Taking stock of the Legend: Why the brickbats now?

Rating: Null/10 (13 June 2002)

In the days after "The Empire Strikes Back," and almost prior to --- and shortly following --- "Return of the Jedi," there was the general belief that any discussion of projects from Lucasfilm would be inevitably compared to the Star Wars Saga. Probably two of the most controversial projects under George's watch to undergo such criticism were his teamups with Jim Henson ("Labyrinth") and Ron Howard ("Willow"). The general consensus was that the Star Wars films were, to some extent, 'critic-proof.' Perhaps, until now.
The centerpiece of the pros and cons of "Star Wars: Episode II --- Attack of the Clones" lies at the heart of the origins of Anakin Skywalker. The attempt has been made to understand not only who and what he was, but also why he became Darth Vader, why his actions instigated the chain of events chronicled in what we now know as Episodes IV, V and VI. As we have often been reminded, in more than a few cases by Lucas himself, the whole point of the Saga's basic story is the quest of Luke Skywalker to discover why everything he has ever been told, everything he has ever loved or cared about --- has been a lie. Why then do Episodes I and II exist? Because George Lucas, for all his alleged incompetence as a director --- and you will note that here I use "alleged incompetence" with bitter sarcasm --- has patiently waited for the magic of the movies to reach the level in terms of technology and artistic excellence whereby he might yet finish the story he would wish to tell in his own basic design.
George knows, in other words, exactly where his story is going. It is up to us, his fans, to discover the way and the meaning of that way for ourselves. He begins by stating --- through the movie's very title --- that the story to be told this time will finally answer the questions that have plagued die-hard Star Wars fans for centuries: the origins of the Clone Wars and the events that shaped them. These events, as we see over the course of the story, will have earth-shattering consequences for Anakin Skywalker. Throughout the story, he is frustrated by many things: his desire to learn the ways of the Jedi in his own way; his struggle to come to terms with his love for former Queen, now Senator, Padme Amidala --- and then, most tragically of all, his failure to keep his promise to his mother ... that he would one day return to free her from her bond of slavery. More than any of these tragedies, it is this one in particular that will ultimately sow the seeds of his journey toward the Dark Side of the Force.
Which, of course, means that we must now ask ourselves: has the failure of Anakin Skywalker been merely a preview of the events that would shape the life-patterns of his son? Or is there more to the chronicle that George Lucas will allow us to let on? Only when Star Wars, Episode III is released will we truly discover and understand the answers. Until then, the wisest thing any Padawan learner (potential or otherwise) can do is to accept patience. George knows where the story is taking us. In due time he will finally show us the way. For now, we who are his loyal believers continue to stand and wait.............