Star Wars: Episode II - The Approaching Storm

This is a pretty stellar edit. It feels so much more like a Star Wars film - not perfect, but I think as good as it's going to get unless someone comes along to fix the spotty CGI in the 2nd half of the film. I would put this edit about on par with RotJ in general.

I have to say that the use of deleted footage was a pretty big plus here. It's odd that some of this necessary material was ever cut. There are lots of gaps in logic that these scenes help fill in (at least with this edit, not so sure about the original film but probably there too).

As strange as it is to hear myself say it: Anakin and Padme's relationship growth actually feels much more natural, even if Ani is still a little creepy. It's still very "movie"-like but it doesn't feel strange and awkward like in the original.

I also never thought I'd feel better about not seeing Yoda jumping around like a maniac since it was one of the most memorable parts from when I saw it in the theater, but I can honestly say it's so much more fitting without it. It keeps Yoda the Yoda we all know: little and mysteriously powerful with THE force, rather than just powerful with "force" (and speed).

I only found one noticeable editing issue with continuity and that involves when Anakin and Padme get caught and brought before Dooku. They landed in the exhaust shaft but never actually seem to get captured before simply being put on trial. It's a strange omission I don't recall from the original. Not sure what's missing here but it seems some sort of transition is lacking.

Other than that, I think the only thing that would make this edit better is if key parts of Ep1 were integrated into this as a bit of an opening, followed by a "10 years later" and just eliminating the entirety of Ep.1's independent existence.

Now let's see how Ep 3 turned out in HAL's hands...

This was a weird case for me as I remember despising this film as a kid (a kid who loved Episode I mind you). I think that I've only seen it twice before watching Hals edit and both times it felt like a chore, so i was in no way looking forward to seeing this movie. But ALAS! Hal hath worked his magic on this film and turned it into something actually somewhat enjoyable!

The video quality is fantastic overall! All HD and pretty, but with less pretty deleted scenes added. You honestly don't notice as the scenes themselves add so much to the movie that you just don't care to pay attention.

Audio is also very very top notch!

Assassination story line makes sense and for once I actually understand whats going on with the whole political side of things!

I really can't think of any gripes with this edit. You took out all the stupid comic relief and made a more moody, interesting film that I would've loved to see back in 2002!

This is undeniably my go-to cut of Episode II and if you're curious then don't even think twice about viewing this film!

AOTC is my least favorite Star Wars movie, and L8wrtr's The Republic Divided was my favorite edit of that. I thought, like in Cloak of Deception, my personal favorite would be better. But boy, was I wrong.

Star Wars - Episode II: The Approaching Storm is the best Attack of the Clones edit out there. Better than Seciors' Army of the Republic. Better than Q2's Fall of the Jedi II. Better than L8wrtr's The Republic Divided. All three are great edits of AOTC. But for me, TAS is the best.

The Audio/Video quality is great. One nitpick is that the deleted scenes distract the audience when watched. It's not the editor's fault at all. It just looks strange, but still, that doesn't really matter.

The editing is flawless, really. Besides the deleted scenes' look like I said, the edit feels like a real movie released in theatres.

The narrative is so much better than the original. I enjoyed the edit very much.

If you're looking to replace the original Episode II, this edit replaces it perfectly.

This is mind blowing how well you fixed this movie. I hated this movie so much, but somehow you made it into a movie that I borderline love. You easily fixed the worst part of the movie which being the romance. Somehow you managed to make it not so award. It feel more real, more true. The story was also cleaned up and paced better. The complaints I have is with the addition of the deleted scenes the quality is not the best and it is very noticeable and does take out of the movie a bit. And when Mace Windu is talking to the Clones it seems as if he is about to give orders and is abruptly cut off, maybe cut right before he points or take this part out completely. So long story short the narrative and story is absolutely 10 times better in this only completes is the video quality dips in a couple scenes and on abrupt cut near the end of the movie.

After watching this I must say I'm a huge fan of your work. The main thing that bothered me in the original version was the relationship between Anakin and Padmé. Thanks to your edit it actually works and isn't cringy at all. I appreciate you used some cutscenes, the story works much better with them. But unfortunatelly the quality of those scenes isn't great and it distracts me a little (more than in the episode I). I also like you cut out Anakin's meltdown. It's just better when it's his dark secret.

The only part where the story felt illogical was the arrival of Anakin and Padmé to Geonosis. It looked like Dooku was expecting them which doesn't really make sense. I think some shots from the droid factory could be used to fill the hole (not the whole thing, just the capture). I personally like what OnlyYodaForgives did with this scene in his Neon Noir edit. But overall this edit is great. Good job!