Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones: Difference between revisions

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===Reception===
===Reception===
''Attack of the Clones'' received generally mixed to positive reviews. On the [[Rotten Tomatoes]] review site, the film received a 66% favorable rating.<ref>{{cite web | author=| year=2002| title=Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones | format=| work=Rotten Tomatoes | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_ii_attack_of_the_clones/ | accessdate=2006-06-20}}</ref> There was general admiration for the action sequences and [[special effect]]s, but criticism of the more traditional dramatic elements, such as character development and dialogue, especially with respect to the relationship between Padmé and Anakin.<ref name="ebert">{{cite web | author=Ebert, Roger| date=2002-05-10| title=Star Wars – Episode II: Attack Of The Clones| work=rogerebert.com | url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20020510/REVIEWS/205100305/1023 | accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref>
''Attack of the Clones'' received generally mixed to positive reviews. On the [[Rotten Tomatoes]] review site, the film received a 66% favorable rating.<ref>{{cite web | author=| year=2002| title=Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones | format=| work=Rotten Tomatoes | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_ii_attack_of_the_clones/ | accessdate=2006-06-20}}</ref> There was general admiration for the action sequences and [[special effect]]s, which were regarded as better than those in the Phantom Menace and the Originals, but controversy surrounded the more traditional dramatic elements, such as character development and dialogue, especially with respect to the relationship between Padmé and Anakin.<ref name="ebert">{{cite web | author=Ebert, Roger| date=2002-05-10| title=Star Wars – Episode II: Attack Of The Clones| work=rogerebert.com | url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20020510/REVIEWS/205100305/1023 | accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref>


Critics called the dialogue "stiff" and "flat."<ref>{{cite web | author=Turan, Kenneth | date=2002-05-13| title='Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones' | work=Los Angeles Times | url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie000033752may13,0,3427362.story | accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref> The acting (particularly by Christensen and Portman) was also disparaged by some critics.<ref name="ebert" /> Conversely, other critics felt fans would be pleased to see that [[Jar Jar Binks]] plays only a minor role.<ref>Corliss, Richard and Jess Cagle, (April 29, 2002). "Dark Victory," ''Time'' Canadian Edition, p. 49.</ref> He in fact makes a motion in the Galactic Senate to grant Palpatine emergency powers—unknowingly assisting Palpatine's rise to power. Additionally, Jar Jar's attempts at comic relief seen in ''The Phantom Menace'' were toned down; instead, [[C-3PO]] reprised some of his bumbling traditions in that role. Despite reports, McGregor did not refer to the film as "unsatisfactory." He did, however, use the word in reference to the swordplay when comparing it to the climactic duel in ''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]'' as it neared release.<ref>{{cite web | author=Pierce, Nev| date=2005-04-01| title=The Total Film Interview - Ewan McGregor | work=[[Total Film]] | url=http://www.totalfilm.com/features/the_total_film_interview__ewan_mcgregor | accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref>
Critics called the dialogue "stiff" and "flat."<ref>{{cite web | author=Turan, Kenneth | date=2002-05-13| title='Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones' | work=Los Angeles Times | url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie000033752may13,0,3427362.story | accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref> Others praised the dialogue especially the witty antics and romance talk, and claimed that Star Wars has never been known for good dialogue. The acting (particularly by Christensen and Portman) was also disparaged by some critics.<ref name="ebert" /> However, many found Hayden`s acting to be really good and even more appreciated Natalie Portman as Padme. Ewan MacGrecor as Obi Wan and Christopher Lee as Count Dooku were the least controversial and best regarded actors. Conversely, other critics felt fans would be pleased to see that [[Jar Jar Binks]] plays only a minor role.<ref>Corliss, Richard and Jess Cagle, (April 29, 2002). "Dark Victory," ''Time'' Canadian Edition, p. 49.</ref> He in fact makes a motion in the Galactic Senate to grant Palpatine emergency powers—unknowingly assisting Palpatine's rise to power. Additionally, Jar Jar's attempts at comic relief seen in ''The Phantom Menace'' were toned down; instead, [[C-3PO]] reprised some of his bumbling traditions in that role. Many online reviews also complimented the Clone story for the political intrigue as making more sense, and being more interesting and well explained than in Episode I. Jango Fett and Mace Windu were both very popular characters, earning there own fanbase. The issues of Boba Fett being a clone and Yoda fighting with a lightsaber, remain very controversial. Many fans argue that Boba Fet`s backstory takes away his mystery, where others think that background is more important than mystery. Yoda`s lightsaber duel was a lot of fans' favourite moment in the film, but many others thought it destroyed the character, since Yoda should be above physical action. Roger Ebert and Siskerl Roeber were also very divided. The popular amateur critics Redlettermedia and ConfusedMatthew, gave very negative reviews on the movies. With respect to the story, acting and characters, but also the CGI and the action sequences, claiming that the action wasn`t exciting, because the characters didn`t seem to care at all, and the scenes were to unrealistic. Despite reports, McGregor did not refer to the film as "unsatisfactory." He did, however, use the word in reference to the swordplay when comparing it to the climactic duel in ''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]'' as it neared release.<ref>{{cite web | author=Pierce, Nev| date=2005-04-01| title=The Total Film Interview - Ewan McGregor | work=[[Total Film]] | url=http://www.totalfilm.com/features/the_total_film_interview__ewan_mcgregor | accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref>


[[Roger Ebert]], who has praised all of the other ''Star Wars'' films, awarded this edition only two out of four stars, describing the first half as too dialogue heavy and slow-paced, while deriding the romantic sentiments of Anakin and Padme as clichéd.
[[Roger Ebert]], who has praised all of the other ''Star Wars'' films, awarded this edition only two out of four stars, describing the first half as too dialogue heavy and slow-paced, while deriding the romantic sentiments of Anakin and Padme as clichéd.
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In following suit with the previous installments in the series, the [[Academy Awards]] presented ''Attack of the Clones'' with a nomination for Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, [[John Knoll]], and Ben Snow for [[Academy Award for Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]] at the 2003 Academy Awards.<ref>{{cite web | author=| date=2003-03-23| title=75th Academy Award Nominees and Winners | work=Academy of Motion Picture
In following suit with the previous installments in the series, the [[Academy Awards]] presented ''Attack of the Clones'' with a nomination for Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, [[John Knoll]], and Ben Snow for [[Academy Award for Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]] at the 2003 Academy Awards.<ref>{{cite web | author=| date=2003-03-23| title=75th Academy Award Nominees and Winners | work=Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences | url=http://www.oscars.org/75academyawards/nomswins.html | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080108153904/http://www.oscars.org/75academyawards/nomswins.html | archivedate=2008-01-08 | accessdate=2006-06-09}}</ref> Natalie Portman was also honored at the [[Teen Choice Awards]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allyourtv.com/awards/awardsteenchoice2002.html|title=2002 Teen Choice Award Winners|publisher=AllYourTV.com|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> and the film received an award for Best Fight at the [[MTV Movie Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2003/|title=2003 MTV Movie Awards|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> In contrast, the film also received seven nominations from the [[Golden Raspberry Award]]s for [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture|Worst Picture]], [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director|Worst Director]] (George Lucas), [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay|Worst Screenplay]] (George Lucas), [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor|Worst Supporting Actor]] (Hayden Christensen), [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress|Worst Supporting Actress]] (Natalie Portman), [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Couple|Worst Screen Couple]] (Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman) and [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel|Worst Remake or Sequel]].<ref>{{cite web | author=| date=2003-02-10| title=The 23rd Annual RAZZIE Nominations/Press Release| format=| work=[[Golden Raspberry Award]] Foundation | url=http://www.razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=110 | accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> It took home two awards for Worst Screenplay (George Lucas) and Worst Supporting Actor (Hayden Christensen).<ref>{{cite web | author=| date=2003-03-22| title=The 23rd Annual RAZZIE "Winners"| format=| work=[[Golden Raspberry Award]] Foundation | url=http://www.razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=115 | accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref>
Arts and Sciences | url=http://www.oscars.org/75academyawards/nomswins.html | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080108153904/http://www.oscars.org/75academyawards/nomswins.html | archivedate=2008-01-08 | accessdate=2006-06-09}}</ref> Natalie Portman was also honored at the [[Teen Choice Awards]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allyourtv.com/awards/awardsteenchoice2002.html|title=2002 Teen Choice Award Winners|publisher=AllYourTV.com|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> and the film received an award for Best Fight at the [[MTV Movie Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2003/|title=2003 MTV Movie Awards|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> In contrast, the film also received seven nominations from the [[Golden Raspberry Award]]s for [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture|Worst Picture]], [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director|Worst Director]] (George Lucas), [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay|Worst Screenplay]] (George Lucas), [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor|Worst Supporting Actor]] (Hayden Christensen), [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress|Worst Supporting Actress]] (Natalie Portman), [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Couple|Worst Screen Couple]] (Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman) and [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel|Worst Remake or Sequel]].<ref>{{cite web | author=| date=2003-02-10| title=The 23rd Annual RAZZIE Nominations/Press Release| format=| work=[[Golden Raspberry Award]] Foundation | url=http://www.razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=110 | accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> It took home two awards for Worst Screenplay (George Lucas) and Worst Supporting Actor (Hayden Christensen).<ref>{{cite web | author=| date=2003-03-22| title=The 23rd Annual RAZZIE "Winners"| format=| work=[[Golden Raspberry Award]] Foundation | url=http://www.razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=115 | accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref>
[[User:Reviewreviewer1|Reviewreviewer1]] ([[User talk:Reviewreviewer1|talk]]) 04:28, 15 October 2010 (UTC)

