The Plot Thickens

Rating: 9/10 (15 January 2007)

There is definitely more action in this movie than there is in THE PHANTOM MENACE, but the two stories put together shows good craftsmanship in writing a story. THE PHANTOM MENACE introduces the players and sets up the conflict, so it is by necessity slower than the rest of the series. ATTACK OF THE CLONES opens with at least two assassination attempts on Queen (Senator?) Padme. Enter Obi Wan Kenobi and an older, angrier Anakin Skywalker.
I disagree with some posters that the love story was unnecessary. On the contrary, that was part of Anakin's downfall. Also, Luke and Leia were not immaculately conceived, like Anakin was supposedly. (I sort of question the wisdom of introducing that aspect into the story, but that's neither here nor there.) Yes, Anakin whines and complains a lot in this story, and while it can be annoying, someone who is about to cross over to the dark side of the force is going to do an awful lot of complaining and moaning, don't you think? Dissatisfaction with a situation people find themselves in is the strongest motivation in the world for them to make a change, whether it is for good or evil.
One thing I will say, and this is true of all three of the prequels, and that is that George Lucas is showing his age a bit. These movies don't seem to have the edge that the first three did. Perhaps it is because we already know how the saga ends, but it seems to have lost some of its youthfulness. Still, they are fantastic stories and George Lucas is a talented story writer. 9 out of 10.