Written by: Kevin Berge
Still not sure what it says about me that I feel so passionate about critiquing a children's animated series. (Image Courtesy of: pinterest.com)
Quick Take: Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a mess of a series that hides strong ideas behind a ridiculous time structure and multiple story arcs that are difficult to sit through. Of its 121 episodes, only about 40 or so are truly worth the time invested in watching though many of those 40 are strong.
Star Wars Reviews: Episode I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | Rogue One
***The following is a complete review of the series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. In order to give an accurate breakdown of the television show's strength and weaknesses, some returning characters and plot ideas will be spoiled. Those who wish to not be spoiled on the series should read ahead at their own risk.***
One of the most interesting sections of the Star Wars universe only vaguely represented in the trilogies was The Clone Wars, a battle between the Jedi and Separatists during which Chancellor Palpatine was undermining both sides in order to gain lasting control.
This animated TV series aired on Cartoon Network and Disney XD was created to mine that time frame for short stories including characters audiences know well. It is aimed toward children though has moments that are genuinely more dark and affecting than those in the prequels due to impressive use of the medium.
Of course, American animated series are rarely perfect, and the same can be said for most Star Wars products. For all it does right, The Clone Wars falls flat on its face far too often with embarrassing attempts to continue George Lucas' exploration of political turmoil and espionage as well as making flat out bad decisions for story arcs.
Starting with its poorly conceived 2008 film, the series immediately shows one of its fundamental problems: it does not want to move in understandable chronological fashion (here is Lucasfilm's official roadmap). The series ultimately gets on track in this regard but not until season four.
Much of the first three seasons shift wildly with it hard to pin down a clear running theme or story development. By making it feel more like an anthology experience, nothing sticks out beyond individual episodes. Instead of strong story arcs, this series is at its best in unique affecting episodes.
Some of the best episodes of the series include: Clone-focused episodes that highlight the soldiers individuality including "Rookies", "Plan of Dissent", and "Orders"; bleak dark side focused chapters including "Ghosts of Mortis", "Massacre", and "The Lawless"; and the distinct growth of Anakin's Padawan Ahsoka on her own including "Brain Invaders" and "The Wrong Jedi".
When the series truly dives into the foundations of its mythology and lets the characters speak, it works wonders. However, the series too often gets bogged down in formality with a set of extra recurring characters with very little unique presence. Also, I will politely not name many of the series true missteps as there are quite a few.
***The following is a complete review of the series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. In order to give an accurate breakdown of the television show's strength and weaknesses, some returning characters and plot ideas will be spoiled. Those who wish to not be spoiled on the series should read ahead at their own risk.***
One of the most interesting sections of the Star Wars universe only vaguely represented in the trilogies was The Clone Wars, a battle between the Jedi and Separatists during which Chancellor Palpatine was undermining both sides in order to gain lasting control.
This animated TV series aired on Cartoon Network and Disney XD was created to mine that time frame for short stories including characters audiences know well. It is aimed toward children though has moments that are genuinely more dark and affecting than those in the prequels due to impressive use of the medium.
Of course, American animated series are rarely perfect, and the same can be said for most Star Wars products. For all it does right, The Clone Wars falls flat on its face far too often with embarrassing attempts to continue George Lucas' exploration of political turmoil and espionage as well as making flat out bad decisions for story arcs.
Starting with its poorly conceived 2008 film, the series immediately shows one of its fundamental problems: it does not want to move in understandable chronological fashion (here is Lucasfilm's official roadmap). The series ultimately gets on track in this regard but not until season four.
Much of the first three seasons shift wildly with it hard to pin down a clear running theme or story development. By making it feel more like an anthology experience, nothing sticks out beyond individual episodes. Instead of strong story arcs, this series is at its best in unique affecting episodes.
Some of the best episodes of the series include: Clone-focused episodes that highlight the soldiers individuality including "Rookies", "Plan of Dissent", and "Orders"; bleak dark side focused chapters including "Ghosts of Mortis", "Massacre", and "The Lawless"; and the distinct growth of Anakin's Padawan Ahsoka on her own including "Brain Invaders" and "The Wrong Jedi".
When the series truly dives into the foundations of its mythology and lets the characters speak, it works wonders. However, the series too often gets bogged down in formality with a set of extra recurring characters with very little unique presence. Also, I will politely not name many of the series true missteps as there are quite a few.
When are we getting a Clone solo film, Disney? Get a true war director at the helm, please. (Image Courtesy of: youtube.com)
It should be noted that the series ends on a powerful note in its fifth season then gets an extra season from Netflix that feels completely unnecessary. That extra season includes tales of how the Emperor took over the banks and Jar Jar was the only one who could save a civilization whose queen was his secret lover (this is not a joke). Though it does also have a satisfying last four episodes, lingering mysteries of the force.
The series benefits from a few great character additions and returns with Ahsoka at the forefront whose growth is the highlight of the series. Asajj Ventress has always been the best Sith of the prequel era not to appear in the prequels. Then Darth Maul was brought back for a short time late in the series to great effect with his more vicious brother Savage, making for a few strong late arcs.
The voice cast of the show is fairly strong despite every actor asked to do numerous roles while also having to emulate the roles of their live action predecessors. In particular, I almost forgot that Corey Burton (Atlantis: The Lost Empire) was voicing Count Dooku rather than Christopher Lee while James Arnold Taylor (Ratchet & Clank) brought an original flair to Obi-Wan.
The art style of this series works well enough, but it is so heavily computer generated that it often feels lazy. It is easy to distinguish the characters, but they do not match up well with the live action counterparts with their ability to convey emotions often a bit off-kilter.
The Clone Wars series is a representation of the best and worst that Star Wars can be. It looks at the heart of war and politics with the precision of a compactor trying to push in a nail, but it also represents the heart of the characters and the lore with a degree of honest appreciation you will rarely find, making it fun to be a Star Wars fan.
For those who love Star Wars, you will find something to love in this series. You just will have to wade through it particularly sifting through the early seasons. It may just be best to find a strong episode guide that tells you which sections to skip altogether as there are many.
The series benefits from a few great character additions and returns with Ahsoka at the forefront whose growth is the highlight of the series. Asajj Ventress has always been the best Sith of the prequel era not to appear in the prequels. Then Darth Maul was brought back for a short time late in the series to great effect with his more vicious brother Savage, making for a few strong late arcs.
The voice cast of the show is fairly strong despite every actor asked to do numerous roles while also having to emulate the roles of their live action predecessors. In particular, I almost forgot that Corey Burton (Atlantis: The Lost Empire) was voicing Count Dooku rather than Christopher Lee while James Arnold Taylor (Ratchet & Clank) brought an original flair to Obi-Wan.
The art style of this series works well enough, but it is so heavily computer generated that it often feels lazy. It is easy to distinguish the characters, but they do not match up well with the live action counterparts with their ability to convey emotions often a bit off-kilter.
The Clone Wars series is a representation of the best and worst that Star Wars can be. It looks at the heart of war and politics with the precision of a compactor trying to push in a nail, but it also represents the heart of the characters and the lore with a degree of honest appreciation you will rarely find, making it fun to be a Star Wars fan.
For those who love Star Wars, you will find something to love in this series. You just will have to wade through it particularly sifting through the early seasons. It may just be best to find a strong episode guide that tells you which sections to skip altogether as there are many.
Grade: D+
Extra Note: The original 2003 Clone Wars mini-series is near perfect, simple and elegant in its representation of the war and characters. The art style is more memorable while the storytelling often lets the music and art speak stronger than words. I would heartily recommend that series to anyone.
