Anakin is an Absolute Creep
I think the only cinematic relationship take makes me more uncomfortable is Bella and Edward from the Twilight saga and that’s saying something…
Anakin continually pursues Padmé despite her turning him down multiple times at the beginning of the film. He is constantly telling her how much he fantasizes about her in his dreams. In Episode I, it was kind of endearing but still weird but now it is just downright creepy.
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He also blames Padmé for his feelings during the film. On Naboo, Anakin goes to kiss Padme she returns the kiss saying “she should have never done that”. However, Anakin is the one that pursued her.
Anakin says the following later on in the film:
From the moment I met you, all those years ago, not a day has gone by when I haven’t thought of you. And now that I’m with you again…I’m in agony. The closer I get to you, the worse it gets. The thought of not being with you—I can’t breathe. I’m haunted by the kiss that you should never have given me. My heart is beating…hoping that kiss will not become a scar. You are in my very soul, tormenting me…what can I do? I will do anything you ask. [pause] If you are suffering as much as I am, please, tell me.
This is honestly, so disgusting as he was the one to pursue her, not the other way around. Now Anakin is making Padmé feel guilty for the kiss she didn’t enact. I do believe that Padmé eventually falls for Anakin naturally, however, that does not give him the excuse to blame her for the feelings he has for her.
The Clone Troopers Are Weird
I am torn on the Clone Troopers. Their backstory and storyline have been heavily expanded throughout Star Wars since their introduction in Attack of the Clones. The whole point of this article is to look back at how the film holds up in 2021. However, I still can’t help but think the clones were just a weird way to shoehorn in the backstory of a popular character from The Original Trilogy, Boba Fett.
The Clone Wars were mentioned in the original Star Wars films so I suppose they had to be clones of somebody, but Boba Fett’s father seems like a random choice at the time. Again this has been heavily expanded upon in other material and with that, I actually don’t mind the clones. However, I can’t help but feel they were just introduced at the time as an excuse to bring back Boba Fett in the form of his father. Young Boba appears as well but has a minimal role in the film.
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As mentioned before they look incredibly unnatural next to the other characters. Even next to Yoda, who is also animated, they look out of place. If they had just made a few actual costumes this could have made them look a lot better in scenes when there aren’t many of them on screen.
We also don’t really learn anything about these clones. All we know is they were made from Jango Fett under the order of the mysterious Sifo Dyas, who is never mentioned again in the films. We still don’t learn much about the origins of the clones until other Star Wars TV series and books.
My biggest pet peeve with Star Wars is the fact that they omit major plot points and leave them to be dealt with in the other expanded material. I don’t expect them to explain any little detail, however, I still wish we got a little more in this film. For all we know, the clones are just made by Sideous to bring the destruction of the Jedi. But that’s a story for another time…
Final Thoughts
Overall, this film is an absolute mess. Between Anakin’s creepiness and poorly explained plotlines, this is without a doubt one of the first Star Wars productions.
I haven’t mentioned Count Dooku much in this article because he doesn’t really do much in this film. He has some cool moments such as his fight with Yoda and his conversation with Obi-Wan about Qui-Gon. Otherwise, he just seems like a less cool Darth Maul.
Obi-Wan is much more enjoyable in this film. He serves as a much better comic-relief character than Jar Jar in Episode I. Obi-Wan’s humor in Attack of the Clones seems much more intelligent compared to Jar Jar’s random antics. Speaking of Jar Jar he is virtually absent in this film besides when he takes Padmé’s place on the Senate to give Palpatine emergency powers to gain control of the Clone Army.
The film has some good moments but they are few and far between. The intense action is unable to make up for the weak storyline and creepy nature of Anakin’s character. However, the prequel trilogy has one last chance to redeem itself with Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones stars Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Natalie Portman as Senator Padmé Amidala, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, Ian McDiarmid as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu, Christopher Lee as Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Kenny Baker as R2-D2, Temuera Morrison as Jango Fett, and Frank Oz as Yoda.
What are your thoughts on Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones? Do you think this film holds up in 2021? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow The Illuminerdi on social media to be notified of more Star Wars content like this in the future!
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