Star Wars, Episode II Attack of the Clones

Began the clone wars has.

As the dark side has foreseen today we continue our journey to a galaxy far, far away. I know I could have reviewed this saga a long time ago but, I wasn't good enough at reviewing stuff, specially reviewing movies that mean a lot more to me than just mere entertainment. Call me a romantic but it is true. How many people have not been touched by any of the Star Wars characters and their great personalities? However, this is the only Star Wars film for which I didn't go to the theater (my then girlfriend now wife, didn't like sci-fi films at that time, so...) although I did pay close attention to the trailers and pictures being released on the internet at that time. George Lucas knew the internet well and used to create a big hype around episode II promising us to deliver what we've been waiting for, and he did, partially. 

Since Episode I was somehow destroyed by critics George Lucas did pay attention to what his fans were looking for. This time he remembered most of his fans were grown up adults that wouldn't buy any more cheesy stuff from Episode I so, let's start today review with a dialogue piece from Episode IV:

Luke Skywalker: "You fought in the Clone Wars?"
Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Yes. I was once a Jedi knight, the same as your father"
Luke: "I wish I'd known him"
Obi-Wan  Kenobi: "He was the best star pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior. I understand that you've become quite a good pilot yourself. And he was a good friend"

The build up to The Phantom Menace was one that was full of excitement for me and in many ways the last time I would experience the build up to a movie in the old fashioned way. Y’see with Episode I, seeing the trailer on the internet was a new thing, the internet as we know it now with all of its film websites and viral campaigns and whatever else was not the same beast back then, Episode I, in large part was still doing it the old fashioned way, the internet and it’s marketing and ‘spoiler’ news was just finding it feet. Come 2000-2002 I don’t think there was a day that went by without some titbit, set photo or StarWars.com teaser to whet out appetites for Episode II. There were dates and times when the title would be announced and the trailers would appear, there were set photos of Obi-Wan with his longer locks and beard very early on and Padme’s white onesie was glimpsed at. New photos of aliens were thrown up on the ever increasing Star Wars fan sites, Lucas himself got in on the act with a fine set of weekly images called ‘George Lucas Selects’ that week on week sparked discussions about what the images were and countless manipulations to the images to see things in backgrounds and what-not became common place. The build up to Clones was a hive on internet teasing and the build up to seeing that first trailer was immense. My personal memory of first trailer was sitting and looking at the loading screen that had an image of Jango Fett flying off with his jet pack and having dial up internet at the time, waiting for the Apple progress bar to fill before I clicked play.
And then it arrived… The breathing trailer was great. A flying Mandalorian, Slave One, a bearded Obi-Wan, a teenage Anakin. The sequel to the prequel was coming. Then came the  “They came before dawn…”  trailer and the build up to this second episode’s release was underway. No movie on the planet does exciting build ups like Star Wars.

Read more at http://whatculture.com/film/10-things-to-like-about-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-after-10-years.php#6DSJkrKPemfHpEzV.99

The build up to The Phantom Menace was one that was full of excitement for me and in many ways the last time I would experience the build up to a movie in the old fashioned way. Y’see with Episode I, seeing the trailer on the internet was a new thing, the internet as we know it now with all of its film websites and viral campaigns and whatever else was not the same beast back then, Episode I, in large part was still doing it the old fashioned way, the internet and it’s marketing and ‘spoiler’ news was just finding it feet. Come 2000-2002 I don’t think there was a day that went by without some titbit, set photo or StarWars.com teaser to whet out appetites for Episode II. There were dates and times when the title would be announced and the trailers would appear, there were set photos of Obi-Wan with his longer locks and beard very early on and Padme’s white onesie was glimpsed at. New photos of aliens were thrown up on the ever increasing Star Wars fan sites, Lucas himself got in on the act with a fine set of weekly images called ‘George Lucas Selects’ that week on week sparked discussions about what the images were and countless manipulations to the images to see things in backgrounds and what-not became common place. The build up to Clones was a hive on internet teasing and the build up to seeing that first trailer was immense. My personal memory of first trailer was sitting and looking at the loading screen that had an image of Jango Fett flying off with his jet pack and having dial up internet at the time, waiting for the Apple progress bar to fill before I clicked play.
And then it arrived… The breathing trailer was great. A flying Mandalorian, Slave One, a bearded Obi-Wan, a teenage Anakin. The sequel to the prequel was coming. Then came the  “They came before dawn…”  trailer and the build up to this second episode’s release was underway. No movie on the planet does exciting build ups like Star Wars.

