‘Clone Wars’ waged anew

‘Clone Wars’ shows how to expand George Lucas’ universe

(Published Nov. 30, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

The vibrant animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” expands the universe established in George Lucas’ long-finished space saga, adding previously unseen characters and conflicts to the rich mythology.

Chronicling the events between episodes II and III, “The Clone Wars” reveals that Anakin Skywalker became a mentor to young Padawan (Jedi apprentice) Ahsoka Tano, who was introduced in 2008’s “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated film. Like Anakin’s headstrong character, Ahsoka nevertheless learns the virtue of patience, while her master gradually wizens up to make more mature decisions.

Yes, Anakin will embrace the Dark Side of the Force later, but for now, he’s a hero and leader. His eventual downfall is barely hinted at.

The first season of “Clone Wars” is characteristically rife with epic battles and drama across several worlds; unexplored story angles, like alien races choosing sides during the conflict, are finally focused on. There are complexities to the war that were never mentioned in the prequel movies, and frenetically paced conflicts that look breathtaking as digitally rendered images.

Viewers are spared the wooden, awkward acting, and the occasional iffy dialogue that marred the prequels. The appealingly distorted and textured faces consistently project the right emotions, the characters still recognizable despite being cartoon-ized.

While new visuals and dynamics make “Clone Wars” quite immersing, some familiar action sequences, like the spaceship battles, drone with a mechanical, video game-y quality. The never-ending swarm of dumb and expendable Battle Droids can be tiring, as well. Thankfully, we only get a few minutes of Jar Jar Binks’ disastrously klutzy antics in the first season.

There are things that translate well, like the lightsaber duels, and Yoda’s combat prowess (he effortlessly takes on a droid battalion in the first episode). We get to see the secret romance between Anakin and Padme Amidala flourish. Also, Jedi Council members that only briefly appeared in the movies are given attention. And R2-D2 gets to kick butt when a double-crossing Astromech droid is exposed.

The TV show is able to explore a balance; it’s occasionally dark and intense enough for grownups, but colorful and accessible enough for younger viewers, whether they’re new or not to the Star Wars galaxy.