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Star Wars - Clone Wars: Vol. 1Price:
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The war which began in the feature film STAR WARS: EPISODE II- ATTACK OF THE CLONES continues in this animated series directed by Genndy...
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The war which began in the feature film STAR WARS: EPISODE II- ATTACK OF THE CLONES continues in this animated series directed by Genndy Tartakovsky. The separatists and the republic engage in a blowout fight, with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Yoda defending the republic against the likes of Count Dooku, an alien bounty hunter, and many others. The program features a unique format that consists of many short segments ranging from two to three minutes in length. In each micro-episode, new characters join the ongoing battle of good against evil. This Emmy Award winning series has earned critical acclaim for its highly original visual style, which features characters rendered in an elongated manner that brings attention to the drawing process.
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12 Reviews from Epinions.com
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Star Wars - Clone Wars: Vol. 1
Luke Skywalker: You fought in the Clone Wars?
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Yes. I was once a Jedi knight, the same as your father.
Luke Skywalker: I wish I'd known him.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: He was the best star pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior. And he was a good friend.
Ever since the Clone Wars were first mentioned in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, speculations ran rampant as to what occurred during this event. There was very little information available other than these few facts: Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi Master, was a general during this time; Anakin Skywalker, Luke’s father, fought alongside Obi-Wan as a Jedi knight and was a very skilled pilot. For many years, people have tried to deduce what exactly happened during this time period and how long the event took place before the formation of the Galactic Empire. One concept ranged from a war between the Republic and the Mandalorians. Another touched upon a war between clones against he Republic and the Jedi. It wasn’t until the end of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones that all was revealed.
Star Wars: Clone Wars is a microseries of animated segments that reveal the story of events that occurs between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Animator and producer Genndy Tartakovsky landed the plump role of telling this tale. Noted for his other animated series such as Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory, George Lucas hired him to direct this new series. Originally, it was supposed to be only one-minute segments to be aired on the Cartoon Network after the end of a show. However, Lucas was impressed by Tartakovsky’s fluid animated storytelling that he increased it to three-minute segments. Seasons One and Two consist of 20 three-minute episodes that is now collected in Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume One.
The first two seasons follow center around one major storyline with a series of battles surrounding the event. The main story focuses on the Battle of Muunilinst, where the Confederacy of Independent Systems’ battle droid and warship factory was located. The Republic attacked the problem both on the ground (led by Obi-Wan Kenobi, now a general) and in space (by Anakin Skywalker). During his space battle, Anakin encounters Asajj Ventress, Count Dooku’s Force-sensitive protégé. She is being tested by Dooku to see if she has to strength to become a true Sith. Her mission is quite simple if she can handle it: to kill Anakin Skywaker.
While this is going on, other battles are being fought: Kit Fisto takes on the Quarren Isolation League on Mon Calamari; Mace Windu takes on a massive super battle droid army on Dantooine; and Luminara Unduli and her newly knighted former Padawan Barriss Offee take on Chameleon droids, who plan on destroying the lightsaber crystal temple on Ilum. Yoda, along with Senator Padmé Amidala, C-3PO and R2-D2 come to help only to find out that they are too late to save the temple. It was revealed that Count Dooku gave the droids the secret location of the temple.
But it’s at the Battle of Hypori that one of the Republic’s greatest threat at the time would make his debut—General Grievous. This deadly cyborg led a massive droid army on Hypori in destroying several Republic ships, the annihilation of an entire Republic army, and the deaths of several Jedi, including Tarr Seirr, Daakman Barrek and Sha'a Gi. It also didn’t help that he is able to fight them on their own level using several lightsabers at once.
Tartakovsky’s influence is heavily seen in both his animated style and pacing. This is an action-oriented serial with less development placed on story and plot, though that can be argued considering how much was crammed within each three-minute segment. But when all 20 segments are put together, it flows very nicely with interweaving stories coming together.
There are times when dialogue is scarce, and I applaud that move. Not every scene needs to be filled with forced conversation to break the silence. In fact, there are a few scenes that rely heavily on sound effects and silent hand gestures; there isn’t even any music in the background. It’s eerie yet very effective at the same time creating even more tension for the given moment.
I like the simplicity of the animation and it suits this microseries quite well. The kinetic pacing of the action requires quick, fluid movement and this is where Tartakovsky’s direction is impeccable.
The voice acting is superb, even though only one actor from all six films lends his talent to this series—Anthony Daniels reprises his role as C-3PO.
Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume One will please fans of this series as it starts to fill in the gaps surrounding the mysterious Clone Wars of so long ago. Not surprisingly, I actually enjoyed this much better than the first two prequels. There is a better flow to the storytelling that keeps everything moving forward. It isn’t choppy or stilted, as George Lucas tends to do with his directing. Luckily for us, Lucas gave over the reins for someone else to do and we are much better for it as a result.
