Rating: 
Summary: The Moose Hole - Send in the 'Clones'
Review: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away ...There once was a time when a Star Wars film was met with huge anticipation. The Empire Strikes Back became a huge hit three years after the original A New Hope surprised audiences across the country with amazing special effects and charming characters and story. After Return of the Jedi in 1983, the American public would be without another Star Wars film for sixteen years. It was no surprise that Episode I - The Phantom Menace had a huge opening in 1999. But it is because of that film that Episode II - Attack of the Clones is met with more doubt then anticipation. Sure, there are some things about the film to get excited about. Anakin Skywalker grows up and draws ever closer to his destiny of becoming Darth Vader, the end of the Republic and the formation of the Empire becomes more evident, and the actions that lead up to the events in A New Hope are revealed. But it was the weak dialogue and less then stellar new characters from The Phantom Menace that made fans' expectations of Clones pretty low. But will the film prove those expectations wrong or will this continue the trend of disappointment? The story goes that it has been ten years since the events of Episode I where the planet of Naboo was attacked by the greedy Trade Federation and the training of young Anakin Skywalker began. Since that time, the young Jedi has been under the teaching of Obi-Wan Kenobi, who is still pretty young himself. Anakin soon meets an old friend, Padme, former queen of Naboo, after the two Jedi are called to protect her after a failed assassination attempt. Things go awry when Obi-Wan follows a bounty hunter named Jango Fett and Anakin falls in love with Padme during his absence, which is against the Jedi Code. The dialogue and the plot involving the romantic aspects of the film fall extremely flat but did anybody really expect it to be very good in the first place? This is Star Wars. The core audience is mainly geeks who are just waiting in anticipation to see Yodi with a light-saber. The plot does flow pretty well and doesn't contain as many cut up and forced action sequences as Episode I. Many pieces to the Star Wars puzzle are added which will lead to intriguing events in Episode III. Much of the cast from The Phantom Menace returns in Clones but there are plenty of new members as well. It can safely be said that the acting overall is much better then was presented in Episode I but still isn't at the level of the original Star Wars Trilogy. Hayden Christensen does an exceptional job with the crucial role as Anakin Skywalker. One can make arguments on how Anakin acts too whiny but that has to do with the script rather then Christensen's acting. Natalie Portman is much more mature in her acting then she was in the first prequel. Her constant costume changes do still seem a bit much but not like it was in Episode I. Ewan McGregor, who continues his role as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi, is much surer of himself in Episode II which is better then his flat version in the previous film. Samuel L. Jackson still has the kick butt attitude he gave to his character but this time we actually get to see him wield a light-saber. Frank Oz is still memorable as the voice of Yoda even though the character has become a digital creation rather then a puppet. Overall, Attack of the Clones continues one of the greatest sagas in Hollywood history. There is much improvement in this film from The Phantom Menace but as good as it was, there were plenty of flaws. As it was said before, the romantic aspect of the story does come off pretty flat but who really expects great romance from Star Wars? Though the action sequences involving Jango Fett were very well done, his character's death made the overall effect of the character come off as pointless. Lucas continues to astonish movie-goers with the amazing special effects from Industrial Light & Magic, though it seemed that there was too much CGI at times. The large amount of CGI made it seem more like a computer-animated film rather then a live-action feature film. Speaking of CGI, if you didn't hate him enough from the first prequel, you'll really want to tear Jar-Jar Binks apart in this installment, though his role is diminished a bit. And concerning the fight sequence between Yoda and Count Dooku, as good as it is, the sequence comes off early on as comical rather then dramatic as it is suppose to seem. Beside small mishaps, Attack of the Clones enlivens the Star Wars series with full-blown action sequences and tons of computer-graphic special effects. Episode II definitely doesn't live up to the greatness of The Empire Strikes Back but does make a close second. Star Wars Films of All-Time:
1) The Empire Strikes Back
2) Attack of the Clones
3) A New Hope
4) The Phantom Menance
5) Return of the Jedi
Rating: 
Summary: Courtly love? Read the script and suddenly it makes sense!
Review: I'm writing about the love story between Anakin and Padme in the movie and DVD.
