Rating: 
Summary: All special effects and little story!
Review: I have always loved the original STAR WARS TRILOGY, but after the Special Editions I feel the films have been compromised of their original integrity instead of improved. With the releases of the now "Prequel" trilogies the films could be viewed as a whole, but in the long run the entire series seem more redundant. Even more problematic is - we have seen the cotton pickin' films at least million times - OF COURSE THEY SEEM BORING BY NOW!ATTACK OF THE CLONES was an improvement over THE PHANTOM MENACE in that Jar Jar Binks is seen in very little of the film. Although I still pray that George will have him killed off in EPISODE III. STAR WARS films have two things going for them; 1) the special effects, and 2) John Williams' scores. George Lucas himself stated once "Special effects are just tools. Ways of telling a store cinematically. A special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing." I don't know if such is the case with ATTACK OF THE CLONES, because the entire film rests on the development of Anakin Skywalker's "Journey to the Dark Side". The whole love story with Anakin and Padme is nice, but it tends to overwhelm the proceedings. For instance, the special effects imagery impeeds the story. Look at the scene where Obi-Wan, Mace Windu and Yoda are talking about Anakin. The hall they are walking through isn't real, the people walking in the background aren't real, and even Yoda wasn't real. The action duels against Jango Fett and Count Dooku are incredible however, and it is Yoda's MASSIVE KILLER skills with a lightsaber that really give the film a boost. Again there was the whole battle towards the end, you can tell the beasts and the battle droids were all computer animation as well, and the actors are even in the final transfer pretending to be battling invisible opponents. The finished effect looks too much like something more out of a video game. I am giving the film a favorable verdict because like THE PHANTOM MENACE before it, the film did serve as an important footnote in the "Saga Before the Saga". Moreover I am very certain the DVD will be worth buying due to all of the special extras. The problem I have with STAR WARS now may have a lot to do with age, but the films are all movie magic and battle enhanced. It's a fun treat to be viewing another world such as STAR WARS, but when it's over it's over, and it's time to enjoy real life and other things of interest. Like all other films George Lucas associated - it's entertainment, and that's all it's supposed to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Worst of the five films
Review: Let me start out by countering some of those who defend this films quality. Many fanatics try to excuse the acting as a tribute to the serials of the 40s & 50s (by Lucas' admission). There is a reason that style of acting is no longer used. IT WAS LOUSY AND UNREALISTIC. Not even the original two films used that outdated style. The acting between Hayden & Natalie was specially painful to watch (I mean that in a cringe worthy way). They are the two most wooden and flat actors. Lucas unfortunately is completely clueless on how to direct actors. The veterans (McDiarmid, Lee, McGregor) were all fine mainly because they're experienced actors. The other crucial element that made the first two memorable was the ONSCREEN CHEMISTRY. There was absolutely none in the last two films. Some even defended the bad dialoge of the prequels as being no different than the original. While that may be true to an extent, the line deliveries of the orignal was very passionate.
The line delivery of these new films seemed forced and uninspired. And the result of course is lack of onscreen chemistry and equally bad acting. If Lucas uses the same bad acting/dialouge for the next film, then I can only see this film circling the drain. George, Please hire a new director and writer for the last one. You're a good storyteller but you are a lousy writer/director.
Rating:
Summary: heck, I just saw it 'cause Natalie Portman was in it!
Review: Some people saw it because they were hardcore Star Wars fans, some others saw it to see if it was any better than the disaster of the first one, and some others saw it because of the fabled Yoda vs. Duku scene. Then there are people like me - those who saw it to see Natalie Portman or Hayden Christiansen (if you're a girl). And although this movie is definitely better than it's predecessor, it still is lacking. It has more action, more lightsabres, some familiar locations (i.e. Owen's farm on Tatooine), and [stuff] like that. So why was this movie lacking? It just didn't have that Star Wars charm that the old movies all had. And the effects in the new versions look unbelievably 'computerized'. I know you're thinking, "well they ARE computerized!". This is true. But my point is that the purpose of special effects is to blend them into the movie as much as possible - these effects don't do that. They look like something that I could make on 3D Studio Max (and in fact, I did, just to prove my point). To put it bluntly, they're too simple and repetitive! And what in the [heck] happened to Yoda's puppet?? Do they have to use computers for EVERYTHING?? The romance [stuff] was cheesy and typical. The whole 'running through the meadow on a lovely spring day' almost made me want to leave. The barely lit room with the fire, now come on! I'm surprised Anakin didn't try to feel her around a bit with that leather outfit she was wearing (we all know he would have loved that!) Okay, I'm done nagging the effects and corny romance. The good parts of the movie, for me anyway, were seeing Amidala in some sexy looking outfits (that outfit she wore during that cheesy fireplace scene was the best)! Did any other guys out there have the urge to want to kill Anakin?? Another good aspect of this movie was that there was significantly less Jar Jar than the last movie. He's still there though, and I'm wondering at what point in the series he finally kicks it. The fact that this moron of a character was given a diplomatic role was really bewildering!
