Star Wars, Episode II: Attack Of The Clones (2003) - Plot & Excerpts
Obviously, this book is the companion to the movie of the same title. It fills in some valuable additional background and character development that was absent in the film.First: we get more of a view of Padme's mindset when Anakin comes back into her life. In the movie, it is clear that Anakin remembers Padme, not just fondly, but passionately. It is never made clear (even in the book) what place Anakin holds in Padme's heart when they meet again - whether he is simply a boy she remembers fondly from her days as Naboo's queen, or as a possible romantic attachment. It is probable that, given her understanding of the Jedi oaths and sacrifices, it didn't occur to her that Anakin nursed romantic feelings for her, and she likely didn't have any on the back burners for him. We do know that she is primed and ready for a romantic relationship. It is ten years since the war on Naboo, she is no longer the Queen, but her life is still one of political service and sacrifice. Her sister is married with children and is constantly reminding her that there is more to her and to life than political causes and self-sacrifice.When she meets Anakin again, and he looks at her as a man looks at a woman he loves, she is ready to fall. She puts up a good fight, but so does Anakin; ultimately, when he wins, they both lose.Second: There is a little more background and insight into Jango and Boba Fett. This background is interesting for the contrast that it provides to the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan. Jango is teaching Boba all of his skills, to turn him into the ultimate bounty hunter and his ideal son. It is clear that Jango and Boba love each other. One of the greatest moments, for me, happens on Kamino before Obi-Wan shows up. Boba is fishing and makes a successful kill. Though Jango praises him, he also critiques his performance, telling him that a centimeter's difference would have made for a more precise killing, and less work on his part. The boy nodded, unperturbed that his father, his mentor, could always find fault, even in success. The boy knew that his beloved father did so only because it forced him to strive for perfection. And in a dangerous galaxy, perfection allowed for survival. The boy loved his father even more for caring enough to criticize.This is in stark contrast to Obi-Wan and Anakin. Obi certainly criticizes, but there isn't that feeling of love. Anakin definitely chafes under any suggestion that he isn't complete and perfect as he is. [Master Obi-Wan] criticizes my every move, as if I was still a child. . .I am truly thankful to be his learner. (I think this is lip service, given because it is expected that there should be some gratitude.) Only, although I'm a Padawan learner, in some ways -in a lot of ways- I'm ahead of him. I'm ready for the trials. I know I am! He knows it, too. He feels I'm too unpredictable -other Jedi my age have gone through the trials and made it. . . he won't let me move on!Compare that relationship with the one with Palpatine, who finds no fault, who justifies every action, who praises every thought, deed and success, and it becomes easier to see why Palpatine's influence is stronger than that of the Jedi.
The last time I watched Attack of the Clones two years ago, it made me cringe due to the horrible dialogue, bad acting and the romance between Anakin and Padme. However, I find R.A Salvatore's book based upon it pretty good. While it still is a bit campy, Salvatore goes great service to the story and really redeems it with his strong writing.THE BAD: Most of the problems here come from the movie it is based on and are not Salvatore's fault. The bad dialogue and disjointed plot are still present. However, I think my biggest problem that comes from the book itself is that the action scenes were lacking and I got pretty bored by them.THE GOOD: The characters are written incredibly well and make up for the campy story and boring action scenes. Where as in the movie Hayden Christenon's bad acting and the awful dialogue made Anakin just painful to watch, I was actually invested in Anakin here. Padme's character was also written pretty well here. The way the Anakin/Padme romance was written actually made it good. Whereas the Anakin/Padme romance is probably the worst part of the prequel movies for me, in this book the romance really works, and i think that is part of the reason why i like the book version so much better than the movie. However, i think the best aspect of all in the novel is the additional scenes that were added that weren't initially present in the movie. Whereas in Terry Brook's Phantom Menace the extra scenes added almost nothing to the story and weren't needed, here they really work and are actually some of the best parts of the entire book. The extra scenes featuring Shmi Skywalker with the Lars family on tatooine are some of my favorites, especially because they really add to the tragedy of Shmi's death and makes it truly heartbreaking. Because of this you can really feel Anakin's loss when his mother dies and you can actually see the beginning of his descent to the dark side. While it doesn't leave as much of an impact on the story, the added scenes with Jango and Boba Fett are also touching and increases the tragedy of Jango's death as well. THE VERDICT: If you watched Attack of the Clones and were underwhelmed by it, definitely read this book. While it has it's problems, it is far better than the movie. I would give this book a 3.5 stars out of 5, but i can't do half stars on goodreads so i decided to give the book 4 stars.
