By KAP Troutrooper
As some people have said, "Attack of the Clones" (or AotC) is the movie Star Wars fans have needed ever since the title for Episode I was released. There are many differences between the two movies (plot, setting, theme, tone, camera used), but the most important in my view is the scope of this film. "The Phantom Menace" (TPM), as you may recall, deals with a trade dispute between the Trade Federation and the planet of Naboo. The plot starts and ends there. All the action in TPM is geared toward saving Naboo from these evil and mysterious invaders. However, most of the galaxy (and the audience) could care less about what happens to this planet. In contrast to Episodes IV-VI, Episode I dealt with a minor, insignificant problem. Sure, we got to see Coruscant for the first time (not counting the 10-second glimpse at the end of Episode VI: Special Edition), but otherwise we have nothing to connect this problem on Naboo with the rest of the galaxy. I am sure that Lucas wanted to keep the scope of TPM small, but it does not help the movie any.
Now we jump 10 years in terms of plot and 3 years in real time to AotC. More importantly, the scope of this film is 30 times larger (if not more) than that of TPM. AotC starts off as an attempted murder mystery, then unfolds into a galactic dilemma. We finally have a problem that everyone in the galaxy needs to be worried about: clones. The emergence of Lord Tyrannus and Darth Sidious is, of course, worrisome, but the average Old Republic citizen has to be concerned about the outbreak of war. We are taken back to Naboo and Tatooine, out to Camino and Geonosis, all of which emphasize that this war will not be confined to any single location, but will spread throughout the galaxy. This war is a galactic catastrophe, not some piddling little argument over space lanes.
If you watch Episode II as an epic rather than a sitcom or a made-for-TV drama, the stilted and clumsy dialogue makes sense. What we have here is one part in a massive epic, so each line must convey information. The writing style of AotC is reminiscent of a scientific article, though not as formal and definitely not as complicated. Lucas uses every line he can to further the plot, something that was lacking in TPM. The first hour of AotC is almost all dialogue, but very little of the dialogue is wasted in meaningless words and phrases (like, "Wow!" or "That’s a lovely tunic you have, Ani!"). In order to better appreciate the dialogue, watch Episode II as the epic it really is.
When I first viewed AotC, I felt that something was missing, that someone’s acting was not on par with everyone else’s. Upon seeing the movie again, I figured out who it was: Ms. Natalie Portman. I know what you’re thinking: "I bet you’re gay!" </Sir Galahad from Monty Python and the Holy Grail>. Well, if you don’t believe me, watch the film again and tell me who’s dragging the cast down. Hayden Christiansen has an incredibly difficult role as Anakin, Ewan McGregor is having a blast as Obi-Wan, so there’s really only one major character left to put the blame on: Portman as Amidala. She’s stiff when she needs to be soft (see: firelight conversation with Anakin), mellow when she needs to be fiery (see: battle on Geonosis and her "commands" to the stormtrooper), and monotone at all times (see specifically: conversation with Obi-Wan and Anakin when they first arrive at her apartment). She seems to be under the impression that she is still wearing those outlandish hats and costumes. I hate to be so critical of someone who looks stunning in a white bodysuit, but that is perhaps the only time she acts well. Maybe she figured she could take a movie off because she’ll be recast in Episode III.
Perhaps the biggest difference between TPM and AotC was how I felt afterwards. When I left the theatre after TPM, I wanted to go see The Matrix again. When I left the theatre after AotC, I wanted to see Episode III (which, obviously, won’t be out until 2005). Definitely go see it once so those of us who want to talk about it on IRC can J .