"Attack of the Clones" is the most unique Star Wars film to date, both in terms of its visual style as well as its story. The fact that this is the fifth film made (second in order) is simply amazing. Most films do not make it past two or three, and many of them should not have been made in the first place.

The story IS easier to follow if you are a Star Wars fan, however, if you consider the film as one part of a whole saga, it makes sense to anyone. God forbid you actually have to pay attention to the movie, which seems to be very uncommon these days.

Ewan McGregor is terrific as Obi-Wan Kenobi, playing a detective role previously unseen in the Star Wars universe. More than anyone else, he has captured the spirit of the role he plays, and to be able to live up to the legend that Obi-Wan is, as created by Alec Guiness, truly remarkable. His sense of duty and dedication to the Jedi Council conflicts with his obvious flaws as a possibly too strict mentor, further expanding his character while still staying true to Obi-Wan as we know him. In Return of the Jedi, he tells Luke "I thought that I could train him just as well as Yoda, I was wrong." We are beginning to see why.

The love story is cheesy, but it felt like it was supposed to be. Hayden Christensen starts out a little slow as Anakin, but you soon discover that whining runs strong in the Skywalker family. This behavior was well complemented by an impatience and temperament one would expect from the future Darth Vader. Upset over the loss of his mother, and unable to control his anger regarding his "revenge" against the Tusken Raiders, Hayden does a excellent job in foreshadowing his downfall. Overall, Hayden does a very good job in an extremely demanding, complex role. Anakin is a phenomenal character, full of conflict and contradiction rarely seen in modern cinema. Natalie Portman seems to be the least comfortable in her role, albeit far from an annoyance. Passing down family traits is not just reserved for Anakin, Leia certainly gets her leadership and feisty, determined attitude from her mother. A welcome change from the damsel in distress that women often play. The villains were superb. Christopher Lee almost steals the show as Count Dooku, his presence far more energetic and powerful than in Lord of the Rings. Palpatine's character, (Ian Mcdiarmid is magnificent) has been done perfectly, he only hints at the supreme villain that he will become. The scene between him and Anakin is classic. If one were to watch these movies in order, it would be difficult to see that he is the one behind the fall of the Republic, swearing that he will put down his powers as soon as the crisis has abated. We know better. As Jango Fett, Temuera Morrison was as cool and gruff as the universe's baddest bounty hunter should be.

Like all other top notch adventure movies, the action scenes fit with the story, not vice versa. The visual effects and scenery blend with the actors better than any film to date. The chase through Coruscant, Obi-Wan battling Jango Fett in the rain (hopefully its a little longer on the DVD), and the final battle, marking the beginning of the long awaited Clone Wars, were incredible. Perhaps the biggest surprise was Yoda, in both the amount of screen time and his ridiculously cool fighting scene. He says in Empire Strikes Back, "Wars do not make one great." I don't think I could be that humble. Also, the subtle references to the original trilogy, both obvious, such as the schematic of the Death Star, and the not so obvious, now we know why in "A New Hope" the sandpeople freak out when they see a man dressed as a Jedi (Obi-Wan), were well done. Not to mention when Anakin gets fried by the lightening of Dooku, similar to when Luke gets it from the Emperor, only to be saved by Anakin/Vader. Perhaps this is a sign that Anakin will never forget such pain?

Yoda is marvelous as, uh, himself!. How this wonderful character is expanded upon in this movie is nothing short of remarkable, not to mention he is certainly a force to be reckoned with. As Yoda's partner atop the Jedi Council, Sam Jackson's stare alone is worth the price of admission.

One of the main appeals of Star Wars is, not that it is an homage to Greek or Roman mythology, but that Star Wars IS modern mythology. The special effects are just a spectacular bonus. The mythology and symbolism was rampant throughout the film, perhaps none more evident when Anakin oversees the Tuskin camp, jumps up as if among the stars, then 'descends' down into the camp (hint, hint - as if he was falling from heaven) his first true step down the dark path. Also, Geonosis as a whole had a hellish environment whose inhabitants are assembled demons. Then of course there was the partaking of the forbidden fruit, which Anakin 'offers' Padme, and she eventually accepts, which of course will lead to dire consequences, but ultimately salvation through their children.

There are many other examples of mythology and symbolism, including references to the modern day proliferation of the military to ancient traditions such as the execution of prisoners by animals, and probably several more that I have yet to find. If you want to see mythology at its best, brightest, and most exciting, than see 'Attack of the Clones', a movie which can be further described with words foreign to 99 percent of films these days...imagination and vision.

Rating: ****