Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume 1.
February 25th 2008 21:50
Category: Videos
Based on the Star Wars saga by: George Lucas.
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky.
Screenplay by: Bryan Andrews, Darick Bachman, Paul Rudish & Genndy Tartakovsky.
Producer: Genndy Tartakovsky.
Starring: Corey Burton (Count Dooku), Anthony Daniels (C3PO), Grey Delisle (Asajj Ventress/Padme Amidala/Shaak Ti), Tom Kane (Yoda), Mat Lucas (Anakin Skywalker), Nick Jameson (Palpatine/Darth Sidious), John DiMaggio (General Grievous), James Arnold Taylor (Obi Wan Kenobi), Cree Summer (Luminar Unduli), Tatyana Yassukovich (Bariss Offee), Andre Sogliuzzo (ARC Captain), Daran Norris (Durge/Master Barrek) and Kevin Michael Richardson (K’kruhk).
Produced by: 2003 – 2004 Lucasfilm Ltd.
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Running Time: 67 minutes. Rating: PG.
This montage of various three minute episodes collected together in a single DVD volume was part of a plan by Lucasfilm Ltd to show some bridging stories between the finale of Episode II Attack of the Clones and the start of Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Initially these episodes were shown on MTV in both the US and Australia, which was something of a bummer as at the time they first aired not many people in Australia have pay TV where MTV is broadcast – free to air networks are still the norm in most households as far as I’m aware. As for what it’s like in the US I have to admit to not having any idea, having never travelled stateside. Still eventually Lucasfilm in conjunction with Fox managed to release the first series onto DVD followed up by the second series shortly after once that had been achieved many people who had not seen these cartoons were able to get a good look at them.
So what happens within the animated Star Wars, well essentially all the major characters are there; Yoda, Obi Wan, Anakin, Padme, Count Dooku, Darth Sidious and C3PO along with a cast of other hitherto unseen or unknown characters such as Durge, Asajj Ventress, ARC Captain, K’kruhk and Jedi Master Shaak Ti. Strangely out of all the voices heard in this series Anthony Daniels aka C3PO is the only movie cast member involved, though a few of the others have appeared on various Star Wars computer games brought out by Lucasarts over the last few years, in particular the two Knights of the Old Republic games as well as Star Wars: Battlefront II. As far as story goes the plot revolves around an attempt by the Intergalactic Banking Clan (IBC) has hidden huge factories on the planet of Muunilinst in which they are building warships and a massive droid army. Naturally such a move by the Banking clan can only make things worse for the Republic and the Jedi Order in the ongoing war.
Like fire, across the galaxy the Clone Wars rage and it seems that the Republic is becoming more and more besieged by the forces of the Confederation of Independent Systems (CIS) each day. Thus the efforts of the Banking clan to further strengthen the military might of the CIS means that it is imperative that the Republic put an end to their efforts. Obi Wan argues precisely this point with Supreme Chancellor Palpatine in that worthy’s office on the planet Coruscant, the Republic’s capital. Palpatine agrees with Master Kenobi but plaintively points out that the forces of the Grand Army and their Jedi generals are thinly stretched. Master Yoda has a solution to this, Master Kenobi will lead the attack on Muunilinst, his army is ready for action all the Chancellor need do is give the word. Palpatine is only to happy to do just this, with one proviso that Anakin Skywalker be put in charge of the space forces involved in the upcoming attack on the Banking clan’s homeworld.
And so the drama begins, the forces of Obi Wan’s clone troops all march onto their ships whilst Anakin’s fighter pilots launch off into the skies ready to dock with the Republic assault ships waiting for them. Anakin exchanges a rather forlorn farewell with his wife, Senator Padme Amidala, as his fighter lifts off and makes it way to the rendezvous with the rest of the fleet. Now the die is cast, as Julius Caesar was won’t to say, and all that remains now is for the Republic forces to hopefully stem the tide against their foe and come out victorious. Naturally Obi Wan, wise Jedi that he is isn’t going into this conflict cold, en route he briefs a unit of his elite ARC (Advanced Reconnaissance Commando) troopers on what they’re to do once the fleet arrives at the target.
