film. From the sight of thousands of clones being bred, to massive droid manufacturing plants, huge arenas with some fantastic beasts and armies of thousands clashing together in one of the most massive battles I've ever seen (thats forgetting the thrilling battle in the asteroid fields and the great fight between Obi-Wan and Jango Fett). Oh and how can anyone forget Yodas crowd pleasing light sabre duel with Count Dooku (Christopher Lee), it had the potential to be stupid, but it ended up as one of the best moments out of the entire Star Wars Saga - brilliant! And finally we get to see the Jedi kick ass, and I mean REALLY kick ass, and not just one... or two... or even three - loads of them, probably a hundred or maybe more. The final 30 minuets of AOTC are very intense and the special effects are possibly the best EVER created, it is a magnificent Achievement.
In short. AOTC is no where near as good a film as say, The Lord of the Rings, which, lets face it, is one of the greatest films ever made. However what AOTC is is pure fun and enjoyment for just over two hours. AOTC brings back those boyish memories of pretending to own your own lightsabre and making those "whoosing" sounds. And when the film starts and the classic Star Wars scrolling text moves up the screen, John Williams score blasting out of the speakers, I couldn't help but have a feeling of childish glee, and I must admit I almost had a tear forming somewhere in the corner of my eye.
If only there were more film like this, with scale and some originality than the typical piles of pap churned out by Hollywood (Refer to Rush Hour, The Mummy Returns, Scorpion King etc.) the world of film would be a better place!
I cannot wait to see this again!!