Attack of the Clones

 Star Wars Episode II Attack of the clones by Gareth Von Kallenbach

In 1999 George Lucas brought the first of three new Star Wars films to the screen. Amidst hype and expectations never before encountered for any previous film, “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” was released to a rabid public and was met with mixed reactions by fans and critics. Many viewers cited the child like tone of the film, and did not like new characters such as the clownish Jar Jar Binks and Nute Gunray as they paled when compared to the characters in the original series. Nevertheless, the film went on to gross over $400 million at the American Box office alone and gained millions more in merchandise sales.

The problem in many ways was that the film was a victim of the previous films success. It had been 17 years since audiences had last seen a new Star Wars film, having only books and comics to further the series in the meantime. With the promise of a new series fans expected a continuation of what they had grown to love from the original series. The problem with this thinking is that the new trilogy occurs in a different time, and setting. The new series follows the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker as well as the fall of the Old Republic as well as the Clone Wars and the demise of the Jedi. Lucas knew he had three films in which to tell his tale, and I believe that the first film was nothing more than an introduction to characters, situations, and places in order to delve into a deeper and darker storyline in the next two films. It should also be noted that since the new series centers on Anakin Skywalker, the tone of the films likely would reflect his age. For example he was a child in the first film, so the tone went accordingly. In the second film, he is a young man, and as he has the trials of growing into adulthood and learns the ramifications of decisions he makes as well as from his mistakes, the film has a more mature theme, as it is a coming of age story in many ways.

Awash in speculation, conjecture, optimistic hype, and plenty of secrecy the second chapter of the Prequel trilogy “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones”, went into production roughly a year after the debut of the last film. The Internet was abuzz with casting rumors, alleged storylines, and pictures from the closed film sets and fans spent the two years plus production time of the film speculating how the new film would fit into the series. Would it fail to live up to expectations for some as the last film did, or would it soar as Director George Lucas was no longer shaking of the rust of a 17-year sabbatical from directing and has a established premise and characters?

I have been a huge fan of the series ever since that Imperial Star Destroyer zoomed across the screen back in 1977. My then nine-year-old imagination was sparked by the images of the series and in many ways, that series fueled my love for films and prompted me to start writing about the genre back in my Prep School days, and has continued to this day. I rode a fine line between wanting to know about the new film, and not wanting to learn everything there was to know. I posted an outline of the story as I understood it to be a year ago, but I refrained from reading the book or learning more about the film until the press screening, as I wanted to have some surprises much as I did with the first film. So while I did go in with a general outline of the events of the film and a desire to see just how accurate the information given to me was, I was ready to be taken away to that Galaxy far, far away.

“Attack of the Clones” is set ten years after the events of “The Phantom Menace” as the Republic is continuing to crumble amidst internal strife and ineffective and corrupt political leadership. Facing a new threat from a separatist named Count Dooku (Christopher Lee), who is leading systems to break away from the Republic, The galaxy finds itself on the brink of war. Into this backdrop, Senator Amidala (Natalie Portman) of Naboo travels to the Galactic Capital of Coruscant for a Senate meeting on how to deal with this crisis. Amidala avoids an attempt on her life upon her arrival and is put under the care of Jedi Knight Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen). Anakin has not seen Padme since she was serving her people as Queen Amidala ten years earlier and is captivated by her. Amidala sees Anakin as the little boy she knew years ago and even refers to him by his childhood moniker of “Annie”. Subsequent attempts on Amidala’s life lead the Jedi to uncover a darker plot that threatens not only Amidala, but the entire galaxy as well. It seems that a large clone army is being created on the water planet Kamino, and this event can only be seen by the Republic as a prelude to war. Further confounding the issue is the fact that the planet is not on the Jedi galactic map, and it seems that someone has erased it from the archives. Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) and Yoda are even more concerned as they realize the Dark Side of the Force has made it harder for the Jedi to see what is happening in the galaxy, keeping them from seeing the construction of the clones in advance. It is against this backdrop that Anakin and Amidala begin to fall in love despite her misgivings as she has a duty to her people to serve them in a time of crisis, and the fact that Anakin is strictly forbidden to have close relationships as a Jedi. Their courtship takes the two lovers to her home world of Naboo, Anakin’s home world of Tattoine and to the desolate planet of Genosis for the films spectacular climax.

