Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Disney has released 2002's 'Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. A number of supplements are included on a dedicated Blu-ray disc.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Unlike the first four films in the franchise (Episode I, Episodes IV-VI), Episode II: Attack of the Clones was shot on digital, one of the first major motion pictures to be crafted in the digital realm. This is neither the best looking movie nor the best looking UHD in existence, but it's certainly worlds better than The Phantom Menace if only because it's at least faithful to its source. The picture is smooth and clean, free of noise even in challenging low light scenes. Detailing is strong enough within the movie's natural glossy sheen. It picks up healthy textures across a wide variety of practical and digital components, from intimate skin tones to hairs and even beads of sweat when Anakin awakens from a restless nightmare in chapter 25. The image finds well-versed details in its practical locations, like grassy fields on Naboo, and its digital constructs, such as Coruscant vistas. Viewers will also enjoy more refined detail in close-up; look at R2 watching over a sleeping Amidala early in the film; even in darkness the close-up shows various design details and structural dings with far more clarity than any previous home video iteration. The picture is relatively sharp in total, with only some of the digital effects and distant artificial backgrounds truly looking a bit murkier than might be ideal or if the production had been made in the last few years. Essentially, it's more a product of its source, so faithfulness is, at least, very high even if there's not much of a "wow" factor in play.

Speaking of "wow" factors, there's not much of one when talking HDR colors, either. The palette is certainly agreeable in the aggregate, with some nicely intensive moments like splashes of colorful digital signage around Coruscant during the assassination attempt and the subsequent chase sequence early in the film. The usual display of laser blasts and lightsabers and other high luminance Star Wars lights find a new gear for color saturation and intensity. Clone trooper uniforms are boldly white but not overly intense, either. The red Geonosian surface seen from space at the 70-minute mark is one of the HDR highlights, and of course the sunny arena and subsequent battle towards film's end is a playground for light intensity and color saturation, particularly all of those diversely colored lightsabers in play. Black levels are a highlight, and with the movie's first act in particular home to so many dark scenes, locations, and backgrounds, they are ever vital to presenting the movie correctly.

There are a couple of anomalies, such as blocking artifacts against the red wall during the first scene in the film to feature Palpatine, Yoda, and Mace Windu. There are some obvious jumps and wobbles as the camera pans around the same room when Palpatine meets with Anakin a bit later in the movie, which seems an issue with the source and what appears to be a background matte painting and less any flaw in the transfer. There are a few other examples of macroblocking as well, such as along a dark wall when Obi-Wan seeks Master Yoda's assistance in finding a missing planet in chapter 14. Overall, however, the UHD is very nice and makes for a solid refinement over the excellent existing Blu-ray.

The included screenshots are sourced from the bundled 1080p Blu-ray disc which is presented at a slightly different aspect ratio compared to the original Fox release..

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Once the volume has been turned up, Attack of the Clones' Dolby Atmos soundtrack does nothing but impress. An explosion rocks the stage in the opening minutes, sending a concussive blast of intensity through the listening area. It's a pace-setting sound sensation that is only topped for the rest of the film. When Obi-Wan and Anakin chase an assassin through the skies of Coruscant, the stage expands to place sound elements all around, and above, as traffic zips with a number of distinctive sonic signatures and rumbles with an impressive low end output to boot. As the chase progresses to a bar, the atmosphere springs to life with much more subdued, but highly detailed and accurately placed, sounds, primarily chatty patrons emanating from every speaker in the configuration. But it's action that gives the track its life. The overhead channels chime in on Kamino's stormy exterior. Thunder rolls, rain falls, and during Obi-Wan's clash with Jango Fett that stage further expands to include the bounty hunter's jetpack maneuverings and laser blasts. Listen to the scene when Jango Fett, aboard Slave 1, fires on Obi-Wan's stargfighter in chapter 28. The blasts punch through the stage with so much intensive zip and movement they practically pierce the chest. The droid factory sequence features highly impressive punch and plenty of top end extension as the machines do their heavy, slamming, slicing work. The end battle sequence? Reference for action engagement and musical clarity, a total package stretch of sonic Star Wars bliss. Add in perfectly clear dialogue and this is a top-flight listening experience, no doubt about it.

Note that the bundled Blu-ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack; Fox's 2011 release included a 6.1 track.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Attack of the Clones's UHD disc contains no supplements, but numerous extras may be found on the paired Blu-ray discs: two carryover commentaries on the feature film disc and a number of video-based supplements on the dedicated extras disc. New supplements, be they new to Blu-ray or entirely new, are marked as such and reviewed. Note that the previous Fox release is fairly clumsy to navigate; I've tried to ensure comparative listings are correct. Coverage of carryover content from the original 20th Century Fox boxed set can be found here. Note that some of the extras that were separated out into different sections on the previous release ("Coruscant," "Naboo," "Tatooine," and "Geonosis") have been combined here. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

Blu-ray Disc One (Feature Film):

• Audio Commentary: George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Ben Burtt, Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, John Knoll, and Ben Snow.
• Audio Commentary: Cast and Crew (Archival).

