Rating: Summary: Much Better Than Phantom Menace Review: I went to this movie thinking I was just going to give George more of my money, I left entertained. I've heard the jokes that Mr. Lucas is making up the story as he goes, but so what, with AOTC, it is all coming together (I saw ANH 3 times in the theatre when it FIRST came out). I was fairly disappointed with 'Phantom Menace' (too cheesey and childish with Jar Jar Binks), but was glad to see Jar Jar had only 5 to 10 minutes on screen time now. I am a true fan of the original Star Wars movies, and have been waiting a long time to see the prequels (even if the first one was below par). I, unlike other reviewers, am interested in how Darth Vader came to be, why Leia and Luke were seperated at birth, what the Jedi's did in their slow time, and unbeknownst to me (up until 'The Phantom Menace' or 'Attack of The Clones') why Jabba the Hut is the bad-... that he is/was. The acting, as other reviewers have said is "wooden", but that's not the point. The point is the story as a whole, from 'Star Wars I The Phantom Menace' all the way through to 'Star Wars VI Return of the Jedi' (besides, even though I liked the originals, all the acting was "wooden") If you are interested in the history of the first three, this is the movie to see(to get you caught up to speed, plus the chase scene, and the execution scene are just some great effects, not to mention Yoda's fight scene).
Rating: Summary: By far the best STAR WARS movie EVER made! Review: I was one of the few who actually enjoyed the first Star Wars movie, "Star Wars : Episode I." So when "Attack of the Clones" came out I went to the theater and saw it opening day. This movie is GREAT! Chop full of hardcore, edge of your seat action makes this movie not only enjoyable but a "must have" for any Star Wars fan. Somtimes the acting is a little dry (wasn't it in the last three episodes?) but thats easily over looked by the wonderful special effects, interesting story and hardcore action! Don't let the negative comments of a few rude people ruin this experiance for you. Watch it for what its worth and for the most part you'll have a good time. Isn't that what movies are all about? Having a good time?
Rating: Summary: The bonus features are far more entertaining than the movie. Review: This movie is fataly flawed by bad acting (Natalie Portman is awfull), no chemistry between the supposed "love interest" of Portman and Christianson. The only ray of hope is Ewan McGregor who always delivers a great performance, but he cannot overcome having to act out most of this movie on what is obviously a green screen.As bad as the acting is, the special effects are worse. Why does Lucas even pretend to make this stuff look real? Nothing looks believable, especailly Yoda. One can find better and more believable graphics on a Playstation game. However, the bonus stuff save the DVD as a whole. There are a ton of documentries, many featuring clips and scenes from the first 3 movies in the series. Note--If the clips of the other movies are on DVD then why aren't they available to the genral public to buy?? So, if you're serious fan, then you probally have it already. If you're a so-so fan, rent it first.
Rating: Summary: Sometimes more is less Review: "Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones" and its immediate predecessor, 1999's "Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace", provide ample proof that more is not necessarily better and that excess is no way to improve upon a concept. Each of these movies cost over $100,000,000 to make. Employed were the finest animators, set designers and computer graphics wizards that money can buy. Yet, if these talented artisans are all the king's man and all the king's men, then certainly these movies are Humpty Dumpty. Flashback 25 years: A young George Lucas begs 20th Century-Fox for enough money to complete "Star Wars". He has to use all his ingenuity to cobble the movie together from reused sets and dinky miniatures. Necessity once more proves to be the mother of invention. The film goes on to become a gigantic hit. The next movie in the series, "The Empire Strikes Back" has a much larger budget, which Lucas uses wisely. It's not only another winner but also a better picture. Then comes "Return of the Jedi", which shows signs of bloated budgets and egos. It's the weakest of the three. In many ways, "Clones" is an improvement over "Phantom". Some of the computer generated images are breathtaking. Much of the time, the actors blend in seamlessly with these images, though occasionally, the live characters obviously become computer images themselves. Yoda is given freedom of movement he did not have before. The story is more interesting and coherent than the one in "Clones". The movie's big failures are in two areas. The dialog is pathetically weak, so much so that it's hard to relate to the human characters, especially when the few good lines belong to a robot. And the technological 'miracles' eventually overwhelm the film. As in "Phantom", the filmmakers are diverted by gadgets. This makes the movie preposterously loud and filled with overly busy screen images - objects fly and whiz around only because the engineers and animators can make them do so. Things go bang just because they can. The viewer's eyes and ears go into overdrive trying to assimilate all this information. By the end, one isn't exhilarated, as one should be, but simply tired.
Rating: Summary: better Review: This is better then the 1st movie. Jar Jar is in this more a whole lot less. Which was a great thing! There was a lot more action and we get to see Skywalker slowly turn to the dark-side of the Force.
