You WILL Watch This Film. You Don't Want to Watch Another Film. (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (DVD))

Member Name: SpankMarvin

Product:	Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (DVD)
Date:	20/05/02 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Less Jar Jar!, Darker..., Cool Jedi fighting

Disadvantages: Complex for newcomers/kids, Perhaps a bit too slick?, Three years until Episode 3!

The lights go dark, the green Lucasfilm logo appears. Suddenly – a blast of trumpets and a huge golden STAR WARS launches itself into infinity. This has already happened four times before, but it’s still as exciting now. As the golden text brings you up to date with the story, nothing can stop the tingling of excitement, coursing through your veins. Not even the man in front of you with the afro. Not the man behind you with the BO problem. Not even your talkative and inquisitive friend who keeps asking for explanations throughout.

Aah, Episode I – many a fan’s nightmare, with Jar Jar bloodly Binks getting on most people’s nerves, and the film generally not living up to the immense hype it received. Slightly unfair on the film, it must be said, since the first chapter of the saga was always going to be the hardest to make interesting. However, three years on, and it’s finally time for Episode II, promised to be darker than its predecessor and more action-packed as opposed to the political plot forming of Episode I.

That’s not to say that there are no politics at all, of course. The rather complex events leading up to Episode IV’s situation are now well in swing. Padmé Amidala is now a senator, and separatists have begun to team up against the Republic, led by a mysterious character called Count Dooku, and forming the potential for rebellion. It is also becoming increasingly clear that the dark side is beginning to overshadow the Republic, probably from the inside. Consequently, the Jedis are obviously finding it harder to harness the force effectively, as the balance sways ominously towards the Sith.

The main focus of attention is – of course – Anakin Skywalker, and his development as student to Obi-Wan Kenobi in order to become a Jedi. Already, it is clear that he exceeds his master in skill and power, but it is also clear that he lacks the maturity and self-control of
an experienced Jedi. Hatred, passion and arrogance make him rash and point towards the later episodes. He already shows signs of rebellion, as he tends to disobey his master and falls in love with Padmé.

Of course, it’s all light sabres galore and cool droids and battleships. R2-D2 and C-3PO return and supply the comic relief in place of that annoying alien with webbed ears. Err, but I do mean comic relief in the very loosest sense. Visually, the film is amazing. One problem I had with the first episode was the slightly clean use of CGI to create the effects. Although the same technique is used here, the vehicles and ships are usually grubbier and more convincingly battle-scarred. Nice, but perhaps still that bit too slick. The movie’s toys are typically imaginative, no doubt giving rise to many a potential marketing ploy in the very near future, thank God. Ooh, while we’re at it, let’s no forget the slightly more risqué costumes worn by the damn fine Natalie Portman. Not that that’s a reason to watch the film. At all.

But it’s a love story, right? Well, yes, but thankfully, the love story takes more of a back seat than the trailers for the movie imply. Yes, there’s love, but there’s also somersaults, the force, some cool Blade Runner style sets and a fair amount of death to boot. To reveal any more instances of the film would ruin it, but it is safe to say that this episode is a lot darker than I had expected. After the first half-hour, prepare yourself for a treat, because there are a few parts in this film which you will not believe! Aaargh!!! I want to tell you! – but I can’t. Just rest assured that you won’t feel slightly cheated or disappointed as you might have done after Episode I. Hayden Christensen emerges as the perfect choice for Anakin – a fresh character with convincing fiery attitude. Dark. Elsewhere, the performances are similarly impressi
ve, with Ewan McGregor pulling off the older, wiser master very well, and Samual Jackson being cool with a purple light sabre. and at two hours long, you’ll be begging for more when the film ends, knowing full well that there’s a three year wait for Episode III but refusing to accept it.

A particularly nice touch includes ominous hints to the future, unwittingly spoken by the characters, which will make anyone who knows the eventual outcome chuckle dark-humouredly. PAY ATTENTION! There’s lots of subtlety in this film, which will make you want to go back and watch it again in order to pick up on them. Episode II is well worth the wait. It’s a PG, so should your children watch this? I think you’d be a bad parent if you didn’t take them.

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