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"Star Wars" has grown up. The latest installment of the George Lucas-created mythology is the most mature, most grown-up and ultimately the most satisfying of any of the films preceding it, except for the first, now known as "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope." "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" is the most stunningly beautiful, visually dazzling and fiercely action-packed of all the "Star Wars" films. The beginning of the Clone Wars, mentioned since the beginning of the "adventure" more than a quarter of a century ago, is a battle rivaling any staged war sequence, from "Braveheart" to "Saving Private Ryan." The wild-looking aliens and their kooky environs are as imaginative as anything seen in "Men in Black," "Starship Troopers" or "Dune."

It's tough to point out what new creature or world is most enthralling: The delicate clone-makers with their wispy bodies on a planet of stormy weather, the flying mini-dragons who execute victims in a "Gladiator"-like setting, the squirmy worms used as deadly "bullets" by a mysterious face-changing assassin. All of them are incredible and fascinating.

And yes, it's better than "Spider-Man," and Spidey doesn't have the legacy or history of this series -- at least not yet, anyway -- and so, if any movie this summer is a must-see, it's "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones."

The spirit of adventure is back, and this time it's got youthful verve, unbridled romance and intense action. What's most amazing about this episode of "Star Wars" is how it's going to universally appeal to women because of the strong female character, and it's emphasis on romance, and it won't disappoint the teen-aged boy in some of us who simply want to fly off on adventures and shoot down the bad guys.

Remember that swell of excitement when you heard the trumpets blare announcing the entrance of Luke, Han, Leia or Darth? It's back, only this time, it's the entrance of Anakin and Padme, who become Luke and Leia's parents.

Just to see if I really REALLY liked the movie as much as I did, I've seen it twice, and I do. Like the cantina scene in what is now the fourth part, it's worth repeated viewing because there's so much more to it. Look for fun little moments, like the E.T. characters in the crowd, there's a flying cow-like creature in the asteroid belt (tough to spot, but it's there) and there's a sneak shot of the Millennium Falcon, Han Solo's great ship, parked off to the side in one shot.

In the first screening I saw, the audience cheered as the characteristic scroll rolled across the screen explaining what's going on in the Senate and how former Queen Padme Amidala is now trying to stop the war threatened by the mysterious Count Dooku, played by Christopher Lee (who you may know as the renegade wizard in "The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring") and who is equaled only by Peter Cushing's Moff Tarkin back in "New Hope."

This film takes place 10 years ahead of "The Phantom Menace" and little Ani is a young man, but he still has his crush on Padme, who's no longer a queen. The opening shot is a bit shocking, rocked by a big explosion.

The ships are far more exciting to look at, some are sleek stealth bomber-like machines, others are complex, impossible vehicles. The factory scene of the assembly-line is memorable, and the battle scenes are epic, but what stands out more is the romance. There's rolling in the grass, walking among waterfalls and rainbows, and caring about each other while the world is falling apart around them.

And, that's the upbeat ending that this chapter ends on, until the third and final part, which everyone knows can only be a downer -- and it will be fascinating to see what Lucas does with that!


	Movies >> Sci-Fi >> Star Wars

	Starring: Pernilla August, Kenny Baker, Ahmed Best, Rose Byrne, Hayden Christensen
	Directed By: George Lucas
	Written By: Jonathan Hales, George Lucas

	Click for Overview
	Click for Official Website

	Release Date: May/16/2002
	Rating: PG-13 - Adult Situations, Violence
	Running Time: 143 Minutes

	"Star Wars" has grown up. The latest installment of the George Lucas-created mythology is the most mature, most grown-up and ultimately the most satisfying of any of the films preceding it, except for the first, now known as "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope." "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" is the most stunningly beautiful, visually dazzling and fiercely action-packed of all the "Star Wars" films. The beginning of the Clone Wars, mentioned since the beginning of the "adventure" more than a quarter of a century ago, is a battle rivaling any staged war sequence, from "Braveheart" to "Saving Private Ryan." The wild-looking aliens and their kooky environs are as imaginative as anything seen in "Men in Black," "Starship Troopers" or "Dune." It's tough to point out what new creature or world is most enthralling: The delicate clone-makers with their wispy bodies on a planet of stormy weather, the flying mini-dragons who execute victims in a "Gladiator"-like setting, the squirmy worms used as deadly "bullets" by a mysterious face-changing assassin. All of them are incredible and fascinating. And yes, it's better than "Spider-Man," and Spidey doesn't have the legacy or history of this series -- at least not yet, anyway -- and so, if any movie this summer is a must-see, it's "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones." The spirit of adventure is back, and this time it's got youthful verve, unbridled romance and intense action. What's most amazing about this episode of "Star Wars" is how it's going to universally appeal to women because of the strong female character, and it's emphasis on romance, and it won't disappoint the teen-aged boy in some of us who simply want to fly off on adventures and shoot down the bad guys. Remember that swell of excitement when you heard the trumpets blare announcing the entrance of Luke, Han, Leia or Darth? It's back, only this time, it's the entrance of Anakin and Padme, who become Luke and Leia's parents. Just to see if I really REALLY liked the movie as much as I did, I've seen it twice, and I do. Like the cantina scene in what is now the fourth part, it's worth repeated viewing because there's so much more to it. Look for fun little moments, like the E.T. characters in the crowd, there's a flying cow-like creature in the asteroid belt (tough to spot, but it's there) and there's a sneak shot of the Millennium Falcon, Han Solo's great ship, parked off to the side in one shot. In the first screening I saw, the audience cheered as the characteristic scroll rolled across the screen explaining what's going on in the Senate and how former Queen Padme Amidala is now trying to stop the war threatened by the mysterious Count Dooku, played by Christopher Lee (who you may know as the renegade wizard in "The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring") and who is equaled only by Peter Cushing's Moff Tarkin back in "New Hope." This film takes place 10 years ahead of "The Phantom Menace" and little Ani is a young man, but he still has his crush on Padme, who's no longer a queen. The opening shot is a bit shocking, rocked by a big explosion. The ships are far more exciting to look at, some are sleek stealth bomber-like machines, others are complex, impossible vehicles. The factory scene of the assembly-line is memorable, and the battle scenes are epic, but what stands out more is the romance. There's rolling in the grass, walking among waterfalls and rainbows, and caring about each other while the world is falling apart around them. And, that's the upbeat ending that this chapter ends on, until the third and final part, which everyone knows can only be a downer -- and it will be fascinating to see what Lucas does with that!

	Review: (Mike Szymanski) 5 stars out of 5

	Overview: Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) has become the accomplished and headstrong Jedi apprentice of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), who himself has changed from student to teacher. The two Jedi are ordered to protect Senator Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), whose life is endangered by a faction of political separatists who want her dead. As Obi-Wan tries to discover who's behind the threat to Padmé, Anakin finds himself falling in love with the senator. The results of Obi-Wan's investigation unveil the powerful forces threatening the Republic and force the Jedi to make tough decisions to save the universe as they know it.

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