Rating:
Summary: Sound and Vision
Review: Attack of the Clones is the spell-binding follow-up to The Phantom Menace, worthy of the Star Wars tradition, filled with compelling characters, outstanding music along with lustrous and visceral visual effects that once again push limits of visual story telling. The master of myth and mystification has returned in his finest form creating a space opera that will hook and reward the viewer on ever-greater levels with each subsequent viewing. Lucas has recaptured his tradition of telling an elaborate mythological tale with the simplicity of a Saturday serial and some of the most stunning vistas any moviemaker has ever produced. Lucas has described his Star Wars films as silent pictures set to music and he remains true to that vision as the latest movement in George Lucas's "symphony," as he has calls them, with "recurring musical themes." Inspired by Wagner's Ring Cycle, the Lucas' Star Wars saga takes the viewer on a hero's journey through worlds richly detailed and densely layered as a backdrop to the action. Each planet has a history and every building a story-even signs seem to have their tale to tell. Taking place ten years after its last installment, Attack of the Clones is the teenage development of the child-like Phantom Menace with action to spare and a new mythological theme: a forbidden love that blossoms between Anakin (the doomed protagonist) and Padame, the former Queen of Naboo. This fantastic religious space epic comes equipped with modern political lessons as heroes sew the innocent seeds of their own destruction. At the peak of their prestige the Jedi, on verge of losing their grip on their (other) worldly existence, defend the Republic in the midst of growing political unrest produced by a corrupt regime trampling upon the natural rights of those they seek to protect. In preparation for these latest installments, George Lucas studied the rise of modern political dictatorships and found that all arose in relatively democratic environments as populations give up freedom to their would-be protectors. The mysterious Count Dooku, a former Jedi, emerges as a charismatic power broker and the leader of a separatist movement seeking reform. Anakin's hubris, always the down fall of mythological heroes from Icarus to Oedipus, seems destined to become the downfall the Jedi as well paving the way for the totalitarian tyranny to come (in what will probably prove to be a very dark Episode III). The endless battles between good and evil produce a religious epic that works on a visceral level-not a humorless sermon for the "religiously correct" (like Left Behind) nor a fairytale unable transcend or transform as in The Lord of The Rings (the movie that draws from the Star Wars tradition leaves its hero much in the same way we first meet him by the end of that trilogy). Attack of the Clones is more like Rebel Without A Cause than The Ten Commandments and more like Metropolis than Citizen Kane. But like Orson Wells, and his equally billed cinema photographer Gregg Toland, Lucas uses every visual trick at his disposal to keep us watching the magic show and, unlike Citizen Kane, the layers run deep revealing more meaning with each subsequent viewing. As in all Star Wars sagas, the twists and turns of fate depends upon the heroic actions of a few, for it's the film's irresistible rush of action and spectacle that we have come to see. With tongue in cheek acting and dialogue of a Saturday matinee serial, the symphonic opera's captivation begins when the music blares and the title hits the screen. As the words start crawling backwards into the darkness of star-speckled outer space, the pulp fiction fantasia begins delivering the fast and intense joy ride that Star Wars fans have come to expect from one of the great cinematic experiences of out time. What Star Wars lacks in dialogue, it more than makes-up for with a unique sense of scale and musical story telling that rivals the best films ever made. If you want to see a good fairy tale, pick up a copy of Lord of the Rings with its superior dialogue but inferior musical score. If you want to see the masterpiece that inspired both the Lucas and Tolkein story, check out Wagner's Ring Cycle. But if you wish to see the latest installment in one the greatest movie epics of all time, then Attack of the Clones is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: A NEW HOPE