I do not wish to give away much of the film as the joy of this film is discovering the plot as it unfolds and watching the love blossom between the two characters against the backdrop of war. The fact that we know what is to come for Anakin in many ways makes his love for Padme even sweeter as it is something that is his, and he has lived a life of servitude and isolation and is starting to find himself for the first time and questions authority figures and rigid structures in an effort to express himself. It is bittersweet to watch the future Darth Vader romp with herd animals and playfully tease Amidala in a grassy field as we see the kind and caring person that is within him.

Christensen and Portman are fantastic as they have an electric chemistry between them that makes the their relationship not only believable but heightens the tension of the film as the audience knows that the quiet moments for the two lovers share are to be cherished in the face of the brewing storm. I was reminded of the works of Shakespeare, as the theme of forbidden love set against great conflict was evident.

Of course this would not be a Star Wars film without action and rousing special effects and the artists at Industrial Light and Magic have once again set the standard for others to follow as the film is a visual marvel. A rain-soaked battle between Obi-Wan and Jango Fett (Temura Morrison), is a frenzy of images and moves that combine visual style with action movies worthy of the best fight sequences in film history. In a bold move, Lucas pauses the battle briefly only to resume it soon after in a space setting as the two combatants take their battle to the skies. It is a sequence that will leave audiences exilherated and breathless but as good as it is, it pales when compared to the epic battle at the films conclusion.

McGregor gives a tour deforce performance as Obi Wan, as he blends the wisdom and compassion of his character, with the fierceness and loyalty that he displays as a warrior battling for the Republic. You can see the love he has for Anakin and his turmoil to instruct Anakin as he grows into a man just as his mentor Qui Gon Jinn did for him tempered with the strain of his duty to the Republic. Obi wan does not believe Anakin is ready for a mission on his own as he worries about his student’s impulsive nature, yet is eager to see him grow and succeed. Christopher Lee is solid in an all to short role as Count Dooku, he is a man who is charismatic as he is malevolent, and is a character that has a complexity about him waiting to be released. There is more to this character than is first shown, and he may indeed hold the key for the events to come in the third film, as there is some ambiguity as to what his true intentions are. The controversial Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best) returns but in a much smaller yet very significant role as his clowning around is eliminated leaving the two druids, R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) to provide some of the humor in the film. Hayden Christensen is fantastic as Anakin as he combines an irreverent and impulsive nature with a warm and caring persona. The storm of anger and passion is clearly on display in his face and in his body language as he portrays Anakin as a frustrated individual who believes others are holding him back due to jealousy. He is capable of great tenderness, humor, and loyalty, as he claims Obi Wan is the closest thing to a father he has, yet like a young adult in turmoil, he blames Obi Wan for telling him things he does not want to hear or do. The demanding role is played to perfection and serves notice that Christensen is a rising star. Lucas and co-writer Jonathan Hales have answered the criticisms of the past film by crafting a thriller that is complete with romance, action, good characters, and some memorable moments. The only real complaints I could issue against the film is that of wanting to see more of certain characters such as Dooku, and Jango Fett, and that the issue of Anakin’s mother seemed like a throw in as it was all too brief. The pacing of the film is solid and Lucas gets solid performances from the cast.

In summary “Attack of the Clones” delivers the goods. The political turmoil of the plot is a rich and pleasant surprise as it elevates the entire film and provides a maturity and sophistication to the story and characters that was not present in the last two films in the series, and makes the film easily the most mature themed film of the series, and easily the best film of the new series.

5 stars out of 5

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Gareth Von Kallenbach