The weakest in the Star Wars series but also one of the most visually spectacular ....

"Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace" opened a whole new chapter in the Star Wars saga  introducing us to a young  9 year old Anakin Skywalker   during a time of moral conflict in the Galactic Republic. "Star War Episode II- Attack of the Clones" is set ten years after the events in the previous films and while it is more stunning and visually attractive than "The Phantom Menace". But as a continuation of the great Star Wars Saga "The Attack of the Clones" falls short of the glory of the franchise and film making in general.  It runs like a  bad T.V. movie something that you would see on the Sci-Fi channel, it  is hollow and bloated  it  squanders  the limitless imagination and potential it shows in favor  of being an  extravagant,  special effects action set piece.   

George Lucas'  " Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" is like I said visually spectacular and is emotional   gripping but it lacks direction and   care, it lacks the labor of love Lucas put into the original trilogy and doesn't strive to push itself. It feels like Lucas didn't care to make it to please only to make money and tell Anakin Skywalker's story, which if it had a better script, more upbeat and emotional acting and a clear sense of direction this second installment of the prequel trilogy could have lived up to it's expectations, instead it falls flat on it's face and for 2hrs. 22min it doesn't get back up. It's not a terrible movie per say but it's not a good one either it sits in between mediocre and god awful leaning more towards mediocre. "Attacks of the Clones" is nowhere near good but what it is a visual action spectacle that has some amazing set pieces and action but nothing.

Ewan McGregor is good  but not good enough  to help lead the charge in this film  McGregor falls flat  in every scene that he is in  "The Phantom Menace" he held his own very well  but here  the material, the direction and the script are not strong enough to  help him boost his performances. Instead he comes out stale, bland and emotionless but still amazingly is not an eyesore. Hayden Christensen is not an actor I would call a favorite of mine, in fact I don't really like him at all.  He's bland, emotionless, and lifeless and devoid of power in his acting he doesn't convince you at all that he is the character he embodies. In fact he does just the opposite he completely strips you of all belief that his character (Anakin Skywalker) is someone deserving of great character status.  Christensen is   incapable of drawing any feelings from the audience but   I will say this in his favor   he does try and that, in some minuscule way, is something. Natalie Portman is not good nor bad nor terrible but just plain alright in this, Portman has done better work and this film is not one of them. Portman exudes a certain charm, style and sophistication that mange to make her believable under overwhelming circumstances and even then she doesn't convince but she never lets you down and that is something I recognize and appreciate, Portman is one of the highlights of this film and also one of the heavy hitters.  The rest of the cast including Christopher Lee, Frank Oz, Anthony Daniels, Temuera Morrison, Kenny Baker, Ian Diarmid and Samuel L. Jackson   all deliver fine supporting performances in what can easily be called the weakest if the Star Wars series.

"Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" is nowhere near the greatness of the first three original films or the first film in the prequel trilogy, it has it's high points but sadly there only visual and not emotional and moving the actors try there best with the material there given but they just can't seem to make it work. It lacks energy and delight it makes you feels patronized and kiddish. It can't lift itself beyond its legacy   it tries to follow and for that it sinks under the weight of one of the most powerful series ever invented (The original trilogy). "Attack of the Clones" is not a Sci-Fi classic or a classic of any kind it’s only purpose is to serve as great rainy day entertainment when you have nothing else to do. Beyond that it’s only all style and no substance.