Attack of the Clones(2002)

While purists will argue that a film like Attack of the Clones doesn’t belong on a website like this one, there are at least two very good reasons why it deserves inclusion. First, Ray Harryhausen is one of Clones director George Lucas’ many influences, and Lucas includes a neat tribute to Harryhausen in the last third of the film. (While totally implausible from a biological perspective, the monsters Lucas gives us are worthy heirs to the Cyclops and Dragon from Sinbad). More important in a broader sense are the respect Lucas has for Japanese storytelling and culture – and the influence he had over a generation of anime series and films. Lucas’ Jedi are, to borrow a phrase from Antonia Levi, samurai in outer space - and as for Lucas’ influence in Japan one need only watch Robotech or Bubblegum Crisis. If you’ve enjoyed any sci-fi anime created after 1980, you’ve enjoyed something influenced by George Lucas.

Just as with earlier films in the Star Wars series, Clones’ plot is pure pulp sci-fi. I don’t mean that as a put down. Most filmmakers are totally unable to create a straightforward escapist sci-fi adventure along the lines of the old Flash Gordon comic strip. Lucas, unlike many of his film making disciples, is not only brave enough to toss conventional logic to the wind (creating an implausible array of spacecraft and droids) but talented enough that we do not notice the anachronisms until the film is over. Lucas even gives his characters gloriously pulpy names like Jango Fett, Mace Windu, and Count Dooku. Furthermore, while Lucas’ interviews suggest he views himself as a modern mythmaker, his films are refreshingly devoid of preachy interludes. Compare the relatively sketchy political discussions in Clones to the heavy-handed meditations in Final Fantasy, and you will see that Lucas wisely focuses on action in his escapist films.

Lucas’ enthusiasm is undimmed with age, and his continual embracing of new technology reminds one of Walt Disney. Clones uses extensive computer animation but unlike Final Fantasy’s creators, Lucas will use any trick in the book to create a compelling illusion. Thus, while Yoda’s climatic duel is an animated feast in the tradition of the skeleton duels of Ray Harryhausen, Lucas relies on puppetry and models in other scenes. Lucas also utilizes a fine cast of character actors (including Christopher Lee, Natalie Portman, Samuel Jackson, and Ewan MacGregor) capable of acting against imaginary characters. The result is a fantasy that, while it contains implausible plotting, is also capable of making us believe in robots, aliens, and monsters.

Clones is a technological marvel if you understand some of the basics of modern animation, an incredibly nostalgic experience if you are old enough to remember the original Star Wars, and an awful lot of fun if you’re interested in a good old-fashioned adventure. There’s enough here for everyone to enjoy throughout multiple viewings.

Other NonAnime Reviews Star Wars Holiday Special Review Jimmy Neutron Review Island of Misfit Toys Review Final Fantasy Review Rocky and Bullwinkle Movie Review

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