Title: Star Wars: Clone Wars: Chapters 11-20
Starring The Voices Of:
Matt Lucas, James Arnold Taylor, Tom Kane, Nick Jameson, Anthony Daniels, Grey
Delisle, Corey Burton, John DiMaggio, Daran Norris, Kevin Michael Richardson,
Andre Sogliuzzo, Cree Summer, and Tatyana Yassukovich
Supervising Producer: Brian
Miller
Story By:
Bryan Andrews, Darrick Bachman, Paul Rudish, and Genndy Tartakovsky
Based On “Star Wars” Created By: George Lucas
Producer/Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Running Time: 3 minutes per episode (38 minutes For Chapters 11 Through 20 Without Commercials – NTSC VHS Screener)
Media: Cartoon Network Original Animated Micro-series
World Premiere: Friday, March 26, 2004, at 9:30pm (ET/PT)
Network: Cartoon Network (Check your local cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: Not Available At The Time Of This Writing
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
After nearly five months of
waiting and speculating, the Cartoon Network will finally air the concluding ten
chapters of the epic sci-fi action animated micro-series “Star Wars: Clone
Wars.” A lot happens by the end of the series that beautifully sets up the
third and final feature film in the Star Wars Saga that opens in May of 2005. In
a nutshell we get to see a lot more of Anakin Skywalker in the second half of
the series than we did in the first, which balances the series out as a whole
since the first portion of the series showed a bit more of Obi-Wan Kenobi on the
surface of Muunilinst than Anakin
fighting above. The second half features two episodes on the planet Dantooine
where Mace Windu single handedly destroys a Confederacy weapon that is sort of
like the ultimate cockroach crusher. It is a bit funny when it is first
introduced because the build up to its presence on the battlefield literally has
all of the characters on both sides of the conflict stopping frozen in their
tracks and this reviewer glued to his couch.
The dual between Anakin and Dark Jedi Asajj
Ventress qualifies as one of the best
light saber duals in the series despite the fact that this is a cartoon. The
outcome not only adds dimension to Anakin’s power as a Jedi, but it takes him
a step closer to the dark side as well as further estranges his relationship
with Obi-Wan. The artwork for both Dantooine and Yavin 4 stays close to the
artistic renditions of the worlds as seen in books like “The Illustrated Star
Wars Universe” as well as what little of Yavin 4 viewers got to see in “Star
Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope.” Attention to detail like this helps to elevate
the series toward being more a part of the “Star Wars Saga” as opposed to
being simply something from the “Expanded Universe.”
The most damage to the Jedi occurs in
chapters 14, 15, and 16 where Padme, C3PO, and R2D2 accompany Yoda to the icy
planet Illum, where Jedi Luminara Unduli and Barris Offee are in mortal danger
as cloaked droids attempt to destroy the caverns where the crystals the Jedi use
to create their light sabers are stored and cared for. The results of this
campaign combined with the appearance of General Grievous in episode 20 truly are what deal the most damaging blows
to the Jedi because like the events that occurred in both Episodes II, and I
each battle the Jedi win is ultimately an empty victory for them. They are still
pawns in a greater Chess game being played by the Sith. We all know this, but it
is the knowledge of the events to come that lead us into the original classic
trilogy of films that makes watching what transpires equally compelling and
bittersweet.
General Grievous is definitely the most
demoralizing villain to appear in the “Star Wars Saga” since everyone first
saw Darth Vader in “A New Hope.” His manner of speech and taunting methods
are enough to make even the most renowned Jedi Knights sweat. The only thing
more devastating than hearing General Grievous is actually seeing him in action.
He can easily fight with three light sabers and still be a threat with his
remaining free limb. I cannot say for certain if the General did indeed do what
I think he did, but if the concluding battle in chapter 20 were what I think it
is, I would warn viewers now not to expect to see certain Jedi background
characters introduced in the last two films to appear in Episode III. The
pinwheel manner and speed in which the General fights multiple Jedi at once
should add great excitement and anticipation for his character’s live action
appearance in Episode III and while I think he is definitely a cool villain,
I’d still be surprised if he was on film in the final cut of Episode III for
more than five minutes of screen time. Mind you this is a guess on my part. I
have no insider information on the next Star Wars movie whatsoever. I am jus
comparing his animated introduction to Boba Fett’s back in the 1978 “Star
Wars Holiday Special” as well as the subsequent introduction of the action
figure afterwards and then remember how much time we actually got to see Fett in
“The Empire Strikes Back.” However whatever the title of the third and final
Star Wars film might be, I doubt it will be entitled “Star Wars Episode III:
General Grievous” anymore than Episode V would be redubbed “Star Wars:
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back With Boba Fett.” These are supporting bit
characters that help to elevate the danger and action of the entire tapestry of
the series as a whole and thus the films should not center on them. Regardless
it will still be interesting to see how Grievous figures into the storyline of
the film series as a whole in May, 2005
Like certain actions taken by Yoda in the
first two prequel trilogy films, I now and again wonder whether or not the Jedi
had their downfall coming in their own hubris. Manipulating Captain Typho like a
puppet with the Jedi mind trick in front of Senator Padme with no attempt to
even the hide the fact he is doing it not only makes her head of security look
completely ineffectual, but it places the Senator in danger. I mean I can
understand that he must get Illum to save the Jedi and the crystals from
destruction, but one might think a shuttle or something would be included in
these private starships. Perhaps I’m nitpicking, but that is what went through
my mind during that sequence.
Some might be disappointed by the rather
abrupt and somewhat unresolved conclusion to the series, but considering this is
one short piece in a greater multimedia tapestry, as a whole “Star Wars Clone
Wars” not only appears to be the great precursor to Episode III, but if the
powers that be in Lucasfilm and Cartoon Network wanted to, they could easily
continue the adventures should another set of episodes be commissioned and
produced before next year’s theatrical debut. While on the subject of things
that could happen before the theatrical premiere of “Episode III,” I just
want to make my own personal request as a reviewer and a fan and ask that the
eventual DVD release allow viewers the option to watch all twenty episodes as
one long animated adventure without the little chapter breaks and if Warner Home
Video distributes it then please package the DVD in a keep case so it will match
with the Fox DVD releases already available. Thank you.
“Star Wars: Clone
Wars” Chapter 11 will premiere Friday, March 26, at 9:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Subsequent chapters will air weeknights at 8 p.m. (ET, PT) from Monday,
March 29 through Thursday, April 8. “Star
Wars: Clone Wars” marathons will air Friday, April 9, and Saturday, April 10.
Check your local cable and satellite listings for additional information.
© Copyright 2004 By Mark
A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.