Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones - Review

"Why do I get the feeling you're going to be the death of me?" – A review of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. 

There's a photograph of me somewhere, probably in my parent's possession, aged 9, wearing a black bin bag and wielding an empty wrapping paper tube. That was my Jedi robe and lightsaber – and I will hear no different. It's fair to say I was a Star Wars kid, and whilst I don't love the prequel trilogy quite as much as I do the original films, I still get a lot of nostalgic joy out of them now.

It's been ten years since the events on Naboo, and little Anakin Skywalker is all grown up. The galaxy is on the edge of civil war, and thousands of systems, being led by Count Dooku, are threatening to withdraw from the Republic. Anakin, now a Jedi apprentice, has been sent to protect the now Senator Padme Amidala, whilst his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi must investigate an assassination attempt on her. As if a Separatist movement wasn't enough to contend with, Obi-Wan has made a disturbing discovery – a secret clone army – and the galaxy is once again under threat.

This is a genuinely good addition to the Star Wars franchise. Attack of the Clones explores the cost of forbidden attachment as Anakin falls in love with Padme – their love for each other directly challenging Jedi Code – so we watch as Anakin must chose between his personal desires and his duty. Anger, manipulation and politics are all explored too, as we watch a once innocent slave boy slowly turn towards the dark side – this is something that I really enjoy about this film. I can't help but like Anakin and knowing where he's heading and being completely helpless to stop him makes for a bittersweet but engaging watch.

Given the time that has passed between the films, Anakin Skywalker has done a lot of growing up – so we of course have a new actor playing him. Hayden Christensen takes the helm and does a pretty good job; he comes across as angsty, overly confident, pretty arrogant and highly volatile, a Jedi well on his way to turning to the dark side. I will say that like a few performances throughout, he does come across as a little rigid, but this is due to direction and style rather than acting ability – something several actors suffer from across the trilogy. Indeed, Natalie Portman returns as Padme Amidala, and whilst I do think her performance is improved as she delivers a dignified and graceful portrayal, she does still seem a little wooden which is especially a shame in her romantic scenes. Their chemistry is hit or miss, sometimes being completely believable and sadly sometimes feeling a bit, well, off.

Ewan McGregor, returning to play Obi-Wan Kenobi, is one of the standout performances for me in this film. Obi-Wan has grown up and matured, and although he's retained his wit, he also comes across as weary and calculated, no longer a naïve apprentice but a real Jedi now. Samuel L. Jackson is another standout for me, his performance as Mace Windu being firm and commanding, whilst Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine is once again phenomenal, his ability to shift from a seemingly reasonable politician to Sith Lord being remarkable.

A special mention must go to one of my favourite actors of all time though – Christopher Lee as Count Dooku. Lee brought an incredible gravitas and presence to every role he played, and as Dooku he was menacing, imposing and elegant, his performance feeling Shakespearean in nature, his abilities making even the clunkiest dialogue sound natural and believable.

Sure, this film suffers from much of what the first of the trilogy did – clunky dialogue, loads of CGI and over stylised cinematography, but it's still a fun watch. It's not the best addition to the franchise ever but neither is it worse (that honour lands firmly with Rogue One as far as I'm concerned) and if you fancy a fun, romantic and in places incredibly dark space adventure, I think you'll enjoy Attack of the Clones.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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