talyseon's Full Review: Star Wars - Clone Wars: Vol. 1
Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.
Star Wars Clone Wars: Volume One. Directed by Genndy Tartakowsky. Written in part by George Lucas.
One of the problems with the Star Wars Saga is that one of the final lines in Attack of the Clones starts the Clone Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi: “I have to admit that without the clones, it would have not been a victory.” Yoda: “Victory? Victory you say? Master Obi-Wan, not victory. The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the Clone War has.”
And the Clone Wars end in Revenge of the Sith. What happened in the middle?
This is some of the answer to that question.
Originally aired in three minute episodes, the saga really comprises what amounts to 20 episodes, 3 minute long. In each, we see the progress of the Clone Wars against the Drone armies of the Separatists.
It starts with a small opening, and then just to keep continuity, shows Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Anakin in Chancellor Palpatine’s offices. Once again the Chancellor interferes, boxing the Masters into giving Anakin greater responsibilities. The Banking clans are building an army on Muunilist, and it is up to Master Kenobi and his Padawan (and several thousand clones) to put an end to it.
The Battle on Muunilist goes well, a large segment focusing on the military prowess of the Clone troopers. There is a general with unusual powers who Obi-Wan must joust with and a distraction for Anakin, more later.
The Battle of Mon Calimari is vital. The Quarren (Squidheads) are a deep water race, they side with the separatists. The Mon Calamari (Fishfaces) need help. Enter Master Kitt Fisto, the Nemodian Jedi (lots of head tentacles and big black eyes). Together with a frogman unit of clones, they defeat the Quarren Lobster Cannon.
Meanwhile Count Dooku of the Sith is interviewing gladiators and assassins. A young woman approaches, killing the competition, and claiming to be Sith. Darth Sidious sets her a task; drawing Anakin into a trap. She does so, engaging him in a dog fight over Muunilist.
Meanwhile Master Windu must protect Dantooine from a new weapon; a stomper ship.
And the attacks come from many fronts; On Illium, the temple of the Jedi is carefully guarded secret, for it is the source of the crystals central to a lightsaber. Two masters run afoul cloaked droids setting mines there. Yoda persuades Senator Amidala to take him there to that icy world so he can rescue them. Of course Padme gets in a shot or three herself.
Anakin is led to a climatic confrontation with the Sith Sorceress, on Yavin 4! Very interesting scenery, gives a nice feel to the whole thing; excellent choreography!
Anakin returns to Muunilist, and helps with the mop up while Obi-Won reads him the riot act. They are interrupted by a call from Master Barrik. It seems he and his group has crash landed and is pinned down by an unstoppable droid. Six Jedi, one droid, and guess who wins? This is the introduction of General Grievous.
The Good. It is great to see additional material done to fill in this big and noticeable gap in the overall story of the Star Wars Saga. The cartoons are very episodic. They do not have to relay vital information, they can focus on entertaining. The stories are good, engaging, and very fast paced. They give a little extra time on some of our favorite background characters.
The score is good, derived from Episode II, and while it is not stellar, it adds.
The Bad Well, the story is chopped up. There may be larger arcs, but each one of 20 was three minutes long. I don’t care how you work it, this still comes across choppy.
Also, the artwork is…well, it is from the guy who does Samurai Jack. Very angular, very stylized, anime influenced. It is a bold departure from other cartoons in the series (Droids and Ewoks) but the simple fact is, I hate it. That is just me. Others love it, calling it “fresh” and “vital”. As some of you may know, the more realistic it is, the more I like it.
Anthony Daniels (C3PO) is the only movie voice actor to work on the project. I would have liked it better with the originals, but I am sure cost was a prohibitive factor.
Conclusion If you liked the movies, but you are done, you don’t have to seek these out. They do not add that much. But if you are a fan, I recommend these. They are fun, well done, and fill in a few of the blanks between Episodes II and III.
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