Rating: 
Summary: Attack Of The Clowns
Review: I was absolutely appauled at the lack of story, confusing reoccuring details, and obvious lack of direction from the second installment of the pre-quel to the star wars trilogy.
I watched ATTACK OF THE CLONES with an open mind. Having been completely disappointed with THE PHANTOM SLEEPER, I thought that perhaps George Lucas may have been a bit rusty at film directing, since his last directorial debut was A NEW HOPE, but now I am convinced that Lucas is completely oblivious as to what made the original trilogy a success.
Although, STAR WARS was the premeire special effect dominator from 1977-1983, it's story was a simple one. Good against evil. Character definition was achieved, and by the end of A NEW HOPE, I was able to distinguish the good characters from the bad. While watching the pre-quels, I found it difficult to recognize who the bad characters were from the good ones. Not to focus too much on THE PHANTOM SLEEPER, but Darth Moul, and Qui-gon Jin, were killed off before any developement was established.
The original STAR WARS Trilogy dialogue was whitty, and at times funny. The interaction between Leia and Han was actually believeable, but it is hard to believe that Anikin and Pademe are in love. The love sceene in ATTACK OF THE CLONES was horrible. Pademe's dry, monotone unemotional dialogue was almost as interesting as watching paint dry. At the end of EMPIRE, when Luke, Leia and the droids were on the medical frigate, watching Lando and Chewbacca take off to try and resuce Han, I felt an overwhelming amount of empathy for the characters. At the end of ATTACK OF THE CLONES, I was glad to leave the theater.
George Lucas once said that a special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing, yet that is exactly what is two pre-quels are... CGI without a story. I don't understand the whole trade federation embargo, and how this is launches the dommino effect to an insurrection to the senate, which is the only plot device that I can corollate the pre-quels to the trilogy with.
It is doubtful that the last of the pre-quels will venture any better. I find it extreamely hard to believe that this is the back story that Lucas has floating in his head when he embarked on making film-making history. If this is so, then it's a sure bet that had he started with the pre-quels in 1977, we would never had seen the A NEW HOPE, EMPIRE AND JEDI twenty five years later.
Here is a suggestion for Mr. Lucas....
Skip the prequels and just release the original trilogy on DVD. That's what us fans really want. That was your masterpiece. Since the original triology was created first, these pre-quels have proven to be the afterbirth of the greatest science fiction adventure ever created.
Rating:
Summary: We should all stop making excuses for Lucas.
Review: First of all, I actually bought and own the DVD out of sheer Star Wars legacy fandom. I was one of the kids who saw SW, ESB and ROTJ ONCE in the theater when they first came out in the theaters. They were my favorite movies for years even though I hadn't seem them again until the VHS rentals in the mid 80's. I opted out of the "efx" editions in the early 90's where all that was done was extra coloring of the laser bolts. Lucas was vaguely hinting at new movies but said he wanted to do the "special editions" in the late 90's. I remember how so many of us were snookered into seeing the special editions in the theater just to see Han talking to Jabba when in the original outtake which was cut, Jabba was a jolly human with a belly. And then Greedo shot first with such lousy aim at the same time ruining Han's criminal ruthlessness of his original character. Otherwise, what's the point of his reforming at the end? I've not much else to add that others of you have reviewed especially in the last few weeks. Everyone is starting to realize what utter garbage the "movie" is after a year and a half of finally waking up from the haziness of a "NEW star wars movie!" termed the Lucas-effect. Lucas boasted he had a 9 part story in an interview during the ESB buzz in 1980. Like another review said, he really had no story. Tolkien spent 17 years writing LOTR from 1937 to 1953 after the success of the Hobbit in 1936. Lucas spent most of his 17 years since the OT marketing his "editions" and hastily patched up a "prequel" story in 1998 just in time to show Neimodians racially stereotyped as old China Mandarins and a Jaimaican with a gait like he was from the "hood". Maybe he thought there were too many Brits in the OT. Actually the Brit actors pride themselves on being villains in film cinema history. The "movie" isn't worth John William's excellent composing. I enjoy listening to the soundtrack CD. The experience is far better than the "movie" itself. You can listen to the talented performance of the London Symphony Orchestra, the individual performances outplaying many of the actors. If EpIII disappoints we should all just watch it once in the theater then let it bomb. Ever heard of "Cleopatra" with Liz Taylor and Richard Burton? It had all the funding and set pieces a big movie could ask for. But nothing helped with the awful script and acting. Same with AOTC. Watch one minute of ESB , then one minute of AOTC. Frame by Frame, AOTC is juvenile garbage compared to Kasdan's script for ESB and ANH. I'm almost willing to bet Vader was never Luke's father at this point, that Vader was actually a colleague of ObiWan instead of a student as was said in the first movie. The prequels totally ruin the "No, I am your father" line in ESB. Search deep in your feelings. You know it to be true!
