Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones [2002]

Along the way the story has fun with the conventions of Chandleresque detective fiction as Obi-Wan explores the seedier side of Coruscant, and incorporates the noble warrior ethos of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in its portrayal of the Jedi order. The portentous tone is lightened by tongue-in-cheek self-referential dialogue and the antics of robotic clowns R2D2 and C3PO. (One niggle for music fans, though, is the cavalier cut-and-paste approach to John Williams's music score.) Like the Empire Strikes Back, Clones is the bridging film of the trilogy and thus ends on an equivocally bittersweet note.

On the DVD: Attack of the Clones is an all-digital film, and so looks suitably superb in this anamorphic widescreen transfer, accompanied by a THX encoded Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. Anyone who owns The Phantom Menace two-disc set will know what to expect from the special features: here's another group commentary led by George Lucas, two lengthy documentaries on the digital effects ("From Puppets to Pixels" and "The Previsualisation of Episode II") plus several other featurettes and Web documentaries, notably "Films Are Not Released, They Escape", a look at the sound design. There's also a fun trailer for the R2-D2 mockumentary "Beneath the Dome", trailers, photo galleries and more to satisfy any Star Wars fan. --Mark Walker

The action in this version was nevertheless faster than that of Episode 1's. I think the Yoda fight sequence was one of the coolest and funniest parts in the movie. Though the movie sort of stretched out in the middle, it didn't take it a long time to get back on track. Natalie Portman has a better role in this movie. Just like in Episode I, Ewan and Samuel as well as most of the cast made the movie one that will be successful due to the great group effort. Exceedingly pleasurable and faster than the eye can follow, this movie is one you should see. If you were always a Star Wars fan, an action/adventure film nut, like light humor, or silly shy romance, this is a movie you should see. Quite a few scenes that you shouldn't miss include the Yoda fight scene, Natalie Portman in action, and the city chase amongst quite a few others. The motion picture is certainly a must-see for "Star Wars" fans. The movie optimistically will repeat the work its predecessors have accomplished.


Lucas, back to his best   November 14, 2002
 14 out of 19 found this review helpful

It seems strange that some people expect to see Citizen Kane when they watch the Star Wars Prequels, George Lucas wrote the Star Wars story in homage to the Saturday matinee adventure series of the 40's and 50's, swash buckling fantasy adventures that allowed you to detach from the real world.

Attack of the Clones is an epic adventure in the best of that style, it has just about everything you could wish for in a film, a complex plot, action at every turn, romance and special effects to die for.

Anyone owning a home cinema system will be blown away by the Dolby 5.1 soundtrack, the opening scene will have the neighbours banging on the wall, this DVD is probably the best example of the strengths of the format, with hours of extra footage and documentary, its what DVD was invented for.

The story sets up Episode 3 perfectly, showing the start of Anakin Skywalker's path to the darkside that will ultimately end in his conversion to the evil Darth Vader and the birth of the empire.

Forget your disappointment with The Phantom menace and treat yourself to possibly the best of the Star wars saga and in my opinion the best example of DVD technology today.

Well-done George Lucas, roll on 2005.


Lucas strikes back   October 6, 2002
 53 out of 76 found this review helpful

After the relative disappointment of the first prequel, much rides on this second instalment in Lucas' six-part magnum opus. Does it deliver and can it equal 'Empire Strikes Back' in the dramatic stakes?

On Tuesday, May 21st, I travelled (with friends) to see the movie at the Odeon, Leicester Square. This is one of too few venues, which has the facility to present motion pictures digitally (if it's available in the format). Suffice to say that I was excited to see, for myself, whether or not 'Clones' could deliver both in terms of dramatic and technical performance.

On the former. After the obligatory credit crawl. The camera pans up, which breaks with the convention established in the previous entries, a motif that signifies a change in tone. The colour palette and designs allude to 'Empire'. And the tense, and by turns amusing, chase through Coruscant inspires obvious comparison with 'Blade Runner' and the highly derivative 'Fifth Element' on speed! This is followed by Obi-Wan's journey to the, mysterious and enigmatic, water world Kamino. The clinical 'look and feel' of the cloning facility mines the cinema of Stanley Kubrick! Culminating in a thrilling rain-soaked encounter with bounty hunter Jango Fett on a landing platform. Jango's eventual fate, at the hands of Mace Windu, was deserving. This hopefully drives an older Boba Fett to play a substantial part in the final prequel! He certainly has the motivation.

Anakin's 'Tusken slaughter' confessional to Padme is, arguably, almost on a par with Vader's paternal revelation! Hayden Christensen (finally getting centre stage) chillingly convinces as the conflicted apprentice. John Williams serves to underscore this pivotal scene, reflecting on what is to come with familiar leitmotifs that sound somehow fresh and new.

Christopher Lee excels as Count Dooku! His confrontation with Obi-Wan is rich with kinetic tension. Dooku's choreography shadows Vader's thereby embellishing the series' mythology further. And this is cemented when Anakin loses his right arm during the duel - echoing Luke's loss of hand in 'Empire'. Lets hope that Lee reprises the role in Episode III.

Whilst 'Clones' is certainly an improvement on 'Menace'. Lucas is still unable to write dialogue (an affliction that is not unique to him) and the production methodology intrudes at times - too often one is aware of the layers of fx composition. Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen's chemistry is wasted on relatively poor dialogue. And a few of the later scenes are laughable!

On a technical note. The difference between analogue (film) and digital (hard drive) sources is palpable! The sound and picture is vivid and, at times, an overwhelming feast for the eyes.

In conclusion. Ultimately it was inevitable that 'Empire' wouldn't be displaced, in my opinion, as the best Star Wars movie. But, there is much to enjoy and relish in 'Clones'. The performances, pacing and visual virtuosity are exponentially improved. Star Wars has never looked more beguiling - replete with unrivalled colours and textures. It is with elevated spirits that I look forward to the darkest, and by extension, most complex instalment: Episode III.


must see!!   November 8, 2002
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I can't wait to get this to watch again and again! If you know your Star Wars, then this is where you start to see links with the old trilogy appear. It does not have the more 'childish' atmosphere of The Phantom Menace (not that I didn't enjoy that one also, mind) and although the romantic scenes may not be to everyones taste, the action scenes probably will! The fighting scene with Yoda was, although funny to see first time round, great to watch and the ending adds a bit of mystery to next episode (CAN'T WAIT!).