Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
2002 saw the release of the next prequel of Lucas’s magical Star Wars space opera, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. This film is a rousing spectacle that increases the elements of the first film and serves to brightly set up the elements in the upcoming film, capturing middle ground in a fascinating and exciting way. Lucas’s Attack of the Clones is probably the least well-liked of the series from a critical standpoint, but I disagree. The movie is stronger than The Phantom Menace and more is at stake at the very heart of it all.
Strong themes of rebellion fill Attack of the Clones with a very different energy, making George Lucas’s piece a sequel that capitalizes on the original without repeating the original. The film is set ten years after the events in The Phantom Menace, as we find the galaxy on the brink of civil war. Thousands of solar systems want to secede from the Galactic Republic and assassination attempts are regularly made on Senator Amidala (Natalie Portman), the former Queen of Naboo. The separatist movement, led by former Jedi Master Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) aims to take out all opposition. Amidala is pushing against the creation of a special Army of the Republic, so her opposition has interests in taking her life.
Two Jedi Knights are assigned to her security. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) head to Coruscant after Amidala was nearly assassinated. They begin pursuit of her would-be assassins, only to uncover a much deeper plot involving a clone army designed for the Republic. Anakin is to protect Amidala, while Obi-Wan heads to a mysterious planet to investigate the creation of this clone army. Anakin struggles with constantly being told what to do and, feeling he is more than ready to be a Jedi Knight, begins to make some serious errors in judgment as he rebels against Obi-Wan’s leadership.
Attack of the Clones develops Anakin’s character to a greater degree, as we see tinges of arrogance and a lack of impulse control. Perhaps Master Yoda was right in The Phantom Menace when he said that there was too much fear in the boy. As Anakin heads back to Tatooine and makes a critical decision, we learn more about him and his anger. Anakin’s difficulty in terms of controlling his emotions becomes a central plot point with Attack of the Clones, making it a very interesting movie. We also see the construction of the Dark Side and their intentions become clearer. Things are building towards something as the Force is twisted and strange ironies lead to muted victories for the Jedi Knights.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was the first Star Wars film to be internationally out-grossed at the box office during the year of its original release. It was also considered by critics, of course, to be not “on par” with the original films. I tend to have different standards and tend to have a less cynical outlook than the average critic, however, and I enjoyed this one a great deal. Once again, there were rousing battle sequences and exciting moments of action and suspense. Some of the series’ most jaw-dropping effects take place in Attack of the Clones and the final battle sequence is incredible.
Lucas’s Attack of the Clones, like The Phantom Menace, furthered technological development in the world of film. As I watch modern “effects movies,” I am still hard-pressed to find films that look as good and as seamless as Attack of the Clones or The Phantom Menace. Lucas’s nose for effects and visualization is second to none in Hollywood or anywhere else. Attack of the Clones helped move Hollywood into the digital age with the use of a digital camera using an HD digital 24 frame system. It simply looks stunning and the stirring battle sequences are all the more intense because of Lucas’s inventive direction and willingness to try new things in the world of film technology. Attack of the Clones has the distinction of being the second film in history to be shot entirely on a digital camera, with the first being 2001’s Pitof-directed Vidocq.
The romantic interludes between Amidala and Anakin are ripped right out of classic romance films, complete with frolicking in fields and secret weddings. These ideas are nothing new to film, of course, and the dialogue that the two share is akin to similar moments suiting a space opera saga. For there to be a deep romance between the characters, complete with witty natural romantic comedy-style dialogue, would undermine Lucas’s intention. The characterizations have depth in other ways and Anakin’s descent into the Dark Side remains the film’s focal point and its strength.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones sounds and looks incredible. With surround sound and widescreen treatment, it is still one of the most exciting films of the 2000s and feels intense. The rousing John Williams score, complete with “Dark Side teasers” throughout, immensely accompanies the action and some of the film’s more understated scenes. Attack of the Clones might be the lowest-performing Star Wars film at the box office, but it is still a spectacle worth seeing and a worthy inclusion in the world’s most exciting space opera.
Trailer:
