A preview of the new Star Wars movie, by the man who nearly starred in it. (From Western Telegraph)

A preview of the new Star Wars movie, by the man who nearly starred in it.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones

Directed by George Lucas Starring Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee. (Cert. PG)

Its not often that I write a whole article about a film I havent yet seen. This week Im going to do just that and for a number of reasons. At the time of going to press I have not seen what is likely, no, certain, to be one of the biggest films of the year. In this year of big sequels you cant fail to notice that Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones is here. Opinions on Star Wars, like civil wars, can turn brother against brother, father against son etc. George Lucas revolutionised cinema in 1977 with Star Wars (Episode IV). The furore rolled on through the Eighties with The Empire Strikes Back and The Return Of The Jedi, a whole generation of people, and their mums and dads, had the images, language, story and folklore of the Star Wars phenomenon engraved on one international collective psyche. It really is that big! We can all make jokes about the force, light-sabres, the asthmatic breathing of Darth Vader and more. Star Wars is an experience that is common to so many of us that its hardly surprising that when Lucas finally decided to start the story, which we knew only from episodes four to six, with an all new millennial episode one, its arrival would be met with a mixed reaction. With so much expectation would it, could it, be perfect?

No. it wasnt. In 2000 The Phantom Menace introduced us to some new characters and some old favourites, but some 40 years younger (Ewan McGregor in Alec Guinness Ben Kenobi role, and young Jake Lloyd as a little boy who would some how grow up to be Darth Vader). Of the new characters, the evil assassin Darth Maul was a huge hit, while the CG-silly-voiced cartoon character of Jar-Jar Binks bore the brunt of damnation for all that was bad. Even many loyal fans thought it lacked some magic, magic that perhaps was impossible to feel second time round.

Having admitted that not everything in it was a good idea, it seems that Lucas is far more confident of this next slice of Star Wars pizza. So heres what you can expect fromStar Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones.

Although the political drama, about the trade federation, continues to drag the Jedi knights into war, the main thrust of this film revolves around Anakin (who has now grown into a strapping youth with remarkable powers in the ways of the force) and his love affair with Padme played by Natalie Portman.

Apparently Attack Of The Clones is more atmospheric than Episode One and has reduced the input from Jar-Jar Binks in favour of a bad guy whos sure to match the thrill caused by Darth Maul. Jango Fett, father of Boba Fett, as fans will already have guessed, is the name youll be hearing again and again. The most excitement, though, is likely to surround the climatic battle scene (involving 200 Jedi knights) that pushes the boundaries of special effects and CGI technology, as Lucas always has, to a galaxy far, far away. Hopefully McGregor wont look so bored while Natalie Portman cant fail to be adorable.

No doubt all eyes will be on Hayden Christensen, who has the responsibility of taking Anakin towards the dark-side, and eventually becoming the evil Darth Vader. It has to be one of the biggest roles in cinema history and all accounts so far suggest that he is the young man for the job. Picked from a world search that resulted in more than 400 actors finally being interviewed by the casting director, from thousands of tapes, and millions of rumours. Only four actors were finally screen-tested with Natalie Portman at Lucas famous Skywalker Ranch. Christensen was one of the four, and believe it or not, I was another.

So, as a life long Star Wars fan, Ill be eager, but tinged with regret, jealousy, sadness and the rest, when I see Attack Of The Clones. In the year that Spiderman is already breaking box office records once set by Star Wars, and with all the hype of Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings sequels, will this helping of Star Wars stand up among the giants? Only we can decide.