REWATCH: Star Wars Attack of The Clones- Sith Council

Attack of the Clones was released in May of 2002, This is widely talked about as one of the least popular live action Star Wars films. Kristian Harloff, Steph Sabraw and Mike Kalinowski rewatched the film and today give their thoughts about what works, what doesn't. Are there things that they thought were bad before and are good now and vice versa? We will be revisiting all of the live action films starting with this one to the lead up to the Boba Fett series.
#starwars #attackoftheclones #rewatch #anakin
PODCAST FEED: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7xYi9zQ...
MORE FROM US:
KALINOWSKI VS CHANDRU IG TITLE MATCH: • Kalinowski vs Dhandapa...
-Star Wars Episode 1 Phantom Menace REWATCH: • REWATCH!: Episode I, T...
-How much will Spider-Man Far From home make at the box office? • Spider-Man No Way Home...
-Check out the SPIDER-MAN NO WAY HOME trailer reaction: • Spider-Man: No Way Hom...
-Star Wars and Stand up with Ken Napzok: • Star Wars and Stand Up...
-CMPUNK interview: • CM PUNK INTERVIEW! - B...
-Marvel's ETERNALS final trailer review: • Eternals Trailer Revie...
SEE MARK, KRISTIAN AND KEN LIVE IN NY DOING COMEDY: newyorkcomedyclub.com/calenda...
COME WATCH THE SCHMOEDOWN LIVE: www.theschmoedownlive.com/liv...
PODCAST FEED podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5ybLJ2k... episode 10,
Become A patreon at the Schmoedown: / schmoedown
Want the entire SEN Live library and early access before Twitch expiration? / senlive
FOLLOW US ON TWITCH: / theschmoedown
KRISTIAN ON CAMEO: www.cameo.com/kristianharloff
Follow KRISTIAN On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:
FB: / harloff
INSTAGRAM: / kristianharloff
TWITTER: / kristianharloff
Follow SCHMOEDOWN On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:
FB: / theschmoedown
INSTAGRAM: / theschmoedown
TWITTER: / theschmoedown
WEBSITE: www.theschmoedownlive.com

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thanks to everyone getting involved in the conversation! Please comment and let us know what you think of this subject. Kristian goes through and replies back to everyone, get engaged and thank you for SUBSCRIBING to us! We are on every Mon, Wed and Fri! Sub here: kzbin.info/door/7BZTnHihGgs7XZmXEBirjA

[@trevorthornley8835]

I think it would be very interesting to see you guys interviewing George lucas

[@kallewardracing]

In Steph's defense, she kept saying Gungalorians so confidently that I didn't even catch that it wasn't 100% correct.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

I loved it!!

[@nickpiccolo9106]

Attack of the Clones isnt my favorite Star Wars movie, but it was the first I saw in the theatre and that alone is why it has a special place in my heart.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

I get that for sure!

[@LukeJamesFilms]

Yeah same. So exciting being 14 and seeing Yoda throw down! 😊😊

[@GenesisAsis_Art]

Saw your Facebook post, and I'm glad to get back to listening to your insights while working. This brings a smile to my face. I'll be on every video!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

LOVE this and thank you for joining us and welcome to the new channel!! Look forward to seeing you in the comment section!

[@billyhaines8307]

These movies are something special... love them. Thanks for watching all these and doing these. I fell off from KZbin for the last two years but been watching all your content for years Kristian... thanks for continuing to put out such good stuff. Cheers my friend

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Welcome back Billy! Lots of fun stuff on this channel!

[@Tadboy99]

Love doing the watch along with you all. Haven’t seen Episode II in a while, but after seeing it it makes me want to go back and do a rewatch of Clone Wars, just don’t have time to commit to all the episodes. Can you all come up with a list of most essential episodes/store arcs, maybe top 20? Keep up the great work, and look forward to the episodes every week.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you, we will keep them coming if you keep taking a watch!

[@TheNinjacanadian]

The outfit Padme wore in the deleted scene where Anakin meets her parents still one best Outfit in star wars

[@TheKristianHarloff]

I don't remember that!

[@TheNinjacanadian]

@@TheKristianHarloff that scene is so bazar it looks like they rented a hotel room and just added some werid CGI too it, look it up it's one the weirdest scenes

[@saul2502]

@@TheNinjacanadian I could be wrong, but, I don’t think the the CGI was finished as it was a deleted scene.

[@TheNinjacanadian]

@@saul2502 still was recorded in a random hotel room in Italy

[@lifeasafanpodcast9529]

Good seeing the defending champion back again

[@TheKristianHarloff]

He is indeed!

