MovieChat Forums > Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) Discussion > The mystery behind the clone army

The mystery behind the clone army

posted 4 years ago by arflexit (2376)
11 replies | jump to latest

I feel like I will explain this badly but here is goes. ATOC is arguably the worst of the Lucas films (IMO better than the disney crap but still not good). But one thing that I think was an interesting concept was the mystery behind the creation of the clone army and Master Sifo-Dyas; the idea of a mystery and a almost film-noir like investigation I think was pretty cool but not well executed.

1st, the mystery and investigation is only about half explored and then Obi-wan just decides to try to arrest Jango Fett, before completely learning the details and then it is almost moved on from with out exploring more of the cloning lore and mystery (deciding instead to waste time with a bad romance and Anakin's search for him mommy). I wonder if there was a way to play with this mystery better and have it played along more with the investigation and how it tied into Dooku and Jango (instead of them just ending up as generic sith bad guys).

2nd; It was not clear how Sifo-Dyas tied into it and what took place 10 years prior. Was Sifo-Dyas actually involved or did Dooku just steal his identity? I think we are supposed to think the latter but I don't think it clearly answered it.

I think alot of this could have played out better if so much wasn't already revealed in The Phantom menace and at the beginning of ATOC and more was answered and reveals for the characters and the audience at the same time. the audience knew more then the characters and that doesn't work well for an intriguing noir like mystery

[–] Otter (24464) 4 years ago

I always wondered if Sify-Dyas was a stealth Sith, one who was never caught by the Jedi Order.

If so, I presume someone eliminated him after he'd used his respectable front to order the Clone Army.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

Yes, that is sort of along my thinking too; was he part of it or was his name just being used as a 'cover'. Either way there seems like there was a cool and potential interesting 'conspiracy plot' that was building and could have been better uncovered by the film noir like investigation but alas it ended up kind of fizzling out (to be overshadowed by a big battle and a really poorly executed love story)

[–] Otter (24464) 4 years ago

Yeah, I've always wondered how a seemingly respectable Jedi came to order a secret clone army that was later of use to the Sith. Was S-D a sith? Was he a pawn? Were the clones ordered honestly? Did Palpatine use his position on the military appropriations committee (or whatever) to rig the whole thing, or find out about someone else's plan to re-militarize the Republic?

Well, that particular backstory is not essential to "AotC", which did need to move at a good clip and not explain too much. I'm just surprised that it didn't come out in the "Clone Wars" TV series, where they could have taken an episode to uncover the whole business.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

That is true there was potential to explore it in the CW series; but I never really watched that. Personally I am not a big fan of anime stuff even if it is good. A friend had me watch rebels and I thought the story and characters were pretty good but still had a hard time setting through the show just because of the anime. IMO action scenes look cheesy and unimpressive when animated. but the voice acting, story and characters was solid and I hear Clone Wars was better than Rebels so I may have to take a look at some point.

I think the major thing holding me back is Maul; I find it so cheesy that they brought him back after being cut in half (not matter how they justified it) the dude was cut in half and fell down a huge endless pit he was dead as dinner. Why did it have to be Maul why couldn't it be his brother or son or friend (anything) seeking revenge. I mean anything would have worked better. I hated his presence in Rebels and I think i would hate in CW too.

[–] Otter (24464) 4 years ago

Oh, you never watched all of "Clone Wars" either?

Then for all we know... they DID take an episode to explain the Clone Army backstory!!!

And BTW I liked what I saw of that show, except for Anakin's padwaman who got too much screentime. I just worked odd shifts then, so I could never commit to watching regular episodes, or to set the VDR out of sheer laziness.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

Yeah, they may have covered it more fully in Clone Wars; but I was more interested in it in the actual film and not in supplemental material.

[–] Otter (24464) 4 years ago

I really dont think "AotC" would have benefitted from more exposition, it was a fast-paced fun film.

But yeah, Lucas could have put the info somewhere else.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

I do not agree that it was fast paced; it was jarringly paced from a plot (Obi-won's investigation) that started slow and gradually grew to medium paced but mixed it with a slow crawling (uncomfortable) romance. A little more exploration into the mystery and conspiracy might have done the film some good. But I think for that to work it would have had to be mixed in somehow with The Phantom Menace.

It was poorly executed but there was real potential; such as leaving it a mystery longer who hired the assassin; it was NOT a good choice to reveal it was the bounty hunter because you know it is him as soon as Obi-wan meets him on Kamino; sort of ruins the surprise too early and you already know more than the characters (which is a problem if you are trying to a film-noir type of plot, which they were).

[–] MovieChatUser497 (18943) 4 years ago

I always assumed that Dooku made the order under the name of Sifo-Dyas who either died by natural causes or was killed by Dooku. I don't think it was necessary to spell this out, Dooku is supposed to be a mysterious character and this just adds to the ambiguity of him.

I would rather watch AOTC over TPM because while the first half is a little boring the second half is quite good despite the horrendous CGI. And yes the prequels at their worst are still way better than the Disney films at their best.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

You have officially consented to me private messaging you. Moderators take note. He was warned.

[–] MovieChatUser497 (18943) 4 years ago

Uh what did I say that was so offensive? I'm confused. Also please stay on topic and quit flaming the board.