What do You think about Star Wars, Episode II: Attack Of The Clones (2003)?
Brief OverviewIt’s been about 10 years since the last “book” and young Anakin Skywalker is now a Jedi apprentice. He is a very outgoing person with a thirst for adventure. Meanwhile tensions in the senate about a “terrorist” organization called the Separatists are under serious debate. In addition a secret clone army has been built for a deliberate war scheme to remove the Jedi by a dark Sith lord. This clone army is to fight a “battle” with battle droids as the “enemy.” Anakin and his master Obi-Wan Kenobi are caught in the middle of this battle. Anakin is rebellious and young and soon begins to go to the dark side. And his full transformation is in the next book, Revenge of the Sith.Comparison from the book to the movieThis book was made from the movie interpretations of the original “writer” George Lucas. R.A. Salvatore the writer of this book is just putting the movie plot in a readable book. But in my opinion the movie is drastically better and more detailed than the book. This being said this was a book made for a younger audience. Other than that the book is very similar to the movie. The only better part about the book is you can read what the characters are thinking, which you can’t in the movieMy OpinionI would recommend this book as it is full of suspense and futuristic war scenes (if you like that). It had appropriate characters, and the plot for most people is easy to understand and is similar to some historical events, just not futuristic. The author’s writing style isn’t bad but as I’ve said earlier the movie has more detail. If I could change anything in the book it would be to add more detail on some parts for older readers. I would recommend this book to anyone 8 or older
—Taylor
El libro no está bien escrito. Parte de un guión flojo y las escenas románticas son como de alguna novela rosa común. Sin embargo, es entretenido. La narración es fluida, se lee en muy poco tiempo y si se ha visto la película, es fácil de visualizar todo. Lo realmente interesante es la parte política del libro. Cómo todo gira en torno a la idea de la democracia vrs la dictadura, la guerra vrs. la negociación, y cómo los ideales de una democracia se ven en peligro en primer lugar por la desconfianza que cae sobre el sistema por la corrupción y en segundo lugar, por los intereses económicos que asumen el poder. Los diálogos no son particularmente buenos, mi personaje favorito fue Obi-Wan Kenobi y me gustó mucho leer las escenas de la familia Lars en Tattoine. Anakin y Padmé fallan como pareja romántica en ser creíble, pero me gustó mucho la oscuridad de Anakin, lo mejor trabajado de su personaje. Sin embargo, lo que más me gustó de todo el libro fue curiosamente la relación de Jango Fett con su hijo, Boba Fett. Es dulce, es intensa, interesante y dan ganas de leer mucho más sobre ellos. De hecho, me dejó la impresión de que una película de Boba Fett sí hubiera sido interesante.
—Alicia Sandoval poveda
Attack of the Clones really answered a lot of questions for me. I hate to admit it, but when I watched the movie I was "that guy" who didn't really understand who was doing what or why. For example, reading the book provided the details that explain why Dooku is building an army to fight the army his boss is trying to raise. It also goes more in depth as to the turmoil felt by Padme and Anakin as they deliberate whether or not to act on their feelings for one another. Obi-Wan's travels from Courscant to Kamino and on to Geonosis make a lot more sense now (to me anyway). I would definitely recommend this to any fan.
—Lance Goff
