Written by: Kevin Berge
Only a true friend could give Anakin a side eye like that. (Image Courtesy of: senscritique.com)
Quick Take: Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003) is the perfect Star Wars experience, subtle and action-packed with respect for the characters that defines them as true war heroes. Written as a series of short stories coming together into a cohesive experience of Star Wars in wartime, it is a powerful two-hour experience with its music and art.
Star Wars Reviews: Episode I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | Rogue One | Clone Wars
***This is an in-depth review exploring the entirety of the series from start to finish. There will be spoilers. Those who have not seen it should take this hearty recommendation to check it out then come back to avoid being spoiled on story elements.***
A long time ago, or rather just over one year ago, I reviewed the modern Clone Wars TV series, and I added a final note at the end about a little 2003 Clone Wars show that has been surprisingly underrepresented (Lucas called it a pilot for the modern show). For some reason, I took a year to finally decide to actually review the micro-series itself.
Airing in 2003 as a sequence of shorts on Cartoon Network, Star Wars: Clone Wars, perhaps more directly known as Tartovsky's Clone Wars, explores the war that dominated the Star Wars universe in-between episodes II and III in small but memorable chunks.
Created, directed, and co-written by Genndy Tartovsky at the peak of his animation dominance over Cartoon Network, this show sparks with the best elements of Tartovsky's work. It often can feel like Samurai Jack in the Star Wars universe with even larger scale fights but the same attention to detail.
Nowhere is this more felt than in the use of music and sound effects to tell the story. There are long stretches of time in this micro-series with almost no dialogue. Even when there is dialogue, it is often snappy. The occasional opening Yoda monologues (somewhat unnecessary) are the only real moments of pure verbal storytelling.
The art style is so uniquely Tartovsky that it could have felt like the show was more a Tartovsky than Star Wars, but that art allows for some of the most incredible scenes particularly artistically ever made in this universe. The vibrancy feels so new yet so vital that I often wonder if it was a direct inspiration for the sequel trilogy color palettes.
There is no Star Wars series to date that better utilizing the license without relying on the brand. The movies created a style that most seem to be afraid to escape and adapt while this Clone Wars adaptation is completely fearless. It embraces the universe with flair.
***This is an in-depth review exploring the entirety of the series from start to finish. There will be spoilers. Those who have not seen it should take this hearty recommendation to check it out then come back to avoid being spoiled on story elements.***
A long time ago, or rather just over one year ago, I reviewed the modern Clone Wars TV series, and I added a final note at the end about a little 2003 Clone Wars show that has been surprisingly underrepresented (Lucas called it a pilot for the modern show). For some reason, I took a year to finally decide to actually review the micro-series itself.
Airing in 2003 as a sequence of shorts on Cartoon Network, Star Wars: Clone Wars, perhaps more directly known as Tartovsky's Clone Wars, explores the war that dominated the Star Wars universe in-between episodes II and III in small but memorable chunks.
Created, directed, and co-written by Genndy Tartovsky at the peak of his animation dominance over Cartoon Network, this show sparks with the best elements of Tartovsky's work. It often can feel like Samurai Jack in the Star Wars universe with even larger scale fights but the same attention to detail.
Nowhere is this more felt than in the use of music and sound effects to tell the story. There are long stretches of time in this micro-series with almost no dialogue. Even when there is dialogue, it is often snappy. The occasional opening Yoda monologues (somewhat unnecessary) are the only real moments of pure verbal storytelling.
The art style is so uniquely Tartovsky that it could have felt like the show was more a Tartovsky than Star Wars, but that art allows for some of the most incredible scenes particularly artistically ever made in this universe. The vibrancy feels so new yet so vital that I often wonder if it was a direct inspiration for the sequel trilogy color palettes.
There is no Star Wars series to date that better utilizing the license without relying on the brand. The movies created a style that most seem to be afraid to escape and adapt while this Clone Wars adaptation is completely fearless. It embraces the universe with flair.
How could anyone look at this guy and not see his eventual turn to the dark side coming? (Image Courtesy of: drewsviews.info)
What allows this micro-series to stand out so strongly and resonate beyond the films is its attention to character. Over the course of two hours, the series has more respect for the prequel characters than any of the prequel films even at their best moments.
Who is Anakin Skywalker? Clone Wars says he's cocky, arrogant, and aggressive, but he's also consistently empathetic, a clever tactician, and a good friend. We see him at his best, fighting alongside Obi-Wan with their friendship best realized, and at his worst when he is pushed beyond his limit in a violent fight with Asajj Ventress.
Other characters aren't as well defined, but the Jedi as a whole have never looked stronger. In fact, their power is so overwhelming it can feel at times like this is a legend being told rather than the actual events. Mace Windu especially just seems overpowered as he blasts through an entire army of robots with quiet precision.
