Review: Star Wars 'Attack' Lacks Force
Film Exceeds 'Episode I,' But Has Faults
'Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack Of The Clones' (PG)
(out of four)
There's really no better way of putting it -- the latest "Star Wars" prequel "Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" lacks the force it needs to be a great movie. It moves along at an uneven pace until the film's spectacular conclusion -- and is further hampered by flat acting from an actress whose resume proves she can do a whole lot better.
Now, before you legions of Jedi followers get out your lightsabers to try to cut off my writing hand (and true to "Star Wars" form, I am right-handed), please know that I wanted this movie to be just as great as you do. True, I'm a critic, but I'm also a big of a fan of the "Star Wars" saga -- so my feelings are genuine.
I think all of you can relate. After the wonders of the original "Star Wars" trilogy, fans were under-whelmed with what creator George Lucas had to offer with "Episode I -- The Phantom Menace" in 1999. Sure, "Episode II" has some problems, but it is better than "Episode I." For one, the narrative is much lighter, and far less pretentious.
In fact, "Episode II" even captures the spirit of the original trilogy at times -- the problem is, it just can't sustain it.
"Episode II" begins 10 years after the conclusion of "Episode I," where we find the role of a defiant, teenaged Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) learning the ways of the Jedi arts under Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor).
After an assassination attempt on Queen-turned-Senator Amidala's (Natalie Portman) life, Skywalker must face up to his responsibilities as a Jedi apprentice, and is assigned to protect her. He soon finds himself in trouble, though, by falling in love with her, and that's a Jedi no-no.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan encounters even bigger troubles while investigating the assassination attempt -- the development of an army of clones. Since there's separatist movement from the Republic that threatens the galaxy, the Jedi need help, and the army appears to be the answer.
But since the trigger-man behind the clone troops turns out to be the shady Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), you know that help really isn't on the way -- just trouble ahead. Complicating matters is a new foe, Count Dooko (Christopher Lee), and Jango Fett (Temura Morrison), the bounty hunter dad of Boba Fett.
To begin with, die-hard fans of the "Star Wars" saga will love this film no matter what. After all, any movie that builds on the story of the "Star Wars" trilogy instantly gives those classic films even more depth. And while "Episode I" merely introduced us to characters, "Episode II" starts to develop plot lines, characters, and devices that we will meet in "A New Hope" and "Return of the Jedi."
Among the best character developments are those of Anakin and, to my surprising delight, Yoda (the voice of Frank Oz -- the character is digitial this time out).
In the original trilogy, the former Anakin -- Darth Vader -- is defined by his booming, menacing voice. In "Episode II," Christensen defines Anakin with his eyes -- and they are clearly windows to a troubled soul. There's something definitely amiss with this boy, and you just feel it swirling around in his head. It's when Anakin's anger is bubbling at the surface that Christensen is most impressive.
As for Yoda, you'll definitely be wowed at how far he has come. A pivotal scene with the Jedi master and Count Dooko at the conclusion of the film is laugh-out-loud funny, but not for the reasons you'd expect. The laughs don't come because of a joke or embarrassment -- it just makes you giddy because it's so hugely entertaining.
A new character, Jango Fett, works because he's pivotal to the "cloning" subplot, which is punctuated by some great visuals. It also gives more weight to the Boba Fett character, who developed a cult following after minor roles in "Empire" and "Jedi."
But as a stand-alone movie, "Episode II" has its share of faults. For one, it lacks the sort of tension building needed to the climactic battle sequences at the end of the film. Sure, there's plenty of visual razzle-dazzle throughout, but the courtship between Anakin and Amidala drags down the pace. If the movie were tightened up from its over-long 2 hour, 20 minute runtime (which may seem longer to "Star Wars" novices confused by some subplots), maybe it would have made a difference.
Of course, the romantic subplot is an absolute necessity, considering that Luke and Leia have to get here somehow in the later movies -- but it's not going to make it any easier if the players are not convincing. Christensen is at his weakest here, but at least he's putting forth effort.
It's Portman's acting that's completely flat during these sequences (if not throughout the whole movie), which is baffling, because she's proven time and again that's she's a gifted actress ("Beautiful Girls," "Anne Frank" on stage). In "Episode II," it feels like she's just reading lines. As a result, the scenes lack emotion.
Making Portman look even weaker are McGregor or Lee, who have their roles mastered. Obi-Wan's the man of biting comic relief this time around, and his attitude approaches the sarcasm of Han Solo. Lee is a great as Dooko, and is loaded with charisma. The only problem is, he's not introduced until the film is half over, and is featured in far too few scenes after that.
As Mace Windu, Samuel L. Jackson's "this party's over" line featured in the television spots feels out of place for a "Star Wars" movie. He still shines, though, in an eye-popping Jedi Knight battle sequence at the conclusion of the movie. Other great effects include a wild droid factory sequence where Anthony Daniels gets to strut his stuff as C-3PO.
For those who loathed him in "Episode I," you'll be happy to know that Jar Jar Binks is nothing but a bit player in "Episode II." And while he did indeed find his audience with younger viewers in "Episode I," there's no question Lucas paid attention to the dismay of the fan base, and unceremoniously cast Jar Jar aside as a result.
Now if Lucas would have lost more of his digital effects in "Episode II," it would have helped the movie even more. He's no doubt a visionary, but when making the "Star Wars" prequels, it's almost to a fault. It's to the point where his effects blend so well into the scenery, that we are starting to look past the wonder of it all.
What's exposed, then, is the foundation of the movie -- the acting and the dialogue -- and the cracks are bound to show. If you don't pay more attention to your actors, they'll all just come off looking and sounding the same, like clones. And isn't the dangers of cloning what this thing is supposed to be all about?
