Plot & Story:

Unrest! Ten years after the Invasion of Naboo, the Galactic Republic is in turmoil. The Separatist Crisis has begun and thousands of star systems have declared their intentions to leave the Republic. At the root of the movement lies former Jedi Knight Count Dooku, planning on overthrowing the Republic.

Politics isn’t the only conflict in the galaxy. Padmé Amidala, the new Senator from Naboo, arrives on Coruscant to vote on the creation of a Grand Army of the Republic. Her starship is attacked and her decoy is killed, escaping with her life. Amidala informs the Jedi that she believes Count Dooku is behind the attack due to her strong stance against the separatists. Jedi Mace Windu and Ki-Adi-Mundi insist that no Jedi, current or former, could take an innocent life, adding he’s a “political idealist, not a murderer.”

We also get to see Anakin Skywalker, grown up, dealing with inner conflict and a tense relationship with his paternalistic master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. They both reunite with Padmé in her penthouse, assigned to guard her from a potential new assassination attempt. The mood is tense as Anakin flirts with Padmé and defies the Jedi Code in front of Obi-Wan.

The second assassination attempt fails and Obi-Wan and Anakin chase the assailant, but before they can get the name of her employer, a bounty hunter with a jetpack kills her with a poison dart. The chase scene here is truly entertaining. The Jedi Council hatches a plan to protect Padmé and to uncover her assailant. Anakin will covertly travel with Padmé to Naboo and defend her there. Obi-Wan will investigate the bounty hunter who hired the assassin.

On Naboo, Anakin and Padmé bond, but it is in vain. Padmé emphasizes that they cannot have a relationship as it is forbidden under the Jedi Code. These scenes definitely suffer from some cheesy dialogue, but ultimately they are enjoyable if you can focus on the story first.

Obi-Wan’s story is even more interesting. He takes the role of a neo-Noir style detective, finding a hidden planet named Kamino where the poison dart was produced. The planet is home to the Kaminoans, a species of cloners who are friendly if you have deep pockets. He discovers that an army has been created at the request of a dead Jedi master at the same time the Republic is in dire need of one. This is highly suspicious. He reports this to the Jedi Council. He speaks to Jango Fett, the bounty hunter, fights with him, and chases him to the planet Geonosis.

On Naboo, Anakin is plagued by dreams of his mother’s death. He informs Padmé he must go save her, despite his duty to protect her. Padmé seems to admire this and consents to go with him to Tatooine, on a mission to save Shmi Skywalker. Anakin tracks her down to a camp of Tusken Raiders who are holding her hostage. His mother dies in his arms, sending him into a fit of rage as he slaughters all the men, women, and children of the camp. Anakin brings his mother back to be buried, breaking down in tears to Padmé, confessing that he’s losing control and he’s not the Jedi he’s meant to be. Padmé feels pity for him and comforts him.

Back on Geonosis, Obi-Wan tracks and spies Count Dooku, Jango Fett, Nute Gunray, and other separatist leaders. He overhears a meeting where they plot to launch a surprise attack on the Republic with newly built battle droids. Their goal is to overwhelm the Jedi and quickly force a surrender.

Obi-Wan returns to his Jedi starfighter, informing the Jedi Council and the Supreme Chancellor of a massive army being built to invade the Republic. The broadcast is interrupted as Obi-Wan is captured by separatist battle droids. The Supreme Chancellor, the Senate, and the Jedi resolve to grant the Chancellor emergency powers, creating a Grand Army of the Republic, led by the Jedi that will invade Geonosis and free Obi-Wan and destroy the droid factory.

Hostage, Obi-Wan is approached by Count Dooku who claims the Republic is controlled by the Sith and that together they can root out this menace. While partially true, this is deception as Dooku is a Sith himself and only desires to turn Obi-Wan to his side. Anakin and Padmé are captured trying to rescue Obi-Wan, but Republic forces touch down and free them. An air, land, and space campaign ensues to defeat the separatists. However, Anakin loses an arm and Count Dooku escapes along with the rest of the separatist leadership. The battle can be considered a tactical victory, but a strategic failure for the Galactic Republic.

