Star Wars: Episode II Attack Of The Clones (2 Discs) (US)
A Jedi Shall Not Know Anger. Nor Hatred. Nor Love
Certificate: PG-13
Running Time: 143 mins
Retail Price: $24.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
STAR WARS: EPISODE II ATTACK OF THE CLONES is set ten years after the events of The Phantom Menace and the galaxy has undergone significant change, as have Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), and Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman). Anakin has grown into the accomplished Jedi apprentice of Obi-Wan, who himself has transitioned from student to teacher, while Padmé is a distinguished Senator. Anakin and Obi-Wan are assigned to protect Padmé, whose life is threatened by a faction of political separatists. As powerful forces prepare to collide in epic battle, Anakin and Padmé find themselves torn between duty and honor and a love that is forbidden. These heroes face choices that will impact not only their own fates, but also the destiny of the galaxy.
As the first major live-action motion picture captured and created directly from the digital source and digitally mastered by THX, the Episode II DVD allows fans the chance to relive the adventure in the way Writer/Director George Lucas meant it to be seen, with spectacular digital clarity. Highlights include the climactic Clone War battle with over 200 Jedi fighting, the exhilarating Coruscant speeder chase and the 800-year-old Yoda wielding his lightsaber in the ultimate duel.
Special Features:
Disc One:
The Movie
Commentary by Writer/Director George Lucas, Producer Rick McCallum, Sound Designer Ben Burtt, ILM Animation Director Rob Coleman, ILM Visual Effects Supervisors Pablo Helman, John Knoll and Ben Snow Captured and created directly from the digital source
Sound: English Dolby 5.1 Surround EX, English 2.0 Surround
Subtitles: English Hard of Hearing
Disc Two:
Eight deleted scenes created just for this release, each with introductions from George Lucas, Rick McCallum and Ben Burtt
Witness the revolution in digital character animation in the all-new, full-length documentary "From Puppets to Pixels," featuring the creation of digital Yoda, Dexter Jettster and more
Exclusive documentary, "State of the Art: The Previsualization of Episode II"
Follow Ben Burtt and his team as they explain the process of creating the sound for Episode II in the all-new documentary "Films Are Not Released; They Escape"
Three Featurettes explore Attack of the Clones` general storyline, action scenes and love story
Comprehensive, award-winning, 12-part web documentary series
"Across the Stars" music video featuring John Williams
Theatrical teasers and launch trailer, and 12 TV spots
Theatrical posters and print campaign from around the world
"R2-D2: Beneath the Dome" mockumentary trailer
Never-before-seen production photo gallery with special caption feature
Episode II visual effects breakdown montage
DVD-ROM weblink to exclusive Star Wars content
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 Spanish
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 French
Dolby Digital EX 5.1 English
Subtitle Tracks:
CC: English
Directed By:
George Lucas
Written By:
George Lucas
Jonathan Hales
Starring:
Hayden Christensen
Ewan McGregor
Christopher Lee
Frank Oz
Natalie Portman
Samuel L. Jackson
Casting By:
Robin Gurland
Soundtrack By:
John Williams
Director of Photography:
David Tattersall
Editor:
George Lucas
Ben Burtt
Costume Designer:
Trisha Biggar
Production Designer:
Gavin Bocquet
Producer:
Rick McCallum
Executive Producer:
George Lucas
Distributor:
Twentieth Century Fox
Your Opinions and Comments
I don`t intend to get into a lengthy movie review here, but aside from some rather weak romantic plot elements, which really do start to irritate after a while, Attack of the Clones is a fun film jammed with enough action and intrigue to keep all but the most cynical of audiences happy.
The transfer is simply superb; reference quality stuff and no mistake. The direct digital-to-digital transfer has delivered an image that surpasses anything I`ve seen on the DVD format, including recent gems such as The Lord of the Rings. The 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer comes to life with incredibly vivid colours and unsurpassed clarity, with none of the problems usually associated with film to DVD transfers. If I had to level any sort of criticism at the video it would that it almost looks *too* perfect, which in turn damages the credibility of some of the CGI characters. Still, this is really just nit picking, as on the whole the CGI work is stunning. If the almighty sight of the full force of 200,000 clone troopers doesn`t inspire awe, the sight of a completely CGI rendered Yoda kicking butt will.
The audio is no less impressive, although it`s not quite as aggressive as the track found on The Phantom Menace. However, this track is more expertly balanced, featuring subtle ambient effects and explosive set pieces. The speeder chase through the skies of Courascant; the chase through the asteroid belt; the opening battle of the Clone Wars; all sound phenomenal here. The asteroid pursuit in particular features some of the best effects in the film, as Jango Fett ruthlessly tries to destroy Obi-Wan Kenobi with seismic charges. The noise these charges make when they explode is almost indescribable; it's as if a black hole devours the sound of the explosion, before suddenly releasing it in one gigantic blast of concussive force. It's great stuff!
Extras are far too numerous to mention here, but I will say that we're treated to yet another interesting commentary with Lucas and company, eight deleted scenes that add some much-need "meat" to the romance between Padme and Anakin, some fantastic featurettes on creating the digital characters, sound effects and the like, alongside a plethora of TV Spots, trailers, music videos, poster campaigns, web documentaries and much, much more.
Basically, Star Wars fan or not, this is currently the disc to own if you want the best there is in audio-visual presentation. The film's not bad either.
Technically this disc is outstanding. Video (straight from digital source) is wonderful and the audio pretty damned good as well. We even get a great selection of extras from the commentary on disc 1 to the multitude of documentaries & other goodies on disc 2. I haven't gone through all of these yet, but suffice to say what I've seen so far is very impressive. Put it this way, it's the only time I've religiously gone through (and enjoyed) all the TV spots and trailers!! Even the menus are worth watching for a bit!
Excellent stuff, bring on Episode III. Oh, and -
Yoda fights, it's really cool, and that alone makes it worth buying this disc!
Filmed on Digital video,this 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer is perfect.Throughout the movie,the picture features stunning clarity and razor sharp images.
To sum up the soundtrack:Awesome.Each channel is used to its full capacity and never lets up.The seismac charges during the asteroid field sounds ear bleeding.
The commentary track features George Lucas,Ben Burtt,Rick McCallum,Rob Coleman,Pablo Helman,John Knoll,Ben Snow and is pretty informative.
On the 2nd disc,You`ll find eight deleted scenes that are worth a look and come with introductions.There are three excellent documentaries to take a look at:A 52 minute piece on the creation of digital characters,a 25 minute piece on the pre-visualization of the movie,and a very interesting 25 minute segment on the sound design.Other extras include the 12-part web documentary,three promo pieces,An F/X breakdown
montage,TV spots and trailers plus a hilarious preview of the R2-D2 mockumentary.
Required.
Lucas still hasn`t figured out how to tell his story. Forget the effects, forget the CGI YODA, this still isn`t quite what the fans want!
The story just does not get on with it, Anakin has been reading too many womens books, listen to some of his lines - this was never going to be Titanic.
Can I make a prediction?
EP3 will end with a long tracking shot of Vader and the Emp, stood on an unfinished Death Star, looking out on to the universe, just you watch.