Star Wars. Those are two words that evoke a lot of wonder and excitement in so many people. Since its culture-defining debut in 1977, George Lucas’ ongoing science-fiction saga has become a cinematic phenomenon unlike any other. Here is a franchise that has actually propagated its own exclusive army of devoted geeks, that arrive en masse opening night for each new chapter (or re-release of past chapters) and wait in line for eleven hours dressed like Boba Fett.

Millions of fans did exactly this when “The Phantom Menace”, the first prequel in Lucas’ new trilogy, arrived in theaters in 1999. And millions left disappointed by the kiddie-corn they’d been reluctantly served, an immature CGI circus with a floppy-eared character named Jar Jar Binks that many wanted to mutilate in horrible ways. I’m not going to jump on the “Menace” backlash bandwagon like so many others. It was enjoyable, with an outstanding pod race sequence and a terrific lightsaber stand-off at the climax. Yes, it was childish and gratingly warm and cuddly, and a considerable disappointment in the end, but if nothing else I was in the thrall of Lucas’ pretty pictures and special effects wizardry.

Now, here comes “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones”. Skepticism surrounding the film was high. Had Lucas lost the ability to tell a decent story? Was he succumbing to the dark side after years of loyal service to his followers? Let me say that “Episode II” wipes the floor with “Episode I”. It essentially makes “Episode I” its bitch. Ok, the movie is full of bad dialogue (some of it really bad) and other snags that Lucas encountered with “The Phantom Menace”. But here is a massively fun flick that manages to periodically rekindle the joyous spirit of the original films, and against all odds, it succeeded in making me feel like a kid again. That is the highest of compliments.

Set a decade after “The Phantom Menace”, the plot is still heavy on politics. The Republic is crumbling due to increasing separatist threats, Jedi numbers are depleting, and former Queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) is now a simple Senator under an assassination threat. She is assigned two Jedi protectors - Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), whom she hasn’t seen since the latter was a pint-sized ragamuffin who just couldn’t act (for me, young Jake Lloyd was far more aggravating than Jar Jar in “Episode I”). Anakin is an arrogant young Padiwan (or apprentice) who thinks he is ready for the Jedi trials. He has thought about Padme for virtually every passing moment over the past ten years. Lucas has called “Episode II” a “love story”, and the middle section of the film is, in effect, weighed down with wearisome romantic clichés of every variation. However, I didn’t even mind this element of the plot. Credit Christensen and Portman for adeptly handling the slop that passes for romantic development (and that dreadfully stiff dialogue too).

Meanwhile, Obi Wan is investigating the creation of an enormous clone army on the hidden planet Kamino. The set design and digital effects here are particularly striking. Bounty hunter Jango Fett (Temeura Morrison) is involved, as well as the evil Jedi knight Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). The villains are under-used, but Lee (also an integral part in the “Lord of the Rings” series) is an inspired addition to the “Star Wars” pedigree, and brings a well-honed veteran presence to the screen. And Jango Fett, of course, is unquestionably cool. The introduction of his infamous son Boba (a popular character from the original films) is a treat for fanboys. The score, by John Williams, is thunderous and grand, with recognizable themes and musical riffs that kept giving me goosebumps.

“Attack of the Clones” sputters and stalls, then rages forward with a final hour that is a sheer delirium of awesome special effects and rampant imagination. With familiar characters and effective foreshadowing, you get a sense of the story coming together and the pieces converging in Lucas’ epic puzzle. It’s a wonderful feeling. The writer-director still doesn’t know how to direct some of his actors (what in God’s name is Jimmy Smits doing here?), but McGregor now owns the role of Obi Wan, and although Christensen has a few struggles, he is most impressive in showing Anakin’s temptation toward the dark side through his expressive eyes. Natalie Portman is radiant as always, but she seems to be limiting her performance; much of it comes off stilted or forced. Meanwhile, Jar Jar’s character has been drastically reduced to an agreeable amount of screen-time. Samuel L. Jackson has Jedi presence and a wicked purple lightsaber. C-3PO and R2-D2 are welcome company; the former’s pun-laced jokes are so corny, and yet so enjoyable. However, “Episode II” is stolen by one character... and his name is Yoda. In this film, Yoda (still accompanied by the voice of Frank Oz) is completely computer-generated -- something I was not prepared for -- and whenever the master Jedi appears, the “Star Wars” spirit and mythology prevails triumphantly. In the show-stopping finale, the little green dude gets a piece of the action. I can’t even begin to measure the thrill of this moment using conventional adjectives. This sequence alone is worth the price of admission.

“Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” is a flawed film, but also an exciting and heartening one, with wonderful new creatures and effects. Leaving the theater, I sported a boyish grin from ear-to-ear, knowing that the wonderful and mysterious Force of George Lucas has returned.