Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones (PG)

Sit back and enjoy fantastic, imaginative visuals.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Lucasfilm
  • Directed By: George Lucas
  • Cast: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen
  • Running Time: 142 minutes
  • Release Date: 05/16/2002
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 11/12/2002
  • Genre: Action/adventure
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: violence

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that like the other "Star Wars" movies, there is a lot of peril and violence, though it is not explicit or graphic. A massive slaughter is described, but not shown. There are onscreen deaths, including a parent and a friend who intercepts an assassin. There are some sweet kisses.

Families can talk about the temptations of dictatorship and why Anakin and Padme have different views about the ability and integrity of politicians. They may also enjoy talking about which of the technologies used by the characters in the movie they would enjoy, and which technologies we have now that might be of interest to the characters.

Message

Social Behavior:

Variety of races and species

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

None

Violence

A lot of sci-fi violence, not too graphic

Sex

None

Language

None

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

In this installment of the sci-fi saga, Star Wars, Natalie Portman returns as Padme Amidala, now promoted from Queen to Senator. Anakin Skywalker has now grown up into a very talented but impatient and sulky teenager and is played by Hayden Christensen. Both are in important jobs that require them to forego romantic entanglements, but while they are hiding out in a remote and idyllic part of her planet together they feel a powerful attraction. Anakin thinks that his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi is unfairly holding him back and that things in general move too slowly. If only he were in charge....When Anakin dreams that his mother is in trouble he returns to his home planet of Tatooine to rescue her. But he arrives in time only to say goodbye to her and return her body to her husband and step-son at the below-ground home Luke Skywalker will live in when we meet him in what is now Episode 4. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan is on a mission to see whether an army of clones will help the Federation protect itself from insurgents.

Is it any good?

4
Okay, it's "Star Wars," everyone. So don't be surprised if the plot is murky, the dialogue is stiff, and the performances look like the only direction the actors received was "Look over there! When we put in the effects, it's going to be something really scary!" Instead, go in looking for expertly staged action sequences and eye-popping special effects, and you'll be very happy.

If you want to enjoy the movie, don’t get bogged down in the plot. Just sit back and let your eyes feast on the wonderfully imaginative visuals -- the glowing colors, the fantastic creatures, and the marvelous technology. Fans of the series will enjoy the way this movie puts some of the puzzle pieces together and introduces us to characters who will become more important later on, like bounty hunter Bobba Fett and Luke's Uncle Owen. And there is some real acting by Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, who manages to suggest that he just might turn into Alec Guinness by Episode 4 and by horror movie veteran Christopher Lee as the very evil Count Dooku. But mostly, it is just a chance to enjoy the fabulously inventive visual and action effects.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 20 reviews.

4


Posted on 07/09/08 by starwars1498 Kid contributor, age 10

The clones are AWSOME!!!!!

I loved the part when the battalion of clones backed up the jedis on the battlefield. I got goosebumps! Also, it's good that you could make more and more clones because you can more and more droids, too, so that wouldmake the Republic and the Separists even. Still, this movie was the awsomest movie I watched so far! I love Star Wars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5

Posted on 07/03/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor
5


Posted on 06/10/08 by Spud Adult contributor

This movie proves that you can have a movie with an unlimited amount of action without having to throw in any unnecessary gore. The action is pretty much non-stop, but you won't see anything that warrants a higher rating. The only part that I would consider disturbing is a scene where the main character describes what he did to get revenge. There is also a little innuendo in one scene. The love story is innocent for the most part, but in one scene the two main characters realize they have feelings for each other but don't know where to go from there. He tells her, "We could keep it a secret." I couldn't tell weather he was talking about keeping their feelings a secret, or if he was talking about an affair. It's more likely he meant the former, but during that particular scene I couldn't tell.
4


Posted on 05/03/08 by drpenn Adult contributor
5


Posted on 04/07/08 by krbbup Adult contributor

Best Star Wars Movie Ever!

I believe that this is the best Star Wars movie ever! Watch it see why. There are two parts that might bother children: the first is when Anakin's mother dies and the second is when Boba Fett's dad dies. But other than that, it is a wonderful movie, filled with action adventure and humor. Great for the whole family!
5


Posted on 03/20/08 by Tsion Adult contributor

A Good Prequel Sequel with Great Visuals and Effects!

