And now, in preparation of the re-release of the third Star Wars film, let’s discuss, and review the second part of this prequel trilogy, Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones!
Plot: Set ten years after the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor), and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) must find the person responsible for the assassination of Senator Amidala (Natalie Portman). Meanwhile, a clone army is being made to help fight with the Republican with the war that’s occurring in the galaxy.
So, how’s this Star Wars film compare to the other two in this prequel trilogy, or even Star Wars trilogy overall? Well, let me put it to you all this way! Though it may be a good installment, it doesn’t have the same magic, or emotional pull that say Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back did back in 1980. However, though that is the case, there are some things that do make this film a fairly strong installment in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
But before we get to those, let’s first get the negatives out of the way! Well, first of all, some of the world building, and the setup of the story could have been handled better, as well as developed better. I mean it was done fairly well, don’t get me wrong! However, those aspects could have still improved. There were also one, or two plot holes as well. There were also one, or two scenes that might have felt a little too dark, and creepy for a Star Wars movie as well. But honestly, the one thing that for sure kept this film from being a great film was the acting! Okay, okay, hear me out! A good majority of the actors did great in their respective roles, whether it was Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Ewan McGregor, and ones like those. Even Natalie Portman, though her acting might not have always been the best in this film, was still very good for her role as Senator Amidala. But the one actor that really killed any possible potential for this film being great was Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker. I’ve heard a lot of people say that his acting was terrible for that role. Truthfully, though he had some highs, like doing a decent job of expressing happiness, and laughter well, an arrogant attitude, and more, overall, he could’ve still either improved on his acting skills, or the filmmakers should have just hired a younger actor with better experience, and could do the role better justice. I mean while you watch Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, there are many times where you probably look forward to scenes with Obi-Wan, Count Dooku, or possibly even Senator Padme Amidala, more than those with Anakin.
With all that said, what were the highs of Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones? Well, there were many actions scenes that were well choreographed. Still, it would probably be action scenes like the Gladiator-like fighting, when Anakin, Padme, and Obi-Wan are fighting alien monsters, them, and the rest of the Jedi fighting evil droids, the battle that occurs across the desert on that same planet, and the fight between Jedi knights Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Yoda, and Sith Lord Count Dooku/Darth Tyrannus, that are the most memorable of the action sequences in this Star Wars installment. Honestly, I still remember that whole section of the film being memorable me when I was a teenager. And the score by John Williams, need I say how awesome it is? Additionally, most of the acting, aside from Hayden Christensen’s being okay, was also great. Christopher Lee was especially great as Dooku. I mean anytime that he’s especially played a villain, whether that be Saruman in the live-action Lord Of The Rings trilogy, or even voicing King Haggard in the 1982 animated film, The Last Unicorn, he knows how to make a deep, powerful, and menacing voice. Star Wars Episodes II, and III are no exceptions. But honestly, probably one of the biggest standouts for Star Wars Episode II is how the filmmakers did a phenomenal job of establishing Anakin’s future turn to the dark side, and as Darth Vader, whether it’s through Anakin’s arrogant attitude, him making comments like that someday he would be the most powerful Jedi ever, and things like those. Finally, it was great to get introduced to some newer characters in this Star Wars film.
And that’s my review for Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones. Honestly, though not exactly one of the best ones in the franchise, there is still much to enjoy about it. Whether it’s the action particularly that occurs around the middle to end, some of the acting, or other positive elements like those, you’re still bound to enjoy this film for those aspects, if you still have yet to see this particular Star Wars film, then definitely see it. You’ll still enjoy it for the good things in it.
Final Rating: 7.5/10
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 