Much better than Ep.1, still lacking charm of originals

Rating: Null/10 (16 May 2002)

There is something about the two Star Wars prequels that I just now put my finger on after my first viewing of Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. To be blunt, these films just lack the charm of the original trilogy. The characters are all written and played very straight, almost to the point of becoming two-dimensional. There isn't any natural dynamic or tension between anybody you see on screen. Therefore, every instance of emotion, conflict and even humor come across as forced. The master/apprentice relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan seemed somewhat plastic. My "exhibit B" for this argument is Jar Jar from Episode 1. It was obvious he was written as comic relief. He had no other legitimate reason to be there. When you know what the punchline is ahead of time, the joke usually falls flat.
That being said, on to the main course:
THE GOOD: 1) The plot worked and moved along well, only bogging down slightly in the middle of the film. Various loose ends from the previous film were tied down and you definately can see everything coming into place for a nice pseudo-conclusion in Episode Three. 2) The actors seem comfortable in their roles and deliver solid work despite the somewhat banal dialogue they have to work with. 3) The CGI sequences mesh very nicely with the story being told. Unlike in Phantom Menace, where the plot would stop for 10-15 minutes so we could be attacked by eye-candy. (Pod Race anyone?) 4) Yoda (trust me, see the flick just for him)
THE BAD: 1) The love story between Anakin and Padme just didn't convince me. I think the script was somewhat weak in this subplot. While doing their best with what they had, Christansen/Portman can't compete with Ford/Fisher in the "sophisticated girl falls for bad boy" department. 2) Sam Jackson just doesn't work well in toned down roles. Cast him as a bad guy, and you have a villian that instantly rivals Vader or the Emporer based on his charisma alone. Make him play a level headed good guy, and honestly, you're wasting his gift as an actor. 3) I have a couple of other minor gripes, but I don't want to post anything that would be a spoiler
CONCLUSION: Overall, Episode Two is a solid addition to the Star Wars saga. While it still feels stiff compared to the originals, I am looking forward to seeing it on the big screen at least one more time.
I really wish I could have reviewed this movie completely based on it's own merits. However, after growing up with Star Wars for as long as I can remember, that simply isn't possible. I drew comparisons and contrasts against the other Star Wars films long before my fingers hit the keyboard.