Mania Grade: C+
6 Comments | Add
Rate & Share:
Related Links:
Info:
- Blu-Ray/DVD: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- Rating: PG
- Starring (Voices): Dee Bradley Baker, Tom Kane, Matt Lanter, Christopher Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Daniels, James Arnold Taylor, Matthew Wood, Ashley Eckstein, Ian Abercrombie, Nika Futterman
- Written By: Henry Gilroy, George Lucas (characters and universe)
- Directed By: Dave Filoni
- Distributor: Warner Home Video
- Original Year of Release: 2008
- Extras: Trailers, Games, Gallery, Webisodes, Clone Wars: The Untold Stories, Exclusive to Blu-ray A Creative Conversation Video Commentary, Digital Copy
- Series:
Blu-Ray Review of Star Wars: The Clone Wars
On the small screen were it belongs By
Robert T. Trate
November 07, 2008
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Blu-ray
© Warner Home Video
The original Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003) TV series directed by Genndy Tartakovsky was hailed by both critics and Star Wars’ rabid fan base. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008), directed by Dave Filoni, has met with a lot of mixed emotions. Though visually stunning, the story and a few new characters have left many of the fans disappointed.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars takes place after Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones and before Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith. The Clone Wars are in full swing and Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter), now a general in the Clone Army, receives his first Padawan Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein). Their first mission is to save Jabba the Hutt’s son. Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) and Asajj Ventress (Nika Futterman) have set a trap for Anakin but it is Ahsoka that will be the difference in whether they succeed or not.
This ninety-eight minute animated film is a great introduction to Ahsoka Tano and how she will play a part in the unwritten saga that is the actual Clone War. It is also the start to the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series. Originally set to be a pilot, George Lucas fell in love with the look and feel of the series and decided to give it a big budget release. Unfortunately the two distinct separate stories that make up Star Wars: The Clone Wars are loosely strung together with a few scenes. On the small screen they would have worked better as two separate tales.
Nothing illustrates this better than in the Blu-ray Exclusive video commentary by director Dave Filoni, writer Henry Gilroy, editor Jason W.A. Tucker and producer Catherine Winder. On more than one occasion they refer to the film as “this episode”. Releasing it in the theaters was an afterthought. A few scenes here and there remind us of an underlying plot but most of the film is action oriented with not enough character development. That, along with numerous instances where they all speak about George Lucas’ influence on the humor and you’ll understand why the film and the first couple of episodes of the series have left fans scratching their heads. After watching them talk about the film it seems that no one will stand up and tell George no. Hopefully Lucas will pull back from the show because Filoni and Gilroy seem to have a great grasp on the entire universe. They just work under the shadow of its creator.
The video commentary did point out a lot of great references to the Star Wars universe and how Filoni wants to not only pay homage but keep everything connected from the smallest computer panel to the unused Doug Chiang concept art that was abandoned after episode one. By far my favorite reference was the fact that Admiral Yularen (Tom Kane) in the film and TV series is one of the Admirals in Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope. He is one of the numerous Imperial leaders sitting around the table as Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader discuss where the Death Star plans are. Little things like this give this Star Wars fan hope that Filoni and crew can make something out of this series. If they pay that much attention to the details maybe they’ll find ways around Lucas’ ill attempt at humor.
“The Clone Wars: The Untold Stories” feature is a great look at what is to come on the series. Kit Fisto and his Padawan have a solo story called the “Lair of Grievous”. Finally there will be a story about Jedi struggling with the teachings of the force and fighting a war. Fisto’s Padawan will walk a line between being a Jedi and the dark side. “The Innocents of Ryloth” is a Normandy invasion type tale set to liberate the Twi'leks, which looks to have a lot of promise. However, “Bombad Jedi” features the return of Jar Jar Binks. In this comedic tale Jar Jar is mistaken for a Jedi. This episode alone will be the true test of the series. Will they be able to survive Jar Jar?
There are four deleted scenes included and two are action sequences. They are a great showcase for the animators and action coordinators and rival many scenes from episode one and two. The “Rancor Pit” scene probably should have remained in the film if it weren’t for a slew of action scenes that preceded it.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars isn’t perfect.It is nothing more than an introduction to the Star Wars TV series. The stories for Star Wars: The Clone Wars are supposed to be small and personal. The Star Wars films were grand and epic. Since we have already seen the rise and fall of the empire, saving Jabba’s son seems pale in comparison. Cleary this story belonged on the small screen.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Blu-ray is presented with video at 1080 High Definition 16x9 2.4:1 and audio featuringDolby TrueHD: English 5.1 EX, Dolby Digital.
LOGIN
REGISTER
RSS
HOME
First off it's prequel so it automatically sucks. Leveling that off as a starting point.
I really like the series. The animi is probably the best stuff visually on tv in years. Stories have been interesting and watchable. A two parter starts today.
Is it not sick however Annie has a learner that he will slaughter/murder in ep III? I don't get that.