Attack of the Bores

Rating: Null/10 (7 October 2004)

Something is really wrong when a video game has more interesting characters and a more intriguing storyline than a film version of the same setting. This actually happened last year when a Star Wars game called, 'Knights of the Old Republic' was released for the Xbox.
I recently rented the DVD version of 'Attack of the Clones' and I was surprised at how bored I was watching this film again. I saw it in the theater when it was first released and I thought it was just OK back then. It was better than the very disappointing "Phantom Menace" but not by much.
It seems like most people here have the same thoughts that I do: There is too much focus on special effects, the dialog is awful and the plot is boring.
There are a few bright spots: Seeing Jango Fett was cool and so are the Clone troopersbut the characters in this film have all the depth of paper.
What is with the plot here? Why should we be concerned? So some planets want to break away from a large, bureaucratic Republic and want to be independent. Why is this bad? Why should we care? And apparently they want free trade too. Oh, no! This is not an intriguing plot for a Star Wars film.
George Lucas does not seem to have a feel for character or plot development nor does he seem to know how to direct his actors. There is no real chemistry between Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen and their love story is awkward to watch. In addition, there is no suggestion of the friendship between young Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi that Ben Kenobi spoke of in the first Star Wars film in 1977.
Sadly, Lucas seems to think that special effects alone are enough to tell a story.
Lucas could have given "Attack of the Clones" a great start and set a new tone with the death of Jar Jar. Can you imagine the applause that scene would have generated? But no, Lucas brings back this worthless and annoying CGI thing back. At least with the DVD, I was able to fast forward those parts. All in all, "Attack of the Clones" is strike two for Lucas.
I am not optimistic about the next Star Wars film, "Revenge of the Sith".