Film Review: Star Wars II - Attack of the Clones

May the force be with you as it's time for yet another Star Wars movie...

Another century, another Stars Wars movie. This time it is ten years on from the Events of the Phantom Menace. Senator Padm?Amidala's is under threat of assassination from separatists plotting the downfall of the Republic. Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) are detailed to protect the good senator. Anakin and Amidala have a history, soon childhood friendships are rekindled in a forbidden romance.

Part two of three films, made as a prequel to the original star wars film, Attack of the Clones is a chapter in a story, and a stand-alone movie in its own right.

As a stand-alone film, it is an ordinary science fiction movie, with excellent special effects and action sequences but let down by wooden acting and dialogue. Yet another instalment in the swelling of George Lucas? already substantial bank balance.

As chapter two in a three, six or nine-part story, it works better. Giving us the background to characters, we met in the original Star Wars and will meet again in the next instalments.

A must for fans of the series but, if you're not a fan, avoid. Alternatively fill yourself in on the details before viewing, or else you'll come out of this film saying: ?So What??

Kevin Smith