Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
3.5/4
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, and the voice of Frank Oz
Rated PG for Sustained Sequences of Sci-Fi Action/Violence
Unlike many modern day sequels, this second film in the franchise is the weakest. It is occasionally plagued by exceedingly ripe dialogue and stiff acting, but it is still well worth the two and a half hours spent in Lucas's world.
The film takes place ten years after the events in "The Phantom Menace." A mysterious figure known as Count Dooku (Lee) is persuading many members of the Republic to secede, and the friction between the two groups has escalated to the brink of war. The Jedi are struggling to keep the peace, but their numbers are far too few to do so. Padme Amidala, now a senator after her two terms as Queen of Naboo ended, is a crucial vote on the decision whether or not to build an army of clones for the Republic. Just as she's about to cast her vote, an attempt is made on her life. Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) and his young padawan, Anakin (Christensen) are sent to protect her and investigate who is behind the assassination attempt. While in exile, Anakin and Padme fall in love, which is expressly forbidden by the Jedi Code. And Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers some disturbing things that are going on behind the scenes.
Of the six films in the franchise, none are more disliked than "Attack of the Clones," and although its reputation is exaggerated, it's not hard to see the problems. The dialogue is occasionally very bad, bordering on being unintentionally funny, which is especially problematic since the purpose of the film is laying the groundwork for the collapse of society, and it occasionally gets pretty talky. There are also some character inconsistencies involving Padme Amidala. Portman played two characters in Episode I, and they seemed to have become one in Episode II (I have since learned that the explanation was in the first film. I thought the scene in question only applied to that single scene). The second problem is that the lead actor, Canadian Hayden Christensen is wildly uneven.
Christensen is not nearly as bad as people say, but there are times when he is shockingly stiff. Part of the problem is that he's not given better dialogue and is not well-directed, but his range is obviously limited. And yet, we can see the rebellious teenager in Anakin, and how his emotions are overcoming his sense of control. Christensen's performance works overall, but I'm certain that there are other actors who could have done the job to much better effect. He is a significant improvement over Jake Lloyd, however, and Christensen is able to make us believe that he grew up from the young actor in the first film. Natalie Portman's role has been expanded considerably, and she does what she can with the dialogue that she is given. She constantly outshines Christensen, but the two do have chemistry, something that is crucial in this film and has absolutely nothing to do with talent. Ewan McGregor is also effective as his stern teacher whose wariness of his young padawan is growing. And yet, Obi-Wan is putting blinders on what he cannot see because he sincerely believes that Anakin is "The Chosen One." Few other characters have much screen time or importance other than these three, but everyone else does their jobs. I will say this, though: Christopher Lee is clearly enjoying himself as an out and out villain (something that he is famous for), and his lightsaber fight with Yoda is well worth slugging through the slow spots to see.
For the most part, Lucas keeps things restrained here. The focus is not on battles or action sequences (although there are a fair amount of those, and all of which are terrifically exciting), but on the nurturing of relationships that set up the grand finale. While Lucas' skills at directing actors have not improved, the actors are able to get the job done, and Lucas' storytelling abilities pick up the slack. The plot is mysterious and involving, and it hints at the grimness of Part III.
Lest I seem too critical of the film, I will state for the record that I greatly enjoyed the film. The story is gripping and I wanted to follow the characters through to the end and beyond. Enough said.
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, and the voice of Frank Oz
Rated PG for Sustained Sequences of Sci-Fi Action/Violence
Unlike many modern day sequels, this second film in the franchise is the weakest. It is occasionally plagued by exceedingly ripe dialogue and stiff acting, but it is still well worth the two and a half hours spent in Lucas's world.
The film takes place ten years after the events in "The Phantom Menace." A mysterious figure known as Count Dooku (Lee) is persuading many members of the Republic to secede, and the friction between the two groups has escalated to the brink of war. The Jedi are struggling to keep the peace, but their numbers are far too few to do so. Padme Amidala, now a senator after her two terms as Queen of Naboo ended, is a crucial vote on the decision whether or not to build an army of clones for the Republic. Just as she's about to cast her vote, an attempt is made on her life. Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) and his young padawan, Anakin (Christensen) are sent to protect her and investigate who is behind the assassination attempt. While in exile, Anakin and Padme fall in love, which is expressly forbidden by the Jedi Code. And Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers some disturbing things that are going on behind the scenes.
Of the six films in the franchise, none are more disliked than "Attack of the Clones," and although its reputation is exaggerated, it's not hard to see the problems. The dialogue is occasionally very bad, bordering on being unintentionally funny, which is especially problematic since the purpose of the film is laying the groundwork for the collapse of society, and it occasionally gets pretty talky. There are also some character inconsistencies involving Padme Amidala. Portman played two characters in Episode I, and they seemed to have become one in Episode II (I have since learned that the explanation was in the first film. I thought the scene in question only applied to that single scene). The second problem is that the lead actor, Canadian Hayden Christensen is wildly uneven.
Christensen is not nearly as bad as people say, but there are times when he is shockingly stiff. Part of the problem is that he's not given better dialogue and is not well-directed, but his range is obviously limited. And yet, we can see the rebellious teenager in Anakin, and how his emotions are overcoming his sense of control. Christensen's performance works overall, but I'm certain that there are other actors who could have done the job to much better effect. He is a significant improvement over Jake Lloyd, however, and Christensen is able to make us believe that he grew up from the young actor in the first film. Natalie Portman's role has been expanded considerably, and she does what she can with the dialogue that she is given. She constantly outshines Christensen, but the two do have chemistry, something that is crucial in this film and has absolutely nothing to do with talent. Ewan McGregor is also effective as his stern teacher whose wariness of his young padawan is growing. And yet, Obi-Wan is putting blinders on what he cannot see because he sincerely believes that Anakin is "The Chosen One." Few other characters have much screen time or importance other than these three, but everyone else does their jobs. I will say this, though: Christopher Lee is clearly enjoying himself as an out and out villain (something that he is famous for), and his lightsaber fight with Yoda is well worth slugging through the slow spots to see.
For the most part, Lucas keeps things restrained here. The focus is not on battles or action sequences (although there are a fair amount of those, and all of which are terrifically exciting), but on the nurturing of relationships that set up the grand finale. While Lucas' skills at directing actors have not improved, the actors are able to get the job done, and Lucas' storytelling abilities pick up the slack. The plot is mysterious and involving, and it hints at the grimness of Part III.
Lest I seem too critical of the film, I will state for the record that I greatly enjoyed the film. The story is gripping and I wanted to follow the characters through to the end and beyond. Enough said.
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