1.2: Rising Malevolence

The second episode of the series deals with Dooku's new weapon, a powerful ion cannon that disables any ship sent against it, and Anakin's search to discover the truth about it.

After Ambush, it would have been difficult to hit another home run, and Rising Malevolence, while good, isn't in the same ballpark. The story is fine, and it was nice to see a minor character like Plo Koon get some air time; I also liked that there was a connection between Ahsoka and Plo (shades of Luke/Leia on Bespin), and that was how they found the Jedi Master. This is one that probably could have benefitted from a little more character development with Plo Koon and the Clones, but what was there was pretty good. My main criticism of the episode is its brash assumption that you've seen the movie, and we all know only a few million of us did; so likely most first time viewers were confused. Who is this new chick? Why does Anakin have a padawan? What's that crappy ship they're flying? And so on. There is no attempt made to explain -- even in painfully clunky expository dialogue -- what came before, and with this episode you really need to know. On its own merits a fine episode, but very confusing to newcomers. The movie isn't out on DVD for another six weeks or so; maybe replaying it sooner might help.

1.1: Ambush

The first episode of the series, Ambush, features Yoda and three Clonetroopers trapped on a moon in the Toydarian system, facing off against the droid forces of Asajj Ventriss to see who can sway the Toydarians to their side in the war.

It's nice to see the series start off on a strong note. After the movie (which I liked, though admittedly it was not widely seen), my expectations were high, but Ambush delivers. The interaction with the Clones was well done, and I particularly liked the design work on the Toydarian moon (and the Toydarians, they looked really cool here). The droids, well, we're going to have to get used to them being sort of stupid; it's obvious they are being used as comedy relief, and it's fun now, but I hope it doesn't get old down the road.

But of course front and center there's Yoda, and it was nice to see -- for the first time in almost thirty years -- impish, mischievous Yoda, the one we saw messing with Luke on Dagobah waaaaay back when. Yoda is in top form here, and clearly he's enjoying himself. Ventriss is no match for him and he knows it, but he uses the opportunity to teach both the Clones and the Sith apprentice a lesson. I enjoyed this flavoring of Yoda more than his more somber role in the prequels, and thought he was by far the highlight of the episode. Special points to the writers for the terrific scene with Yoda and the Clones in the cave where he teaches them that even though they may be Clones, they are unique in the Force. Bravo, a great first outing.

Clone Wars Movie

(Reviewed on Aug. 16, 2008)

And here I thought I would never get to review another Star Wars movie again; just goes to show you how much I underestimated Lucas’ marketing savvy, to charge me $7 to see something I’ll be able to see in a month or two on TV (granted, my TV screen isn’t fifty feet wide, but still). This film has been hyped (it even had its own merchandising release date in July), but the questions remain, is it any good, and is it Star Wars?

We could debate (okay, I could debate) the second question all day, but I’m sure what all of you are far more interested in is the first. In brief, yes. Clone Wars is a mile-a-minute, action packed story that races you all over the galaxy at a breathtaking pace (apparently adopting Lucas’ own favorite advice as a director to be ‘faster and more intense’); but it also remembers to bring humor to the table as well. Not that we’re talking a Star Wars comedy here, but it’s obvious the creators wanted to have fun, and wanted the audience to have fun as well. We haven’t really seen that as a significant part of the equation since the first film all the way back in 1977.

The story mostly follows Anakin (sorry, I’m too lazy to look up voice actor names, and no one really cares much anyway, except that Samuel L. Jackson reprised his role as Mace Windu) and his new apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, as they must rescue the kidnapped child of Jabba the Hutt in order to curry favor with the gangster so he will allow the good guys the use of his space lanes in the war. Obi-Wan Kenobi is present as well, as well as appearances from most of the more popular prequel characters – Padme, Yoda, Count Dooku, etc. The emphasis is on action action action, opening up with a frenzied battle against the evil droid armies and never really letting up. Most of the action set pieces are clever and exciting, and one in particular involving an almost vertical assault on a clifftop stronghold is spectacularly conceived, probably the best action set piece of the summer.

The animation suits the setting surprisingly well and is very well achieved; it manages to mesh the Clone Wars 2D cartoons from a few years ago with a live action feel. Everyone is skinny (the girls come off as positively anorexic) and has biggish anime eyes, but it all works. Interestingly, up close, the digital features appear either to be hand-painted or (especially with Dooku) carved from wood – an unusual textured touch to the normally super-smooth CGI design we are accustomed to.

And, again, it is fun. Every time a ship lands anywhere on Tatooine, Jawas appear to attempt to steal it immediately. The battle droids have been retooled for comic relief and are hilarious. The baby Hutt is an exercise in exaggerated cuteness but even he works, and with new character Ahsoka they achieved just the right balance of snippy and earnest (I remarked to my friend Eric that Anakin had taken in Juno as his new learner). The movie (and I’m guessing the ensuing series) explores the Clones in depth (well, as in depth as you get with Star Wars), which should delight fans as these characters are already very popular. Even returning characters we know reasonably well are handled smartly; Kenobi has become a sort of Odysseus, the cleverest of his ilk, and a great effort is expended to make Anakin likeable, which honestly has been a problem with the character up until now (strapping a smart ass girl to him as a sidekick should help with that a lot).

Clone Wars is an engaging addition to the Star Wars saga, and the visuals are impressive enough so that anyone who cares should shell out the money to see it on the big screen. It’s kid friendly – there’s abundant violence but absolutely no gore – and adult-accessible as well. If the series comes anywhere near the mark of this film, Clone Wars could be the best thing that came out of Star Wars since 1977.