Thursday 26 / December / 2024
When you sift through Steven Spielberg’s long list of award-winning works that have gathered critical acclaim the world over, his stint with animation probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But Star Wars: The Clone Wars remains a cult classic among fans of the epic sci-fi series, and it’s not that difficult to see why.
We’ve always wanted a deeper look into the lives of the Jedi and their dedication to the Galactic Republic, and the show provides that in spades.
Even those who are vaguely familiar with the concept of the Jedi will know that they embody all that is good—honour, nobility, courage, selflessness, sacrifice, and valour — for which they are known across the galaxy.
Set between Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu, and even the legendary Master Yoda are all back to aid the Republic in their fight against Count Dooku, General Grievous and the evil Separatist Alliance.
But while all of us are excited to see our old heroes again, the show introduces a host of new ones that have captured our hearts and imaginations. For starters, there are the clone troopers, who often saw, but heard little about in the movies. The Clone Wars sees Commander Cody, Captain Rex, and loyal soldiers of The Republic take centre stage, as they fearlessly head into the conflict to defend The Republic’s interests.
And it’s the selfless actions of these troopers in the battles that span the length and breadth of the galaxy that really endear them to you, from braving an enemy blockade to deliver food and medical supplies to the starving citizens of a planet, to unflinchingly sacrificing their own lives so that unarmed civilians can escape the advancing enemy forces. The qualities of these clone troopers and their Jedi generals, whether they’re fighting on rocky, inhospitable terrain and frigid wastes on remote planets, or travelling at light speed across the universe as they attempt to pursue the Separatists, is what endears you to root for the Republic in the first place: determination and doggedness, not just to achieve victory, but to do it in an honourable way.
It’s a lesson that’s being imparted not just to the clone troopers, but one the Jedi are also continually rediscovering themselves. We did get to see some of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s best quips during the movies, but there wasn’t much room for interaction between the Jedi away from the rigours of battle.
The Clone Wars goes a long way in putting that right, leading to some great chemistry between Kenobi, Skywalker, and the rest of the Jedi council. For the first time in its history, the Jedi order really does feel like a brotherhood, which only heightens your desire to become part of this sacred order. This edition of Star Wars also places great emphasis on the need for Anakin to grow up. Enter Ahsoka Tano, his very own Padawan assigned to him by Master Yoda, who hopes that while she will learn the ways of the Jedi from Skywalker, and at the same time, help to tame his immature outlook on the world.
With an excellent cast of voice actors and superb animation from Star Wars creator George Lucas’ very own Industrial Light and Magic studio to complement the intriguing plot and storylines, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is sure to transport you to a galaxy far, far away.
The Short and Skinny
Name: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Genre: Anime/Action/Sci-Fi
Producers: Lucasfilm Animation
What it’s about: Join Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and the rest of the Jedi as they help lead the Galactic Republic to victory in the Clone Wars
Runtime: 30 minutes
Starring: Ian Abercrombie, Ashley Eckstein, James Arnold Taylor, Tim Curry, Ahmed Best
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