ATTACK OF THE ClONES is great. Some aspects of the movie are wooden, like the "romantic" dialouge between Portman and Christianson. And just Christianson himself. But don't worry. His character is better to watch in Episode 3. But the effects are amazing, and Christianson is really the only actor who isn't that good. Many people have panned Portman for her role, but really she didn't have that much to work with. Some standout actors are Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, Christopher Lee as Count Dooku, and Samuel L, Jackson as Mace Windu. Violence is more intense than in the previous films. Humans, among robots, are shot, maimed, and stabbed non-graphically. One character is decapitated bloodlessly. There is some romantic tension between Portman and Christianson, but nothing sexual. No language or drugs. Characters are loyal to each other and are willing to die to save their friends. Highly recommended.
4

Posted on 10/03/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Cool

If you don't like it wait a half year and you'll love it. If you haven't seen it than careful there is a violent scene tons of sci-fi action and some senualty theres a girls butt in the beginning.
5


Posted on 08/26/07 by the_terminator Kid contributor, age 10

coolest star wars ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

star wars ii attack of the clones is awsome the battles are a little intense to little youngsters and theres a scene in a bar when obi won an anniken serched for a boumty hunter and alot of people where drinking including obi won who drank 2 shots and also the wathers there where allwhering bikinis one of them in the back round was waring a thong and shows her butt
3

Posted on 07/05/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 16

Overall - Mild content

Violence: Mild - There is a brief sequence where one of the main characters bloodlessly kills a number of human-like creatures (this is very brief and mostly off-screen). Another main character also becomes wounded after receiving a scratch from a large tiger-like creature and another character is bloodlessly decapitated. A head-but is administered by one of the main characters to another character and there are various battle scenes (one of which includes a main character's hand being cut of by a 'lightsaber') where creatures are killed bloodlessly. A character is shot and killed by a dart (we hear the noise but to do not see the dart). None of these scenes have a major impact and are only mildly intense. Sex/Nudity: None (Although there is an ongoing 'forbidden' relationship between two of the main characters which is only mildly intense in some scenes). Horror: Mild - A character witnesses the death of his mother (she is not killed but is dying from becoming too weary after being captured) but despite being the most emotionally intense thing in the film this is still brief and discreet. The characters are menaced by (and, in the case of one character, hurt by) animal-like creatures in a colosseum. Characters are taken by surprise in a tunnel full of creatures armed with 'laser-beam guns'. A young character mourns his dead father who has been decapitated (he holds his father's head, concealed by a helmet, in his hands). All of these scenes/sequences are either brief or handled with a mild intensity. Language: None. Drugs/Alcohol: Very mild - Someone tries to sell one the main characters "death sticks" (presumably a type of drug) which he declines and advises the seller (through mind-control) to "go home and re-think his life". It is unlikely that this will be of any concern to children. Overall: Mild themes. There are some moderate concepts addressed such as dealing with the loss of a parent which may well lead to questions being asked by more inquisitive children. These are, however, handled briefly and within the context of fantasy. Younger children may also be frightened by the creatures in the colosseum.
5


Posted on 04/17/07 by frodolover Kid contributor, age 15

simply spellbinding...

Absolutly amazing movie. Great for ages 8/9 and up, 'cause some kids may not follow the plot. Loved that there was more romance than the others (in the prequels) and the action/CGI by ILM was amazing, even groudbreaking if you watch the bonus features. LOVED IT!

See all 20 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5

Posted on 07/03/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor
5


Posted on 06/10/08 by Spud Adult contributor

This movie proves that you can have a movie with an unlimited amount of action without having to throw in any unnecessary gore. The action is pretty much non-stop, but you won't see anything that warrants a higher rating. The only part that I would consider disturbing is a scene where the main character describes what he did to get revenge. There is also a little innuendo in one scene. The love story is innocent for the most part, but in one scene the two main characters realize they have feelings for each other but don't know where to go from there. He tells her, "We could keep it a secret." I couldn't tell weather he was talking about keeping their feelings a secret, or if he was talking about an affair. It's more likely he meant the former, but during that particular scene I couldn't tell.
4


Posted on 05/03/08 by drpenn Adult contributor
5


Posted on 04/07/08 by krbbup Adult contributor

Best Star Wars Movie Ever!

I believe that this is the best Star Wars movie ever! Watch it see why. There are two parts that might bother children: the first is when Anakin's mother dies and the second is when Boba Fett's dad dies. But other than that, it is a wonderful movie, filled with action adventure and humor. Great for the whole family!
5


Posted on 03/20/08 by Tsion Adult contributor

A Good Prequel Sequel with Great Visuals and Effects!

