10 Reasons Why Attack Of The Clones Is Star Wars' Most Underrated Prequel Movie

June 2, 2024, 6:20 p.m.

Movies

10 Reasons Why Attack Of The Clones Is Star Wars' Most Underrated Prequel Movie

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Summary Attack of the Clones is a key moment in Star Wars timeline, setting the stage for the Clone Wars and Palpatine's rise to power.

Anakin and Padmé's relationship develops significantly in Attack of the Clones, laying the foundation for Anakin's fall to the dark side.

The flaws within the Jedi Order are highlighted in Attack of the Clones, revealing their vulnerability to corruption.

Although the Star Wars prequel trilogy was initially poorly received, it has grown more beloved with time; however, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones remains underrated among Star Wars movies and TV shows. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith has easily become the most celebrated of the three prequels, with many considering it one of Star Wars' best movies. While Revenge of the Sith is undoubtedly an excellent movie, Attack of the Clones deserves comparable attention.

Not only does Attack of the Clones offer many of the same elements Revenge of the Sith does, from the brilliant characters to the thrilling lightsaber duels, but it also represents an incredibly important moment in the Star Wars timeline. Though Revenge of the Sith is a significant turning point in the larger Star Wars franchise, many of the seeds of those events are planted in Attack of the Clones. While that alone suggests Attack of the Clones doesn't get the attention it deserves, these 10 reasons prove that Attack of the Clones is Star Wars' most underrated prequel movie.

Related One Major Attack Of The Clones Change Would Have Rewritten The Entire Skywalker Saga Had one character's fate been different in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, the entire Skywalker Saga would have been changed forever.

10 The Clone Wars Begin In Attack Of The Clones

The Clone Wars Era Is One Of Star Wars' Most Important Periods

One of the most significant events in Attack of the Clones is also one of the most significant in the entire franchise. Toward the end of the movie, the Jedi come together to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala from Geonosis. However, this battle actually ends up being the very first in the Clone Wars, a war that had first been mentioned in A New Hope but had yet to be explored on screen.

In addition to the Battle of Geonosis being incredible to watch, its importance also cannot be overstated. While, yes, the clone troopers were already made and ready for war either way, this event kicked off the grueling war that would not only go on for years but would also be the catalyst for Palpatine's inevitable rise to power. This reveal had also been decades in the making, which means Attack of the Clones is an essential part of Star Wars history.

9 Anakin and Padmé's Relationship Develops Significantly

Attack Of The Clones Is Anakin and Padmé's Most Important Movie

The story of Anakin and Padmé is one of Star Wars' most profound tragedies, and that's all to do with the prequels. Luke and Leia's mother was barely referenced in the original trilogy, yet the prequel movies, right from the beginning with Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, made it clear that she was an incredible woman. Beyond just shedding light upon Padmé's immense legacy, though, Attack of the Clones revealed that, shockingly, Darth Vader's backstory included real love.

The story of Anakin and Padmé is one of Star Wars' most profound tragedies.

When The Phantom Menace was released, little was known about Darth Vader, as he'd died almost immediately after turning back to the light side of the Force. It was therefore shocking when the prequels revealed that Anakin was once just a regular boy. Attack of the Clones made this even more bewildering by confirming that Luke and Leia came from two parents who loved each other. In fact, Attack of the Clones is the most critical to Anakin and Padmé's story, as it's when they fall mutually in love, get married, and anticipate the harm their decision will cause.

8 Shmi Skywalker's Death Is The Catalyst For Everything To Come

Anakin Losing His Mother Contributed To His Fall

One of the saddest moments in Attack of the Clones was the death of Anakin Skywalker's mother, Shmi. While her passing would have been brutal enough, Star Wars took this one step further by having her be abducted, tortured, and killed by the Tusken Raiders. Shmi even died while in her son's arms, making this moment all the more painful.

However, this loss was also critically important for Anakin, who struggled so significantly with the fallout from his mother's death that he became obsessed with keeping Padmé alive only a few short years later. In fact, this event was one of the defining moments in Anakin's fall to the dark side. Not only did the subsequent fear of further loss drive Anakin right into Palpatine's trap, but also, Anakin's rage at the Tusken Raiders resulted in his first murderous attack (sadly, of many).

7 Tensions Between Anakin and Obi-Wan Offer Foreshadowing

Attack Of The Clones Revealed Anakin's Growing Animosity

Anakin and Obi-Wan have one of the most complicated relationships in Star Wars. It's clear that the two had great affection for one another, given that, at one point, Anakin described Obi-Wan as being like a father to him, and Obi-Wan described Anakin as his brother. However, it's also clear that there were severe underlying issues, mostly from Anakin's point of view.

Attack of the Clones highlighted this complexity perfectly, with Anakin rushing to save Obi-Wan on Geonosis despite having yelled about his mentorship multiple times throughout the movie. This also revealed a small taste of what was to come. Ultimately, Anakin would go on to ruthlessly fight Obi-Wan nearly to the death on Mustafar after he fell to the dark side. Rather than jump right to that major shift, though, Attack of the Clones brilliantly laid the groundwork for Anakin to build upon these moments of irritation until he was full of hatred for Obi-Wan.

