`Beautiful, but Empty.'

Rating: Null/10 (18 May 2002)

With only one installment left, it's beginning to become evident why Episode IV is entitled `A New Hope' - it's the light at the end of this disappointingly darkened tunnel. Although technologically savvy - there are several moments of visual splendor - these new episodes are huge on plot and effects, and little on heart. And ultimately, when we think of Star Wars, that is the reason we love it so. Moreso than droid armies and speeders - it's the heart.
For Attack of the Clones, I was incredibly optimistic, hoping that Phantom Menace was just a result of Lucas getting back into the swing of things. And like with the other Star Wars films, we get thrown right into another political fury, this one involving an assassination plot against Senator Amidala. This was expected. And when I saw the eye popping images, especially the whizzing traffic of coruscant, I was in understandable awe. And when Ewan McGregor was speaking, I swear I could just see Alec Guiness and I thought, `Hey! Maybe this is gonna be different!'
Enter Anakin and Padme. After a ten year absence, they have finally reunited. Anakin having grown about three feet and a handsome face, while Padme has since lessened her wardrobe to sexy little numbers so appropriate of senators. This supposed match made in heaven obviously failed Chemistry class. (The LA Times' Kenneth Turan put it best when he said, `Where are Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst when you really need them?') Their scenes together seemed awkward and forced. I kept waiting to hear Lucas yell, `CUT!' For something so crucial, so fundamental to the Star Wars saga, this supposed 'romance' is sadly uninspiring.
Individually, the characters are good: McGregor is the best and Hayden Christensen does find it in him to sincerely make us think 'Ohhh, this can't be good.' (Even though through most of the film, he sulks around like a little boy). Jar Jar Binks is back, but thankfully less vocal, and Padme is strong, but somehow infinitely less exciting than her future daughter Leia. When the characters require interaction with each other, the magic just isn't there.
Is it possible that Lucas has taken for granted the fact that we know his characters better than some of our own family? I think he expects us to believe this love story right off the bat, so it isn't really proven to us. And we're expected to believe Anakin views Obi Wan as a father - he tells us so several times - but it's never really shown. The only think proven to us in the film is that Yoda is one kick butt Jedi Knight (but more on that later..)
It is obvious why this film would be a gem to the faithful fans, with all of its conversation pieces: from a ten year old Boba Fet holding the soon to be famous helmet of his fallen father, to Kenobi's predictable `Why do I get the feeling you'll be the death of me?' But back in 1977, Lucas couldn't rely on gimmicks like that to satisfy the masses. Instead he relied on storytelling. No, no plot telling, which is what Attack of the Clones is, but storytelling. Impulsive young Luke on the road to maturity, discovering his destiny, Han Solo realizing the importance of loyalty to friends-those were real issues and the people were honest and sincere, not cardboard cutouts trying desperately to appear to be a character, rather than actually being them.
There are however two anchors in this film: The poised Ewan McGregor. He remains stately and has the necessary aloofness befitting a Jedi, yet still retains an endearingly (dare I say it?) human quality. When others falter, he holds the scenes together.
The other rock happens to be Frank Oz. If you hear anything about this film, it will probably sound something like `Whoa! Yoda kicked serious butt!' And it was a fantastic moment! The minute that Yoda appeared on the screen, tantalizingly showing his light saber, the entire audience erupted into applause and cheering! Seeing him in action was an unexpected highlight, as was his surprisingly commanding presence. For being just a CGI, her sure can act! Together, Oz and McGregor are the superglue holding Lucas' visually stunning universe together.
The cheers in the theaters show us that the public still dearly loves the saga. It is a part of pop culture history. Like it or not, it is a part of our national collective memory. That music still sends shivers down the spine, the opening credits still gives people goosebumps, jedi mind games, light sabers-they're all still incredibly cool. But it's all too evident that the magic of the originals will never be duplicated. Despite the effects that work magic on the screen, the real magic just isn't there anymore.