• NEW! Conversations: Sounds in Space (1080p, 6:19): In appreciation of Ben Burtt and Mathew Wood's role in creating so many iconic sounds for the franchise. They discuss their history with and work on the franchise.
• NEW! Discoveries from Inside: Costumes Revealed (1080p, 4:34): J.W. Rinzler is joined by Laela French for a fascinating and all-too-brief tour of famous Star Wars costumes: Boba Fett's Helmet, Han's winter coat, Tusken Raider garb, Leia's Cloud City attire, Vader's costume, and some prequel highlights including Amidala and the Jedi.
• NEW! The Art of Attack of the Clones (1080p, 6:07): A discussion of the "elegant" design concepts for the prequel trilogy flows over to other discussions, including the influence of experimental digital workflow on the film, world design and color tone specifics, and the challenges and rewards of working on the film's production design.
• Legacy Content
  
  
  • NEW! "From Puppets to Pixels: Digital Characters in Episode II" Feature-Length Documentary (480i, 52:21): An exhaustive and extensive exploration of this film's digital-heavy components, a drastic change of pace from the original trilogy's technologically necessary emphasis on practical elements. It does look at how practical pieces support the digital constructs. This is an involved, intimate, "you are there" documentary that transports the viewer onto the stage and into various production meetings.
  • NEW! State of the Art: The Previsualization of Episode II Documentary (480i, 23:28): An in-depth exploration of the pre-viz process for the prequel films, beginning with a look back at the comparatively crude work done for the original trilogy and following to break down the new digital processes and how they enhance film construction. It ultimately explores several key scenes and set pieces from Attack of the Clones within the pre-viz perspective.
  • "Films Are Not Released, They Escape" Documentary (480i, 25:39): The importance of sound effects is the focus of this feature, and it goes into great detail in breaking down not just the process of capturing sounds but the recorded elements that actually bring sonic life to various moments in the movie. It also looks intently at dialogue recording, sound editing, foley, alien language creation, and building the final mix.
  • NEW! Episode II Visual Effects Breakdown Montage (Siggraph Reel) (480i, 3:32): A collection of shots seen in various stages of digital and practical completion, set to music.
  • Interviews: Coruscant Overview, Ewan McGregor Interview, Naboo Overview, Tatooine Overview, Geonosis Overview, Hayden Christensen Interview, and Blue Screen Acting.
  • Deleted/Extended Scenes: Extended Speeder Chase, Jedi Temple Analysis Room, The Lost Twenty, Anakin's Nightmares, Padmé's Parents' House, Anakin and Ruwee, Obi-Wan & Mace - Jedi Landing Platform, Dooku Interrogates Padmé, and Raid on the Droid Control Ship & Extended Arena Fight
  • The Collection: Dexter Jettster Maquette, Zam Wesell Speeder Concept Model, Youngling Outfit & Helmet Costume, Zam Wesell Costume, Shaak Maquette, Anakin Outland Peasant Costume (With Cloak), Anakin Outland Peasant Costume (Without Cloak), Padmé Outland Peasant Costume (Without Cloak), C-3PO Costume, Tusken Raider Woman Costume, Tusken Raider Child Costume, Geonosian Maquette, Acklay Maquette, Nexu Maquette, Reek Maquette, Padmé Trip to Geonosis Costume (With Unused Headdress), Jango Fett Costume, Super Battle Droid Maquette, Geonosis Arena Maquette, Republic Gunship Model, and Clone Trooper Maquette.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

George Lucas never did have much luck casting Anakin Skywalker. Both Jake Lloyd and Hayden Christensen are often seen as acting weak links throughout the franchise, and it's the latter in particular who dampens Attack of the Clones more so than any structural, narrative, or pacing issues. The movie is solid enough beyond his work and the stilted, coarse chemistry with Natalie Portman. The Kamino sequences are a treat, the third act is highly entertaining, and witnessing expanded roles for -- and even interactions between -- Yoda and Senator Palpatine bring the Star Wars world into focus. Like The Phantom Menace the movie is flawed but the good outweighs the bad. The UHD is superior to its 1080p predecessor, boasting solid if not unspectacular 4K/HDR video. The Atmos track is highly enjoyable and includes some positive overhead engagement throughout. Plenty of extras are included. Highly recommended.