[@lourow1993]

Does anyone else think anakins big tusken raider rant should have been with Owen Lars instead of Padme? Given the revelations I feel it would’ve made more sense and add a little to episode 4 too.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

GREAT point!

[@katevand]

the sky taxi dropping you off at your balcony was dope

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Which?

[@frankdarko7518]

Steph: Beautiful and a genuine SW fan-a killer combo. Love these discussions👍✌️ Said it on the EP1 discussion, but repeat, spot-on making the point on potential for the prequels being better if starting Anakin’s story from teen would have opened up the story for greater possibilities.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you Frank!!

[@Fenris30]

I think you need to see the innocent kid before the brooding teen, You needed to see what could have been had Qui-Gon not been killed. Faloni said that's what "Duel of the Fates" meant.

[@mildmanneredcomicnerd8849]

Very fun episode. I like that you 3 are talking about the Star Wars movies. Make me want to watch them over again. Except for Episode one. I can’t make it through that ONE MOVIE ☺️!!Every Stars Wars Movie I can watch. It’s just that episode one ☺️smh lol

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Yeah it is bizarre, I used to dread watching the prequels, I have found a love for them recently.

[@SonicDangles]

Just great pure star wars discussion. Thanks guys!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you for tuning in!

[@andrewmachado5934]

Anakin creating Threepio was in George Lucas’ original notes from ‘77

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Doesn't mean I gotta like it ha!

[@Fenris30]

I think the reason Anakin seems so Angry in the first half is because he feels something is wrong but no one is listening to him. Isn't he supposed to be the chosen one? No one helps this kid cause their always so focused on being detached. Anakin is like a Kid who's parents are Workaholics, their minds always focused on Work never on him. Then Palpatine comes along and actually takes an interest in him, plies him with compliments, attention and half truths that lure him into an abusive relationship that ends up turning him into a monster.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Maybe but there is no build, that is a big issue.

[@tlmarshall21]

Thought for sure Kristian that you would have pointed out that in the Anakin vs. Dooku fight it was the first time we saw all three of the core lightsaber colors (Red, Blue, Green) in one fight during a movie. Just a small, but kool little Star Wars movie history.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Great call!

[@BenRnrA]

Hey Kristian I'm just watching this now and I love your compression to lost with Jack and "Locke" if they did that same way with Anikan and Obi-won you're right would have been more emotional and worked have hit everyone better. Less CGI and more raw I agree 100%

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Yeah but hindsight right?!

[@austinlucas9577]

Attack of the Clones struck me at the right time, I was 13 yo. I loved and still do love the Yoda lightsaber scene. I don't think it was just for the fans or unfitting with the character. As stated by Dooku, their knowledge of the force is equal and only skill with a saber can differentiate them. The Jedi's mastery of a saber is more than just fighting, it is the representation of the Jedi allowing the Force to flow through their physical bodies and make the necessary attack and counter moves to prevail.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Hey fair enough and I can't argue with someone with your last name!

[@anakincrespin]

Beautifully said friend

[@MadSlantedPowers]

There are two YT-1300's on Naboo when Anakin and Padmé arrive. There is also at least one on Coruscant in ROTS.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Got ya

[@daninilsen7657]

Love it. I can never get enough og the prequel stuff. And especially looking forward to the mighty Revenge of the Sith.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Same here!

[@omarmir8426]

Was a senior in HS this movie came out. Liked it then and now that I’m older I can respect what they were trying to do even with its flaws. I can say with confidence that I like it more than any of the new trilogy films we got.

[@saul2502]

Respect!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Totally fair, I think the overall stories are better for sure.

[@philrm99]

Another awesome discussion.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you, Sith next week!

[@meltingkrayons5830]

It's subtle, but I think the subtext of TPM and AOTC is that Anakin falls for Padme primarily as an emotional replacement for his mother (see the scene in TPM where she comforts him on the way to Coruscant) plus natural attraction, and Padme falls for Anakin due to her strong caring and empathetic tendencies (there are multiple shots of her in AOTC simply watching Anakin in pain and you can see her empathizing) plus natural attraction.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

This is a good point.

[@LukeJamesFilms]

The last 45 minutes of this movie is some of the best wars that ever starred. Great action and Count Dooku is so cool. 🔥🔥🔥

[@TheKristianHarloff]

The beauty of these movies, always something for everyone to love!

[@Ruleof2Review]

I’ve always loved the droid factory scene and the bit with C3PO and the battle droid. It’s always disappointed me that so many people don’t enjoy it. It boggles my mind. It’s such a fun action scene!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

I love how people just view these movies with different eyes and I think it is great that we all do!

