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Episode 2 = Farce? 15 May, 2002, 20:18 / 39 comments


It's a Disaster... Skywalker we're after.

After going to the midnight preview of Episode II: Attack of the Clones, I can clarify that yes, it is Guff. First impressions from me and friends are mixed, but the overall decision is that it is a disappointing film with only about 30% of it worth bothering with. They attempt humour too often and the acting makes a school play seem worthy of Oscar nominations. However, some of it does actually rule.

A full review of the film, with maybe different opinions, will appear at mid-day (GMT) tomorrow, written by our old friend Narrative (Matt Shaw) who is possibly the biggest Star Wars fan I've ever met. So look forward to that.

While I hope that in time I will learn to accept this film, perhaps Episode 3 should be called "The Last Hope".

I'll leave you with these quotes from my friends:
"this film made me really cross" - Nick Walker

"That was weak" - Bob Watson

"Awwwwwww, dude... Count Duckula Dukoo sucks...." - Simon Lawrence

"Overall I enjoyed myself... mostly... Natalie Portman in that white outfit is the saviour of the film" - Spaff
You can discuss Episode 2: Attack of the Clones in our New Dedicated Forum or vote on it in the Poll!

Update: Last night seems like a bad dream... I can't help but feel that maybe I was a bit harsh... but hey! You can't beat people's first impressions! I'll have to go and see it again to confirm or destroy my thoughts.
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39 Comments

  • 8 of 12 on 21 May, 2002, 19:43…
    Better then episode 1. But then again, that really isn't hard.

    Hmmm... it had big flashy effects, the action was really great. Yoda using a lightsaber was really weak.

    Hayden Christensen is a god awful actor that really pulled the movie down.

    I'm ambivolant.
  • 8 of 12 on 21 May, 2002, 19:42…
    Better then episode 1. But then again, that really isn't hard.

    Hmmm... it had big flashy effects, the action was really great. Yoda using a lightsaber was really weak.

    Hayden Christensen is a god awful actor that really pulled the movie down.

    I'm ambivolant.
  • Skyfox on 21 May, 2002, 11:09…
    "Best episode EVER!"

    Ok, not THE best, but bloody hell, was that a good film!

    Sooo many things I just didn't see coming... the clones are the good guys?? (You shouldn't be here if you haven't seen the film, so don't complain about spoilers!)
  • spaff on 20 May, 2002, 07:29…
    Are you all blind ad/or stupid?

    better than empire? have you watched that recently? i suggest you do.

    this "film" is NOT good, but just a random load of crap acting and jedi fight scenes mixed with horrible horrible humour and shite.

    this has to be the most over rated film of all time.
  • Remi O on 20 May, 2002, 10:26…
    Dude, maybe you're "blind ad/or stupid". And thanks for the suggestion, I watched ep. 5 a few weeks ago, so I remember it quite freshly. Maybe you should accept that we have different tastes than you? You certainly seem to be in the minority on this issue.
  • The_Petrified_Monkey on 21 May, 2002, 05:42…
    Here, here! What people have to get used to is the film is a different style. It is difficult to compare a film where the overriding theme is a love story where, in the past, this issue has never been executed on this level.

    Okay, it may not be the best acting in the world but you are holding onto the past which, I might say, ALSO has pretty appauling acting in places... :-p
  • spaff on 21 May, 2002, 07:47…
    ok, so really im just anoyed because people are saying its better than the other films when its clearly not.

    i have now seen it twice, and it was better on the second viewing, though still unforgivably annoying in many places.

    im pleased that i liked it more, and i tried to overcome the crapness of some of it.

    c3po is still a complete twat tho.
  • Remi O on 18 May, 2002, 20:02…
    Excellent movie, best Star Wars flick since ep 5, no doubt.
  • Cursed Tuna on 18 May, 2002, 16:00…
    THIS MOVIE IS GREAT! WONDERFUL! AND THERE IS YODA!
  • SamNMax on 18 May, 2002, 11:08…
    Haven't seen it yet, but I hear it's awsome.
  • Emma on 18 May, 2002, 04:48…
    I liked it, it was far better than ep. 1.
  • QueZTone on 17 May, 2002, 02:52…
    i strongly disagree with the Farce bit. I think Ep2 was amazing. It was so full of action I think maybe they shouldve put the lid on it a little more hehe. I truly look forward to Ep3, ohh man that end line of you know who. Amazing :D Really swoops ya awake for Ep3 :)

    The Love story was emphasized a little too much and got 'boooooooooring' hehe. I thought Anakin acted his evilness pretty well and showed his good sides as well. At moments his acting was bad.

    Overall kick-booty film :) Compared to Ep1...well I dont even want to compare them. I think its time for Lucas to re-make Ep1... :D
  • DarkLord on 17 May, 2002, 01:41…
    Hehe, know what i stumbled across right now?
    Some half-full bag of popcorn... hey, I only ate popcorn during the commercials/trailers... I actually was way too busy to eat anything during Episode 2.... hehe, now THAT's something that makes a movie a GOOD movie :)
  • DarkLord on 17 May, 2002, 01:36…
    GREAT Film.


