While there are now many differentStar Warsmovies to choose from in terms of favorites, my heart has settled on one of the franchise’s lowest-rated, and I have no shame about the fact that I continue to enjoy it thoroughly to this day. As iconic, revered, and downright historical as this franchise is, it has certainly struggled to find its footing in terms of official ratings and fandom reception over the years. With the originalStar Warstrilogy being so inventive at the time, it was hard for any otherStar Warsmovie to truly compare.
This was especially true of the prequelStar Warstrilogy, and I was a part of the generation who grew up with these as my mainStar Warsmovies.Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithis one of the first movies I ever saw in the theater, and certainly the first one I ever remember seeing. These movies made a resounding impact on me that helped me see through the lens of hatred many others had garnered for this collection. As a result, my favorite movie is from this trilogy, and it’s not the one most would expect.
Attack Of The Clones Is My Favorite Star Wars Movie
It’s My Go-To When It’s Time To Rewatch
While I have differentStar Warsmovie rankings in terms of which ones I think are the best and which ones I personally enjoy the most,Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clonestops the latter with ease. Much of this has to do with the fact thatthis movie arrived right around the time when I literally started to grasp the world around me as a very young child, and everything around me at that point wasAttack of the Clones-related (kudos to my dad and my older brother). From video games to action figures, I couldn’t escape it.
Every Star Wars Movie, Ranked Worst To Best
Looking at all nine Skywalker Saga entries and three spinoffs, we crown the best Star Wars movie in our full ranking of the galaxy far, far away.
This has given me a very personal attachment toAttack of the Clones. I thoroughly remember watching theKaminoandGeonosissequences in particular and absolutely loving every second of it.That sweet nostalgia still hits just rightwhenever I revisit it. There’s something so charming about this story for me in particular, where Anakin and Padmé are falling in love as the surrounding galaxy is literally collapsing into chaos - and poor Obi-Wan is stuck in the heart of it all.
95%
97%
93%
96%
84%
91%
41%
87%
Return of the Jedi(1983)
82%
94%
80%
66%
69%
63%
65%
56%
52%
59%
51%
86%
The fact thatAttack of the Clonesis one of the lowest-ratedStar Warsmovies makes no difference to me when I sit down to watch this one. When I’m in the mood for aStar Warsmovie rather than a TV show, this is the knee-jerk selection I make every time. I don’t expect that to change any time soon - though, as someone whose favoriteStar Warsproject isThe Mandalorian, the TV show’s upcoming movie could prove to be a worthy challenger.
Each New Prequel Era Tie-In Makes It Even Better
It’s a well-known fact now that prequel era tie-ins, such as the animatedStar Wars: The Clone WarsTV show, have made movies likeAttack of the Cloneseven better in retrospect. Because of my affinity for the Kamino and Geonosis sequences, I was, of course, fascinated by and endeared to the clone troopers, which only continued more when these clones were given true names and personalities inThe Clone Wars.Star Wars: The Bad Batchhas carried on that legacy in recent years, proving thatI’m far from the only one who experienced this.
These tie-ins have provided key context to things that happen both on and off the screen in the movies, Attack of the Clones included.
It’s done more than just expand my love for this movie and the elements surrounding it, though. These tie-ins have provided key context to things that happen both on and off the screen in the movies,Attack of the Clonesincluded.The Clone Warsintroduced what’s now renowned as one of thebest retcons inStar Wars: the clone troopers' inhibitor chips, which caused them to followOrder 66without any semblance of choice or control. It’s tie-in materials like this that have enhanced this story in retrospect, makingAttack of the Cloneseven more enjoyable now.
What Is Star Wars If Not Pure Fun, Chaos, & A Little Bit Of Cringe?
It’s The True Spirit Of Star Wars, Honestly
Honestly, though, even if these tie-ins hadn’t necessarily improvedAttack of the Clones, I would still love it - becauseit’s purelyStar Warsto me. Even from its first scenes, which see Obi-Wan jumping through a window and Anakin recklessly piloting a speeder,Attack of the Clonesis essentially just nonstop fun and chaotic action. The dynamic between Obi-Wan and Anakin is perfectly hilarious, and their comedic elements balance out the severity between Anakin and Padmé as their romance blossoms. Many regard the latter as “cringe-worthy”, but there’s precedent for that type of love story inStar Wars.
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Some fans may not want to admit it, but the originalStar Warstrilogy certainly has its fair share of cringe moments, even in a romantic sense.The Empire Strikes Backis full of chemistry betweenHan Solo and Leia Organa, which is put on display whenLeia literally kisses her twin brother to make Han jealous in what’s now become one of the franchise’s most cringe-worthy moments ever.Attack of the Clonesis honestly light work compared to that. Can a 19-year-old young man not be poetic about the woman he loves?
In all seriousness, there’s just something so charming aboutAttack of the Clonesthat has really continued to stick with me over the years.It’s like revisiting my own childhood every timeI put it on again. It may not be the most loved by critics nor even by theStar Warsfandom, and it’s certainly not without its flaws, butAttack of the Clonesis my favoriteStar Warsmovie regardless - and it will continue to be, lestThe Mandalorian and Groguproves itself in 2026.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Cast
Years after the events of The Phantom Menace, the Skywalker Saga continues with Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. When Senator Padme Amidala’s life is threatened, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are tasked with her protection. While Obi-Wan uncovers a clone army made in secret, Anakin falls in love with Padme, marking the beginning of his inevitable fall to the dark side of the Force.