[@LP3Customs]

It's like poetry, it rhymes. Luke was 19 years old in IV and Anakin was 19 in II. I guess they were both pretty whiny

[@TheKristianHarloff]

True

[@matthewhannan3958]

I remember seeing this in one of those Giant IMAX theaters, and the details you could make out were incredible. I loved the Seismic charges, the Anakin and Padme love theme. And 2 scenes that I loved visually but we're far far too short were Anakin using 2 lightsabers at the same time (wish that was much longer) and the scene of the Clone troopers firing their weapons on the battle of Geonosis inside the dust storm after the trade federation ship falls back to the ground. Just amazing.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

There is a lot that works and a ton that doesn't but it was a fun rewatch!

[@PBuffdaddy00]

Great discussion. This is probably my least favorite movie, but I loved the deep dive into this one. The angsty teenager aspect of Anakin should have definitely been toned down. I am super excited to see what Hayden does in Obi-Wan. The dude can act, and it will be great to see what Deborah Chow can do with him.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Yeah I get it for sure, I think it is just a matter of how you watch it;. There is a lot of wrong with this movie but the blueprint and bones are there.

[@jakobnagel2672]

R2 pushed C3P0 off the sail barge too lol.

[@brandonherbin7989]

Great show!!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you!

[@sahityabk]

Great discussion, you guys didn't talk about the deleted scenes with Anakin and Padmes on naboo. The talk carrying their luggage, Padmes family, her room.They would have fleshed out the love story to be almost believable, just cut out the fat for the factory fight in geonosis, wouldn't have added that much runtime.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Yeah I forgot about the cit scenes TBH!

[@davidisho13]

Loving this deep dive series!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you!

[@jonathangeraldrobinson720]

Wouldn't it have made more sense for Anakin to have built R2, an astromech to help him work on his pod? And wouldn't it make sense for Queen Amidala to have a protocol droid like C3PO?

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Yes and yes

[@MadSlantedPowers]

He built C-3PO to help his mom. R2-D2 was just one of many astromech droids on the Queen's ship.

[@my5head]

There's a lot I don't enjoy about this movie, but it still has Detective Obi-Wan so I love it. As well, it cemented the Slave 1 as the most badass of all Star Wars ships. I built it as legos when I was a kid, a Metal Earth model as a teenager, and a Bandai plastic kit as an adult.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

If you watch it as a silly ep of Clone Wars show, it plays more, for me anyway

[@RustyRagesRegularly]

So happy Mike is back on Sith Council. The CM Punk of the MTS

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Great comparrison!

[@roninunchained]

If we get flashbacks between Obi-Wan & Anakin I hope they sprinkle Ahsoka in there and have Ashley Eckstein to play her in Live-Action. Even if it's just for a scene, give Ashley that and make the Prequel films and TCW intertwined even more!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

That would be great, but would prob be Rosario

[@roninunchained]

@@TheKristianHarloff Most likely yea. Ashley's earned the chance to play her at least once, in live-action. We shall see.

[@ghostwolf1435]

This is cool I think this works really well as a rewatch Count D is a nuanced villain and the prequels

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you Ghost!

[@ghostwolf1435]

@@TheKristianHarloff I honestly appreciate a a different perspective you offer that great content I’m sending my nerd herd over to the channel

[@noHOPEof]

. attempting to recall (during the 2O16 Commentary) -- . *just 'oo said this* - (something similar) ~ "Dooku's hoverin' over the sandy terrain with tennis balls on the underside"

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Haha

[@tashrif46]

To be honest, I didnt even notice Steph was saying Gangalorians in the Phantom Menace review. To me, Attack of the Clones is the 'What if?' film of the Star Wars movie saga. It is a missed opportunity for me to get into the politics of the Jedi and the council. Plus shout out to Steph, she brings a different positive energy to all the shows.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

I get it!

[@hito157]

Don't ignite a lightsaber in my gut but I like episode 2. Certain things don't work for sure but following that with the CN animated shorts was fun.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

I get all of that!

[@CidTheScientist]

Steph Sabraw, Steph Sabraw, & Mike Kalinowski 😂😂😂 nah great review tho actually makes me wanna go back and watch AOTC and i cant stand Episode 2 outta all the movies this should be fun...just subbed on Spotify & Twitch great stuff on there brotha and great show you guys....May The Force Be With Everyone Always!!! 💯💯🙏🏾

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you!

[@CidTheScientist]

@@TheKristianHarloff 💯💯💯🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@whogg0521]

This was awesome!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you!