Rating: 
Summary: If You Can't Say Anything Nice...
Review: Just to throw my two cents into the fray - the Greatest Film Of All Time? Certainly not. The Best Star Wars Film? Again, no. Return of the Jedi ( held by most as the weakest link in the series ) seems truly innovative by comparison. But this is a pretty decent movie. I am amazed at how many people have savaged this 'episode'. After years of belly aching for a 'new' Star Wars ( and having Mr. Lucas drag his heels before starting work on said films ) the 'new' Star Wars are finally released and are met with virtually universal disdain. This seems to be the classic 'build 'em up/knock 'em down' syndrome endemic to the fanboy mindset. Nothing could compare to the first 3 films -not even, apparently, Star Wars episodes I, II and III, as evidenced by some of the truly venomous vitriol spewed by some on this page. Relax: IT'S ONLY A MOVIE. I look forward to seeing the long lines on opening day of the next installment; the same people who will queue up at dawn to eagerly view this supposedly 'wretched' piece of filmmaking will be the very ones to rush home and post negative reviews of it. And for those who like to posit the rather specious George Lucas/Peter Jackson comparison - I am certain that if Lucas had an extra hour or so of running time for these film(s) they might have turned out very differently - and as such, the Lord of the Rings vs. Star Wars argument, in addition to being silly, is moot. I would recommend this film to fans of the series, and to sf/fantasy enthusiasts generally.
Rating:
Summary: shockingly bad
Review: I'm not a Star Wars fan but I've seen the rest of the series, and I expected Clones to be enjoyable. I got halfway through. I was appalled. If George Lucas is no longer interested, he should hand the project to someone else. The script is shockingly bad, high-school-project bad, and Lucas' direction is inexplicably amateurish. So unless you're an addict, be warned: stay away.
Rating: 
Summary: It's a star war movie
Review: I didn't buy this movie but I saw it and it is A Star Wars Movie. Who cares if it is bad or good. It is still a Star Wars movies and it good.
Rating:
Summary: Tecknical review!!!
Review: This is an all around bad movie from that Peter jackson wannabe George Lucas. But this is for those who may not watch thier movies very closely so pay attention folks!:put in your copy of Fellowship of the Rings extended edition or Two Towers extended edition. notice anything? look carefuly and you'll ntoice black bars at the top and bottom of your screen. *NO* nothing is wrong with your dvd or player this is because Peter Jackson filmed his movies in what is called 'widescreen format'. This is a special camera that allows you to filme MORE footage than a normal camera, got it? Now put in Attack of the Clones. uh-huh, NO black bars. Y'see George Lucus is so cheap that he filmed this movie on a video camera - I'M NOT JOKING! then he poured on tons of special efects from his special efects company ILM [convenient for him - free special efects!] plus saving money by not having to show whats going on on the edges of the screen! People, no *SERIOUS* directer uses cheap cameras to rip you off like Lucas! This guy is a HACK. Stick to real directers like Peter Jackson who arent afraid to spend a few bucks to get their movies made RIGHT because they CARE. Lucas only cares about profit$ and guess what? thats why no one cares about his movies!