Review: Following on from the disappointing and deservedly critically mauled Phantom Menace (great title awful movie) comes Attack of the Clones, lumbered with the weight of expectation of many millions of Star Wars fans who felt cheated by episode I and the baggage of having a c**p title. However, Star fans need have no fear, although not the best in this popular series of movies, it is in many departments up there with episodes IV and V levels and definitely superior to both episodes I and VI. All that said, Attack of the Clones is still a good news/bad news affair...although the good heavenly outweighs the bad. The bad news is that Jar Jar Binks makes an unwelcome return. Perhaps this is a somewhat muted response and stubborn refusal by George Lucas to concede that Jar Jar is the greatest mistake of the Star Wars franchise, or perhaps it is just an attempt to shift millions of unsold and unwanted Jar Jar merchandise left over from The Phantom Menace. We may never know but mercifully Monsieur Binks appears relatively briefly on this occasion, with just enough screen time to plunge the republic headlong toward disaster, in his new role as a speaker in the senate. Also on the disappointing side is the length of the movie, coming in at a mighty 142 minutes despite apparently having many deleted scenes (apparently set to appear on the DVD as extras). When will filmmakers learn the old adage that less is sometimes more? Several of the scenes were somewhat unnecessary, with the Droid factory scene being more akin to a computer game (such as Abe's Odyssey) than a movie. The Jedi lurve scenes are also substantially overplayed and in traditional Lucas style much of the dialogue is more than a little clunky and given to cliché and alas, much like The Phantom Menace, there is also way too much CGI. However there is much to be thankful for in episode II... The really really good news is that Episode II delivers in a very big way with more than 100 jawdropping action set pieces, created masterfully by ILM. Lance Christiansen as Anakin Skywalker is well cast and he perfectly captures the conflict of good and evil as the great hero destined to become the greatest villain in cinematic history. Ewan MacGregor and Samuel L. Jackson, as Obi Wan and Mace Windu are also given much bigger roles with the opportunity to flex their lightsaber wielding muscles in some juicy action scenes. There are also the additions of some great villains in the shape of Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) and Jango Fett (Temeura Morrison). Christopher Lee is in particular a fantastic addition to the Star Wars cast, bringing the same credibility and intelligence to the movie as he and Ian MacKellen added to Lord of the Rings. There is also a welcome return to the darker tones of The Empire Strikes Back (perhaps this franchises greatest hour), with Anakin wreaking revenge upon a whole village of Tuskin Raiders, women and children 'n all in revenge for the death of his mother. However, there is still room for some dry humour with the best lines being saved for Ewan MacGregor as Obi-Wan. "Why do I get the feeling that you're going to be the death of me?" asks Kenobi of his young protégé. Although many critics will argue that in George Lucas's world CGI action and effects take precedence over dialogue and character development, most fans will resoundingly reply "we don't care", for Attack of the Clones is an enormous improvement on the cartoon-like childrens movie that was The Phantom Menace and for this we should be very thankful. Episode II is indeed very much a return to form; always entertaining and a great cinematic spectacle, which leaves the franchise in good health as we eagerly await the all-important episode III and the impending victory of the dark side of the force. And whilst I still cant quite totally forgive Mr Lucas for his previous indiscretion, he has given us a new hope.
Rating: 
Summary: WILL EVERYTHING BE TIED UP IN THE END?
Review: I've been a big STAR WARS fan since it first came out in 1978. It was the ultimate adventure with a good versues evil premise.I was very disappointed when I saw The Phantom Menace. The film was too focused on Anakin Skywalker, and it lowered its standards. I anxiously waited with anticipation for Attack Of The Clones, and aside from it being a little better, there were still alot of flaws in the film. The worst was the romance. It totally ruined the pace in the film, and talk about rehashing of certain scenes. Haven't I seen that scene with the starship weaving through th easteroids before? Han Solo did it in the Empire Strikes Back and the ending was way too fast. I didn't know what had transpired until I read the book. And again I'm reminded of The Empire Strikes Back. The ending was the same. I just hope that with the third (and final film) that Mr. Lucas is able to tie it up nicely.
Rating: 
Summary: 5 stars for this and every other Star Wars film!!!!!
