Master Jedi/Director George Lucas' "force" has been clouded by the dark side, and once again, he falls short of the high expectations for "Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones."
The question is not whether the millions of Jedi faithful will pay to see the movie, but rather why? After three years of hype, secrets and high expectations, "Episode II" leaves the audience asking for more.
Gone is Jar-Jar Binks, the annoying Gungan from "Episode I" as is the annoying little kid (Jake Lloyd) who plays Anakin Skywalker. Of course, Lucas does no better by casting Hayden Christensen ("The Virgin Suicides") as the older Skywalker, but he semi-saves his hide by bringing back the core of the "Episode I" cast.
Back from "Episode I" are Master Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, "Moulin Rouge"), Senator/former queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman, "Where the Heart Is"), Master Jedi/Jedi Council member Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson, "Changing Lanes") and the wise, ultimate Jedi Master Yoda (computer-generated Yoda/Frank Oz voice). Other familiar faces include Jimmy Smits (formerly of "NYPD Blue") as Bail Organa, Leia's future foster father, Christopher Lee ("Sleepy Hollow") as Count Dooku, a former Jedi turned Sith, Anthony Daniels returns as C-3PO and Kenny Baker returns as R2D2. Daniels and Baker are the only two actors who will appear in all six of the “Star Wars” movies.
The story takes place 10 years after "Episode I." Amidala is no longer queen, Anakin is an arrogant padawan learner (Jedi in training), and there is turmoil in the Republic. Obi-Wan and Anakin find themselves trying to uncover a plot to kill Amidala, which leads them to the outer edges of the Republic. There they find an army of clones being created for the benefit of the Republic. The twist in this discovery is they have no idea who ordered the clones and why they are being made.
Meanwhile, while sworn to protect Amidala, Anakin falls in love with the senator, a forbidden emotion for a Jedi. This love is what will produce twins Leia and Luke. Anakin begins falling victim to his feelings, allowing the dark side to seep into his soul and tug at the corners of his heart, foreshadowing what is to come in the later episodes.
The Jedi Council learns of former Jedi Count Dooku's betrayal. Dooku turns to the dark side, allying himself with Darth Sidious. Together, they plan to take over the Senate and crush the Republic.
The film touches down on the origins of cult-favorite Boba Fett, Luke's Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru and the Imperial Storm troopers.
Lucas manages to make the image of the almighty Jedi less almighty by getting a number of them killed. The Jedi do not use their powers as they have in the past, there is no evident presence of the mystical "force" and the keepers of the peace appear weak and inefficient.
The film is lacking in many areas, but what is most noticeable is the lack in the element of surprise. The special effects, though great, are nothing new to the "Star Wars" movies. The film also tends to drag after an initial opening sequence that involves a high-speed chase. At times, the film appears to be a huge pot with everything thrown in and mixed together, with no clarity or precision. Many in the audience were lulled to sleep by the politics and slow developing love story that makes up the plot of the movie.
For the first 90 minutes, the movie is all about getting the audience to the exciting climax. Though the climax saves the movie from total disaster, the build-up takes the audience through boring scene after boring scene. For some, the most exciting scenes of the first hour and a half had nothing to do with "Star Wars," and everything to do with the trailer for "The Matrix: Reloaded."
"The dark side clouds everything, impossible to see the future it has become" or so goes Master Yoda's prophetic statement. There are grumblings that no one cares what the future holds. Whatever the case, Lucas has his work cut out for him if he plans to salvage the work he's put into the first three episodes of the "Star Wars" saga.
My Grade: C+
Runner@csubak.edu