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“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." Watching the Star Wars films
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<blockquote data-quote="Spells &amp; Karma" data-source="post: 324797" data-attributes="member: 23"><p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="font-size: 22px">Episode II: Attack Of The Clones</span> </strong>(2002)</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><img src="https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpre00.deviantart.net%2F903a%2Fth%2Fpre%2Fi%2F2017%2F229%2Fd%2F2%2Fstar_wars_ii___attack_of_the_clones___movie_poster_by_nei1b-d5w4z27.jpg&f=1&nofb=1" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="width: 527px" /></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p>Of course, I couldn’t not watch on Star Wars Day. And while <em>Clones</em> doesn’t feel to me like an appropriately heady moment in the saga for the occasion, it does mark the mid-way point of the series.</p><p></p><p>It’s probably not the middle point in terms of viewing hours, since the films getting longer and longer as they continue. This one in particular felt a little too long. It wasn’t painfully long, but any film nearing two and a half hours long needs to be darned good, otherwise it feels indulgent. And this was borderline.</p><p></p><p>Most of the <em>Star Wars</em> films thus far have had an imbalance. <em>Star Wars</em> and <em>Empire</em> took a while to get going. <em>Jedi</em> had an endless final battle. <em>Clones</em> manages the feat of achieving balance while still being problematic. Action sequences are placed at almost scientifically regular intervals, but this is where the film lost me. With each and every one of those action sequences, I found myself glazing over and tuning out, and each time it became more difficult to reinvest in the story afterwards. I noticed it happening with one particular sequence featuring Anakin, but couldn’t tell you which as they all started to feel interchangeable.</p><p></p><p>Not that this is a bad film. If every action sequence were to be cut by 50% (or presented in a way that keeps the attention) I’d have no real gripe. There is a sense that concessions were made in response to audience feedback. Most notably, Jar Jar’s screen time is significantly reduced compared with the previous film, and as an almost background character he’s fine.</p><p></p><p>There was once again a lot of CGI, and not all of it has dated well. However, I did like the lanky aliens that welcome Obi-Wan to Geonosis.</p><p></p><p>Last time round I was on the fence with Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan. This time I’m more sure: it’s not doing it for me. I just can’t equate this character with the one played by Alec Guinness.</p><p></p><p>Hayden Christensen is… fine. I buy him as the kid from<em> Episode I</em>, but he does look generically Hollywood in a young Brad Pitt/<em>90210</em>/older sitcom brother kind of way. The story with Anakin finding his mother and her new family (in very familiar surroundings, right down to the blue milk) was nicely done and very touching, giving the film some great human moments.</p><p></p><p>It’s a treat to see Christopher Lee here. At the back of my mind I’d thought he was a returnee from the original trilogy, but I’ve realised I was mixing him up with Peter Cushing.</p><p></p><p>The climactic lightsaber battle was as enjoyable as always (I can never get enough of glowing sticks in darkened rooms). However, since we know all key characters - Obi-Wan, Anakin and Yoda - will go on to the original trilogy it lacks genuine threat. However, it’s good to see the story behind Vader’s prosthetic arm, and especially good to see Yoda getting in on the action. I absolutely love this character and he remains a favourite.</p><p></p><p>I am enjoying getting a sense of the overarching story at this point (as summarised by the opening crawls). The galactic politics with separatist movements leading to war feels very much a grander version of what we see on the news every day.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Spells & Karma, post: 324797, member: 23"] [CENTER][B][SIZE=6]Episode II: Attack Of The Clones[/SIZE] [/B](2002) [IMG width="527px"]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpre00.deviantart.net%2F903a%2Fth%2Fpre%2Fi%2F2017%2F229%2Fd%2F2%2Fstar_wars_ii___attack_of_the_clones___movie_poster_by_nei1b-d5w4z27.jpg&f=1&nofb=1[/IMG] [/CENTER] Of course, I couldn’t not watch on Star Wars Day. And while [I]Clones[/I] doesn’t feel to me like an appropriately heady moment in the saga for the occasion, it does mark the mid-way point of the series. It’s probably not the middle point in terms of viewing hours, since the films getting longer and longer as they continue. This one in particular felt a little too long. It wasn’t painfully long, but any film nearing two and a half hours long needs to be darned good, otherwise it feels indulgent. And this was borderline. Most of the [I]Star Wars[/I] films thus far have had an imbalance. [I]Star Wars[/I] and [I]Empire[/I] took a while to get going. [I]Jedi[/I] had an endless final battle. [I]Clones[/I] manages the feat of achieving balance while still being problematic. Action sequences are placed at almost scientifically regular intervals, but this is where the film lost me. With each and every one of those action sequences, I found myself glazing over and tuning out, and each time it became more difficult to reinvest in the story afterwards. I noticed it happening with one particular sequence featuring Anakin, but couldn’t tell you which as they all started to feel interchangeable. Not that this is a bad film. If every action sequence were to be cut by 50% (or presented in a way that keeps the attention) I’d have no real gripe. There is a sense that concessions were made in response to audience feedback. Most notably, Jar Jar’s screen time is significantly reduced compared with the previous film, and as an almost background character he’s fine. There was once again a lot of CGI, and not all of it has dated well. However, I did like the lanky aliens that welcome Obi-Wan to Geonosis. Last time round I was on the fence with Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan. This time I’m more sure: it’s not doing it for me. I just can’t equate this character with the one played by Alec Guinness. Hayden Christensen is… fine. I buy him as the kid from[I] Episode I[/I], but he does look generically Hollywood in a young Brad Pitt/[I]90210[/I]/older sitcom brother kind of way. The story with Anakin finding his mother and her new family (in very familiar surroundings, right down to the blue milk) was nicely done and very touching, giving the film some great human moments. It’s a treat to see Christopher Lee here. At the back of my mind I’d thought he was a returnee from the original trilogy, but I’ve realised I was mixing him up with Peter Cushing. The climactic lightsaber battle was as enjoyable as always (I can never get enough of glowing sticks in darkened rooms). However, since we know all key characters - Obi-Wan, Anakin and Yoda - will go on to the original trilogy it lacks genuine threat. However, it’s good to see the story behind Vader’s prosthetic arm, and especially good to see Yoda getting in on the action. I absolutely love this character and he remains a favourite. I am enjoying getting a sense of the overarching story at this point (as summarised by the opening crawls). The galactic politics with separatist movements leading to war feels very much a grander version of what we see on the news every day. [/QUOTE]
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“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." Watching the Star Wars films
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