Star Wars :: Clone Wars Review

Cartoon Network and the amazing Genndy Tartakovsky (creator of Dexter's Lab and Samurai Jack) assembled a series of 20 animated shorts which draw the viewer directly into the midst of the Clone Wars. Not being a TV watcher, myself, I borrowed a compiled recording of the "epic micro-series" and viewed it in between caring for my running nose and hoping the next cough doesn't come with a lung. I'm glad I did (watch Clone Wars, that is).

The Clone Wars are referred to in Star Wars lore as the time before the beginning of Star Wars Episode Four: A New Hope (you know, the first movie that's not really the first movie of the series). Even then, it's not really fleshed out beyond little hints like General Kenobi served with Princess Leia's father through it and Luke Skywalker's father, Anakin, was a great starfighter pilot.

I'm sure there are people who can quote Clone Wars official history but, as we all know, George Lucas is more than happy to revise it as necessary to fit the evolving story. In this case, I'm pleased to admit I don't care about the formerly-official history of the Clone Wars. This micro-series suits me just fine.

Spoilers may follow so shut your eyes if you're hoping to stay virgin before watching these yourself. Of course, the rest of the free world has already seen them so who am I protecting other than the folk in the not-so-free-world (who, I'm sure, saw it three weeks before the free world).

Where to Start - An Introduction

Since each episode is agonizingly short and nobody in their right mind remembers anything from Episode Two: Attack of the Clones except Jango Fett and Senator Amidala's bare midriff, it's only fitting that our beloved Yoda (not voiced by Frank Oz - something to be aware of since, out of the entire cast, only Anthony Daniels lends his trademark speech... though the voice actors do a decent job of mimicing their live-action counterparts) bring us up to speed on how the Clone Wars have spread like a fire across the galaxy.

In that introductory scene you get a taste of the jedi-heavy action about to unfold. Lightsabers flash as droids fall and clone troopers march in lock step. Since these shorts are obviously meant for people already in the know about general Star Wars lore, there is no exhaustive explanations of who and what all these people are or about. That's a good thing in my book since the limited time (roughly an hour if you count the introductory credits and such) wouldn't allow for a catch-up session each installment.

I can only imagine what it would be like to have to wait in between each segment (I'm assuming a week at a time since they seem to be part of Cartoon-Cartoon Fridays). With no time wasted getting you immersed in the Star Wars universe, you can just jump right in and immerse yourself as the story unfolds... and teases you with its promise.

The Characters - Disposable or Immortal

There are a great many characters both inhabiting and created by the Clone Wars shorts. The ones who are just visiting are, obviously, the main plotline's major players. These would include Anakin, Obi Wan, Amidala, Yoda, Mace Windu, Count Dooku, and Grand Chancellor Palpatine. You know that they are most likely untouchable and will remain true to their characters. In this you'll find there are no surprises... and each one performs exactly as they would have in Episode One or Two.

Where a derivative work like this (and, for example, any of the Star Wars novels) gets to excel are the minor players they introduce. These characters are allowed to grow and change (and, yes, die) through the course of the story. Sure, Anakin and Obi Wan are the heroes but to see an ARC trooper squad kick serious ass is a very pleasant surprise. Count Dooku is scheming and evil but Asajj captures your attention with her impertinence and Anakin-like drive.

There are other characters introduced but Asajj is the only one that really gets "fleshed out". She also, for some reason, looks really hot to me. I think I've been playing Shades too long.

As far as characters go, Clone Wars uses the tools (existing personalities) excellently and serves up enough stereotype-cracking goodness in its own creations to satisfy even me.

The Story - I hate to say it...

I love it. With the exception of some gratuitous jedi-action scenes (the underwater episode and even Mace's awesome battle which spanned two installments) and one gratuitous Yoda-kicks-ass scene the entire tale is a cohesive and wonderfully assembled journey. It's got intense lightsaber duels, ground battles behind enemy lines, grand melees, epic space warfare, and tons of action wrapped into a narrative bundle to tight I can't even begin to tear it apart.

Countless nods to the movies are made in a way that comes off reverent more than mocking. I think that's because there are some honestly funny moments which do a great job of lightening the tone of what could have been a flat, action-only story. My hat (if I wore a hat) goes off to the talented team that wrote and directed these shorts and really look forward to the upcoming set.

I'll also take this opportunity to mention that I wish that this story had come to us instead of Episode Two. I've learned to appreciate Episode One (which I, honestly, hated when I saw it in the theater) but I still can't sit through the mindless nothing that the Attack of the Clones represents. I've tried. Not even a bottle of NyQuil and a fever can zonk me out enough to watch much beyond that part. You know... the one with the ships blowing up.

With the fertile soil laid down in these first 20 episodes of the Clone Wars, I can't even guess what direction the next ones will take. It's the best Star Wars since The Empire Strikes Back.

Technical Stuff - I have to mention it

Most of the time I didn't even think about Clone Wars as animation. The space battles were every bit as gripping (if not more so) as the CG-fests served up to us in the latest Star Wars movies. The style is similar to Samurai Jack (the battles especially so). Character art is stylized but does an excellent job of representing the heart and soul of their persons. I have a sneaking suspicion that several scenes (especially Anakin's and Asajj's fighter duel) were more CG than hand-drawn but, aside from that, the hand-drawn art is stirring. Poetry in motion.

Conclusion - Now this is Star Wars

Adventure, excitement, and danger... I crave these things. Having just watched the DVD re-releases of the original trilogy, I was reminded of how much I loved these movies when I was a kid. Afterwards, I braved a viewing of Episode One and my faith held true. I couldn't finish watching Attack of the Clones. Maybe, with the excellence of the Clone Wars micro-series fresh in my mind I'll try to rekindle some enthusiasm for the upcoming "conclusion" being cooked up. If you ever enjoyed any Star Wars movie, watch the Clone Wars... it might make you want to be a jedi again too.

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Note: all images captured from a taped copy of Clone Wars shorts.