May. 16, 2002 - 8:24 pm
how was it? how was it? it kicked my ass. yes, this is a very excellent film. 9/10. now like everyone else in existence that isn't kidding themselves, i did not think that Episode I (1999) lived up to the previous trilogy. Attack of the Clones does. i'll admit that i'm a huge fan of Star Wars. i think you just have to be if you grew up in the U.S. during the 80s. especially if you're a boy. i wasn't too into Star Wars too heavily on the whole until January of this year. i owned a copy of Episode I just because my favorite - Natalie Portman - was in it. that and because i love Ewan McGregor too. you should watch every movie that those two are in. they're partially great actors because they choose great roles.
so anyway, around January i read Episode I (the novelization) and then Rogue Planet and The Approaching Storm (which take place between Episode I and Episode II). in late April they finally released the novelization of Episode II (this film) and it was amazing. there was really only one huge thing that happened in the novel that didn't appear in the film, but that's basically because of its extremely violent nature. i'll just say that it's something that Anakin does that is hinted at in the movie. and it really shows his personal dark side. so i really wished they could've included that, but it had to get a PG rating, so i wasn't really expecting to see it in all of its glory. i strongly suggest that if you like this movie you read the book though.
now, to the film itself. i promise i won't spoil it too much. the two things i was really worried about going wrong were they fact that Yoda is completely cgi'ed and Hayden Christensen's acting ability. well, the Yoda stuff was tolerable and some of it was really amazing. there's one scene where he fights with a lightsaber and it just is the best scene of the movie possibly. you think it's going to look stupid with Yoda fighting? nope...nope. you need to see this. as far as Hayden's acting, i watched the indie film Life as a House (2001) a couple of months ago in preparation to see how good of an actor he is. he's got his faults but he does express anger very well. especially in Star Wars in a couple of scenes. awesome swordfighting too.
oh, another thing about the Jango Fett charater in relation to the western character mentioned in previous entries is that he does the traditional six-shooter type spin with his gun at one point. excellent.
well i don't want to give away much else. but just know that it's an awesome movie. i know you didn't like Episode I that much. but it doesn't matter. this one goes back and includes all the aspects you loved from the original trilogy. and it adds a lot of excellent new things. and don't you love that feeling of knowing what's coming in future films? standing ovation.