Though I'm a loyal Star Wars fan, I'm rather disappointed that the movie is being cut here and there during the actor scenes ( maybe for the sake of the CGI scenes ? ).
I read the film script on the internet and it seems there are many scenes i.e. the fireplace, the kiss at Naboo Lake Resort, the massacre confession, etc. which have been cut and these dialogues serve as the link of how and why the character says this and that.
After I read the script, I don't agree with accusation that George Lucas is bad in writing. It's just deleted dialogues disconnected the flow of the scenes ! I think I'm not allowed to include link here, so look for it on the internet yourself ! Also, to those who think the love lines are cheesy, at first I thought so too, until I found out that it supposed to be courtly love. Well, the language of courtly love of the middle ages is different than the ordinary modern Hollywood love lines. Even World War II love letters may sounds cheesy these days, and courtly love is from the Middle Ages around the twelfth century ! We can not expect the couple who lived a long time ago in a galaxy far far away expressed their love in the same way as we do right now. Search for courtly love and letter of Heloise and Abelard on the internet and they're similar with the love lines between Anakin and Padme. Paul F. McDonald wrote reviews about Anakin and Padme's courtly love on the internet, after I read them I began to understand more why the love story is represented like that. In fact, now I think their bittersweet love story is very beautiful, because they are willing to give up to their emotions though they know it will be very destructive, and along the way they will suffer all the consequences.
Read the script, read the reviews by Paul, and search for courtly love in the internet, maybe like me, you will come to understand and appreciate the love story of Anakin and Padme. I do. And as loyal Star Wars fan I definitely recommend other Star Wars fans to have this DVD in your collection ! P.S. : As usual, John Williams' music is spectacular. The love theme of Anakin and Padme is all beautiful, grand, and sad in the same time, which is should be since we all know what will happen to them.
Rating: 
Summary: COME ON PEOPLE, LIGHTEN UP!
Review: I realize that the acting in this movie (other than Christopher Lee) is mediocre. I guess it's true that too many stars ain't good. The original Star Wars had Harrison Ford and James Earl Jones, and that was it. The prequels have Christopher Lee, Samuel Jackson, Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Kiera Knightley... Way too many stars. Even Hook didn't have this many. I realize that the story is not overly involving or exciting. But COME ON! It's PG, it has to have content for little kids. People seem to expect this will be like The Matrix or something. I agree that Episode 1 was awful but this can't be The Matrix. No one under 10 has patience for Morpheus' psuedo-intellectual speeches, nobody under 10 should really watch government-lobby level action, and no one under 10 want any romance, let alone stuff like the orgy in Reloaded. Gee, this movie is sure hard to stand up to the Matrix in anyway. I agree with that, but even though they're both sci-fi trilogies about a messiah being told by people he is the hope for civilization and he can do martial arts like no one's business, they are not meant to be compared. So, I'm going to tell you the review without mentioning the Matrix.
10 years after the incidents in Episode 1, Queen Amidala is elected the Senator of Naboo. Anakin, already a Jedi under the leadership of Obi-Wan, is not exactly a by-the-book apprentice, so he sheds no tears about violating the Jedi code by loving Senator Padme. He serves as Padme's bodyguard while Obi-Wan investigates the attempts on her life. Soon, darker things are brewing: Anakin has dreams of his mother, and Obi-Wan is tracking a certain Jango Fett (yes, he is related to Boba) across the galaxy. Soon Anakin, Padme and Obi-Wan are learning of the Dark Jedi's corrupting of the Senate. Also revealed is that Count Dooku, the leader of a rebellion in the Senate, is the one responsible for the attempts on her life. A huge battle ensues, and everyone (except Jango) lives to die, I mean, fight another day.
This movie would have been more welcome in 2001, in which there was no children's action movies (besides Harry Potter) that were halfway decent. Spider-Man has stolen this movie's popularity, and for the people who dismiss Spider-Man as juvenile fare but like sci-fi action flicks, The Bourne Identity and Die Another Day were released recently. Austin Powers is also a hit on the teen list, and Stuart Little 2 is the focus of many a youngster. Sorry, George, but you have consolation: At least you have an excuse for why the box office take is low.
