Five Great Quotes from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

“It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy. I love the Republic. Once this crisis has abated, I will lay down the powers you have given me!” Chancellor Palpatine

Chancellor Palpatine is given emergency powers by the Republic Senate to create a grand army “to counter the increasing threats of the Separatists.” Ian McDiarmid delivers this line with such authority and political knowhow that it is chilling.

The audience knows straightaway that he has no intention to give up these powers and they are just another step in his plan to create the first Galactic Empire. This is unbeknownst to poor Jar Jar Binks whose ignorance and attempts to please Padme, who had elevated him to a position above his station, has inflicted irreparable harm to democracy in the universe with this motion.

History is filled with those who have received these powers and not given them up. These figures, like Hitler, Napoleon and Caesar, were the template Lucas wanted to mirror in the Star Wars universe.

“You don’t need guidance, Anakin. In time, you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you will be invincible. I have said it many times, you are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met.” Chancellor Palpatine

Another from Chancellor Palpatine as he continues his grooming of young Skywalker into his next Sith apprentice. Always playing the long game, you know Palpatine is constantly having these conversations with Anakin, whether we see them or not, to gain favour with him.

Anakin has gone from a life of slavery on Tatooine, that although difficult, was filled with love from his mother. He has been taken away to train as a Jedi and is unappreciated and even feared by the Jedi Council who treat him quite openly with contempt. The only Jedi that wanted him trained, Qui Gon Ginn, was killed by Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace.

These reasons are why Anakin’s relationship with Palpatine is so strong. He sees him as a mentor, a great politician and a good man who is beyond corruption. Palpatine has always complimented Anakin’s skills as a Jedi, encouraging rather than stifling his abilities.

Palpatine probably thought he’d have to work harder to gain Anakin’s trust and establish such a strong relationship for when he wanted to reap the benefits of a young and powerful apprentice. Through scenes and lines like this, he had Anakin in his pocket when he needed him the most, in Revenge of the Sith with Mace Windu’s purple lightsaber about to unleash the fatal blow upon his life. It is in these smaller scenes that the germ of Order 66 is born and the destruction of the Jedi Order.

“One day, I will become the greatest Jedi ever. I will even learn how to stop people from dying.” Anakin Skywalker

There was much said about Hayden Christensen’s portrayal of Anakin at the time of release for Attack of the Clones. A lot of it unfair. It is a difficult role to play for Lucas who has been famous for not loving working with actors. However, history has been kind to Christensen, and now the generation that the films were made for are appreciating the prequel films and his performance. His appearance in the Obi-Wan and Ashoka TV shows were met with much joy from fans wanting to see him back in the Star Wars universe.

The context for the above line is that Anakin has slaughtered an entire camp of Tusken Raiders for abducting and ultimately murdering his mother. His nightmare visions have come true and he was powerless to save the only person so far in his life to really love and care for him. Unfortunately, when this happens again with Padme, the fall is much greater.

There is such anguish in this line as Anakin struggles to comprehend why his amazing abilities can’t help him stop death. It is an important scene, especially in the context of Anakin and Palpatine’s discussions about Darth Plagueis the Wise in Revenge of the Sith.

Anakin is angry. He is angry at Ob-Wan, he is angry at the Jedi Council, and he is angry with himself. This anger fills him for the rest of his life until Luke redeems his father at the end of Return of the Jedi.

“You must realize there aren’t enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We’re keepers of the peace, not soldiers.” Mace Windu

There is a sense of dramatic irony in this early exchange between Mace Windu and Chancellor Palpatine. We know for a fact that Palpatine is well aware of this information and that the Jedi would be overwhelmed in a war against the Separatists. His face is stoic and understanding but inside he will be rejoicing that the Sith are one step closer to taking over the galaxy.

The opposition to the creation of a Grand Army of the Republic, that will serve him in the war and beyond into the Empire, has minimized and that he has political ammunition for its creation. The fact that he will use these troops with Order 66 is chilling.

The Jedi are cautious around the Chancellor, but he is clouding their judgment. There is little say they can have in these galactic matters at the moment. This troubles Yoda and the council and, ultimately, leads to their obliteration in Revenge of the Sith.

“It is obvious that this contest cannot be decided by our knowledge of the Force but by our skills with a lightsaber.” Count Dooku

Count Dooku has left Obi-Wan and Anakin wounded on the floor. He lets out a sigh before he sees Yoda walking in slowly with his wooden cane supporting him. We are about to see something special.

This above line comes after Dooku and Yoda’s use of the force to try and outsmart each other. Lucas is building up tension as most audience members are aware of what’s to come. Some rocks are thrown, some electric is unleashed, but it is still a stalemate. Yoda unleashes his lightsaber and they have a visually exciting duel.

It all goes by so fast with Yoda turning into a superhero. Lucas says that he wanted him to be a mix of Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog. Whether or not you think this is a good representation of character and jars too much with The Empire Strikes Back, it is still a huge event of a scene that is what makes blockbusters what they are.

Yoda reveals that Dooku was his old padawan learner before Darth Tyrannus’ retreat to his Master Darth Sidious. It is too late, there is no win, no victory. The Clone Wars has begun, the dark side is growing in power, and the Jedi’s time is numbered.