25 years after the very first Star Wars Movie Episode IV - A new hope was released, George Lucas brings as the second title in the series now. After Episode I - The Phantom Menace, which didn't live up to the expectations of many Star Wars Fans, Episode II - Attack of the Clones is said to have the magic back again. After having missed the premiere day on May 11th, I have finally seen the movie yesterday, and even a bad lumbago couldn't stop me from visiting the cinema, of course everybody looked a bit enstranged at me and my little pillow I brought to ease my back. Read on to learn if the movie is a worthy Star Wars movie in this spoiler free review:

A new hope for Star Wars disciples

As mentioned, Episode I has its downs, but also its moments. The story was surely none of the latter, but Episode II has a good story with several twists and turns. After the first, say 10 minutes, in which the dialogues sounded like as if the Teletubbies had written them, an immersing and involving story is about to unravel. The set of Episode II is taking place 10 years after Episode I and Anakin Skywalker is a very gifted padavan to Obi-Wan Kenobi now and is believed to be the one knight who can save the universe according to a prophecy. We all know, what will become of him, Amidala and their children Luke and Leia. But knowing Anakin's fate now made me feel melancholic. Of course, just like Episode V, Episode II leaves enough room for speculations and many unanswered questions. Also, many people were worried, that this will become a plain love story - rest assured, next to some beautifully shot romantic scenes there is enough action, so we will not see Anakin and Amidala on a space-ship arm in arm saying something like I am the king of the world.

The Cast

Hayden Christensen is great! At the same time still the young boy from Episode I and already a skilled grown-up knight. At moments, you think, he is the saviour of the universe, at others you feel there is something about him you don't like, something that makes him already a possible victim of the dark side. He does a great job acting really! And along with the beautiful Natalie Portman, they are sure aspirants for the couple of the year!

Ewan McGregor does a solid job again, as does Samuel L. Jackson and of course Ian McDiarmid, but the real star of the movie is Christopher Lee as Count Dooku. Lee is a very charismatic actor as we already have seen in Lord of the Rings last Christmas. With his presence, every scene becomes even more powerful, more intense.

Why do the ships look so good?

The movie is almost flawless as for the visuals. Only in the scenes, in which CGI humans are projected on CGI monsters one can see, that the technics are still not good enough to copy mankind's natural movements, making them look like those of a plasticine being. Other than that, the movie's visuals are perfect, too perfect sometimes, because I still don't like the spaceships, which, while being a fantastic CGI effort, look way to modern, especially when compared to Episode IV-VI's spaceships. They have no character and I really miss the X-Wing, the Falcon or the Tie-Fighter. In my opinion, this would add even more to the atmosphere.

The enviroments are fantastic, where the love scenes between Anakin & Amidala were shot in Italy (at the beautiful Comer Sea, I believe) and look as romantic as they can! But there are other places, not so friendly looking - wait until you see Kamino.

Episode II also offers more stunning lightsword battles, but it goes further here as well, where the highlight of the movie is a battle between *censored* and *do not spoil me here*. Be prepared for some surprises!

The music

John Williams is back! After the very good Harry Potter Soundtrack, Episode II's holds some excellent themes, both old and new, and of the latter especially the Love Theme is a memorable one. Sometimes, he still offers very confusing tunes, but they fit perfectly into the scene and add a lot to the typical Star Wars atmosphere this time, after Episode I's score was a bit out-of-mood now and then. And, after George Lucas doesn't let anyone know about the story of his movies, I was very surprised and angered, that Episode I's Soundtrack CD held a track entitled Qui-Gon's Noble End weeks before the movie release. Thanks a lot for spoiling us then! But there is no such thing on the Attack of the Clones Soundtrack.

I had a very enjoyable experience with Attack of the Clones, and I think, most people will, as I have seen from the frenetic applause when the movie was over after 140 minutes. The movie feels more grown up that Episode I and brings back a lot of the beloved Star Wars mood & feeling; it almost seems, that the crew had to get used to the technical possibilites first, before being able to bring us a great movies. Now we have to wait 3 years again for Episode III, and even though we all know the outcome, I think most of us will feel like after Episode V, where Han Solo was left frozen: They can't do that! They can't let us wait for another 3 years now!!!