Attack of the Clones Review: A Bland yet Improved Entry
A Jedi shall not know anger, nor hatred, nor love
Attack of the Clones on first glance seems like an improvement over the first film and it was in some aspects. This film features a more goal-oriented plot now which makes it more engaging, but it does feel less memorable as a whole.
The film is separated into two major plotlines. One is regarding the mystery of the attacker of Padme and the creator of the clones. The other is the emotional and romantic journey of Anakin and Padme.
For the mystery plot, the film plays it in the laziest and most convenient way possible. The setup was fairly intriguing with Jango Fett and the mysterious bounty hunter but all the clues and puzzles later on were easily given out by random characters or an over-reliance on its visuals creativity to cover this flaw.
Some alien gave Obi Wan the clue to a planet. Yoda gave him the assurance to go and explore the unknown region. Even if it does feel creative to be in a classroom setting, there was no emotional struggle or challenge to get that clue or resolution.
When we finally discovered the clones, the big reveal was that it was actually created by some deceased Jedi, so it is intriguing? Why not have one of the clones to attack Padme so this could foreshadow the events later on and the uncertainty of whether the clones are truly good or bad? The film just pop in this twist because it needs to for the series to move on.
When Obi Wan finally finds the secret base, everything about the plotline just feels boring. The reveal of Count Dooku is great, but the film wasted it on overly long exposition moments that reveals everything but the thing we wanted to hear; The assassination of the princess.
For the romance plotline, I don’t think I have to say much. Anakin is portrayed as a literal horny whiny man child. I am not even kidding when I say that.
There was a scene where Padme tells to stop looking and that makes her uncomfortable but what does he do? He looks at her more creepily. The ‘I love sand’’ discourse is just way too popular to not mention this. Anakin comparing sand to have the opportunity to touch her is just the creepiest thing ever. The whole talk of his heart being in pain as they can’t be together just felt forced. The problem here though is not because of the dialogue.
The romance never worked because there is nothing for him to be in love of. There is always a reason for you to love. You may see it as fate or a thing which just happens but there is always a reason for you to even feel the way you feel. You may not notice it but there is. In writing, both partners usually represent something that they don’t have individually which makes up an interesting dynamic. Here it just feels like Anakin is super horny over this beautiful girl and he constantly invaded her privacy for his lust. When Padme reveals she loves him too it just feels too forced. It is a line from a script which was what it felt like.
Along the way Anakin also had this other arc of finding his mother then killing off all the Tusken Raiders who captured her. I know what it is trying to do. In fact a lot of the dialogue here has an insane amount of foreshadowing. However, I can’t say that the film did not really go anywhere with this plotline except teasing for the sequel. It just came out of nowhere and left without saying anything. I enjoy the dark monologue of Anakin killing but it a very loose thread that tries too hard to fit into the larger narrative.
When it all comes together it ultimately just felt empty as both plotlines had their own individual issues, but the biggest problem of the whole plot is none of it has anything to say. The whole film just moves through stuff and then ends. There is no thematic element here despite it trying to have one. You can say Anakin’s hunger for power is presented here but that thematic element is not even relevant to this story. Ensure that when you have a story and plot, it must have something to say. An empty plot is a boring story that people will forget. At least the previous film had the Dual of the Fate.
The characters were equally boring, but I want to talk a bit about the villains. Jango Fett could have been great, but he is reduced to a guy in a suit. His display of power never worked because he just shoots and stuff while his character development is close to none. Count Dooku had a lot of potential, but he was introduced way too late so any development to be made is not seen due to the time limit. He was Yoda’s Padawan, and he was a great Jedi who turned to the dark side, but the film never did anything for this trait.
Admittedly his fight with Yoda was amazing though. The display of their power level at first hand was interesting as it shows the uncertainty of who would win. When they finally fought, the tension and suspense was high as their power levels were equal.
The other element that I found which was great would be the dynamic between Obi Wan and Anakin. Obi Wan being the guy who cares for the procedures and rules is constantly in contrast with Anakin who goes by his own ways. This creates a lot of conflict within this dynamic.
The visuals were stunning especially with recent CGI this film still manages to hold up well.
In conclusion, Attack of the Clones may feature a less boring and more focused plot with some good dynamics and visuals, but the film did not really have anything to say which made it more forgettable than it should have.
Attack of the Clones is now streaming on Disney Plus