However, the arrival of General Grievous shows there are limits to that might as he slices through hosts of Jedi, taking on three at a time more than once. While the Jedi we know survive those fights, they cannot win. This character who is filler at best in Revenge of the Sith is utterly enthralling and frightening here.
This sense of power and fantasy is fully realized in the series' action which borrows heavily from the acrobatic style that defined the prequels. While that can look silly in live action, it is perfect for animation. The lightsaber duels are incredible while the fights between the clones and droids embrace the dynamic of the war.
The clones are an elite fighting squad, and you can see this in their actions. The higher ranked clones use impressive tactics and have their own unbelievable moments of greatness. The droid threat meanwhile is purely a dominant force because of sheer numbers, blotting out entire city blocks with their armies.
Who is Anakin Skywalker? Clone Wars says he's cocky, arrogant, and aggressive, but he's also consistently empathetic, a clever tactician, and a good friend. We see him at his best, fighting alongside Obi-Wan with their friendship best realized, and at his worst when he is pushed beyond his limit in a violent fight with Asajj Ventress.
Other characters aren't as well defined, but the Jedi as a whole have never looked stronger. In fact, their power is so overwhelming it can feel at times like this is a legend being told rather than the actual events. Mace Windu especially just seems overpowered as he blasts through an entire army of robots with quiet precision.
However, the arrival of General Grievous shows there are limits to that might as he slices through hosts of Jedi, taking on three at a time more than once. While the Jedi we know survive those fights, they cannot win. This character who is filler at best in Revenge of the Sith is utterly enthralling and frightening here.
This sense of power and fantasy is fully realized in the series' action which borrows heavily from the acrobatic style that defined the prequels. While that can look silly in live action, it is perfect for animation. The lightsaber duels are incredible while the fights between the clones and droids embrace the dynamic of the war.
The clones are an elite fighting squad, and you can see this in their actions. The higher ranked clones use impressive tactics and have their own unbelievable moments of greatness. The droid threat meanwhile is purely a dominant force because of sheer numbers, blotting out entire city blocks with their armies.
It can be so troublesome sometimes to arrange your own kidnapping with these meddlesome Jedi. (Image Courtesy of: nerdygirlconfession.wordpress.com)
It would have been easy to simply tell this story straight with drama and emotion in the moments of little dialogue, but it is the comedy that often stands out more strongly. Obi-Wan is great at all moments especially in his banter with Anakin, and everyone has their moment with a quick line.
That comedy does not distract from the intense story on display but is placed at the right moments to still reveal these character's depth. Grievous is an unrelenting force, but he's also arrogant, allowing Shaak Ti to repeatedly evade him through subtlety. It is funny at first, but, as he keeps coming back, it adds to his mystique.
The first season is the best with so much packed into the first-half of the war on Muunilist while the third season is the weakest due to its fractured storytelling, but none of the seasons lose their spark. The tone is consistent, and it is clear that these events are vital to the franchise going forward.
Because of its length, some corners are cut in stories, particularly leaving out details and emotional threats along the way. At the same time, the length forces the story to always push forward. This makes the sacrifice worth it and leads to a cohesive whole that could have been told longer but would have been weakened by it.
When I think about my ideal Star Wars experience, I think back on Tartovsky's Clone Wars. It may be a bit overly reverent, but that's a part of its charm. These characters feel and act larger than life, and finally we truly feel what it is like for Jedi to be at war and see what they can do.
Star Wars stories often stumble at the comedy and dialogue that meant to ground the fantastical world, so it is welcome to see a show that masters both by using them sparingly and relying on the world and its vibrancy in color and concept to tell the story.
That comedy does not distract from the intense story on display but is placed at the right moments to still reveal these character's depth. Grievous is an unrelenting force, but he's also arrogant, allowing Shaak Ti to repeatedly evade him through subtlety. It is funny at first, but, as he keeps coming back, it adds to his mystique.
The first season is the best with so much packed into the first-half of the war on Muunilist while the third season is the weakest due to its fractured storytelling, but none of the seasons lose their spark. The tone is consistent, and it is clear that these events are vital to the franchise going forward.
Because of its length, some corners are cut in stories, particularly leaving out details and emotional threats along the way. At the same time, the length forces the story to always push forward. This makes the sacrifice worth it and leads to a cohesive whole that could have been told longer but would have been weakened by it.
When I think about my ideal Star Wars experience, I think back on Tartovsky's Clone Wars. It may be a bit overly reverent, but that's a part of its charm. These characters feel and act larger than life, and finally we truly feel what it is like for Jedi to be at war and see what they can do.
Star Wars stories often stumble at the comedy and dialogue that meant to ground the fantastical world, so it is welcome to see a show that masters both by using them sparingly and relying on the world and its vibrancy in color and concept to tell the story.
