MOVIE REVIEW - Star Wars: Clone Wars

STAR WARS the Next, Next Generation:

Things have changed in the world since Star Wars hit the theaters in 1977. I remember the incredible stir it caused with just about everyone. Suddenly, there was nothing at all to talk about with my friends but how hot Princess Leia was and how skimpy her costume was. We were 12 year old boys, I make no excuses. Later we find out she was born Leia Amidala Skywalker, which would have quickly ruined the whole Luke and Leia romance 'thing'.

Episode IV - which calmly scrolled up the screen, a cool visual effect in itself – we were completely confused and full of pre-pubescent glee! There are FOUR? One Star Wars was enough, but does that mean there is another 3 coming? What next? Even at that tender age I imagined Star Wars making so much money that perhaps Lucas could go back and make all the missing episodes? I fantasized about what the 'clone war' would look like.

For many, the impact of Star Wars on the course of our lives was nothing short of revolutionary. Overnight the entire language of fantasy and science fiction in film was transformed, and with it, the dreams and creative direction of an entire generation of artists and film-makers. It wasn't just about the films either, Lucas practically invented an entirely new form of marketing and before the studio could could say "hand over the cash", he had slapped Star Wars on lunch-boxes, collector cards, toys, games, and anything else he could think of. "Star Wars" deprived 13 year-old fans everywhere just lapped it up like starving kittens! Anticipation for further Star Wars adventure began building to a fevered pitch becoming regular recess conversation. What happened to Darth Vader? Was the empire really kaput? Did millions of voices really cry out in terror and then suddenly were silenced? Many deep and heated conversations ensued over fries and ketchup.

Even though Lucas employed repackaged archetypal characters and ideas, good old good vs. evil and historical figures like the Samurai, it was all presented in a revolutionary 'dirty realism' and a never before seen sense of realism which left us completely agog. By the time the second..err.. fifth film arrived, “the Empire Strikes Back”, salivation and mania were overwhelming! The second film cemented the love affair with the Star Wars universe with many fans; a film many believe to be the best of them all. Empire set new records and since Lucas had been very careful to retain his control it made him an empire unto himself in the process. We also had a new creature to imitate, the asteroid inhabiting slug creature!

As most fans know, after Return of the Jedi -Episode VI - there was a massive Star Wars void. We kept waiting for news of the mysterious 'clone wars' to be fleshed out (no pun intended) but alas it did not appear. Decades passed and suddenly we were not impassioned pre-teens any longer, but when Lucas put Star Wars back into the theaters we all flocked to the theaters once again, giggling in unabashed delight as the big yellow STAR WARS hit us in the face, giving us the same goose-bumps it did so long ago. With the new scenes and effects there was little doubt this was a prelude to the holy grail, Episode I.

When the Episode I was released I remember sitting in the theater watching the yellow words crawl up the screen reinforced once again by William's musical brilliance. I was struck by a sense of wonder and nostalgia so powerful I almost couldn't contain myself from yelling at the screen. “oh ya!” I'm no picky audience like some, but admittedly I found Episode I to be a bit shallow and if I could murder Jar-Jar I surely would. Overall though, I was pleased that it was finally being undertaken, but disappointed in what could have been done and wasn't. Episode I could have been so much more intricate and deep, but Lucas chose to sanitize and pablumize a story that I remembered as gritty and full of life.

Episode II and III were considerably better. Ep.III contained almost the power and mystery I remembered from Ep.IV. My daughter who was about the same age watching E:III as I was watching E:IV in 1977 was equally overwhelmed and I caught her weeping when poor Anakin was de-legged.

So, an entire generation has passed, and the promise has finally been fulfilled of a six part Star Wars extravaganza. What now? Lucas has offered a new view and style with Clone Wars. An episodic snippet from the period before Anakin succumbs to the dark side and loses everything to evil Palpatine. The reviews I read almost mocked fan's devotion and feeling for the story and history of the films. I find it incomprehensible to review with distain an iconic entry in this universe without even being alive when the first one was released. How can one comment on the importance and contribution made to the film industry, the affect on the genre of science fiction and most importantly the hearts and minds of the millions that have been fundamentally changed by it! Watching the trilogy in a retrospective manner on a DVD just doesn't give you the appreciation for how it really did change things for us, and may yet change a young dreaming mind today.

Admittedly in this overcrowded high-tech universe, such trivial things as a new Star Wars film perhaps can not engross and enrapture us as it did in 1977, where the pinnacle offering of the high tech world consisted of 8 track cassettes and rotary dial phones. Now we are seeing technology similar to, or even more advanced then what was shown in the original Star Wars universe. How can we avoid being jaded?

So, am I saying Star Wars: Clone Wars was a perfect film? No. However as an artist I was very impressed. Each scene and environment followed a distinct style and colour palette, akin to the revolutionary and gorgeously stylized Sleeping Beauty by Walt Disney. The characters were heavily stylized and artistically expressed, very akin to Madagascar. The space battles were brilliantly executed and whenever there are large capitol ships involved they have very convincing weight and presence. The camera work is excellent and also very creative! I was extremely impressed with the soundtrack which was both subtle, not at all overdone and with a slight eastern influence which works very well with the Star Wars 'esque' buildings.

There were a few issues though, like for example, Padme was very overtly a caricature and somewhat clown-like in appearance. Yoda was borderline laughable and under normal circumstances he's hard to buy anyway, in this film, a weak character is he! I also still have an issue with the grand master of the Jedi order and the most powerful jedi in the known universe lounging around with Palpatine, the greatest evil ever to grace the galaxy, all the while completely clueless to his true nature. I also found myself wondering how a blueish warthog-like alien ended up with a Scottish accent?

Many have commented on “lame dialog”. I must admit, it was a lot like a Sunday morning cartoon. Hmmm, hold the subspace communicator, could it actually be the pilot for... well, you guessed it... a Sunday morning cartoon?. Don't get me wrong, this is no Pixar film and doesn't actually pretend to be. It's stylized, artsy and complete cheese. However, may I remind that Indiana Jones is not much different. In fact, it follows the formula quite closely. If you enter the theater expecting a sophisticated animated version of Star Wars then understandably you will leave still with a hungry tummy empty of meaty Star Wars, but, if you expect a fun romp with a decent story and dialog aimed at 12 year olds, you will be completely satisfied.

I had a great time watching this film. The space battles are engrossing and the story pretty well told. Overall it's very worthy of the money I plunked down to watch it! This world has become so full of pessimism and overwhelmingly tiring, it's nice to put one's 'life brain' on the shelf for a while and twist and turn through an artistically told Star Wars yarn, one completely unlike anything we have seen so far. I for one am really looking forward to watching the animated series this movie is a pilot for. Apparently the story came together so well Lucas decided to release this as a feature film instead of the afore-planned television pilot. Kudos Lucasfilm. Very daring of you, yet very appreciated by at least this fan. Come on people, lighten up, Star Wars was always about fantasy and fun!

Ian Davis