Star Wars Episode II: The much-maligned, Kiwi-filled Attack of the Clones turns 20 – Stuff

Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones (PG, 143mins) Directed by George Lucas ****

Ten years on from the events in The Phantom Menace, there is unrest in the Galactic Senate.

Many planets, under the guidance of mysterious former Jedi Count Dooku (Christopher Lee), have expressed an intention to leave the Republic.

However, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) is not about to let the Republic, which has stood for a 1000 years, split in two.

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Calling on the support of Senator Amidala (Natalie Portman), he seeks to create a Republican army. After an attempt is made on her life, Amidala is assigned to the care of Jedis Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen).

A few investigations later, it seems a clone army is already being assembled based on the visage of bounty hunter Jango Fett (New Zealand's own Temuera Morrison which might finally explain the mystery that was The Howard Morrison Quartet).

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Jay Laga'aia, pictured here with Ewan McGregor, was one of the many Kiwi actors who featured in Star Wars Episode II.

After the disappointment that was Episode I, Lucas brought back the fun infused into the earlier trilogy for this 2002 adventure.

New characters mixed with old favourites thankfully the awful Jar Jar Binks role is limited and although some dialogue may be risible, especially in romantic scenes which Lucas clearly proves he can't write, there are some great one-liners. "Why do I get the feeling that you're going to be the death of me, " Obi Wan says to Anakin.

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Yoda is the real scene-stealer in Star Wars Episode II.

The action set-pieces though, of which there are many, are spectacular, with Lucas's eye for detail to the fore in the creation of water worlds and asteroid fields. Back then, it seemed strange watching a movie set earlier in time in the franchises chronology, when the technology bringing it to life seemed so much more advanced.

The assembled cast is also impressive with Samuel L. Jackson (looking badder than Pulp Fiction's Jules Winnfield), McGregor, Portman and Lee all taking the spotlight.

The New Zealand contribution isn't bad either with Morrison and Jay Laga'aia performing credibly and young Daniel Logan (remember him?) looking completely unfazed by the whole thing.

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Kiwis Daniel Logan and Temuera Morrison played father and son in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

If there is a bum note, it's Christensen: his lusty, troubled Anakin seemed more at home in Roswell than Tatooine.

But the real scene stealer? That's Yoda. Whether dispensing wisdom, or using his own force, the little green Muppet (now completely rendered by computers) and, then, still voiced by Fozzie Bear (Frank Oz), had come a long way since 1980's The Empire Strikes Back.

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Its the romantic scenes and dialogue where Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones falters.

And it's that film, the best of the series up to that point, that Attack will most remind you of.

Those with a keen eye will spot the similarities in dialogue, action and thematics making this Clone a rewarding experience for followers of the Star Wars faith especially with May the 4th being with us and the return of McGregor in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi just weeks away.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is now available to stream on Disney+.

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Star Wars Episode II: The much-maligned, Kiwi-filled Attack of the Clones turns 20 - Stuff

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero