[Atrocities]

I was in third grade when Star Wars was released; I loved the movie from the first frame to the Last. I was not alone and I am glad that even today I am not alone. Star Wars Episode II "Attack of the Clones" was for me a major disappointment even more so than the Phantom Menace had been.

I went into this movie really wanting to like it, but found that I left feeling as if I just watched a Sci-fi channel movie rather than a big screen flick. Ok granted that might be a tad harsh. Let me put it too you this way. I found that I did not care about the characters, the story was oddly predictable with big plot holes and weak acting performances. The movie lacked appeal, depth, zeal, and even scope. I will concede that all though most of the characters were weakly developed and performed, I discovered that I loved Lord Tyrannous and Jango Fett. Those two characters were well acted and were very appealing. Mace Windu was also notable, but only because Samuel Jackson played the part well. Little Bobo Fett was a nice diVersion and I am glad that Lucas wrote him in to this movie. Parts of the movie were enthralling and greatly appealing, but over all, the lack of character development seriously undermined the power and feel of this movie. It should have commanded my attention instead it incensed it. Simply put, I felt the movie, although interesting, was mostly a dissapointment.

The first three movies had something that these Last two have not had, identifiable, likable, believable characters, both good and bad, that were loved and loved to be hated. This latest movie had a great bad guy, but we did not get to really see him in action until the end. That was really disappointing. Lucas should have introduced him early on and kept him coming much as he did with Vader in the first three movies. Another missed opportunity for Lucas. Don't get me wrong, Jango was also a great character and little Bobo too and too see them in this movie was a grand stroke of genius for Lucas, but this small victory is not enough to keep the movie interesting enough.

Why Lucas named the movie "Attack of the Clones" is beyond me when the Clones did not attack the Jedi, but helped them. The movie should have been named "Army of the Republic," or "Slaughter of the Jedi." The eye candy in this movie was first rate even if some of the blue screen SFX were not.

Did any one catch the B5 ship zooms?

When I saw Star Wars it had this Awa WOW feel too it as you knew you had just saw something that had never before been done. Attack of the Clones simply did not. I found that I enjoyed the first movie, Phantom Menace, far more than I did this movie. Granted this movie had some awesome scenes that truly were enjoyable to watch, but it lacked character and class.

Four things I loved about this movie:
1. Jango Fett and all scenes with him.
2. Watto's performance. (Very good job on that one)
3. The light saber duel at the end.
4. Lord Tyrannous (Should have had more of him)

Four things that I found disappointing about this movie:
1. The beginning (Lacked the depth that even Ep 1 had)
2. The lack of character development. (Simply the characters lacked chemistry and appeal.)
3. The lack of a developed story line. (Oh this one I could write a story on.)
4. The Ending (The Last 3 minutes of the movie were very weak at best)

Should Lucas be taken out and shot? No, but he should be taken out and beaten. That was what most of the people who saw the movie with me thought. They felt the movie was a weak, boorish, sub standard B flick with a big budge and not talent.

I know that to get to point C from Point A you must pass through Point B. I just honestly feel that Lucas could have done a far better job with the script than he had. The movie was lacking in character development, passion, acting, and even believable drama. It had a hokey love story with comical one liners that offered some hope but not that much hope. The Beast battle was as entertain to watch as Wrestle Mania, and I loved it. In all honestly I would have to say that from the time Anikin and his love were captured through the point where Tyrannus meets up with Palpatine, the movie was pure Star Wars. Everything prior to and after that was something else entirely.

As I said, I am not alone. I did like many aspects of this movie, and would recommend that you see it and make up your own mind. I like 50% of the movie, and feel that it is worthy of cost of admission. I know why I am disappointed with it, and I can, if asked go into that in greater detail, but why spoil the movie for someone who has not seen it yet. Go see it, and then make up your own mind. After all, any star wars is better than no star wars, even if it means we get this star wars.

Opinions welcome.