[@markusahlstrom1691]

It might be my least favorite SW (live action) movie but it's still Star Wars, and it's easy to acknowledge the great parts in this movie as well, and there are plenty of wonderful scenes in AotC, no doubt. It's just that the bad parts; some crucial dialogue and acting (mostly between Anakin and Padme), cgi, the creepy love story...are pretty horrendous. The story itself is still fascinating and it'll always remain an episode in the saga that we love, so therefore it'll always also have a place in my heart. Sometimes it takes a bit of digging to find it, but it's there 😅

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Totally, great points!!

[@ryangettig274]

Obi-Wan Detective Missions:)I remember the audience in Marina Del Rey going batshit crazy when Yoda pulled his LightSaber on Dooku:)Just The Facts:)

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Oh yeah it was a big moment for sure.

[@Chasebald]

A view of the other YT programs I watch have been having technical problems with OBS too.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

It is weird. It only happens with Sith!

[@lexis4490]

This movie gave us Clone Wars tv show. So I will always appreciate it.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Copy that.

[@JonR4m]

I heard the show on Spotify, but came here to comment. To me one way to portray the path of Anakin turning into Darth Vader would have been like how Michael Corleone went from this honest, cheerful, droopy looking guy to the most feared, cold hearted, bitter man of the mob world. Can you imagine a whiny Michael bitching about him wanting to be The Godfather?

[@TheKristianHarloff]

ha agreed.

[@bassmasta93]

Me - I would never be a simp Steph sabraw - hi. Me - at your service my queen.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

The Sith lord strikes!

[@galeasjp]

What episode of the forcecenter podcast did ken and joseph have that long discussion?

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Recent one I believe.

[@eabcool]

i agree with mike . I love The Phantom Menace. i think fan criticism made Lucas tamp down the humor in ATOC.

[@saul2502]

Yeah despite what rumor would tell you I do think George actually did listen to the fans more than he gets credit for.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Glad he did.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Agreed

[@Ruleof2Review]

Also I was almost 22 when this movie came out and Anakin was likable to me from the get-go. He’s great.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Hey totally fair!

[@doomraven0]

I really like what you said about on TPM video about Star Wars being a restaurant and you don't have to like everything on the menu to love eating there. I'm the opposite of Steph: every time i watch AotC, i feel like Padme, dying a little inside every day. The dialogue is sooooooo bad i can't even enjoy it really as pop fluff. Every scene with Anakin and Padme is almost worse than the entirety of TRoS...almost. And i love Hayden Christensen and Portman as actors. They just needed a real director, not Lucas stuck in his Merrie Melodies phase. The cinematography and score are great but even the action wears down my enjoyment because there is so much going on screen i feel like Lucas was hopped up on Pop Rocks and Jolt Cola when he made it. Ultimately, it is still very watchable, but like with TPM where i skip all the Jar Jar scenes, here i skip all the "romance" scenes. Even the teenagers i saw it with were rolling their eyes at the "romantic" dialogue. The cloner scenes with Obi Wan and Jango Fett are still amazing as is the night time chase through Coruscant. Lucas still has a great imagination but man, did he need some oversight for these films (even though i love them).

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you Atlas!!

[@BlackRobin71]

One part of AOTC that bugs me is the scene where Padme asks Anakin "What's wrong?" His mother just died!!!! What do you mean what's wrong????

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Yeah bad writing in this one, no dancing around it.

[@PolitoKBJuegos]

I think Fernandez said this once, Anakin and Padme's love story was a child crush love kids story since phantom menace, thats why it worked for me, they were atracted since ep 1, ATTACK OF THE CLONES has its issues for sure but is what i ve been repeating for the last 25 years, the prequels sucked because the internet told you to hate them, for me Revenge of the Sith is my favorite star wars movie because its like a greek tragedy, the hero causes his own fall, from the start the drums the battle over courscant the friendship between obi wan and anakin, the entire movie is about palpatine manipulating anakin, it just works very deeply, sure is not perfect but episode 3 got a lot of hate which is not deserved everyone has empire on a pedestal but revenge of the sith is up there, also is a very good standalone movie, you can enjoy it and understand everything without watching episodes 1,2 ,4,5,6, Also another point is it annoying to compare Luke and Anakin, like kristian said luke is likeable but is because is the hero you should like him, hes hasnt a dark side and he was portrayal with no flaws whatsoever, everyone wants to be luke because is the hero and it doesnt have any flaws and no one liked anakin because anakin is the clear reflection of society, with a lot of flaws, or whyning so nobody wants to be like him, but for me luke is boring and anakin way more interesting from a psychologic standpoint

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you!

