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Star Wars Episode II: Attack
of the Clones
Director: George Lucas (2002)
Distributor: 20th
Century Fox. Certificate: PG
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Following the somewhat disappointing Phantom Menace George Lucas is back in the groove with his latest offering. Attack of the Clones, the second part of the three-episode prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy begins to connect up the pieces of a story that began a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Interstellar political intrigue abounds as the Republic faces the threat of disintegration from a separatist movement, orchestrated by the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid) and assisted by Count Dooku (Christopher Lee), a former Jedi knight. The former Queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) is now a Senator campaigning to preserve the Republic. Following an attempt on her life, two protectors are assigned to her: the Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and his student Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen).
As the story unfolds it becomes clear that the dark side of the Force is weaving its evil influence. While the separatists are collaborating on the production of an army of droids, certain factions of the Republic have been busy manufacturing an army of clones from the genetic material of bounty hunter Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison). In the climax of the film an astonishing battle takes place with Jedi knights, backed by the clone battalions, engaging the droid army. However, the victory is not what it seems when it emerges that the conflict is part of Darth Sidious’ larger plan.
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A key feature of the film is the relationship between Anakin and Padme. Anakin holds the promise of becoming one of the greatest Jedi under Obi-Wan Kenobi’s instruction but he is headstrong and struggles with the discipline imposed on him by his tutor. He also falls in love with Padme, forming the sort of attachment forbidden to a Jedi. Complicating matters even further, having tracked down his kidnapped mother only for her to die in his arms, Anakin kills the kidnappers in a murderous rage. |
The golden boy with so much promise thus breaks the Jedi code to ‘not know anger, nor hatred, nor love’ and the scene is set for Episode 3. We are left with insights into the reasons for Anakin eventually forsaking the Jedi for the dark side of the Force and becoming the evil Darth Vader.
Overall, the film is depending upon amazing special effects for its success rather than any great depth of acting quality. The alien worlds and creatures are breathtaking, as are the set-piece battles, and the light-sabre fight between the Jedi Master Yoda and Count Dooku alone is worth the price of your ticket. There are also some creditable performances from Ewan McGregor and Christopher Lee in particular and the chemistry between Christensen and Portman works reasonably well in providing the romance of the film.
If you like special effects, rip-roaring adventures, lots of action and a little love interest, you will enjoy Attack of the Clones. If you are a Star Wars fan, you have probably already seen it at least once!
THROUGH THE LENS OF CHRISTIAN FAITH
Some key themes: Self-worth, humanity and the image of God
By knowing the end of the Star Wars saga before its beginning (thank you George Lucas!) we are not left guessing as to whether or not Anakin will live up to the huge expectations placed on his shoulders. Since Phantom Menace the shadow of Darth Vader has been cast over Anakin’s future. It is, however, interesting to reflect on the seeds of discontent in Anakin’s life as portrayed in Attack of the Clones that will grow into a harvest of destruction in his eventual embrace of the dark side of the Force.
Anakin has all the exuberance of youth yet is subjected to a life of strict discipline. Within that, he feels that Obi-Wan can see only his flaws and not the progress that he is making. He is criticised but never affirmed. Anakin is also aware of the pressure to succeed in becoming a great Jedi. Last, but not least, he is expected to subdue his emotions ~ even his love for Padme. We are left feeling that Anakin is a time bomb waiting to explode. The death of his mother is the eventual trigger as he wreaks a terrible vengeance on her kidnappers. Despite his Jedi powers Anakin is inwardly broken, his self-worth diminished. He has failed.
One of the greatest dangers in life is that of unrealistic expectations, whether self-imposed, received from others, or placed by us upon someone else’s shoulders. (I wonder whether David Beckham will return from this World Cup as hero or villain). This is often because of the tendency to judge people by distorted ideals rather than accepting them for who they are; to measure worth by achievement, position and prestige, rather than by affording to every human being the priceless value of being made uniquely in the image and likeness of God.
Jesus never uses the criteria of worldly ambition or success to judge another human being. He is the Lord, yet he walks with us in our brokenness and loves us just as we are. He is not a harsh taskmaster placing unrealistic burdens on our shoulders. In fact he does the very opposite: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light’ (Matthew 11.28-30).
We are called onwards by Jesus to be our best for God and for each other and thereby enjoy real fullness of life (see, for example, John 10.10). Jesus’ own zest for life is evident throughout the gospels. He was far too passionate to have made a good Jedi knight! But then Christian faith is not about suppressing our humanity, emotions included, by slavishly following legalistic religious rules and regulations. That is not to say that following Jesus is a soft option. He has plenty to say about the things that harm our relationships with others and with God and challenges us to lay them aside. But the thing to remember is that he never stops loving us for who we are.
We do not have to achieve anything in order to be loved and accepted by God. And we do not have to be perfect. When we get things wrong there is always a way back, for God longs to forgive and restore. All we have to do is ask.
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