Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Forget the clumsiness and blatant corporate synergy of the Phantom Menace. The good news is Attack of the Clones is a better film, but only just.

Set Ten years after the Phantom Menace The Galactic Republic is under threat from charismatic separatists, forcing Naboo senator Padme Amidala to seek protection from Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker. While all this is happening, Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers a hidden Clone army.

Most fans were disappointed with Phantom Menace so converted to Middle Earth and Peter Jackson. Therefore Mr Lucas only had a couple of Million people to satisfy (much, much less then Phantom Menace). So you could say the pressure was off? Not so. The remaining fans wanted Lucas to get back the respect of the people that thought Phantom Menace was a bit, well, rubbish.

Attack of the Clones echoes the structure of Empire Strikes Back, and co-writer Johnathan Hales' contribution is keenly felt, with better defined characters and an altogether smoother story. Shot digitally, Clones certainly looks impressive, with CGI superbly realising Lucas' imaginative galaxies and Alien lifeforms, including for the first time until Lucas messed with Phantom Menace on Blu-Ray, a CGI Yoda.

The difference between Empire Strikes Back and Clones is that Empire zipped along quite freely, moving along to different galaxies and meeting new characters as and when they felt like it. Clones has a much more slower start. Maybe Lucas was aware of the sins of Episode I. Jar Jar is quickly removed to a 10 minute cameo, those Amidala clones are quickly destroyed and we don't have to put up with a whiny, mop headed young Ani everyone was asked to love in 1999. Don't get me wrong, Anakin is still a whiny teenager, but it's a vast improvement.

Also Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman have improved and grown into their roles, more so McGregor who is a lot more 'forceful' here with his big beard and comic punchlines.

Attack of the Clones was more of a necessity to tell the story of Ani and Padme before Episode III. Yes Lucas seems to struggle with the romance and politics in the movie, but he doesn't disappoint when it comes to the action. Christopher Lee's Count Dooku arrives to provide some much needed gravitas. C-3P0 is actually playing C-3P0 and we get to see Portman in a white leotard. Finally, we also get to see Yoda's talents with the force and a lightsaber. Unsurprisingly it's a scene fans have been waiting years to see and it does not let them down.This is where Lucas finally relaxes and directs Clones with the same gusto as the original trilogy. Clones is no better then Menace in terms of acting or dialogue but improves on Episode I in every other way.

Attack of the Clones was a necessary film but no way was it vital. The action scenes are entertaining with the ending dark enough to rival that of Episode V. It also sets the story up nicely for Episode III. Just don't go expecting a masterpiece.