Movie Review: Star Wars Episode II, Attack of the Clones

Star Wars Episode II, Attack of the Clones (2002, PG): ** ½

The Attack of the Clones is the weakest edition in the saga.  In effect, it's a romantic opera set in a sci-fi world on the verge of war.  It's the ending that ultimately saves this movie: the fight between the Jedi Knights and the droid army in the arena, the Battle of Geonosis and the climatic lightsaber duels are all absolutely spectacular to look at in the film's climatic moments, as well as some very nice scenery shots throughout the picture.  But there's a much less interest in the characters and the plot then the first film, as the acting and the screenplay all feel wooden and stale.  As for the characters themselves, they are thinly developed, at least for a Star Wars movie.  But then again, this is a continuation of the Star Wars franchise, it leads up to the climatic third installment, and was therefore a very necessary entry.  Directed by George Lucas.