Rating: Summary: Worst movie ever?? Review: As countless other Star Wars fans I queued around the block of the Arlington Theater to see the spectacle that was to be Episode II. Having reluctantly kept my seat for the whole film (I would have left were it not for my wife), the best I could hope to say about the thing was that it was better than Episode I. Having now rented the DVD, determined to give it another chance and hoping to detect at least some redeeming features in this pitiful effort, I can safely say that I was quite wrong - this is far, far worse even than Episode I. Aside from the poor acting, atrocious dialogue (not even the inhabitants of a galaxy far, far away could possibly have such inane conversations, could they?) and incredibly thin plot, the computer generated characters, backgrounds and other supposed visual wizardry are simply terrible. The point, in my opinion, of special effects is to enhance a film and to make the impossible seem possible or at least remotely plausible. In this case, the CG effects take far too much of the stage, are too bright and gaudy and are completely unconvincing. Many would say that I am too old fashioned and would prefer Harryhausen's clay monsters running about the place - this is not (entirely) true. I beleive that CG can be used to great effect (just look at Lord of the Rings, or even Spiderman) but should remain complementary to, not dominant of, a picture. If I had wanted to see a computer generated cartoon with a bad plot, I would watch Final Fantasy. I feel sorry for the kids of today, growing up with such a poor quality substitute for Star Wars. Get it together George. (Oh, and for anyone who still thinks Irvin Kershner should direct the next Star Wars after doing such a fantastic job on Empire, try watching Robocop 2. Say no more...)
Rating: Summary: 5 Star DVD, 1 Star Movie Review: The Movie Attack of the Clones features laughable acting, horrible dialogue, a boring plot, non-developed characters, beautiful scenery and breathtaking special FX The DVD 6 hours of extras! The DVD has deleted scenes that give more depth to Padme's character and the trailers show what the movie COULD have been. Buy it just for the DVD
Rating: Summary: This movie did not live up to all the hype. Review: I didn't go to see it in the theater because I'd already read the book and knew the story itself was a disappointment. I had imagined that Anakin MUST become Darth Vader by the end of the second movie (and was helped in believing that by the misleading commercial with the heavy breathing at the end) in order for the third movie to work. Apparently Mr. Lucas has other ideas and having now bought the DVD of episode II and seen these ideas, I'm looking forward to the third part of this trilogy only with great dread. I was a huge fan of the original trilogy, I saw the first one when I was in high school, going three times to see it in the theater and wished there was a way to watch it at home over and over again (VCRs weren't around yet...) and I looked forward with greater excitement to Empire and then Jedi. The Phantom Menace was just all right. Attack of the Clones is simply several hours of mindless viewing that feels like watching someone else play a video game. The acting is wooden, although that term simply isn't accurate or harsh enough. The only characters worth watching are those played by Samuel Jackson and Ewan McGregor (who I did like as Obi-Wan as opposed to other opinions). The rest, well, most of that CGI-Yoda money could have been better spent on some real, live acting talent...
Rating: Summary: The Force is strong with this one Review: Having seen the film fourteen times in the theater -- including eleven digital screenings -- I can say without hesitation that this is the best Star Wars film since The Empire Strikes Back (and, given the amount of money I spent on the film and that I've spent for ages on the collectibles, a clearly dedicated Lucasfilm fan). The DVD itself is as spectacular as seeing in theaters: the digital-to-digital transfer is jawdropping. Putting aside how well the effects and scenery are displayed given the digital transfer, just take a look at the faces. You can see every line, every bead of sweat, every motion on Christopher Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, and Hayden Christensen's faces...it's simply amazing. On a film note, the sequence in which Dooku and Anakin battle in the dark, colors dancing on their faces, playing off the inner evil and weakness of both characters, bookended by their almost dance-like movements moments before Dooku "dis-arms" his opponent, is easily the most masterful directing in any of the Star Wars films. I can't wait for Episode III and for George's future "mystery projects."
Rating: Summary: at least the corset grabbed my attention Review: In 30 years this movie will be about as popular as "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes" - another example of a fine franchise that came completely unglued with egotism and box office greed. The only redeeming part of this movie is Natalie Portman's outfits - which is a complete insult to her as an actress (she's a psych major at Harvard for heaven's sake). Many point to the land battle as great action. But honestly, even the CGI action is completely devoid of any development - it just doesn't deliver. Is there a single suspenseful point in that battle that compares to the cabling of that AT-AT's legs in Empire? No. I am a mild SW fan at best, but I feel sorry for those (like myself) that grew up with the originals. Lucas blew it for us all by giving us a whiny Vader and a young Boba Fett that looks like he just stepped out of a GAP ad and onto the AOTC set. These reviews also say a lot about the younger movie goers - even I was aware that "Krull" or "Star Trek: Wrath of Khan" was... when I was 9 or 10. Why can't they see it? Finally, I think all the fine talent on this movie (Jackson, Lee, McGregor, Portman, etc.) should band together in 10 years when their contracts expire (and they can find suitable legal represenation with solid insurance backing) and give us a behind the scenes bashing of how ludicrous this production really was and how Lucas is a total control freak. That would be worth seeing. I wish the best for this cast and hope this movie doesn't tarnish their careers.
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