===Box office===
===Box office===
The film grossed $310,676,740 in the United States and $338,721,588 overseas, a huge financial success that nevertheless was overshadowed by the even greater box-office success of ''[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace]]''.<ref name=mojo>{{cite web | author=| year=2002| title=Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones | work=boxofficemojo.com| url=http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars2.htm | accessdate=2006-06-09}}</ref> It was not the top U.S. grossing film of the year, the first (and only) time that a ''Star Wars'' film did not have this distinction. The films that out-grossed it were ''[[Spider-Man (film)|Spider-Man]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'', and ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'', all of which enjoyed a more favorable critical reception as well. Adjusted for inflation, ''Attack of the Clones'' is the lowest-performing ''Star Wars'' film at the [[North America]]n box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/briefing/starwars.htm|accessdate=2006-09-26|title=Box Office Mojo Star Wars Briefing}}</ref>
The film grossed $310,676,740 in the United States and $338,721,588 overseas, a huge financial success that nevertheless was overshadowed by the even greater box-office success of ''[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace]]''.<ref name=mojo>{{cite web | author=| year=2002| title=Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones | work=boxofficemojo.com| url=http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars2.htm | accessdate=2006-06-09}}</ref> It was not the top U.S. grossing film of the year, the first (and only) time that a ''Star Wars'' film did not have this distinction. The films that out-grossed it were ''[[Spider-Man (film)|Spider-Man]]'', ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'', and ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'', all of which enjoyed a more favorable critical reception as well. Adjusted for inflation, ''Attack of the Clones'' is the lowest-performing ''Star Wars'' film at the [[North America]]n box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/briefing/starwars.htm|accessdate=2006-09-26|title=Box Office Mojo Star Wars Briefing}}</ref>

Revision as of 04:28, 15 October 2010

Star Wars Episode II:
Attack of the Clones
Film poster. A young man is seen embracing a young woman. A man holds a lightsaber. In the foreground, there is a man wearing a suit.
Theatrical poster
Directed byGeorge Lucas
Screenplay byGeorge Lucas
Jonathan Hales
Story byGeorge Lucas
Produced byRick McCallum
George Lucas
StarringEwan McGregor
Natalie Portman
Hayden Christensen
Samuel L. Jackson
Christopher Lee
Temuera Morrison
Ian McDiarmid
CinematographyDavid Tattersall
Edited byBen Burtt
Music byJohn Williams
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • May 16, 2002 (2002-05-16)
Running time
142 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$120 million
Box officeWorldwide:
$649,398,328[1]

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 American space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the second in terms of internal chronology.

The film is set 10 years after the events in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, when the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. Under the leadership of a renegade Jedi named Count Dooku, thousands of planetary systems threaten to secede from the Galactic Republic. When an assassination attempt is made on Senator Padmé Amidala, the former Queen of Naboo, 20-year-old Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker is assigned to protect her, while his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi is assigned to investigate the assassination attempt. Soon, Anakin, Padmé, and Obi-Wan are drawn into the heart of the Separatist territories and the beginning of a new threat to the galaxy, the Clone Wars.

Released on May 16, 2002, Attack of the Clones was the first motion picture to be shot completely on a high definition digital 24-frame system and the first Star Wars film to be internationally out-grossed in the year of its original release.

Plot

Ten years have passed since the invasion of Naboo, and the Galactic Republic is in turmoil. Former Jedi Master Count Dooku has organized a Separatist movement against the Republic, making it difficult for the Jedi to maintain the peace. The Republic contemplates creating an army to assist the Jedi, prompting Senator Padmé Amidala, former Queen of Naboo, to return to Coruscant to vote on the matter. Upon her arrival, she narrowly escapes an assassination attempt. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine assigns Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker to protect her. That night, another attempt is made on the Senator's life, although Obi-Wan and Anakin foil the plot and subdue the assassin, who is murdered by her mysterious employer as she is about to reveal vital information. The murder weapon is discovered to be a poisonous dart manufactured on the planet Kamino. Returning to the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan is assigned to investigate the identity of the assassin's killer, along with R4-P17, while Anakin is assigned to escort and accompany Senator Amidala to her home planet of Naboo. Anakin, who has fallen in love with Padmé, relishes the opportunity to spend time with her, although Padmé resists her feelings toward him, as it goes against the morality of their respective careers as a Jedi and a senator. In investigating the remote ocean planet of Kamino, Obi-Wan discovers that it has been removed from the navigation maps of the Jedi archives. Yoda reveals that such a thing could only have been done by a Jedi, suggesting that a conspiracy is afoot.

Obi-Wan heads to Kamino, where he discovers that an army of clone troopers is being secretly produced for the Republic, using a bounty hunter named Jango Fett as their genetic template. Obi-Wan tries to capture Jango after deducing that he is the killer he has been looking for, and he tracks Jango and his son Boba to the planet Geonosis after they escape from Kamino. Anakin, meanwhile, has grown troubled with recurring nightmares about his mother Shmi in grave danger; he left her behind on Tatooine when he set off to become a Jedi. In defiance of Obi-Wan's orders, Anakin convinces Padmé to accompany him to Tatooine to save his mother. There he finds her mortally injured by Tusken Raiders, and she dies in his arms. Succumbing to a murderous rage, Anakin massacres the entire Tusken tribe. After burying his mother, Anakin tearfully confesses his crime to Padmé, who comforts him.

