Movie Info
Movie Name: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Studio: Lucasfilm Animation
Genre(s): Animated/Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Action/Adventure
Release Date(s): August 15, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG
Lets get crackin’! We’re going to need to win over viewers after this one!
The Separatists are gaining ground and it is up to the Republic to stop them. Now Anakin Skywalker has been assigned a young Padawan named Ahsoka Tano against his request. When the Separatists kidnap Jabba the Hutt’s son Rotta, Rotta becomes a bargaining chip to try to win Jabba’s favor and allegiance in the war. As Anakin and Ahsoka try to capture Jabba again, it leads them into conflict with Dooku’s Jedi assassin Asajj Ventress.
Directed by Dave Filoni, Star Wars: The Clone Wars was meant to be the big introduction to the TV series of the same name. The story presented in the film takes place between Star Wars—Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars—Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. It was ravaged by critics and some argued that it was the worse film of 2008.
The Star Wars prequels were questionable and a series set within the prequels with so-so animation seems like a risky venture. Star Wars however is Star Wars and that gets a pass from some people (often me included). Star Wars: The Clone Wars is not the best step into the animated world.
Um…what the hell is this?
The movie is dull. The first part of the movie involves Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka trying to free a planet from invaders. It has little to do with the last two-thirds of the movie which is primarily about the Separatist plot to control Jabba the Hutt and turn him against the Jedi and Republic. Both parts are pretty generic. Plus what was up with Jabba’s uncle Ziro…suddenly Jabba is related to Truman Capote.
It is unfortunate that the movie isn’t very good because the television show is entertaining. This movie is a good way to turn people against it instead of encouraging them to tune in. If these episodes had been in the television series and the TV series format, they wouldn’t be as bad. Watching them one after another and using it as an introduction just didn’t work. It was asking a lot to have people meet all new characters and a weird style of animation when in the theater, Pixar style of animation is more accepted.
You know your uncle is a freak?
The animation of the movie is the same animation they use in the TV show. On the show it works, but here it doesn’t. The TV show is going for big screen feel on a small screen basis. Here, the movie was going for big screen feel on a big screen…only it felt like small screen on a big screen. I think this also really turned people against the movie.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars was a mistake to premiere in theaters. The story presented was just supposed to be regular episodes but the makers chose to put them together to form a movie. The previous traditionally animated Clone Wars was popular and many felt it shouldn’t have been messed with. The movie is dull and lifeless which isn’t true of the series. That is unfortunate. I waited until the fourth season to check out the show because of this movie and now thoroughly enjoy it. I hope that people do see past this movie.
Related Links:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 3 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 4 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Season 5 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
Star Wars Rebels—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Star Wars Rebels—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
