Review of Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) by Jeff B — 17 Aug 2010

With all of the computer-generated effects and stilted dialogue, Star Wars: Episodes I-III should probably have been animated as opposed to being filmed in live action. For better AND worse, watching Clone Wars compounds this notion to the Nth degree. Because the film is an electric candy-colored joy ride, there is none of the stodginess involved with actors listlessly standing against a green screen looking for invisible monsters. But, because the action has been streamlined due to razor-sharp animation, the inequities of its paper doll-thin storyline come directly to the forefront. Amazingly, the film makes viewers appreciate Episodes I-III more for their overall look and design and appreciate them less for their crap storytelling.

Set between Episodes I and II, this PG-rated all-animated adventure finds Jedi Knights Anakin and Obi Wan rescuing crime boss Jabba the Hut?s son from a nefarious Empire kidnapping plot.

From the moment the screen teases moviegoers with the words ?A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,? this installment just FEELS different (think: Star Wars-Lite). And this goes beyond the simple reason that it is animated. In many ways, Lucas?s prequel trilogy actually benefits from this filler story?s character development and sharp look. Anakin is given Padawan Jedi trainee Ahsoka Tano to contend with. Through their verbal sparring, The-Man-Who-Would-Become-Darth-Vader acquires a greater depth, which helps viewers to better understand his dark road ahead. Unfortunately, the flimsy dialogue set against the action-heavy backdrop makes filmgoers realize they are watching nothing more than a video game and have been all along.

Bottom line: Star Wars-Lite.