STAR WARS: EPISODE II ATTACK OF THE CLONES
A bitter heart threatens the kingdom in Lucas's spectacular but uneven sequel.
Should You Watch It?
This sequel delivers the pleasures STAR WARS fans seek: incredible action, fast spacecraft, clever intergalactic battles, imaginative creatures, and elaborate special effects. Its second half is especially dynamic, and its warnings about the corruption of power, totalitarian dictatorship, bitterness, and disunity offer genuine moral substance.
The movie is less successful in its first half. Weak scriptwriting, unconvincing acting from Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman, and a slow-moving story make the opening portion frustrating. The film also strengthens its pagan spiritual worldview through its treatment of the impersonal “Force,” while strong violence makes it inappropriate for younger children.
So, older children, teenagers, and adults who can handle the content may enjoy the spectacle and moral themes; families with younger children should choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESTen years after THE PHANTOM MENACE, former Queen Padme Amidala is now a senator facing an assassination attempt. Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, are assigned to protect her and uncover who is behind the danger.
Their investigation leads toward a mysterious clone army, a growing separatist movement, and a rogue Jedi named Count Dooku. Meanwhile, Anakin’s feelings for Padme deepen as political danger gathers around the Republic.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a beautifully made, highly entertaining film with substantial weaknesses. Its special effects, detailed settings, spacecraft, costuming, audio effects, fight scenes, space races, and climactic battles are impressive. Ewan McGregor is great as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Christopher Lee is marvelous as Count Dooku, and C3PO’s comic scenes near the end are very funny.
The first half is much weaker. Some early stunts are unbelievable, the story takes too long to engage, and the dialogue and acting between Anakin and Padme are poorly done. Anakin’s petulant attitude is also grating. Once the story accelerates, these problems mostly recede.
The Worldview
The film continues STAR WARS’ struggle between good and evil, with evil represented by corrupt villains and a corrupt Empire. It also offers strong warnings about the dangers of totalitarian dictatorship, emphasizes the proper training and maturing of trusted warriors, and stresses unity in the face of an enemy. The story shows how bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness make the heart susceptible to evil.
At the same time, the movie’s spiritual worldview is less theistic than the first episode’s apparent direction. Heroes and villains engage with an apparently impersonal, transcendent “Force” in a mystical way, with Buddhist and New Age-like qualities. Occult elements include mind control, telekinesis, and mild references to telling the future. The film also includes shallow references to democracy, campaign contributions, and internationalist ideas through a council resembling the United Nations.
Anakin’s words and choices expose the central danger. He speaks of compassion and unconditional love, but his motivation increasingly comes from bitterness and anger. He also suggests that someone wise should make everyone agree to do what is best for everyone, a thought the film explicitly and implicitly rejects. Scripture likewise warns against bitterness: “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble” (Hebrews 12:15).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Undeveloped, but consistent, pagan (almost Buddhist, somewhat New Agey) worldview where heroes are taught to engage with the apparently impersonal, transcendent spiritual “force” in the universe in an illogical, impersonal way; occult elements include mind control, telekinesis and mild references to telling the future; solid moral elements and minor redemptive elements include epic battle between good and evil where good is preferred, strong (almost conservative) warnings about the dangers of a totalitarian dictatorship, many references to the proper maturing and training process of trusted kingdom warriors, references to the necessity of unity to prevail against the enemy, and the fruits of bitterness and the susceptibility of the heart to evil when unforgiveness remains; some internationalist elements with a Council resembling the United Nations; some politically correct elements regarding smoking, campaign contributions and “democracy”; very light foul language includes one “damn,” one reference to “poo-doo” and some light name-calling; strong violence includes numerous light saber fights resulting in limbs frequently flying, a child seeing his father’s head chopped off, a tortured mother dying in character’s arms, scary killer centipedes inserted into bedroom at night, & many battle scenes with humans, monsters, aliens, and robots; no sex or nudity; alcohol use depicted with several bar scenes; smoking depicted but strongly condemned (“You want to sell me a death stick?”); and, morally conflicted protagonist disobeys orders (sometimes to help other people, but sometimes in a reckless, rebellious manner) and protagonist reveals sympathy for dictator-style leadership, saying, “Someone wise . . . should make everyone agree to do what’s best for all the people,” a thought that one character explicitly rebukes and rest of movie implicitly rebukes.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Anakin’s bitterness affects his judgment and relationships. What helps keep anger from taking root in your heart?
Ephesians 4:26–27 · Hebrews 12:15The film warns about creating a powerful army and concentrating authority in one leader. What does Scripture teach about power, wisdom, and the treatment of others?
Deuteronomy 17:18–20 · Mark 10:42–45Obi-Wan tells Anakin to be mindful of his thoughts and not focus on the dark side. How can what we think shape what we become?
Philippians 4:8 · Romans 12:2The story values unity when facing an enemy. What kind of unity does Scripture call Christians to pursue?
Ephesians 4:1–6 · Philippians 2:1–4The Final Word
STAR WARS: EPISODE II ATTACK OF THE CLONES offers older viewers spectacular action, memorable characters, and meaningful warnings about power and bitterness. Its uneven first half, pagan spiritual elements, and strong violence call for family discernment. For older children and up, our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — OLDER CHILDREN AND UP. Families with younger children can begin with.
