The Return of Star Wars

Rating: 9/10 (16 May 2002)

After "The Phantom Menace" which was a slight disappointment and without a doubt the weakest of the now five movies, George Lucas has crafted possibly one of the best Star Wars movies second only to "The Empire Strikes Back".
The plot in "Attack of the Clones" is centred on Anakin's despair and anger, and we can all now see that this young Jedi is holding within himself the seed which becomes Darth Vader, and believe it. Another plotline is the fall of the Republic, set about by Chancellor Palpatine. All this is told with the most stunning computer generated effects and sets ever seen before on film, but this time around the effects is centred around the plot and theme and not vice versa which was the case in "The Phantom Menace". Further, in Episode II, the mood has darkened a little, and all is not black or white.
Episode II has it all: an exciting and dark plot, romance, unbelievable action sequences and also quite some humour. Additionally, the movie has possibly the greatest scene in the whole saga: Jedi Fighting 101 by Yoda. WOW. Another great thing about the movies is the foreshadowing of all the events we know will come. Lucas has managed to intertwine all this into a coherent, believable and exciting narrative.
The only really bad thing about Episode II is this: Now we have to wait until 2005 (3 years!!) for Episode III.
***½ (out of four).