ATTACK OF THE ClONES is great. Some aspects of the movie are wooden, like the "romantic" dialouge between Portman and Christianson. And just Christianson himself. But don't worry. His character is better to watch in Episode 3. But the effects are amazing, and Christianson is really the only actor who isn't that good. Many people have panned Portman for her role, but really she didn't have that much to work with. Some standout actors are Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, Christopher Lee as Count Dooku, and Samuel L, Jackson as Mace Windu. Violence is more intense than in the previous films. Humans, among robots, are shot, maimed, and stabbed non-graphically. One character is decapitated bloodlessly. There is some romantic tension between Portman and Christianson, but nothing sexual. No language or drugs. Characters are loyal to each other and are willing to die to save their friends. Highly recommended.
4

Posted on 10/03/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Cool

If you don't like it wait a half year and you'll love it. If you haven't seen it than careful there is a violent scene tons of sci-fi action and some senualty theres a girls butt in the beginning.
2

Posted on 06/06/03 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Too Long

They needed to cut out some of the romance scenes that were shown back to back. 7+
See all 7 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 13 reviews.

4


Posted on 07/09/08 by starwars1498 Kid contributor, age 10

The clones are AWSOME!!!!!

I loved the part when the battalion of clones backed up the jedis on the battlefield. I got goosebumps! Also, it's good that you could make more and more clones because you can more and more droids, too, so that wouldmake the Republic and the Separists even. Still, this movie was the awsomest movie I watched so far! I love Star Wars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5


Posted on 08/26/07 by the_terminator Kid contributor, age 10

coolest star wars ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

star wars ii attack of the clones is awsome the battles are a little intense to little youngsters and theres a scene in a bar when obi won an anniken serched for a boumty hunter and alot of people where drinking including obi won who drank 2 shots and also the wathers there where allwhering bikinis one of them in the back round was waring a thong and shows her butt
3

Posted on 07/05/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 16

Overall - Mild content

Violence: Mild - There is a brief sequence where one of the main characters bloodlessly kills a number of human-like creatures (this is very brief and mostly off-screen). Another main character also becomes wounded after receiving a scratch from a large tiger-like creature and another character is bloodlessly decapitated. A head-but is administered by one of the main characters to another character and there are various battle scenes (one of which includes a main character's hand being cut of by a 'lightsaber') where creatures are killed bloodlessly. A character is shot and killed by a dart (we hear the noise but to do not see the dart). None of these scenes have a major impact and are only mildly intense. Sex/Nudity: None (Although there is an ongoing 'forbidden' relationship between two of the main characters which is only mildly intense in some scenes). Horror: Mild - A character witnesses the death of his mother (she is not killed but is dying from becoming too weary after being captured) but despite being the most emotionally intense thing in the film this is still brief and discreet. The characters are menaced by (and, in the case of one character, hurt by) animal-like creatures in a colosseum. Characters are taken by surprise in a tunnel full of creatures armed with 'laser-beam guns'. A young character mourns his dead father who has been decapitated (he holds his father's head, concealed by a helmet, in his hands). All of these scenes/sequences are either brief or handled with a mild intensity. Language: None. Drugs/Alcohol: Very mild - Someone tries to sell one the main characters "death sticks" (presumably a type of drug) which he declines and advises the seller (through mind-control) to "go home and re-think his life". It is unlikely that this will be of any concern to children. Overall: Mild themes. There are some moderate concepts addressed such as dealing with the loss of a parent which may well lead to questions being asked by more inquisitive children. These are, however, handled briefly and within the context of fantasy. Younger children may also be frightened by the creatures in the colosseum.
5


Posted on 04/17/07 by frodolover Kid contributor, age 15

simply spellbinding...

Absolutly amazing movie. Great for ages 8/9 and up, 'cause some kids may not follow the plot. Loved that there was more romance than the others (in the prequels) and the action/CGI by ILM was amazing, even groudbreaking if you watch the bonus features. LOVED IT!
0


Posted on 02/18/07 by NickTwo Kid contributor, age 9

Its stupid

This movie is dumb
2


Posted on 09/03/06 by Joe100 Kid contributor, age 17

The weakest of the prequel movies

Episode 2 is perfectly ok for kids though maybe a little too violent for any under 8. Also it will entertain them more than adults as the film lacks the umph of all the others. It seems sloppy and jumps between the weak romance scenes and battle scenes constantly, though the battle scenes are admittably visually stunning. The dialogue is lacking and the chemistry between Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson is replaced with the wooden droning of Hayden Christensen. The lightsabre battle at the climax of the film is a good chance to see Yoda do his stuff but it's nowhere near as satisfying as the threeway battle in episode 1 - it also seems too short.
3


Posted on 05/06/06 by bubbo Kid contributor, age 13
2


Posted on 04/21/06 by G Kid contributor, age 12

1&3 are a lot better!

4


Posted on 02/04/06 by Yankeeman242003 Kid contributor, age 17
5


Posted on 08/01/05 by hi123 Kid contributor, age 9
See all 13 kids reviews >
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132 votes