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By Ron Wilkinson Aug 15, 2008, 10:06 GMT

Movie Review: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

At the risk of over-doing a good thing, if that hasn’t been done already, Lucas and crew cuts the final link to reality by going full animation with Star Wars. A righteous battle, but one that will appeal to ever decaying audiences

In 2005, “Revenge of the Sith” marked the final episode of the “Star Wars” live action saga. But nestled deep into the lore of the iconic series is the original remark by Luke in the original 1977 “Star Wars” when he questions Obi-Wan about the latter’s battles in the “Clone Wars.” The Clone Wars occurred between “Episode II—Attack of the Clones” and “Episode III—Revenge of the Sith,” both of which were prequels to the original 1977 blockbuster.If this seems complicated, it’s because you are over 40 years old, in which case you may as well forget about the history and just enjoy the ride.Lucas is quoted as saying he didn’t want the characters to look “photo-realistic.” This is a smart move, because if the characters are too realistic the audience will always compare them to the real thing: bad news, a distraction. Instead, Lucas and director Dave Filoni made them out-front animated characters, with a touch of Japanese anime’, so they are reborn as an entirely different art form and not competing with the “Star Wars” characters that everybody remembers. The fact is, once the viewer gets into the story and the fantastic animated action, the visual images of the characters fall into the background and their dialogue and actions move to the foreground. So what is left is the best display of slinking, crawling, pouncing, undulating, pulsating and exploding robotic war machines and every kind of projectile, explosion and James Bond escape routine ever imagined. The challenges, and heroic triumphs, are unlimited.Central to this film is the character of Jabba the Hut. Certainly one of the most memorable characters of the Star Wars series, Jabba is the most disgusting character ever invented for the animated screen. He is perverted and submerged in earthly delights that he can only enjoy in their total degradation. In “Clone Wars,” his baby son, Rotta the Hutlet, is kidnapped. The child is kidnapped by the dark forces under the leadership of Count Dooku, himself a Dark Lord of the Sith. So Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano must fight off the overwhelmingly outnumbering dark forces while carrying the fragile infant Rotta back to safety.Only by keeping the powerful Jabba on the side of the Republic can the Dark Forces be held at bay. So Anakin becomes a more complex figure in “Clone Wars.” He is challenged to fight overwhelming forces while being blamed for a hideous crime that he did not commit. He must fight against overwhelming odds not only to save the Republic, but to clear his name at the same time.In addition to this, Anakin must confront yet another challenge, that of a young, female, Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, who has been assigned to him without his knowledge or consent. Skywalker must take her on, and, as matter of honor, teach her to some day be better than he. In fact, her personality is half way between Anakin’s and Obi-Wan’s, she is more thoughtful than Anakin and is already showing signs of making better decisions than her master.In this way, “Clone Wars” keeps up the tempo and exposes the audience to new challenges, along with the lead characters. Anakin is once again portrayed as a complex champion who must confront several roles at once. He is no longer the lone knight, but now the father of two children and a man unjustly accused. Ahsoka represents a giant leap forward in improving the positive representation of girls in action cinema. She not only keeps up, but saves her master’s life and the lives of others. She emerges as an equal by the end of the film.While many will not be as impressed with the animation as with the real thing, this film provides honest entertainment that is entirely suitable for the whole family. It is especially commendable for providing a positive, leadership oriented role model for girls. Plus, the machines are amazing!Directed by: Dave Filoni
Written by: Henry Gilroy (screenplay), George Lucas (characters, universe and story) and Steven Melching and Scott Murphy (screenplay)Lead Voices: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, James Arnold TaylorRelease: August 15, 2008
MPAA: Rated PG for sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language and momentary smoking.
Running Time: 98 minutes
Country: USA/Singapore
Language: English
Color: Color

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scottAug 15th, 2008 - 11:30:04

forget about the history if your 'over 40'?

If you're not over 40 you don't KNOW the history. You weren't even alive when the first movie came out, so come off it. You're just playing catch-up...

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Dayton RacerAug 15th, 2008 - 12:55:52

'Anakin is once again portrayed as a complex champion who must confront several roles at once. He is no longer the lone knight, but now the father of two children and a man unjustly accused.'

Wait wait wait...If this movie is between II and III, then how is Anakin a father of two? That happened at the end of III. Am I missing something?

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jeteyeAug 15th, 2008 - 15:42:15

Can a Padawan have a Padawan? Anikan is still Obi-wan's padawan in Episode III? Oh, I guess it does not matter, but I did not know that Anikan had children BEFORE Episode III?

May the Force be with you!

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rpepperAug 15th, 2008 - 16:22:40

@Previous commenters: The author is referring to Ahsoka and Rotta as the two 'children' that Anakin must care for and look after throughout the film.

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Writing AthenaAug 16th, 2008 - 15:14:35

We took our kids to the midnight show late Thurs. night. I fell asleep half way through, asked my husband if I missed anything. 'No,' he said. 'It was just the pilot episode for a Saturday morning cartoon series.'

Kids loved it, of course.

I wrote a review on my blog-- writingathena.blogspot.com

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anakin a jediAug 16th, 2008 - 19:53:25

actualy anakin is already a full jedi knight by episode III

if you are looking to fill the gaps in your history there are about a dozen books written for this time frame

check out jedi trial for anakin becoming a full jedi knight

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StikyardAug 18th, 2008 - 19:11:48

Talk about a let down!!!

In the vastness of the 'Clone Wars' playing out on dozens of planets with hundreds of thousands of Jango clones and Jedi generals, the best they can come up with is a kidnapped Hutt and a very short list of good characters.

The new apprentice isnt bad. Anakin and Obi or up to snuff. Not enough extended Sith vs Jedi lightsaber deuls and, the fights they had didnt make me say wow.

What ruined this movie above and beyond anything else? ZERO THE HUTT!!!
First off what kind of name is Zero for a hutt anyways? Second why does it speak english and why the hell does it sound like a gay guy from New Orleans?!?! Had this character had more screen time it would have easily surpassed Jar Jar Binks in the most annoyingly stupid Star Wars character ever!

This movie doesnt even come close to the quality of the Clone Wars animated series that aired on Cartoon network.

George lucas should quit destroying what could have been the best si-fi saga ever! The cheesy jokes, horrible new characters and blan story lines are enough to make die hard Star Wars fans cry.

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Movie Review: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

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