Rating: 
Summary: Zero Stars
Review: Unlike most people I know, I didn't hate Phantom Menace. I enjoyed it. It's got some sappy bits and some contrived bits but I convinced myself that it's just pretty fan-fiction and not actually canon.
Clones is a whole other ball of wax. This flick is dreadful. Apart from some cool looking space ships and a big dumb (but fun) battle at the end, there's nothing of substance here. The writing and acting is unwatchable across the board and Lucas' refusal to use actual physical set pieces in favor of green screens and CGI is jarring and nauseating. When the floors the characters are standing on look like cartoons, it distracts from whatever pathetic story he's trying to tell.
Can somebody explain to me please what's going on with Syfo Dias? I truly believe Lucas has lost his mind. Not only is he churning out these horrid films but he's now pretending that the original trilogy doesn't exist. He's a monster.
Rating:
Summary: Not That Bad
Review: After watching The Phantom Menace and now Attack Of The Clones I was disappointed until I realized something very important -- I am not 8 years old anymore. These movies are made for the imagination of children. Let's face it, most of us have grown up. When I watch the original trilogy now I see it as being cheesy, poorly written but very entertaining. I didn't think that as a child just as I am sure children seeing these movies don't look at it critically. To appreciate the Star Wars movies one must not be so cynical and look at through the eyes of a child. I like Attack Of The Clones. The acting is cheesy, the script poor, but the effects are amazing and it's a Star Wars movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Well, at least it made a lot of money
Review: It's almost incomprehensible that George Lucas wouldn't realize that his gift is in production, not directing. He very wisely contributed only the story to Empire and Jedi, allowing Irvin Kershner to write the screenplay and direct. But Lucas loves the series so much that he wants to be involved as possible. And now he's ruined it. At least, this part. Attack of the Clones is a heartbreak to those of us who insisted that Episode II would make up for all the weaknesses in Episode I. This movie instead draws on those weaknesses - it provides a lot of eye candy, but seems to forget what made the original trilogy so great in the first place. A great story, lots of irony, and a sense of being somewhere we've never been before. The main thing that resonates in this movie is, as in episode I, Lucas' love of technology. Anakin Skywalker (Christensen) should not be a whiny jerk - throwing things at walls during temper tantrums is not proper behavior for a true child of the force. If Anakin had been a deep character, torn by love for those around him to sacrifice himself to the dark side, we would have loved him. But he's so weak and self-centered that I personally was glad to see him lose his "big" saber fight. Another letdown - the child of the force gets taken out within approximately 30 seconds? Padme (Portman) also appears weak, as she actually falls for the guy. Come on - she has more class than that. Speaking of the saber fights, those were also really disappointing. Episode I's were fantastic - great choreography, fascinating interplay, etc. But in this one all we have are a bunch of flashing lights, or "too-close-ups," until Yoda gets on the scene. Which was...interesting. Theoretically, he could have taken care of Count Dooku without having to use his saber. But oh well. Last disappointment I'll mention - John Williams did a great job for the first four movies, but there is very little original brilliance here. It's almost like he realized the quality of this movie and spent his time on scoring Harry Potter instead, on which he was concurrently working. The love theme "Across the Stars" is symbolic of the love story itself - unoriginal, apathetic, and straight off the shelf. Kudos to Ewan McGregor, though. He did a good job with what he was given. Should you see this movie? Of course you should - it's Star Wars. But if you care about this series at all, prepare for heartbreak, in more ways than one.
Rating:
Summary: dissappointment #2
Review: Is George Lucas trying to retroactively ruin our childhoods with the new trilogy? In all seriousness, something must change before the third film for the once great director to save face. Perhaps the best thing Lucas could do is to hand off the directing reins as he did for Empire and Jedi? It seems clear that these past two have been far too much about technology and lacking much artistic instinct.
Rating:
Summary: Attack of the Clones
Review: Attack of the Clones is, in my opinion, great. It is much better than The Phantom Menace (not that that was a bad film). Obviously not as good as any of the first ones, but it is still a blast.
