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Star Wars
Episode 2:
Attack of the Clones
Released May 16, 2002
Rated PG for sustained sequences of
sci-fi action/violence
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Frank
Oz, and Christopher Lee
Screenwriters: George Lucas and Jonathan Hales
Director: George Lucas
Reviewed by Peter Veugelaers © 2002
- Better than a cheese royale: buy one while its hot
Forget
Star Wars. I’m looking to George Lucas’ collaboration with director Steven Spielberg to
make the next Indiana Jones adventure. Let’s hope that magic doesn’t get lost in the new
century, as it has with Attack of the Clones.
It is not
all bad news, though. It is hugely entertaining mainly because of its visual experience to
be only fully felt at the cinema. State-of-the-art computer effects are eye blowing and
conceptual design is highly imaginative.
Star Wars
blew cinema audiences away in 1977 when it captivated with landmark special effects and an
appealing sci-fi adventure. The awe-inspiring filmmaking lies back there. Nowhere in
Attack of the Clones is there a smooth operator like Han Solo, a feisty princess, an
intimidating Wookie, a fear inducing dark villain and a great actor named Alec Guinness, who
brought a lot of expression to his character Obi-Wan Kenobi, more so than his “padawan
learner” Ewan McGregor in Attack of the Clones.
Anakin Skywalker, now accomplished Jedi, falls in love with the ex-Queen of
Naboo (from Phantom Menace days). He is assigned to look after her as her life is
under threat from those dividing the Republic into Separatist states. Anakin has recurring
nightmares over his mother and his separation from her, as described in Phantom Menace,
which has its after effect.
This is the beginning of the pinnacle story of Anakin’s fall from grace to
become Darth Vader. Yet, we will need to wait until the third instalment to encounter the
real story with its poignant pseudo religious cum spiritual significance.
This prequel
has a high sense of soap opera, especially evident in conversations between characters. The
decisions political figures make, a Jedi’s contemplation followed by wise action, and the
consequences of these, are dished out with importance as if this is the story of the
century.
Yet there is an interesting development of action sequences in this. Unlike the
rudimentary action set piece that stands out because it is self conscious, Attack of the
Clones seamlessly weaves its action set pieces within the fabric of the plot and each
one plays like a mini story in itself, for example when Obi Wan and bounty hunter Jango Fett
fight it out on a planet and in space. These play like extended scenes where there
the changes of settings within the same waring conflict are skilfully directed and edited.
In a similar vein, the special effects although eye boggling don’t overcome the central
story and instead assist it.
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