Film review (From Stroud News and Journal)

Film review

STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES (PG)

HAVING been told from an early age not to condemn through ignorance - a lesson not always adhered to - I have done a fairly in-depth study of the Star Wars saga. Oddly it is still a subject that simultaneously bores, fascinates and baffles me.

To the Star Wars connoisseur such expressions as "These are not the droids you are looking for" and "Luke, I am your father," no doubt result in knowing nods and smiles in the direction of fellow fanatics, but to those who are too young to know, too old to care or, Lord forbid, not really interested - yes, trust me they are out there - it is all a total mystery.

Understanding the Star Wars epic is made more troublesome by the films not being released in chronological order. As writer director George Lucas says: "I've always stayed focused on when the new trilogy will be completed." Then people can watch all six films together as they were intended to be seen.

Surely starting at the beginning would have made more sense. As it is, for those uninitiated the five episodes go IV, V, VI, I, II with III, the sixth and last to come.

However it is foolish to knock such a success. The immortal words "A long time ago in a galaxy far far away," began the story in 1977 and now 25 years later it continues with the next instalment of a concept that has spawned one of the largest grossing films of all time.

There have been countless spin offs and it has made household names of such previously unknown actors as Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and a carpenter by the name of Harrison Ford.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of The Clones is set ten years after the events of Episode I: The Phantom Menace and the Republic continues to be in chaos.

The Galactic Senate has had to extend Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's (Ian McDiarmid) term of office, as there is big trouble in the Republic.

This move enables Palpatine to authorize The Great Army of the Republic to help the powerful Jedi who seem to have bitten off more than they can chew.

A separatist movement involving hundreds of planets poses new threats to the galaxy and - dare I say it - the Jedi are loosing control.

In Episode I our hero Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) was involved in the conflict between the Trade Federation and Queen Amidala's home planet Naboo. This time he has been sent to protect her against a likely assassination.

I say her, as she is the mistress of a changing persona - last episode she was the Queen and pretended to be a hand-maiden called Padm; now she appears to have taken on the name of Padm (Natalie Portman) and given up her throne and gone back to politics as a Senator.

I take my hat off to her; she has had a most distinguished career for one who only looks a delicate 18 years old, even if she is not.

Over the passing years Obi-Wan has finished his own Jedi training and become a teacher himself, with the now 19-year-old Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) as his apprentice.

When Obi-Wan travels to two different worlds on the galaxy's outer rim to investigate the conundrum behind the threat to Padm's life, Anakin is left to look after her. This leads to trouble, as they are passionate about each other.

Unfortunately Jedi are forbidden to love and Padm has her career to think of - will love find a way? Well as we all know it does, but at a cost to themselves and the Republic.

Two Star Wars favourites, R2-D2 and C3PO, are back. These droids gave Lucas the initial idea for the epic saga and are a must, though also making a brief appearance is Jar Jar Binks - woops - as a senator.

To the true Star Wars buff Binks is a singularly uncool character, but why? Weird yes - however, is he stranger than anyone else in this cosmic world? That remark is probably sacrilege.

As a senior member of the Jedi High Council Mace Windu (Samuel L Jackson) returns with a flash new purple lightsabre, thus destroying the myth of good guys having green ones and bad guys having red ones.

While some fanatics may assume this is for a deep mystical reason its not: Jackson wanted a purple lightsabre - hey this is Samuel L Jackson were talking about.

The script is so cliched it is difficult for anyone to shine but the star turn must go to Christopher Lee as Count Dooku, closely followed by Frank Ozs Yoda, with the scene they share together as one of the film's highlights.

Not surprisingly Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is visually spectacular. I particularly liked production designer Gavin Bocquet's interpretation of the planet Kamino, built on stilts over the sea and most effective.

There is also a brilliant Coliseum style arena ruled over by a giant crab instead of your regular lion.

However is the film overall as good or better than the others? Well I haven't had a sudden conversion but I never really expected to. That said I found it marginally more enjoyable than Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.

On the bright side that is also likely to mean that dedicated fans are in for a treat. Clare Shepherd 6/10