[@High_Key]

First off, Jango Fett is the coolest cat in all of Star Wars. I was 11 when this movie came out and while the ‘97 Specials already solidified Star Wars as my favorite franchise it wasn’t until after watching AOTC in theaters that I became a diehard, expanded universe lore kind-of-a-fan. As a kid, I did’t pay attention to the cheesy dialogue or the total green screen immersion. And even in the present, if you can manage to still ignore both, seeing how an assassination attempt leads to the start of the Clone Wars is pretty cool for a political thriller kind of movie. I don’t rank AOTC as a top 3 but it’s locked in the upper half of favorites in the franchise for me. And feeding into my biases, Jango Fett is easily my favorite Star Wars character, the Slave 1 is my favorite ship, and the seismic charge detonation is my favorite sound design in all of film. Both Jango Fett vs Obi-Wan fight scenes are my favorite scenes in Star Wars.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

It is a good one!

[@rowdystaudi]

Great Show, Great Discussion! I always caught S*** liking this as my fav prequel movie. LOVE the story. I get the bark on bad directing etc. CGI does not hold up towards the end in the droid factory. some parts that are rough for sure. but man i connected with this movie in my late teen/early 20's. love Hayden's execution of Anakin being a little off, and eventually unraveling. i dig the love story too. lol going back and looking at the Clone Wars in this movie after the series is a lot of fun too! Always loved Kamino, and cant get enough of the score in this movie! So good.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Yeah I have def started checking these out very differently than in the past. Still alot I can't stand about them but a lot I like more than before.

[@francissellerdude]

AOTC has its flaws but it is so great in expanding the lore and world building, starting the clone wars, Jango is awesome, battle of Geonosis is epic af. I love this movie Idgaf what anyone says

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Fair

[@dankah3834]

Absolutely favorite part of the film is the mystery of the clones, Kamino, Obi Wan, and Jango.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

And it plays out in the Bad Batch series well

[@Fenris30]

Why do you expect the Dialogue to be better? You have a former slave kid from the sticks being indoctrinated into a warrior cult and a sheltered politician. What about that combo says gripping dialogue? Han drives most of the dialogue between him and Leia cause he's a scoundrel looking to tap that ass. I think People tend forget how much older Han Solo is then Leia because she has such a forceful personality. She's literally the same age as Luke. Padme is only five years older then Anakin and was ready a successful politician when she met him as a slave. Both were forced by their situations to grow up faster then one should. You really don't think they'd find common ground in that?

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Hey fair enough!

[@anan129]

We need an official alternate cut of this film. Editing out about 10 minutes (the cringe inducing moments) and improving the special effects would drastically improve the film. There is even a solid deleted scene of Padme and Anakin meeting with Dooku that could have replaced the entire droid factory nonsense and the story would still flow. Clone wars flashbacks with Hayden as Anakin in Obi-Wan series are essential to make Anakin more likeable in this film. Never understood the issues that people have with the "I don't like sand" line; it's just goofy small-talk from a teenager and the music cutting out when they kiss affirms that this scene is meant to be taken lightly...

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Agree. 100 percent.

[@saul2502]

I’m just here to 1000% agree with you about the sand line, I still to this day don’t get it. Out of all Star Wars movies we have now, this one is the one that screams the most for a “special edition”. A VFX update alone would be much appreciated.

[@joshkiwikiwi8104]

As you rewatch you always ask yourself - well why didn’t the Jedi council do this, why didn’t they see that?? I think the main reason why the Jedi council look like a bunch of fools is namely because they had been influenced and consumed at this point by the dark side. That is why their power had diminished. I like what Yoda says in rebels about how arrogantly and swiftly the Jedi joined the war “fear, Anger, Hate… consumed by the dark side the Jedi were” . What Dexter says to Obiwan in attack of the clones is also important point: “ i think you jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and wisdom” - what he said pointed out how detached the Jedi had become from themselves, not being able to differentiate between the two.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Yeah lots of questions come in after the rewatches happen for sure.

[@AdriannaRiberdy]

This also goes to the point you guys made about Qui-Gon making a lot of mistakes in TPM. They were all clouded by the dark side. I still think though that with Qui-Gon's mentality and knowledge of the living force, he may have been able to train Anakin the way he needed

[@zachfisher7322]

Late to the party but going on this re-watch journey now. Confused at something: multiple people have knowledge that Jango flees from camino to geonosis and is clearly in league with Dooku. Shouldn’t that tip the Jedi off that someone is playing both sides??

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Yup!

[@commandershepard485]

For some reason as a child I bought anakin and padme’s love story. It had me gripe😂

[@TheKristianHarloff]

We accept a lot more and are more forgiving of moments as kids watching movies. I miss that!

