BY JADEN MOUNT
Tensions are rising within the Galactic Republic as the Separatist Movement continues to gain strength system after system. In this current state, there are too few Jedi to maintain peace and order.
Padme Amidala, former Queen now Senator of Naboo, returns to capital city-planet of Coruscant for an important vote. The Senate is considering building an army to defend the remaining loyal systems and assist the Jedi in their state of affairs. Upon her arrival, the ship is bombed causing the death of a decoy impersonating the senator. Amidala is then safely escorted away by security.
Meanwhile, the Jedi Council, led by Masters Mace Windu and Yoda, express their concerns to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine of the Separatist Movement. The chancellor tries to convey that negotiations with the faction will not fail, but the Jedi are skeptical. The meeting adjourns followed by Amidala stating her belief that Count Dooku, a former Jedi and apparent leader of the Separatists, is behind her assassination attempt. Her belief is doubted but results in the assignment of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker as additional security.
The two Jedi arrive at Amidala’s living quarters, where there is an obvious attraction between Skywalker and the senator as well as tension between Kenobi and Skywalker. That night, another assassination attempt is conducted by order of a hidden armored figure. Two highly poisonous worm-like creatures are dropped into Amidala’s room but are killed by Skywalker before any damage can be done.
Kenobi sees the drone that dropped off the creatures and jumps out the window, latching onto the drone. Skywalker races out of the room, stealing one of the many shuttle cars for the chase. The drone leads the Jedi to its operator, who leads a separate chase through the massive city below. Kenobi arrests the operator and begins interrogation her outside. Before she unveils who hired the job, the armored figure kills the operator from a distance with a toxic dart.
Returning to the Jedi Temple, Kenobi and Skywalker report back to the council, who decide to send the apprentice to Naboo with Amidala. Kenobi continues with the investigation, discovering the dart of Kamino design. The ocean planet does not exist in the Jedi records, prompting Kenobi to travel on his own. Upon arrival, the prime minister reveals a previous Jedi master ordered the construction of a clone army for the Galactic Republic. He is then introduced to the original individual of the clones, the bounty hunter Jango Fett. The knight reports back to the council and is ordered to bring Fett back to the temple.
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Skywalker and Amidala return to Naboo, retiring to the lake country of the planet. The attraction between the two continues to grow with questioning a possible relationship between the two. Skywalker then receives dreams about his mother’s death, prompting the two to depart for Tatooine. There, the apprentice holds his mother while she nears death inside a raider camp. His grief turns to anger as the Jedi learning slaughters all the raiders in the camp.
Fett and his clone son escape from the planet, forcing Kenobi to chase the pair to Geonosis. A short-fighter combat ensues, with the knight hiding under the hunter’s sensors till he can land planetside. Kenobi discovers the Separatists have been working with the Trade Federation to build a massive droid army to attack the republic and the Jedi. He sends an emergency message to Skywalker on Tatooine for transmission to Coruscant before capture.
After burying his mother, Skywalker receives the message and begins transmission to Palpatine’s office. Representative Jar Jar Binks, serving in the seat of Amidala, motions to give emergency powers to the supreme chancellor. The Senate accepts, prompting the creation of the Grand Army of the Republic. Master Windu then departs from Coruscant with few Jedi in tow to rescue Kenobi.
While imprisoned, Kenobi is met with Count Dooku, who reveals Darth Sidious is in control of the Senate and the Jedi have already lost.
Skywalker attempts to rescue Kenobi himself, with Amidala’s help but results in their own capture. The trio is placed in an arena for execution by local wildlife, but are semi-saved by Master Windu and fellow Jedi. However, the overwhelming droid forces surround the company until the Grand Army of the Republic flies in and evacuates the Jedi. The First Battle of Geonosis begins as the clone army, led by the Jedi, engages with the droid army.
Count Dooku is sighted and Kenobi orders he and Skywalker to pursue. The two Jedi are defeated in single combat with the count. Master Yoda then battles with Dooku, with no clear winner as the Jedi decides to save the duo and allow the Sith Lord to depart.
The clones win the day, beginning the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Skywalker and Amidala secretly marry back on Naboo as Kenobi, Windu, and Yoda grow cautious of the growing influence of the Sith.
Stay tuned for a rundown of the next Star Wars movie, “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.”