If The Phantom Menace was the setup, then Attack of the
Clones is the plot-progressing payoff, and devoted Star Wars
fans are sure to be enthralled. Ten years after Episode I , Padmé
Amidala (Natalie Portman), now a senator, resists the creation of
a Republic Army to combat an evil separatist movement. The brooding
Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is resentful of his stern
Jedi mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), tormented by personal
loss, and showing his emerging "dark side" while protecting
his new love, Amidala, from would-be assassins. Youthful romance
and solemn portent foreshadow the events of the original Star Wars
as Count Dooku (a.k.a. Darth Tyranus, played by Christopher Lee)
forges an alliance with the Dark Lord of the Sith, while lavish
set pieces showcase George Lucas's supreme command of all-digital
filmmaking. All of this makes Episode II a technological milestone,
savaged by some critics as a bloated, storyless spectacle, but still
qualifying as a fan-approved precursor to the pivotal events of
Episode III. -- Jeff Shannon
Commentary by writer-director George Lucas, producer Rick
McCallum, picture editor and sound designer Ben Burtt, ILM
animation director Rob Coleman, and ILM visual effects supervisors
Pablo Helman, John Knoll, and Ben Snow
Eight exclusive deleted scenes with introductions: Padme
Addresses the Senate, Jedi Temple Analysis Room, Obi-Wan and
Mace on Jedi Landing Platform, Extended Arrival on Naboo,
Padme's Parents' House, Padme's Bedroom, Dooku Interrogates
Padme, Anakin and Padme on Trial
"From Puppets to Pixels: Digital Characters in Episode
II": all-new full-length documentary about the creation
of digital characters in Episode II
"State of the Art: The Previsualization of Episode
II": witness the vital role of the animatics team
"Films Are Not Released: They Escape" sound documentary
Three featurettes examining the story line, action scenes,
and love story through behind-the-scenes footage and interviews
with the cast and filmmakers
12-part Web documentary
"Across the Stars" music video: an original composition
by John Williams crafted exclusively for this DVD