Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Well, true to my word, I was at the first showing, Friday morning at 11:10. I was the oldest person there who wasn’t with a child, and I heard the ushers snickering after they tore my ticket and I walked to Screen 2.
And to be honest, it was a bit of a let down.
Whilst there were plenty of battles, lightsabers, and starships, the whole thing felt dumbed-down, which is saying something when we’re talking about Star Wars, which is hardly the most hardcore of sci-fi…
There were one too many generalisations (Referring to Jabba as ‘Jabba the Hutt, rather than Jabba Desilijic Tiure which is his full name) and simplified explanations.
Whilst I know that these sorts of things are necessary for a film aimed at younger viewers, surely they are only needed in moderation here? I mean, is there anyone going to go and see this film who isn’t already a fan of Star Wars to some degree? They will already know that Jabba is the Jabba the Hutt from Return of the Jedi.
They already know hwo useless Battle Droids are. They don’t need it to be shown and re-iterated every thirty seconds.
There was also an over-simplification of the characters. Now I’m well aware that Star Wars films have a habit of over-simplifying certain characters (Jar Jar Binks being a prime example), but here they have taken characters that anyone who has seen the prequel trilogy will already know, and rendered them down to almost a series of sound bites and catchphrases. And don’t even get me started on Anakins Padawan, Ahsoka. Worst character ever. And her interaction with the other more senior Jedi – who are her superiors! – is nothing short of clichéd ridiculousness.
I did think that the CGI stylings of the film would really irk me, but to be honest, I think they really work – they capture not the very image of the characters, but the essence of them.
The Obi Wan character is as disproportionate as everyone else in the film, and doesn’t resemble Ewan McGregor, but it still looks like Obi Wan! Much like a caricature, actually.
Captain Rex, Obi Wan, and Anakin
The battles featured were pretty impressive – finally showing how some of the rank and file troopers fought in these epic Clone Wars, with masses of blaster bolts criss-crossing the screen faster than the eye can follow. The lightsabers too were stunning, although the lightsaber combat felt a little disjointed, and none of the combatants followed the fighting styles established for them in previous and/or later films – Obi Wan and Anakin fight almost exactly the same, despite their vastly differing styles.
Hmm, maybe I’ve examined the details in this light film too far. Well, such is the way when you’re a tad obsessive like moi…
Anyway, in conclusion, don’t expect epic-ness on the scale of Episode III, nor a nostalgia-fest like the original trilogy. Star Wars: The Clone Wars is not a bad film, but in my estimation, it could never have lived up to it’s predecessors. It’s a good film, but don’t wait to Force-pushed out of your chair by it.
TTFN
2 Comments
April 24, 2009 at 4:34 am
Nice review. It did feel “dumbed down” story wise. I think it was made to be three episodes of TV show instead. It would have rocked there.
I agree too, it was a smaller story, and not the epics you and I enjoyed.
I was not forced pushed out of my chair. ha. I am enjoying the TV series though.
Here is my take on the whole first season (with pics) if you are interested:
http://fortresstakes.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/star-wars-the-clone-wars-2008-season-1-22-episodes/
April 24, 2009 at 8:50 am
I’d heard that it was originally intended to be the pilot for the new series, and initially thought it would be a waste. But having seen it I agree with you – on the small screen it would have rocked!