On Geonosis, Obi-Wan learns that Count Dooku authorized the assassination attempt on Padmé, and that the Separatists are developing a new battle droid army. Obi-Wan relays this information via hologram to Anakin, who transmits it to the Jedi Council; however, Obi-Wan is captured mid-transmission. While he holds Obi-Wan hostage, Dooku reveals that the Republic is in fact controlled by a Sith Lord named Darth Sidious. While Anakin and Padmé head to Geonosis to rescue Obi-Wan, Chancellor Palpatine is granted emergency powers to organize the clone army and send them into battle. Shortly after arriving on Geonosis, Anakin and Padmé are captured and sentenced to death along with Obi-Wan. Preparing for what could be their final moments alive, Padmé finally confesses her own feelings for Anakin. The three are pitted against savage beasts, but manage to survive until Jedi Master Mace Windu arrives with a team of Jedi to assist them, engaging and killing Jango in a brief battle. After a heated struggle, in which most of the Jedi are slain, Yoda arrives with the clone army and rescues the survivors of the battle.

As a large battle erupts between the Republic's clone army and the Separatist's droid forces, Count Dooku attempts to escape. Obi-Wan and Anakin corner him in a hangar and engage him in a lightsaber duel, but he outmatches and defeats them with his mastery of the dark side of the Force, severing Anakin's arm in the process. Yoda engages Dooku in a duel until Dooku escapes, taking the plans for a new "ultimate weapon" to his Sith master, Sidious, on Coruscant. The Jedi are now uncertain of what will become of the Republic, now that the Clone Wars have begun. Chancellor Palpatine oversees the launching of massive clone trooper forces. Meanwhile, Anakin (with a new cybernetic arm) and Padmé marry clandestinely on Naboo, with droids C-3PO and R2-D2 as witnesses.

Cast

File:AnakinEp2.jpg
Ewan McGregor (left) as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen (right) as Anakin Skywalker in Attack of the Clones.
  • Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi Master and mentor to his padawan learner, Anakin Skywalker, who investigates the assassination attempt of Padmé which led him to discover the makings of a Clone Army.
  • Natalie Portman as Senator Padmé Amidala: Former Queen of Naboo, who has recently been elected the planet's Senator.
  • Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker: Obi-Wan's gifted padawan apprentice. He is believed to be the "chosen one" of Jedi prophecy destined "to bring balance to the Force."
  • Ian McDiarmid as Chancellor Palpatine: A former Galactic Senator from Naboo, who amasses vast emergency powers upon the outbreak of the Clone Wars.
  • Christopher Lee as Count Dooku: A former Jedi Master who is now leader of the Separatist movement as Darth Tyranus, and a suspect in Obi-Wan's investigation.
  • Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu: A Jedi Master sitting on the Jedi Council who warily watches the Galactic Senate's politics.
  • Temuera Morrison as Jango Fett: A former bounty hunter who gave his DNA for use by the cloning facilities on Kamino for the creation of the clone army. In addition to his wage, he requested an unaltered clone for himself to take as his son — Boba Fett.
  • Frank Oz voices Yoda: A Jedi Grand Master of an unknown species. In addition to sitting on the Jedi Council, Yoda is the instructor for the young Jedi padawans.
  • Anthony Daniels as C-3PO: A protocol droid for the Lars homestead.
  • Kenny Baker as R2-D2: An astro-droid, often seen on missions with Anakin and Obi-Wan.
  • Daniel Logan as Boba Fett: Jango Fett's clone and adopted son, who is created from his "father"'s DNA.
  • Leeanna Walsman as Zam Wesell: A bounty hunter and partner of Jango Fett, who is given the task of assassinating Senator Amidala. Although her appearance is human, she is actually a shapeshifter.
  • Silas Carson as Nute Gunray and Ki-Adi-Mundi: Gunray is the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. He attempted to assassinate Senator Amidala as revenge for his loss against her people on Naboo. Ki-Adi-Mundi is a Jedi Master who is a member of the Jedi Council.
  • Ahmed Best as Senator Jar Jar Binks: A Gungan whom Padmé appoints Representative of Naboo.

E! Online reported that Lucas had allowed 'N Sync to film a small background cameo appearance, in order to satisfy his daughters. They were subsequently cut out of the film in post-production.[2] The end credits erroneously list Alan Ruscoe as playing Neimoidian senator Lott Dod. The character was actually another Neimodian, played by an uncredited David Healey and voiced by Christopher Truswell.

A large search for the new Anakin Skywalker was performed across the United States. Lucas auditioned various actors, mostly unknown, before casting Christensen. Among the many established actors who auditioned were Jonathan Brandis, Ryan Phillippe,[3] Colin Hanks,[4] and Paul Walker.[5] Leonardo DiCaprio also met with Lucas for the role, but was "definitely unavailable" according to DiCaprio publicist Ken Sunshine.[6] Co-star Natalie Portman later told Time magazine that Christensen "gave a great reading. He could simultaneously be scary and really young."[7] Before filming started, Catherine Zeta-Jones was rumored to have been cast as a Dark Jedi and Ralph Fiennes was reported to have been considered to play a young Grand Moff Tarkin.

Production

Writing

After the mixed critical response to The Phantom Menace, Lucas was hesitant to return to the writing desk. In March 2000, just three months before the start of principal photography, Lucas finally completed his rough draft for Episode II. Lucas continued to iterate on his rough draft, producing a proper first and second draft. For help with the third draft, which would later become the shooting script, Lucas brought on Jonathan Hales, who had written several episodes of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles for him, but had limited experience writing theatrical films. The final script was completed just one week before the start of principal photography.

