Clone Wars follows Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi's exploits during the period between Episode II and Episode III. The lead off for an animated TV series which will air on the Sci-Fi Channel as well as TNT this fall, Clone Wars holds up in the well established Star Wars universe, with a few grievances. It's not a bad film, there are just a few things that really hurt this ambitious project.
The story goes like this – Darth Sidious and Count Dooku have kidnapped Jabba the Hutt's son in order to fake a rescue so they can get Jabba on the side of the Separatists. Obi-Wan and Anakin, along with Anakin's precocious new padawan, Ahsoka Tano, must actually rescue Jabba's son for the same reason, as well as to expose Dooku and his apprentice Asajj Ventress for what they truly are.
I know it isn't a very strong plot but this is the lead off for a TV show that is aimed at children as well as hardcore fans. And that is where the problem lies. Amidst rather brutal scenes of clone trooper deaths and massive destruction, scenes of over humanized and way, way over the top humorous battle droids have been added for comic relief. If the pendulum didn't swing so fast and far between brutal and humorous, it might have worked. Well, at least Jar Jar Binks doesn't show up. Another point of contention is the lack of John Williams famous score. It's there, but “re-imagined” or “updated” some may say, but it didn't work for me, at least for the beginning and end credits, that is. When I go to a Star Wars film I want that first, familiar, blaring note to blast out at me and make it feel like I am returning to something familiar and well loved.
Most of the voice acting is spot on, however, the voice used for Chancellor Palpatine stands out like a sore thumb among voices who at least try to match their real life counterparts. Which is really too bad as the voice actor who plays him – Ian Abercrombie, does a decent Darth Sidious, but as Palpatine is sorely lacking. Anakin's voice, provided by Matt Lanter is even better for Anakin than Hayden Christensen, less whiny and a tad more serious while still retaining some of the impertinence from Christensen's performance. And James Arnold Taylor's Obi-Wan brings forth a well set tone of authority and wisdom that fits Obi-Wan to a T. Some of the best work was for Yoda and Padme, Tome Kane and Catherine Tabor respectively. I was surprised to find it wasn't Frank Oz and Natalie Portman voicing them since they had gotten Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Daniels and Christoipher Lee to reprise their roles.
As well as as decent voice cast, Clone Wars has some great animation, even if some of the character design is slightly lacking. The battle scenes are gorgeous, continuing what was previously showcased in Episode's II and III. The lightsaber duels were tight and beautifully choreographed except for the fight between Obi-Wan and Asajj Ventress which seemed a little jerky at times. But, ever since the original trilogy, I have always been excited to see what a Jedi in his/her prime can do and I have not been disappointed with the prequels, and Clone Wars continues to wow me with the feats of the Jedi.
All in all. Clone Wars may not be a perfect Star Wars film, but I will be watching every episode that is aired, if only to see how Ahsoka fairs by being trained by the future Darth Vader. I mean, you know it isn't going to end well right? Some have said that giving Anakin a padawan ruins established continuity, but I believe we will just have to see how everything turns out.
7/10
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Mitch Emerson
mitchemerson@hotmail.com
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