The Popkorn Junkie :: Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones

I don't know what it was about the new "Star Wars" that I didn't like--oh yeah, not a damn thing. In the grand tradition of George Lucas, "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" rivals "The Empire Strikes Back" as the greatest of all the "Star Wars" films. It is beautiful to look at, exciting, and surprising. I waited in line for fifteen hours to see a special midnight showing of the film at 12:01 midnight on May 16, and it was well worth the blistering heat and lack of entertainment. When I left the theatre following the show, I was upset that I had to wait until 2005 for the final installment. And, being the incredible "Star Wars" junkie that I am, I can safely say that 'true' fans will not be disappointed.

The film is essentially told in two halves--one a slow-paced, intriguing investigation/love story, and the other a high-powered attack and climax. The film opens with Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker returning to the Senate to help protect Padme/Senator Amidala, who has had several attempts on her life. The first half of the film involves Obi-Wan searching for the person behind the attacks on the Senator's life, and Anakin's attempts to strike a romantic relationship with the woman he has been obsessing about for ten years. Meanwhile, we are presented with beautiful and lush scenery, and only 5 minutes or so of the less than lovable Jar Jar Binx.

The second half of the film deals with Anakin's returning to his native planet of Tattoine in order to discover why he has been having terrible dreams about his mother. It also involves Obi-Wan traveling to the planet of Camino to inspect a clone army and discovering that a bounty hunter named Jango-Fett has been behind the attacks on Amidala, that none of the Jedi has known about. Eventually, after Obi-Wan is captured by the formerly good Jedi turned dark lord Prince Dooku , Amidala and Anakin travel to rescue him, only to encounter certain 'problems' themselves. Then all hell breaks loose. The Jedi force, led by Mace Windu, come to the rescue, resulting in one of the most spectacular battle sequences ever captured. I won't go any further about the ending of the film, and just who picks up a light saber, but I will say that it is the best ending to any "Star Wars" film yet.

A lot of puzzles are answered in this film, many questions that we had throughout Episodes IV-VI. We learn more about the sinister Darth Sidius, are shown how R2D2 and C3PO become such good friends, and even see how Anakin Skywalker stars becoming the machine which is Darth Vadar. The special effects are extraordinary, with Yoda being done entirely in CGI graphics, and zero animatronics, which adds more life and character to the creature. And, as already reported in the press, Samuel L. Jackson finally gets his chance to show his light saber skills, which are thoroughly enjoyable.

George Lucas has created a film that should delight all "Star Wars" fans. I noticed, however, that--during the first hour--some people seemed a little bored and restless. Afterwards, I learned that many thought the film had somewhat of a slow beginning. I guess it was just me, because I was hooked from beginning to end. I enjoyed watching the romance between Anakin and Amidala grow into fruition, and I especially enjoyed watching Christopher Lee soak up every ounce of villainy he could in the role of Dooku, an arguably better villain than the too easily killed Darth Maul. The only thing that bothered me upon leaving the theatre as that I couldn't see the final film sooner, instead of having to wait three more years for another fix.

This is an excellent film, featuring the best special effects ever created and some of the best performances in any "Star Wars" flick. Though there have been several negative reviews (one of which by the increasingly moronic Roger Ebert) of this film, and I haven't been able to agree with a single point any of them has made--not because I am such a huge fan (though I am), but because, after watching the film, I realized that none of them have a foundation. They are just lame attempts to try and bring down and heavily hyped film, after kissing "Spider-Man's" ass all over the place. This film is a marvel, and is a fitting addition to the greatest film franchise in movie history.

-- Billy Ray ( 4 pops out of 4 pops )

Talk about this film with other Popkorn Junkies

Other Junkie's opinions.....

James ( 3 1/2 out of 4 pops )

I loved this film, and it's still the second best (to Empire), but I was a little disappointed with it. Well, the disappointment was pretty much all on Hayden Christensen, who couldn't act to save his life-- well no, he can, but he can only express two emotions: anger and hurt. That's all he did well in Episode 2. He was barely better than Jake Lloyd. I mean, he sucked. The role should have been cast to Josh Jackson, who's a much better actor. The other thing I was pissed about was the scene that Anakin describes when he returns, carrying his dead mother. Lucas, why didn't you show that scene? Film is a visual medium and its ALWAYS better to show instead of tell. But again, I loved this film. Why? Yoda, Yoda, Yoda. His fight alone is more than enough to get ANYBODY to see this film. So check this out. You'll love it. Oh, and there's a cameo by a guy who most known by his work on the hit series "NYPD Blue"! Why not Kevin Smith? The man's done enough. He deserves a cameo.

Matt ( 1 out of 4 pops )

If you're a die-hard "Star Wars" fan, if "Star Wars" is your life and the air you breathe, then read no further. You'll probably have a ball. Now, I enjoyed the "SW" trilogy, but I don't regard them as magnificent films. And as for "Episode 1" I was completely bored. This time I was even more bored. The first two hours is so dull and plot-heavy that I was about to walk out. To put it bluntly, I don't give a damn about the politics of The Republic, the potential love affair between Queen Amidalla and Anakin Skywalker, and the relationship between him and his long-lost mother. Stuff like that is aimed squarely at "SW" buffs. But even the f/x kinda turned me off. Personally, too much CGI takes me out of a film. With the first three films, we weren't looking at computer-generated images of creatures and robots, and that's why the experience was more fun. That shows that technology can ruin a film, rather than improve it. There are a few mildly amusing battle scenes, but that's all I have to say. I gotta admit, it was quite cool to see Yoda in the big climax, fighting with a light saber. Since I was impressed by the last two summer blockbusters, "The Scorpion King" and "Spider-Man", I gave this film the benefit of the doubt, since I'm usually pessimistic about these types of films. But I'd much rather suggest those two movies, unless--needless to say--you're a "Star Wars" buff. If you are, may the force be with you.

Mike ( 2 out of 4 pops )

I got to see this movie in a theatre which used a digital projector and I must say the picture looks awesome and the sound is marvelous. However, what is not near being perfect is most of the rest of the movie. Just as in Episode I, the movie is entirely effects with not much else. Very little excitement, fun or adventure is projected to the audience and there is very little humor in this two and a half hour film. Lucas just doesn't seem to get that he needs more than computer effects to make an exciting and entertaining film. And as beautiful as Natalie Portman is, she acts here as if she is a zombie from The Night of the Living Dead... she is woefully miscast in this role. And Samuel Jackson has so little screen time that he might as well not even be in the film. But hey, at least the computer effects are great!

Patsy ( 3 1/2 out of 4 pops )

All I have to say is that "Star Wars II" was extremely entertaining and I really liked it-- except for the whole love story that was mixed in-- that part was pretty terrible. The action in this film was great and the imagery was intense-- I loved every minute of it. The love story, on the other hand....ugh. I know the budding relationship between Anakin and Padmé is important for the future of the series, but I gotta say that it really was painful to watch. Natalie Portman's acting was mediocre and Hayden Christensen just made me want to cringe-- can he play anything besides a whiney teenager? Geez. Anyway, despite the annoying fluffy love scenes this movie was great. See it for the action and in the case that you must step out for the restroom or for popcorn during any Portman-Christensen scenes-- you won't miss much-- I promise.