[@patriciametz3364]

I know I've seen episode 2 but I forgot most of the movie and on rewatch it was not as bad as I remember. The dialog was bad but I think of it as these ppl don't know how to talk about their feelings. The story as a whole is really good but the fx are so cartoonish is both episode 1&2. I know I've ever seen episode 3 because I was so not feeling the first 2. I'm excited to watch it next week.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Love that. I think however you can enjoy it, that's the way to approach it!

[@SteelerSpartan]

The only time the cgi of the prequels ever bothers me is the 3P0 Factory bit....and even then its more the level of goofiness that accompanies it. I can understand why people would want better chemistry/dialogue with the love story.... but the main narrative path still is just so strong for me even if not everything is executed at a high level. Obi-Wan being my fav character in the saga...I enjoyed his detective mission and getting to see him go toe to toe with Fett both in hand to hand and starship to starship. I know people give HC crap for the love story but I thought he nailed it when he had to bring out the rage of a future Vader after his mom died.(Williams score helped too) The battle of Geonosis was awesome....Loved seeing Anakin,Padme, and Kenobi have to survive the creatures and that leading to the entrance of the clone army. Kind of wish the Kenobi/Anakin part of the dueling was a little longer with a bit more atmosphere to the hanger at the end.....but dont really have any problems with the way Yoda handled things....I definitely wanted to see him throw down with a saber. I get why it might be in the bottom tier of the movies...but for me at least..It succeeds in being a nice building block for the saga...And it and all the PT just made the OTs ending that much stronger for me.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Agree on the 3PO stuff!

[@joelmorford183]

I enjoy the prequel trilogy more, Than I do the the new trilogy. It's cheesy at times in its execution. But I think thats part of its appeal to me.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

I agree

[@LEXIAMBRI]

After watching book of boba Fett **spoilers!!** where they mention some sand people are un/civilized, makes me wonder if Anakins sand people had more slaves and those are the ones he freed?.. also I’m sure the woman and children attacked him and he just laser sword them down..

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Could have been for sure.

[@CinematicGalaxy]

Attack of the Clones was my very first Star Wars movie back in 2002. I hated the romance back then, but I thought it was because I was 9. Turns out the romance is shlocky and terrible, and Anakin is insufferable for most of this movie. That said...I enjoy it. Nostalgia is some of it, but it's a beautiful-looking movie with a fantastic musical score, and as Kristian said, the story is great. I have to give this movie credit for making me curious about exploring the other movies that were out at the time, leading me right to the OT. So I'll always enjoy this film above the likes of Last Jedi or Rise of Skywalker for those reasons. That, plus I love the stuff on Kamino, Jango Fett in general, Palpatine and the seeing the Clone formation, and even Yoda vs Dooku. And I enjoyed most of the Tatooine scenes, especially the silent moments that relied on Hayden's expressions and the music.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

There is a lot that is really fun to watch.

[@gabrieleharmon4648]

Good discussion. I still can't understand how she falls for him. And he is so whiny...ugh. I agree story is great...but the script is soooo bad. He is a sociopath and she is an enabler...good point Steph. The worst though is coming in the next movie...Padme dying...lost the will to live. You have two healthy children but because the dude you liked turned out to be exactly what you enabled...you can't continue? Oh George, such a travesty. I can't wait to hear that discussion. And I hate the term Fan Service. Anything after the first movie is a fan service. (Unless planned ahead for a series...like LOTR, HP, etc)

[@TheKristianHarloff]

100 percent.

[@francissellerdude]

I agree with Padme's flaws in this film but at the same time Padme is much more likeable and admirable than Leia. Padme is the best, she's tough, smart, compassionate and righteous without being sarcastic, condescending at times, spoiled and bitter (like Leia).

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Sure, I can see that

[@PierreEJoudy]

Really enjoyed this discussion. I last watched Episode 1 in 2019 when I did a rewatch for Episode 9. I don't remember much about seeing this in theatres. One thing I think that is generally missed in discussions about this movie, is that while Anikin is whiny, Obi-Wan is a dick. Early in the movie, he continually talks down to and undercuts Anikin. He's not a great mentor. Based on this movie alone (haven't seen any of the animated stuff) I can understand why Anikin is frustrated with him. Also, I don't buy the love story. What exactly does Padme see in Anikin that would have her fall in love with him?

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thank you Pierre!

[@candoentertainment9118]

I think from the moment Obi-Wan fights Jango till the end it's a great movie. It's just everything before that is a little stiff.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Totally fair!

[@eric_Digitized]

I found the CW movie works better if you treated as two CW episodes and stop/take a break after the Battle of Christophsis. I like to rewatch CW in arcs, so I watch the one or two episodes (I think its two) that take place right before the movie, watch the beginning of the movie, and stop right after that "christophsis" arc is resolved. That entire Java kidnapping plot is a whole new story.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Great call!