The film starts of with an assasination attempt on the Senator of Naboo, Padme Amidala. Chanceller Palpatine then recomends that bodyguards should be brought in to protect the Senator. Step in Obi-Wan-Kenobi and his headstong apprentice, Anakin Skywalker (the future Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader). To cut a long story short, Anakin and Padme begin to fall deeply in love, which is forbidden for a Jedi, and Obi-Wan uncovers a secret Clone Army (Clone Wars, anyone?).
This film is a lot darker than any of the other Star Wars films, as Anakin shows hints of his future self. It is also much more action packed than any of the other ones.
The direction, dispite what people say, is stylish and fast-paced. I've had enough of all these George Lucas bashers out there, it gets on my nerves. If you actually look at his films properly (I'm not just talking about the Star Wars films) you can see a great artist at work.
The acting is nothing to brag about, but it's not that bad. Ewan Mcgregor is quite good as Obi-Wan-Kenobi. Natalie Portman is very plain. Christopher Lee is great, as he always is. Hayden Christensen is a bit hit and miss, so to speak. Sometimes he's quite good, but others he's quite laughable. I do like his brooding quality, though, and the scenes when he shows his temper. That's why I hold high hopes for him in Episode 3, because as we all know, that's the one when he really blows.
The special effects are obvioulsy superb, but you wouldn't really expect anything less from ILM (Industrial Light & Magic).
So all in all, this is a brilliant installment to the Star Wars saga. I for one, can't wait for Episode 3. You thought this one was quite sinister, you ain't seen nothing yet. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: 1/2 Dazzling! But..too much soppy stuff bringing it down.
Review: Tho there are 'objective' reasons why these newer additions to Star Wars are weaker, for the most part I think I'd have been awe-struck by these too, had I seen them whilst at the age I saw the original trilogy.So I'm not in agreement about "how much" weaker they are to the others.But there are elements in this one, that let it down from being with the others. 1.SCRIPT- A simplistic script is fine, if you restrict it to simplistic issues.The 'enlightenment' angle is messed up.Yoda's character becomes more 'arrogant', as opposed to 'wise' (as do all the characters who say anything about anything related to the mind/spirit).Its a complex issue, so either have complex dialogue, or skip that stuff altogether. 2.ACTING- 'Anikin' isn't given depth.The anger/pain feels too superficial to create the evil of Darth Vader.He seems more 'whiny', than 'deeply disturbed'.But he's still fun to watch.Ewan McGregor does not pull-off the 'inner calmness' that the story suggests of OB1-K'nobey.None of the 'enlightened ones' seem especially peaceful ('Peace' is their apparent calling card).They seem preachy and 'forceful' of their views, instead of 'sharing' wisdom. 3. "THE FORCE"- This 'force' representation was never supposed to be indepth, I know.But it's always been fun! But in this film, 'The Force' is so powerfull that there is no reason for the Dark Side to even try fighting back.And why should the good guys even bother turning up 'physically' to anything, when they're guarenteed to win anyway, just by "Willing it into being".Its like one football team winning against a team of potato-sacks.The result was never in the hands of the potato-sack team. But with all these negatives, there are the staple positives of Star Wars.And VISUALLY- its amazing! It's always visually interesting, whether it be the costumes, camera-work, actor's movements or special-effects.So if u r patient with the negatives, its a really exciting and imaginitive film.There are plenty of positives, too.
Rating:
Summary: Highly under-rated movie
Review: People love to criticize this movie. But after watching it many times, and after going back and forth a bit, I've decided it is in fact quite good. The action is completely top notch and looks amazing, but it is the love story that I think bothers everyone. The acting looks bad and amatuerish, but I have a different opinion. I think there is just one pivotal scene that was lead up to poorly, not that it was actually bad. When Anakin just randomly goes into his love speech it seems to come from nowhere and to be fake. This was a problem of setup, not of script or acting. He still managers to deliver a few lines really well, like the "It wouldn't be like that; we could keep it a secret" line that just sounds so secretive and great. Also looking at the extras, there are several more really good scenes with Hayden and Natalie, like in Natalie's house where the script and acting are great. All in all, give it a chance. And if you can't deal with the love story, watch it for the action. It is incredible.
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