The film ends with the reveal that Count Dooku and Sidious (Palpatine) have conspired to create the Clone Army and the war. Dooku even operated under the pseudonym “Tyrannus” when dealing with the Kaminoans. The final shots of the film are a triumphant Palpatine standing over the Clone Army deploying across the stars and Padmé marrying Anakin.

With the Clone Wars already begun, the galaxy is forever transformed.

Music Score:

The music in Episode II was written by the iconic composer John Williams, famously known for creating iconic orchestral scores for classics like Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, E.T., and Harry Potter. If music could be gold, then John Williams has the Midas touch. My favorite piece from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones is “Across the Stars.” It plays during key romantic moments between Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, like when they share their first kiss and when she admits her love for Anakin. The song starts off like a warm hum with an oboe solo, followed by accompanied wind instruments and a harp. It is real. It is emotional. It is beautiful. The most special part of the song in my opinion is when the string orchestra joins in.

Just like Anakin and Padmé’s forbidden love, this song is passionate, strong, and tragic. Playing during pivotal moments and the climax, this love story is perfectly portrayed by “Across the Stars.” Every time I listen to it, I am just taken away by its enchanting quality. The song is truly a work of art.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Between Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, I would say I am more fond of the latter. The overwhelming themes of romance and forbidden love are more alluring in my opinion, but either way both are amazing films. There is more to come, as I’ll be reviewing the other Star Wars episodes every month, so stay posted! I hope you enjoyed this blog and watch the movie if you haven’t before!

– Sophia B.

Plot & Story:

Crisis! The Trade Federation, a powerful economic organization, has blockaded the peaceful planet of Naboo to take control. Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, two space warriors known as Jedi, go to Naboo with the goal of negotiating the end of the blockade and protecting Padmé Amidala, the planet’s queen. Once they get the queen to safety and escape, they find a young enslaved boy named Anakin Skywalker who shows potential as a Jedi. Once they leave the planet, Qui-Gon brings Anakin along for Jedi training because he thinks he is meant to restore balance to the Force. The Force is a supernatural ability that allows users to have powers of telekinesis (the ability to move objects with your mind), sense the future and feelings among other abilities. As the battle against the Trade Federation escalates, the Jedi fight against an enemy warrior named Darth Maul. Subsequently, they arrive on Coruscant, the capital of the Galactic Republic. Queen Amidala appeals to the Senate to end the invasion of her planet, but Senator Palpatine informs her that it is unlikely the Senate will act and the Chancellor is powerless to help. Senator Palpatine advises her to push for a vote of no confidence in the Chancellor, meaning the legislative branch votes to remove and replace the executive. Ultimately, by the end of the film, this leads to the election of Chancellor Palpatine, due to a strong pity vote generated by the invasion of his planet. Next, the queen returns to Naboo to fight back with additional reinforcements. The movie ends with Darth Maul killing Qui-Gon in lightsaber combat, Obi-Wan Kenobi defeating Darth Maul, and Anakin starting his path to become a Jedi.

Music Score:

The music in Episode I was written by the iconic composer John Williams, the man responsible for the legendary Star Wars music in the original three movies. Taking inspiration from the orchestral suite The Planets by Gustav Holst, specifically “Mars, the Bringer of War”, Williams crafted an unforgettable soundtrack. My favorite piece from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is “Duel of the Fates.” It plays during the battle between Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Maul. The song starts quietly and has the effect of making one’s heart race due to its fast-paced nature and dramatic chanting from the choir. The rhythm makes the battle feel emotional and dangerous, marking the turning point in the movie, as it determines whether the two Jedi will defeat Darth Maul. I also have a personal connection to the song because my older brother performed “Duel of the Fates” at Segerstrom Center for the Arts with his district’s honor orchestra in the front row, which explains even more my deep love for this work of art.

Ultimately, I enjoyed watching Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and highly recommend watching the trilogy in the order of episodes I-VI. There is more to come, as I’ll be reviewing the other Star Wars episodes every month, so stay posted! I hope you enjoyed this blog and watch the movie if you haven’t before!

– Sophia B.