Rating:
Summary: Pure Money Making From Lucas
Review: I just watched this movie on cable. I have seen it a couple times before, once in the theatre. Each time I watch it, it becomes more ludicrous. I have never been so compelled to write a negative review about a movie. Perhaps because the original trilogy was such an inspiring vision of science fiction movies to come, and this...this second episode of a prequel trilogy who's sole purpose is to appeal to all genres and rake in as much cash as possible. Throwing in tidbits of "insider" information to people who have read faithfully the mass of Star Wars books available, while at the same time, catering to a younger crowd of Star Wars newbies by throwing in characters of such shallow depth as, of course, Jar Jar Binks. The plot is paper thin, and quite frankly; the entire trilogy could have been condensed into 2 hours of special effects and minimal dialogue. But, like I said, that would have only been one moneymaking opportunity instead of three.
Looking at it from George's point of view, he did a wonderful job. Lots of people are anticipating the final installment coming out in 2005. But from a consumer's view, I feel insulted and ripped off.
The acting is terribly sub-par, even for science fiction movies, but in the actor's defense, they were given a worthless dialogue to work with. From Amidala's regal blather "...I shall retire" - Portman falls way short of pulling it off, to even Ewen McGregor's portrayal of an old man "...I hate it when he does that" - who is still in his thirties. Yes, Obi-wan is still the old man who appears in the original movie, only thirty years younger. I understand that he's a Jedi, but come on. Afraid of flying? He talks to Anakin as if he's some senile grandfather who's telling him to slow down from the passenger seat of his Cadillac driving 35 miles an hour! Anakin sounds as if he's reading from a book the entire time he is speaking. Both him and Obi-wan speak like Data from Star Trek fame, seemingly afraid to use a conjunction, let alone any form of emotion at all. I take that back...Data had much more emotion than do these characters. Yoda's charming backward dialogue in Empire and Return has gotten way out of hand in this movie. Everything he says is strained and broken. Frank Oz must've struggled with this character, because his script does not flow at all. The absolute pinnacle of poor directing is when, during a battle in an arena on Tatooine, Anakin has Padme jump on the back of the creature he is riding to rescue her amidst pure chaos, and the whole movie seems to stop for a second while Anakin expectantly turns his head, and Padme gives him a peck on the cheek before the action begins again. George must've had total power on this movie, because any editor with half a brain would have cut that one out and left it on the floor. These actors do have ability, but it is lost in the unending special effects and an uninspiring, juvenile script.
In the editorial review the author states: "If The Phantom Menace was the setup, then Attack of the Clones is the plot-progressing payoff." Payoff? There is virtually no plot progression at all! This is all very surprising, because ten years have supposedly passed since TPM. Anakin and Padme's marriage is thrown in at the last minute, and so is the advance of the Republic toward becoming the Empire.
In Return of the Jedi, we are led to believe that Anakin was once a powerful, noble, and mature Jedi who was overcome by the temptation to join the dark side. But in this weak trilogy, Anakin is just an immature teenager who lusts after Padme and thinks it's love, and is starting to be used by Senator Palpatine before he ever attains the status we are led to believe he has.
After TPM, I told myself, "Wow, good special effects and it really got the story going. The next movie will really get the ball rolling on how Darth Vader comes into existence." After watching the next movie, however, I began to realize what Lucas had done. He never had a story that could fill up six + more hours of film. He's trying to stretch his immature story for every dollar he can, insulting everyone along the way. This is truly the low point of the Star Wars saga that so many individuals worked so hard at making. Thanks a lot, George. I can only hope that you redeem yourself somewhat in Episode 3...George's Last Chance.
Rating: 
Summary: Flash Over Substance.
