Episode II - Attack of the Clones (Post 5 of 6)

It's been 10 years since the events of Episode I took place. This film is probably my least favorite of all six films, primarily due to the screenplay, but it does bring forth lots of new information.

The Jedi Council has dispatched Anakin to escort Padme (formerly Queen Amidala) back to Naboo, while Obi-Wan is sent to Kamino to investigate an assassination attempt on Padme's life. On Kamino, Obi-Wan finds out that a man named Sifo-Dyas placed an order for a gigantic clone army almost 10 years ago. What isn't known about this in the film, is that Sifo-Dyas never actually placed the order for the clone army. This action was completed by a changeling, disguised as Sifo-Dyas that Count Dooku hired shortly after the events of Episode I. Dyas had since been killed by the Emperor, because he refused to join the Emperor's cause in conquering the galaxy. There was another man who is not mentioned in the film who is known as Visivious Drakarn. Drakarn was a trouble-making, young Jedi who was punished for acts early on by the Jedi Order. In the meantime, the Emperor and Count Dooku sought him out. Still resentful regarding his punishment, Drakarn returned to Corruscant following his punishment and deleted the files in the database outlining Kamino's existence, by order of Count Dooku.

We see the start of the doomed-to-fail relationship between Anakin and Padme, as well as Anakin's continuing defiance of orders and authority. On Naboo, Anakin starts having nightmares about his mother being in danger. Vowing to protect his mother, Anakin and Padme leave Naboo and return to his home planet of Tatooine. There, he finds that his mother had been freed of her slave life, married a man named Cliegg Lars, but had also been captured by the Sand People. When Anakin's mother later dies in his arms, he becomes vengeful and destroys the Sand People's camp. There's an interesting scene where Yoda senses Anakin's anguish and if you listen close, you can hear Qui-Gon Jinn's voice yelling, "Anakin! Nooo!" (In reference to Anakin's vengeful slaughter of the Sand People.)

During the battle on Geonosis, Mace Windu, a formidable Jedi Council Member kills Jango Fett. Jango was responsible for the clone template used on Kamino to craft the clone army. Boba Fett, his son witnesses his father's demise on the battlefield at the hands of a Jedi. Thus, cementing Boba's hatred for the Jedi Knights, and ultimately his quest as a bounty hunter, like his father before him.

Near the end, we come to the lightsaber duel between Anakin, Obi-Wan, Count Dooku and Yoda. The duel with Obi-Wan and Anakin against Dooku while short-lived, illustrated Anakin's further disobedience with his Master. Dooku quickly put the young Jedi's attack down by cutting off his hand. (Something about Lucas and those limbs.) Yoda then enters the scene and lays the smack down on Dooku, who flees the cave.

It's all becoming more clear. Palpatine still remains the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic and the Senate. The Separatists are growing increasingly impatient over Palpatine's unwillingness to surrender power, in the efforts to restore democracy. Now, Palpatine has a grand clone army charged with protection of the Republic against the Separatists.