As an in-joke, the film's "working title" was Jar Jar's Big Adventure, a sarcastic reference to the negative fan response to the Episode I character.[8]

In writing Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Lucas initially decided that Lando Calrissian was a clone and came from a planet of clones which caused the "Clone Wars" mentioned by Kenobi in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope;[9][10] he later came up with an alternate concept of an army of clone shocktroopers from a remote planet which were used by the Republic as an army in the war that followed.[11]

Filming

Principal photography occurred between June 26, 2000 and September 20, 2000 at 20th Century Fox Studios in Australia. Location shooting took place in the Tunisian desert, at the Plaza de España in Seville, Spain, in Italy at the Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como, and in the former royal Palace of Caserta. At his own personal request, Samuel L. Jackson's character Mace Windu received a lightsaber that emitted an amethyst glow, as opposed to traditional blue and green for "good guys" and red for "bad guys."[12] Reshoots were performed in March 2001. During this time, a new action sequence was developed featuring the droid factory after Lucas had decided that the film lacked a quick enough pace in the corresponding time-frame. The sequence's previsualization was rushed, and the live-action footage was shot within four and a half hours.[13] Because of Lucas' method of creating shots through various departments and sources that are sometimes miles and years apart from each other, Attack of the Clones became the first film ever to be produced through what Rick McCallum called "virtual filmmaking."[13]

Like The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones furthered technological development, effectively moving Hollywood into the "digital age" with the use of the HDW-F900, developed by Sony and Panavision, a digital camera using an HD digital 24 frame system. This spawned controversy over the benefits and disadvantages of digital cinematography that continue as more filmmakers "convert" to digital filmmaking while many filmmakers oppose it. In contrast to previous installments, for which scenes were shot in the Tunisian desert in temperatures up to 125 °F (51 °C), the camera would still run without complications. Lucas had stated that he wished to film The Phantom Menace on this format but Sony was unable to build the cameras quickly enough.[14] In 2002, Attack of the Clones became the third film to be released that was shot entirely on a 24p digital camera (preceded by 2001's Jackpot and Vidocq).[15] Despite Lucas' efforts to persuade movie theaters to switch to digital projectors for better viewing of Episode II, few theaters did.[16]

Effects

The film relied almost solely on digital animatics as opposed to storyboards in order to previsualize sequences for editing early on in the film's production. While Lucas had used other ways of producing motion-based storyboards in the past, after The Phantom Menace the decision was made to take advantage of the growing digital technology.[13] The process began with Ben Burtt's creation of what the department dubbed as "videomatics," so called because they were shot on a household videocamera. In these videomatics, production assistants and relatives of the department workers acted out scenes in front of greenscreen. Using computer-generated imagery (CGI), the previsualization department later filled in the green screen with rough background footage. Burtt then cut together this footage and sent it off to Lucas for changes and approval. The result was a rough example of what the final product was intended to be. The previsualization department then created a finer version of the videomatic by creating an animatic, in which the videomatic actors, props, and sets were replaced by digital counterparts to give a more precise, but still rough, look at what would eventually be seen. The animatic was later brought on set and shown to the actors so that they could understand the concept of the scene they were filming in the midst of large amount of bluescreen used. Unlike most of the action sequences, the Battle of Geonosis was not storyboarded or created through videomatics but was sent straight to animatics after the department received a small vague page on the sequence. The intent was to create a number of small events that would be edited together for pacing inside the finished film. The animatics department was given a free hand regarding events to be created within the animatic; Lucas only asked for good action shots that he could choose from and approve later.[13]

A green creature holding a lightsaber
The final computer-generated Yoda as seen in the film.

In addition to introducing the digital camera, Attack of the Clones emphasized "digital doubles" as computer-generated models that doubled for actors, in the same way that traditional stunt doubles did. It also furthered the authenticity of computer-generated characters by introducing a new, completely CGI-created version of the character Yoda. Rob Coleman and John Knoll prepared two tests featuring a CGI-animated Yoda using audio from The Empire Strikes Back. Yoda's appearance in Empire also served as the reference point for the creation of the CGI Yoda; Lucas repeatedly stated to the animation department that "the trick" to the animation of the CGI Yoda was to make him like the puppet from which he was based, in order to maintain a flow of continuity. Frank Oz (voice and puppeteer for Yoda in the original trilogy and The Phantom Menace) was consulted; his main piece of advice was that Yoda should look extremely old, sore, and frigid.[17] Coleman later explained the process of making the digital Yoda like the puppet version, by saying, "When Frank [Oz] would move the head, the ears would jiggle. If we hadn't put that in, it wouldn't look like Yoda."[18] Because of the acrobatics of the lightsaber fight between Count Dooku and Yoda, 80-year-old Christopher Lee relied on a stunt double to perform the most demanding scenes instead. Lee's face was superimposed onto the double's body in all shots other than closeups, which he performed himself. Lucas often called the duel crucial to the animation department, as it had such potential to be humorous rather than dramatic.[17]

Music

The soundtrack to the film was released on April 23, 2002 by Sony Classical.[19] The music was composed and conducted by John Williams, and performed by the London Voices and London Symphony Orchestra.[20] The soundtrack recreates the "Imperial March" from the film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back for its first chronological appearance in Attack of the Clones, even though a hint of it appeared in the previous movie in one of the final scenes. A music video for the main theme "Across the Stars" was produced specifically for the DVD.[21]

The CD originally shipped with a bonus PC screensaver. Four different soundtrack covers, each sold separately, were distributed at the time: one featuring Yoda, another featuring Anakin and Padmé, a third featuring Jango Fett, and the fourth featuring the film's final poster art. A Target-exclusive CD included a 14th track as a bonus track.[22][unreliable source?]

