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Young trainee Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Chistensen) is central
to the story and his love for the former Queen of Naboo and
now senator Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) is splitting his
loyalty to the Jedis.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) is doing his best to keep
his young paduwan in line but after an assassination attempt
just fails to kill Padme, he is sent off to track down the
mysterious person behind the plot.
This leaves Skywalker to protect the senator by himself and
the growing love between the two is arguably the weak part
of Star Wars 2. While the romance should be tantalising and
all-encompassing, it is ruined by too much insipid talk.
The action, however, is full on and there'll be a whole new
generation of Yoda lovers to come out after this movie. The
battle scenes with the massed Jedi are sensational and Yoda's
lightsabre fight has to be seen to be believed.
So too are the final scenes of the movie where the Clone
Wars begin. This is stuff to make a Star Wars fan's heart
sing with joy.
The special effects in Star Wars 2: Attack of the Clones
are the best yet and while the movie rests a little too heavily
on them, more than make up for some shortcomings with the
cast.
Christensen's performance is a bit up and down, but the part
where Skywalker wipes out an entire tribe of alien killers
points to a stronger performance when the dark side of the
Force takes over.
Portman is okay. She looks fantastic, but in the acting department
there is still work to be done. And a memo to George Lucas
"please don't have her in a different costume every time
we see her - it is bloody annoying!!!!"
McGregor is very good, although he does have some daggy lines,
and Samuel Jackson has definitely improved his game over that
of the first prequel.
The pick of the cast is the marvellous Christopher Lee, who
plays the former Jedi master Count Dooku.
Star Wars 2: Attack of the Clones does have minor
flaws, but overall is an exciting effort that gets better
and better the longer it goes.
The video transfer is fantastic - almost perfect, although
there was noticeable digital sharpening - however, the resulting
detail level is exceptional.
Sound-wise, this is a beauty. The use of the surround speakers
is superb and the dialogue is crisp and clear. You can also
put a big tick next to the fantastic zzzzvvvvwwwwwhooooosh
of the light sabres.
The middle episode of this prequel trilogy was always going
to be tough for Lucas to pull off, but he has done with a
marvellous mix of action and the promise of things to come.
What happens in the Clone Wars? What causes the Jedis to become
almost unseen hermits? And what will finally turn Skywalker
over to the dark side?
Conclusion: 90% Extras: 95%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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