6 The Flaws With The Jedi Order Are Made Clearer

The Jedi Made A Number Of Poor Decisions Before And During The Clone Wars

Attack of the Clones also does an excellent job revealing the flaws within the Jedi Order despite the Jedi's best intentions. In The Phantom Menace, the Jedi seemed shockingly unaware, as they were insistent that the Sith had been extinct for a millennium, although they were really in the shadows all along. However, Attack of the Clones confirmed that the issues within the Jedi Order were much more extensive.

In particular, the Jedi had become vulnerable enough to corruption that they were willing to abandon their role as peacekeepers to join a galactic war and become increasingly involved in politics. This also led them to accept a mysterious army of obedient clone troopers under dubious circumstances, which ultimately spelled their death, as the clones were weaponized by Palpatine and forced to carry out Order 66. Moreover, it wasn't really until Attack of the Clones that the Jedi rule against attachment became clear, which shaped the Skywalker Saga entirely.

5 The First Steps Of Anakin's Path To Darth Vader Are Established

Attack Of The Clones Included The First 'Vader' Moments

The Phantom Menace had shockingly revealed Anakin to be a precious little kid, but Attack of the Clones perfectly bridged that innocent depiction of Anakin and Anakin's fall to the dark side in Revenge of the Sith. While still connected to the child Anakin had been not so long before, Attack of the Clones included a number of moments that nodded toward Anakin's future as Darth Vader. Of course, the most prominent of those moments was Anakin's massacre of the Tusken Raiders, during which he killed all the men, women, and children.

While painful, these moments were essential, as they explained who Anakin Skywalker was becoming and why he fell to the dark side despite his initial innocence. Impressively, the movie also managed to do this without removing all traces of sympathy for Anakin. Yes, he committed heinous acts, but the amount he was hurting was abundantly clear, making it more difficult to write him off entirely (especially because his eventual redemption was already confirmed).

4 Major Star Wars Characters Are Introduced

Iconic Characters Like Count Dooku Debuted In Attack Of The Clones

Attack of the Clones also introduced a number of pivotal Star Wars characters, many of whom were significant far beyond just the prequel movies. In addition to major villain and Sith Lord Count Dooku being introduced in Attack of the Clones, Princess Leia's adoptive father, Bail Organa, and the original source of the clone troopers' DNA, Jango Fett, were introduced. Brand-new Jedi, including archivist Jocasta Nu, also made their first appearances in Attack of the Clones.

While every Star Wars movie has thrilling and important new character introductions, Attack of the Clones was unique in that it often worked to explain the people and events of the original trilogy. In fact, Attack of the Clones, arguably more so than either other prequel trilogy movie, revealed the origin of many original trilogy characters and concepts. In that sense, the extent to which Attack of the Clones is underrated is quite clear.

3 Some Of Star Wars' Best Lines Are In Attack Of The Clones

Many Attack Of The Clones Quotes Have Become Iconic

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Many popular Star Wars lines come from Attack of the Clones, with perhaps the most notable being Anakin's comment about disliking sand. Although not intended to be funny, that line has become one of the most referenced (especially in memes) in the whole franchise. In fact, although dialogue from the prequel movies has been heavily criticized, several of the quotes from Attack of the Clones have become iconic, even entering larger popular culture.

Obi-Wan's quips, as always, were beloved in Attack of the Clones, although his sarcastic "Good job!" to Anakin on Geonosis is likely the most referenced from this movie. However, more serious lines, such as Yoda's ominous, "Begun, the Clone War has" have also become fan favorites. While other prequel lines, such as Anakin's speech on Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith, have gained more recognition in the decades since the trilogy's release, the quotes from Attack of the Clones remain very underrated.

Related Obi-Wan Kenobi's Funniest Star Wars Quips & Quotes Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of Star Wars' wittiest and most sarcastic characters, and it's led to excellent lines and comebacks. Here are some of his best.

2 The Main Characters' Development Is Essential

Attack of the Clones is also critically important to the prequel trilogy's main characters. This is most obvious for Anakin, who transforms from a young boy into an angry, troubled teenager between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Moreover, Attack of the Clones is really the beginning of the end for Anakin, both because it's difficult (if not impossible) for him to fully restore his connection to the light side of the Force after what he did to the Tusken Raiders and because his marriage to Padmé is fated to be disastrous.

Attack of the Clones is also critically important to the prequel trilogy's main characters.

Attack of the Clones had similar implications for Padmé for that reason, as her marriage to Anakin ended up impacting her entire life—and, sadly, her death. Even outside that dynamic, though, Attack of the Clones had a massive influence on the main characters. After all, the Clone Wars completely changed the Jedi's role in the galaxy, largely for the worse. The extent of that impact demonstrates how truly underrated Attack of the Clones is.

1 Palpatine's Plan Is Put In Place

The Clone Wars Were Entirely By Design

Finally, Attack of the Clones was a crucial turning point in Palpatine's ultimate plan to overthrow the Republic, destroy the Jedi, and establish his Empire. In fact, this movie saw Palpatine receive emergency powers, which allowed him to extend his term and maintain control of the Republic throughout the Clone Wars. This put Palpatine in an incredible position to twist the Clone Wars to his advantage, as well as set the stage for him to manipulate the Republic—especially the Senate—into believing the Jedi had become traitors.

Attack of the Clones therefore had a profound impact not only on the prequel trilogy but also on the larger Star Wars galaxy. The movie's significance in terms of the main characters' development, the historical events that took place during the movie, and the revelations about the Jedi all confirm how important and compelling the movie is. Nevertheless, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones remains the most underrated Star Wars prequel movie.

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