Themes

Lucas has noted that Palpatine's rise to power is very similar to that of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany; as Chancellor of Germany, the latter was granted "emergency powers", as is Palpatine.[23] Comparisons have been made to Octavian — who became Augustus, the first emperor of Rome — and to Napoleon Bonaparte, who rose to power in France from 1796 to 1799. Octavian was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of political opponents well before he was granted tribunician powers; Bonaparte was appointed First Consul for life (and later Emperor) by the French Consulate after a failed attempt on his life and the subsequent coup of 18 Brumaire in 1799.[24] Some have drawn parallels to the American Civil War, likening the Separatists to the Confederate States of America; the official name of the Separatist group is the "Confederacy of Independent Systems." The name of the government Army, the "Grand Army of the Republic," is the same in both Star Wars and the American Civil War, and both Palpatine and President Abraham Lincoln took extensive war powers and suspended many civil rights.[24]

Numerous rows of soldiers walking out of a large spaceship
Clone troopers march onto their starships.

War journalism, combat films, and footage of World War II combat influenced the documentary style camera work of the Battle of Geonosis, even to the point that hand-held shakes were digitally added to computer generated sequences.[24]

In the film, the Geonosians have their own style of capital punishment. The scene depicting this method takes place in the Geonosian arena with the condemned chained to a pole, awaiting execution, which is carried out in bloody fashion by assorted carnivorous beasts. Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padmé are sentenced to be executed in this method. This scene was influenced by an execution method employed by the ancient Romans at the Colosseum where lions and other dangerous predatory animals were permitted to have their way with condemned prisoners.[25][unreliable source?]

The prequel trilogy films often refer to the original trilogy in order to help connect the films together. Lucas has often referred to the films as a long poem that rhymes.[26] Such examples include the now-famous line of "I have a bad feeling about this," a phrase used in each film, and battles, namely lightsaber duels, that almost always occur over a pit. As with Attack of the Clones, The Empire Strikes Back was the middle film in a trilogy; therefore, of the original trilogy films, Empire is the object of the most references in Attack of the Clones. In both films, an asteroid field is the backdrop of a major star battle in the middle of the film. Obi-Wan Kenobi escapes Jango Fett by attaching his spacecraft to an asteroid in order to disappear from the enemy sensors; Han Solo uses a similar tactic by attaching the Millennium Falcon to a Star Destroyer in Empire. As a retcon, John Knoll confirms on the film's DVD commentary that Boba Fett, who would later catch Solo in the act in Empire, "learned his lesson" from the events of Attack of the Clones.[23] In another scene, Obi-Wan asks Anakin, "Why do I get the feeling you're going to be the death of me?" This is an allusion to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope where Anakin, as Darth Vader, kills Obi-Wan aboard the Death Star. Also, Count Dooku cuts off Anakin's arm, similar to when Darth Vader cut off Luke Skywalker's hand in Empire.

Release

After a teaser trailer premiered with the film Monsters Inc., a new trailer for the film aired on the Fox Network on March 10, 2002 between Malcolm in the Middle and The X-Files,[27] and was made available on the official Star Wars Web site the same day. The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas from Chicago predicted that U.S. companies could lose more than $319 million in productivity due to employees calling in sick and then heading to theaters to see the film.[28]

Attack of the Clones was screened out of competition at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival,[29] before getting a worldwide theatrical release on May 16, 2002. The film was also later released in IMAX theaters; the film had not been filmed for IMAX but was "up converted" with the digital remastering process. Because of the technical limitations of the IMAX projector, an edited, 120-minute version of the film was presented.[30]

Before the film's release, there was a string of controversies regarding piracy. In 2000, an underground organization calling itself the Atlas Group, based in Perth, Western Australia offered a copy of the screenplay, with an asking price of US$100,000, to various fan sites and media organizations, including TheForce.Net. The scheme was subsequently reported to Lucasfilm Ltd. by the fan site.