Read more at http://whatculture.com/film/10-things-to-like-about-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-after-10-years.php#6DSJkrKPemfHpEzV.99

The build up to The Phantom Menace was one that was full of excitement for me and in many ways the last time I would experience the build up to a movie in the old fashioned way. Y’see with Episode I, seeing the trailer on the internet was a new thing, the internet as we know it now with all of its film websites and viral campaigns and whatever else was not the same beast back then, Episode I, in large part was still doing it the old fashioned way, the internet and it’s marketing and ‘spoiler’ news was just finding it feet. Come 2000-2002 I don’t think there was a day that went by without some titbit, set photo or StarWars.com teaser to whet out appetites for Episode II. There were dates and times when the title would be announced and the trailers would appear, there were set photos of Obi-Wan with his longer locks and beard very early on and Padme’s white onesie was glimpsed at. New photos of aliens were thrown up on the ever increasing Star Wars fan sites, Lucas himself got in on the act with a fine set of weekly images called ‘George Lucas Selects’ that week on week sparked discussions about what the images were and countless manipulations to the images to see things in backgrounds and what-not became common place. The build up to Clones was a hive on internet teasing and the build up to seeing that first trailer was immense. My personal memory of first trailer was sitting and looking at the loading screen that had an image of Jango Fett flying off with his jet pack and having dial up internet at the time, waiting for the Apple progress bar to fill before I clicked play.
And then it arrived… The breathing trailer was great. A flying Mandalorian, Slave One, a bearded Obi-Wan, a teenage Anakin. The sequel to the prequel was coming. Then came the  “They came before dawn…”  trailer and the build up to this second episode’s release was underway. No movie on the planet does exciting build ups like Star Wars.

Read more at http://whatculture.com/film/10-things-to-like-about-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-after-10-years.php#6DSJkrKPemfHpEzV.99

The build up to The Phantom Menace was one that was full of excitement for me and in many ways the last time I would experience the build up to a movie in the old fashioned way. Y’see with Episode I, seeing the trailer on the internet was a new thing, the internet as we know it now with all of its film websites and viral campaigns and whatever else was not the same beast back then, Episode I, in large part was still doing it the old fashioned way, the internet and it’s marketing and ‘spoiler’ news was just finding it feet. Come 2000-2002 I don’t think there was a day that went by without some titbit, set photo or StarWars.com teaser to whet out appetites for Episode II. There were dates and times when the title would be announced and the trailers would appear, there were set photos of Obi-Wan with his longer locks and beard very early on and Padme’s white onesie was glimpsed at. New photos of aliens were thrown up on the ever increasing Star Wars fan sites, Lucas himself got in on the act with a fine set of weekly images called ‘George Lucas Selects’ that week on week sparked discussions about what the images were and countless manipulations to the images to see things in backgrounds and what-not became common place. The build up to Clones was a hive on internet teasing and the build up to seeing that first trailer was immense. My personal memory of first trailer was sitting and looking at the loading screen that had an image of Jango Fett flying off with his jet pack and having dial up internet at the time, waiting for the Apple progress bar to fill before I clicked play.
And then it arrived… The breathing trailer was great. A flying Mandalorian, Slave One, a bearded Obi-Wan, a teenage Anakin. The sequel to the prequel was coming. Then came the  “They came before dawn…”  trailer and the build up to this second episode’s release was underway. No movie on the planet does exciting build ups like Star Wars.