Also Included:
• Exclusive "Bridging the Saga: From Clone Wars to Revenge of the Sith" featurette - including new interviews with George Lucas, Genndy Tartakovsky, the Clone Wars production crew
• a glimpse of Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume Two
• Behind-the-scenes featurette
• Two director commentaries
• Two galleries of concept art, storyboards, sketches, and more
• Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith teaser trailer
• Episode III video game trailer
• Star Wars Republic Commando video game trailer
• An Xbox-playable game level of Star Wars Republic Commando
_____________________________________________________________
Related Reviews
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume One — Exhilarating Bursts of the Force Every Three Minutes
| Author's Rating: |
|
Pros: Fantastic, fluid animation; great storytelling pace; absolutely fun
Cons: Could actually have put all three seasons on one DVD
The Bottom Line:
If you need to fill the gap between Episodes II & III, then Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume One will whet your appetite. Just don't overindulge.
Luke Skywalker: You fought in the Clone Wars?
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Yes. I was once a Jedi knight, the same as your father.
Luke Skywalker: I wish I'd known him.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: He was the best star pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior. And he was a good friend.
Ever since the Clone Wars were first mentioned in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, speculations ran rampant as to what occurred during this event. There was very little information available other than these few facts: Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi Master, was a general during this time; Anakin Skywalker, Luke’s father, fought alongside Obi-Wan as a Jedi knight and was a very skilled pilot. For many years, people have tried to deduce what exactly happened during this time period and how long the event took place before the formation of the Galactic Empire. One concept ranged from a war between the Republic and the Mandalorians. Another touched upon a war between clones against he Republic and the Jedi. It wasn’t until the end of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones that all was revealed.
Star Wars: Clone Wars is a microseries of animated segments that reveal the story of events that occurs between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Animator and producer Genndy Tartakovsky landed the plump role of telling this tale. Noted for his other animated series such as Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory, George Lucas hired him to direct this new series. Originally, it was supposed to be only one-minute segments to be aired on the Cartoon Network after the end of a show. However, Lucas was impressed by Tartakovsky’s fluid animated storytelling that he increased it to three-minute segments. Seasons One and Two consist of 20 three-minute episodes that is now collected in Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume One.
The first two seasons follow center around one major storyline with a series of battles surrounding the event. The main story focuses on the Battle of Muunilinst, where the Confederacy of Independent Systems’ battle droid and warship factory was located. The Republic attacked the problem both on the ground (led by Obi-Wan Kenobi, now a general) and in space (by Anakin Skywalker). During his space battle, Anakin encounters Asajj Ventress, Count Dooku’s Force-sensitive protégé. She is being tested by Dooku to see if she has to strength to become a true Sith. Her mission is quite simple if she can handle it: to kill Anakin Skywaker.
While this is going on, other battles are being fought: Kit Fisto takes on the Quarren Isolation League on Mon Calamari; Mace Windu takes on a massive super battle droid army on Dantooine; and Luminara Unduli and her newly knighted former Padawan Barriss Offee take on Chameleon droids, who plan on destroying the lightsaber crystal temple on Ilum. Yoda, along with Senator Padmé Amidala, C-3PO and R2-D2 come to help only to find out that they are too late to save the temple. It was revealed that Count Dooku gave the droids the secret location of the temple.
But it’s at the Battle of Hypori that one of the Republic’s greatest threat at the time would make his debut—General Grievous. This deadly cyborg led a massive droid army on Hypori in destroying several Republic ships, the annihilation of an entire Republic army, and the deaths of several Jedi, including Tarr Seirr, Daakman Barrek and Sha'a Gi. It also didn’t help that he is able to fight them on their own level using several lightsabers at once.
Tartakovsky’s influence is heavily seen in both his animated style and pacing. This is an action-oriented serial with less development placed on story and plot, though that can be argued considering how much was crammed within each three-minute segment. But when all 20 segments are put together, it flows very nicely with interweaving stories coming together.
There are times when dialogue is scarce, and I applaud that move. Not every scene needs to be filled with forced conversation to break the silence. In fact, there are a few scenes that rely heavily on sound effects and silent hand gestures; there isn’t even any music in the background. It’s eerie yet very effective at the same time creating even more tension for the given moment.
I like the simplicity of the animation and it suits this microseries quite well. The kinetic pacing of the action requires quick, fluid movement and this is where Tartakovsky’s direction is impeccable.
The voice acting is superb, even though only one actor from all six films lends his talent to this series—Anthony Daniels reprises his role as C-3PO.
Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume One will please fans of this series as it starts to fill in the gaps surrounding the mysterious Clone Wars of so long ago. Not surprisingly, I actually enjoyed this much better than the first two prequels. There is a better flow to the storytelling that keeps everything moving forward. It isn’t choppy or stilted, as George Lucas tends to do with his directing. Luckily for us, Lucas gave over the reins for someone else to do and we are much better for it as a result.
Also Included:
• Exclusive "Bridging the Saga: From Clone Wars to Revenge of the Sith" featurette - including new interviews with George Lucas, Genndy Tartakovsky, the Clone Wars production crew
• a glimpse of Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume Two
• Behind-the-scenes featurette
• Two director commentaries
• Two galleries of concept art, storyboards, sketches, and more
• Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith teaser trailer
• Episode III video game trailer
• Star Wars Republic Commando video game trailer
• An Xbox-playable game level of Star Wars Republic Commando
_____________________________________________________________
Related Reviews
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
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