This is a continuation of the blog idea started here. What if Star Wars in 1977 never happened and Episode 1 was truly the beginning.

Star Wars - Episode 2 - Attack of the Clones
Opening in theaters today, May 16th 2002.

It's a good thing that 1999's Star Wars - Episode 1 was a success, it would've seemed pretty silly for a movie go down as Episode 1 if Episode 2 never happened. But I guess fortune smiled upon writer/director George Lucas and now we have Episode 2 - Attack of the Clones.

Now with all sequels, everyone wants to know "Is it as good as the original?" The answer to this one is an emphatic "Yes!" However, this movie is more of a continuation of the first story and less of a sequel in the hollywood money making machine style. We pick up with several of the heroes from the first part 10 years later. The queen is now a senator, the learner Obi-wan Kenobi is now the teacher, and Anakin, last seen as a young boy on his first steps towards his lifes journey is now a rebellious, but capable Jedi apprentice.

Just like the previous installment, this one gets going from the first scene. However, where Episode 1 went towards the juvenile but loveable scenes with Jar Jar Binks, Episode 2 goes much deeper. This is definately a more grown up story. It seems that George Lucas has listened to the ever expanding legion of fans and criticisms that surrounded him last time out. The bland political stage play is gone, replaced by terrific action and a much improved plot.

Unfortunately, the acting and the dialogue have not improved much. Lucas still sticks to his guns and says it is the style of the movie and the serials that inspired it. With a title like "Attack of the Clones" this movie knows it's B-movie roots, and revels in them. The fact that the majority of this movie is a love story does not bode well.

The love story does make up roughly a quarter of the story. It has its hits and its misses. They speak in stilted love cliches and the onscreen chemistry sparks and occasionaly begins to smolder but we never feel the burning love that these characters seem to say they are feeling towards each other.

When the plot is not delving into a love story, we are instead treating to a nearly non-stop action and intrigue story. We have a murder mystery, several assassination attempts, and a bare knuckled brawl. All of this culminates in a final act that will leave you breathless. It's action, expertly choregraphed and honed to a fine precision. This is where George Lucas as a director shines the most.

Of course, the ending sets up an Episode 3, but it leaves you questioning whether or not our heroes are really who we think they are. All of the characters that seemed so superhuman last time, now are showing flaws and even a few have begun to doubt as to whether or not they have made the right decisions. It is this humbling that makes us empathize with the characters and brings them down to earth, so to speak.

If George Lucas can keep control of his franchise, and keep the hollywood suits out, and the mythologies in, I can't wait to see what Episode 3 brings us.

4 out of 5