Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

If you were expecting some significant darkening after the infantilism and overwroughtness of Episode I, well... You can wait on. That said, it's definitely better than Episode I, but the question is whether better is enough when it's still an overstuffed popcorn nonentity with the most annoying CGI character in history. (12/03/2005)

An episode I have a very special relationship with. The story rather clumsily combines two basic storylines and overwhelms with characters who don't get the space they deserve, BUT there’s still something substantial going on. The diverse locations make your chin drop to the floor, the action sequences tear you apart, and all the characters are simply divine (except Anakin, unfortunately, because Christensen is the casting fiasco of the century). I love the feeling of adventure and the development that comes with exploring new corners of the galaxy, I love the lightsabres, I love Obi-Wan and Yoda. It’s perhaps guilty pleasure, but also perhaps the most pleasant entry in the entire franchise. 80% (03/08/2018)

I have never really loved the new trilogy, but if I set aside the romance from this film, it's actually a pretty good bridge to the third and best film of the new trilogy. Visually, it's captivating, and especially the planet Kamino seems absolutely enchanting to me. It's probably because of the water, rain, and constant darkness. Obi-Wan is definitely the best character of the entire trilogy. (22/03/2015)

The episode for which I had an extreme weakness at one time is starting to age a bit. Obi-Wan's antics across half the galaxy still work, and when the lightsabers turn on, shivers run down my spine, but the romantic storyline is perhaps too simple. Natalie Portman's etherealness, however, makes me forget the fact that Hayden sometimes falls short of playing such a complex character as Anakin Skywalker despite his earnest efforts. (20/05/2006)

Before the film, I seriously considered "withdrawing from the Star Wars race," but I took my chances. And look, it paid off! The children’s nonsense has disappeared, the power has returned, fate has returned, darkness has returned. I particularly liked Hayden Christensen, inside of whom two irreconcilable opposites, the dark and light side of power, are at war. His balancing act is often escalated by John Williams' great music. The atmosphere is more reminiscent of the Jedi Knight computer series (it's darker, more fatal, less fairytale compared to the original films), which is not at all a bad thing. Ewan McGregor is also good, who, along with a restless and emotionally charged "Padavan", makes the excellent second film. The love plot is somewhat forced and overly stylized, but luckily, it quickly drops off to give way to the action. Yes, the second film moves from the fairytale of the first films to a more serious tone, which may not be endearing to those who love the originals, but for us younger people who have already experienced the birth of computer processing of SW (starting with Dark Forces), this world is close to us after all. Still, I think Attack of the Clones is the rightful successor to Episodes IV-VI... (27/01/2004)