Star Wars: The Clone Wars

By: The Dweeb

November 2008

DVD Features Video: 2.40:1 Audio:Dolby Digital EX 5.1, French Dolby Digital EX 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital EX 5.1 Disc One - Movie: - Commentary by Director Dave Filoni, Producer Catherine Winder, Writer Henry Gilroy and Editor Jason W.A. Tucker Disc Two - Special Features: - The Clone Wars: The Untold Stories - Preview Stories, Vehicles, Planets and Battles of Season One of Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV Series. Check Your Local Listings. - The Voices of the Clone Wars - Voiceover Actors and Animated Characters in Split-Screen Performances - A New Score - Composer Kevin Kiner Establishing a New Musical Identity for the Series - Gallery of Concept and Production Art - Webisodes - 6 Making-of Featurettes - Deleted Scenes: Cargo Bay, Platform Droid Fight, Rancor Pit and Through the Tanks - Trailers Theatrical release: 8/15/2008 DVD released on 11/11/2008 by Warner Bros. Running time of 98 minutes Starring: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, James Arnold Taylor, Dee Baker,Samuel L Jackson, Christopher Lee, Anthony Daniels Director: Dave Filoni Plot: As the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy, Anakin Skywalker and his new Padawan learner Ahsoka Tano plunge into a dangerous mission to rescue the kidnapped son of crime lord Jabba the Hutt. The renegade Count Dooku is determined to make sure that they fail, and with his deadly assassin Asajj Ventress in pursuit, this is a mission with grave consequences. Meanwhile, on the front lines, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda lead the massive clone army in a valiant effort to defeat the droid army and resist the forces of the dark side.

“And now my young apprentice your transformation is complete..” After watching this, those infamous words from Darth Vader echoed in my head. Nooooooooooooo! The Star Wars that once was, is no longer there. More machine than man, twisted and evil by the hands of George Lucas’s unrelenting desire to corrupt my youth and his pursuit of the almighty dollar.  My hopes faded after each successive release of the prequels, things were getting worse and worse. And now, with The Clone Wars (which I didn’t even bother to catch in the theater) this franchise has reached bottom. Come on guys! What is this crap!!

The essential thing you need to know about this film is that it should not have been a film in the first place. Its only purpose, is to be a promotional tool for the animated series that is coming to cable near you. This animated film was done on the cheap, on par with such things destined for TV, with unknown voice talent, hastily rendered characters and frankly a plot that doesn’t go far.  It is more suited as a two part opener for the series on TV. I mean, if Lucas were serious about this film, they would have put out the most jaw dropping CGI animated film ever right? Oh wait, Lucas sold off Pixar years ago.  Sorry I just can’t help slamming these guys for taking something that I loved so much before the prequels came out and diluting the franchise with these awful expansions.  Which yes man thought the main story line should be about rescuing  some character named..Stinky? Why does Jabba The Hutt have a gay relative named Ziro? At least we were spared from Jar Jar making an appearance (although from the looks of it he will have an episode all his own later.) Gah! I’m so done with this.

What I find amazing with this film, is that the awful acting from the movies transfers quite well into a CGI rendered film. Once again, the movie suffers from the usual stiff writing leaving these characters to just spit out the required dialogue in order to move the film from point A to B. Please ignore these interactions while we dazzle you with explosions and gee wiz bang imagery. There is no chemistry whatsoever in this film, its completely watered down. The funny thing is that Lucas did not write this script, nor did he direct it. Looking at the credentials for the writers and director Dave Filoni on IMDB shows that these guys primarily worked in animated series for TV before this. That explains the Ashoka character (Ashley Eckstein), the newest of the  annoying  bunch, the prototypical young rookie who knows better.  I dunno, this film is definitely more for the kids than the adults.  My 5 year old seemed to like it more than I did, but he’s never seen the originals ( I’m working on easing him in). Whats wrong with trying to create something that appeals to the adults as well as the kids. Many films have been successful in doing that, especially animated ones.

As is customary for a Star Wars related film, this DVD almost leaves no stone unturned in the extras portion of the second disc. Although I would say its not quite as extensive as we’ve seen in the past with the other films, its still quite a bit of material to wade through.  One element is certainly obvious here, a lot of it is promotional in nature for the upcoming series. This DVD has all the info you need on all aspects of the production, from the music to the character design. They also include deleted scenes (which are fully rendered by the way), and all the materials from the web site. As an added bonus a digital copy is also included.

I suppose I’ll just have to give up hope that this franchise will restore the magic that it once had for me. I loved Star Wars, I really did. But I will resign myself to the fact that they have finally left me behind, holding the bag. Am I expecting too much? Yeah probably. It is just a silly space opera.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BORROW IT!!