A pirate copy was allegedly made at a private showing, using a digital recorder that was pointed at the screen. This copy spread over the internet, and analysts predicted up to a million fans would have seen the film before the day of its release.[31] In addition, authorities seized thousands of bootlegs throughout Kuala Lumpur before the film opened.[32]

Reception

Attack of the Clones received generally mixed to positive reviews. On the Rotten Tomatoes review site, the film received a 66% favorable rating.[33] There was general admiration for the action sequences and special effects, which were regarded as better than those in the Phantom Menace and the Originals, but controversy surrounded the more traditional dramatic elements, such as character development and dialogue, especially with respect to the relationship between Padmé and Anakin.[34]

Critics called the dialogue "stiff" and "flat."[35] Others praised the dialogue especially the witty antics and romance talk, and claimed that Star Wars has never been known for good dialogue. The acting (particularly by Christensen and Portman) was also disparaged by some critics.[34] However, many found Hayden`s acting to be really good and even more appreciated Natalie Portman as Padme. Ewan MacGrecor as Obi Wan and Christopher Lee as Count Dooku were the least controversial and best regarded actors. Conversely, other critics felt fans would be pleased to see that Jar Jar Binks plays only a minor role.[36] He in fact makes a motion in the Galactic Senate to grant Palpatine emergency powers—unknowingly assisting Palpatine's rise to power. Additionally, Jar Jar's attempts at comic relief seen in The Phantom Menace were toned down; instead, C-3PO reprised some of his bumbling traditions in that role. Many online reviews also complimented the Clone story for the political intrigue as making more sense, and being more interesting and well explained than in Episode I. Jango Fett and Mace Windu were both very popular characters, earning there own fanbase. The issues of Boba Fett being a clone and Yoda fighting with a lightsaber, remain very controversial. Many fans argue that Boba Fet`s backstory takes away his mystery, where others think that background is more important than mystery. Yoda`s lightsaber duel was a lot of fans' favourite moment in the film, but many others thought it destroyed the character, since Yoda should be above physical action. Roger Ebert and Siskerl Roeber were also very divided. The popular amateur critics Redlettermedia and ConfusedMatthew, gave very negative reviews on the movies. With respect to the story, acting and characters, but also the CGI and the action sequences, claiming that the action wasn`t exciting, because the characters didn`t seem to care at all, and the scenes were to unrealistic. Despite reports, McGregor did not refer to the film as "unsatisfactory." He did, however, use the word in reference to the swordplay when comparing it to the climactic duel in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith as it neared release.[37]

Roger Ebert, who has praised all of the other Star Wars films, awarded this edition only two out of four stars, describing the first half as too dialogue heavy and slow-paced, while deriding the romantic sentiments of Anakin and Padme as clichéd.

In following suit with the previous installments in the series, the Academy Awards presented Attack of the Clones with a nomination for Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, John Knoll, and Ben Snow for Best Visual Effects at the 2003 Academy Awards.[38] Natalie Portman was also honored at the Teen Choice Awards,[39] and the film received an award for Best Fight at the MTV Movie Awards.[40] In contrast, the film also received seven nominations from the Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Picture, Worst Director (George Lucas), Worst Screenplay (George Lucas), Worst Supporting Actor (Hayden Christensen), Worst Supporting Actress (Natalie Portman), Worst Screen Couple (Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman) and Worst Remake or Sequel.[41] It took home two awards for Worst Screenplay (George Lucas) and Worst Supporting Actor (Hayden Christensen).[42] Reviewreviewer1 (talk) 04:28, 15 October 2010 (UTC)

Box office

The film grossed $310,676,740 in the United States and $338,721,588 overseas, a huge financial success that nevertheless was overshadowed by the even greater box-office success of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.[1] It was not the top U.S. grossing film of the year, the first (and only) time that a Star Wars film did not have this distinction. The films that out-grossed it were Spider-Man, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, all of which enjoyed a more favorable critical reception as well. Adjusted for inflation, Attack of the Clones is the lowest-performing Star Wars film at the North American box office.[43]

Home media

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was released on DVD and VHS on November 12, 2002. George Lucas edited or added certain elements that make the DVD slightly different from its theatrical release. The DVD features an audio commentary from director George Lucas, producer Rick McCallum, editor and sound designer Ben Burtt, ILM animation director Rob Coleman, and ILM visual effects supervisors Pablo Helman, John Knoll, and Ben Snow. Eight deleted scenes are included along with multiple documentaries, which include a full-length documentary about the creation of digital characters and two others that focus on sound design and the animatics team. Three featurettes examine the storyline, action scenes, and love story, and a set of 12 short web documentaries cover the overall production of the film.[44]

The Attack of the Clones DVD also features a trailer for a mockumentary-style short film known as R2-D2: Beneath the Dome. Some stores offered the full mockumentary as an exclusive bonus disc for a small extra charge. The film gives an alternate look at the "life" of the droid R2-D2. The story, which Lucas approved, was meant to be humorous.[45]

The DVD was re-released in a prequel trilogy box set on November 4, 2008.[46]

The Star Wars films are scheduled to be released on Blu-ray Disc in 2011.[47]

Adaptations

Two novels based on the movie were published, a tie-in junior novel by Scholastic,[48] and a novelization written by R. A. Salvatore, which includes some unique scenes.[49] A four-issue comic book adaptation was written by Henry Gilroy and published by Dark Horse Comics.[50]