Read more at http://whatculture.com/film/10-things-to-like-about-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-after-10-years.php#6DSJkrKPemfHpEzV.99

The build up to The Phantom Menace was one that was full of excitement for me and in many ways the last time I would experience the build up to a movie in the old fashioned way. Y’see with Episode I, seeing the trailer on the internet was a new thing, the internet as we know it now with all of its film websites and viral campaigns and whatever else was not the same beast back then, Episode I, in large part was still doing it the old fashioned way, the internet and it’s marketing and ‘spoiler’ news was just finding it feet. Come 2000-2002 I don’t think there was a day that went by without some titbit, set photo or StarWars.com teaser to whet out appetites for Episode II. There were dates and times when the title would be announced and the trailers would appear, there were set photos of Obi-Wan with his longer locks and beard very early on and Padme’s white onesie was glimpsed at. New photos of aliens were thrown up on the ever increasing Star Wars fan sites, Lucas himself got in on the act with a fine set of weekly images called ‘George Lucas Selects’ that week on week sparked discussions about what the images were and countless manipulations to the images to see things in backgrounds and what-not became common place. The build up to Clones was a hive on internet teasing and the build up to seeing that first trailer was immense. My personal memory of first trailer was sitting and looking at the loading screen that had an image of Jango Fett flying off with his jet pack and having dial up internet at the time, waiting for the Apple progress bar to fill before I clicked play.
And then it arrived… The breathing trailer was great. A flying Mandalorian, Slave One, a bearded Obi-Wan, a teenage Anakin. The sequel to the prequel was coming. Then came the  “They came before dawn…”  trailer and the build up to this second episode’s release was underway. No movie on the planet does exciting build ups like Star Wars.

Read more at http://whatculture.com/film/10-things-to-like-about-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-after-10-years.php#6DSJkrKPemfHpEzV.99

The build up to The Phantom Menace was one that was full of excitement for me and in many ways the last time I would experience the build up to a movie in the old fashioned way. Y’see with Episode I, seeing the trailer on the internet was a new thing, the internet as we know it now with all of its film websites and viral campaigns and whatever else was not the same beast back then, Episode I, in large part was still doing it the old fashioned way, the internet and it’s marketing and ‘spoiler’ news was just finding it feet. Come 2000-2002 I don’t think there was a day that went by without some titbit, set photo or StarWars.com teaser to whet out appetites for Episode II. There were dates and times when the title would be announced and the trailers would appear, there were set photos of Obi-Wan with his longer locks and beard very early on and Padme’s white onesie was glimpsed at. New photos of aliens were thrown up on the ever increasing Star Wars fan sites, Lucas himself got in on the act with a fine set of weekly images called ‘George Lucas Selects’ that week on week sparked discussions about what the images were and countless manipulations to the images to see things in backgrounds and what-not became common place. The build up to Clones was a hive on internet teasing and the build up to seeing that first trailer was immense. My personal memory of first trailer was sitting and looking at the loading screen that had an image of Jango Fett flying off with his jet pack and having dial up internet at the time, waiting for the Apple progress bar to fill before I clicked play.
And then it arrived… The breathing trailer was great. A flying Mandalorian, Slave One, a bearded Obi-Wan, a teenage Anakin. The sequel to the prequel was coming. Then came the  “They came before dawn…”  trailer and the build up to this second episode’s release was underway. No movie on the planet does exciting build ups like Star Wars.

Read more at http://whatculture.com/film/10-things-to-like-about-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-after-10-years.php#6DSJkrKPemfHpEzV.99

The Clone troopers, finally!

Behold! vintage Star Wars!

It seems as though there is no way to dispel negative atmosphere once it has been started. George Lucas' STAR WARS trilogy was well-loved by audiences (even though critics were split) but for some reason (and I can't figure it out), the first entry in the prequels, THE PHANTOM MENACE, earned a HUGE onslaught of critically divided posts just about everywhere in the world, from the press to the internet to fans in real life. While I do agree that the original trilogy is a tough act to follow, I wasn't as grossly let down by this movie as some were.

