Attack of the Clones: Star Wars: Episode II [マスマーケット]

I won't bore you with what you already seen in the movie, but I do believe that the novel of Attack of the Clones is required reading for all Star Wars fans, as it fills in many blanks that seemed to be missing from the movie. It also ties the spanning years between Phantom Menace and AOTC. Actually the reader won't even recognize the start of the movie until he is in chapter 5.

The first four chapters explains where Obi Wan Kenobi and a 10 year older Anakin Skywalker have been up to. We are also introduced to Padme Amidala's family back on Naboo and learn much more on how she became a queen. The detailed conversation between Padme and her sister (never seen in the movie) are a great set up on how she eventually falls for Anakin.

Also we learn how Shmi Skywalker was abducted by the Tusken Raiders, and much more origin information is given on Beru and Owen Lars (Luke's eventual uncle on Tantooine) and the dynamics of the Lars/Skywalker connection.

Throughout the remaining novel the reader is treated to more bonus material (much of which was indeed filmed, but hit the cutting room floor before release) that seems to open your eyes to the bigger political picture of that famous galaxy far, far away. Questions such as: Who were the lost 20 Jedi? How did Dooku ascend to power? Why Jango had Boba created, and how was young Fett trained? How did the Separatist factions begin? It was this great filler material which earned 4 stars for me.

However, there were a few drawbacks. Salvatore seems to rush through many of the epic battle scenes....I realize reading a novel is not the same as seeing your favorite characters and millions on CGI effects in a theatre, but I felt cheated reading the Obi-Wan/Jango Fett confrontation, the chase scene in the skylines of Courascant, and most of all the very rushed feeling of the climatic battle. I couldn't shake the feeling that Salvatore was rapidly approaching the 300 page mark, and hadn't got to the main battle at the arena on Geonosis so he had to rush the writing taking a lot of steam and strength out of what should have been the mother of all battles for the book. After that, the remaining plot points were only given a paragraph or two to be wrapped up, end of book. This should only be worth three stars, as it could have easily been expanded properly with another 30-40 pages.

The movie was very good, but some parts felt missing--in many parts of Episode II, Attack of the Clones, it felt as if scenes had been truncated, or as if they could have been extended. I also didn't quite grasp the plot completely after the first viewing.

But the novel fills in the gaps admirably; it was a terrific read, and I absolutely could not put it down. Salvatore's style is extremely engaging, and he goes far deeper with Shmi Skywalker, Padme Amidala, Anakin, and many of the other characters than the movie could ever hope to. It accomplishes what a cinematic feature never could--a full-length tale complete with twists and turns and intrigue of every sort. The movie also makes more sense--the characters become deeper, more complex, and the manner in which Salvatore presents them is very intimate and warm. With the book, we dive deeper into Padme's conflicting emotions concerning the budding romance between her and Anakin, and we also get a chance to experience some of her family life. We get a closer look at Shmi Skywalker, Anakin's mother, and see how profoundly she loves her son, and how much she misses her once little, but now grown Anakin. We also experience Anakin on a deeper level; Anakin's metamorphisis from boy to young man is clearly shown, as is the massive grief that he experiences because of the separation from his mother; his frustration at Obi-Wan, yet also his deep love for his Jedi Master, are thoughtfully and expertly written as well. We are thrown headlong into his thoughts and his feelings, and get a good look at his dark side--he feels everything so deeply, so profoundly, and it is easy to see how he could become the evil Darth Vader. His temper is quick to rise, yet quick to subside as well, and he is often remorseful. There are ominous hints concerning the dark future of the doomed galaxy.

Yet on a lighter note, the romance between Padme and Anakin is beautifully written. Their interactions and dialouge are captivating. Their intense love for one another is heartrending, and Anakin's fierce devotion to Padme and the confession of his deep, unyielding love for her is moving. Padme Amidala, as a senator for the people of Naboo, is afraid to mix romance with affairs of the state. Her conflicting feelings are very real and wonderfully written. It is easy to see how their passionate love for each other could end up destroying them both. (So much for the lighter note.)

I feel that anyone who has seen this movie should read this book in order to gain a clearer understanding of the film, and in turn, a better grasp of the epic story that George Lucas has so masterfully woven. If not to become more involved and aware of the fathomless Star Wars universe, read it to enjoy a really great novel.

(The cover is beautiful!)

--In addition, the print is relatively large and well-spaced, and therefore easy on the eyes. It is relatively short, but if the thickness of the novel daunts you, here's a reminder that the novel is jam-packed with action, from a breath-taking, thrilling chase on a speeder in Coruscant, to a good old-fashioned fight between space craft against a classic landscape of stars, to a light-sabre battle involving a certain green, diminutive Jedi Master. Read this novel, one must.

Salvatore's novelization of the film beings before the movie, showing us more of the Star Wars universe and giving us far more insight to the characters.

Also, his novel was based on the unedited version of the film (the shooting script) and gives the fans much more of Episode II. It also allows fans to decide whether the edited film was better served by removing the scenes. In particular <SPOILER> the scene in the garage on Tatooine between Amidala and Anakin post slaughter for the Tuskens </SPOILER> left me questioning George's script writing abilities. In the book the scene makes much more sense as it shows Anakin experiencing remorse for his loss of control. On the other hand there are scenes deletions that I thought did serve the story's pace (but I still would have rather seen them stay).

While the book is not a replacement for the movie, it is an enjoyable treat for die-hard fans. Star Wars by nature is a big screen experience and loses its grandeur when translated to other formats. I can't imagine Salvatore doing much better at converting the movie than he did. I would have found the action sequences between Jango and Obi-wan difficult to imagine without having seen the movie, I can't image anyone writing it any better than he has done.

The book does a much better job at potraying Jango and Boba. It also helps traverse the murky romance between Anakin and Amidala.

If you love the movie you should treat yourself to this book!