    Only saw it once so far. But today I'll go for the second time.... gotta decide if what I like more: Empire or Clones.... (that would be: "what's my new FAVORITE movie") ;)
  • netmonkey on 16 May, 2002, 22:43…
    I liked this movie. It's got a different feel from the Original Trilogy, but nevertheless I liked it!
  • PTDC on 16 May, 2002, 14:11…
    Is it worth paying to see or should I sneak into the cinema?
  • Scummbuddy on 16 May, 2002, 20:56…
    you're one of those software pirates aren't you. you're the one that made escape from monkey island so expensive. thanks.
  • PTDC on 17 May, 2002, 14:30…
    No, unfortunately I paid for Escape from Monkey Island. If only I'd pirated it, I would have only lost the price of 2 CDRs :P
  • Trapezoid on 18 May, 2002, 13:21…
    If you have to take every opportunity you can to take a shot at EMI, I'm going to have to kill you, friend.
  • Scummbuddy on 16 May, 2002, 20:56…
    you're one of those software pirates aren't you. you're the one that made escape from monkey island so expensive. thanks.
  • Scummbuddy on 16 May, 2002, 20:58…
    that's not my fault (the doubling) mojo said i forgot to enter something and to go back and try again.
  • JBRAA on 16 May, 2002, 12:52…
    Star Wars rocks
  • JBRAA on 16 May, 2002, 13:00…
    yay! yes! yyyeeeah!
  • JBRAA on 16 May, 2002, 12:53…
    G.Lucas can expect me to buy the soundtrack.
  • JBRAA on 19 May, 2002, 07:40…
    I would love a 'Special Edition Soundtrack' with the Awesome, amazing, terriffic, astounding <<<>>>.

    Superb job Skywalker Sound! Top quality!
  • Scummbuddy on 16 May, 2002, 09:22…
    oh come off it guys. Jar Jar only has about 3-4 short lines. hardly enough to cripe about.
  • spaff on 16 May, 2002, 10:25…
    3-4 short lines too many
  • The_Petrified_Monkey on 17 May, 2002, 01:36…
    Ok, G.L. may have made a big mistake bringing him into the universe but how was he mean't to sort of pretend the Gungans didn't exist in Ep2? I think the fact that Jar Jar does not make a fool of himself or spoil any scenes in the film, apart from possibly the senate scene, then we can excuse him.

    After all, G.L. has an idea which is all-encompassing and he isn't going to change it no matter what flak he receives. I guess we all have to wait and see how the arch is completed. I, for one, have not lost faith :-)
  • SpaceMonkey on 16 May, 2002, 04:47…
    I really liked it, and I think it is possibly the best of them all.

    I feel that people often hold onto the originals a bit to much, most likely due to nostalgia value, a newbie into Star Wars probably wouldn't see too much difference between them all (except for the effects).
  • DasJan on 16 May, 2002, 01:41…
    Spaff, you are my friend now! I didn't see the movie yet, but hey, you have a really good taste! Natalie Portman is sooo hot! :P
    I'd really like to meet her and, well, sell her my fine leather jackets. You know what I mean. Ohhh...
    -continues-dreamin-
  • Marek on 16 May, 2002, 03:09…
    Sorry dude, she's getting married!
    But you and spaff are right... natalie portman is a goddess, she was the only thing that kept me awake during ep 1 :)
  • DasJan on 16 May, 2002, 04:40…
    Married? NOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!

    And PetMonkey, it's not their words which attract us ;)
  • The_Petrified_Monkey on 16 May, 2002, 06:01…
    Does the same go for Jar Jar then...? "It's not their words which attract us"

    Meesa thinkin yousa being friends! LOL Sorry... :-)

    Bad day at work. And it is a pity if Natalie Portman's getting married but hey, if she's happy...
  • The_Petrified_Monkey on 16 May, 2002, 05:52…
    Duh, u reckon? OBVIOUSLY she's damn fine but that doesn't make up for the fact that she's as wooden as a Chippendale clothes horse!
  • The_Petrified_Monkey on 16 May, 2002, 03:49…
    I doubt that! The only thing that kept me awake was the blood pulsing through my veins when Jar Jar Binks spoke... God damn him! He nearly gave me a heart attack I was so stressed!

    Natalie Portman nearly sent me to sleep. Those Ep1 outfits aren't exactly a turn-on! And her arrid dialogue! "Our people are dying, Senator! We muzzzzzzzzzz do something quickly!" Give me a break! Jar Jar was acting better than she was!!!

    I think you're going a bit too far on Ep2. It comes on leaps and bounds from Ep1 but it hasn't been given the time to mature as the originals now have. I think it is as good as New Hope and widdles all over Jedi! :-) But that's just my opinion...

    And Star Wars wouldn't be Star Wars without plot holes and rubbish dialogue! I would think I was watching something like Babylon 5 if it wasn't how it is... Slight exaggeration! Right, I'm off...
  • Scummbuddy on 16 May, 2002, 00:09…
    Man, i loved i. i thought the acting was awsome even though i dont see what natalie would have seen in him with the things he says but anyways, i really liked it. And yes, the tight/white shirt was a big bonus for the movie.

    overall: two monkey paws up
  • Radogol on 15 May, 2002, 23:04…
    Call me a pervert, but while i was really disapointed with Phantom Menace, i found this movie better than A New Hope. Sure, it was cheesy at times, but so were the originals. And approached with a clear mind - this movie had everything - kick ass lightsaber battles (i'd like to spoil something here, but i won't :)), interesting subplot (not as straightforward as in Phantom Menace), neatly designed creatures, and feel of being in a real, breathing world. Oh, and i think that development of Anakin's dark side is handled perfectly ... Okay, but it was near perfection ;)
  • Remi O on 15 May, 2002, 20:46…
    Hmmm... The viewer reviews I've read so far have been largely positive. You crazy brits with your Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams wouldn't know quality if it jumped up and bit you in the ass. :) Nah, seriously, I think I'll wait and make up my own mind.
  • spaff on 15 May, 2002, 20:56…
    ..As you should

    overall i did enjoy the film a lot!!... but seriously.. you will see ... ouch. :)

    The fact that it is a Star Wars film should not be enough to save Lucas' neck.

    hopefully after another viewing i will like it more than i do now!