Reviewing The Clone Wars A Theatrical Pilot
Review of: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Overall Rating: 8.5
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a wonderful exciting movie that is a must see for Star Wars fans. To clarify some points that apparently people did not get. This is a pilot for a TV show that got a theatrical release not Star Wars Episode 2.1 movie. The Clone Wars is a piece of fandom that has made it into the mainstream.
Don't This is a pilot for a TV show that got a theatrical release not Star Wars Episode 2.1 movie. It is not a star wars movie George Lucas is done with Star Wars, there is only 3 about Anakin's rise and fall, 3 about his redemption, and there is the possibility for 3 more about the Skywalker family but George has already told us that he isn't going to do them. For those who are upset over this it would be like watching Star Trek The Next Generation and getting mad that Kirk is not in it.
The Clone Wars is a piece of fandom that has made it into the mainstream. Since this is a work of fandom it presumes that the audience has familiarity with the Star Wars setting and especially the Clone Wars animated series and so the pilot does not take time away from the story to tell the audience about things they should know. This is great because the pilot has a great pace and does not sag to explain set up.
This pilot has a great pace, story, and action sequences. They did a great job with the project. It is a must see for Star Wars fans and a great film for those who like animated films. I'm very excited about the series that is scheduled to start in January and can't wait to see more.
The Plot / Story: The Clone Wars is set in the time frame between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. As the war rages on between Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic Jabba the Hutt’s son is taken by a group of renegades. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi depart in search of answers: where is the Hutt’s son, and who is controlling this mysterious renegade group? Yoda also sends Ahsoka Tano along as Anakin’s apprentice.
Likes
The old newsreel style of intro very reminiscent of Starship Troopers: although I missed the classic scrolling intro it is only for the star wars movies.
The animation style works, I found it curious at first because it is not familiar. but is easy to watch and not distracting from the story, The ships looks awesome
I was pleased to see that they did not live up to my two biggest concerns one being too kidsey and two the battle up the cliff face. they didn't make it too kidsey. kept the same feel that we love about the Star Wars setting where it has a nice balance between being dramatic, comedic moments, moments of tension moments of excitement. The battle up the cliff face made sense, was dramatic, and intense with a dash of play added in.
they actually pulled off showing the severity of battle and not glorifying it by giving subtle moments where in the background after a battle we can see wounded soldiers hobbling off the battlefield or a trooper stooping down to confirm a fallen soldier was dead which showed the suffering of battle but did so without blood and all of the grotesque reality
It is a wonderful follow up to the animated clone wars
it has a great pace and does not sag in the middle, the story is set up like an intense duel where the overarching story is the two duelers which is supported with multiple mini tension objectives that operate to give tension and satisfaction but build one upon the other toward a clear ending. They stay focused on the storyline there is lots to take in but nothing that is unnecessary for the storyline.
The ending has a fun twist to it. instead of the final battle and then the ending we get reminded that there is an objective and that the final battle is not that objective. I loved this and of course they work out that the final scene is similar in style to the final scene in episode I and IV. a nice homage to the Star wars Movies.
The characters were well done. Asajj Ventress was portrayed much more like the Ventress in the books and earlier series. I especially loved Ahsoka she was a perfect padawan for Anakin.
characters have nicknames for each other which added a nice reality to the pilot especially for Sky Guy and Snips.
The force powers are taken to the next level and since it is animation they were able to show those powers in their fullest.
Dislikes / Concerns
Concerned: people will not get that this film is a TV Pilot released to the theaters and not a theatrical movie.
Concerned: This is a film for fans of Clone Wars they don't baby the audience and unfortunately some "adults" can't handle that.
I Still think Count Duku looked weird because he is so blocky
Get your copy of Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Buy more Star Wars
Netflix lets you rent, watch and return DVDs from home - Try free for 2 weeks
Don't wait. Guarantee your seat before you go and avoid a sold out show. Skip the box office lines and buy movie tickets at Fandango.com.