Features Editor:
John Liebhardt
johnliebhardt@dailyemerald.com
Thursday, May 16,2002
Review
Blackalicious unleashes their
fiery talent on a major label CD.
Page 8
:
REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: Episode II —
Attack of the Clones’ hyperjumps
past “Phantom Menace” in visual
quality, storytelling and appeal
‘Star Wars: Episode II
—Attack of the Clones’
★★★★★
By Jen West
Oregon Daily Emerald
The much-anticipated “Star Wars:
Episode II — Attack of the Clones”
hits theaters today, and it is well
worth the wait.
Writer/director George Lucas redeems
himself with this newest chapter in the pre
quel trilogy that incorporates high-tech special
effects and great storytelling with a finesse that
far surpasses his lukewarm film, “Star Wars:
Episode I—The Phantom Menace. ”
Modeled after “The Empire Strikes
Back,” “Attack of the Clones” is much
richer and darker than its recent predeces
sor and even rivals the artistry of the clas
sic “Star Wars” trilogy.
The events of “Attack of the Clones,” set 10
years after “Phantom
Menace,” explore the
budding romance be
tween Anakin Sky
walker (played by
|| Hayden Chris
tensen) and Pad
e Amidala
f (played by Natalie
Portman) and the
beginning of
Anakin’s turn to
the dark side.
This is the
dark romantic chapter of the prequel trilo
gy, but like its predecessor, it is a love sto
ry that unfolds under the strain of a devel
oping war.
Those wary of the romantic aspects in
this movie need not fear. The love story
does not distract from the action, and after
all, Luke and Leia have to come from
somewhere.
The state of the Republic goes from bad to
worse in “Attack of the Clones.” The movie is
riddled with subplots and surprises that pull
the characters and the audience on a wild ride
to several planets to thwart a multitude of
Turn to Review, page 10
ANALYSIS: Ongoing ‘Wars’
between critics, fans focus
on whether George Lucas’ films
portray strong female models
By Alix Kerl
Oregon Daily Emerald
for die-hard “Star Wars” fans, any at
tack on the Holy Trilogy is consid
ered blasphemy, although there are
those who think the series is target
ed at males and features, at best,
weak female characters.
Since the release of the original “Star
Wars,” the series has become a popular
classic and has spanned generations.
There are fans who think that the hero
ines of “Star Wars” are positive female
role models, while others argue they are
merely stereotypes.
The roles of the “Star Wars” women
are “one-dimensional and patriarchal,”
said Edrie Sobstyl , a research fellow
with the University’s Center for the
Study of Women in Society .
Some fans say that Princess Leia
kicks butt in the original “Star Wars,”
“The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return
of the Jedi,” and Queen Amidala
(played by Natalie Portman) rules in
“Star Wars: Episode I — The Phan
tom Menace” and “Star Wars:
Episode II — Attack of the
Clones.” But the female stars
are vastly outnumbered on
screen by their male co-stars.
“Amidala’s role is over
whelmed by special effects and
technology,” Sobstyl said. “You
don’t get the sense that she is a
strong role model.”
Turn to Analysis, page 8