This particular unit of clone troopers are really cool, especially the ARC Captain clad in his red highlighted armour and packing two really groovy blaster pistols. They are the elite of the Republic forces and once they get into action you soon see why this is the case. Not a lot is said, and in fact the only trooper who actually has any dialogue is the ARC Captain, must of the communication between him and his fellow commandos is done via hand signs which look cool. These are some hardcore soldiers and they pretty much handle their mission without breaking a sweat; much to the chagrin of the Banking clan and its droid forces.
Of course the mission of Obi Wan and Anakin are not the only ones featured, there is Kit Fisto’s expedition to the water world of Mon Calamari where the Quarren Isolation League seeks to overthrow the Calamari council and bring the planet into the CIS fold. Then there is Master Windu’s struggle on the farming world of Dantooine against the droid forces there and the huge mobile ground pounder that they have flying over the battle field smashing everyone to grist. All these conflicts are occurring as the forces of Obi Wan and Anakin are engaged with the conflict on Muunilinst. And whilst all this is going on the other side are at work with their own schemes and agendas, Count Dooku may not be actively involved in the fighting currently taking place but he is involved in efforts to bring about the end of the Jedi and the Republic. Journeying through the interstellar deeps in his solar sail yacht he arrives at the distant Outer Rim world of Rattatak to recruit a warrior to his cause, enter Asajj Ventress who is looking to make a name for herself and become the good right hand of Count Dooku.
The production team who are behind this series have opted to go for a stylistic approach, depicting the essence of the various movie characters rather than actually going for a true to life depiction of such characters. Frankly I think their efforts hit the mark nicely and combined with the various sound effects that have been created by Ben Burtt for the movies down through the years along with John Williams’s original music then this series is a worthy edition to the Star Wars universe. And they have adopted the matinee movie style format which George Lucas himself used in the creation of his epic saga, this series like the old matinee movies ends on a cliff hanger with the vicious and thoroughly evil General Grievous about to terminate several Jedi who have been stranded on planet Hypori after their attack was blunted by the forces of the CIS. The cyborg general and Jedi Master Ki Adi Mundi leap into combat against each other and then cue credits and closing theme. It worked well creating an air of suspense and making the audience wonder what was going to happen.
The Clone Wars animated series is definitely an entertaining experience, one worth taking time out and watching and as it comes in at just a little bit over an hour it doesn’t take up too much of your time.
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky.
Screenplay by: Bryan Andrews, Darick Bachman, Paul Rudish & Genndy Tartakovsky.
Producer: Genndy Tartakovsky.
Starring: Corey Burton (Count Dooku), Anthony Daniels (C3PO), Grey Delisle (Asajj Ventress/Padme Amidala/Shaak Ti), Tom Kane (Yoda), Mat Lucas (Anakin Skywalker), Nick Jameson (Palpatine/Darth Sidious), John DiMaggio (General Grievous), James Arnold Taylor (Obi Wan Kenobi), Cree Summer (Luminar Unduli), Tatyana Yassukovich (Bariss Offee), Andre Sogliuzzo (ARC Captain), Daran Norris (Durge/Master Barrek) and Kevin Michael Richardson (K’kruhk).
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Running Time: 67 minutes. Rating: PG.
This montage of various three minute episodes collected together in a single DVD volume was part of a plan by Lucasfilm Ltd to show some bridging stories between the finale of Episode II Attack of the Clones and the start of Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Initially these episodes were shown on MTV in both the US and Australia, which was something of a bummer as at the time they first aired not many people in Australia have pay TV where MTV is broadcast – free to air networks are still the norm in most households as far as I’m aware. As for what it’s like in the US I have to admit to not having any idea, having never travelled stateside. Still eventually Lucasfilm in conjunction with Fox managed to release the first series onto DVD followed up by the second series shortly after once that had been achieved many people who had not seen these cartoons were able to get a good look at them.