[@Nozawachter]

Also, only speaking for myself again, but if that Jedi Army charge against the droid army in the colosseum played the Jedi fanfare, I think I would give it a 10 out of 10, but they dropped the ball on that too.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Looked glorious though.

[@Tj82480]

Attack of the clones is so underrated so much greatness in that movie

[@razkable]

The corruption nazi Germany angle is underrated....it makes sense if you understand what Lucas was going for

[@acgregg759]

I love this movie.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Happy to hear it!

[@anakincrespin]

This is my favorite movie, thank you guys for not being too critical or anything like that xD loving these deep dives

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Yeah wanted to make sure we took all perspectives on it!

[@AdriannaRiberdy]

I've been saying for years now, Anakin and Padme should have already had an established relationship at the start of this movie. It would have made total sense and made their relationship more believable at the end. We know that Anakin would hang out with Palpatine a lot. And it would stand to reason that once Padme became a senator, she would be seeing Palaptine from time to time. They could have easily ran into each other at some point and developed a flirty friendship. Imagine the scene where Palpatine is telling Padme that he wants her under the protection of the Jedi, and Padme puts up a fuss. But when she finds out it could be Obi-Wan and Anakin, Pamde changes her tune a bit. Then you have a scene a bit later and they're alone in her apartments while Obi-Wan's out checking her security and you can tell they're very familiar with each other. A bit of sexual tension later and BOOM! Totally believable when they are confessing their love to each other.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

I agree with all of this.

[@jett_lea]

To your point of the Jedi being stupid: 10 years before the events of this movie (around the time that the Republic elected a new Chancellor) some Jedi council member orders a clone army without the council knowing and then just dies. Any record of the planet that this army was created on was erased from the Jedi archives, which apparently could have only been done by a Jedi. The genetic template for this clone army is a bounty hunter who is hired by your enemy (a former Jedi who is now a Sith) to kill some senator who is against the creation of an army, right before this military creation vote. Then, the former Jedi who is now a Sith reveals that the Republic is being controlled by this other Sith Lord, and pretty much at the exact same time, the Chancellor (who again was newly elected at the time of the creation of the army) gets "emergency powers" to approve the army and lead the Republic to war. The Jedi choose to do nothing with this information.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

They weren't very reliable at that time haha

[@Vikkadinho]

Great show and discussion! 👍 I love this movie (obvious flaws with dialog aside) but it's so integral to further opening up the Star Wars universe! I keep saying it, as amazing as the Original Trilogy was you don't get things like "Knights of the Old Republic" or any of the incredible novels based in the Old Republic era without the Prequels and the amazing world building and "visual aesthetic" that was introduced. Before that, Star Wars was famed for its gritty "lived in" realism and that worked perfectly for the timeline and story George was telling in the originals but the prequels showed us what the galaxy was like before the rise of the Empire and how everything turned to shit when they came into power. The prequels and this movie in particular opens up so much lore!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

100 percent, GREAT point!!

[@LORDS.And.Hammers]

It gave us Jango and Dooku. I legit love it. Haha

[@saul2502]

Know wonder they call you LORDS! Preach!

[@saul2502]

My voice to text doesn’t know its “no”wonder

[@LORDS.And.Hammers]

@@saul2502 upon review, our writers and judges feel Saul used the term “know” in good faith, and we award him two points. Back to you Kristian.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Was a good intro.

[@tgosselin2528]

I will push back 100% on the R2-D2 comment... it's absolutely critical that it's R2. R2 is Anakin's droid and he is basically the keeper of the saga/story of the Star Wars Universe. It's a "long time ago" (in a galaxy far, far away).

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Sure but they should have wiped his memory also.

[@BigLousWorkshop]

I will always find something to love in Star Wars… I say all the time that the Prequel Movies are fantastic stories told through mediocre movies and the sequel movies are mediocre stories told through incredible films!!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Agreed

[@trevorthornley8835]

The sequels are horrible stories told in well made movies.

[@Averagejoe-wl9ym]

I really love this movie warts and all. I think it’s the most ambitious prequel film as far as visuals and effects. The chase on Coruscant, the Battle of Geonosis, and Kamino are all beautiful and unlike anything seen before in SW. John Williams’ score is once again incredible. Ewan Mcgregor and Christopher Lee are worth the price of admission alone. I can’t defend a lot of the dialogue but when the movie works, it really works. It’s also nice to see you’re enjoying these more now Kristian! Can’t wait for Sith!

[@TheKristianHarloff]

I feel the same watching it this time around.

