SW2

SW2 commonly refers to Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, the second installment in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Released in 2002, the film was directed by George Lucas and produced by Lucasfilm with a screenplay by Lucas and production by Rick McCallum. It stars Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, and Natalie Portman as Padmé Amidala, with Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Ian McDiarmid and Frank Oz in supporting roles.

Set ten years after The Phantom Menace, the story follows Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker as they investigate a string of attempted assassinations against Padmé Amidala and uncover a growing Separatist movement led by Count Dooku. A secret clone army is being created for the Republic, with Jango Fett serving as the genetic template. Anakin and Padmé’s romance develops, while the Jedi confront battles on Geonosis and in space as the Clone Wars begin.

Production and style notes indicate extensive use of CGI and large-scale action sequences. Filming took place in Australia and on various locations, with visual effects by Industrial Light & Magic and a score by John Williams. The film's craftsmanship and spectacle were widely praised, while some critics singled out issues with dialogue and romantic moments.

Reception and legacy: Attack of the Clones was a box-office success but drew mixed reviews from critics. It expanded the Star Wars lore by introducing the clone army and advancing Anakin’s path toward the Dark Side, thereby setting up events for Episode III and the broader Clone Wars storyline.