Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones is the second installment in the prequel trilogy of the Star Wars saga. Released in 2002, this film continues the story set in motion by Episode I – The Phantom Menace, diving deeper into the galaxy’s evolving conflict and the rise of the dark forces that will shape the fate of the galaxy.

Set ten years after the events of The Phantom Menace, the film follows Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), as they investigate a plot to assassinate Senator Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman). Their investigation leads them to a secret clone army on the planet Kamino and a growing separatist movement led by the enigmatic Count Dooku (Christopher Lee).

As Anakin and Padmé’s relationship deepens, tensions rise across the galaxy, leading to the onset of the Clone Wars. The film explores themes of loyalty, love, and the growing divide between the Jedi and the Sith, setting the stage for the dramatic events that will unfold in the final installment of the prequel trilogy.

Directed by George Lucas, Attack of the Clones features expansive visual effects, action-packed sequences, and a deeper exploration of the Star Wars universe, further developing the epic narrative of the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker and the transformation of the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire.