Attack of the Clones takes place 22 years before the orignial Star Wars and 10 years after The Phantom Menace.
Padme (Portman) is now a senator for Naboo and travels to Courescant to help defeat a bill that would create an army for the Republic. Unfortunately, there are also assassination attempts on her life. Two of her old Jedi friends are then sent in to protect her: Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor), now a Jedi Knight and Anakin (Christenson), now 19 years old and Obi-Wan's Padawan learner.
Anakin obviously has feelings for Padme (who he hasn't seen in 10 years - since the end of The Phantom Menace), but she isn't sure if she reciprocates them. Besides, Jedis aren't allowed to love and Obi-Wan says to never trust a politician. Anakin is also slowly descending into the Dark side. He feels that Obi-Wan is overly critical of him and he also clearly defies the Jedi by falling for Padme. Christenson did a good job portraying the dark - and sweet - side of Anakin.
Meanwhile, a mystery unfolds, and we are shown awesome new planets and creatures. A clone army is already being built for the Republic . . . something the Jedi knew nothing about. Their power is obviously diminishing.
I liked the movie a lot (even though there are a few cliched lines) and excellent performances were given by all, especially Christenson and McGregor. The end (about the last 45 minutes) was one of the coolest fight scenes I've ever seen in a movie. I definately recommend Attack of the Clones, which continued to tie all the films together.

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