You're probably wondering if I'm a Star Wars fan. The answer is, an enthusiastic YES! I managed to attend opening day screenings of all four Star Wars flicks (now, make it five). I was 8-years-old when Star Wars opened in 1977, and like everyone at the time, I was mesmerized. Empire Strikes Back is definitely my favorite of the series, and perhaps like the majority of you, The Phantom Menace is the one I liked the least. That isn't to say I hated that picture. The pod race was a thriller, and the light-saber duel at the end remains the best of the series' climactic fight sequences, but most of the movie was surprisingly flat and lacking in that sort of mythical spirit associated with these movies.

After all is said and done, the best that came out of The Phantom Menace is that it lowered my expectations for Episode 2...sort of. I mean it's pretty hard to not get a little excited about a Star Wars flick. Through the years, these have become more than just movies. Star Wars is an event.

About three weeks ago, I was offered a press passe to see this new entry but passed so that I would have the opportunity to see it with the fellow fans at one of those infamous midnight screenings the night before the release. They're always a blast.

Before getting to the actual review, it should also be noted that I have seen the film twice. The second viewing I saw was presented in digital projection, and man what a difference! If you happen to be in an area that is showing the film digitally (there are not that many nationwide), jump at the chance. The picture is far more crisp than that of a standard film print. Of course Episode 2 was shot entirely in digital photography, so that could have been the difference.

On with the review.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

And so these words will live forever thanks to legions of fans from all around the world, even if The Phantom Menace was a slight misfire. Rest assured, Episode 2 is a major step above the last installment.

Picking up about ten years after the events in The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones finds Anakin Skywalker continuing his Jedi training under the guidance of one Obi Wan Kenobi (now sporting a kick ass beard). The twosome find themselves reunited with Amidala (now a senator) when an assassination attempt almost claims her life. Immediately, old feelings flood back for Anakin, but could Amidala possibly feel the same way?

Well, if you know Star Wars, that's an easy question to answer.

Episode 2 also brings back familiar faces but in a more fleshed out manner. Mace Windu (a cool Samuel L. Jackson) and Yoda have much more prominent roles this time out, and we even get an early look at a young Boba Fett.

There are a lot of other things going on in Episode 2 as well, too much in fact. Suffice to say, Lucas still has a lot of ground to cover in Episode 3, and weather or not it will all work in the end remains to be seen. Still, Attack of the Clones does come a step closer to obtaining that old magic I remember from my youth. I still wouldn't put it in the same league as the films in the original trilogy (yes, Return of the Jedi included) but I did enjoy it nonetheless.

George Lucas obviously listens to his fans because there is very little Jar Jar this time out. I think he clocks in around five minutes of total screen time. And while that's a good thing, Episode 2 still suffers from stilted dialogue, sub par acting, and some clumsily executed moments. It could be argued that this is just a Star Wars movie, but being that this series is such a phenomenon, it is held at a higher standard.

Hayden Christensen is inconsistent as young Anakin Skywalker. He has the brooding stare down, but there are times when he's not quite convincing. Particularly the moments when he's whining about Obi Wan. Granted, he is playing the typical rebellious teenager and isn't always given the best dialogue to work with. Natalie Portman, on the other hand, is an absolute beauty and manages to deliver some of her mediocre dialogue with the dignity and grace. McGregor has really loosened up and manages to breathe life into the role of a young Obi Wan Kenobi. It's obvious that he's studied Sir Alec Guinness' performance in A New Hope, and it shows.

Not surprisingly, George Lucas has taken special effects to yet another level. With his Industrial Light and Magic, he has set a new standard with effects work. Episode 2 is populated with an unlimited supply of creatures, spacecraft flights, gun battles and beautiful landscapes. In fact, I don't think there is one moment in this film where there isn't something interesting to look at. Lucas has taken things a step further by creating several digitally created characters including a new and improved Yoda who, incidentally, will probably be the most talked about film character of the year, thanks to a brilliantly conceived action sequence in which the Jedi legend does some things I never thought I'd see him do. Sadly, Episode 2 is missing some of those trademark spacecraft dogfights that made the previous installments so thrilling. With the exception of a nifty asteroid sequence, most of the battles here, take place on the land.

I guess you could call me a purist at heart. Sometimes I do yearn for the model and puppet work of the earlier films, but let's face it. Most of the goings-on in Episode 2 could not have been done without these new kinds of effects techniques. This is also a curse however. Back in the day, Lucas was forced to be creative, but now the guy can pretty much do whatever he wants and sometimes it hurts the film. While Episode 2's final act is ambitious and grand, it feels empty at times. Eye candy only goes so far.

The first two acts by comparison, feel slightly sluggish, although I must confess, I was more into it during a second viewing (the same can't be said for The Phantom Menace). As Lucas has always stated, much of this picture is a love story and a very shaky one at that. The movie does open with a bang, but then slows down only to blow the audience away with an explosive climax that includes a Jedi battle (with shades of Gladiator) and the customary light saber duel. And while we're on the topic, the duel here isn't the adrenaline pumped thriller we witnessed the last time out but rather a more subdued fight capped off by the sequence everyone will be talking about when they leave the theater. The initial duel itself is rather short.

What I liked most about Episode 2 is it's mythological sensibility. The Phantom Menace had very little connecting it to the other movies. Aside from the characters themselves, there wasn't really a lot of inside stuff to marvel at. This entry is much more interested in giving us a peak at what's to come. Be it Jango and his son, the clone armies, or the cameos by the death star and the Millenium Falcon (look closely when Anakin and Amildala get to Naboo), George Lucas has made a terrific film for the fans. And while average movie goers may not find these sort of things appealing, there are plenty of other things for them to marvel at.

Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones doesn't quite capture the innocence and magic of the original series, and part of that might be because I'm older now. For whatever reason, these new installments seem to be a bit self concieous. Still, with all it's flaws, Attack of the Clones does entertain in a way that The Phantom Menace could only hope to. With this latest entry, you can sense that Lucas is hard at work, and in three years, we'll see if it all pays off.

For the time being, just enjoy the simple pleasures of this fun movie. Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones is a big, rousing adventure that doesn't quite live up to the hype, but still manages to entertain.