Yoda kicks a** - but otherwise ordinary

Rating: Null/10 (29 May 2002)

Aside from Yoda opening a can of whoop-a** there is little excitement in the film as action yields to character development but even then it could have been more interesting.
On the plus side some of the key plots that were evident in the earlier films are being revealed. The casting of Hayden Christensen is very well, portraying the early traits of his conversion to the dark side in a convincing way. Portman again does nicely in the role of the former queen now Senator. Some have said that the romance between them is too cold, no chemistry etc. Given that Anakin is a Jedi living with the same principles of that of a priest it is understood in the film that he has to be reserved. The pace moves nicely although some may find it slow due again to the development of the characters although the movie is driven out of the lull by spurts of action. The movie moves toward its big scenes at the end revealing that Yoda didnt always seem like the lovable and venerable character in the Empire Strikes Back.
On the not so plus side, special effects galore: the problem with computers being used in film is that now complete sets are being built on microchips instead of on real physical foundations. Attack of the clones suffers on this point. Lucas could have layed all the digital stuff because at a certain point you start to realize how fake looking it looks and also because it seems that the new films are now showcases to how much Lucas can pack in the film with the plot being a minor character in the movie. Even Yoda is now digitized, he doesnt display the same physical presence that he did on the Empire Strikes Back when first seen.
In the end it was entertaining but not extraordinary - some nice surprises. For the real fans it will have been a great improvement over the Phantom Menace.