The same thing has happened to the second of the STAR WARS prequels, ATTACK OF THE CLONES, released in 2002. Many predicted that this movie would satisfy those who disliked Episode I with a vengeance, but alas, such was not the case. Once again, critics damned the movie for one reason or another, and the heated debate on whether Lucas "trashed the original trilogy" or not is still going on. I find it very sad that Lucas would still receive unfair critical attack, even after making a much darker, somber, and ominous movie in ATTACK OF THE CLONES. I'm guessing that such naysayers will continue to say nay to Lucas no matter what just like rabid fans of Anime would continue to slam-dunk dubs... even if a lot of them have recently proved to be excellent.

This is not to say that ATTACK OF THE CLONES is a flawless film. It actually has its share of problems that THE PHANTOM MENACE didn't have. The dialogue, although nowhere nearly as bad as critics and some disgruntled fans say, lacks the spark of the original trilogy. My biggest gripe with the movie is that it moves at a leisurely pace, with lots of weak, unsatisfying sequences that last too long. Most of these scenes consist of a love subplot involving Anakin Skywalker and Amidala Padme. When not interacting with each other, Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman are fine in their respective roles. (Christensen's monologue about his slaughtering of not only Tusken Raiders but--horrors!--women and children is frightening.) But there is a sense of awkwardness when they contribute to scenes which involve schmaltzy lines and screen kisses. I'm guessing that they both felt uncomfortable doing these scenes, hence why the chemistry between them isn't as interesting as, say, Han and Leia's from the original trilogy.

Padawans!

Jedi battle!

Only when the movie is in action does ATTACK OF THE CLONES become worthwhile--there's a dizzying chase through Coruscant on floating cars, maneuvering through a dangerous asteroid field near a planet, and a half-hour long showdown that showcases a lot of amazing CG work. Actually, what also make Episode II worth watching are the fantastic set designs. Every location in the movie, from the metropolis skyscrapers of Coruscant to the water planet where prototypes of Stormtroopers are being constructed literally bursts with imagination and eye candy.

Of the performers I liked Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan) the best; his acting is still a little shaky at times, but here he seems more comfortable with the role. Christopher Lee makes a surprise appearance as the new villain, Count Dooku, and once again he delivers first-rate evil with this character. And it's great to see C-3PO and R2-D2 up to their usual banter again (although sometimes some gags occur when not necessary). Ultimately, however, the film belongs to Jedi Master Yoda, played to perfection by Frank Oz. His appearances in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and RETURN OF THE JEDI featured him as a rubber puppet (and a delightful creation), but in this movie he really comes alive, thanks to first-rate CG effects. His mouth is perfectly in sync with every word he says, and the final showdown between him and Dooku is an absolute highlight.

While ATTACK OF THE CLONES is, in some ways, a lesser entry in the STAR WARS franchise, its assets outweigh its weaknesses; most of the questions I had from the first episode seem to be addressed a little bit in this chapter, and, frustratingly enough, provides more questions for Episode III. Flawless or not, this is still a STAR WARS movie, and for what it is, it's still worth a look. 

Darth Tyranus.

Jango Fett, the original bounty hunter.

Tasty secrets of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones 

Jar Jar, the destroyer.

Jar Jar Binks, standing in for Senator Amidala, puts forth the motion that gives Palpatine supreme powers. This means that Jar Jar, the most hated character in the Star Wars canon, is indirectly responsible for the fall of the Old Republic and the near-annihilation of the Jedi order. 

Vader's shadow.

Just before Anakin goes to search for his mother on Tatooine, he has a conversation with Senator Amidala. The camera pans to their shadows as they talk, and Anakin's resembles that of Darth Vader. According to the DVD commentary, the Vader-like shadow that Anakin casts was not a special effect but a coincidence.  

Boba Fett, Obi Wan's unexpected learner.

According to George Lucas, Obi-Wan's hiding in Geonosis' asteroid field teaches young Boba Fett a lesson that he uses to his advantage during adulthood. Having learned how Obi-Wan hid from him and his father, Boba Fett knows the trick Han Solo is using to hide in Episode V and is able to find him. 

Yoda's first cinematic battle!

