Bigger is Better, But Shorter is Sweet!
Episode II Rocks the REALLY BIG Screen

My biggest regret with FilmGuru.Net has been the missed reviews for movies that came in the lull between my work on Cybercity Magazine in early 2000 and the start of this site over the summer. More to the point, I missed reviewing some great films, including the second installment of the Star Wars prequels. Now, thanks to the good folks at Lucasfilm and IMAX, Episode II has been re-released as an "IMAX Experience."

As the first film ever shot entirely through digital cameras, one would assume that converting Episode II to IMAX format would be a cake walk. Well, in addition to preparing the film for the scrutiny of the "really big" screen with the IMAX Digital Remastering process, the film also had to be shortened. Approximately 23 minutes had to be cut so the film could fit the 120 minute length of most IMAX platter systems. The result? A tighter, more focused story. And, oh yeah... a green Jedi master that stands about 80 feet high.

For those of you who have been waiting for the DVD release and haven't seen it yet, here's a quick synopsis. Episode II takes place approximately ten years after Episode I. Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is studying to be a Jedi under the tutelage of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). The student and teacher have been assigned to protect former Queen now Senator Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) as she leads the Senate in opposition of a War Powers Act. When an assassination attempt points to a far off world, Obi-Wan discovers a vast clone army being prepared for the Republic. Meanwhile, Anakin and Padme begin to explore their feelings for each other while traveling to Tatooine to rescue his mother.

If you saw Episode II during its initial release (and if you paid attention) you will probably be able to count half a dozen scenes deleted in the IMAX version of the film. Does this alter the story at all? Yes... and no. Gone are some of the cheesy dialogue between Anakin and Padme, the "heartfelt" confessions that sounded horribly forced. Gone are the scenes that showed the Chancellor's supporters manipulating Jar-Jar Binks into making the huge political blunder of supporting the act Amidala was trying to defeat. Also missing are many of the small, subtle touches that made the film so rich to Star Wars devotees, such as the introductions of Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits) and a young Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. These characters still appear in the film, but in vastly smaller roles.

On the whole, however, these omissions do not hurt the film. If anything, they strengthen it. By cutting the film down to two hours, nearly all the dead weight has been removed. This version of Episode II has everything going for it: action, action, and ACTION! This is what I remember best about seeing Star Wars as a kid. It wasn't the political undertones of the Rebellion's struggle against the Empire. I remember spaceships, aliens, laser guns and lightsabers. This is what the Star Wars series is about.

Seeing such an action-packed film on a screen eight stories tall doesn't hurt. The arena fight scene that pits a handful of Jedi against a horde of robots and monstrous creatures is absolutely breathtaking. Of course, the high point of the film is still seeing Yoda whip out his lightsaber and go all "Bruce Lee" on Count Dukoo (Christopher Lee).

If you are fortunate enough to live near an IMAX theater (I had to travel about 60 miles), I highly recommend making the trip. Seeing Star Wars: Attack of the Clones - The IMAX Experience is a treat you will not soon forget!

MY RATING: 8 out of 10.

RATED: PG
RUN TIME: 120 min.