(out of four)
There's really no better way of putting it -- the latest "Star Wars" prequel "Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" lacks the force it needs to be a great movie. It moves along at an uneven pace until the film's spectacular conclusion -- and is further hampered by flat acting from an actress whose resume proves she can do a whole lot better.
Now, before you legions of Jedi followers get out your lightsabers to try to cut off my writing hand (and true to "Star Wars" form, I am right-handed), please know that I wanted this movie to be just as great as you do. True, I'm a critic, but I'm also a big of a fan of the "Star Wars" saga -- so my feelings are genuine.
I think all of you can relate. After the wonders of the original "Star Wars" trilogy, fans were under-whelmed with what creator George Lucas had to offer with "Episode I -- The Phantom Menace" in 1999. Sure, "Episode II" has some problems, but it is better than "Episode I." For one, the narrative is much lighter, and far less pretentious.
In fact, "Episode II" even captures the spirit of the original trilogy at times -- the problem is, it just can't sustain it.
"Episode II" begins 10 years after the conclusion of "Episode I," where we find the role of a defiant, teenaged Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) learning the ways of the Jedi arts under Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor).
After an assassination attempt on Queen-turned-Senator Amidala's (Natalie Portman) life, Skywalker must face up to his responsibilities as a Jedi apprentice, and is assigned to protect her. He soon finds himself in trouble, though, by falling in love with her, and that's a Jedi no-no.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan encounters even bigger troubles while investigating the assassination attempt -- the development of an army of clones. Since there's separatist movement from the Republic that threatens the galaxy, the Jedi need help, and the army appears to be the answer.
But since the trigger-man behind the clone troops turns out to be the shady Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), you know that help really isn't on the way -- just trouble ahead. Complicating matters is a new foe, Count Dooko (Christopher Lee), and Jango Fett (Temura Morrison), the bounty hunter dad of Boba Fett.
To begin with, die-hard fans of the "Star Wars" saga will love this film no matter what. After all, any movie that builds on the story of the "Star Wars" trilogy instantly gives those classic films even more depth. And while "Episode I" merely introduced us to characters, "Episode II" starts to develop plot lines, characters, and devices that we will meet in "A New Hope" and "Return of the Jedi."
Among the best character developments are those of Anakin and, to my surprising delight, Yoda (the voice of Frank Oz -- the character is digitial this time out).
In the original trilogy, the former Anakin -- Darth Vader -- is defined by his booming, menacing voice. In "Episode II," Christensen defines Anakin with his eyes -- and they are clearly windows to a troubled soul. There's something definitely amiss with this boy, and you just feel it swirling around in his head. It's when Anakin's anger is bubbling at the surface that Christensen is most impressive.
As for Yoda, you'll definitely be wowed at how far he has come. A pivotal scene with the Jedi master and Count Dooko at the conclusion of the film is laugh-out-loud funny, but not for the reasons you'd expect. The laughs don't come because of a joke or embarrassment -- it just makes you giddy because it's so hugely entertaining.
A new character, Jango Fett, works because he's pivotal to the "cloning" subplot, which is punctuated by some great visuals. It also gives more weight to the Boba Fett character, who developed a cult following after minor roles in "Empire" and "Jedi."
But as a stand-alone movie, "Episode II" has its share of faults. For one, it lacks the sort of tension building needed to the climactic battle sequences at the end of the film. Sure, there's plenty of visual razzle-dazzle throughout, but the courtship between Anakin and Amidala drags down the pace. If the movie were tightened up from its over-long 2 hour, 20 minute runtime (which may seem longer to "Star Wars" novices confused by some subplots), maybe it would have made a difference.
Of course, the romantic subplot is an absolute necessity, considering that Luke and Leia have to get here somehow in the later movies -- but it's not going to make it any easier if the players are not convincing. Christensen is at his weakest here, but at least he's putting forth effort.
It's Portman's acting that's completely flat during these sequences (if not throughout the whole movie), which is baffling, because she's proven time and again that's she's a gifted actress ("Beautiful Girls," "Anne Frank" on stage). In "Episode II," it feels like she's just reading lines. As a result, the scenes lack emotion.
Making Portman look even weaker are McGregor or Lee, who have their roles mastered. Obi-Wan's the man of biting comic relief this time around, and his attitude approaches the sarcasm of Han Solo. Lee is a great as Dooko, and is loaded with charisma. The only problem is, he's not introduced until the film is half over, and is featured in far too few scenes after that.
As Mace Windu, Samuel L. Jackson's "this party's over" line featured in the television spots feels out of place for a "Star Wars" movie. He still shines, though, in an eye-popping Jedi Knight battle sequence at the conclusion of the movie. Other great effects include a wild droid factory sequence where Anthony Daniels gets to strut his stuff as C-3PO.
For those who loathed him in "Episode I," you'll be happy to know that Jar Jar Binks is nothing but a bit player in "Episode II." And while he did indeed find his audience with younger viewers in "Episode I," there's no question Lucas paid attention to the dismay of the fan base, and unceremoniously cast Jar Jar aside as a result.
Now if Lucas would have lost more of his digital effects in "Episode II," it would have helped the movie even more. He's no doubt a visionary, but when making the "Star Wars" prequels, it's almost to a fault. It's to the point where his effects blend so well into the scenery, that we are starting to look past the wonder of it all.
What's exposed, then, is the foundation of the movie -- the acting and the dialogue -- and the cracks are bound to show. If you don't pay more attention to your actors, they'll all just come off looking and sounding the same, like clones. And isn't the dangers of cloning what this thing is supposed to be all about?
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