Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones (2002)

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones (2002)

Coming up next is the second episode of the Star Wars franchise, 2002's "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones", in which we learn of the existence of a clone army and the threat of invasion of a droid army hostile to the Republic.

The film's cast includes Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Christopher Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, Jimmy Smits, Ahmed Best, Rose Byrne, Anthony Daniels, Ayesha Darker, Kenny Baker, and Temuera Morrison.

Senator Padme Amidala has arrived on Coruscant.  Upon her arrival, she's instantly met with an assassination attempt.  Chancellor Palpatine asks the Jedi if they'll act as her personal bodyguard.  His suggestion comes in the form of Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker.

It's been ten years since Anakin has seen Padme, and he's a bit nervous.  But his fears are instantly put at ease the moment they meet.  He promises Padme that they will find her attacker, a promise which surprises and irks Obi-Wan, who feels that Anakin is headstrong and has a tendency to go rogue.

Obi-Wan and Anakin foil another attempt on Padme's life.  They catch up with the would-be assassin and find out that a bounty hunter is responsible for the attacks.  Just before the informer can give up a name, she is killed.

Anakin goes to Chancellor Palpatine in an effort to get him to have Padme return home for her safety.  We find out that Palpatine has been mentoring Anakin along his Jedi path.

Obi-Wan plans to follow up on the bounty hunter and a mysterious missing planet.  Anakin is tasked with seeing Padme home to Naboo and keeping her safe.  They take R2-D2 along with them.

On the transport home, the two catch up.  "You've changed so much," says Padme.  Anakin smiles and says, "You haven't changed a bit.  You're exactly the way I remember you in my dreams."

Back on Naboo, Padme and Anakin go directly to see Queen Jamillia.  "We must have faith in the Republic," says the Queen.  "The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it."

When the Queen asks about where she plans to stay, Padme mentions a place that is secluded.  Anakin jumps in and says he should be in on the decision making as he's responsible for her security.  The two have their first test of wills, with Padme prevailing.

Obi-Wan has found his missing planet, called Kamino.  When he speaks to the Prime Minister, it seems he has been expected.  The Prime Minister mentions that 200,000 units are ready with a million well on the way.  Obi-Wan is very unsure of what he's being told but allows the Prime Minister to lead the way and show him what he's talking about.

Padme takes Anakin to a secret retreat in Naboo's lake country.  It's quiet and secluded, and the perfect place to hide away.  While standing out on the terrace, Anakin and Padme share a kiss, which Padme instantly regrets.

On Kamino, Obi-Wan finds out what the Prime Minister meant when he was talking about "units".  He meant a clone army, which had been begun at the bequest of the Jedi.  It's mentioned in passing that the clones are based off of a bounty hunter called Jengo Fett, and an introduction is to be arranged.

Padme and Anakin's relationship deepens as they spend more and more time together.  During one picnic, Anakin talks with Padme about what he thinks the government should be.  She's a bit concerned when he mentions dictatorship, but quickly pushes it from her mind as they enjoy each other's company.

Obi-Wan meets with the bounty hunter Jengo Fett and his son Boba.  He correctly surmises that Jengo is the one responsible for the attacks on Padme.  He gets a message through to the Jedi.  Jengo escapes Kamino, but Obi-Wan tracks his transport and follows him.

Meanwhile, Padme and Anakin form a deep bond as they spend time together.

Anakin is troubled by nightmares of his mother.  When he talks with Padme about it, he tells her that his mother is in pain.  Padme suggests they go and save her.

They head to Tatooine, Anakin's boyhood home.  There, they are reunited with C-3PO, who now joins them.  Anakin learns that in his absence his mother has married, and she was abducted by Tusken Raiders.  There is little hope that she remains alive.

Obi-Wan tracks Jengo Fett to the planet Geonosis.  He finds out that a war is being planned by Count Dooku, a former pupil of Yoda.  Obi-Wan is caught and put in a sort of prison.

Back on Tatooine, Anakin finds and slaughters the entire tribe of Tusken Raiders: men, women, and children.  None are left alive.

He confesses to Padme everything he's done.  He tells her he knows that he's better than this.  After burying his mother (whom he got to see just before she died), Anakin and Padme head to Geonosis to rescue Obi-Wan.

The Jedi go to the Chancellor and tell him about what's going on on Geonosis.  He hopes that the Senate will grant him emergency war powers to counteract the droid army, but needs a senator brave enough to make the motion.

Jar Jar Binks, acting as Padme's representative, makes the motion that gives the Chancellor unlimited authority to act as he wishes.

When they arrive on Geonosis, Padme and Anakin are caught and arrested.  Along with Obi-Wan, they are scheduled to be executed by some rather terrifying creatures.

Master Windu arrives with the Jedi and the war begins.  After they are freed, Padme, Anakin, and Obi-Wan help with the effort.  Jengo Fett is killed by Master Windu in the battle.

Unfortunately, the Jedi are quickly surrounded by droid reinforcements.

However, Yoda has gone to Kamino and summoned the clone troops and has brought them in the nick of time.

Count Dooku has fled the scene, but is chased by Obi-Wan and Anakin.

A test of Jedi powers is begun, with Count Dooku quickly knocking Obi-Wan out of the battle.

He next turns his attentions to Anakin.  They begin fighting with their lightsabers.  Count Dooku severs Anakin's arm and he goes unconscious.

Just when he thinks he's won, Count Dooku hears something coming.  It happens to be his old master, Yoda.

Yoda stands ready to defend his friends against his former pupil.

They battle fiercely.  Count Dooku eventually flees the scene again.

He goes straight to Coruscant, where he meets his master, Darth Sidious.  Darth Sidious calls him Lord Tyranus.  Count Dooku tells him that the war has begun, and Darth Sidious says that he has done well.

Obi-Wan talks with Master Windu and Yoda.  Yoda says, "The shroud of the Dark Side has fallen.  Begun the Clone War has."

Anakin has recovered from his injury.  He's been fitted with a prosthetic arm.  He marries Padme in secret (Jedi aren't supposed to form attachments) on Naboo with only C-3PO and R2-D2 as witnesses.

Cast rundown:

   Ewan McGregor.....................................Obi-Wan Kenobi

   Natalie Portman....................................Padme Amidala

   Hayden Christensen...............................Anakin Skywalker

   Christopher Lee.....................................Count Dooku

   Samuel L. Jackson.................................Mace Windu

   Frank Oz...............................................Yoda

   Ian McDiarmid.......................................Chancellor Palpatine

   Jimmy Smits.........................................Senator Bail Organa

   Ahmed Best...........................................Jar Jar Binks

   Rose Byrne............................................Dorme

   Anthony Daniels.....................................C-3PO

   Ayesha Darker........................................Queen Jamillia

   Kenny Baker...........................................R2-D2

   Temuera Morrison...................................Jengo Fett

And that's it for Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones.  Some random trivia: This was the only Star Wars film not be to Number 1 at the box office.  There were 400 actors who auditioned or were tested for the role of Anakin Skywalker.  In the film, it's mentioned that Count Dooku was the Jedi mentor of Qui-Gon Jin.

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