Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

My Review

The fun and excitement of “Star Wars” continues in “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.” Obi-Wan Kenobi investigates the attack on Senator Padme Amidala and discovers a secret clone army crafted for the Republic. Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker shares a secret romance with the senator from Naboo.

Director George Lucas (“American Graffiti” 1973) was once again fully in charge, seated firmly in the director’s chair, writing the story, and co-writing the screenplay with Jonathan Hales. John Williams composed the musical score. David Tattersall did an excellent job in cinematography, with “Clones” primarily shot at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, and on-location in Italy, Spain, and Tunisia. The special effects earned the film its sole Oscar nod for Best Visual Effects.

The weak point of “Clones” were some of the performances. Natalie Portman as Padme and Hayden Christensen as Anakin seemed stiff and wooden. Samuel L. Jackson also appeared to be merely reciting lines, probably miscast as Mace Windu of the Jedi Council. Outstanding offerings were turned in by the remainder of the cast, such as Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, Ian McDiarmid as Chancellor Palpatine, Frank Oz as Yoda, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Kenny Baker as R2-D2, Temuera Morrison as Jango Fett, Daniel Logan as Boba Fett, Christopher Lee as Count Dooku, Pernilla August as Shmi Skywalker, Joel Edgerton as Owen Lars, Bonnie Piesse as Beru Lars, and Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks.

The very watchable “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” was the fourth highest grossing film of 2002 for executive producer George Lucas, producer Rick McCallum, Lucasfilm Ltd., and 20th Century Fox. The next in the series is “Star Wars III: The Revenge of the Sith” (2005). The previous film was “Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace” (1999).