Review: Let me start off by saying I LOVE the original trilogy. I love all the charocters that I grew up with. But a bunch of stubborn people who can't adapt to a new story and a new cast is really getting on my nerves. I wish when people wrote things about the movie they would actually understand the plot first. I defended Phantom Menace which I gave 5 star wars on the grounds which it was introducing the stories and the charocters. Phantom Menace which was the perfect movie title, because you see how the Jedi are blinded by the dark side and their arrogance and slowly through the prequels the dark side is revealing themselves. It was set in a time of peace. The actors are wooden, BECAUSE THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO BE!!! The prequels are all in peace time. If anyone took a hint from the Attack of the Clones teaser poster which said a jedi shall not love, or hate, meaning a jedi is not suppose to let their emotions control their actions. I love Natalie Portman and the romance she has with Anakin. Mind you people that this is a PG rated film so they were trying to be cautious because of the child audience. I liked Hayden Christiansen and Jake Lloyd, because Lucas is trying to portray how a young child, grown into a teenager, how certain events in one life can create the tyrant we all know and love as Darth Vader. Also lay off Jar Jar, also Lucas is showing with him is how a clumsy uninformed goof with power can cause tragerdy by his inability to make well educated decisions. In Ep. 4-6 Luke, Han, and Leia are fighting a rebellion of course they are going to be more emotional and hostile! Also I am a Lord of the Rings fan, but I rate Star Wars as the greatest set of films of all time. Spiderman was OK but not great it was just the "flavor of the month". I am Star Wars fan til the day I DIE, I'm a real fan unlike the whiney other people I have to listen to!
Rating:
Summary: Hope revived!
Review: I was hesitant about seeing this movie. After watching the fiasco we call Episode 1, I pretty much lost faith in the Star Wars movies. This movie (Episode 2) restored my faith and surpasses the quality of the older Trilogy. The actors are extremely talented and leaving nothing to be desired! Hayden Christensen (as Anakin)has an extremely tough role to play with is character going back and forth between extreme hate, and his not-so-new-found love. He pulls it off smashingly! Natalie Portman (as Amidala) does equally well playing the "hard shelled" senator. Great action (have to love the Yoda fight scene), humor, and of course, romance make this a film you'll want to see again and again. You will not be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Looks like an excellent DVD.
Review: I loved Episode II in theaters and after viewing the special features listed here at Amazon, I can hardly wait for the DVD. Why, oh why did everyone hate Attack of the Clones so much? I went with my older sister who said she didn't enjoy it too much but then again, she was never a real Star Wars fan to begin with and only agreed to go because I practically begged her to drive me over to the theater cause I had gotten free pre-screening passes. Only true Star Wars fans can appreciate the new trilogy, I've learned. I must admit that The Phantom Menace wasn't all that great but I still liked it cause, well, it's STAR WARS! The actors were superb in Attack of the Clones, but the one to watch is definitely Hayden Christensen (and not just cause he's totally hot!), but also because he is an amazing actor and played the teenage Anakin Skywalker at his best...he put Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker to shame, man! The storyline was a little shaky but that's OK. George Lucas was never aiming to win the Oscar for best original screenplay to begin with. The dialouge was, well, Star Wars dialouge. The special effects were outstanding! I saw this film on both a digital screen and a regular movie theater screen and I could definitely see the difference--digital IS better for this kind of film. For those who thought The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones were bad...watch out for Episode III! I hear it's supposed to be one of the best in the whole saga. So definitely give Attack of the Clones a second chance and buy the DVD when it's available--you may find that you enjoy it more the second time around. And give Mr. Lucas one last chance and see Episode III in 2005!!
Rating:
Summary: Clones Delivers
Review: Star Wars Episode II was a fantastic edge of your seat thriller that when compared to Episode I, completely blows it away, and when compared to the original trilogy, fits right in. The film immediately jumps the audience with a sudden attack on Senator Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman). However, the real hook to this film is the Jedi's, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), chase the bounty hunter Zam Wessel. This entire scene may possibly be the greatest action sequence ever shot in a film. It keeps the moviegoers cheering like it's a football game and just when you think it's over, the action picks right back up again. Following this amazing scene, the moviegoer is now set to relax and enjoy the film knowing that it's going to be damn good.
Episode II is much more carefully directed by creator George Lucas as compared to his job on Episode I. Lucas took a more concerned approach to the fans and kept Jar-Jar Binks (Ahmed Best) in the film for about a total of five minutes. The emotion and intensity is far more real than the Episode I: Phantom Menace.
However, much credit must be given to the cast. Hayden Christensen did a fairly good job in getting over that half darkness have lightness persona of Anakin Skywalker with a B+ performance. Natalie Portman receives the same grade in playing her Senator Amidala role. Both had some flaws in trying to get their love angle over and the chemistry between the two could have attempted to be stronger. By far the worst actor in this film is Daniel Logan whom plays young Boba Fett. His personality is annoying and brings back haunting memories of the dreadful performance by Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace. However, making up for these roles is the A+ performance of Ewan McGregor playing Obi-Wan Kenobi. His acting skills have dramatically improved from the last film and his performance in this movie is nothing but perfect. Christopher Lee, playing Count Dooku, is another A+ setting in perfectly with the Sith. His dark roles in the past as Dracula give Lee, 78 years old, the proper experience and his deep voice fits wonderfully with the character. Samuel L. Jackson also delivered an A+ with his ability to get the audience cheering in moments of excitement. He played Jedi Master Mace Windu.
This film is told magnificently just by the music of multi Oscar-winning John Williams. It is possibly one of Williams's best scores ever. The new main love theme, "Across the Stars," is so perfectly written that it makes some of those bad chemistry moments between Padme and Anakin seem much more emotional. The music is purely exciting and most definitely has Oscar potential.
Once again Dennis Muren amazes us with his visual effects. However, there are minor flaws that give a slightly bad effect. For example, the water on Kamino looked like clay, and parts where people rode on certain things exteriorly looked not so real. And in the one part in the droid-making chamber, the real characters didn't seem to be in the picture. Other than that, the visual effects go beyond amazing, including the new digital Yoda, which surprisingly turned out to be great.
The returning David Tattersal does breathtaking cinematography. Not a flaw is done here as shots are all spectacularly set. My absolute favorite is when Padme and Anakin are by the fireplace. Here, you see half of Padme's face dark and the other half is the light reflection of the fireplace. It had a very nice effect and added to express the forbidden love between her and Anakin.
Jonathan Hales did a good job helping out George Lucas with this screenplay. It is most definitely apparent that he reassured Lucas not to make some of the big mistakes made with The Phantom Menace. There are excellent lines and the humor is in the right place at the right time unlike the annoying attempt with Jar-Jar Binks in Episode I. The best line in this movie is when Jedi Master Mace Windu approaches Count Dooku and says, "This party is over."
However, above all, the feature that best kept the audience alive with exhilaration was the amazing sound created by Ben Burtt. The sound is loud and packed with energy. The most impressive technique used by Burtt is when the bombs came out of the back of Jango Fett's (Temuera Morrison) Slave 1 ship in the asteroid field. When the bombs made contact with something, everything would go completely mute for about a second, then a rush of energy shook the ground as a thunderous boom exploded.
This movie's prime concentration is on Anakin Skywalker. It focuses on his traits leading to the darkside and his love for a Padme. The sub-plot to this all is happening within the Senate and the formation of the Clone Army, which is under investigation by Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The climatic point of this film was unquestionably Yoda's battle with Count Dooku. He stole the show as the audience cheered like it was a Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant showdown. It was a fun ride yet very powerful and most impressive in the history of visual effects. I will not give away the ending, but I will say that the last shot is an exact modification of one of the final shots in Empire Strikes Back.
The thing I most loved about this film was how much more natural it was. Simple things such as Obi-Wan having a normal conversation with his friend Dexter Jettster (Ron Falk) were done to make the characters seem more real in having a life. Parts like that were not seen in Episode I. So this film, without a shadow of a doubt, possessed a much more natural sense and it ten times more appreciating.
In conclusion I can honestly say this is a film I would go back and see not just any day of the week, but everyday of the week. This film is good enough to make Star Wars fans obsessive over it and transform normal moviegoers into full-fledged Star Wars fans. This is one film that will leave you with sleepless nights as the excitement will stay built fired up in you for quite some time. Proof of that is that it's 2:06 AM as I am writing this! But no doubt, this movie will leave everyone craving to see Episode III. Rating: A-
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