So what happens within the animated Star Wars, well essentially all the major characters are there; Yoda, Obi Wan, Anakin, Padme, Count Dooku, Darth Sidious and C3PO along with a cast of other hitherto unseen or unknown characters such as Durge, Asajj Ventress, ARC Captain, K’kruhk and Jedi Master Shaak Ti. Strangely out of all the voices heard in this series Anthony Daniels aka C3PO is the only movie cast member involved, though a few of the others have appeared on various Star Wars computer games brought out by Lucasarts over the last few years, in particular the two Knights of the Old Republic games as well as Star Wars: Battlefront II. As far as story goes the plot revolves around an attempt by the Intergalactic Banking Clan (IBC) has hidden huge factories on the planet of Muunilinst in which they are building warships and a massive droid army. Naturally such a move by the Banking clan can only make things worse for the Republic and the Jedi Order in the ongoing war.
And so the drama begins, the forces of Obi Wan’s clone troops all march onto their ships whilst Anakin’s fighter pilots launch off into the skies ready to dock with the Republic assault ships waiting for them. Anakin exchanges a rather forlorn farewell with his wife, Senator Padme Amidala, as his fighter lifts off and makes it way to the rendezvous with the rest of the fleet. Now the die is cast, as Julius Caesar was won’t to say, and all that remains now is for the Republic forces to hopefully stem the tide against their foe and come out victorious. Naturally Obi Wan, wise Jedi that he is isn’t going into this conflict cold, en route he briefs a unit of his elite ARC (Advanced Reconnaissance Commando) troopers on what they’re to do once the fleet arrives at the target.
This particular unit of clone troopers are really cool, especially the ARC Captain clad in his red highlighted armour and packing two really groovy blaster pistols. They are the elite of the Republic forces and once they get into action you soon see why this is the case. Not a lot is said, and in fact the only trooper who actually has any dialogue is the ARC Captain, must of the communication between him and his fellow commandos is done via hand signs which look cool. These are some hardcore soldiers and they pretty much handle their mission without breaking a sweat; much to the chagrin of the Banking clan and its droid forces.
Of course the mission of Obi Wan and Anakin are not the only ones featured, there is Kit Fisto’s expedition to the water world of Mon Calamari where the Quarren Isolation League seeks to overthrow the Calamari council and bring the planet into the CIS fold. Then there is Master Windu’s struggle on the farming world of Dantooine against the droid forces there and the huge mobile ground pounder that they have flying over the battle field smashing everyone to grist. All these conflicts are occurring as the forces of Obi Wan and Anakin are engaged with the conflict on Muunilinst. And whilst all this is going on the other side are at work with their own schemes and agendas, Count Dooku may not be actively involved in the fighting currently taking place but he is involved in efforts to bring about the end of the Jedi and the Republic. Journeying through the interstellar deeps in his solar sail yacht he arrives at the distant Outer Rim world of Rattatak to recruit a warrior to his cause, enter Asajj Ventress who is looking to make a name for herself and become the good right hand of Count Dooku.
The production team who are behind this series have opted to go for a stylistic approach, depicting the essence of the various movie characters rather than actually going for a true to life depiction of such characters. Frankly I think their efforts hit the mark nicely and combined with the various sound effects that have been created by Ben Burtt for the movies down through the years along with John Williams’s original music then this series is a worthy edition to the Star Wars universe. And they have adopted the matinee movie style format which George Lucas himself used in the creation of his epic saga, this series like the old matinee movies ends on a cliff hanger with the vicious and thoroughly evil General Grievous about to terminate several Jedi who have been stranded on planet Hypori after their attack was blunted by the forces of the CIS. The cyborg general and Jedi Master Ki Adi Mundi leap into combat against each other and then cue credits and closing theme. It worked well creating an air of suspense and making the audience wonder what was going to happen.
The Clone Wars animated series is definitely an entertaining experience, one worth taking time out and watching and as it comes in at just a little bit over an hour it doesn’t take up too much of your time.
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Comment by Kemmster
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I thought the animated Clone Wars by Samurai Jack boy were actually more satisfying than the latest live action installments.
Astounding editing, animation and story development...a must for star wars fans especially for the mythology like how a lightsabre is built.