Review: The greatest quality that this movie has are the incredible visual effects. That's about it. It is a feast for the eyes. But the actors are horrible. The CGI characters have more facial expression. Speaking of the CGI characters, the same tendencies hold true here as in "The Phantom Menace." There is a serious racial tone to the characters. Some have flat faces with Asian inflections, another has a large nose and undoubtedly sounds stereo-typically Jewish, and Jar-Jar Binks, easily the most annoying character to be created in the last ten years, is obviously a "coon" stereo-type character. It is truly sad. The scenes with extensive dialogue all look staged and simplistic. Then there is the script. Whew! Let me take in a deep breath on this one... The dialogue is ridiculous and tenuous, thin and contrived dribble! The plot moves fairly well except for a couple of stupid moments. One moment comes when Skywalker jumps from a flying speeder and falls and falls until he grabs hold of the other speeder they were chasing at the exact moment it passes. Brilliant timing, even for a Jedi. It's amazing he did not have his arms torn off when he grabbed hold. Another scene has Yoda limping onto the screen only moments later miraculously turned into a crazed Mexican jumping bean weilding a light-sabre. There were others, with varying characters: the Princess falling from a transport at the exact moment they pass over a tall but unusually soft sand dune; Skywalker finding his mother just moments before she dies (just enough time for last goodbyes); Obi-wan clinging to a wire rope as he lurches to a sudden stop over a roiling sea (what a grip!). His hands should have been shredded and he should have gone tumbling into the murky waters below. The chemistry between the actors is atrocious! I won't go into detail, but they really don't like each other. In summation: a decent story with ridiculous plot devices, and amazing visual effects. This is a great example of flash over substance.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad at all!!
Review: I would never have considered watching this movie if it were for some of the poor reviews on amazon alone and the first let down that was Phantom Menace. However I started watching it by accident while flipping channels. I have to say that I stopped flipping channels quickly and was glued to the screen till the end. And what a long movie it is... For someone who's watched the old star wars as a kid when they came out, it was very exciting to watch and see how DarkVader eventually came to be. I disagree with those that say there was no plot. I believe the plot was carefully crafted so as to show the sequence of events that led the young Jedi joining the dark side. Also the computer generated images are quite amazing, especially the explosions that look more realistic than in some of the previous ones. The feeling of depth is also very well rendered in some of the combat scenes... I would give this movie 5 stars if anyone considered giving The Matrix reloaded 1 star. Some of the bad reviews for this movie would be appropriate for The Matrix Reloaded, especially the ones that critiscize the quick successions of scenes... This I believe was very well done and on purpose. The switching between ObiOne and the apprentice gave a sense that both were getting to the same place from different routes, but that one might end up being led astray...
For once this is a movie that may not appeal to those that have little understanding of plot making and subtle scenes, which could explain some of the poor reviews pushed to the extreme. My only complaint is that this movie made me miss the humour that could be found in the old episode featuring Harrison Ford at his prime. However the youthful energy of the young apprentice, his building arrogance and slight darkness was very well portrayed by this young actor. As for McGregor, he lacked sympathy and understanding for his apprentice, which would have otherwise opened some room for some interesting discussions between the two, which in turn would have given the characters more depth.. An essential element to make us care about their fate for the next episodes..
Rating:
Summary: The movie - 4 stars; the DVD - 4.5 stars.
