A Fox Picture, Written and Directed by George Lucas.
This isn’t a bad film necessarily, but what I would say is that if this was the first ever Star Wars film, there wouldn’t have been anymore.
This was the launching pad for a trilogy of films that would act as prequels to the original Star Wars trilogy and we were promised would show Anakin Skywalker’s progression from Jedi to evil Darth Vader. However, this film offers very little and is instead a effects heavy film about political processes, featuring Anakin only as a child.
Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor are very well cast, although McGregor certainly grows into his role much more in the next two films. Natalie Portman is a really talented actress but never particularly impressed in this franchise, especially in this film.
It does have some very cool lightsaber battles, some of the best the franchise has done, and the pod race was unique and exciting at the time.
However, simply as a Star Wars movie, this didn’t work for me and for many others. My pre Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker rewatch will continue with *shudders* Attack of the Clones.
Rating = 2.5/5
Howe's World of Film and TV 