Obi Wan V/S Jango Fett!

Yes, you heard well. Qui-Gon's voice was there.

When Anakin is slaughtering the Tusken Raiders, Qui-Gon's voice can be heard in the background. This is no accident. According to Star Wars canon, Qui-Gon's Force-Ghost tried to stop Anakin's rage, but failed.  

Purple lightsaber.

There is no mystical significance in the color of Mace Windu's light saber. Samuel L. Jackson, after a jokey conversation with stunt coordinator Nick Gillard, asked George Lucas if he could have a purple light saber to match his favorite color, and George Lucas agreed. In an interview on UK TV, Jackson said he "thought it would be cool". 

Cameos.

When Obi-Wan and Anakin enter the sports bar on Coruscant to search for the assassin Zam Wesell (Leeanna Walsman), several actors and crew members from the "Star Wars" movies can be spotted, including Ahmed Best, (voice of Jar Jar Binks) and Anthony Daniels (C-3P0). Also visible in the crowd are R2D2 handler Don Bies and his Droid team consisting of Zeynep Selcuk, Justin Dix and Trevor Tighe.  

C3P0's clothes are on this time.

Let's all stand together.

Count Dooku, AKA Darth Tyranus.

Christopher Lee did not do all his own stunt work, being 78 years old and all, although he was able to do most of his own sword work during the climactic light saber duels. At times, they used a stunt man whose face was replaced digitally with Lee's own.

Yoda VS Tyranus.

The fight between Yoda and Dooku was envisioned quite differently. Originally, Yoda was to come in and immediately have the fight with Dooku, but many of the creative team felt that was too quick a transition for Yoda, and the audience needed to feel the power of good and evil going against each other, so George Lucas added in the preamble to the fight with the blue lightning and rock falls, because it showed how powerful Yoda was. The light saber battle was a culmination of all that energy. There was also footage shot of Dooku using either Obi-Wan's or Anakin's light saber in addition to his own against Yoda, but these moves did not make the final cut.  

CGI Clone Troopers.

According to Animation Director Rob Coleman, not a single clone trooper suit was ever built. Every single clone trooper seen in the film is computer generated, with motion capture performed by ILM employees, wearing only the helmet and sometimes the footwear of the suit. The rest is complete CG. 

Forbidden love.

Forbidden Hatred.

Easter Eggs.

Anakin's Bloopers: In the "Options" menu, key in 11 enter 3 enter 8 enter, and you will see bloopers, mostly of Hayden Christensen falling during various takes of the film.  

Dex's Kitchen: On the special features disc of the DVD, go to Dex's Kitchen from the Still Galleries menu (it's listed as "Dex's Kitchen and Still Galleries" in the main menu). Then in the menu that follows, use your remote to select the flier on the wall behind Dex. This will take you to a reel showing "flyers" made by college students to promote the film. They contain links to web sites which you can access if you put the disc in your computer. 

Overall, a movie that is a part of something bigger. If you haven't seen Star Wars, or if you're not fond of Sci-Fi but feel like giving it a try I deeply recommend you watching the entire saga. Part of the big negative reception Episode I had was mostly because people didn't know most of the characters George Lucas presented us with. Episode II does not posses such flaw but, watching it as a standalone movie makes no sense, even for a true Star Wars fan. I for one, consider Episode II an entertaining ride that does deliver all of the vintage Star Wars love fans could be looking for: Clone troopers, Anakin having difficulties doing what's right and dealing with anger & fear. Obi Wan showing us why he is the only surviving Jedi along with Yoda in the original trilogy, and what the first episode lacked the most: Lots of Jedi knight battles! and don't forget Jango Fett (Boba Fett's daddy  for the uninitiated) 

 Episode II Teaser & Trailers.

The first video is the teaser trailer:

The second video is a compilation of the official trailers and TV spots released  during 2002:

Inevitably next entry will be the Star Wars saga closing with Episode III Revenge of the Sith and let me say it's been a blast revisiting my favorite movies of all times. Yes, I like the prequel trilogy because I see Star Wars as one big movie.