Review: Frankly, I think this movie gets a lot worse rap than it deserves. People can never seem to bring it up without bringing up the LotR trilogy - you should be able to praise a movie without unnecessarily bringing up another. AotC and The Phantom Menace are both trashed for things that exist but are excused in Episodes IV through VI: cheesy dialogue, wooden acting, stilted chemistry. Why are people getting upset over these things now when SW films have been like this for almost 30 years? Honestly. As far as the dialogue is concerned - compared to other, non-SW films, no, AotC doesn't look that great. But look at it compared to the other SW films? *No* SW film has ever been praised for sparkling dialogue. It's silly to vilify AotC and TPM alone for it. If anything, the dialogue in AotC is actually (if only by a little) better than the others; Obi-Wan himself has some classic one-liners. Anakin's dialogue is the most trashed, and true there are some weak points (his fireplace scene monologue went about two lines two far), but really, considering the guy is totally inexperienced at picking up chicks, much less one he's loved half his life, it wouldn't be terribly in character to write him delivering smooth pick-ups. The editing is by far the biggest problem - it's choppy and rushed, barely leaving you time to invest yourself emotionally into one scene before they move on to the next one. In terms of character development, Padme also suffered something of a loss to the cutting-room floor, as many of the included deleted scenes show. Ben Burtt (who helped edit the film) may be a fine sound editor, but not a film editor. The love story in particular suffers most from the editing, but is still passable and on multiple viewings, enjoyable for me. It's fittingly awkward for what it is - two romantically inexperienced people falling in love who know they shouldn't be. But all else aside, it's a very rich and lush bit of filmmaking. Almost any single shot from this movie you could take and find it filled with symbolic, mythological, and other visual nuances - homages to the myths Lucas has drawn from, as well as to the other SW films. (Take the shot of Anakin meditating on the balcony, for example - a striking homage to his future as Vader, as well as moody and beautiful in its composition. Or the very final shot of Anakin, Padme, and the droids facing the sunset and an uncertain future - very reminiscent of the ending shot of their children and the droids at the end of The Empire Strikes Back.) Perhaps the most wonderful thing about the SW films, AotC included, is how richly layered they are: you could be on the 20th viewing of this film and still be discovering details you never noticed before. It makes the films even more enjoyable. The acting: acceptable with both good and bad moments on Natalie's part (her performance is almost *too* subtle and is almost swallowed in the sensory overload that a SW film always is), solid on Ewan's, and (albeit with a couple of small iffy patches) absolutely stunning on Hayden's. I see criticisms of Hayden as "wooden," which I'm surprised anyone can make after seeing Anakin's chilling, passioned confession of the Tusken massacre to Padme. What others see as "wooden" I see as the demeanor of a Jedi (which *is* supposed to be emotionally detached), and the spot-on mannerisms of the Sith Lord to come. Watch how he walks, listen to the inflections in his voice. It's Vader, minus the mask. Hints of even Jake Lloyd's Anakin are visible in moments like "I'm good at fixing things - always was." I think sometimes people confuse the dialogue with the actor himself - you can't blame the actor for the dialogue he has to speak. Far as Anakin's "whininess," I don't see how that's any worse than Luke's in ANH and frankly, considering Anakin's had a lot more troubled adolescence than Luke, Anakin's is actually a bit more justified. Really, Anakin's whole character in this film flows seamlessly from TPM - and you can see the now-even-more prominent hints of what's going to lead him to his future as Darth Vader. Excellent character writing - which fits, as SW is his story. There are other wonderful bits of foreshadowing in this film, such as the visit to the Lars' Homestead and the Death Star cameo - they really help to tie the films even closer together. The FX are top-notch - the speeder chase, the backdrops of Naboo are rich and complex, and the Kaminoans and clonetroopers are stunningly lifelike in detail. The Battle of Geonosis is also impressive (if a little lengthy), although the single shot of AotC that most wows me is looking out at the endless marching rows of clone troopers on Coruscant at the end. It's completely computer generated, but you're no less in awe over the sheer magnitude and spectacle of it. Also impressive is the score of John Williams, especially the perfect-for-the Anakin/Padme-relationship love theme, although you can hear on the CD soundtrack how unfortunately butchered parts of it were for the final cut, especially in the Geonosis battle, to include recycled music from TPM. The DVD itself is a treat with the deleted scenes, razor-sharp colors and clarity of the film itself, which has a few small but well-placed additional scenes/scene bits. I do wish they'd gone the route of multiple commentaries like the LotR DVD instead of just the one - frankly, I'd rather hear Lucas's comments on the shaping of the love pledge scene than the tech guys babbling on about how that scene is the beginning of Reel 6. The featurettes are enjoyable, if not quite as much as "The Beginning" one of Episode I... but overall, the extras are definitely worth it. As a film and a DVD, it's definitely one of the favorites of my collection.
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