Everything George Lucas
did wrong in "The Phanton Menace,"
the disappointing prequel to his "Star
Wars" trilogy, he does right -
brilliantly right - in "Attack of the
Clones." This time out, the force is
strong in him - in a very big way.
This fifth chapter of the sprawling space
saga recounts the coming of age of Annakin
Skywalker (the Jedi knight who will become
Darth Vader) as the democratic Republic is on
the brink of a war which will ultimately
transform it into the evil Empire.
Lucas wisely returns to the elements that
made the original "Star Wars" such
a groundbreaking success: timeless
mythological themes; endearing characters;
heart-pumping action scenes; and the
energetic derring-do of Saturday matinee
serials.
I promise not to reveal major plot points,
but the story begins when Jedi knight Obi Wan
Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, maturing nicely into
Alec Guinness) and his protege Annakin
(Hayden Christensen) are summoned to protect
the regal Padme (Natalie Portman); the former
Queen Amidala has taken a Hillary Clinton
turn and is now an outspoken senator.
The great success of the first "Star
Wars" was its cunning blend of familiar
movie genres - sampling not only science
fiction serials but gun-slinging westerns and
fantasy classics like "The Wizard of
Oz."
In "Attack of the Clones," Lucas
serves up heaping helpings of film genres
including the film noir detective, sci-fi
paranoia, political thrillers, and action
scenes that recall everything from James Bond
to "Jason and the Argonauts" and
Robin Hood's merry men battling it out in
Sherwood Forest.
Venturing into territory that's totally new
to him, Lucas also gives us a classical
star-crossed love story between Annakin and
Padme (the future parents of Luke and Leia).
Christensen and Portman are exceptionally
fine actors, giving emotional depth to the
two most complex characters in the "Star
Wars" canon. (And as screen lovers, they
make "Titanic's" Leo DiCaprio and
Kate Winslet look positively homely.)
Seeds are sown of plot developments yet to
come as the saga takes on a generational and
mythological weight that's worthy of the
Greeks. A turning point in Annakin's
emotional transformation makes for an
unforgettable scene of pain, love and fury,
the likes of which we've never seen in a
"Star Wars" movie.
Lucas also recaptures the blend of humor,
satire and adventure that seemed effortless
in the early films but was nearly absent in
the dry, impersonal "Phantom
Menace." Familiar characters and
relationships are in full force here; Obi Wan
and Annakin have a loving but contentious
mentor/pupil thing going on; C3-P0
experiences a hilarious identity crisis; and
in two words: Yoda rocks!
Samuel Jackson is on board as Jedi Master
Mace Windu; Ian McDiarmid is back as the
not-to-be-trusted political bigwig Palpatine;
and Christopher Lee debuts as the dark side
Jedi Master Count Dooku (at what point can we
start to giggle at some of these names?).
Jimmy Smits fills out his Renaissance costume
nicely as Senator Bail Organa but doesn't get
much to do yet. (Oh wait, that was Princess
Leia's last name - I see an adopted daughter
in his future...)
The saga also continues its generational
theme with the introduction of warrior Jango
Fett, and his son Boba (who will grow into
the feared bounty hunter of "The Empire
Strikes Back").
The film is a magnificent thing to look at.
From the glittering urban sprawl of Coruscant
(think Manhattan to the tenth power) to the
red-rock planet Geonosis, and the
romantically sumptuous paradise of Naboo, the
film's digital artisans break new ground in
eye-popping production design.
In it's strong storytelling, depth of
character and vigorous action scenes,
"Attack of the Clones" is a mature
piece of filmmaking, created by a man who has
returned to his creative roots. No more Jar
Jar Binks jokes, George. It's good to have
you back.
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0121765