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones". boxofficemojo.com. 2002. Retrieved 2006-06-09.
  2. ^ Armstrong, Mark (2002-01-10). "'N Sync Cut from "Clones"?". E! Online. Archived from the original on 2008-01-20. Retrieved 2006-06-09.
  3. ^ "Ryan Phillippe Recalls Missing Out On Anakin Role In 'Star Wars' Prequels". MTV. 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  4. ^ Hiscock, John (2008-01-26). "Colin Hanks rises in 'Untraceable'". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  5. ^ "Looking for Anakin". BBC. 2002-05-07. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  6. ^ Ryan, Joal (2000-04-04). "ROLE CALL: Leo out of Anakin Sweepstakes". Hollywood.com. Retrieved 2006-06-24.
  7. ^ Cagle, Jess (2002-04-29). ""Meet Mr. and Mrs. Vader"". Time, Canadian Edition: 53.
  8. ^ (Kaminski 2007, p. 374)
  9. ^ (Bouzereau 1997, p. 196)
  10. ^ (Kaminski v.3.0 2007, p. 158)
  11. ^ (Kaminski v.3.0 2007, p. 162)
  12. ^ "Samuel L. Jackson". Inside the Actors Studio. Season 8. 2002-06-02. Bravo. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b c d State of the Art: The Previsualization of Episode II DVD Special Feature, [2002]
  14. ^ Here We Go Again: The Digital Cinema Revolution Begins DVD Special Feature, [2002]
  15. ^ "Disney To Roll Out Pearl Harbor Again This Week". IMDb. 2001-08-28.
  16. ^ Carus, Felicity (2003-03-20). "Reel change". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2006-06-15.
  17. ^ a b From Puppets to Pixels: Digital Characters in Episode II DVD Special Feature, [2002]
  18. ^ Cagle, Jess (April 29, 2002). "Yoda Goes Digital-and Conquers Too," Time Canadian Edition, page 48.
  19. ^ "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones". The Official Star Wars Music Website. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  20. ^ "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Sony Music Classical. Archived from the original on 2007-12-02. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  21. ^ "Across The Stars music video". Starwars.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  22. ^ "Four Episode II Soundtrack Covers". TheForce.Net. 2002-05-14. Retrieved 2006-06-20.
  23. ^ a b Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones DVD commentary featuring George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Rob Coleman, Ben Burtt, Pablo Helman, John Knoll and Ben Snow, [2002]
  24. ^ a b c Lancashire, Anne (2002). "Attack of the Clones and the Politics of Star Wars". The Dalhousie Review. Retrieved 2006-06-20.
  25. ^ "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones". Net-Monster.com. 2002. Retrieved 2006-06-26.
  26. ^ "The Beginning" Making Episode I Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace DVD documentary, [2001]
  27. ^ "World premiere of new "Star Wars: Episode II" trailer on March 10". Hollywood.com. 2002-03-01. Retrieved 2006-06-21.
  28. ^ "Will 'Star Wars' clobber business?". CNN. 2002-05-15. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  29. ^ "Festival de Cannes: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  30. ^ Starwars.com article
  31. ^ Singer, Michael (2002-03-10). "Star Wars 'Clones' Showing Up On Web". InterNetNews. Retrieved 2006-06-21.
  32. ^ "Malaysian Clones Attack Star Wars". Financial Express. 2002-05-15. Retrieved 2006-06-21.
  33. ^ "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones". Rotten Tomatoes. 2002. Retrieved 2006-06-20.
  34. ^ a b Ebert, Roger (2002-05-10). "Star Wars – Episode II: Attack Of The Clones". rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2006-06-15.
  35. ^ Turan, Kenneth (2002-05-13). "'Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2006-06-15.
  36. ^ Corliss, Richard and Jess Cagle, (April 29, 2002). "Dark Victory," Time Canadian Edition, p. 49.
  37. ^ Pierce, Nev (2005-04-01). "The Total Film Interview - Ewan McGregor". Total Film. Retrieved 2006-06-15.
  38. ^ "75th Academy Award Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 2003-03-23. Archived from the original on 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2006-06-09. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |work= at position 26 (help)
  39. ^ "2002 Teen Choice Award Winners". AllYourTV.com. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  40. ^ "2003 MTV Movie Awards". MTV. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  41. ^ "The 23rd Annual RAZZIE Nominations/Press Release". Golden Raspberry Award Foundation. 2003-02-10. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  42. ^ "The 23rd Annual RAZZIE "Winners"". Golden Raspberry Award Foundation. 2003-03-22. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  43. ^ "Box Office Mojo Star Wars Briefing". Retrieved 2006-09-26.
  44. ^ "Episode II: Unlocking the DVD". Starwars.com. 2002-10-08. Archived from the original on 2008-01-05. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  45. ^ "R2-D2: Beneath the Dome DVD". Starwars.com. 2002-12-23. Archived from the original on 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  46. ^ "Star Wars Saga Repacked in Trilogy Sets on DVD". Lucasfilm. StarWars.com. 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  47. ^ "George Lucas Announces Star Wars on Blu-Ray at Celebration V". Lucasfilm. StarWars.com. 2010-08-14. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  48. ^ Patricia C. Wrede (2002-04-23). Star Wars, Episode II - Attack of the Clones (Junior Novelization). Scholastic Paperbacks. ISBN 0439139287. OCLC 49622734.
  49. ^ "Episode II Novel Paperback Edition". Starwars.com. December 5, 2002. Archived from the original on 2007-11-16.
  50. ^ "Episode II Adaptation & Free Comic". Starwars.com. March 5, 2002. Archived from the original on 2005-04-02.

References

External links

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