Beyond any expectations I could ever have!!!!!

Rating: Null/10 (25 March 2003)

It's hard to believe it's been nearly a year already since this movie came to existence which earned my deepest respect and affection.
Attack of the Clones is the most ambitious Star Wars movie ever made in these past 25 years. George Lucas once again defines the term "filmmaker" by making a film completely true to the Star Wars universe and expanding to new limits.
While I do agree that Lucas has never been the best or brightest movie director ever lived, I am forced to bow to his ability at storytelling. George Lucas and Jonathan Hales wrote their most creative and fulfilling screenplay. I had a number of doubts after watching Episode I. While I also loved that movie, it turned out to be one of the weakest in the movie series. That movie showed an unusual innocence back then that nearly separated it from the more familiar atmosphere of the previous movies. Fortunately Episode II brought it back in a convincing way that made Episode I look even more valuable and worth its time.
Many, many people blasted both Jake Lloyd and Hayden Christensen for their portrayal of Anakin, and I for one strongly disagree with them. Both actors have had the tough task of stepping onto Vader's shoes. Both performed brilliantly in a role we had no idea how it was supposed to be played. Christensen fared slightly better than Lloyd, given Anakin's bigger part in Episode II's story.
Ewan MacGregor, Samuel L Jackson, Natalie Portman and the always-unforgettable Anthony Daniels all displayed perfect performances and afinity with their characters. Even Ahmed Best was tolerable. I actually enjoyed Jar-Bar Binks this time around (given his VERY LIMITED appearance).
The special effects are simply astonishing. It gets even better looking if you get to watch it at a Digital projection Theater. The picture quality is beyond anything you've ever imagined. If you want the ultimate experience, watch it in the DVD format using a plasma television set and a digital home-theater system. The realism is unbelievable.
The story is perfect. After Episode I, I've spent time analyzing the story and creating theories and imagining what would happen that would shape Anakin's fate along with the rest of the galaxy. Episode II showed the roots of the events which will inevitably pull in that direction is most beautiful and haunting ways.
Unlike many sci-fi/romance bashers out there, I fell instantly for the romance between Anakin and Padmé. It grew beautifully and naturally, building on the previous ground established in The Phantom Menace.
The action sequences were flawless. They seemes to rip through the eyes of the audience. However, as much as I loved the first battle of the Clone Wars, I did feel slightly disappointed by the lack of space battles. The asteroid chase was excellent, but not enough. The lightsaber battles were as impressive as they get. Most notable among the battles was the final showdown.
John Williams's music score was the best one ever! Across the Stars is my number 1 favorite theme of all time. The other tunes were just as compelling. The final touch of Across the Stars at the very end of the movie proved how good a movie can get.
The ending of Attack of the Clones was spectacular, tying with The Empire Strikes Back as the best movie ending of all time. While the movie itself, in my opinion, ranks just below Empire and Return of the Jedi, the effort itself was worth it. This movie will be a part of my memories for all time!