Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones takes place ten years after the events of The Phantom Menace and is the second movie in the Star Wars canon timeline. The galaxy is on the brink of civil war, as thousands of systems have seceded from the Republic under the leadership of Count Dooku, a former Jedi turned Sith Lord. Amidst this turmoil, Senator Padmé Amidala, now a key political figure, arrives on Coruscant to vote against the creation of a Republic army but narrowly survives an assassination attempt. Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, are assigned to protect her.
As another attempt on Padmé’s life is made, Obi-Wan investigates and traces the assassin’s origins to the oceanic planet Kamino. There, he discovers a secret clone army commissioned by the late Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, seemingly for the Republic. Obi-Wan meets Jango Fett, the bounty hunter whose DNA was used to create the clones. Suspecting Jango’s involvement in the assassination attempts, Obi-Wan pursues him to the desert planet Geonosis. Meanwhile, Anakin escorts Padmé to her home planet of Naboo, where they gradually fall in love, despite Jedi rules forbidding attachment.
While staying on Naboo, Anakin experiences disturbing visions of his mother in pain. He and Padmé travel to Tatooine, where Anakin learns that his mother, Shmi, was captured by Tusken Raiders. He finds her tortured and near death, and when she dies in his arms, he is consumed by rage, slaughtering the entire Tusken tribe—men, women, and children. This event marks Anakin’s first major step toward the dark side, as he confesses his actions to Padmé, who, despite his violent outburst, comforts him.
On Geonosis, Obi-Wan discovers that Count Dooku is leading the Separatist movement and has allied with the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. Dooku captures Obi-Wan and reveals that the Republic is under the control of a Sith Lord, though Obi-Wan does not believe him. Before Obi-Wan can be executed, Anakin and Padmé arrive to rescue him, but they too are captured. The trio is sentenced to death in a gladiator-style arena, where they are forced to fight monstrous creatures.
Just as they are about to be overwhelmed, Jedi Master Mace Windu and a team of Jedi arrive, engaging in battle with the Separatists. However, the Jedi are outnumbered until Yoda arrives with the newly deployed Grand Army of the Republic—composed of clone troopers—to turn the tide. This marks the beginning of the Clone Wars, as Republic forces clash with the Separatists. Amidst the chaos, Obi-Wan and Anakin confront Count Dooku, but he easily overpowers them, injuring Anakin by severing his arm. Before Dooku can escape, Yoda intervenes, engaging him in a fierce lightsaber duel. Dooku, however, manages to flee.
With the battle over, the Republic officially enters a state of war against the Separatists, with Chancellor Palpatine assuming emergency powers to command the clone army. Unbeknownst to the Jedi, this plays directly into Palpatine’s ultimate plan to seize absolute power. Meanwhile, Anakin, now with a mechanical arm, secretly marries Padmé on Naboo, solidifying their forbidden relationship.
As the film concludes, the Clone Wars have begun, setting the stage for the Republic’s downfall and Anakin’s eventual turn to the dark side. The Jedi remain unaware of the Sith’s growing influence, and Palpatine, manipulating both sides of the war, moves closer to achieving his ultimate goal of ruling the galaxy, all of which is detailed in The Revenge of the Sith.