[@jon1970]

The clone wars isn’t a good movie but it’s some good Star Wars. I love this movie. I know it’s not a good movie.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Agreed

[@kowanmcgarry]

Has Josh Robert Thompson been on your show since 2020 or 2021, since the Morgan freeman Jar-Jar Binks video.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

He was on this year!

[@kowanmcgarry]

@@TheKristianHarloff Thank you.

[@geoffbache9897]

My least favourite Star Wars film. Obi Wan vs Jango Fett is awesome though, as is seeing all the Jedi shown up to save them...

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Def not the best

[@neonlost]

i love attack of clones, growing up it was my favorite until revenge of the sith came out i love the backstory of the clones

[@CLONEFORCE99_]

Attack of the clones is not a bad movie if you think about it & the relationship between padme & anakin was not good at all & they should not have had anakin say he killed kids & women bc that gives away the turn in episode 3 when he become Vader.

[@LP3Customs]

#releaseStarWarsDetours I want to see more Dexter Jettster

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Haha

[@gregorylieber8362]

Ep.II is Age of Ultron in this sense: Crap love story + Crucial universe building... Ep.II has better video game legacy tho

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Ha that is true.

[@saul2502]

That’s a bold statement if you’re counting “Jedi Power Battles” and “Star Wars Racer” as Episode One video games

[@DeathbySkullfxxx]

He falls for her because we want what we think we cant have... she falls for him... because of the force love stroke... ol

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Sure? haha.

[@jmorgan3977]

I really dig Attack of the Clones. Sure, it's got some awful dialogue and romance, and some poor direction and acting, but the story is dope. I love Obi-Wan playing detective, and the setup of the Clone Wars at the end always gives me chills.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Agreed, bones are there.

[@tgosselin2528]

Yeah, some of the arguments for having Anakin start off as an angsty teen instead of the young child might sound good, however, there's so much more behind the decision George made. Meeting Anakin as a teen just wouldn't work. The Jedi council would have never gone for him taking Anakin in as a Padawan at that age (a teen)... he was already too old for their liking as it was. Let's be real, by that time in his life Anakin would have almost certainly been headed down that path of the darkside as a result of the environment he grew up in.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Well I mean some of the JEdi Council decisions could have 1. been swayed, Luke was older. 2. He could have already started as a padawan when movie began.

[@unheardsirensincorporated2036]

Gungalorians are Gungans that become Mandalorians. "Dees is da way!"

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Love Gungalorians!

[@IdiocyShow]

I was born during the PT era & I liked them as a kid but as I’ve gotten older I’ve liked this movie less & less. Like TPM, the story’s awesome, the execution is abysmal, still the worst of the franchise IMO.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Agreed

[@ADmillionaire]

I feel like the meme culture had made the worse lines, like Anakin dislike of sand, funny and bearable which is strange.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Ha yup

[@FiuzA2k]

I see from the comments here and also from reading in reddit that usually Attack of the clones is the least liked prequel. For me though, I prefer this one to Phantom Menace. Sure the lows in attack of the clones might be lower than TPM but the highs are higher for me. In AOTC there's more stuff happening, more narratives, more star wars juice. Sure, the romance is cringey, but don't we have cringe with Jar Jar in TPM? Additionally, the fight between Gungans and the separatists in TPM is as much a joke for me as the romance in AOTC. It's way too goofie, zero weight or stakes to it. Same thing for the space fight. Only the Maul fight scene is cool. So all in all, both movies have "roll eyes" moments, it's just that I think AOTC delivers more on the highs (obi wan narrative, Django fighting a jedi both in kamino and in the space, opening scene in coruscant is cool too, we get darth Tyranus, final fight in geonosis, fight between anakin, obi wan, yoda, Tyranus while not being of the best is still cool enough, etc., etc.).

[@TheKristianHarloff]

I totally get all of the hate for the movie. Hell I couldn't stand it forever. I just watched it so differently this time.

[@royfarris5889]

Love this movie love all the movies only issue I had and I know I’ve seen this scene before but this time around it really stuck in my mind, the part where dooku comes in and talks to obi wan while he is imprisoned on genoshia he literally tells him exactly what is happening to the senate being under the influence of a dark lord of the sith and the Jedi being clouded by the dark side you would think the Jedi woulda caught on a lot earlier than they did in episode 3.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

True!

[@DBuckyBoy]

I would LOVE to watch a "watch-a-long" with you guys on "Star War The Third Gathers: Backstroke of the West". If you haven't seen it, it's here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqvMfYGbe9Jkpc0

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jakobnagel2672]

This and rise of skywalker are my least favorite star wars movies. I think I like this one a little more.

[@TheKristianHarloff]

Hey totally appreciate it!