THE CLONE WARS
US, 2008, 90 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Daniels, Christopher Lee.
Directed by Don Filoni
Just when many reviewers thought that ‘Enough is enough with the Star Wars franchise’, it is now taking off again in a new form. And, perhaps, the old fans (who were around 10 when the first Star Wars film was released in 1977) will be pleased to see some more. And the younger audiences may be pleased with an animated version rather than live action. For that is what it is, an animated version, relying on the popular styles of daytime television and of the Anime and Manga cartoons from Japan. (Much of the animation for this film was done in Lucasfilms Singapore studios.)
After a voiceover introduction explaining who is who, what is what and where is where (and some why is why) that might bamboozle those (few?) who are not familiar with the Republic and its becoming the Empire, we find that many of us are more at home in the galaxy than we might have thought. After getting accustomed to the animation style (not classy in finesse but strong in Lucas atmosphere), we find that it is not bad and it is quite enjoyable to be in the company of Yoda, Obi -Wan Kenobi, Annikin, The Chancellor, Senator Padmila, Jabba the Hut and many old friends and enemies (especially Count Dooku) and Jabba’s Truman Capote-sounding brother, Zero the Hut.
While there are many Clone battles, the main action concerns Count Dooku (voiced in his familiar sinister fashion by Christopher Lee who played him in previous episodes) and his plot to bring down the Jedi and the Republic by getting his sinister lady-assassin to abduct Jubba’s son, a little Hutlet. Annikin, still in training with Obi -Wan Kenobi, and showing some of the impetuosity that we know will lead him to the Dark Side, hurries to the rescue, along with a 14 year old trainee Ahsoka Tano who shows she is impetuous too. After a number of adventures, especially destroying the destructive shield, they achieve their goals, not without further risks and dangers. R2 D2 accompanies them – and 3CPO is allied with the Senator.
Apparently this episode fits in between 2 and 3, although Annikin and Padme Amidala don’t seem to be as well acquainted as they were in The Attack of the Clones.
An above average animation film though no masterpiece. But, after all, there could be some sequels and we are assured that The Force is well and truly with us again.
1.Thirty years of popularity of Star Wars? The six films? The re-releases? Audience knowledge of the characters, the world of the galaxies and the empire? Their love for the Star Wars stories and characters?
2.Star Wars in the 21st century? The change of audience, the older audience who loved the films in the past? Younger audiences? The influence of the tradition of television cartoons? The reliance of the stars of Japanese anime and manga?
3.The style of the animation, broad, the characters, not realistic? The backgrounds, the galaxies and the planets? The staging of the battles? The voices and their familiarity? The robots? The musical score and John Williams’ themes?
4.The situation of this episode in the six films? With episodes two and three? The focus on Obi Wan Kenobi? On the young Anakin? The senator? Jabba the Hutt? Duku, the wars and the treaties?
5.Looking back at the characters in the hindsight of the later films? Of Anakin going over to the Dark Side? Of Obi Wan Kenobi as the wise Jedi? The Skywalker family? Anakin’s marriage, the birth of Luke and Leah?
6.The background of the republic, the leader of the republic, the role of the Senate, the role of the Jedi? The battles of the clones? The importance of trade, permissions at the edge of the empire, the building of the empire?
7.Yoda, his presence, his role, his way of speaking, advice, communication, being beamed up? His adviser? The leader and his role?
8.Anakin and his character, memories of him as a boy, impulsive, being trained by Obi Wan Kenobi? His being assigned to the Padma? His clashes with her, the plans, ideas? Going into action? The importance of the shield, their getting under the shield, their being able to reverse it? Landing on the planet, in the desert, getting the Huttlet back, the nature of the rescue? Going to Jabber the Hutt, her being captured, his not knowing and fighting, confronting Jabber the Hutt? Anakin and the change? The Paduan and the change?
9.Jabber the Hutt, his role in the galaxies, the abduction of the Huttlet? His power, the treaties, his anger, sending the bounty hunters? His suspicions of Anakin? His being upset, the Paduan and Anakin telling him the truth, not believing? Duku and his trying to persuade him otherwise, his plans and lies? Reunited with his child?
10.Zero, the senator going to see him, the club, the patrons, his manner, her overhearing the truth about Duku? Her plan, the confrontation, informing C3PO and his leading the troops to her rescue? Her presence with Anakin – and the audience knowing the future?
11.Count Duku, his being a Jedi, his being sinister, the Dark Side, his plans and intrigues, using Zero, abducting the Huttlet, the confrontation and his losing? The importance of his assassin, her presence, the capture, deadly?
12.Obi Wan Kenobi, the Jedi tradition, training Luke, trying to make him see the truth, integrity? An honourable Jedi?
13.The robots, R2D2? - his being with Anakin? C3PO and his being with the senator?
14.The wars, the clones, the visualising of the battles, the effects?
15.Anakin and his character, the possibility of the two sides, the meeting with the senator? The dangers, the Paduan and his learning from her? The battle?
16.The Paduan, her character, young, inexperienced, brash, wise, with the Huttlet?
17.The possibility of more stories and the opening up of the history of the galaxy?
