Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones

Cast: Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Christopher Lee, Samuel L Jackson and Frank Oz.

Director: George Lucas

Release Date: 2002

Running Time: 2hrs 22 minutes

Genre: Action/Sci Fi

Rating: PG

Format: DVD

Synopsis:

Ten years have passed since meeting Anakin, he now shares a forbidden romance with Pademe, while Obi-Wan investigates an assassination attempt on the senator and discovers a secret clone army crafted for the Jedi.

George Lucas is back once again as director and writer, this time with "Attack of the Clones", ten years have passed since we were first introduced to Anakin (Christensen), he now shares a forbidden romance with Padme (Portman) and Obi-wan investigates exactly who is trying to kill her. If you were like myself and didn't enjoy the first movie, chances are you might enjoy this one a little bit more. Director and writer George Lucas may have learnt from the first movie that he needed to add more action to his storyline, because "Attack of the Clones" is full of it. There are however still issues. Hayden Christensen delivers a poor performance as Anakin Skywalker, the relationship that he shares with Padme isn't the least bit interesting or convincing. Where's the chemistry? Aren't they supposed to be secretly in love? Not all the actors in this film deliver a terrible performance though, it's wonderful to finally be introduced to Master Yoda, Frank Oz like always delivers an excellent performance. His character looks fantastic on screen too.

Episode two flows nicely in comparison to Episode one, it's hard to place my finger on what it is exactly that makes the two different, the only possibility being that Lucas has chosen to use more action and due to this the pacing of the film is much nicer and quicker. I really love how the movie has been edited too, the changing of scenes, almost as if turning a page over, it looks really cool on screen and  flows into each scene really nicely. Each scene has been clearly organised, I didn't always feel like I understood what was happening in the first movie, as a member of the audience, I felt like it was much clearer this time what was happening between each character, making for a much more enjoyable experience. The plot is far more interesting. The best thing about "Star Wars" easily the storm troopers, don't ask me why, they just are. It's the mystery behind who's inside. Clones. The costume design is awesome too, they look mysterious and there is almost a feeling of creepiness in the way they look. The storm troopers add to the storyline perfectly.

If there is one thing I can't fault with this movie it's definitely the visuals, "Attack of the Clones" looks absolutely stunning. Director of photography David Tattersall has truly done an incredible job at making this movie look absolutely stunning. Once again, I'm really not too sure what went wrong with the first episode, this one looks incredible in comparison. The production design is amazing, there's so much detail in every single frame, The sets look and feel lived in and look really great on screen. Speaking of set design, there's one scene near the beginning of the movie that reminds me of the set design in "Blade Runner" which ironically also stars Harrison Ford. I shall get to his character soon enough, don't worry! The special effects look amazing, the effects, the set design and the cinematography all really come together in this movie to make it look fantastic, without one, the others just wouldn't work.

I love how Lucas has chosen to shoot this film, there are plenty of close ups of the actors, Yoda being the one that looks the best up close visually. The medium shots in this film even look pretty good. This film for me was when Anakin started to turn bad. It's emphasized more in Episode three of course, but there is something in this film, that you see with his character that changes everything. It's just a shame Hayden Christensen's performance isn't very good. I do appreciate that you see the change in his character in this film though. Nothing good has ever come from wanting to be the most powerful Jedi alive!!! Not my most favourite in the franchise however far more enjoyable then the first film. If like myself you didn't enjoy Episode one, chances are you might enjoy "Attack of the Clones" a little bit more. The storyline is far more interesting and enjoyable and the fact that there is more action really helps too. I don't feel like this one drags as much as the first film did. The introduction to more characters helps too. More going on, more enjoyable, more fun!

4/5 stars