Popcorn to enjoy

Rating: Null/10 (12 September 2003)

Nonexistent storyline, unbelievable love story, underdeveloped characters--all these are very valid criticisms of Attack of the Clones. And I have a very valid reply: So What?
George Lucas has said in countless interviews that his main inspiration for the Star Wars movie franchise were those popcorn matinees of his youth. With such mindless fodder as a major influence, why do we expect a masterpiece of movie making with every one of his ventures?
The first Star Wars trilogy was pure camp, but fast-paced and fun. Numerous sub-plots intermingling, cheesy romantic interludes, corny one-liners delivered as profound platitudes (FEEL the force, Luke!)---we loved it all. It was escapism--and hell, who wouldn't have wanted to escape the early 80's?
The problem with Phantom Menace wasn't the fact that it wasn't a great movie--that was to be expected. It's just that it wasn't any FUN, and that was the whole point of the franchise. Attack of the Clones goes some way to rectifying this, and re-discovering some of the excitement of the originals. It is a popcorn movie in every sense of the word--easily digestible, and out of your system in a few hours.
Attack of the Clones is a lot like Padme's cleavage--easy to look at, but not much there really. Citizen Kane it isn't--but then again, Orson Wells didn't prance around in skimpy, backless gowns. That's probably a good thing.
Dd